Evidence of meeting #1 for COVID-19 Pandemic in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.
A video is available from Parliament.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. We cannot hear her.
2:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
I'm sorry. We have a point of order from Mr. Waugh. We can't hear what's being said.
Mrs. Atwin, are you on the English channel?
2:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
Could you go to the English channel? We seem to be having some issues with the “off” channel when it's off campus here. Maybe I'll let you continue with English. If you do go to French, maybe switch over. It takes some coordination, but we're working on it at this end. This was one of our concerns when we started. It's holding out not badly, but we are having a few hiccups.
I'll let you continue. Thank you, Mrs. Atwin.
2:30 p.m.
Green
Jenica Atwin Green Fredericton, NB
Okay, thank you. You might also hear my son. He doesn't sound very happy in the background.
I'm reiterating a question in a tighter frame than the one asked by my colleagues in the Bloc, because this is a very critical issue in Canada and I want a very clear answer.
I'm directing this to the Minister of Finance through you, Mr. Chair. Canadian corporations avoided paying a reported $11.4 billion in tax in 2019 by using tax havens. The COVID pandemic brings to light the issues that were left in the shadows, things like the chronic underfunding of long-term care homes that led to terrible conditions for their residents and workers, and the lack of services for victims of domestic violence as another example. These are things that we need to fund with the public purse that our taxpayers contribute to.
Can the Minister of Finance confirm today that no taxpayer dollars will go to helping corporations that are avoiding doing their part to strengthen our social fabric?
2:30 p.m.
Liberal
Diane Lebouthillier Liberal Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank my colleague for her important question.
I want to reiterate that the fight against tax evasion in Canada and abroad is a priority for our government. With respect to tax evasion abroad, under our leadership, the agency has conducted twice as many audits in three years as it conducted in 10 years under the Conservatives. The agency is currently conducting over 50 criminal investigations related to international tax evasion. As we said, we've made unprecedented investments of almost $1 billion. We've given the agency the tools that it needs to fight tax evasion and tax avoidance.
2:30 p.m.
Green
Jenica Atwin Green Fredericton, NB
Thank you.
I am reassured by the fact that we are putting in place measures to help students, the ones who will rebuild our future in our country. However, we are forgetting or leaving some of them behind. International students in Canada contribute an estimated $21.6 billion to Canada's GDP and support almost 170,000 jobs for Canada's middle class.
Can the minister confirm that measures will be put in place to support international students, who will also play an important role in relaunching our economy?
2:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
The honourable Minister.
Sorry, but Mr. Rayes is raising a point of order.
2:30 p.m.
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Chair, at 2:23 p.m., I lost the audio connection. I tried to let you know. However, at 2:26 p.m., I was completely cut off from the virtual meeting. I've just been reconnected by the people from technical services. They quickly helped me, and I want to commend them for their prompt action.
I want to know the plan for this type of situation to ensure access to the discussions, in particular to the answers to questions. I and the other 276 members are here because we're interested in this matter. We want to take part in this experience and to access all the information, particularly the ministers' answers to the relevant questions asked by my colleagues from all the opposition parties.
2:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
Good question. Thank you for asking it.
The meeting will be posted online once we're finished. You could go online and find out what was said starting from the exact time that you lost the connection. All the members can do so, along with all Canadians who are interested in what happened during this meeting.
I'm sorry, Mr. Epp. You have a point of order.
2:35 p.m.
Conservative
Dave Epp Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
Yes, I am hearing both you and the French translation at equal volume, and I am not able to understand either.
2:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
That was one of the issues that came up when we were starting; the translation was going to be an issue with an overlay like that. We're still working on it. We got most of it cleared up, but it's something that is coming back.
Basically, I was explaining to Mr. Rayes that if you've missed anything along the way, what Canadians can do, including all members of Parliament, is to go online and see exactly where you were cut out and what you missed and listen to hear what was said and how it was said then. It is a feature that I'm sure all MPs, and certainly all Canadians across the country, will appreciate. Hopefully we'll get this interpretation issue cleared up as we progress.
So we'll continue.
2:35 p.m.
Conservative
2:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
Ms. Rempel, one moment. We're going to Mr. Rayes, and then we'll come back to you.
Monsieur Rayes.
2:35 p.m.
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to ask you to pass on a message.
I've already lost my Internet connection. Even though I'm in one of Canada's Parliament buildings right now, I lost my connection. We could ask technical services to ensure that the Wellington Building is properly connected so that we can do our work, especially if these virtual meetings continue.
2:35 p.m.
Liberal
2:35 p.m.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
I did. I just wanted to say thank you to all of the House of Commons IT staff who have been working very hard, including Joshua Lind, who helped me with my technical difficulties. I think we should give them a virtual round of applause.
2:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
That's not a point of order, but I'm sure it's very much appreciated by all staff at this end.
We'll continue. We have two minutes and 25 seconds left.
Ms. Atwin, we'll let you continue with your line of questioning.
2:35 p.m.
Green
Jenica Atwin Green Fredericton, NB
Can I hear the answer to my question about international students?
2:35 p.m.
Liberal
Carla Qualtrough Liberal Delta, BC
Mr. Chair, through you to the member, I can assure you that we're looking at a number of different ways to support international students. We value the contributions they make to our country in a number of different ways.
International students, if they meet the criteria, are eligible for the CERB. We have actually taken steps to relax the restriction put on international students in terms of how many hours they can work among classes a week, when classes are in session. This is particularly important for international students who work in the health care sector and can now contribute as essential workers in this crisis.
2:35 p.m.
Green
Jenica Atwin Green Fredericton, NB
Mr. Chair, my next question is about the oil and gas industry.
We see that the cost of a barrel of oil is at less than a dollar. We've talked about this transition to move from fossil fuels potentially to renewable energy or what's next for Canada. Well, it's time for that plan.
I really would like to know of some concrete steps going forward on how we're supporting a just transition for workers in the oil and gas industry. How are we moving Canada forward to the future? The time for that transition should have been quite some time ago, but here we are now, and the transition has been made for us. What's the plan moving forward for the oil and gas industry in Canada?
2:35 p.m.
Liberal
Seamus O'Regan Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Mr. Chair, we're working with the industry and with workers. Indeed, a transition has been occurring because the investment climate has changed demonstrably in the oil and gas industry.
Right now, our focus continues to be on the workers themselves and indeed on the companies that will provide those workers with the jobs they'll need as we come out of COVID-19. Those are the small and medium-sized enterprises, with 85% of the jobs being there. We're working with labour, particularly, as was pointed out, on liquidity for these companies.