Debates of Nov. 20th, 2018

Media Industry

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what happens when the union that represents 13,000 media workers announces that it is going to campaign against the Conservatives and support the Liberals? The government and the Liberals announce thousands of dollars for the media a week later. Many respected journalists have expressed their uneasiness with this incestuous patronage.

The question is simple. Rather than actually addressing the existing structural problems, is the government trying to buy the media going into an election year?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, Lib.]

Wow, Mr. Speaker. That is quite the conspiracy theory.

We, on this side of the House, recognize the importance of professional journalism, which plays an important role in our society and is a cornerstone of our democracy. That is why we allocated $50 million for journalism in the last budget, including $14 million for community media. We are also providing support for CBC/Radio-Canada.

We will continue to work with the various stakeholders, whether it be the media, unions or journalists, to figure out how we can work together to protect journalistic independence. We, on this side of the House, understand this very simple principle, but I wonder if the same can be said of the members opposite.

Ethics

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, here is a story. Imagine if we hired somebody, then after a while they said they were quitting, but then eight months later find out they are still taking a salary without having done a day's worth of work. Well, that is exactly what the MP for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel has done.

What kind of prime minister would condone this kind of behaviour? Can the Liberals not understand that it is exactly this sense of entitlement that drives Canadians crazy?

Will the Liberals join us in calling for an investigation by the Ethics Commissioner into this deplorable action, yes or not?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

While it is a little unclear whether this comes under the heading of government business, I see the hon.—

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order. The hon. member for Grande Prairie—Mackenzie will come to order. Order.

I see the hon. government House leader rising to answer.

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if you recognize that it is not government business, we should not be answering the question. I think we all know that we have the utmost respect for the rules here.

When it does come to the hon. member's question, he knows very well that the MP has issued a statement. He knows very well that we will always work with the commissioner's office.

Agriculture and Agri-food

[Pierre Breton, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the agricultural sector is passionate, dynamic and full of potential, but it still faces some challenges.

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food is currently studying the mental health challenges that Canadian farmers, ranchers and producers face. Our commitment to our agricultural community goes far beyond the best possible economic framework to help them grow their businesses.

Can the minister tell us what the government is doing to support the mental health of Canadians working in the agricultural sector?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Shefford and all of the members of the agriculture committee for their hard work on this very important issue. Together with my parliamentary secretary, we are working with Farm Credit Canada to reduce the stigma around mental health, with a publication delivered this week to all Canadian farms. We also announced a new partnership with 4-H Canada to support mental and physical health. We are working with Farm Management Canada to support the Canadian farmer. We will continue to work together to promote mental health in the agricultural sector.

News Industry

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, government bailout investment has no place in an independent Canadian news industry. How independent can thousands of journalists at struggling news organizations across the country be if their employers' survival is dependent on government subsidies, slush-fund tax relief or direct cash bailouts? Again, and I do not want to hear about millions more for the CBC, why can the Liberals not understand that a media bailout in an election year is simply unacceptable?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we recognize how vital our journalists are. Canada is lucky to have professional journalists who work with facts. Professional journalism plays a key role in our society and is a cornerstone of our democracy.

We are in talks with media representatives and journalism associations to figure out how we can work together while protecting the fundamental principle of journalistic independence. It is central to everything we do, and that will never change.

Health

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, health care costs are rising year after year in Quebec. What does Ottawa do? It threatens to cut transfer payments if Quebec does not give in to Ottawa's demands, as though sick people in Quebec needed that, as though patients in our hospitals wanted to get into a tug-of-war with the Prime Minister.

Instead of threatening to undermine our health care system, will the Minister of Finance commit to restoring the 6% health transfer escalator tomorrow?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that it is unacceptable for some people to get treatment faster just because they have money. A two-tier system does not work.

I have been working with my colleagues in all provinces and territories for some time so that we can resolve this unfair situation together. We will continue to work together to protect our health care system and better serve all Canadians.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is the same old broken record.

Ottawa is not honouring its commitments on health transfers. It is not complicated. Year after year, Ottawa does less and less. Now, the Minister of Health is threatening to further undermine Quebec's health network at the expense of Quebeckers.

The Minister of Finance can take immediate action.

Will he commit to restoring the 6% health transfer escalator in tomorrow's economic statement?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that the only card we need to receive health care is a health card, not a credit card.

Our health care system is a source of pride across the country because it allows everyone to receive treatment, regardless of how much money they have in their bank account.

We will continue to work with Quebec and all the provinces to ensure that all Canadians are well served by our health care system.

Foreign Affairs

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Toufik Benhamiche is desperate. He has been held in Cuba against his will and kept from his family since July 7, 2017, and he could be thrown in prison any day, even though the Cuban supreme court overturned his conviction because of a procedural error.

He is facing a new trial with the same judge, the same prosecutor and the same procedure, and he could end up unjustly convicted once again.

Will the minister responsible for global affairs act immediately to protect a citizen who is the victim of an abuse of power?

[Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs), Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, consular officials are providing assistance to Canadians, as we know, and consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather information. Of course, we are governed by the Privacy Act and I cannot say anything more at this time.

[Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, on behalf of 86 departments and agencies, the departmental results reports for 2017-18 and, if I may add, what great results they are.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like the Minister of La Francophonie to apologize and to say that this side of the House is not attacking francophones. I have been on the Standing Committee on Official Languages for years, and I stand up for—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

This sounds like debate.

The hon. member for Carleton on a point of order.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I believe if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following: That the government provide the date upon which the budget will balance itself and that it provide this date tomorrow.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

No.

The House resumed from November 19 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Finance

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

It being 3:11 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion. Call in the members.