Debates of May 22nd, 2018

Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2018-19

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, Canada decided to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank because we believe this promotes global growth and improves our relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. We made this commitment to show that Canada is back on the world stage. We think it is good for global prosperity and Canada's prosperity.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, the AIIB's mandate is prioritizing cross-border infrastructure, ranging from roads and rails to ports, energy pipelines, and telecommunications, across Central Asia. When we have problems right at home just getting a simple pipeline built, twinning over an existing pipeline, why is the Liberal government throwing away a total of half a billion dollars in Asia?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, Canada is not the only country to have joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Canada is one of many industrialized countries that joined the bank to support global growth and prosperity. We think this will create opportunities both in Canada and abroad. That is why we re-engaged with the international community, and this is one of the many tools enabling us to do that.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, again I noticed that the Minister of Finance refused to stand up and answer the question.

We are financing the construction of three pipelines through the purchase of these shares. I notice that the members on the other side are heckling, and I know it is a late hour. However, the very minimum we could give here is an opportunity for this issue to be debated clearly. Through the purchase of these shares, the government is financing three pipelines, in Azerbaijan and also in the suburbs of Beijing through the People's Republic of China, a country that is not lacking in resources.

What we are lacking, though, is the attention of the Liberal government to ensure that the NDP Government of British Columbia stops obstructing the construction of the Trans Mountain line.

Why are the Liberals so focused on ensuring that middle-class energy jobs continue to be created in Asia instead of middle-class energy jobs in Canada?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, we believe it is important for Canada to position itself on the world stage. This is one of many ways in which Canada is re-engaging internationally, and it will benefit Canadian businesses.

I can say that Canada is not alone. Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are also members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. We see this as a way to create more prosperity, more benefits, and more opportunities for Canadian businesses. That is why, unlike the previous government, we think it is important for Canada to re-engage and to fully engage on the world stage.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, earlier in the debate, the Minister of Finance, when speaking about the calculation of the average cost to residents in listed provinces, spoke of the example of Alberta. I find it interesting that he would use Alberta as an example, as having successfully calculated the average cost to an Alberta family. Why can the Canadian government not do the same?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, as we have heard numerous times in the House this evening, we pledged to ensure that carbon pollution pricing is revenue neutral for the federal government. That means we plan to transfer all the revenue to the provinces, which will decide how best to use that money to meet their needs. They may choose to cut taxes, which, as my colleague pointed out, is what Alberta did, or to invest in innovation. It is up to the provinces to decide. We think they are in the best position to do that.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, the parliamentary secretary avoided answering my question directly.

I was specifically asking, if the Alberta government is able to calculate the average cost of the carbon tax to an Alberta family, why is the federal government not capable of doing the exact same thing for the average Canadian family? Wait, it does have that information; it just will not share it with us. It is part of the carbon tax cover-up.

Why will the federal government not reveal that information to us?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, first it is important to remember one thing that seems to have escaped the opposition, and that is that 85% of Canadians live in an area where there is already a price on carbon pollution. Now, as for the impact this will have on Canadian families, that will depend on the choices that each province makes.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, in the budget bill, the government is actually giving itself an opportunity to give carbon tax rebates not just to persons in a listed province but to any organization, corporation, union, or association that could be defined as a person.

Why did the finance minister not make it clear in the legislation that the carbon tax rebate would go only to individual income tax filers?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, we made a very clear commitment to put a price on carbon pollution. This will have a very positive impact on the environment and the economy by fostering innovation. As I mentioned, 85% of Canadians live in an area where there is already a price on carbon pollution. Take for example British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, which have very successful economies within the Canadian federation. I think they are concrete examples of how advantageous it can be to put a price on carbon pollution.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, I noticed again that the Minister of Finance did not stand to answer my question.

At the finance committee, there was a Liberal MP who, when speaking about the contents of how the carbon tax would work, said that this was a partnership with the provinces. Well, that cannot be true, because on January 1, 2019, any province that chooses not to impose a carbon tax on its residents will be forced to do so by the federal government.

Is this the type of partnership that the Minister of Finance envisions for all other future projects?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, we have a very good partnership with the provinces. We work closely on the Canada pension plan, for example. Our government actively works with the provinces on every file that requires federal-provincial collaboration. We are trying to reach an agreement that is good for the environment, and I believe that the provinces definitely share that objective.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, part of the costs associated with paying for the carbon tax for a Canadian family, whether in a listed or unlisted province, is knowing what the carbon tax rate is set at.

Also, the other concern Canadians have is that although a great number of them want to do something to help the environment, this particular something will cost them an exorbitant amount of money and seriously affect their ability to pay their monthly bills.

We have heard the Minister of Environment say in the past that it could go up to more than $100 a tonne or $200 a tonne. When will it be enough, and when will the Minister of Finance reveal what the cost will be for the average Canadian family from a $50 a tonne carbon tax, a $100 a tonne carbon tax, or a $200 a tonne carbon tax?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, as I mentioned, since we are committed to returning revenues to the originating jurisdictions, the impact of carbon pricing will depend on what provincial elected officials choose to do. In Alberta, a family of four with a total income of $95,000 would receive a $540 tax cut, while the estimated cost would be $500 in 2018. That is a net benefit of $40.

That is an interesting example that may inspire other provinces. That is where we will leave it up to the provinces to decide in a spirit of collaboration and co-operative federalism.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, returning to the AIIB for a moment, did the Department of Finance do any analysis of the benefits for Canadian workers and Canadian companies from half a billion dollars being gifted to the AIIB?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, as I have said many times during this discussion, we are convinced that Canada's involvement in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will benefit Canadian businesses. It will contribute to growing prosperity here and abroad, including by allowing the construction of major infrastructure. It is not just Canada that will be taking part in it, but also several other countries around the world. I named them earlier.

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Chair, I noticed again that the Minister of Finance did not get up to answer my question.

On the AIIB again, does the ministry of finance know the impact on the Canadian energy market if all three pipeline projects in Asia are built?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Chair, we believe that Canada's participation in the bank will have benefits for Canadian companies and workers.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Before I continue, I just want to remind members, and the member for Avalon in particular, that no heckling is allowed, even though I know it is getting late. When they have the floor and are answering questions, I am sure that everybody is capable of making their speeches and answering questions. If he wishes to stand for questions, he should do so.

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas.

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Madam Chair, I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House. I propose to allocate my time by taking the first 10 minutes to speak and then following that with a couple of questions.

To begin, I would like to highlight one of our government's greatest achievements: putting Canada back in the game in terms of its engagement with the rest of the world.

The proof is in the numbers. An Ipsos MORI poll of 18,000 respondents from 25 countries released in July of last year found that Canada is seen as the most positive influence globally. The IMF has hailed Canada as an economic model for the world, with IMF's managing director Christine Lagarde saying that the world needs more Canada.

Our government could not agree more. Canada's economy is strong and growing, making Canada an excellent place to live, work, and invest. Among the G7 countries, Canada has led in economic growth since 2016 and has the lowest total government net debt-to-GDP ratio. Canada's federal debt-to-GDP ratio remains firmly on a downward track, and our government's debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to reach 0.5% in 2022-23.

Canada offers global investors many advantages, such as an openness to international trade and foreign direct investment. Our FDI rules are transparent and offer global businesses the help they need to navigate Canada's business landscape.

Canada also has a workforce that is diverse, innovative, highly skilled, and well educated. We have a wealth of natural resources, low energy costs, and livable cities with modern, efficient infrastructure, and our historic investments in infrastructure are building stronger links to world markets.

Canada is also home to a very stable financial system and efficient, open, and soundly regulated capital markets. This year Canada has a special opportunity to showcase these strengths to the world by hosting our G7 colleagues.

G7 countries share a responsibility to ensure that all citizens benefit from the global economy and that we leave a healthier, more peaceful, and more secure world for our children and our grandchildren. As G7 host, Canada looks forward to making this goal a reality.

Canada's G7 presidency offers us an opportunity to bring our people-first approach to growing a strong middle class to the international stage. By engaging other G7 countries on pressing global challenges, we can demonstrate how taking care of each other can lead to stronger growth and better outcomes.

Canada is using its G7 presidency to advance the following five key priorities.

The first is investing in growth that works for everyone. This means championing innovative and gender-responsive solutions to address common challenges, such as growing inequality, the changing nature of work, and persistent poverty.

The second priority is to prepare for jobs of the future. The Government of Canada and its G7 partners have a responsibility to ensure that the opportunities created by the economy of tomorrow are available to all their citizens and that the benefits of economic growth are shared broadly.

The third priority is to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are critical to building peace, reducing poverty, growing our economies, and achieving sustainability.

The fourth priority is to work together on climate change, oceans, and clean energy. The interconnected world that we live in requires us to work with international partners to develop truly global solutions to these shared challenges.

The fifth and final priority is to build a more peaceful and secure world for the benefit of people today and for our children and our grandchildren.

In addition, the Gender Equality Advisory Council for Canada's G7 presidency, co-chaired by Melinda Gates and Ambassador Isabelle Hudon, is ensuring that gender equality and women's empowerment are integrated across all themes, activities, and initiatives of Canada's G7 presidency. In particular, Canada recognizes the importance of investing in ways that can help those in need around the world.

In June 2017, the government released its feminist international assistance policy, focusing on six interlinked areas: gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, human dignity, peace and security, inclusive governance, environment and climate action, and growth that works for everyone. To strengthen the impact of Canada's new feminist international assistance policy and to advance our international leadership in key areas, the government announced that it would provide an additional $2 billion over five years, starting in 2018-19, to the international assistance envelope. These new resources will support humanitarian assistance and Canada's core development priorities, in particular supporting women and girls, and will reinforce Canada's commitment to reduce poverty and do its part to support a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous world.

Canada's new feminist international assistance policy represents a turning point in the government's approach to international assistance. Through it, Canada has made clear its commitment to eradicating poverty and building a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world.

In support of the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development, the feminist international assistance policy puts women and girls at the centre of its plan, recognizing their important role as agents of positive change for their families, communities, and countries. Gender equality will be a focus of all of Canada's international assistance investments to address economic, political, and social inequalities that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential.

In the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities, women and girls are particularly at risk when it comes to climate change. Women and girls are often the primary producers of food and providers of water, heating, and cooking fuel for households. When resources become more unpredictable and scarce due to extreme weather, for example, women and girls have to spend more time and effort attending to basic needs, such as growing food and collecting water and fuel.

Canada has been an international champion in bringing a gender lens to climate change. Canada was a leader in securing the first-ever gender action plan under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted by the countries at COP23 last year. The plan aims to bring more women to the negotiation table, promoting more responsive climate policies at both the grassroots and global levels. Canada is leading by example in this regard through its chief negotiator and her team, with Canada's climate negotiators also providing training to women negotiators from Caribbean countries to strengthen their voices at international climate talks.

In conclusion, Canadians can be proud of our history of helping others around the world, including by providing assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable. We understand that a safer, more prosperous world means a safer and more prosperous Canada.

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I regret to advise the member that time has expired, and therefore, it being 11 p.m., pursuant to Standing order 81(4), all votes are deemed reported.

The committee will rise and I will now leave the chair.

Message from the Senate

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I have the honour to inform the House that a message has been received from the Senate informing this House that the Senate has passed the following bill, to which the concurrence of the House is desired: Bill S-245, an act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

This House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 11:01 p.m.)