Evidence of meeting #22 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.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

12:15 p.m.

Liberal

Julie Dabrusin Liberal Toronto—Danforth, ON

Hello from my community in east end Toronto.

People talk about how a city the size of Toronto can be cold, but that's far from the truth in my community. I want to give a shout-out to our teachers, like Mr. Wong of Earl Grey Senior Public School, who delivered home-baked cookies and handwritten notes to all of his students, or Monsieur Steve, who's offering online French classes, or the teachers of Riverdale Collegiate, who paraded through our streets to celebrate our graduates.

Our local Michael Garron Hospital put out a call for community members to sew masks and received over 60,000 masks, including those made by Lisa Tancre of Chartwell Avondale Retirement Residence. Michelle Beaton organized a front window scavenger hunt to entertain children and their families. Restaurants, even while facing adversity, have been generously donating food, like the members of the Leslieville BIA or Mezes.

There are so many more stories of generosity that I could share, but I'm out of time.

I thank everyone who has stepped up. We all appreciate all of their hard work.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We will now go to Ms. Sahota.

12:20 p.m.

Conservative

Jag Sahota Conservative Calgary Skyview, AB

Mr. Chair, on Saturday night, Calgarians, particularly those in the northeast, in my riding of Calgary Skyview, witnessed a devastating storm, the likes of which I have not seen in my lifetime. Homes, vehicles, community buildings and structures suffered significant damage due to large hail, floods and high winds. People acted quickly to seek shelter. I'm so grateful that there have been no reports of personal injury or loss of life.

I went around the community yesterday to survey the damage. It is extensive. My heart aches for those who have been impacted by the storm in an already incredibly difficult time, but we are resilient. We know that in the coming weeks there will be a lot of cleanup required, both to personal property and in the community. I know my constituents, and we will help one another get through this together. I will work hard to do everything I can to help rebuild this community.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

Mr. Serré, you have the floor.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to the people of West Nippissing who organized Pride activities to celebrate the LGBTQ community in June.

This week, we are also celebrating National Public Service Week. I thank the public servants for their dedication to the Nickel Belt community and the Valley East and Rayside-Balfour areas.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

Next is Mr. Saroya.

12:20 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Chair, when COVID-19 began spreading across Ontario, Markham, like many other communities, was unprepared. Our front-line health care workers did not have enough personal protective equipment to do their jobs safely.

When Markham residents heard about these shortages, my office was flooded with calls from people who had PPE and wanted to donate. Since then my office has been able to deliver tens of thousands of PPE supplies to front-line health care workers and five masks to each family in need.

This pandemic has shown that no matter what the challenge is, the Markham community will overcome it. Today, I would like to thank the front-line health care workers who are doing incredible work. I would also like to thank all those who have helped in Markham's hour of need.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

I understand we had a bit of a glitch there. I'm sorry. With the pause, we thought that was the end of it.

Mr. Serré, I would ask you to continue. I understand you started to switch languages.

Please continue. You have 30 seconds.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON

Thank you.

I'm switching to English now.

Thank you to our nurses, doctors, pharmacists, cashiers, janitors. Thank you to various retail workers and first responders dealing with COVID-19. You keep our communities safe and healthy, and you feed us. Your dedication and sacrifice are greatly appreciated.

As we start to see local businesses reopen, it is important for all of us to remember to follow best practices outlined by local public health. Our front-line workers deserve our respect. It is important for all of us to respect social distancing, to protect all workers and their families.

Together we can remain strong and united as we continue to face this challenge together.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

Again, my apologies for skipping over there, but now we'll to to Ms. McLeod.

12:20 p.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Chair, in commemoration of Italian Heritage Month, I would like to pay tribute to the Colombo Lodge and Italian Cultural Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia.

The Colombo Lodge was founded in 1914 and is an integral part of our community. Recently they began Colombo Cares take-home dinners with proceeds distributed to different non-profit organizations throughout the region.

Last month they very generously gave away hundreds of dinners to Royal Inland Hospital staff and paramedics for their tireless work throughout the pandemic.

In their own words they say, “Colombo Lodge is very proud of the Italians that have made Kamloops their home. Community members of Italian ancestry—past and present—have helped and continue to help Kamloops prosper as a giving, welcoming and inclusive community.”

Personally, I want to thank all members for their friendship and generosity over the years. Our community is forever grateful for their kindness.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We'll now proceed to Mr. Harris.

12:25 p.m.

NDP

Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL

Mr. Chair, many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are facing a serious financial crisis. Most people with disabilities are waiting to be included in the Liberals' promised program.

Fish plant workers will need support to avoid a disastrous year. Many small businesses don't qualify for programs. Municipalities need emergency help to meet the crisis.

People are worried about what will happen when the CERB runs out in two weeks' time, and the coming tourism season looks very grim.

The province itself is in serious financial crisis due to the pandemic and the decline in oil prices. The federal government must overhaul and enhance the fiscal stabilization program to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and other oil-producing provinces through this crisis.

Both the province and the oil and gas industry players have committed to net zero emissions by 2050. This is a challenge and an opportunity to transition to a sustainable energy future, but it will require significant investment and support by government to keep the industry strong and make this a just transition for workers.

Much has been done. Much more needs to be done.

12:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

Ms. Gaudreau, you have the floor.

June 15th, 2020 / 12:25 p.m.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

Mr. Chair, all 44 elected municipal officials in the riding of Laurentides—Labelle and I have sent a letter to the government asking that cellular and high-speed Internet networks be made available to all.

The crisis has accelerated the demonstration of the need for these networks in daily life. The territorial complexity of the Laurentians means that there are areas where the signal is weak, unstable or non-existent. There is an urgent and essential need to change the infrastructure of the current networks. Also, because of the lockdown, Internet failures are being felt, and they prevent distance learning, telemedicine and teleworking, among other things.

How can our municipalities develop economically if they can't provide their community with adequate communication tools?

We are therefore calling on the government to put the interests of its people first by investing massively right now in the construction of high-speed Internet and cellular infrastructure.

12:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

Mr. Waugh.

12:25 p.m.

Conservative

Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK

I rise today to pay tribute to Sir Winston Churchill, the former prime minister of Great Britain and one of the greatest leaders history has ever known.

In what can only be called a lifetime of service, Churchill's contributions to the Commonwealth and to the world are without equal. During the Second World War he led the allied forces in Europe against the tyranny and fascism of Adolph Hitler and his Nazi regime.

When our world was in its darkest hour, Churchill's leadership was a beacon of hope and freedom. I am reminded of something he once said, “All the greatest things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honour, duty, mercy, hope.”

Sir Winston Churchill himself embodied all of these great things and will forever be a symbol of freedom, democracy and hope.

12:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

Mr. Gerretsen.

12:25 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Chair, I would like to add my voice to the recognition and celebration of Pride Month, which is celebrated annually during June. Pride Month is important for Canadians because we can be proud of who we are and celebrate our diversity.

This June is different from previous years as we cannot celebrate in person all together. However, I know the ongoing pandemic will not stop us from showing our love and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

To celebrate Pride Month this year, my office distributed 3,000 pride maple leaf pins across the country; whoever asked received one. Although the majority was sent to constituents in my riding, over 500 pins were sent to the neighbouring ridings of Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, and Hastings—Lennox and Addington. It warms my heart to see so many Canadians showing their support.

Happy Pride, everyone.

12:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We will now proceed to the questioning of ministers.

Please note that we will suspend the proceedings twice to allow employees who provide support for the sitting to substitute for each other safely.

Mr. Deltell.

12:25 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Mr. Chair, I am very pleased to take part in today's meeting of this parliamentary committee.

Canada has been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for three months now. The situation now seems to be improving, although we must remain vigilant.

Economically, business people and the entire Canadian economy depend on government decisions. My question is very simple: when will the economic update take place?

12:30 p.m.

University—Rosedale Ontario

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for his question.

I agree with him that Canada and Canadians are doing an excellent and difficult job in the fight against coronavirus. As for the economy, our government is there for Canadians, for workers and for businesses, and it will continue to be.

12:30 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Canadians, business people and businesses want to know where the government is headed. When will the economic update take place?

12:30 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

Mr. Chair, Canadians know that the government is there to support them. Eight—

12:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We return to Mr. Deltell.