House of Commons Hansard #87 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was change.
Nicola Di Iorio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Mr. Speaker, young people are essential to the future of research in Canada. We know that young researchers play a fundamental role in producing the knowledge, discoveries, and innovation that help build a strong and healthy middle class.
Can the Minister of Science tell us about the government's investment in training and retaining these young researchers?
Kirsty Duncan LiberalMinister of Science
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel for the question.
Young researchers are essential to the future of research in Canada.
Yesterday, I announced $34 million to support more than 200 Vanier Canada graduate scholarships and Banting postdoctoral fellowships. These prestigious awards help Canadian universities attract and retain the best talent from around the world.
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister needs to take seriously the plight of Yazidi girls. We are calling on him to stop turning a blind eye to the rape culture of ISIS and other Islamic fundamentalists around the globe. Right now, Yazidi women and girls are being sold into sexual slavery, and the best the Liberals can do is simply to send advisers.
When does the Prime Minister plan on taking action on behalf of those who are being faced with this genocide in Iraq and Syria. When will the Prime Minister take real action instead of lip service?
John McCallum LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, with respect to real action on refugees, in general, we on this side of the House have taken three to four times the action they did a year ago.
On the specifics of Yazidis, we recognize the exceptionally serious nature of this issue and the difficulties involved, so my department is sending an expedition, a group, over to investigate the situation in Iraq. They will be going themselves to gather facts and determine possible courses of action.
Karine Trudel NDP Jonquière, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, instead of telling the forestry industry about her plan B for softwood lumber, the minister blamed the previous government for her inability to reach a new agreement with the United States.
With just eight days until the deadline, the industry wants to see the government's backup plan. According to recent rumours, the United States wants to reduce Canada's share of the softwood lumber market from 34% to 20%.
If an agreement is not reached, will the government support the industry, for example, by establishing an emergency loan guarantee program?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber agreement expired under the former government.
We have been engaged in intense negotiations for months. There is unprecedented co-operation among the producers, workers, provinces, and territories. We will continue to work closely with them.
I met with the U.S. representative, Mike Froman, three weeks ago in Washington, and I will be meeting with him again tomorrow in Toronto. We want to get a good agreement for Canadian workers, not just any agreement.
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
Mr. Speaker, public safety officers put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. They and their families deserve our support. That is why my colleagues and I on the public safety committee have been studying the issue of operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress in public safety officers and first responders, and tabled our report this morning. This issue was also an important part of our platform.
Can the Minister of Public Safety please tell us what the government is doing to support our public safety officers?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, at round table meetings this year in Regina, Ottawa, and Halifax, we heard directly from public safety officers that they need better prevention of operational stress injuries, more research and awareness, no stigmas, and better diagnosis, care, and long-term support for first responders and their families.
I want to thank the member for Oakville North—Burlington and all the members of that committee for their report. We are in fact moving forward with the development of a national action plan to ensure that the brave women and men that we rely upon to keep us safe every day have the support that they need when they need it.
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, tourism is a major economic driver in Canada with nearly six million Canadians camping every summer.
Many campgrounds are small, family-run, seasonal businesses. Surprise tax bills in the tens of thousands of dollars are being sent to these small businesses, because the Liberals have decided that unless a campground has five or more full-time, year-round employees, they no longer qualify for the small business tax rate.
Why are the Liberals targeting small campgrounds to pay for their out-of-control spending?
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency is currently working with tourism businesses and we will continue to enforce the law.
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, we will soon ratify the Paris agreement and this government still has no direction.
Imposing a tax is not a plan. This government has no plan, and adopting Stephen Harper's targets is certainly no way to show leadership in the fight against climate change. This government has no leadership.
Can this government present and will it present a plan like the one in place in Quebec that will make polluters pay and reward provinces, like Quebec, that meet their targets?
Catherine McKenna LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the work that I am doing with the representatives of all the provinces and territories, including my Quebec counterpart, David Heurtel.
Yesterday, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard welcomed our decision. He said, “The announcement recognizes the autonomy of the provinces and the flexibility of the federation and makes it possible for different systems to be used”.
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister reminded us of the environmental responsibility we have to future generations.
This morning, I heard some fine speeches from Liberal members. Now, they need to do more than just talk. If the Prime Minister and this government are serious about wanting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change, they need to be consistent. I will continue asking the same question until I get a proper answer.
The energy east pipeline project will produce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to putting seven million cars on the road. Will the government reject this project once and for all?
Kim Rudd LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, as I have said before in the House, our government recognizes that in order to build the economy we need to protect the environment.
We have a strong regulatory system in this country. The National Energy Board has been tasked with processes to ensure the safety and security of Canadians. We are also consulting with indigenous communities, communities along the route, as well as Canadians in general to ensure that the process has the confidence of Canadians.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of Her Excellency Doris Leuthard, Vice-President of the Swiss Federal Council, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Honourable Jiwan Bahadur Shahi, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation of Nepal.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Finally, I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland led by Ms. Helen Jones, MP.
The House resumed from September 29 consideration of the motion.
Opposition Motion—Creation of a Standing Committee on Arms Exports ReviewBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
It being 3:06 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, September 29, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion relating to the business of supply.
Call in the members.
The House resumed from September 30 consideration of the motion that Bill C-22, An Act to establish the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts, be read the second time and referred to a committee.