Debates of June 8th, 2018

Foreign Affairs

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, repression has intensified against women defending their rights in Saudi Arabia. Many have been arrested, detained, and charged with crimes such as “suspicious contact with foreign parties“ or “undermining the security and stability of the state”. One of the detainees is a former University of British Columbia student, Loujain al-Hathloul.

What is the government doing to ensure that all these human rights activists are released and able to work safely in Saudi Arabia?

[Matt DeCourcey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this government will always stand up for human rights, including the rights of women and girls abroad.

We are extremely disappointed in the arrests of activists in Saudi Arabia. These arrests are inconsistent with the Saudi government's commitment to creating a more tolerant and open society. The minister raised these concerns with the Saudi foreign affairs minister.

As I said, we will always promote and stand up for the rights of women and girls here in Canada and abroad.

The Environment

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is spending $4.5 billion of taxpayer money, our money, to buy a 65-year-old leaky pipeline. Many Canadians do not realize that the pipeline runs through Jasper National Park and B.C.'s Mount Robson Provincial Park. The government claims it will prioritize ecological integrity, but environmental leaders do not ram new pipelines through national and provincial parks.

Can the minister explain how buying and expanding a pipeline will protect the ecological integrity of Jasper National Park?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, the Trans Mountain project, which will provide significant economic benefits to all Canadians, was approved by the federal government, by the Province of B.C., and by the Province of Alberta after a thorough review of all key environmental issues.

The decision includes 157 conditions associated with the construction of the pipeline. It includes incorporating the emissions in the pan-Canadian framework, it includes an oceans protection plan, and it includes a range of measures to ensure that the pipeline construction is done safely and in accordance with the ecological integrity of Canada's national parks. It is a decision that was taken after a review and after addressing all of the key environmental concerns, and it is a project that is in the national interest.

Taxation

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, B.C. suffered the worst wildfires in our history. The government said it would be there for us, but it did not last much past the photo-op.

We brought to the attention of the finance minister a very important issue around salvaged woods and their capital gains treatment, and the local government brought the same issue to him, but after six months of phone calls and letters, there was not even the courtesy of a response in terms of this issue.

Can the finance minister stand up and tell us and the victims what he is going to in terms of at least responding to a very simple request for options?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, Public Safety Canada is mandated to keep Canadians safe from a wide range of natural disasters, including wildfires. The Government Operations Centre, acting on behalf of the Government of Canada, provides response coordination in such events affecting national interests.

Our government will always stand ready to help any province or territory that requests federal assistance to respond to any natural disaster, including wildland and urban interface fires.

Employment

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, here is another victim of the Liberals' summer jobs attestation requirement.

One of Nova Scotia's must-see attractions, the Bangor Sawmill Museum, has had to close its doors. This has been a staple of the community since before Confederation. The member for West Nova has been shamefully silent while the landmark and the jobs that go with it are lost.

How can the Liberals not see the absurdity of their Orwellian policy and the impact it is having on communities across the country?

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for her new-found interest in jobs for young Canadians. She should maybe talk to her seatmate, because when the member for Carleton was minister, he cut $20 million out of the youth employment strategy. Of course his boss, Stephen Harper, wanted to shut the program down completely. We will take no lessons from the Conservatives about what to do for young Canadians.

In Nova Scotia, we have over 3,000 young students who will benefit from the investment made by this government, which is twice as much as the Conservatives made.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, the Prime Minister stood in the House and bragged about killing jobs in Alberta by cancelling oil and gas exploration tax credits. Thousands of Albertans rely on jobs in our oil and gas industry.

Can the Minister of Infrastructure stand and tell us if he and the member for Edmonton Centre support this job-killing decision?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand on this side of the House and support Albertans and the jobs that we are creating in Alberta.

I will underline what we have done for Alberta.

Working with our Alberta partners, we have improved transit, roads, bridges, and water systems all over Alberta. We have approved 150 projects worth $1.7 billion in federal funding and $3.9 billion in total funding.

I, with the Minister of Infrastructure, am quite proud to stand on this side of the House. We have done more in three years than several dozen MPs from Alberta did in 10 years for Alberta, and we will do it again when we get re-elected.

The Environment

[Churence Rogers, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the oceans protection plan is an important priority for our government as well as for the people in my riding of Bonavista—Burin—Trinity—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order. One moment. I am trying to hear the hon. member for Bonavista—Burin—Trinity and I am having a hard time, although he is not far from me. I would ask everybody to listen to his question. I am sure it is a good one.

[Churence Rogers, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the oceans protection plan is an important priority for our government as well as for the people in my riding of Bonavista—Burin—Trinity.

We know that we must do everything we can to ensure that our waterways and coasts are protected and preserved for generations to come.

Can the parliamentary secretary share with this House the details of new initiatives taken to help the Canadian Coast Guard in contributing to protection and strengthening marine safety across the region?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, on this World Oceans Day, I want to thank the member for Bonavista—Burin—Trinity for his advocacy on this issue and his work on the fisheries committee.

Last month we announced the official reopening of the Canadian Coast Guard maritime rescue sub-centre in St. John's. The centre coordinates the Coast Guard's on-the-water response to marine incidents in the area and provides an essential link for mariners operating in the unique and challenging conditions often experienced off the coastlines of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The centre will have a staff of 12 maritime search and rescue coordinators, and reopening it demonstrates our continued commitment to the Canadian Coast Guard and our coastal communities.

Foreign Affairs

[David Sweet, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Iran's Khamenei regime regularly uses terror groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, to destabilize the Middle East and target Israel, our closest ally and the only stable democracy in the region. This week, Iran's so-called supreme leader tweeted, “Israel is a malignant cancerous tumor...that has to be removed and eradicated”. His ambassador to France revealed that they are funding the present violent protests in Gaza. Why do the Liberals continue to insist on normalizing relations with a country that is such an obvious threat to peace, security and democracy?

[Matt DeCourcey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, our government, and I believe all Canadians, are appalled by the abhorrent statement of the supreme leader Khamenei.

Our position on Iran is clear. We oppose Iran's support for terrorist organizations. We oppose its threats toward Israel. We oppose its ballistic missile program and its support for the murderous Assad regime in Syria.

For many years Canada has been, and continues to be, a steadfast friend of Israel, and we will continue to support Israel's right to live in peace.

Indigenous Affairs

[Neil Ellis, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we know that residential schools were instrumental in stripping away the language and culture of indigenous peoples. This is one of the tragic legacies of the residential school system. As our government continues to work in partnership with indigenous communities on a journey toward reconciliation, can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage please update this House on the work being done to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's call to actions 13, 14, and 15 concerning indigenous languages?

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from the Bay of Quinte for his engagement on this issue. We have said many times that there is no relationship more important to our government than our relationship with indigenous peoples. We know that indigenous languages are in danger across this country. That is why we are working with Métis, Inuit, and first nations leaders to co-develop the first indigenous languages act, and why we have recently announced the next phase of our engagement on this issue. Furthermore, we have invested a historic $90 million in indigenous languages initiatives. This is an essential step in our journey toward reconciliation.

Canada Revenue Agency

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the courts awarded Mr. and Mrs. Samaroo of Nanaimo $1.7 million in damages for malicious prosecution by the Canada Revenue Agency. This malicious prosecution ruined this family's life and cost taxpayers nearly $3 million in damages and legal costs. The minister has refused to confirm whether or not the individuals singled out by the judge are still employed at the CRA. Is this the minister's idea of being more client-focused at the Canada Revenue Agency?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to ensuring that the agency treats Canadians as valued clients and not simply as taxpayers. The confidence and trust that individuals have in the agency is the cornerstone of our tax system. The agency's employees involved in audits follow rigorous training. Behaviours that diverge from their code of conduct are not tolerated.

I would remind my hon. colleague that this case dates to 2008, under the previous Conservative government. As this matter is before the court, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further.

International Trade

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Québec debout, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in La Baie, 150 dairy producers asked the Prime Minister to protect supply management in its entirety during NAFTA negotiations. While campaigning in Lac-Saint-Jean, he promised those same producers that he would not open up supply management in the TPP, yet three months later, he did exactly that.

The dairy producers were not interested in his lines. They made it clear that they want zero concessions. The Prime Minister told them that he understands the challenges their region is facing. You know things are looking grim when a politician says that.

Will the government protect supply management in its entirety? This is pretty straightforward. Will the government protect it in its entirety, yes or no?

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, we are the ones who created supply management, and we will always protect it.

Who wants to end supply management? The member for Beauce; his leader, who appointed him economic development critic; the member for Lévis—Lotbinière, co-chair of the member for Beauce's leadership bid; and several other Conservative members.

Over here, all the Quebec Liberal MPs support supply management.

Public Safety

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the G7 summit brings together the world's most powerful leaders, but such gatherings often lead to property damage, leaving locals out of pocket. Whether in Quebec City or Pointe-au-Pic, it is municipalities, businesses, and residents who will have to pick up the tab.

I am worried about the tourism industry, which is a pillar of the economy in the Capitale-Nationale region, especially in Charlevoix. I am worried about business owners, whose profits will take a hit or whose windows will get smashed. I am worried about seasonal workers, who are stuck at home, unable to get to work, even though the warm weather is back.

The extravagance of the G7 stands in stark contrast to the austerity on the other side of the fence.

Will the government promise to fully compensate anyone who is negatively affected?

[Matt DeCourcey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, all the members of the government are proud to be hosting world leaders in the beautiful region of Charlevoix for the G7 summit, which is taking place today and tomorrow. The Prime Minister has met with local officials, mayors, and businesses that could be affected by the summit.

We know that the people of Charlevoix are equally proud to be hosting the world. I can inform my colleague that the compensation policies for affected local businesses are the same as when the Conservatives hosted the event—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order. The hon. member for Manicouagan.