COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 3rd, 2020

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Toronto—St. Paul's, ON]

I'm very proud to tell the member of the work that we are seeing by all of our partners as a result of the first-ever national inquiry, which requires a response from all of the provinces and territories. They are all working on their plan that will be lifted up into a national action plan. I think the member understands that the absolutely amazing collaboration in the Yukon government with its chiefs and with the women's circle is an example—

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Ms. Gazan, we have about 30 seconds left for a short question and response.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Broken promises are all we're getting from this government. They promised legislation on UNDRIP and broke that promise. They promised to release a national action plan one year after the release of the national inquiry's final report and they failed to do so. They refuse to comply with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and continue to turn a wilful blind eye towards violence against indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people, despite legal obligations to do so.

When and will this government stop breaking the law? When will they act?

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Toronto—St. Paul's, ON]

I hope that the member will take a look at the website where we have listed all the concrete actions that we've done, all the engagements we've done, and I hope she will join us on the calls with all of the provinces and territories as they walk us through their plans that will stop the tragedy and allow indigenous women and girls to walk safely on the streets wherever they live.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member for Saint-Jean.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

There has been a lot of talk in the last few days about guardian angels, those refugee protection claimants from Haiti, but also from other places, including the Congo, who are on the firing line to take care of Canadians.

The Bloc Québécois has made a statement to thank them for their dedication. More than that, we have moved a motion twice, rather than once, to ensure that their cases were given priority and processed quickly.

Does the minister agree with our vision that these cases should be given priority and fast-tracked as a thank you?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Health care workers play a critical role in maintaining the health of Canadians. We are deeply grateful to them.

All eligible refugee protection claimants are entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

We are continuing review the situation, but I hope we'll have more to say soon.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, where there's a will, there's a way, as the saying goes.

I'm glad to know that the minister agrees with me that we have to thank these people. That's a good thing. If we're looking for the means, the minister has many, particularly under section 87.3 of the act.

Humanitarian and compassionate considerations applications, for instance, are dealt with on a paper basis by Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada officers. During the crisis, this can be done through telework. The minister has the authority to grant priority to these files.

My question is simple: will he?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Chair, my colleague and I feel the same way.

We know there are extraordinary people doing heroic work in our long-term health care centres. We need to look for ways to help them. We are working on proposals with the provinces.

We will have more to say on this soon.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, I'm very glad to hear that we are on the same wavelength, but again, they need to walk the talk. I'll continue making suggestions.

In addition to having the power to give priority to humanitarian and compassionate considerations, the minister has many other powers. He can, among other things, add criteria to humanitarian and compassionate considerations to give a little boost to our refugee protection claimants who have worked on the firing line in long-term care facilities. It's a nice way to thank them.

Will the minister do that?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Chair, we have the best asylum system in the world. Our reputation is respected everywhere. We will continue to look for ways to recognize the excellent contributions that have been made in Quebec and in the rest of Canada.

We will work with our colleagues in the Bloc Québécois and the provinces to find solutions.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, I can only return the serve. Since my colleague is interested in working together, I'll continue to offer ideas.

Our guardian angels are often separated from their families because the family reunification process is dragging on and on and on. I'll say again that the minister has the power to put these files on top of the pile.

I'll ask him again: is he prepared to do that as a thank you?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Chair, first of all, the work we are doing at the border with regard to family reunification is very important, and there are some compassionate cases that we are working through.

This government has done more to reunite families than any other in the history of the country and we will continue to work with all of our colleagues in government to ensure that we're keeping families together while not in any way compromising the health and safety of Canadians.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I'll continue with my list of suggestions.

It isn't just the files of family members of refugee protection claimants that often drag on. Their own permanent residence files also drag on. They have to constantly renew their work permits. Employers don't always recognize the implied status. Claimants can't upgrade their education because they don't have access to the tuition fees that permanent residents have.

One last time, Mr. Minister, could you tell me if you are prepared, as a thank you, to take the files from the bottom of the pile and put them on the top?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

We have a three-year plan that is going to ensure that we continue to attract hard-working individuals who will contribute to the economy. We have a plan that will continue to unite families and we have a plan that will continue to protect the world's most vulnerable.

This is a plan that is there and is transparent, and I look forward to debating with my colleagues and all our provincial partners to continue to see that immigration is an economic driver that will continue to drive the values of this country.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The last question for today's grouping of questions to ministers goes to Mr. Mazier, member for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Canadian farmers across my constituency and across this country are frustrated at the Liberal government, which continues to make their lives and careers more difficult. Farm families aren't asking for more debt. They need relief now, not months from now.

When will meaningful reform to business risk management programs be announced?

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The honourable minister.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Let me point out once more that, in Canada, we are fortunate to have risk management programs available for producers. We have four main programs: AgriStability, AgriRecovery, AgriInvest and AgriInsurance.

I am well aware that our producers would like those programs to be more generous. I can assure you that I am working in collaboration with the provinces and territories to improve them.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Mr. Chair, despite the COVID-19 challenges, farmers have stepped up now more than ever. They continue to work hard to ensure that the food supply chain is functioning and continue to ensure that Canadians are fed. Nothing stops Canadian farmers.

However, the Liberal government is letting Canadian farmers down by failing to reform business risk management programs.

Will the agriculture minister commit to announcing reforms to the business risk management programs before July 3 so farmers can make an informed decision before the new AgriStability deadline, yes or no?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

I agree with my colleague on one thing: our agricultural producers work extremely hard and in difficult situations. Being a farmer is always difficult. You have to work with Mother Nature and with the unpredictability of our trading partners. It is difficult. In addition, this year, the pandemic is adding to those difficulties.

That is why we have added programs to the risk management programs, including ones for beef producers, pork producers and food processors. We are putting a lot of effort into facilitating the arrival of foreign workers and we are giving more resources to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

The agriculture minister claims to stand shoulder to shoulder with Canadian farmers. However, Canadian farmers know talking points and mixed messages do not mean action, and an online calculator is not a replacement for meaningful support.

Can the minister explain what the specific next steps are in guaranteeing a positive reform to business risk management programs so Canadian farm families can be confident there is stability in growing and selling crops?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

I am sorry, but I have to remind my colleague that the situation might well be easier in a real crisis if, in 2013, his party had not cut the risk management programs by $400 million.

As it is, we now have to work with the 10 provinces and three territories again to come to an agreement with all our partners in order to improve matters for our producers.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Go ahead, Mr. Mazier.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Mr. Chair, the minister has pushed the next federal-provincial-territorial meeting back to October, but will she keep her promise to make public the results of her business risk management review in July?