Evidence of meeting #23 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

12:55 p.m.

Waterloo Ontario

Liberal

Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth

Mr. Chair, since our government took office in 2015, we have been making investments and working with communities. The difference between our government and the previous government is that we will actually consult with Canadians, including black Canadians, including Asian Canadians, to respond to the challenges, including with an anti-racism secretariat and an anti-racism strategy.

It will take all of us. I appreciate the member's question, so that we can also work together.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Chair, one business owner I know in Markham has operated for 20 years. Now she's looking at over $9,000 in rent due on June 24. COVID-19 has crippled her sales and she's going to go out of business. Her landlord has no interest in the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program.

How can the government say this program is working?

1 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Chair, this program was made possible by working with the provinces, and we will continue to encourage landlords and tenants to work together to make sure they have relief for this very difficult time in which they're living. We're continuing to monitor the CECRA program and we will make it possible for businesses to have access to the program.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Chair, the government business rent relief program has been a total disaster. Even the government's own numbers show it is a failure. As of June 8, less than 2% of the $3 billion budgeted has been spent.

What is it going to take for the government to admit that the program is a disaster and needs changes?

1 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Chair, we know our government has been working closely with the provinces and territories to deliver the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance. Although the tenant-landlord relationship is ultimately the responsibility of the provinces and territories, our government has stepped up to provide support through the tools we have and through CMHC so that small businesses can get the rent relief they need.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Chair, according to the government, there are around 1.1 million small businesses in Canada. At committee, we were told only around 5,500 of them are receiving COVID-19 rent relief. That number is shameful.

When will the Liberal government wake up and make the changes?

1 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Chair, we welcome the steps some provinces and territories have taken to further protect commercial tenants. We will continue to monitor this program closely and ensure that Canada's small businesses are supported during this challenging time. We will continue to monitor to see—

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We'll go back to Mr. Saroya.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Chair, there was no answer.

When can the government make these changes?

1 p.m.

Markham—Thornhill Ontario

Liberal

Mary Ng LiberalMinister of Small Business

Mr. Chair, I want to assure the honourable colleague that we are doing everything and will continue to do everything to help small businesses in our country.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Chair, on May 27 the CBSA seized 65 small handguns at Pearson airport, the largest firearms seizure on record. It is clear that smuggled handguns are the weapon of choice for criminals. Why is the Prime Minister focusing on an ineffective municipal ban?

1 p.m.

Scarborough Southwest Ontario

Liberal

Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Chair, I would point out that gun violence in any of our communities is unacceptable, and it's important that governments and communities take steps to prevent guns from getting into the hands of criminals. That's why we do important work at our border to keep guns from being smuggled into our country, but it also necessitates additional work. I don't think you can talk about gun violence without talking about stronger gun control. That's why our government has taken a very strong position and will strengthen gun control to keep Canadians safe.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

Mr. Saroya, you may have a 10-second question, if that's possible, please.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Chair, COVID-19 has not stopped gun violence in the GTA. My constituents are concerned about shootings minutes away from their homes. We know the Liberals' gun ban won't change anything, but a focus on smuggled guns and criminals will. When will they make that change?

1 p.m.

Liberal

Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON

Mr. Chair, stronger gun control laws are an effective tool, and that's been told to us by police leadership and communities across the country.

We're also making investments in borders and law enforcement. Most importantly, we're making investments in communities and in kids to keep communities safe. I look forward to the member's strong support of those measures when we bring them forward.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We'll now go to Mr. Hoback.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK

Mr. Chair, the U.S. and the U.K. began their second round of free trade negotiations yesterday. Does the government intend to have a trade agreement in place before the U.K. tariffs come into effect on January 1?

1 p.m.

Liberal

Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, the U.K. is a strong partner of Canada, as is the European Union, and we're looking forward to continuing that strong relationship—

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We'll now go back to Mr. Hoback.

1:05 p.m.

Conservative

Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

With respect to the negotiations with the U.K., when will the minister publish her goals and objectives for this agreement?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, we're going to continue to work to ensure that any future agreement is going to be based on the best interests of Canadians, and we will—

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We will go back to Mr. Hoback.

1:05 p.m.

Conservative

Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK

Can the minister confirm whether they've entered into negotiations with the U.K. at this point?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Our government is analyzing the most-favoured-nation tariff regimes schedule the U.K. has put out. I want to assure Canadians—

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We'll go back to Mr. Hoback.