Evidence of meeting #120 for Finance in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
Noon
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Right.
So we're talking about a crucial tool. If I understand correctly, you're suggesting that the Standing Committee on Finance intervene strongly with the federal government to ensure that this funding continues.
As of March 31 next year, what funding would be required and what are the needs?
Noon
President, Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne
Funding is so minimal that only one and a half people can work. Without any core funding, two full-time staff will no longer be able to work. They serve all of British Columbia. Without this funding, all women will be deprived of this service. Basically, you have to fund the salaries of two, three or four people. It's really a basic salary, and that's what they live on.
Noon
Executive Director, Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne
That's just for British Columbia. I think you have to keep in mind that other provinces don't even have a support line. This service doesn't exist. The reality is that when women are already experiencing violence, they seek help.
We also need to invest in prevention and awareness-raising if we are to change the situation. We hope to see no more of this in the years to come.
I think we need to be proactive. Funding is needed not only to meet urgent needs now, but also to prevent violence in the future. That's why we say it's important to provide funding specifically for francophone women. We mentioned $280 million in general for organizations that help women.
Noon
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
You're asking for this funding for the next five years.
Is that correct?
Noon
Executive Director, Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne
Yes, that's correct.
Thank you.
Noon
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, Mr. Julian.
We'll now go to MP Hallan or MP Morantz for five minutes.
Noon
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
I don't have any more questions, Mr. Chair.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
I'll take all of Mr. Morantz's time, if he doesn't have any questions.
I have five minutes, and my first questions will be for you, Ms. Mitchell. Thanks so much for your presentation.
One thing you mentioned was a recommendation around eliminating some of the tax, I think. Perhaps it was tax code. Basically, it was something in the taxes we do that is encouraging businesses to take advantage of something. I didn't quite hear that. Perhaps you could clarify it.
Am I giving you enough information?
12:05 p.m.
Alex Mitchell
Can you elaborate?
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
It gave me the impression that it was something in our tax system that was providing businesses with a way to take advantage of something that you wanted us to change.
12:05 p.m.
Alex Mitchell
My commentary was specifically around the additional layering on of costs to business owners from various levels of government.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
12:05 p.m.
Alex Mitchell
Yes, it makes it increasingly more costly to operate.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
Perfect. Thank you.
You made a recommendation to invest in innovation that supports the agriculture ecosystem. I think that's very important. Could you explain a little bit more specifically what you meant?
12:05 p.m.
Alex Mitchell
Sure. I'll start by saying that Abbotsford has the highest gross farm receipts in the country. It's the agriculture capital of Canada and is critical to Canada's national food security. With that, agriculture is in many ways seen to be a traditional industry. However, there are opportunities and so much innovation and potential investment attraction possibilities around investing in the modernization of that industry as well as all of the new types of job development and job creation that could be created from investing in an innovation ecosystem in our community.
The way I see that coming to life is really the government coming to the table and working collaboratively with our academic institutions. Specifically, Abbotsford is home to the University of the Fraser Valley, and, of course, a robust and active industry across all elements of agriculture. It's really bringing all of those—the academic side, the training and skill development side in partnership with industry, and a strong investment from the federal government—into building out some of that future job creation.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
One thing we're seeing is increased digitization. We have more of an intangible economy right now. Do you think there needs to be more investment in intellectual property education, generation and retention? Is that something you think might be important in terms of investing in innovation?
12:05 p.m.
Alex Mitchell
Absolutely. Ultimately, what it really comes down to is that any investment that continues to build capacity for our entrepreneurs and our businesses to scale, to develop new product innovations and to continue to hire more Canadians and newcomers to Canada is a positive.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
Okay.
I'll cede the rest of my time to Mr. Baker. I know he has some very intelligent questions.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
How much time do I have, Chair? I have two minutes.
I'd like to make this as quick as possible. It's just for my knowledge.
Mr. Vanagas, has your organization received any federal funding over the past five years, or financial support of any kind?
12:05 p.m.
Vice-President, Customer Communications and Public Affairs, TransLink
Yes. We received direct relief funding during COVID to keep our operations at or near 100%, so that we could maintain the transit service throughout the region through that period of time.
In addition to that, we got capital funding. Very frequently, there are very large investments in major projects in this region.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
I appreciate that. Thank you.
Mr. Boudreau, the same question goes to you. Has the airport authority received any kind of financial support from the federal government over the past five years?
November 17th, 2023 / 12:05 p.m.
Director, Government Relations, Vancouver Airport Authority
Yes. It's similar to Mr. Vanagas. The government provided funding to Canadian airports through COVID relief measures. YVR did not tap into any of that, but we have accessed funds through the national trade corridors fund to help support our investment in scaling up our south-side cargo operations and some digitization efforts that were under way.
Yes, there have been some.