COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 17th, 2020

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We will go to the honourable member for Nunavut, Ms. Qaqqaq.

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Matna , Madam Chair.

I will be sharing my time with my colleague, MP Garrison.

The Black Caucus letter was signed by 26 members of the cabinet. It calls for the federal government to “eliminate the barriers to access to justice and public security for Black Canadians and indigenous people”.

Madam Chair, we already have a map. We just need this government to follow it. Calls to action and justice from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, from the report on murdered and missing indigenous women and girls, from the Qikiqtani Truth Commission, from Pauktuutit are clear and at least a start.

The ministers know this. I know this. We all know this. Why are we still being forced to wait to see action instead of just empty words?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Madam Chair, I can commit to ensuring that our government is focused on action and outcomes. That's exactly why we continue to put measures in place. It's so we can measure not only those actions but the outcomes, because results matter.

We are hearing from communities, and I agree that a lot of work and a lot of conversation has taken place. I make that commitment that we will be focused on action and outcome.

My mandate letter is public. I will be working with all departments and agencies to ensure this work is done. I look forward to working with allies in all parties as well as Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We will get this work done together, Madam Chair.

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Madam Chair, you can look at news from before I was born and apply the same issues to 2020.

When a video was released of an RCMP officer using the door of a police truck to run down and hit a man in Kinngait, many were shocked, but not us in the north. The relationship with the RCMP in the north is so complicated that many don't even call the police because they are afraid for their own safety.

We have been let down repeatedly. Black people and indigenous peoples of this country share those challenges.

The federal government has the power to create change. When will we see action, not just empty words?

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We will have a brief answer from the minister.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Madam Chair, this is a very important question, and I want to assure the member that regardless of where they live, all people in Canada deserve to feel safe in their communities. That of course includes Inuit people, particularly Inuit women.

Trust in our policing services is critical to the safety of our communities, and this includes the trust of those who are affected and ensuring that their voices are heard.

We agree that bias-free and culturally competent policing is essential. We've been working across government and with Pauktuutit, as the member opposite mentioned, so that Inuit people of Canada can move forward in partnership in their priorities.

We will continue to work with them, Madam Chair, to bring justice to all Canadians.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We will go to the honourable member for Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

Madam Chair, this government has had five years to introduce legislation to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, one of the key factors in the systemic racism that has produced a corrections system in which 30% of those imprisoned are indigenous. Now repeated instances of violence against indigenous and Black Canadians have resulted in rightful outrage across Canada, and a call from the Parliamentary Black Caucus for action to transform policing and reform the justice system, including eliminating mandatory minimums.

Here's where the story takes a strange turn. Apparently, 26 out of 36 cabinet ministers signed on to the Black Caucus letter. That's two-thirds of the cabinet, including the deputy prime minister and the justice minister, all of them signing as if they haven't been the government for the last five years and have no responsibility for the failure to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences.

Instead of just another expression of good intentions, why aren't we seeing legislation being introduced in this House today to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Madam Chair, I thank the honourable member for his commitment to this issue.

Our government is committed to advancing sentencing reform that will stand the test of time. We will continue to work with our provincial and territorial partners and all actors in the criminal justice system, as well as taking advice from our courts and listening to all Canadians.

I can assure the honourable member that we're committed to achieving a modern and efficient criminal justice system that addresses the overrepresentation of indigenous peoples. Minimum mandatory penalties are one subject for investigation we are looking at. Black, racialized and marginalized Canadians need to be assured that the system will not be systemically racist in their interactions with the system. We know that this systemic racism exists within the system and we are working to fix it.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Mr. Garrison, you have 24 seconds left, if you'd like to ask a quick question.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm not doubting the minister's sincerity. I'm doubting this government's commitment to getting the job done.

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for an end to mandatory minimums. Fast-forward a few years to 2019, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called for the elimination of mandatory minimums. Again the government promised to act, but here we are a year later with no action plan in place for the inquiry's calls to justice.

Again, when can we expect to see legislation before the House to eliminate mandatory minimums?

[David Lametti, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC]

Madam Chair, once again I thank the honourable member for his very legitimate concern here.

We're looking at a variety of different sentencing reform provisions. One subject matter in what we are looking at includes mandatory minimum reform.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable member for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, Mr. Vis.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, Canadians are concerned about our national sovereignty under this Liberal government, and for good reason. They've shut down the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations. The National Research Council of Canada sees no issue in collaborating with CanSino Biologics, and by extension, the People's Liberation Army of China, on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Now we've learned that Minister Champagne, Canada's top diplomat, has liabilities to China's state bank of over $1 million.

Can the federal government provide some shred of assurance that they are committed to defending Canadian sovereignty in the face of an ever-encroaching Beijing government?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I thank the honourable member for that question.

Canada has a complex multi-dimensional relationship with China, and it certainly presents challenges. Our position is clear. Our engagement with China is “eyes wide open”. Canada has been clear about our principles and our commitment to the rule of law and our deep concern for our citizens. We continue to advocate and fight for the release of our Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. We continue to defend our farmers and our producers. We're going to remain firm and resolute in defending our principles and our interests.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Regarding Canadian interests, when can we expect a decision on Huawei, or should Canadians plan for another delay by the government?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, we've been very clear that we are conducting a comprehensive review in not just examining technical considerations but deeply considering the security concerns.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

For some time now, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities has foreshadowed a new green-focused COVID-19 infrastructure program. Unfortunately, details are sparse. The communities best acquainted with their local green infrastructure needs are being left out of the discussion entirely. My constituents are concerned especially about the health of the Fraser River and the threat of flooding.

Will the Fraser River, the most productive salmon river in the world, receive the supports it needs from this new program?

[Catherine McKenna, Liberal, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

Madam Chair, I'm always happy to talk about our investments in green infrastructure, but in protecting our environment generally, this has been a huge focus of our infrastructure plan. We've been making investments across the country, both to reduce emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

I'm happy to talk to the member about possible opportunities, whether it's through my portfolio or through another department.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Producers in my riding are having trouble securing labour for the upcoming blueberry harvest. What will the Minister of Agriculture do to encourage labourers to return to work to protect Canadian food security and make sure that our blueberry crop, a staple crop in the Fraser Valley, is taken care of this year?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Madam Chair, the issue of labour in the agriculture sector is truly problematic.

In partnership with provinces, we use different ways to encourage Canadians to work on our farms. That is why we have transferred 3 billion dollars to the provinces to allow them to increase essential workers' salaries, including those in the agriculture sector.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

I'd love some clarification on whether seasonal labourers actually qualify for that program, because right now we're at risk of losing the entire harvest. We need answers now.

Regarding Employment and Social Development Canada, we heard in the HUMA committee last month that during the pandemic approximately 19,000 ESDC employees were teleworking, with 12% of staff continuing to come into the office. With over 26,000 employees, this leads me to believe that not all departmental staff are reporting for duty.

Can the ESDC minister inform the House how many employees at ESDC have not been able to complete full-time work since the COVID-19 pandemic began?

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

Madam Chair, I'm very proud to highlight the important work of our civil servants in ESDC. They have gone above and beyond to deliver services to Canadians, and the benefits they rely on, through Service Canada.

We have redeployed 3,000 staff and set up a 1,500-agent call centre to ensure that Canadians continue to have access to the benefits they rely on every single day.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

I was driving by the grocery store the other day and I passed by my local Service Canada office. I'll note that the employees at my grocery store make minimum wage. The employees at Service Canada make a lot more than that, but they don't think they can go back to work.

When will we get our employees at Service Canada back to work to support Canadians and do the excellent work they are capable of doing?

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

Madam Chair, it is really unfortunate for the Conservative Party to dump on our amazing world-class civil servants. They are doing an amazing job. They have processed benefits for Canadians in amazing time. They have redeployed and done heroic work to get benefits to Canadians.

It is a shame that party puts them down every single chance they get.