COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 9th, 2020

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Madam Chair, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has seen dramatic changes. The global economy has slowed. People are staying home from work. Borders around the world have almost completely closed.

I know that our government has been working extremely diligently, and in every way, Canadians have stepped up, from socially distancing in public spaces to adhering to the sometimes difficult travel restrictions that have kept them separated from their families.

Canada is known for not only the strength and resilience of its people but also the strength and flexibility of its institutions. We have seen our immigration system respond to immense challenges before. As the response to the coronavirus pandemic continues, can the minister update us on the steps the government has taken to ensure that Canadians and their families are taken care of both at home and abroad?

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I also want to express my gratitude to the honourable member for Nepean for the good question and for his hard work.

Madam Chair, the honourable member is right: The world has changed, and our government has adjusted and responded to this crisis with the best interests of Canadians and their families at heart. Our immigration system is a global leader in family reunification and in attracting foreign talent and experience, whether that's international students seeking to attend our world-class institutions or workers who are looking to contribute to our economy.

Since the closure of borders around the world, our government has made changes to make sure this new environment still works for Canada. That's why we've moved quickly to ensure that essential workers are able to pass through the border to provide the critical services Canadians depend on, such as on our farms and in our hospitals. We're safeguarding our economy and protecting the industries that keep Canada going.

We know that while the travel restrictions have allowed us to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it has also been a very difficult time for some Canadians with families abroad. Yesterday we made it possible for family members of citizens and permanent residents to come home to Canada while ensuring the strict protocols we put in place continue to be followed. Our government understands how hard it can be to be separated from family during this time, and we've taken the measures and deliberate actions that are necessary to ensure that family reunification is now a reality.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

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

We will go to Ms. Qaqqaq.

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'll be splitting my time with my colleague, the member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford.

As my first question, Nunavummiut, especially women, need to feel safe when they call police in an emergency and not worry that they will be harassed or humiliated. The allegations brought forward in yesterday's CBC report highlighted over 30 cases in which the RCMP failed to live up to that expectation.

We know these circumstances are not isolated incidents and that racism, discrimination, stereotypes and assumptions played a real part in each of these incidents.

Will the government investigate systemic racism in the RCMP and review policing in Nunavut?

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

I want to thank the member opposite for a very important question, a question that occupies my time and our government in making sure that we do what is right in indigenous communities right across this country.

We have been working very closely with the territories in particular with respect to delivery of professional, culturally competent and respectful police services that can be wholly accountable to the territory and to the community.

One of the things we are going to undertake is the development of a new legislative framework for the delivery of indigenous policing services across the country.

To respond directly to the member's question, the trust of the people that police are sworn to serve and protect is absolutely critical, and that trust is always predicated on accountability and a respectful relationship. It is my expectation that every police service, particularly the one for which I'm responsible, the RCMP—

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

We will go back to Ms. Qaqqaq.

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

In Inuit Nunaat, 73% of our communities have no dedicated safe space for women. We know that organizations like Pauktuutit have asked for dedicated funding for Inuit-specific safe spaces.

This government is more interested in words than action, especially when it comes to reconciliation. When will the government follow through on a national action plan to address the 231 calls to justice of the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls report?

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

I thank the member for the question and for the ongoing advocacy. I think across all our government, including Minister Vandal, Minister Monsef and Minister Miller, we are really working toward that goal of safe spaces.

Pauktuutit President Kudloo and Elisapee Sheutiapik have provided a very good road map to go forward, and with that partnership we will be able to have a strong national action plan that respects the jurisdiction—

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

Mr. MacGregor.

[Alistair MacGregor, NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Every year our agriculture and agri-food industries rely on tens of thousands of temporary foreign workers. The pandemic has exposed just how essential migrant workers are to our farms, which raises serious questions about our country's food security.

Two young migrant workers have died and hundreds have become infected by COVID-19. The federal government is responsible for allowing these workers to come to Canada and it has a duty to ensure their safety.

Why is the federal government not protecting these workers? Where is the accountability?

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

The honourable minister.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

To my colleague I would say, as I've said before, that we express our sympathies to those migrant workers who have unfortunately lost their lives due to COVID-19. That sacrifice will continue to motivate the protections that we have introduced for migrant workers, including financial support and regulatory inspection powers. There's still more to do.

[Alistair MacGregor, NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Madam Chair, I would say that the federal government's hands-off approach is putting workers' lives and our country's food security at risk. Why is the federal government abandoning its leadership role and not enforcing national housing and workplace standards for temporary foreign workers?

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

Of course I respect my colleague's point of view on this, but I disagree. He would know from my testimony before the committee that we've introduced a robust compliance regime that ensures that we're maintaining a high degree of occupational health and safety.

Of course, as I've said, we're going to continue to collaborate with all members of this House and with industry leaders to make sure those protections are in place.

[Alistair MacGregor, NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Madam Chair, I think the statistics suggest that the government needs to do more work.

My final question is this. Tens of thousands of workers are needed in our agriculture sector each year, but the government's agri-food pilot program to provide a pathway to permanent residency is accepting fewer than 3,000. If they're good enough to work, they're good enough to stay. Will the government commit to increasing the number of applicants?

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

Madam Chair, the introduction of the agri-food pilot is something that all members should celebrate because it creates that pathway to allow migrant workers to establish permanent residency in Canada. That's something that I think we should all be proud of.

Of course, we will measure the outcomes of this pilot and continue to build on the past successes of this government.

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

We are now going to pause for a few minutes to allow the teams to do the necessary exchanges.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Very good. We'll now continue with Mr. Soroka.

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

In my riding of Yellowhead, I have the town of Drayton Valley, where oil and gas has been the main employer until recent years. The councils of Drayton Valley and neighbouring Brazeau County have worked together with various partners to create a new green economic economy.

More than two weeks ago, I was informed that the new medical marijuana business needed financial assistance, and I sent an email to Minister Ng asking her for assistance for the community of Drayton Valley, to which I still haven't received a reply. This new business will create more than 50 permanent jobs in the area.

Will the minister and the government help the community of Drayton Valley by financially assisting the business to create new jobs?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable minister.

[The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Jonathan Wilkinson]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Certainly the focus of this government is on ensuring that we are addressing the needs of workers from coast to coast to coast.

With respect to workers in Alberta and Saskatchewan, we have taken significant action in funding the clean-up of orphan wells, as well as funding to address and implement methane regulations to cut carbon emissions. We're working very closely with our provincial and territorial counterparts in those provinces, as elsewhere, and we will continue to work to ensure that we are addressing the economic concerns of people who live in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Chair, I sit on the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food and our first business at the committee was to study the business risk management programs because they are not working or helping farmers. Just as we were starting the study, it was shut down because of COVID-19.

My concern is that during the pandemic, Minister Bibeau had stated several times that an agricultural community can apply for the various BRM programs for financial help. These are the same programs that the ag committee was studying because they are not working.

If the BRM programs weren't helping farmers before COVID-19 and farmers now are in even greater financial need, why does the minister believe these programs would help farmers now?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable minister.

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

I know that farmers would like the programs to be more generous, but it doesn't mean the programs are not working. Actually, the previous government made cuts of about $400 million to these programs, and now we have to get all of the provinces on board to make modifications. I can tell you that this is a top priority and I am working with the provinces on a weekly basis on this.

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Minister Bibeau, are you aware that the Liberal government has been in power for four and a half years? Are you saying that in four and a half years you don't have the ability to make these changes?