COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 1st, 2020

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Once again, Mr. Chair, when the situation is more stable, it will be too late to do an economic update; instead we will have to table a budget with the recovery in mind.

Speaking of the recovery, the Parliamentary Budget Officer is surprised that the government is calling on the private sector for ideas for its recovery plan. Mr. Giroux points out that this government has thousands of public servants with very good ideas, and he adds that the government can also ask for the opposition parties' views. That would be a very good idea.

Why is the government contracting out the development of its recovery plan to the private sector?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, I would like to tell the hon. member that it is important to listen to what we are trying to do, and to listen to people's ideas and opinions, not only in Parliament, but also from our society.

So we keep listening. Of course, with our approach, we will address the economic recovery in a way that will ensure we can maintain our very strong position.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Chair, we are still surprised that the government has contracted out its recovery plan to the private sector.

The sooner the government tables its recovery plan, the better. Businesses and individuals would start gaining confidence in the economy again. It would help them to loosen the purse strings and be assured that there will be economic life after the pandemic. Again, that is what the Parliamentary Budget Officer says.

Can the government tell us when it will table its recovery plan?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, we feel it is very important to consider what we need to do in each phase of our recovery.

At this time, it is necessary to consider the public health situation and the gradual reopening of our economy. That is why we feel our approach aims for a safe recovery. Obviously, by gathering more information in Phase 3, we will be able to consider more than one approach to recovery.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Mr. Ste-Marie, you have about 30 seconds left.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Thank you.

I understand that the exact date for tabling the recovery plan may be difficult to determine at this time.

Can the minister tell us whether he currently intends to table the recovery plan in a month ending in “ber”? If not, will it be before or after that?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

We continue to work with the provinces on an approach to determine the timing of the recovery, and we are also listening to our colleagues in Parliament, of course.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We're now going to the honourable member for Abbotsford, Mr. Fast.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Prime Minister continues to pander to the Communist regime in China. We were shocked to hear that his own Minister of Digital Government used WeChat, a Chinese social media site, to raise funds to sue a Global News reporter—for what? It was for daring to expose China's attempt to hoard PPE during the COVID crisis.

Is it the practice of the government to support lawsuits against Canadian reporters who challenge the hostile actions of the regime in China, and will the Prime Minister now condemn the actions of the digital government minister?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Chair, we value the important work of media across the country and the world. Attacking the integrity of hard-working journalists is not acceptable.

As many members on all sides of the House know, WeChat is a social media platform used to engage and share information with the Chinese-Canadian community. Participation in this group, much like Facebook, is guided by posted guidelines and a disclaimer. In this case, the individual who violated the guidelines of the group is no longer a part of that group.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Chair, Canadians have no reason to trust the Prime Minister on anything to do with China, especially when it comes to trade policy. Two and a half years ago, the Prime Minister travelled to China to commence free trade negotiations, and the talks ended up in complete failure and embarrassment. Still the Prime Minister continues to cozy up to the Chinese regime, refusing to ban Huawei from our 5G network or to speak out convincingly against China's oppression in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the two Michaels are continuing to languish in Chinese jails. This is the kind of partner the Prime Minister wants to negotiate a trade agreement with.

Can the minister tell us whether at any time during the last six months the Prime Minister or anyone else in his government has had discussions with China about a free trade agreement? A simple yes or no will do.

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, as you know, Canada has a complex and multi-dimensional relationship with China. Canada will continue to engage with China with eyes wide open. Any work that we do on trade and on all matters will always be in the interests of Canadians first.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I think Canadians will see that the minister didn't even answer a simple yes-or-no question, so I'll ask her a simpler yes-or-no question. Is she or anyone else in her government presently discussing or negotiating a free trade agreement with China, yes or no?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, we will always do our work, including any discussions on trade and indeed all of our work, with the interests of Canadians and Canadian businesses as our absolute top priority.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Again, there was no answer, so I'll try again. Will the minister now assure Canadians that she and the Prime Minister's government will not negotiate a free trade agreement with China, yes or no?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Any work that we do will always be guided by the best interests of Canadians and Canadian businesses.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Chair, I am just flabbergasted. This minister has been asked three times if the government is negotiating a trade agreement. She refuses to answer, so I'll try again.

Will the minister tell us why she thinks negotiating a trade agreement with a hostile country like China is in Canada's best interests?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I thank the honourable member for the question. The answer is no.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Chair, I just want to make sure.

Free trade is a good thing when it takes place between like-minded countries that embrace free market principles and apply the rule of law. China is not such a country.

In fact, China repeatedly flouts international trade rules, illegally dumps underpriced goods into Canada, and prevents Canadian canola, beef and pork from entering China. Is has also jailed Canadians without due process.

Will the minister now assure us that our government will not negotiate any free trade agreements with China, yes or no?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

We are not in discussions with China on a free trade agreement, and as my colleagues, including the Prime Minister and the foreign minister, have said many times in this House and outside of this House, our priority continues to be the immediate release of Canadians detained in China.

We will always work in the interests of Canadians and Canadian businesses. That is what we will always do.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

This will conclude today's sitting of the special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore this committee stands adjourned until tomorrow at noon.