COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 3rd, 2020

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Chair, in Canada, business risk management is there to help. We all remember that in 2013 these programs were gutted in a significant way by the previous government. I am working very hard with my provincial counterparts to improve these programs.

These programs offer, in an average year, $1.6 billion. In the AgriInvest account alone there is $2.3 billion. For the temporary foreign worker program, we have put forward $50 million, which means $1,500 per worker to support our producers. We are—

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

How about this? Last year, Louise Endres, a blueberry producer in my riding, was affected by Hurricane Dorian. It damaged a large portion of her fields and caused substantial loss. This year, her annual foreign workers arrived. Of course, there were fewer of them, so hectares of blueberry bushes aren't being pruned for optimum growth.

In order to meet the criteria for financial assistance from the government, producers must provide financial statements from last year to show losses. In this case, last year was also a year of losses due to Hurricane Dorian.

What kind of support can this producer expect?

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

Mr. Chair, there are three programs in business risk management, but let's talk about two of them. The AgriInsurance program is specifically for natural disasters. The other one is AgriStability, for when farmers are facing significant losses in their revenues. There's still the AgriInvest program, which they have access to as well.

We understand that there are still gaps to be filled, and we are working on these different options right now.

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

In this morning's news, we learned that an Annapolis Valley tomato producer had to abandon production of 26,000 tomato plants because he was only able to hire four of his normal 18 Mexican labourers, since they've been blocked by delays due to COVID-19. No locals are responding to the ads to help since the government has basically paid them to stay at home for another month or so.

Producers do not believe that the government has their backs. What should I tell producers when they're desperately asking for support?

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

Mr. Chair, I can assure you that I understand the challenges that our farmers are facing right now. I'm in constant conversation with them, with their representatives and with my provincial counterparts.

We have worked really hard, and it's impressive what the immigration department has done in facilitating the venue of these workers. It is the same thing with our other colleagues, in particular the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is supporting us and facilitating these workers to come to Canada.

In addition, we have put in place the—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We will now go back to Mr. d'Entremont.

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Thank you very much.

My next question is a follow-up from last week's question to the Minister of Public Safety about the mass shooting in Nova Scotia. I asked about the secrecy surrounding the file, the investigation that was ongoing and the move to push for an inquiry.

Today the justice minister in Nova Scotia, one of the minister's partners, confirmed that Nova Scotia is interested in some kind of review, like an inquiry. When will the government be clear on what such a review will be?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

We know that Nova Scotians and all Canadians need clear answers to what transpired, all the circumstances leading up to the mass shooting, the actions that were taken in response and the restorative actions that need to be in place to support Nova Scotians, the victims of these terrible crimes and their families.

We've been working very closely with the Province of Nova Scotia. As the attorney general of Nova Scotia indicated in his press conference yesterday, we are very close to the actual implementation of this review.

I appreciate that the member is anxious. We are also anxious. We're working diligently towards putting that in place.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We will now continue with Mr. Gourde.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

On March 20, 2020, the Prime Minister said that immigration cases involving family reunification would be a priority.

Is that still the case?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'd like to assure the member opposite that keeping families together and family reunification remain strong priorities for this government.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Chair, on March 17, 2020, three days earlier, the office of the Canadian embassy in Haiti, located in Port-au-Prince, stopped issuing approved permanent resident documents for family reunification.

Does this directive contradict the Prime Minister's statement?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Chair, it's quite the contrary.

We remain absolutely committed to a robust immigration process, including family reunification. Of course, we have had to take some very significant, unprecedented steps in order to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians. As we work through those important and necessary steps to protect Canadians—

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Chair, does the government intend to abolish the moratorium on issuing approved permanent resident documents?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Chair, there is no moratorium. In fact, we have continued to process applications for permanent residence in the belief that those who have the skills and experience necessary to contribute to the economy will continue to add to it in our recovery post-COVID-19.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Since the minister has just stated here that there is no moratorium, when will these approved permanent resident documents be issued?

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

Mr. Chair, as I said, of course we continue to process applications.

There is an exemption under the current orders in council, such that anybody who is coming into Canada must abide by the mandatory 14-day isolation period.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

The new horizons for seniors program is much appreciated.

When will the calls for proposals for 2020 open?

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Chair, I want to assure the member that we are working right now diligently to assess what funding is already being utilized through past new horizons funding. We're looking at the groups that did not get funding last year and will be—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll go back to Mr. Gourde.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Chair, my question is about the revised new horizons for seniors program.

As part of the program, what COVID-19-related objectives have been established to keep supporting our seniors?

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, King—Vaughan, ON]

I would like to make sure that the member knows that we have adjusted the program for this year so that groups can address the best way to help seniors during COVID-19. There are new parameters—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Mr. Gourde has the floor.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Chair, last year, I objected to how complex the government made the application form for the new horizons program. It was very complicated for organizations that wanted to fill in the application form to register for the program.

Has this problem been solved so that the forms can be completed more easily?

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, King—Vaughan, ON]

I want to assure the member that we're taking all the information that was provided by members and stakeholders to see how we can best improve the program for this coming year.