Government Operations Committee on June 2nd, 2016

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

It won't be that long before you have the opportunity to ask Minister Sohi in question period.

The question on translation is important. I'm not being partisan when I say we've inherited a situation. I want to be clear that we're not going to back away from the appropriate use of technology. To ensure first class translation for our public servants I take as a priority.

Mr. Blaney, I learned French as an adult here in Ottawa. I remember when you first arrived in Ottawa, and you have done an exceptional job in English. I've noted that as a member but also—

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

It's because we spoke together at the gym.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you.

Mr. Ayoub, you have five minutes.

[Ramez Ayoub, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Welcome, Mr. Minister. We are always happy to welcome you. I will try not to be too partisan, but it is tempting.

The Standards Council of Canada is asking for $1,945,000. We know that climate change has not been a priority over the last 10 years. There have certainly been a lot of savings achieved in looking for pollution for 10 years. We have received a 10-year legacy from the former government.

Could you tell me what the Standards Council of Canada intends to do with that money? In my humble opinion, those are not exorbitant amounts for tackling that big problem. Could you further clarify this issue?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

As you said, it is paramount for us to do something about climate change. As a government, we have to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to green our operations. Our priority is also to raise this issue with other governments and the private sector.

As a government, we have many opportunities to improve our approach, whether in our buildings, our operations, our trucks, our cars, or our procurement in general.

Public Services and Procurement Canada plays a very important role in the government. Our Parliamentary Secretary, Joyce Murray, is truly a leader in terms of

the greening of government operations. As we move forward, this is going to be part of...we will be investing more, and we'll be investing smartly. It doesn't necessarily mean spending more sometimes.

By making our buildings more eco-efficient, we reduce our energy costs. If we consider the

life cycle costing and not just upfront costing as a practice, it creates greener procurement. This is something which, when I was minister of public works in Paul Martin's government, we worked closely on with Environment. You can, just to put it in perspective, have a significant positive impact on reducing the cost of government if you build and renovate more with greener approaches.

In addition, as a government, with green procurement, we can also create a lot of economic growth in green industries. We are working in close co-operation with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, given that this department is mandated to promote green industries.

Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions while driving economic growth in the industries of the future, the green industries, is a key focus for our government.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you, Minister.

We go to Mr. McCauley, for five minutes.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Getting back to the $31 million for the softwood lumber, is that money already spent, or is that in the budget for the year? I know negotiations are ongoing, but is this future money for a possible legal dispute?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

I'm going to confirm with Brian. I believe this is for what we anticipate will be—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Future costs?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

—for the negotiations. I believe that's the case, Brian.

[Brian Pagan]

Thank you, Mr. McCauley.

The costs this year are the anticipated costs for this year. It's an annual appropriation.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I picked that up already in the back and forth. That's perfect.

[Brian Pagan]

It sunsets in March, and there's a one-year extension.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

No, the $31 million, so that's for this year's involvement and not just in the future for a dispute. Perfect.

Getting back to the Canada summer jobs program, and you may not be able to answer this, but we know it's been doubled, and I've heard from quite a few different constituencies, where they were not for profits, etc., that they were cut from 16 weeks to nine weeks, and then money was allocated, but not approved.

In my riding, for example, we had 650 allocated. We had more than that for requests. People who were approved were cut back, and every single one was cut back from 16 weeks to nine weeks. I've heard this from quite a few constituencies across the country, but then $150,000 was left unused. We've heard a lot, that it's doubled, it's created this and this, but in quite a few constituencies when we spoke to them, their comment was, “We don't know, that was the direction.”

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

It's a significant increase in terms of—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I'm just trying to figure out who decided to cut—

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

This is the first time, Mr. McCauley, that I've heard this specific concern. Can you provide us with more details? You said several constituencies.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Yes, I'll send it to you.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

If members of Parliament.... This is good information, so we want to know that.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I'll send it to you.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Please do, and also to Minister Mihychuk as well. We do want to know if there's a lag, if you will, in terms of the operational side of this.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Madam Chair, I wanted to point out that we are in favour of the requests presented to us today and we intend to support them.

Mr. Minister, we are just by Wellington Street, where a demonstration is getting under way. Just now, in your remarks, you mentioned tractors. Very shortly, the street will be packed with tractors. Farmers from the Bellechasse region, for which I am the MP, will be among the protesters.

Yesterday, during question period, your government reiterated its support for supply management. Clearly, as the saying goes, it is good to walk the talk. Are you able to tell us whether your department will help find a solution, which is ultimately very simple, to reclassify diafiltered milk? Is your department handing that matter?

If not, as an MP and minister from a rural area, are you going to push for a solution to this situation, which is having a real impact on the market? We are talking about a milk cartel. These are dairy farmers who live in your riding. They are working families. Could you give us some indication today as to how your government will respond to the calls from these farmers who have taken to the streets of Ottawa?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Thank you very much for your question.

We support—

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

—supply management

or “gestion de l'offre” in French.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

—supply management. For a long time, the government and the Liberal Party have supported supply management. As an MP representing a rural riding where supply management contributes significantly to our local economy, I fully recognize the importance of supporting it.

During the negotiations of free trade agreements, such as the one with the European Union or the Trans-Pacific Partnership, there is always pressure to eliminate or reduce supply management. As a country, it is important that we protect our program and continue to negotiate agreements in order to expand our international opportunities for Canadian exports. I think it is possible to have both, and I am not giving in to the temptation to be partisan.

However, I think that our record as a party, and the previous models—