Evidence of meeting #20 for COVID-19 Pandemic in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:15 p.m.
Bloc
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, the minister says that this is a substantial transfer. Yes, it is a lot of money. The government is giving about $115 million to Quebec, but that is not even 4% of what is being requested.
Does the minister recognize that much more is needed?
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
We have been working with the provinces and territories from the beginning to respond to the crisis. We have increased health care transfers, provided medical protective equipment and responded to all requests for assistance. We have been able to make so much progress in the fight against COVID-19 precisely because of this co-operation.
Stirring up an imaginary quarrel between the federal government and Quebec—
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
Mr. Ste-Marie, you have the floor.
1:15 p.m.
Bloc
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, it isn't about squabbling, it's about needs. The share that the federal government is giving isn't enough. We should act now, before we see a possible second wave. What we're seeing today are the results of massive disinvestment by the federal government in health care. This isn't good enough. The government must act quickly.
Can the government commit to better funding to the health care sector and to organizing a meeting with Quebec and the provinces on this exact topic, in September at the latest? We can't afford to wait.
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. minister's response will have to be brief.
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Madam Chair, with respect to the transfers to provinces and territories, the member opposite knows that our government, in our last mandate, significantly increased transfers to the provinces and territories for health services, including mental health and home care services. In fact, the funding we're providing is in addition to the $40 billion that was transferred—
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
1:15 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
[The member spoke in Portuguese as follows:]
Tudo bem? Tudo bom?
[English]
Today in La Presse, we learned that the government has extended its military presence in long-term care homes.
Can the minister confirm this information, and can he also confirm that the presence of these 500 soldiers is indeed in response to a request from the Government of Quebec?
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
Madam Chair, let me assure the member that when Quebec made a request for assistance at the beginning of April, we answered the call. When they asked for an extension of that, we said we would continue to provide that assistance.
I had a conversation today with Minister Guilbault, my counterpart in Quebec, and we have renewed our commitment to continuing to provide assistance. That assistance can take additional forms and can include involving the Canadian Red Cross, but we remain committed to providing the assistance that Quebec needs.
1:15 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
If I understand correctly, negotiations are still under way with the Government of Quebec, even though it needs these soldiers.
The mission ends Friday. This isn't really the time to negotiate anymore. We have to make sure that the military will stay in our long-term care homes as long as we need their services in Quebec, and until new attendants have been trained.
Can the minister confirm that the mission will indeed be extended?
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
I'd like to assure this House that we have assured Quebec that the Canadian Armed Forces will continue to provide support until such time as other trained professional people are able to do that job. We're working very hard with the Province of Quebec. We're working with the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Red Cross. We will be there for Quebeckers because they need our help, and as long as they need our help, we'll be there to support them.
1:15 p.m.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
This isn't the time to play cat-and-mouse. The only thing we have to do is to give the Government of Quebec what it's asking for. Quebec pays 23% of the army's budget, so Quebeckers are entitled to this support.
Quebec has more than 5,000 deaths from COVID-19, 90% of which have been in seniors' residences or long-term care homes. The military's presence is vital because they play an extraordinary and essential role.
Will the minister commit to extending the mission now and putting an end to this uncertainty? It's certainly bad for both the military and the health care workers, who rely on this support.
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
Again, Madam Chair, let me be very clear. We have made a commitment to the Province of Quebec that we will continue to provide that support until the middle of September, exactly as they have requested, but we are also working to ensure that we have an sustainable, effective solution to the request that Quebec has made, so we're working with the Province of Quebec, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Red Cross to ensure the help that is needed is there.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
Bryan May Liberal Cambridge, ON
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. It's a pleasure and an honour to be with you all today. I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the member of Parliament for Scarborough North.
Madam Chair, COVID-19 continues to create challenges for all Canadians, including those with disabilities, and exacerbates those experienced by Canadians with disabilities. As we mark the end of National AccessAbility Week, I would like to remind our colleagues that our commitment to making Canada more inclusive and equitable is ongoing, including our passing of the Accessible Canada Act.
Would the minister inform the House about the government's plans to support Canadians with disabilities who are experiencing increased costs due to COVID-19?
1:20 p.m.
Delta B.C.
Liberal
Carla Qualtrough LiberalMinister of Employment
Madam Chair, last week was the first National AccessAbility Week that was legislated under the historic Accessible Canada Act, and I thank every party in this House for the consent they gave to that legislation. I'm hoping we have the same spirit of camaraderie for people with disabilities this afternoon.
Since the beginning, Madam Chair, we have taken a disability inclusion approach on how we support people with disabilities in this time of pandemic, including the establishment of our COVID-19 disability advisory group, which has given us invaluable advice. I thank them so much for their contributions to our efforts.
Last week we announced a suite of measures to support people with disabilities that complement existing measures that are in place. This includes a one-time payment of $600 to 1.25 million citizens with disabilities, which again is the subject matter of the legislation this afternoon, as well as a $15-million investment in an accessible workplace initiative that will ensure, moving forward.... We know that as we move back into employment situations it will be very tough for people with disabilities.
Finally, there are five really exciting accessible technology initiatives, including working on point-of-sale terminals for Canadians who are blind or visually impaired.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
You may have a very short question, Mr. May.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
Bryan May Liberal Cambridge, ON
I want to take this opportunity to thank the minister and her department for all the work they are doing to ensure that accessibility is at the forefront of everybody's mind through this crisis.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON
Madam Chair, as humanity battles COVID-19, we are confronted by the stark realities of another disease.
On May 25, George Floyd fell unconscious and died as a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. This all happened after the 46-year-old black man was handcuffed and put in a position where he could do no harm.
In Canada, we have come a long way since Viola Desmond, yet there is much more to do. Anti-black racism is institutionalized, hidden under dominant narratives of a free and multicultural society. Hatred has no boundaries, whether it is against black communities or is anti-Asian sentiment fuelled by COVID-19.
The question always is this: Who is next? We must all stand up together against hatred and for justice and reconciliation, to dismantle systems of oppression that long remained unquestioned.
Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that Canada is failing black youth, creating the conditions that push them into the justice system. To the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, my question is this: What is the government doing to address the unique challenges faced by black youth?
1:20 p.m.
Waterloo Ontario
Liberal
Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
Madam Chair, the member for Scarborough North is absolutely correct. We must all do what we can to stand up against hatred and injustice. We often say that today's youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today, so we need to equip them for success by investing in youth.
According to the 2016 census, black Canadians accounted for 1.2 million people, and more than a quarter of that population is under the age of 15. Socio-economic gaps, such as in employment and education, exist between black and non-black youth. We need to do better.
Our government has brought forward youth so they can inform the decisions we make. We have Canada's first youth policy, and it was created by youth for youth to ensure that all young people are equipped to live healthy and fulfilling lives, and are empowered to create positive change for themselves and their communities.
Our government launched the community support for black Canadian youth program, which supported 56 projects geared to address the unique challenges faced by black Canadian youth through the development of leadership skills and civic engagement, while empowering them through the promotion of black history, culture and identity.
To address the challenges of the pandemic, our government has implemented a suite of measures designed to help youth and students, including with employment and service opportunities. My office is working with community organizations who serve black youth to make sure they too are both aware of and benefiting from these measures.
1:25 p.m.
Liberal
1:25 p.m.
NDP
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I will be splitting my time with the member for Timmins—James Bay.
Schools in many provinces remain closed, and many child care providers want to reopen. They must reduce their capacity due to COVID-19. Now more than ever we need universal, publicly funded child care to restart the economy.
Will the government bring in legislation that would enshrine into law access to, and federal funding for, quality affordable child care?
1:25 p.m.
York South—Weston Ontario
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Families
Madam Chair, we are, of course, committed to investments in child care. We have constantly worked with provinces and territories to ensure that we provide the supports they need to provide quality, affordable and accessible child care.
Since 2015, we have created over 40,000 child care spaces. We are committed to creating an additional 250,000 before-school and after-school child care spaces.