Debates of May 23rd, 2018

Ethics

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the investigation into the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is part of the time-honoured Liberal ways where the more things change, the more they stay the same. There is favouritism for everyone, from the Liberal extended family to the Liberal uncle, the Liberal cousin, and the Liberal cronies. Nothing is off limits for that crowd. It is scandalous.

When did the Prime Minister find out that every Liberal partisan and the minister's family would benefit from this lucrative contract?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians understand is that despite the mudslinging and the baseless allegations hurled by the Conservatives in the House of Commons from time to time, we have a Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in charge of ensuring that there is no conflict of interest or ethical breach.

We on this side of the House have confidence in the commissioner and we are working with him. We know that this is important work that must be respected, despite the petty politics we often get from the Conservatives.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the Ethics Commissioner gets into his formal investigation of the fisheries minister, he is going to find very clear evidence, in the minister's own handwriting, of his interference in the bidding process for a very lucrative clam harvesting licence. This is a confected company with close Liberal Party and family connections that did not meet the bid criteria, that did not even own a boat, and was awarded a very valuable quota by the minister. Will the Prime Minister remove the minister from this tainted file and restart the bid process?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our decision to introduce indigenous participation is consistent with our commitment to developing a renewed relationship between Canada and indigenous peoples. Enhancing access to the Arctic surf clam fishery broadens the distribution of benefits from this public resource, and is a powerful step toward reconciliation. When the Conservatives went through a very similar process to increase access to this fishery, they chose to exclude indigenous peoples.

As to the matter raised by the member, our member will continue to work with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and follow his advice—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Thornhill.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the question now is when was the Prime Minister made aware that Liberal partisans and the minister's family would benefit from this lucrative rigged contract?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, once again we have a situation in which the Conservatives are slinging mud and throwing groundless accusations across the floor of the House of Commons as if they were true.

What is reassuring to members of this House and indeed to all Canadians watching is that we have a Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner whose job is to get to the facts of the matter, not the partisan spin and the angry attacks. We trust the Ethics Commissioner, work with the Ethics Commissioner, and support him in the important job he does.

The Environment

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Vancouver just banned plastic straws and lids. Montreal has banned plastic bags. Tofino, Edmonton, and Saskatoon are close behind.

However, the Prime Minister thinks he can lead a discussion about ocean plastics at the G7, while doing nothing here at home. Municipalities are filling the leadership void, because the Liberals' oceans protection plan still does not even mention combatting plastic pollution.

With World Oceans Day and the G7 only two weeks away, is the Prime Minister just looking for another photo op or will he actually explain his plan to protect Canada's waters from plastic pollution?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the protection of our oceans continues to be a priority for this government.

On top of the $1.5 billion oceans protection plan, which will bring world-class protection to our coasts, we are moving forward this year with a significant amount of leadership on protecting our oceans. From a round table on plastics at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland to the leadership shown at the Commonwealth a few weeks ago to our leadership at the G7 on moving forward on plastics to our leadership and co-hosting a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on our oceans this fall, Canada continues to lead—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.

Democratic Reform

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when I drive the 407, like other Canadians, I expect at least that my name and address will be kept private, not shared around in a bunch of dodgy Conservative nomination races. The 407 data scandal is exhibit A as to why we need to have political parties held accountable and brought under the Privacy Act.

The Prime Minister is pushing through his electoral reform bill, which privacy protections are about as reliable as a pinky swear from a party operative. Why is he ignoring the call of the Privacy Commissioner to hold political parties accountable?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it would be easier to believe the high dudgeon from the member opposite if it were not for the fact that on this side of the House, we are moving forward with open and transparent public financing. We have invited the media in to our financing events. The NDP and the Conservatives still refuse to open up and publicly announce their fundraising efforts.

If the member opposite is so serious about transparency and openness, perhaps he could do like we do and invite the media to his next private fundraiser.

Public Safety

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, not only is the Liberal government allowing ISIS fighters to return to Canada, but it is also allowing these murderers to live free, as if nothing had happened.

Yesterday, the Minister of Public Safety said that under our government, no fighters were charged when they returned to Canada. Either the minister is misinformed or he is not brave enough to tell the truth.

Is the Prime Minister waiting for a tragedy to happen before he steps up and takes responsibility?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservatives' political approach relies on fearmongering and dividing Canadians.

Our security agencies and police forces take all potential threats seriously and have access to measures including surveillance, passport revocations, and criminal charges, when there is sufficient evidence. We know they are doing their job, and they are good at it.

It is worrisome that the Conservatives seem to want elected officials to intervene and tell police officers who to arrest and when. On this side, we will continue to trust those who—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order. The hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, never, under any circumstances, do we take security lightly. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, demonstrates every day that his government does not take Canadians' safety and security seriously.

First, the Prime Minister reinvents history. He accuses our government of cutting the Canada Border Services Agency's budget. We proved that that never happened. Second, he says no Islamic fighter was ever charged under our government. Again, Canadians remember our track record of fighting Islamic terrorists. We went after them with conviction and courage.

Could the Prime Minister wake his minister up and get him to understand once and for all that keeping Canadians safe is his number one responsibility?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives cannot deny the facts. During their last majority term, they slashed $400 million from the Canada Border Services Agency. That is the kind of budget cut that compromises our safety and security, and that is why we are making investments and showing respect for the work our police and border officers do.

We are doing whatever it takes to protect Canadians. Unfortunately for the Conservatives, engaging in the politics of fear, as they have been doing for so long, does nothing to keep us safe.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government did introduce laws that gave law enforcement officials better tools to keep us safe from terrorists, which the Liberal government has weakened. We sent resources to help keep our allies in the combat to halt the spread of ISIS. However, in contrast with the Prime Minister, we did not pay for poetry lessons for ISIS terrorists, or remove Canada from the fight to contain ISIS, or vote against a motion to declare genocide against victims of ISIS.

Therefore, for the love of all that is holy, will the Prime Minister seek justice for the victims of Abu Huzaifa?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to take issue with plenty of what the member opposite said, but one specifically where we did not engage and we withdrew some of our support in the fight against ISIS in the Middle East. On the contrary, we are pleased with the extraordinary work that the men and women of the Canadian Forces did in northern Iraq in helping with the retaking of Mosul, of the significant impact on the ground that we had.

We can be proud of the work the Canadian Forces did to degrade and defeat ISIL. We were part of that, despite what the Conservatives say.

Dairy Industry

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we know that a strong, competitive dairy industry is essential to Canada's prosperity, creates good jobs, and makes high-quality dairy products available to Canadians. The world's best dairy producers happen to be in my riding, Brome—Missisquoi, and all across Quebec.

Can the Prime Minister tell us about our government's recent investments in Canada's dairy industry?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Brome—Missisquoi for his question.

Through the dairy farm investment program, our government has given Canadian dairy producers over $66 million, $26 million of which has gone to Quebec dairy producers. Through the dairy processing investment fund, we have given dairy processors close to $24 million, and $10 million of that went to Quebec.

Our government will continue to invest in, protect, and stand up for dairy producers across Canada.

Rail Transportation

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Mr. Speaker, one year ago, OmniTRAX announced it was closing the port of Churchill, devastating the economies of communities along the rail line. Rather than considering all offers to get this railway up and running, the Prime Minister is picking winners and losers.

A potential buyer, which includes indigenous partners, has announced, “We have halted our negotiations because of interference from the federal government.”

Why are the Liberals interfering and limiting the options for this line to get running again?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance of the rail line to the people of Churchill and the surrounding area. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of the people impacted by the loss of rail service.

We will continue to work closely with the Town of Churchill, the Province of Manitoba, and others in support of the immediate and long-term interests of the region. No negotiations with any parties will be conducted in public.

However, if the member opposite really wants to help, she can call on her friend Merv Tweed, former Conservative MP at OmniTRAX, and tell him to make the right deal for Canadians and for Churchill.

Dairy Industry

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our dairy producers are still facing uncertainty and living under tremendous stress. The price of milk is at an all-time low and farmers are struggling. The Liberal government's inaction and lack of concern are primarily to blame for this difficult situation.

Think of diafiltered milk, the undermining of supply management in CETA and the TPP, and the inadequate and mismanaged investment program. Many of these farmers have yet to see a dime.

Is the Liberal government proud of its disastrous record when it comes to our dairy producers?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, through our dairy farm investment program, our government has given more than $66 million to Canada's dairy farmers, including $26 million to dairy farmers in Quebec. Through the dairy processing investment fund, we have given nearly $24 million to dairy processors, including $10 million in Quebec.

Our government will continue to invest in, protect, and defend our dairy producers and supply management across Canada.