Debates of Dec. 11th, 2019

International Trade

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, before he has a chance to give me the same answer yet again, I urge the Prime Minister to listen.

Steel must come from North America to be use in the manufacturing of goods sold in North America. Aluminum from anywhere in the world can be used to manufacture aluminum goods sold in North America. The protections are not the same.

Could the Prime Minister confirm this interpretation of the facts as they were signed?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, what I can say is that the hon. member does not have his facts straight.

We made sure that our aluminum sector was protected. We made sure to protect our aluminum workers. Seventy per cent of the aluminum used by the North American auto sector will have to come from Canada, or rather, North America. This is a positive thing for our workers.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that was a very revealing slip of the tongue.

It can come from anywhere, but definitely not from Canada and Quebec.

Does the Prime Minister realize that by giving up the ability to protect aluminum for at least 10 years, he is inviting companies and aluminum plants to invest elsewhere than Quebec?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, again, the hon. member is mistaken in his interpretation of what was signed yesterday with the United States and Mexico.

This agreement is a win for the aluminum industry of Quebec and Canada, and we know that with projects like AP60 and Elysis, the aluminum industry is truly an industry of the future for Quebec and Canada.

We can be very proud of that, and we will always stand up for our workers and our aluminum industry.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, despite what the Prime Minister has been saying since the beginning of question period, yesterday we learned that an important sector of the Quebec and Canadian economy paid the price of the Liberal negotiations in the new NAFTA. I am talking about the aluminum sector, which is what we have been talking about from the beginning.

The Liberal government refused to stand up for these workers, who make the greenest aluminum in the world thanks to our hydroelectricity.

Can the Prime Minister tell us today what he intends to do to ensure that aluminum workers throughout Quebec and Canada are protected?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, let me try again.

This agreement is a win for aluminum workers. Before we signed this agreement, there was no guarantee that any North American aluminum would be used in auto production. Now, with this agreement, 70% of the aluminum content will be from North America.

That is an enormous gain for aluminum workers, who we will always stand up for.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is the only person who believes that version of the facts. Republicans, Democrats and people in the aluminum industry all recognize that the industry in Quebec and Canada took a hit.

The Bloc saved the government by supporting a throne speech that failed to address Quebec's specific demands. Bloc members must be kicking themselves for that now.

First it was dairy producers; now it is people in the aluminum industry. What will he do to protect those workers?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the new NAFTA is a win for aluminum workers. It requires automotive manufacturers to source at least 70% of the aluminum they use from North America. Before the new agreement, that percentage was zero.

This will provide better protection for aluminum workers in the Saguenay and across Canada, and we are very proud of that.

Natural Resources

[Kenny Chiu, Conservative, Steveston—Richmond East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today we have yet another casualty of the Liberals' war on Canadian energy. In my home province of British Columbia, media reports confirm that Chevron is pulling out of the largest private sector investment in Canadian history, the $40-billion Kitimat LNG project. This comes just one day after the Minister of Environment and Climate Change publicly cast doubts on the future of LNG in Canada.

When will the government get serious and support Canada's energy sector and LNG in B.C.?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we were pleased to draw in the largest private sector investment in Canadian history with $40 billion in LNG in Canada. We recognize that LNG is an important element—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order. The hon. Prime Minister can continue, please.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

We recognize that natural gas is an important element as we move forward to a lower-carbon economy. That is why we are pleased to be investing in LNG projects and partnering to see more LNG projects right across the country. We understand this is an important step toward that net zero we are going to hit in 2050.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the largest private sector investment in Canadian history is now at risk due to the actions of the Liberal government. Now the disparaging comments by the environment minister toward liquefied natural gas have put the future in doubt, as we now see Chevron pulling out of the project in Kitimat.

We need a Canadian government that stands up for Canadian jobs. Changes are required to Bill C-69 to ensure that pipelines and facilities can be built.

Does the Prime Minister agree with his senior B.C. minister that belittling Canadian energy is the right thing to do?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is well positioned to become a major player in the global energy industry. We have proposed projects both in the west and in the east and have strong measures in place to attract investment while also reducing emissions.

Thousands of jobs have been created with the single-largest private sector investment in Canadian history—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I have to interrupt the right hon. Prime Minister for a moment. I am trying to hear the answer and I am having a hard time. I want to make sure everyone can hear.

The right hon. Prime Minister.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to take action to ensure that Canada is on track to become the world's cleanest producer of LNG and reach global markets.

Indigenous Affairs

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, between the 1950s and 1980s an estimated 20,000 indigenous children were stolen from their families and communities during the sixties scoop. There are reports of sexual, physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual abuse at the hands of adoptive families. A settlement was awarded but the application process is riddled with issues and some survivors still have not been informed about what they are owed. Victims deserve justice.

Without stalling payment for those who have applied, will the Prime Minister extend the application date, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the sixties scoop represents a dark and painful chapter in our history. The court-approved settlement agreement process has begun to compensate survivors. The settlement includes a $50-million foundation for healing, commemoration, education, language and culture.

We know there are other claims left unresolved, so we are working to address harm suffered by other indigenous children as a result of the sixties scoop.

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

Mr. Speaker, for seven months the body of 16-year-old Devon Freeman hung on a tree 35 metres from the group home where he disappeared and nobody found him. What a sad symbol that is for this nation.

First nation families are losing their children all the time to what the Human Rights Tribunal has ruled the wilful and reckless discrimination in systemic underfunding by this government.

I ask the Prime Minister to stop with the honey-dripped words and call off the lawyers. Will he commit to meet with Cindy Blackstock to ensure that the Human Rights Tribunal ruling is respected so that no more children die on his watch or our watch?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we strongly agree that we must compensate indigenous children harmed by past government policies.

We want to ensure that indigenous people harmed under the discriminatory child welfare system are compensated in a way that is both fair and timely. We want to work with all parties to address this issue. We have demonstrated our commitment to addressing the long-standing child and family service needs of first nations, Inuit and Métis children.

International Trade

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as this is the first time that I rise in the House, I would like to take this occasion to congratulate you on both of your elections and thank my neighbours in Milton for the opportunity to serve in this room.

Canadians understand the importance of having privileged access to our neighbouring markets. Two million Canadian jobs depend on our trading relationship with our largest partner, the United States.

Could the Prime Minister update the House on how the most recent changes to the new NAFTA will benefit and help Canadian workers and families, like my neighbours in Milton?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome the member for Milton and his strong progressive voice to the House of Commons.

Yesterday, Canada, the United States and Mexico took important steps towards the ratification of the new NAFTA. This agreement will help keep advanced medicines affordable for Canadians, improve labour protection, go further to protect the environment, and strengthen the state-to-state dispute settlement.

This is a win-win-win that is progressive and will benefit workers, middle-class families and the Canadian economy.

Employment

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what is not a win for Canadians is the state of the economy right now. Canada's economy is showing signs of weakness. Unemployment rose last month to nearly 6%.

Last month, 71,000 Canadians, including 45,000 Quebeckers like me and the Prime Minister, lost their jobs.

What message would the Prime Minister send to these 71,000 breadwinners who are looking for a job today?