COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 16th, 2020

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I think this is an excellent opportunity to point out to the member opposite how important it is to actually listen to what was said. If you go back and review that tape, and I would invite you to do so, you'll see that I said “the AR-15 and other weapons like them”—referring of course to military-style assault weapons—“have been used in mass killings”, and I actually cited a number of examples.

Madam Chair, I think it would be very useful if the member's questions were based on facts.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

I can remind Mr. Blair that I actually have watched the video a couple of times, and he specifically states that the AR-15 was used in mass killings in Canada, yet he has yet to provide one.

My additional question is to Mr. Blair. Out of the recently banned firearms on May 1, how many have been or are still currently in use by the Canadian Armed Forces?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

That's an excellent question, Madam Chair, because it's very important to provide Canadians with clarity.

We have prohibited these firearms for non-law enforcement and non-military use. The military uses weapons that were actually designed for soldiers to use in combat to shoot other soldiers. That's the appropriate use of such weapons, Madam Chair. They're not things to be played with in civilian society.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

As a soldier for 25 years, I'll remind Mr. Blair that none of the currently prohibited firearms would be used in the Canadian Armed Forces.

I asked him a question on whether any of them is being or ever has been used in the Canadian Armed Forces. Are any of the recently banned firearms still in use, or have they ever been in use, in any military in the world?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Madam Chair, I think it's important to also recognize that the basic origin, the provenance of the weapons that we have prohibited, was in their original design. They were designed for military use for various military forces around the world.

As I've said previously, they were designed for soldiers to use in combat to kill other soldiers. They're very efficient in their design for killing people. They have no purpose in Canadian society.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

As someone who has used many military-style firearms and who is actually involved in helping define what we purchase in the military, I would use none of the ones that are currently prohibited.

I have a question, Chair, for Minister MacAulay. Can he please confirm whether Veterans Affairs has a plan to address the claims backlog, yes or no?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Madam Chair, I appreciate my honourable colleague's question, and yes, we've indicated that it's a major priority. That's why I'm so pleased that the supplementary estimates contained just under $90 million to address hiring more staff, improving the process and making sure that we attack the backlog in an appropriate manner.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madame Chair, does that plan exist in written form?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Well, Madam Chair, I can assure you that it's in the supplementary estimates, and of course, this money is—

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We'll go back to Mr. Ruff.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

The question is about the plan, not how much money has been allocated. I am asking for the written plan on how to address the backlog.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Madam Chair, I can tell my honourable colleague that the money is in the supplementary estimates, and with the money we're able to attack this problem in an appropriate manner, and that's what is important for our veterans.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

The deputy minister committed on March 10 that a written plan would be provided to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs within a month and made public.

Did the deputy minister or the department provide the minister that plan within a month?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Madame Chair, I'm sure my honourable colleague wants an appropriate plan and he would be fully aware this just under $90 million would make a big difference in the plan to attack the backlog. We—

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We'll go back to Mr. Ruff.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Therefore, my question is, if the deputy minister in the department provided him with an appropriate plan or a written plan, why is he questioning how appropriate that plan is? I have complete confidence in the deputy minister's ability to produce a written plan.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable minister may give a brief answer, please.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I can assure my honourable colleague that with the appropriate funding, we will address the backlog in Veterans Affairs.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We will go now to the honourable member for Parry Sound—Muskoka, Mr. Aitchison.

[Scott Aitchison, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair. My question is about summer camps again.

Three weeks ago, I asked this government if the finance minister would meet with the beleaguered summer camp sector. Summer camps, which are a social and economic mainstay in Parry Sound—Muskoka and all of northern Ontario, have been crippled by the global pandemic. It's costing millions of jobs, and some camps are actually in danger of folding. Aside from a brief follow-up conversation over the phone with the junior minister, there has still been no action from this government.

When will the Minister of Finance meet with summer camps to find a solution?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Madam Chair, I recognize the honourable member's important question and his focus on summer camps. We recognize the importance of looking at that and paying attention to the needs of that community. We will continue to engage with them, as we have, to ensure and find ways in which we can get their feedback and find ways in which we can support them. That work is ongoing, and I assure the honourable member that our focus is on the kids and on ensuring that they have access to summer camps for this year.

[Scott Aitchison, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

I don't know why you need to find ways to get feedback. The summer camps association has given lots of feedback and my office has given lots of feedback, so I don't see what's confusing about this. However, I've become accustomed to not really getting answers to questions, so I will go to the next one.

The Ontario government's regional reopening plan permits cruise boats to resume on Georgian Bay, yet the federal government is refusing to allow these vessels to operate until July 1. Therefore, small businesses such as the Island Queen cruiser in Parry Sound, which has only a very few precious weeks to operate in the first place, is losing yet another two weeks because of federal inaction. This not only hurts the cruise boat industry but also hurts tourism and small businesses all through our area.

Will the Minister of Transport take a regional approach himself by lifting the federal ban on Georgian Bay, just like the Province of Ontario has done?

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable minister may reply.

Is there a response?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Madam Chair, there is. I apologize for the confusion. Let me respond, if I may, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.

There have been a number of very important discussions with the provinces, in particular with the Province of Ontario, around provisions regarding pleasure craft. There are certain restrictions that will come to an end on June 30. We're working very closely with our provincial counterparts to address this issue, but we want to ensure that it will be done safely.

[Scott Aitchison, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Madam Chair, I actually gave the minister a heads-up that I would be asking that question. He sent me an email today saying he was not going to be able to be in the House, and it's great of him to do that. He said that whoever was going to fill in for him would have an answer, but again, that was not really an answer.

The next issue I would like to bring this government's attention to is the deplorable state of rural Internet service in Parry Sound—Muskoka. Quite simply, there are too many gaps in service, and what is available is generally way too expensive. We have families trying to work and teach their kids from home on unreliable and outrageously expensive Internet service, and we have too many small businesses that either cannot access or afford reliable Internet services. Today Greg Rickford, the Ontario energy minister, and Laurie Scott, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, announced $2.3 million for seven northern Ontario broadband projects.

Minister, will when your government get serious and become a reliable partner for the Government of Ontario and the private sector to deliver this crucial modern-day infrastructure to rural Canadians?