House of Commons Hansard #153 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
Chrystia Freeland LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, let me remind my hon. colleague of what the leader of his party said when Stéphane left the House. She described him as a Canadian who understood the issues in minute detail and was prepared to vigorously defend his positions.
As for the orders in council, it was a procedural step, and each appointee will receive two orders in council.
The Prime Minister and I heard in Europe a couple of weeks ago of the highest respect for Mr. Dion. We are honoured to have him represent us.
Peter Kent Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, the bungling of Mr. Dion's diplomatic consolation prizes reflects badly, not only on the Liberal government, not only with the offended EU and German host countries, but the broader international community.
What else have the Liberals forgotten to do? Are there loose ends as well with regard to Mr. Dion's dual citizenship?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, speaking on behalf of our diplomats and our fine ambassadors, to be an ambassador serving Canada around the world is no consolation prize. It is one of the highest honours that we can confer on a Canadian.
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals claimed that Canada would not be the target of Trump's trade policies, it is now clear that the U.S. wants to get tough on softwood lumber. Last week, the U.S. trade representative nominee said that softwood lumber is at the top of his list and that the U.S. industry wants quotas on Canadian imports. Any new deal must allow small producers to export and provide flexibility for the provinces. Without a deal, Canada's softwood lumber sector is braced for punishing duties of 25% or more.
Will the Liberals support the sector with loan guarantees and assistance for workers and communities?
Jim Carr LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, we realize how important the forestry sector is to Canada, all regions of the country. We have begun to have very good conversations with our counterparts in the provinces that might be affected by American action. We are certain that we will offer a coordinated way of protecting the jobs that are of interest not only to us but to the entire country.
Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
Mr. Speaker, last week, the closure of the HMV stores led to the bankruptcy of the distributor DEP, which has put an abrupt stop to the marketing of Quebec artists.
From Vincent Vallières to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Florence K, DEP's bankruptcy seems to be the latest sign of the collapse of Quebec's recording industry and a new source of worry about Canadian content.
Canada must move swiftly to regulate all the new online providers, whether they are based in Montreal, Los Angeles, or some other tax haven.
Can the minister tell us what she has done to ensure that these new players contribute to our ecosystem and to the same tax system as everyone else?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his important question and his interest in this file.
Of course, we launched public consultations last year to consider all the repercussions that digital services have on the entire Canadian cultural ecosystem.
In 2017, I will have the opportunity to introduce some major changes in order to address some of the issues that were raised by my colleague.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has already spent five times what the previous government spent on polling, and this latest announcement of increased spending on weekly polling is just another example of the Liberal government's wasteful spending in its lust to get re-elected. Cash for access, blurring the lines between government and party business, and now weekly calls to see how Canadians are reacting to the latest broken promise, ethics scandal, and bad government policy.
When will the Liberals quit spending taxpayers' money on polling to see if Canadians are buying their nonsense?
Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, this government made a commitment to work hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. That is exactly why we lowered taxes on middle-class Canadians and increased taxes on the wealthiest 1% of Canadians.
This government has had unprecedented levels of public consultation to ensure that Canadians can interact and communicate with it. We will continue to listen to them and to respond to the very real challenges they are facing.
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, another outrageous expense by the Liberals has come to light. Recently, the media are reporting that the Liberal government spent $2.5 million in the last year in order to find out what to do.
Can this Prime Minister tell us why, in just 16 months, he spent more on polling Canadians than the Conservative government did in the previous decade?
Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, our government uses a number of methods to better understand Canadians' views and to identify their needs and expectations.
The research is shared with all departments and allows us to be constantly listening to Canadians on various subjects and priorities that affect their daily lives.
Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner by-election took place on October 24, 2016. We know that the Prime Minister used government aircraft and government staff while he was campaigning in that by-election. Last week it was revealed that the Prime Minister also used the non-partisan Privy Council Office and its staff to support those same campaign events.
Will the Prime Minister confirm that he is using Privy Council Office resources to again help campaign in the upcoming five by-elections?
Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, it is important for members to know, and I am sure they will support, that the Prime Minister must always be in a position to carry out official government duties. The Prime Minister is always in contact with his office and is routinely provided with briefing materials during all travel, domestically and internationally, whether on personal or government business.
The Prime Minister is prepared in advance of all events and is afforded the same support as previous prime ministers.
Anju Dhillon Liberal Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC
Mr. Speaker, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen are faced with a terrible crisis affecting food and nutrition. The UN recently even declared it to be the worst humanitarian crisis since 1945. Last Friday, Canada announced funds to assist the poorest and most vulnerable of those affected by the crisis.
Can the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie inform the House of the details of this major announcement?
Marie-Claude Bibeau LiberalMinister of International Development and La Francophonie
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle for her interest in the matter.
Our government is indeed very concerned by the famine in Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Somalia. We recently announced a contribution of $120 million to provide food, drinking water and health care for the 20 million people suffering from acute malnutrition. We are also insisting that the warring parties ensure full, unhindered access for humanitarian workers.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, violent intentions in Ukraine are on the rise with an increase in violations of the Minsk peace agreements. Unfortunately, the Liberal support for Ukraine is on the decline.
Extending our Conservative military mission in Ukraine is welcome, but there is more that Canada can offer. The Liberals have already cancelled supplies of radar satellite images, they refuse to sign the defence co-operation agreement, and they have backed down from their campaign promise to implement Magnitsky-style sanctions on corrupt foreign officials.
Will the Liberals stop disappointing our Ukrainian allies and respect the request for providing lethal defensive weapons?
Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, our government stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. With our military planners and whole-of-government approach, we consult with our allies, the U.K. and the U.S., in making sure that we have the right support.
Operation Unifier is just one portion of that. We also take a look at the wider support that we have provided, such as our support with Operation Reassurance; sending troops into Latvia, which sends a strong message to Russia; our air policing that we will be doing; and the frigate that we have there. In totality, this sends an extremely strong message to Russia.
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC
Mr. Speaker, last Thursday the Liberals released the supposed recovery plan for the southern resident killer whales, but it is one that includes no action. Only 78 southern residents still remain, and even the National Energy Board report on Kinder Morgan found that extinction is the likely outcome from a major oil spill.
Why have the Liberals failed to reinstate funding for Straitwatch, the on-the-water orca monitoring program? Why have they failed to fund or even consider proposals from stakeholders to protect this endangered species, or, on the current Prime Minister's watch, will Canadians see the extinction of B.C.'s southern resident orcas?
Terry Beech LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries
Mr. Speaker, our government is fully committed to the protection and recovery of our iconic resident killer whale population, and we will continue to work to better understand the threats to this population.
The proposed action plan for the northern and southern resident killer whale in Canada was released last summer for public consultation, and we now have the finalized report. I am happy to share that many of the recovery actions that are identified in the killer whale recovery strategy and action plan are already under way.
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Mr. Speaker, aviation safety is something all Canadians care about. With Pearson airport close to my riding, recent incidents involving drones entering restricted air space and flying close to airplanes are concerning my constituents of Mississauga—Streetsville.
Can the minister please update Canadians on the actions the government is taking in order to improve aviation safety?
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, last week we announced government measures to make recreational drone flying safer, both in the skies as well as on the ground.
We put in place some measures that took effect immediately last Thursday. These are interim measures, until such time as we come out later this year with permanent measures to make our skies and the ground safer.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, with every passing day more people are criticizing the Liberals for deciding to purchase 18 outdated Super Hornets.
Now, Jean Boyle, a former general and the former vice president of international business at Boeing when the Super Hornet was being developed, is saying that NORAD will use its best planes, either the F-35 or the F-22, and not fourth generation jets like the Super Hornet, to protect the North.
Why, then, are the Liberals bent on buying outdated planes at $300 million apiece if they will not be used?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Mr. Speaker, for the first time in 10 years, our soldiers can expect to put out to sea on new vessels and to fly into the skies in new planes. We are very proud to be supplying the Canadian Armed Forces with new equipment.
We have begun discussions with our partners in the United States and we will rise to the challenge for our Canadian Armed Forces.
Xavier Barsalou-Duval Bloc Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC
Mr. Speaker, today in the Superior Court of Quebec begins the court challenge of Bill 99, the law that recognizes the right of the people of Quebec to independence.
Forcing Quebec to defend a basic principle of democracy is where Ottawa's federalism has taken us. The federal government, under Stephen Harper, decided to involve itself in the case.
Will the government withdraw from these proceedings and finally recognize Quebec's right to self-determination?
Jody Wilson-Raybould LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to upholding our constitutional values and to upholding co-operative federalism.
Under the previous government, Canada was added by Mr. Henderson as a third party to proceedings. As such, we are obligated to appear and participate in proceedings. Our government believes that Bill 99 is constitutional insofar as it is interpreted in a way that is consistent with the Canadian Constitution and within the jurisdiction of the legislature of Quebec.
It would be inappropriate for me to comment further, as this matter is before the courts.