House of Commons Hansard #121 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was veterans.

Topics

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

All those opposed will please say nay.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Liberal

Andrew Leslie Liberal Orléans, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I believe if you seek it, you would find unanimous consent to apply the results of the previous vote to this one, with Liberal members voting in favour.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

Is it agreed to apply the vote?

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Conservative

Gord Brown Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives agree to apply and will be voting no.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

NDP

Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Speaker, the NDP agrees to apply the vote and will vote no.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Bloc

Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote, and we will vote against the motion.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, our caucus remains somewhat split but, on balance, we will vote no.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Independent

Hunter Tootoo Independent Nunavut, NU

Mr. Speaker, I agree to apply the vote and I will be voting in favour.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #172

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2Government Orders

7:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

I declare the motion carried. When shall the bill be read a third time? At the next sitting of the House.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

Steel IndustryAdjournment Proceedings

7:25 p.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

Mr. Speaker, I previously rose in this House to bring attention to a serious issue in our country: the unfair dumping of Chinese steel and the need for Canada to have a strong, effective response. Dumping drives down the price of steel and is having a significant impact on Canada's steel industry and the thousands of workers it employs.

My riding of Essex is home to a world-class steel plant, Atlas Tube, which produces top-quality Canadian products, while providing good family-sustaining jobs in our Harrow community. In fact, the steel industry employs 22,000 working-class Canadians in steel production and an additional 100,000 Canadians indirectly. Steel accounts for $2.6 billion a year in GDP.

The NDP echoes the calls of industry and labour groups for a modernized trade remedy system that effectively addresses issues like steel dumping.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and local chambers like mine in Windsor—Essex have urged the federal government to act by passing resolutions in support of ending unfair steel dumping. The United Steelworkers have also been actively urging the government to act.

In October, the Standing Committee on International Trade adopted my motion to study this important issue. I am very much looking forward to this study resuming in the New Year. Action is urgently needed.

Canada has fallen behind in our sanctions, making us an easy target for dumping.

On the other hand, countries like Australia have strengthened their trade remedies.

By not having our sanctions in line with other similar economies, Canada risks inviting even more dumping in the future. We need improved data collection, better transparency, more robust and frequent analyses of foreign subsidies, stiffer penalties, and improved legislation.

Canadian steel has been the backbone of Canadian infrastructure projects for decades. Our plants have an excellent reputation for producing high-quality steel products, while upholding strong labour and environmental standards.

The government's planned investments in infrastructure should represent a big opportunity for Canada's steel industry, but it may not be able to capitalize if Canada continues to allow cheap imports from China to undercut our producers.

Barry Zekelman, CEO of Atlas Tube, has said, “Think of the consequences of our infrastructure, our factories, and our defence all relying on foreign-made steel if our industry shuts its doors.”

Every day that Canada does not act, our steel industry is losing money and jobs.

There is another serious issue that we have yet to address in this House. We know that the Liberal government is talking to China about a potential FTA. However, there is a foundational issue with this relationship that needs to be addressed in a timely manner. Canada currently treats China as a non-market economy, but we know China is pushing to be granted market economy status. Canada is going to have to make a decision.

I can tell members that Canada's steel industry is very concerned about the implications of granting China this new status. It will make it more difficult to address trade issues like dumping.

The Canadian Steel Producers Association has estimated that granting China market economy status would result in the loss of 60,000 highly skilled middle-class jobs, a permanent reduction in GDP of over $9 billion in the short term, $7.6 billion over the long term, and significant reductions in federal and provincial government revenues.

I would like to ask the parliamentary secretary, what concrete measures will the government take to tackle the very worrisome issue of unfair steel dumping by China; and are the Liberals considering granting China market economy status?

Steel IndustryAdjournment Proceedings

7:30 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Québec

Liberal

David Lametti LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her question.

The steel industry in Canada and around the world is feeling the effects of flagging investment in the energy sector, the economic slowdown in China, uncertainty in several regions, and the inter-related global problems of overproduction and overcapacity.

As everyone knows, I was born in Port Colborne, Ontario. Algoma Steel was around then, as was Atlas Steels in Welland. They no longer exist by those names.

Steel production is a major economic activity in Canada. In 2015, the sector had nearly 17,000 Canadian jobs, generated $11 billion in revenue, and accounted for $2.6 billion of Canada's GDP. Canadian steel mills make a significant contribution to local economies, but they are also part of the North American integrated supply chain.

The government is determined to support this industry and ensure its viability using a number of tools.

One of those tools, a strong trade remedy system to prevent unfairly undervalued or subsidized products from entering the Canadian market, is essential. The system enables Canada's industry to compete with others on a level playing field and attract investment in North America. Canada has implemented trade measures for 12 steel products in order to protect our producers.

The government responded to the administrative and legislative proposals made by the steel industry to enhance Canada's trade remedy system. Two proposals were implemented in the budget implementation act and others were subject to consultations, which were completed on June 29. The government is currently analyzing the requests that came out of those consultations. What is more, the Standing Committee on International Trade is committed to conducting a study on the steel industry.

On an international level, the issue of global overcapacity was discussed during the G20 summit in Hangzhou on September 4 and 5. As part of that event, the Prime Minister and other leaders recognized the problem of overcapacity in the steel industry. This acknowledgement was an important step since China, the world's leading steel producer, agreed to work on increasing its efforts on exchanging information and co-operation. In light of the leaders summit, the G20 countries and the OECD are making efforts to establish a global forum on steel overcapacity. The Minister of International Trade is following this file closely, because she is aware of the need to take action quickly regarding this problem. Preparations for the first meeting are going well and Canada will attend.

The government has been working hard at home and abroad on resolving trade problems affecting Canadian producers in order to create an environment where the steel industry can continue to make an important contribution to Canada's economy.

Steel IndustryAdjournment Proceedings

7:30 p.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

Madam Speaker, I am hearing very little in the way of concrete answers in the government's response. To be aware of the issue and not act is cold comfort to the steel producers in Canada and those who work in this important sector. We will lose jobs if we do not act. It is good to hear that the government understands the issue, but without action we are not going to be able to ensure that these jobs are going to stay safe inside of Canada.

Supporting this industry must include the important consideration that I mentioned, and that is whether Canada will grant China market economy status. This decision is coming up on December 11. It is very pressing, and it is urgent for the steel producers to understand what they will be facing if the government makes the decision to give that granting to China.

Again, can the parliamentary secretary outline when his government will implement changes to Canada's trade remedy system, and how will the government deal with China's request to be granted market economy status?

Steel IndustryAdjournment Proceedings

7:35 p.m.

Liberal

David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC

Madam Speaker, I should add that the government and the industry are taking part in meetings of the North American steel trade committee whereby Mexico, Canada, and the United States are discussing the issues that matter to the steel industry and coordinating their efforts.

For instance, the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs Service recently increased their joint enforcement of anti-dumping measures. I can only reiterate that the government is using every possible mechanism to protect Canadian producers against these undervalued goods and to ensure that steel producers in regions like Sault Ste. Marie, Hamilton, and Nanticoke remain the pillars of their communities.

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

7:35 p.m.

NDP

Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Madam Speaker, I want to talk about the recent process to fund community organizations as part of the community initiatives fund specifically for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, targeted specifically at HIV/AIDS advocacy, awareness, and prevention organizations.

This process has completely shocked people across the country, and with good reason. People are speaking out. Many people have talked to me about this, including individuals from my own riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie, which I am proud to represent, as well as members of national organizations.

As part of this process, many well-known organizations, and some that have even been recognized for their work with an especially vulnerable population, have had their funding taken away. Many will have to either eliminate large portions of their activities, or in some cases, shut down altogether.

The process in question is riddled with problems. First of all, we are told that the funding has not changed. Theoretically, that is true, except that by lumping all networks related to HIV and hepatitis C together with all other sexually transmitted diseases, this ultimately reduces the funds available to each network.

What is more, even if that were not the case, we are still being told that the funding has not changed. That is also a problem because the funding has not changed for years and has basically been frozen. Rent, wages, and all the rest have continued to increase during that time, which means that, in reality, people have to do more with fewer resources. We are talking about community organizations, not organizations that have access to jet planes and limousines. There are many community organizations in my riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie, and they are already working extremely hard with very limited resources.

There is also a problem with the process. Funding criteria used to be public, but not this year. Yes, consultations were held. What the organizations are telling me is that the consultations were all over the map. I guess that is what this government likes to call a conversation. The organizations also told me that the consultations did not produce any tangible results. Afterward, the organizations were left in the dark, until, all of a sudden, they were given the bad news.

Speaking of consultations, it is interesting to note that consultations were held to discuss the priorities and objectives of the Public Health Agency of Canada, yet the decisions that were made do not correspond with those priorities. As I was saying, there are well-established organizations that are known for their work that had their funding drastically reduced.

Many of these organizations have been working on the ground for about thirty years. The government is suddenly, without warning dismantling an entire network. I see this happening and, of course, I feel bad for the organizations, but mostly I worry about the people they serve. When the government reduces or eliminates funding for organizations, it is the people that those organizations help—

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

7:40 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Carol Hughes

I apologize to the hon. member, but her time has expired.

The hon. parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health.

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

7:40 p.m.

Brampton West Ontario

Liberal

Kamal Khera LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

Madam Speaker, our government is committed to addressing HIV and hepatitis C in Canada and recognizes that community-based organizations are central to the Canadian response to these infections.

Achieving our goal requires a comprehensive approach that includes a strong focus on vulnerable populations, with interventions that have the greatest potential to make an impact. Canada has made great progress in addressing HIV and hepatitis C over more than three decades of responding to these epidemics. However, there is still work to do.

As members may know, Canada has committed to meeting the global UNAIDS 90-90-90 HIV targets by 2020, meaning that 90% of HIV-positive people know their status, that 90% of people who know their status receive treatment, and that 90% of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads.

The Government of Canada continues to work closely with the provinces and territories, community organizations, and scientific and medical communities to reach the 90-90-90 targets and those for viral hepatitis by engaging with communities to strengthen prevention and access to testing and treatment services, by enhancing surveillance to monitor progress, and by providing screening and testing guidance to help professionals.

As part of these broader efforts to address HIV and hepatitis C, the Public Health Agency of Canada recently announced its decision related to funding of community-based organization projects under its new HIV and hepatitis C community action fund.

The development and implementation of the fund has been a significant but necessary undertaking to refocus our efforts in preventing and controlling HIV and hepatitis C. These funding decisions followed an open and competitive solicitation based on priorities set in collaboration with provinces and territories, community-based organizations, people living with HIV or hepatitis C, and other stakeholders and partners.

I would like to reiterate that the funding our government provides to community-based organizations has not diminished. It remains steady at $26.4 million annually and continues to support time-limited projects across Canada. While 124 organizations were successful in the application process for the community action fund, including 41 new organizations, others were not. These included some organizations that had been funded previously under the program. For some of these organizations, the loss of project funding for the next year was disappointing. For others, this represents the loss of an important source of funding, which could impact the sustainability of the organizations and their work.

Our government has heard the concerns of these organizations, and in an effort to help those organizations through the transition, PHAC has been directed to provide up to one year of transitional project funding on a case-by-case basis, which would end on March 31, 2018.

PHAC will work closely with each organization to determine the funding amount that will be provided and the work that can be achieved over one year. Furthermore, PHAC is working with organizations that were approved at lower amounts than previously, in comparison to the current funding, to help them transition as well.

The fund is designed to ensure that funding supports areas where there is the greatest burden based on current rates of HIV and hepatitis C.

We still have a lot more to do if we are going to stop the spread of these serious but preventable diseases. That is why it is important that we continue to work hand in hand with provinces and territories, as well as with stakeholder partners and people living with HIV and hepatitis C, to have the greatest impact possible.

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

7:40 p.m.

NDP

Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Madam Speaker, the parliamentary secretary is pleased that more and more people know their HIV-AIDS status. Perhaps this is thanks to the longstanding organizations that the government decided to abolish. If the formula is working, I do not understand why they are going ahead with these cuts.

She also talked about vulnerable populations. However, of the groups affected by the cuts, such as aboriginal peoples, there are also injection drug users. The only organization left in Quebec to work with these people is in Quebec City, while the problem is particularly acute in Montreal.

Also affected are groups working with African immigrant women, as well as huge segments of the population being left out, including francophones. However, among the new groups funded are a number of so-called national organizations that do not deliver services in French.

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

7:45 p.m.

Liberal

Kamal Khera Liberal Brampton West, ON

Madam Speaker, the changes to community-based funding were intended to identify initiatives that addressed populations in areas of Canada with the greatest need, and to allow us to prevent HIV, hep C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections in Canada.

PHAC does not question the contribution of currently funded organizations and did not base its decision on their current work. The organizations that were invited to submit full proposals were those that clearly demonstrated, through evidence, that their project had potential to reduce rates of HIV, hep C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections in Canada, and to reduce barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

We understand that we have a lot more to do. It is why it is important that we continue to work hand in hand with provinces and territories, as well as stakeholders, partners, people living with HIV and hep C, in order to have the greatest impact possible.