House of Commons Hansard #83 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was information.
Rona Ambrose ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, job creation is currently invisible and economic growth is sluggish.
On Monday, the Minister of Finance admitted that his tax and spend policies are not working, but instead of reversing course, the Prime Minister is spending even more money.
How can the Liberals be trusted when all this spending did not create any jobs?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, after 10 years under the reign of a government with the worst record in economic growth since R. B. Bennett and the Great Depression, Canadians needed a government that was ready to invest in their communities and ready to put more money in the pockets of the middle class by asking more of the wealthy.
We raised taxes on the wealthiest 1% so that we could lower them on the middle class. We are giving a more generous Canada child benefit to nine out of ten families. That is what Canadians expect from their government.
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, consultation means much more than informing indigenous communities that a project has already been approved. Six local first nations have opposed this LNG project. How was this decision announced? The Prime Minister sent three ministers to the Vancouver airport, 1,000 kilometres away from the people and territory that will be directly affected by their decision.
Does the Prime Minister really consider this to be respect for first nations?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we have always understood that in order to create the kind of government that people want, we need to both grow the economy and protect the environment. That means folding in consultations with indigenous leaders, talking to communities, ensuring we get the world-class science done. That is exactly what we did on this project.
Unfortunately, the members opposite either think we are not going fast enough or we are going too fast. Canadians know we need to grow the economy, and protect the environment right now and do it right.
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am not too sure what folding in means, but those first nations know that they have never been meaningfully consulted, and they have never been accommodated.
The Liberals are using Stephen Harper's targets, Stephen Harper's plan, and Stephen Harper's timelines, and the Conservatives are the only ones who are happy about it. In short, they will never be able to honour our international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
How can the Prime Minister approve new pipelines if we are already finding it impossible to reduce GHGs because we do not have a comprehensive and credible plan? That is utter nonsense.
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that we must grow the economy while protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The problem is that, for a long time, previous governments, including Liberal governments, had plenty of targets, but no solid plan to reach them. That is why we are working with the provinces and our partners in industry to ensure that we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. That is what Canadians expect from this government.
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, when his government was elected last year, the Prime Minister said that the good old Canada was back on the world stage.
The good old Canada was committed to protecting human rights in the international arena. That means that Canada must stop selling weapons to those who violate human rights.
Will the Prime Minister agree to create a parliamentary committee to examine foreign arms sales before approving them?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear. We believe that we need to demonstrate more transparency and rigour when it comes to the sale of arms on the international market.
That is one reason why we committed to sign the arms trade treaty. We are going to work with all members of the House to ensure that Canada endorses and upholds this treaty.
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, once again, the Prime Minister claims he believes in human rights, transparency, and accountability. He has an opportunity to prove it.
Canadians want more oversight when it comes to selling arms, weapons, and tanks to countries like Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Libya.
Will he or will he not support creating a parliamentary committee to bring transparency to any foreign arms sales before they take place?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we agree with the member opposite that Canadians do want greater transparency and accountability in many different areas, but particularly in terms of arms sales. That is why we have committed to demonstrating a higher level of transparency and openness, and why we have agreed to sign on to the arms trade treaty.
We will be the last NATO country to sign on to that because the previous government did not want to. We know that it is the right thing to do and, quite frankly, it is what Canadians expect of their government.
Denis Lebel Conservative Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Health said she is looking forward to meeting with her counterparts, the provincial health ministers. I have some good news for her: I know that one of them, the Quebec minister of health, is very keen to speak to her in person. He is going to tell her that putting conditions on transfer payments to the provinces is simply not how the Canadian federation works.
I hope the Prime Minister plans to bring his minister into line and ask her to respect those responsible for delivering health care in Quebec, specifically the doctors, not the politicians, and ensure that provincial responsibilities are discharged by those who have the authority, in this case, the provincial health ministers.
Jane Philpott LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
I have already had many good conversations with my counterparts across the country, including the Quebec minister of health.
As the member is well aware, the Canada health transfer is going to increase by $1 billion next year, bringing it up to more than $37 billion. I will be meeting with all my provincial and territorial counterparts over the next few weeks. We will continue our discussions on ways to create a health care system—
Denis Lebel Conservative Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, let me give another good example. When I was the minister of intergovernmental affairs, my mandate was to ensure that provincial jurisdictions were respected.
I looked for the mandate letter for the minister of intergovernmental affairs. The Prime Minister is the minister. I would have guessed his mandate letter would include ensuring that provincial jurisdictions are respected. However, I did not see that in the mandate letter.
Will the Prime Minister let the provinces do the work that falls under their jurisdiction, namely infrastructure, social housing, education, and health? It will be a long list in a few months. Will he let them do their work?
Jane Philpott LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, this government is engaged in ensuring that Canadians have good health and the health care they need. To do that, it requires working collaboratively with our colleagues across the country. It requires working with patients and health care providers.
I have had excellent discussions with my counterparts, the ministers of health across the country. I respect that they deliver excellent care and have jurisdiction over that. However, it requires all partners to be at the table to ensure that Canadians get the help they need.
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are tired of waking up every day to a new Liberal expense scandal.
Yesterday, Brookfield Global Relocation Services shared that two prime ministerial aides, Butts and Telford, would have been briefed on their services and made fully aware. For the past week, these two individuals have been stating they did not know.
The bottom line is, who is telling the truth?
Scott Brison LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, the relocation policy for ministers' offices is the same policy as that of the previous Conservative government.
We are also aware that under the previous Conservative government, there were ministerial staffers reimbursed, in some cases, for $90,000 worth of moving expenses.
The Prime Minister and his office have asked me, and Treasury Board, to review the policy. Treasury Board will review the policy, and report back to Canadians.
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are expecting more from their government, not just the same old party antics and spending scandals that we saw in the 1990s and the early 2000s. There are many new faces in the government, but they have the same old Liberal sense of entitlement.
Where is the leadership? Who is finally going to put a stop to these Liberal entitlements?
Scott Brison LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, again, the policy for relocation, as it applies to ministers' offices, is the same policy of the previous Conservative government. Treasury Board is evaluating that policy.
I would remind the hon. member, who was I believe a caucus member previously, that under the Conservatives, there were staff members who were reimbursed for moving expenses in excess of $90,000.
Treasury Board is reviewing this and we will fix it.
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
Mr. Speaker, someone is not being truthful with Canadians. Yesterday, Brookfield's senior vice-president stated that each person it moves is briefed on the benefits and entitlements that can be claimed. Yet, the Prime Minister is digging in his heels, and claiming that his BFFs, Gerry and Katie, were never briefed. When we are talking about six-figure payouts, I find it hard to believe that the people were not briefed.
Would the Prime Minister come clean and tell Canadians who is telling the truth, Gerry and Katie, or Brookfield?
Scott Brison LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will find that, in fact, Brookfield has clarified its comments and have confirmed that members of the Prime Minister's staff were consistent with the truth.
Beyond that, it is important that the opposition recognize that the moving expense policy, as applied to ministers' offices, is the same policy that applied to the previous Conservative government. Treasury Board is reviewing that policy.
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
Mr. Speaker, Brookfield's senior vice-president stated that relocation directives were explained in detail to all employees who were being moved. He also stated that they go over, extensively, the personalized cash payouts with each employee.
This abuse of taxpayer money falls squarely on the shoulders of the Prime Minister as he was the one who approved the payouts. If the company handling the move says the Prime Minister's BFFs were briefed, why is the PMO misleading Canadians?
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalMinister of Fisheries
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues are obviously pleased to see me back.
My friend knows very well that Brookfield has apologized for that erroneous information. What my friend should also consider is the advice of Guy Giorno, somebody whose orders he followed so faithfully for so long.
We would draw to the House's attention, the former chief of staff to Prime Minister Harper who said:
The federal relocation program—which applies to hundreds of moves annually, including moves by employees of government, military and RCMP—exists for a very good reason.The purpose is to ensure that those who relocate because of federal employment are made whole financially.
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' decision to maintain the Conservatives' cuts to health was not especially well received. According to Quebec's health minister, these cuts are going to make it hard for Quebeckers and Canadians to access good quality health care. Many provinces are opposed to the government's proposed plan.
Will the Liberals scrap these cuts and keep their promise to negotiate in good faith with the provinces to ensure quality care?
Jane Philpott LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, it is very important that this House does not misunderstand the facts.
There will be no cuts to health care. Our government is committed to being a good partner in ensuring that Canadians have the health and health care they need. This year, the Canada health transfer was the largest ever, more than $36 billion. It will increase by more than $1 billion, additionally, next year.
In addition to the Canada health transfer, I will be meeting with my counterparts on October 18 to discuss additional ways that we can invest in the health of Canadians, and ensure they all get the care they need.
