House of Commons Hansard #359 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was jurors.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like the Conservatives to come clean on what their policy is on Canada's just and correct retaliation, because here is what the Canadian Steel Producers Association said today, “Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are vital in protecting the jobs of 23,000 steelworkers.” We stand with them, do you?
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Order, please. I remind the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs to direct her comments to the Chair. I do not think she was asking me a question.
I am getting heckled from all sides all of a sudden.
The hon. member for Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola.
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the government capitulated time and time again when it did the negotiations.
Over two and half thousand people are out of work in Oshawa and the government's plan appears to be to do nothing. The Prime Minister is admitting defeat, throwing in the towel before the fight even starts. On this side of the House, we are not going to give up on those workers and those jobs.
What is the government's plan to fight for manufacturing jobs in places like Oshawa? What is its plan?
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Order, please. I remind hon. members, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and others, although I did not hear a particular member on that side, that while I appreciate their assistance, I would rather have quiet. I remind members that the time to speak is when they have the floor and and not otherwise.
The hon. Minister of Innovation.
Navdeep Bains LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, read my lips. We will never ever give up on our workers, because we support the automotive sector. We support the automotive industry. We have been very clear that this sector is absolutely critical to the Canadian economy.
When it comes to Oshawa, we understand how difficult this is for the workers and the communities. That is why we are working with local community officials, that is why we are working with the province and that is why we are working with the unions to make sure we look at all options and move forward on a path to help our auto workers.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I appreciate members addressing the Chair, and only speaking when they have the floor.
The hon. member for Carleton.
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, well, “read my lips” is exactly what George H. Walker Bush said before promising not to raise taxes, which is exactly what he turned around and did. It is exactly what the current minister is doing. He is promising something, the opposite of which he is delivering.
He has a new carbon tax that makes it more expensive for factories to heat themselves, to operate machinery and to move goods from A to B. That is precisely what it means to give up on our workers.
Will he stand with our workers and cancel this carbon tax to save our jobs?
Navdeep Bains LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, of course we will stand and defend our workers. Of course we understand how difficult this is for the workers in Oshawa and the impact it is having on their families and communities.
What the member opposite should also understand is that when $5.6 billion worth of investments are made, it is because we have the right conditions. We have a world-class workforce; we have free trade agreements that give market access in North America, Europe and Asia; and we have the right incentives in place to make sure that we have the ability to build the best vehicles in the world. This is a plan that is working. It is because of the strategic innovation fund.
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Mr. Speaker, Liberal, Tory, same old story. The GM plant closure in Oshawa is just like the one in Windsor, shattering families. The Liberals learned nothing. The government never even bothered to put in a national auto strategy. The Liberals knew this was coming and they did nothing.
These families deserve a government that puts families first, not a Liberal government that gives billions of dollars to rich corporations like GM, without a guarantee that jobs are going to remain in our communities. What more than expressing disappointment are the Liberals actually doing for these families?
Navdeep Bains LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, it is a bit rich for the NDP to talk about our government's plan. When the Prime Minister was in Windsor and announced a $1.2 billion investment in the Windsor engine plant, members from the NDP were in the audience clapping.
Make no mistake, we have a plan and that plan is working. We are investing in the automotive sector and that is creating tens of thousands of jobs. We will continue to defend this sector.
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, workers have suffered enough. After massive layoffs at Bombardier and the closure of the GM plant in Oshawa, now our workers might not see a penny of the contract to build VIA Rail's new fleet.
The United States requires 65% domestic content, and China requires between 70% and 90%.
Why is it so hard for the Liberals to protect Canadian jobs, integrate Canadian technology and develop homegrown expertise?
Rail TransportationOral Questions
November 27th, 2018 / 2:35 p.m.
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount Québec
Liberal
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, it would be totally inappropriate for anyone to comment on VIA Rail's procurement process to replace its Quebec City-Windsor fleet. I can assure the House that the process was open and transparent, and I would suggest that my colleague opposite wait for the results.
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, an internal Canada Revenue Agency report just revealed that the data of 10,000 Canadians were searched, without their knowledge, by employees.
This is on top of the Liberal government's decision to allow Statistics Canada to continue to access Canadians' personal information. The government must take immediate action to protect Canadians' confidential information.
Can the government confirm that action has been taken against the CRA employees who used Canadians' personal data?
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, each case of misconduct is unacceptable and in no way reflects the professionalism of the tens of thousands of CRA employees who do good work every day.
The CRA has some of the strictest employee conduct rules in the Government of Canada, and we continue to improve on them.
I can confirm that the individual in question is no longer employed at the CRA. He worked there when the Conservatives were in power, I should point out.
Since this case is currently before the courts, I cannot give—
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, another parliamentary report reveals that over 2,000 privacy incidents occurred between September 2016 and June 2018, while this government was supposed to be leading the country.
The minister tells us that she did not think she needed to inform the Privacy Commissioner of this situation. If we want the Privacy Commissioner to be able to do his job, the minister must notify him of any irregularities in her department.
I repeat my question. Were the individuals—yes, I said “individuals”, not “individual”—who had access to those documents given any sort of formal notice or measures—
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, each case of misconduct is unacceptable and in no way reflects the professionalism of the tens of thousands of CRA employees.
Our government has strengthened CRA surveillance technology by investing $10 million to implement solutions for business management errors.
Our investments are paying off. The increase in the number of privacy breaches that have been reported is directly tied to the CRA's ability to detect unauthorized access. All allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and systematically investigated.
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, the CBC has reported that the “files of at least 10,000 Canadians were compromised” at the Canada Revenue Agency, including cases where employees kept files on neighbours, family members and even fellow employees.
The report also said that data snooping is getting worse under the Liberal government, and yet the Liberals cannot understand why the majority of Canadians oppose being required to give their bank statements to Statistics Canada.
When will the Liberal government end its unauthorized surveillance of Canadians?
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, every case of misconduct is unacceptable and in no way reflects the professionalism of the tens of thousands of employees at the Canada Revenue Agency.
I am very pleased that our government has invested more than $10 million, something the Conservatives across the way did not do when they were in government. Imagine all the cases that went undetected under their government.
We are taking this information very seriously. Protecting Canadians' privacy is a priority of the Canada Revenue Agency.
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, the problem is getting worse under the current government. She has been the minister for three years. It is time for her to take responsibility for her own track record. This week's report that says unauthorized snooping is on the rise does nothing to give Canadians confidence in the government.
Given the thousands of compromised files at the Canada Revenue Agency, will the government finally tell Statistics Canada that it cannot have Canadians' financial information without their consent?
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, again, for my colleague's information, the government has invested $10 million for the public's protection and safety. We will not be like the government of the people across the way who kept their heads in the sand for 10 years.
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Mr. Speaker, ENvironnement JEUnesse maintains that the Canadian government has violated the fundamental rights of young people and wants to bring a class action suit on behalf of Quebeckers 35 and under. According to this organization, the federal government has shown gross negligence on climate action. It is buying pipelines with Canadians' money and will once again fail to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets because it has absolutely no plan.
Are the Liberals prepared to listen to these claims and this heartfelt plea from young Quebeckers, or would they rather keep listening to their buddies in the oil industry?
Catherine McKenna LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of young people. Young people want climate action. For 10 years, the former Conservative government did nothing. We have a plan and we are working hard every day. We are putting a price on pollution across the country; we are phasing out coal; we are making historic investments in public transportation and renewable energy; and we are investing in clean technologies. We will stay the course. I will be attending COP24, and I will push for progress on the Paris Agreement. We must do this for our children and grandchildren.
Sheri Benson NDP Saskatoon West, SK
Mr. Speaker, more than a third of one-bedroom units in the Toronto area are overcrowded. Imagine a one-bedroom apartment for a family of six. This is a snapshot of Canada's housing crisis. Renters and families are among the hardest hit, and still the Liberal government refuses to make housing a right, as it promised. Yesterday, housing providers and advocates presented the government with a way forward.
What do Canadians have to do to make the Liberal government ensure that housing is a right in this country now, not later, and certainly not after the next election?