Evidence of meeting #5 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 support.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order. I checked the clock from the first round of five minutes, and as you may recall, it took a very long time for me to get an answer from the government. I went back and forth with Minister McKenna for four minutes and 14 seconds.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
Just a moment. The interpretation isn't coming through.
It's working now. Go ahead, Mr. Berthold.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
I'll start over.
During my first turn, it took 50 seconds before a government minister deigned to answer my questions. After checking my time, I realized that the discussion between Ms. McKenna and I went on for four minutes and 14 seconds, so I wasn't able to ask the minister one final question, a very important one. I would ask you to take that into account and allow me to ask Minister McKenna one last question, please.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
The person chairing the meeting uses their judgment and does their best to keep an eye on what's going on. They try to be as fair as possible. I'll try to do a better job. I think it's more or less equal for all the members, but I apologize if the honourable member feels that he was denied a few seconds.
Our next question goes to Mr. Doherty.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Chair, the Canada-U.S. border agreement is set to expire on May 20. Will the two governments renew the current agreement, or will it be modified?
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
The decision to close the border was made in Canada by Canadians in the best interest of Canadians. We're continuing to monitor the situation carefully.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
When will the government be in a position to inform Canadians of any changes to the agreement?
Liberal
Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON
I'm pleased to advise the member that we're continuing to monitor the situation, but I'm strongly of the opinion that the circumstances on both sides of our border do not indicate that this is the right time to make a change in the restrictions.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Can the government confirm whether there are any discussions about reopening the border to certain modes of transportation and restricting others?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
Before I go to the minister, I want to remind the honourable members that we do have translators, and they are trying to translate. With respect to them, I know we're trying to get as many questions in as possible, but they do have to translate them, so please be considerate of our interpreters.
The honourable minister has the floor.
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Let me please inform the honourable member that we are, of course, aware that the current agreement expires. I had a long conversation yesterday with the Prime Minister—
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
When will the government announce a relief package for Canada's aviation industry?
Liberal
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Malton, ON
We are engaged with the industry, and we are working with them on a solution, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Chair, will this relief package include funding for airline ticket refunds similar to what other countries around the world have done? Yes or no?
Liberal
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Malton, ON
It's early to say anything at this moment. We're taking a sectoral approach. This is about making sure that we restart the economy and have a strong recovery.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Can the Minister of Transport confirm that temperature screening is taking place at Canadian airports. Yes or no?
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Chair, I can confirm that Air Canada has now adopted a policy of checking temperatures for passengers boarding Air Canada flights.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
At which airports is that, and when did this practice start?
Liberal
Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC
Mr. Chair, the announcement was made recently by Air Canada. It will start shortly and will apply to all places and destinations where Air Canada flies.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Chair, this is for the Minister of Transport.
Last week I asked the Minister of Labour if they were aware of a letter written on April 6 by CUPE to the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Labour.
Minister, were you aware of that letter?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
I want to remind the honourable members to place their questions through the Chair and not directly.
Liberal
Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC
Mr. Chair, I didn't understand the reference to a letter from CUPE. Could my colleague please clarify?
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
On April 6, CUPE wrote a letter to the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Labour.
Is the minister aware of that letter?
Liberal
Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC
Mr. Chair, could my colleague clarify what CUPE is referring to?
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
CUPE is the labour organization that represents thousands of flight attendants across our country.