COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 9th, 2020

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Madam Chair, it's very unfortunate to hear that kind of response. They're just trying to divert the debate. All we want to know is why hundreds of parties and festivals that were supposed to take place in Canada this year have been cancelled.

If people can go to an event with 7,000 people wearing masks, why can't they have an event where 400 or 500 people are watching shows? Cultural groups, music groups and citizens are able to protect themselves just as the Prime Minister did to go to the gathering of 7,000 people.

Another problem that currently exists is CERB fraud. Yes, the CERB is very important for honest citizens, but there are criminal groups that are taking advantage of the situation. The line of credit is wide open, and they're dipping their hands in to amass millions of dollars. The problem is identity theft.

Does the Prime Minister have any solutions to protect the identities of Canadians who are being taken advantage of by criminals?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Madam Chair, we know that there are individuals and organizations taking advantage of Canadians in this time of crisis, and we deplore it. We are working very hard behind the scenes to put in place integrity measures that allow us to go after fraudsters and criminals, but at the same time, Madam Chair, we cannot in any way send any message that honest, hard-working and concerned Canadians will be penalized in any way for mistaken belief or error on their part or on our part, and that's the balance we're trying to strike.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Madam Chair, here's what's troubling. Last year, at the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, we did a study on cybersecurity in finance and banking. The president of Desjardins also appeared following the internal fraud that occurred at Desjardins and led to the identity theft of four million citizens.

Nothing happened. The government knows about it, and now it's putting in place a multi-billion dollar program. It's opening the bank account and letting criminals in, when we know there are problems.

Have measures been or will they be taken quickly to protect the identity of Canadians? This is important.

Giving money to honest citizens is one thing, but protecting the identity of those who have it stolen is another.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Minister of Digital Government]

Madam Chair, we recognize that the use of digital tools has increased as a result of COVID-19, and so has our vigilance towards malicious cyber-activity. We have provided specific guidance to federal employees on secure telework, including best practices on when and how to use digital tools safely. Ensuring and securing digital delivery of services while protecting Canadians' information is more important than ever. We continue working with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and all our partners to prevent, protect against and respond to potential cyber-threats.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Since we're talking about cybersecurity and “dilly-dallying”, I remind you that the government has been waiting to make a decision on Huawei. BCE and Telus finally had to make the decision to protect themselves.

What's the government waiting for to tell Huawei we don't want their 5G technology in Canada?

Currently, our agreements with the Five Eyes countries are in jeopardy.

[The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Unfortunately, we have only a few seconds for the answer.

The hon. minister has the floor.

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Madam Chair, our government works hard to ensure that Canadian networks are kept safe and secure. While we cannot comment on specific companies, an examination of 5G technologies and a review of security and economic considerations are ongoing.

[The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Ms. Rempel Garner is next.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I believe that it's important to call out discrimination when it occurs within our own power structures. My party is no exception. For example, I call out the barbaric cultural practices tip line policy as discriminatory.

Would the Prime Minister characterize giving a statement last week about anti-black discrimination without explicitly acknowledging his history as a blackface practitioner an example of systemic discrimination within his power structure?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth]

Madam Chair, let's be clear that our government does not condone any form of racism or discrimination. We condemn racism and discrimination. We've seen with COVID-19 the return and the rise of anti-Asian racism. We see people marching and protesting coast to coast and throughout the world in opposition to anti-black racism. Our government is committed to doing the important work necessary to make sure that our institutions, communities, school systems and workplaces are more inclusive.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

When the Prime Minister said, “We see you”, was he referring to his government's treatment of a federal government employee who felt that she had to quit her job with the federal anti-racism program after she criticized the Prime Minister for wearing blackface, or was he referring to his saying “Thank you for your donation” to a first nations woman who came to protest at a Liberal fundraiser because she wanted to draw his attention to mercury contamination in her community?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Madam Chair, Canadians from coast to coast and people around the world are speaking out right now. What they need is for people to come together. I see allies in all parties. I see an opportunity for us to work together. This is something that's ingrained in our institutions. We can do better. This is not the time for partisan politics. This is the time to build a more inclusive Canada—

[The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

We will go back to Ms. Rempel Garner.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

When the Prime Minister said last week that the intention has been to fight systemic discrimination in this country, was he referring to giving millions to the rich white owners of Loblaws and to the Irving family while simultaneously failing to provide many first nations with access to clean drinking water?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Madam Chair, let's be clear. When it comes to our history with indigenous people, it's one that our government has brought to the forefront because we should not be proud of that history. We have work to do. We have committed to ensuring that all communities will have clean drinking water by 2021, and we are well on our way to having that happen.

When it comes to the anti-racism strategy that our government brought forward, it was a strategy created by Canadians for Canadians, including racialized Canadians and black Canadians—

[The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

We will go back to Ms. Rempel Garner.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

When the Prime Minister said about systemic discrimination this week, “It's about the fact that people are all too often treated like criminals instead of receiving the support that they need”, was he referring to his treatment of Jody Wilson-Raybould?

[The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Ms. Rempel Garner, we can't hear.

Order. Can we please not speak to one another?

Ms. Rempel Garner, can you repeat the question, please?

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

When the Prime Minister said about systemic discrimination this week, “It's about the fact that people are all too often treated like criminals instead of receiving the support that they need”, was he referring to his treatment of Jody Wilson-Raybould?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Madam Chair, we have an opportunity in our country right now not only to acknowledge that racism and discrimination exist within our country but also to do something about it. We have a government today that's saying, “Let's all work together, and let's find a better way forward.” That's the approach I will take. Obviously, that's not the approach of the Conservatives. That's very unfortunate right now.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Does the Prime Minister believe that making someone else answer questions about discriminatory practices that he has had a hand in perpetuating is an example of systemic discrimination based on his own privilege?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Madam Chair, it is clear that there are people with privilege within our country. I will remind this House and all Canadians why I ran for office. I ran for office because the policies of the previous government under Stephen Harper did not include people like me. I was not represented, and that's why I put my name on a ballot: to ensure those voices were heard. They will be heard.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

When the Prime Minister said yesterday, in speaking about changes to police forces, “I think there are many different paths toward making a better country. We need to explore the range of them”, was he referring to his decision to make the person who oversaw carding in the Toronto police the minister responsible for the RCMP?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Madam Chair, we will make no apologies for the progress we have made in combatting systemic racism under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

It is appalling that the member opposite fails to remember the record of the Harper government, which systematically discriminated against a variety of people who are still paying the price today.