House of Commons Hansard #212 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was justice.
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government needs to gain some perspective. It rushed a $10.5 million payout to convicted terrorist Omar Khadr. It had no legal obligation to do so. At the same time, the government is fighting Josey, a young Cree girl who needs $6,000 worth of dental surgery. It spent $110,000 fighting her in court.
Can the Prime Minister stand up and justify why a convicted terrorist gets a rushed payment, while the Liberals continue to fight Josey and her family in court?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, when Canadian governments violate Canadians' fundamental rights, we all end up paying. It is not a question of only standing up for rights when it is easy or when it is popular. It is a question of standing up for rights because it is the right thing to do, because that is what makes us proud to be Canadians.
We stand up for people's rights, period. That is why when the government violates people's rights, subsequent governments end up paying. That is the way it works. Hopefully it will never happen again, because Canadian governments needs to respect Canadians' rights.
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Indigenous Services gave a great speech about her commitment to improving health services for first nations. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs went on Twitter to encourage people to call Health Canada if they know a child who needs care. What they did not say was that then the government was going to fight them in court all the way.
It was $110,000. How can the Prime Minister explain to Canadians again that a convicted terrorist he had no obligation to pay gets $10.5 million, but he is going to fight Josey and her family all the way in court?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, our government is absolutely committed to ensuring that first nations and Inuit children get the care they need through the non-insured health benefits program.
As I said earlier, our government recognizes that unacceptable socio-economic gaps continue to exist, including in health outcomes. That is why our government has created the new department of indigenous services. Moving forward, I and our government will be working with all partners to improve programs and services for indigenous peoples across this country. I will be happy to work with the member opposite in order to do so.
Sheila Malcolmson NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, today as we honour the lives of murdered and missing indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people, families and survivors are on the front steps of Parliament calling for justice.
The United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women condemned Canada for failing to end violence against indigenous women. Shockingly, over 700 recommendations have gone unanswered by successive governments. What will the Prime Minister do now so there are no more stolen sisters?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we recognize this unacceptable ongoing national tragedy. We have committed as a government to work hard to end violence against women, to get healing for the families, to get justice for the victims and survivors, and to end this ongoing national tragedy.
We continue to be committed to doing everything we can to work with indigenous communities to protect our sisters, our daughters, our cousins, our nieces, our aunts, and our grandmothers. This is a tragedy that has too long been ignored. That is why we are working so seriously on it.
Matthew Dubé NDP Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, a report from the correctional investigator has sounded the alarm on the situation of young adults in federal prisons. They are vulnerable to exploitation, bullying, and abuse. What is more, they are overrepresented in terms of placement in segregation and use of force incidents.
The government promised major reforms emphasizing rehabilitation and protecting vulnerable people. Will the government respect the report's recommendations and abolish the use of solitary confinement on those under age 21, in favour of proper rehabilitation?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we recognize the work that needs to be done in our correctional services, and I am proud of the work that our Minister of Public Safety is doing on exactly that. We are moving forward on a broad range of initiatives and recommendations made, including the restoration of prison farms, the diminution of the use of solitary confinement, the kinds of things that we know will not just do a better job of respecting rights but will also keep our communities safer.
Natural ResourcesOral Questions
Regina—Qu'Appelle Saskatchewan
Conservative
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has moved the goal posts for important energy projects, like energy east, that would allow western Canadian oil to flow to eastern provinces, but now he has changed the rules and added new hurdles that only apply to domestic projects. As a result, energy east is now in jeopardy. However, he has made one group of people very happy: the oil executives and politicians from countries like Venezuela, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, whose companies will not be subject to these new hurdles. Why the double standard?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, for 10 years we had a Conservative government that did not understand that the way to move forward on energy projects was to take leadership on the environment. The two go together. Canadians know that, and that is part of why the Conservatives did not get much of anything done in terms of expanding energy projects.
We have managed to approve a number of pipelines. We have created a process whereby Canadians can be reassured that as we create jobs and grow the economy, we are also protecting the environment. After 10 years of failure from that government, we are proud of our track record and the work we are continuing to do to grow our economy and protect our environment.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the only jobs the Prime Minister is protecting are those energy jobs in Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria, not in Canada. He could take this opportunity to promote a national nation-building project like energy east. It would increase the competitiveness of our energy sector and decrease our need for foreign oil. Instead, he is making it more difficult for these projects by changing the rules in the middle of the game, but these rules do not apply to foreign oil imports from countries with terrible human rights records and abysmal environmental standards.
Why the double standard? Why put the interests of foreign companies ahead of Canadian workers?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, do you know what made it more difficult for energy producers in this country? It was the botched approach of that former government on energy projects. By not understanding the responsibility toward future generations and the responsibility toward the environment, they were unable to get things done. They were unable to demonstrate that they were working for Canada's national interests, that they were working to grow the economy, create good jobs, and protect the environment at the same time. That is why for 10 years they did nothing. That is why Canadians chose to change the government.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the foreign oil companies and countries like Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria are thrilled that the Prime Minister is doing everything he can to wipe out their Canadian competition. They are happy that the Prime Minister is putting up new roadblocks for Canadian energy projects. He killed northern gateway based on political considerations, and with it, Canada's ability to export to Asian markets.
Why is the Prime Minister doing everything he can to kill domestic energy projects while he watches tanker after tanker of foreign oil flooding Canadian markets?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, it boggles the mind to see the Leader of the Opposition double down on the failed approach of the previous Conservative government. Key pipeline decisions we made will create more than 21,000 jobs across this country, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and expand paths to global markets while continuing to renew our relationship with indigenous peoples. The Line 3 project will create approximately 7,000 full-time jobs. The Trans Mountain project will generate $4.5 billion and create 15,000 jobs. We are continuing to grow the economy and protect the environment--
Eva Nassif Liberal Vimy, QC
Mr. Speaker, right now there is a shortage of workers in a number of sectors in Quebec. The economy is growing and employers need skilled workers. I know that our government has a plan to help young people acquire the skills and experience they need to succeed. Can the Prime Minister tell the House about the measures the government is taking to help at-risk youth in Quebec?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Vimy for her question. We are helping more than 4,500 young people in Quebec get the job skills and work experience they need by investing nearly $54 million in the youth employment strategy. For example, a project at Accès travail de Montréal will help 144 young people overcome barriers to employment and learn essential workplace skills. These projects have a real impact on our young people, our businesses, and our communities.
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, when I fill up my tank every week, I am supporting social programs in some foreign countries, or I am enriching dictators who are torturing their people. Oil transportation is very important to Canada.
Why does the Prime Minister agree to the safe transportation of foreign oil but refuses to do the same with Canadian oil?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, for 10 years, the member opposite was part of a government that failed to show Canadians that it could create energy projects for the common good. The former government lost Canadians' support because of its record on job creation and natural resource projects. Canadians felt that the former government was not able to govern our country. We have a different approach that takes both the environment and economic growth, together, into consideration, and we will always invest with those aspects in mind.
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Mr. Speaker, speaking of the environment, this is the 25th time I have risen in the House to get information about the wreck of the Kathryn Spirit, information that is still not being supplied regularly. Bidding for the contract to dismantle the Kathryn Spirit closed over two weeks ago, but neither the mayor of Beauharnois nor I have been updated on the process.
Will the government keep the people of Beauharnois up to date about the next steps, including when the contractor will be selected and whether the work will begin in time for a fall 2019 completion date at the latest, as the government promised repeatedly?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, our government is determined to protect the health and safety of Canadians and our waters. We are taking necessary steps to ensure that the permanent removal of the Kathryn Spirit will be carried out safely and efficiently. Between July 2016 and June 2017, Public Services and Procurement Canada conducted the environmental studies and assessments required prior to dismantling the ship. We expect the contract to be awarded this fall.
Mike Bossio Liberal Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
Mr. Speaker, we know that a strong and competitive agricultural sector is vital to Canada's prosperity, creating good jobs, growing the middle class, and bringing high-quality products to the tables of Canadian consumers.
Canada's beef sector is an important driver of economic growth, contributing $2.69 billion and 61,000 jobs to my province of Ontario. Could the Prime Minister highlight some of our government's recent investments to help create growth and opportunities for our beef farmers.
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Hastings—Lennox and Addington for his question and for his tireless work and advocacy on behalf of farmers right across the country.
We were proud to recently announce an investment of $4.4 million to help farmers innovate, expand markets, and manage their business risk. As part of this investment, $2.2 million will support our world-class beef farmers here in Canada. We also announced over $3 million in investments in beef research with the Beef Farmers of Ontario, the Elora Beef Research Centre, and the University of Lethbridge. These investments will help make our beef farmers more competitive while supporting jobs--
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' incompetence on reform of the public service pay system has now put public safety and public interest in jeopardy. Canadian Coast Guard vessels in Newfoundland and Labrador remain docked, because coast guard personnel have not been paid. Nineteen months after launching the Phoenix pay system, the Liberals have yet to fix the problem they implemented.
When will the Liberals stop wasting time and money, fix this fiasco, and stop jeopardizing the safety of our coastal communities?
