Evidence of meeting #6 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 seniors.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
I'm not sure what the member is alluding to, but let me just say that the current arrangements are working extremely well. Non-essential travel is down very sharply. Essential travel, particularly for trade, continues, and that's a good thing, too.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
With border communities having more rates of infection, will they receive additional PPE and financial assistance to deal with the loosening of current border restrictions that is being discussed?
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Let me just emphasize to the honourable member that on a couple of occasions he has implied that a loosening of the current restrictions is being discussed. Let me be very clear that this is his assertion; I have not said that.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Apparently, we're meeting for nothing.
I'll move to the large commercial banks who are profiteering off or squeezing Canadians during this public crisis. Credit card interest rates are still high from previous price-gouging levels. Despite numerous favours from the Liberals, there have not been significant changes.
Vancity Savings Credit Union demonstrated leadership when it set credit card rates at zero. Will the government use its statutory powers and force the banks to offer the credit card relief that Vancity has already done?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to say that we recognize the challenges that Canadians face, especially with issues like credit card rates. That's exactly why we've been working on this issue since we came into office. We came to an agreement on interchange fees that was important for consumers. Most recently, during the COVID-19 crisis, we've negotiated with the banks and encouraged them, and they have come out with reductions in their credit card fees that are significant, and deferrals for customers—
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Will you use your statutory powers, yes or no, to do what Vancity has done to help Canadian consumers?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
As I've said, Mr. Chair, we're continuing to support consumers. We're continuing to work together with banks to make sure that they are giving the kind of support necessary to their customers, and we've seen actions in this regard, supporting customers.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Why do banks have to profit at higher interest rates on Canadian consumer and retailer exchange rates during COVID-19?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, I think it's important to clarify that banks have come forward and given deferrals to customers in trouble and cut their interest by half—
Liberal
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
There's time for one more short question.
Go ahead, Mr. Masse.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Will the minister use his powers if the banks continue to charge Canadian consumers interest rates that are higher than Vancity's?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, again, we will continue to work with banks to ensure that they're supporting their customers. What banks have done on credit cards by cutting their fees in half is an important nod in that direction.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Quebec is Canada's biggest producer of hydroelectricity, a renewable energy that is the pride of the Quebec nation. The only problem is that it seems to be a tough sell west of Quebec, in Ontario, for instance. This competitively priced power could help us reduce our environmental footprint and further cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Will the government show leadership and allow Canada's provinces to share renewable energy through an energy corridor, as we proposed?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, we are continuing to work towards that end. It is always very important to protect Canadians, and we are going to stick to that approach.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Chair, Canada's dairy processors have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis and the new Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA. Some of them have incurred losses ranging from 10% to 50%, depending on the processed product.
Will the government commit to granting import permits under CUSMA to Canada's dairy processors, not retailers directly?
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I can assure you that dairy producers will receive fair compensation.
I should also point out that we preserved supply management when negotiating the new NAFTA. That is important to Canada and Quebec, and I'm very pleased that we were able to do that.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Chair, the minister seems to be missing the issue in hand. Canada's dairy processors invest hundreds of millions of dollars a year to bring high-quality products to consumers, while contributing $19 billion to GDP. Now those very processors are being asked to try to export Canadian value-added products.
Will the minister commit to giving Canada's dairy processors import permits, instead of encouraging American multinationals?
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I'd like to thank the member for his question.
I fully understand, as we all do, the important role processors play in our system and our country. I can assure the members of the House that we will continue to work with Canadian processors as the agreement comes into force.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Chair, when it comes to the COVID-19 crisis, what Canadians will remember is that those with access to reliable high-speed Internet will have fared better, feeling less financial strain, than those who are cut off from the rest of the world.
Is the government ready to invest in making high-speed Internet available to all Canadians, no matter where they live in the country?
Liberal
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Chair, the current economic situation could lead to the disappearance of Canada's tourism industry. The pain will be felt by thousands of Canadians, who will have to find new jobs in order to survive.
Is the government going to protect the tourism-based economy by investing in tourism infrastructure and upgrades to ensure Canada's tourist regions are ready when the economy reopens?
