Evidence of meeting #31 for International Trade in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was quebec.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much.
Mr. Zuberi, go ahead with a short question, please.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being here.
When it comes to internal trade, it's important for workers to move across the country, in particular those who have to have their qualifications recognized. We're in very challenging times right now with respect to the economy and people finding employment, especially young people. When it comes to the recognition of competencies among provinces, can you share a bit about what you are doing to break down those barriers to help our workers in Canada get employment across the country, in all provinces?
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB
Madam Chair, through you, Mr. Zuberi's question is a very good one.
At this time, whether for major projects or housing—we all understand some of the acute challenges around the availability of housing supply, as it speaks to the cost of housing—labour mobility in regulated sectors across the country will be critical. The provinces, as Madam Ritchot mentioned, have committed to.... Some provinces have advanced on their own—I mentioned Alberta previously—very considerably in terms of mutual recognition of, for example, skilled trades.
If we want to build the port at Contrecœur in Montreal, do LNG projects on the west coast—pick your major project—or build residential housing developments big and small in communities big and small across the country, then access to skilled labour is a critical challenge. A lot of skilled labour workers in Atlantic Canada earn their living in western Canada and in other parts of the country. The faster and the more seamless the recognition, the high standard recognition of their competencies....
We had a conversation with provincial ministers about things like, as examples, harmonizing high standards around workplace safety, avoiding falls when you're working on scaffolding or with heavy equipment at heights. Different provinces have different regulations. Some may be more effective than others.
The provinces themselves are saying that instead of forcing somebody to take a third course in workplace safety with respect to a particular issue, they could have common standards and common training. The Government of Canada would be very happy to help the provinces achieve that, as an example.
Liberal
Liberal
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll try to be as brief as possible.
Minister, the lifting of interprovincial trade barriers was the intent of Bill C‑5, which was rammed through in June.
You have told us about your work with the provinces. Will you commit today to never imposing an energy project on a province that doesn't want it?
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB
Energy projects come under a fairly wide net. Again, this is a hypothetical situation.
Based on the conversations I have had with officials from various provinces and territories—I think you're concerned about one of the territories—I'm convinced of one thing. The Prime Minister was very clear in his answers. It's about working with our provincial, territorial and indigenous partners. I'm not going to venture into discussing a hypothetical situation. We're nowhere near the idea of imposing an energy project.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC
Let us take a scenario where there's a pipeline project, for example, and a province doesn't want it. The province clearly states that it doesn't want the pipeline to go through its territory. It doesn't want it there.
What would you do?
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB
We will work with the provinces in question to ensure that we don't reach that impasse.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much.
I have a point of clarification, Minister. You will recall that, back in 2003, Prime Minister Chrétien appointed me to chair an urban task force. One of the key recommendations was the elimination of interprovincial barriers. I have to say that I'm encouraged by what I'm hearing today, that we're actually getting some serious progress. I would ask that you keep your feet to the fire and continue to work with the provinces, because I think it's a real win for Canada.
Liberal