COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on May 20th, 2020

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Madam Chair, I want to again raise the fact that since day one, our government has been focusing on Canadians, on workers and on businesses. We have many programs to support Canadians, workers and businesses. Just yesterday we expanded again our CEBA program to make it available to businesses with dividends and contractors.

We will continue to look at the gaps and work with all members in the House to see how we can make sure we make those programs available for Canadians.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Yet again, Madam Chair, a long-time chiropractor in my riding is using a personal banking account rather than an additional business banking account, and isn't eligible for any government programs as a result.

Why does the Liberal government believe businesses like this are undeserving of their support, and that others, such as the 200,000 fraudulent CERB claimants, are deserving of their support instead? Why is that, Madam Chair?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Madam Chair, through you, I want to raise the fact that, yes, we know we need to find potential solutions to help business owners and entrepreneurs who operate through their personal bank account and have not yet filed their tax returns, such as newly created businesses. We expanded the CEBA program yesterday by making it available for dividends and contractors. We will continue to work with all members of Parliament and businesses to find ways to support them through this difficult time.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Madam Chair, that's not an answer yet again. Businesses in my riding are waiting for a response, and this is all that they're hearing. It's despicable. There is no answer yet again.

The list of perfectly legitimate businesses that are falling through the cracks continues to grow, and the employees who depend on these jobs are seeing their opportunities evaporate along with them. Canadians are seeing their favourite neighbourhood businesses go bankrupt and close permanently, and all this Liberal government has told them is, “Sorry, you're not eligible.”

Further, this government has spent over $200 billion in debt on the pandemic response effort, and yet they refuse to allow Parliament to operate effectively. They won't even release a financial update. It's ridiculous.

Instead, we have this pale shadow of a Parliament that once was, with a fraction of the accountability it once had. Canadians have a right to know the damage that's been done and the magnitude of the decisions happening now. Those answers should come from Parliament, just as they always have for over 150 years.

Although the other parties seem happy to avoid their responsibilities to Canadians, the Conservative opposition will be here fighting to hold the Liberal government to account every chance we get. It is our duty to Canadians, and I'm honoured to contribute to that effort relentlessly on behalf of my constituents.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Madam Chair, the government is answering questions every day, for actually the equivalent of seven QPs—seven times 45 minutes instead of five times 45 minutes—way more. Why? It's extremely important for the government to answer important questions from the opposition, and we'll keep doing that.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Does the government support an independent international inquiry regarding this pandemic?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Madam Chair, the government was very clear at the recent general assembly of the WHO that we do support a post-crisis review. That's the right thing to do. Canada is behind it.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, does the government agree that an independent inquiry must be independent of WHO control and able to review all WHO records?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, our government has been very clear, working together with our allies, co-sponsoring an EU-sponsored resolution, that we do believe a post-crisis review is the right thing to do.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, my question was very clear. Does the government agree that an independent inquiry must be independent of WHO control and able to review all WHO records?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, my answer was also very clear, which is that Canada, working together with our closest allies, such as the EU, has been very clear that we support a post-crisis review.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, that was the answer to the first question I asked, not the second question I asked, but I have another one on the record that I think is clear. Does the government agree that an independent inquiry must be able to access affected areas within China and conduct private interviews with witnesses in China?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, our government has been very clear and has been working effectively with our strongest democratic allies in the world, such as the EU. We believe a post-crisis review is absolutely necessary. We will continue pushing for that.

Let me just say that right now we're focusing on fighting the coronavirus in Canada.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, again, that wasn't the question I asked.

Another minister has said that it's not the WHO's job to evaluate the quality of the data that is given by member states. I want to ask if the Deputy Prime Minister believes the same about the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency or the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, let me be extremely clear about our government's public position taken just a few days ago, which is that we support an independent and comprehensive review of the WHO response to the pandemic. We're working with our allies to get that done, and we will.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with her colleague Minister Gould, who said that it's not the responsibility of the WHO to evaluate the quality of the data they receive from member states?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

I think that I have been extremely clear about the government's position when it comes to the WHO. Canada is working closely with our democratic partners to ensure there is an independent and comprehensive post-crisis review, and one will happen. We'll make sure it does.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I've asked five or six questions, and the minister keeps repeating her answer to the first question I asked but not to any of the others.

Has the government applied any pressure to the WHO to encourage representatives to testify before Canada's health committee?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, the work of parliamentary committees is independent, as it ought to be, and we support the work of all of our parliamentary committees, including calling the witnesses whom they would like to interview.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Of course the health committee is independent, but the government should ensure that the WHO understands how important it is that multilateral organizations that receive money from Canadian taxpayers are willing to be accountable to Canadian parliamentary committees when those witnesses are summoned.

Has the government conveyed to the WHO the importance of a multilateral organization that receives significant Canadian funding to be willing to give testimony before Canadian parliamentary committees during a time of crisis?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Let me just say this: The government supports the work of our parliamentary committees very much, including the health committee, and the health committee has the right to call witnesses it believes are necessary for its work. When it comes to the WHO, our Minister of International Development has spoken directly with the leader of the WHO and made it clear that a post-crisis review is the right thing, and Canada is calling for it.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

She's not too great at the issue of the parliamentary committee.

Experts as well as our British and American allies are reporting China-based hackers are trying to steal research and intellectual property related to COVID-19. In that light, why is this government funding research partnerships related to COVID-19 between the U of A and the Wuhan Institute of Virology?

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable parliamentary...the minister. Sorry.

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

I was a parliamentary secretary one time. It's an honour.