House of Commons Hansard #177 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was community.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Mr. Speaker, opposing Wynn's law and disrespecting victims is the Liberal record.
Wayne Petherbridge, whose son was brutally murdered, wrote to the minister last September to raise substantive issues around sentencing. Eight months later, aside from receiving an insulting email that the minister receives many emails, he has heard absolutely nothing from the minister.
When is the minister going to finally start respecting victims instead of just ignoring them?
Jody Wilson-Raybould LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to stand and talk about the comprehensive review of the criminal justice system that we are undertaking, which I was mandated to do in my letter from the Prime Minister. That includes a comprehensive review of sentencing reforms, reforms that have taken place over the past 10 years and before that.
We are moving forward to ensure effectiveness and efficiencies in the criminal justice system, with the underlying objectives of ensuring respect for victims, public safety, and that the reforms we take are in compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, the ruthless authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro has left Venezuela on the brink of economic and social collapse. The entire world should be gravely concerned about the rampant human rights violations and humanitarian crisis occurring there.
Both Presidents Trump and Obama had instituted targeted sanctions against human rights abusers in Venezuela and the EU parliament is calling on the EU to do the same.
Instead of talking points, I just want an answer to this question. Is the Prime Minister willing to institute targeted sanctions against Venezuelan human rights abusers?
Matt DeCourcey LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, this government understands that the situation is rapidly deteriorating in Venezuela. That is why Canada has been strongly critical of the Venezuelan government at the OAS, at the Commission on Human Rights, through our public statements, and in bilateral meetings. Our embassy in Caracas is supporting the work of Venezuelan NGOs and activists, who are active on the human rights effort in Venezuela.
We continue to call on the government of Venezuela to respect its international commitments to democracy and human rights. We will continue to work with partners in the region to achieve just that.
Emmanuella Lambropoulos Liberal Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, tourists from across the country and around the world are visiting my riding of Saint-Laurent, in Montreal, Quebec.
From the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec in Saint-Laurent to the Old Port of Montreal, with its European charm, there is much to see and do. The tourism industry supports more than 1.7 million jobs in Canada, including more than 7,000 in my riding.
Could the Minister of Small Business and Tourism inform the House about the government initiatives to support tourism in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and across Canada?
Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Saint-Laurent for her question.
Rural and urban communities across Canada have much to share with the world. I announced Canada's new tourism vision, our pan-Canadian approach to improve tourism marketing and access to Canada by air or land, and to develop experiences such as indigenous tourism, LGBTQ2 tourism, culinary tourism, and so forth.
I encourage everyone to tour our country and to learn more about Canada's new tourism vision.
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Mr. Speaker, apparently the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, not Parliament, will be the first to learn if the Minister of Transport will protect the rights of shippers. Farmers are nervous that the minister's choice of venue is a foreshadowing that his changes will benefit the railways and leave farmers out in the cold. Grain farmers want long-term certainty, but the Liberals are more focused on optics than they are on governing.
When will the rights of farmers become a priority for the minister?
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the rights of farmers have always been a priority for our government. I look forward to going to the great city of Edmonton on Wednesday to talk about some very important issues, which I am sure will be of great interest to them. Members should stand by for more details, and we will see how that goes.
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, the minister himself admitted what everyone already knows, and that is that more fatalities occur when people cross railway tracks illegally than when they do so at safe railway crossings. What has he done to date to ensure that there are safe crossings in the locations where people need them the most? Absolutely nothing. Perhaps it is because he does not have the proper authority.
My bill gives him the authority he needs to ensure that people across the country are able to cross railway tracks safely. Why is he refusing to commit to support my bill?
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I need to correct something that my colleague said about our investment in rail safety.
In 2016, we allocated $143 million to improve rail safety. Last fall, I announced $55 million, $20 million of which was recently allocated to 130 projects that deal specifically with level crossings to make Canadians safer in those locations. We are proud—
Joe Peschisolido Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Mr. Speaker, during the 2015 election, the government promised British Columbians it would formalize a moratorium on crude oil tanker traffic through B.C.'s northern coast to further protect sensitive areas. British Columbians were reassured by the fact that this commitment was reiterated in the Minister of Transport's mandate letter by the Prime Minister.
Could the minister please update British Columbians and all Canadians on the progress he and the government have made on this matte?.
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, we made a promise that we would formalize an oil tanker ban for the north coast of British Columbia, and we are delivering on that promise.
Last Friday, we tabled legislation that would mean large oil tankers carrying crude oil and other persistent oils would not be able to unload or load in ports along the north coast of British Columbia. This is delivering on a promise we made for the people of British Columbia.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Order please. I would ask the hon. members for Cariboo—Prince George and Calgary Signal Hill to try to restrain themselves when someone else has the floor.
The hon. member for Peace River—Westlock.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Mr. Speaker, companies like Millar Western in my riding will be subject to a 20% tariff on all lumber exports to the United States. Truck drivers, skidder operators, mechanics, and mill wrights in communities Whitecourt, Peace River, Slave Lake, High Prairie and La Crete are worried their jobs are at risk.
The Prime Minister claims that securing a new softwood lumber deal is a priority, yet 328 days ago the Prime Minister promised he would have a softwood lumber deal in 100 days. How many more days will forestry workers have to wait for the Prime Minister to get the job done?
Andrew Leslie LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada-U.S. Relations)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind all watching that it was the previous Conservative government that allowed the agreement to expire.
We disagree strongly with the U.S. Department of Commerce decision to impose an unfair and punitive duty. The accusations are baseless and unfounded. We continue to raise this important issue with the President, as the Prime Minister has done on every occasion they have interacted.
We are looking for a good deal, not just any deal.
Xavier Barsalou-Duval Bloc Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC
Mr. Speaker, over these past few weeks, terrible floods have affected thousands of families across Quebec.
Imagine if there had been a dumping ground for nuclear waste upriver when that flooding occurred. However, that is exactly what the government is proposing. It wants to store one million cubic metres of radioactive waste at Chalk River, despite all of the risks that poses for Quebeckers' drinking water.
Does the Minister of Environment and Climate Change agree with the proposal to build a dump site for radioactive waste on the banks of the Ottawa River?
Jim Carr LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of Canadians and the protection of the environment are top priorities in relation to all nuclear activities in Canada. The proposed near surface disposal facility at the Chalk River site would house low and intermediate level materials to ensure they are safe in long-term storage.
The project is subject to review and licensing by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Canada's independent regulator of the nuclear industry. I encourage all interested Canadians to share their views on the project through that process.
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister himself admitted that climate change is going to cause more extreme weather events like the flooding that occurred in Quebec. This sort of thing will become increasingly frequent.
We were just told that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is going to consider the proposal to build a nuclear waste dump in Chalk River, on the banks of the Ottawa River.
Quite frankly, that is a terrible idea. Drinking water, nuclear waste, and flooding are an extremely dangerous mix.
Will the government assume its responsibilities and immediately commit to reject this project, which is dangerous for all Quebeckers?
Jim Carr LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the health and well-being of Canadians and the protection of the environment are our top priority.
In relation to all nuclear activities in Canada, the proposed near surface disposal facility at Chalk River would house low-level and intermediate-level materials to ensure their safe and long-term storage. As members know, the project is subject to review and licensing by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
I encourage all interested Canadians to share their views on the project through that process.
Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Mr. Speaker, if I were to tell my constituents that the Conservatives would be the ones to solve the softwood lumber issue, they would not be satisfied with that.
Today is May 15, and I can tell you that the answer is not satisfactory. The softwood lumber crisis has begun to claim victims in Quebec. It has affected about 1,300 forestry workers in Girardville, Dolbeau-Mistassini, Kénogami, La Tuque, and Baie-Comeau.
Every dollar lost and every week that goes by with families having to tighten their belts is thanks to the 40 Liberal MPs from Quebec who have done nothing.
Will the Minister of Natural Resources come up with an answer that is relevant to the present, not to the future or the past, stop wasting time, and commit—
Jim Carr LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the time that we are spending with our provincial counterparts, including from the Province of Quebec, are not wasted hours.
This is the country working together to ensure that workers who are affected, communities that will be impacted, and producers who are under stress will have the full attention of the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, and all of the other provinces that are equally concerned to protect the workers in the forestry sector.
Chris Warkentin Conservative Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, earlier in question period, the infrastructure minister stated that the previous government had made no investments in infrastructure. I would ask for unanimous consent to table a document, in both official languages, that was produced by the minister's department. This document was produced for the BlackRock billionaires summit, and states that in 2015, Canada had the largest investment in infrastructure in the OECD.