House of Commons Hansard #6 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was need.
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Protocol of Amendment to the Agreement Between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States”.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I have the honour to lay upon the table the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's 2018-2019 annual reports on the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), these reports are deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I have the honour to lay upon the table a report of the interim auditor general of Canada to the House of Commons entitled “Cost of Crown Corporation Audits”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), this document is deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
I have the honour to lay upon the table the report of the interim Auditor General of Canada on the implementation of Export Development Canada's environmental and social review directive.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), this document is deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
I have the honour to lay upon the table a report of the interim auditor general of Canada to the House of Commons entitled “Commentary on the 2018-19 Financial Audits".
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), this document is deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to see you again this morning because I have very good news for you. Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the “Annual Report to Parliament for the 2018 to 2019 Fiscal Year: Federal Regulatory Management Initiatives”.
This report highlights the net benefit of important regulations made by the Governor in Council in 2017-18 and serves as a public report for the one-for-one rule, as required under the Red Tape Reduction Act. The report also includes the administrative burden baseline for 2017, listing the administrative requirements in federal regulations.
Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, with Christmas coming, I have a bigger gift for you. I have the honour or tabling today, in both official languages, the 2019 Public Accounts of Canada. The Auditor General of Canada has provided an unqualified audit opinion on the Canadian government's financial statements. The Government of Canada is committed to sound financial management and to monitoring the use of public funds to enhance accountability and transparency.
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-China Legislative Association respecting its participation at the 23rd bilateral meeting held in Shanghai, Nanjing, Hong Kong and Macao, China, from May 18 to 26, 2019.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity today to present two petitions.
The first is with respect to the issue of organ harvesting and trafficking. In the last Parliament, attempts were made to get Bills S-240 and C-350 through the House. Unfortunately, they failed to make it. The petitioners are calling on Parliament to take action on this issue, and hope that the 43rd Parliament will be the one to finally get it done.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, the second petition I am tabling highlights the challenges and persecution faced by the Sikh and Hindu minority communities in Afghanistan. It calls on the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to use the powers granted to him to create a special program to help persecuted minorities in Afghanistan come to Canada. There has been much discussion on this issue but that special program has not been created.
Further, it asks the Minister of Foreign Affairs to highlight this persecution with his Afghan counterparts.
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Mr. Speaker, this is the first time I have been able to get on my feet in this Parliament. I would like to thank the good people of Charlottetown for having sent me back here for the third time to represent them. It is truly an honour. I am grateful and humbled to be here.
Today, I rise to table a petition signed by no fewer than 1,500 residents of Prince Edward Island. To have a petition that large come from a place as small as P.E.I. is quite something.
The petitioners are quite concerned about the use of animals in cosmetic testing and the fact that Canada lags behind other countries that have already banned this practice. They call on Parliament to support Bill S-214, which unfortunately died on the Order Paper in the last Parliament. However, it is possible that it will be brought back. Therefore, it is urged that the House support that bill and ban the sale and/or manufacture of animal-tested cosmetics and their ingredients in Canada moving forward.
Nelly Shin Conservative Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Jeremy Patzer Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
Mr. Speaker, forced organ harvesting and trafficking is a growing global problem that requires urgent action. I am pleased to table a petition from Canadians who are looking for this Parliament to finally take action on forced organ harvesting by making it a criminal offence to go abroad to receive an organ taken without consent.
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from many of my constituents and other Canadians calling on the government to act to end forced organ harvesting.
Terry Dowdall Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition in support of Bill C-350 and Bill S-240 from the previous Parliament. These bills received unanimous consent in both Houses but did not pass in identical form, thus the law was not changed.
The petitioners hope to see this Parliament be the one that finally takes action on forced organ harvesting.
Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition that seeks to combat global organ trafficking. The petitioners want the government to act to make it a criminal offence to receive an organ without consent.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
The Chair has notice of a request for an emergency debate from the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot.
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Speaker, the government is going to have to answer to Quebec's 10,000 aluminum industry workers with regard to the new NAFTA.
This new agreement, which was negotiated in secret, cannot be described as a win. Once again, the Prime Minister was unable to protect the workers of one of Quebec's iconic industries. Our nine aluminum smelters produce nearly three tonnes of primary aluminum, or 60% of the total North American production. Our expertise is recognized around the world.
Our industry, which produces the cleanest aluminum in the world, was sacrificed in favour of steel. The government is bragging about the fact that 70% of the materials used in auto manufacturing will now come from North America, when that percentage was already at 62.5%. However, although the agreement clearly indicates that all steel manufacturing processes must take place in one of the three countries for the steel to be considered North American, Ottawa, unlike the U.S. President, failed to obtain the same assurances for our aluminum. As a result, Mexico, which does not produce any aluminum and must therefore import 100% of its aluminum, will be able to continue buying cheaper aluminum from China and processing it before exporting it to the United States labelled as North American aluminum.
Over the course of summer 2019, we saw that the importation of aluminum wheels from China dropped in the United States but rose dramatically in Mexico. During that time, Mexico's exports of processed aluminum wheels to the United States more than doubled.
We have nothing to gain from this agreement, which may even result in the outsourcing of our industry. That is why we are requesting an emergency debate on this issue.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
Given that we are discussing the Speech from the Throne, which is a topic that essentially covers everything happening in Canada, I must deny the request for an emergency debate on this subject this evening.
The House resumed from December 11 consideration of the motion for an address to Her Excellency the Governor General in reply to her speech at the opening of the session, and of the amendment.
Randeep Sarai Liberal Surrey Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the residents of Surrey Centre for once again putting their trust in me. It is truly an honour to be their voice in Ottawa. This moment was possible due to the hard work of my volunteers, who knocked on doors rain or shine, made countless phone calls, put up signs and spread the message of positive politics, all to ensure that I would continue to represent them in this chamber.
I would also not be standing here today if it were not for the unwavering support of my family.
I will always be accessible to the residents of Surrey Centre, and I look forward to working with each one of them for our community. I am certain that by working together we can ensure that Surrey Centre will continue to move forward.
This past election proved that Canadians from coast to coast to coast want their representatives to work harder to tackle the issues that matter most. For Surrey Centre, I will continue to advocate for the middle class and those working hard to join it. I will continue to ensure that appropriate resources are available to those who keep our community safe and will support our climate target to continue leading this country in the right direction.
Gun and gang violence, though on the decline, has been prevalent in Surrey for far too long. In January 2019 Surrey was given $7.5 million for the Surrey anti-gang family empowerment project, SAFE, the single largest investment in any city in Canada. SAFE was developed from the findings of the mayor's task force on gang violence, which I had the opportunity to sit on as a member. Over 4,500 at-risk youth will benefit from the project, which will work to help prevent youth from joining gangs and participating in other harmful activities by providing them with alternatives.
An amazing initiative that came out of this program was the family and youth resource support team, FYRST. This early intervention and prevention initiative has resulted in 260 outreach visits and 58 client referrals in its first three months.
We have seen results and that is why we will continue to invest in cities to fight gang-related violence.
However, this throne speech tackles harder policies. The government will crack down on gun crime, banning military-style assault rifles and taking steps to introduce a buy-back program. These are guns designed for only one task: to kill the most people in the least amount of time. They are not for hunting and are not for sport shooting.
I would support and encourage the City of Surrey if it chose to proceed with banning handguns or at least creating a bylaw to have handguns stored at gun ranges only. It is time that we prioritize the safety of our youth and make sure our citizens feel safe.
Canadians are counting on us to be bold and ambitious, and to put the needs of the country before our own. With a willingness to collaborate we can do just that. We can deliver results and continue making life better for the people we serve.
In 2015 we promised Canadians real change, and the throne speech will continue to build on the real progress we have made. We created one million new jobs, lifted 900,000 people out of poverty, including 300,000 children, reducing poverty by almost 20%. This is one of Canada's biggest social income changes in a four-year period ever.
It is a privilege to be a part of the democratic process and I take my responsibility with great importance. Representing British Columbia may differ from representing other parts of Canada, but our priorities are the same: to move the country forward together.
The throne speech outlined a number of themes our government will focus on. We all want equal opportunities and have common goals, whether on keeping our communities safe, on affordability or on climate change. My responsibility to my constituents in Surrey Centre is to deliver real impactful results.
The throne speech has put emphasis on keeping Canadians safe, which is a high priority for the residents of Surrey Centre.
I have some of the most hard-working residents in the country. When I knocked on doors, I kept hearing concerns about affordability, whether on housing, schooling or being able to afford day-to-day activities. It was time a government put hard-working Canadians at its forefront.
In 2015, as soon as we were elected, we raised taxes on the wealthy and lowered taxes for the middle class. We created a tax-free Canada child benefit to help families with the cost of raising their children.
In Surrey Centre, the Canada child benefit has helped over 28,000 families since 2016, with the amount of payments to our riding totalling over $208 million. Since the introduction of this historic benefit, nine out of 10 families have been receiving more money every month for groceries, school supplies, sports and other extracurricular activities.
The Canada child benefit was then increased for a second time to keep up with the cost of living. Canada's poverty rate is at its lowest level in Canadian history, and thanks to the CCB, nearly 300,000 children have been lifted out of poverty. We know when Canadians have more money in their pockets, we build stronger communities, create more jobs and continue to grow a stronger economy.
I am glad that Canadians re-elected a government that would put their needs first. That is why we are repeating this in 2019.
Our government has taken steps to once again amend the Income Tax Act to lower taxes for the middle class and people working to join it. This could save a single person almost $300 a year and provide a couple or a family close to $600 a year in savings. Nearly 1.1 million more Canadians would no longer pay federal income tax at all. This would help nearly 20 million Canadians save hundreds of dollars a year in taxes once it is fully rolled out in 2023.
We are moving forward with more help for the middle class and people working hard to join it, because that is exactly what Canadians elected us to do. In the past four years, over one million new jobs were created and unemployment dropped to its lowest rate since records have been kept.
We know how important it is to ensure that we create a better nation for our youth, and that is why we are prioritizing climate change. The fight against climate change and further environmental protection starts now. The government will preserve Canada's natural legacy, protecting 25% of our land and 25% of our oceans by 2025. We are helping to make energy-efficient homes more affordable and are introducing measures to build clean, efficient and affordable communities. We want to make it easier for people to choose zero-emission vehicles, work to make clean and affordable power available in every Canadian community, work with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean-technology company and provide help for people displaced by climate-related disasters. Simple tasks such as reducing plastic pollution and using nature-based solutions, including planting two billion trees, can help clean the air and make our communities greener.
We know that the environment and the economy can go hand in hand. While the government creates strong action to fight climate change, it will prioritize Canadian resources to new markets and offer unwavering support to the hard-working women and men in Canada's natural resource sector.
The throne speech touched on very important, time-sensitive issues: keeping our streets safe, making life more affordable for Canadians and preserving the future of our planet for the next generation. I am truly honoured to be standing here today with a progressive government that prioritizes these issues and many more that help Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Madam Speaker, one thing that really concerned me about the throne speech is there was really no clear picture about what we will do in terms of ocean resources. A lot of people are employed in the ocean sector. They are fisher people and others who are not getting the same opportunities. There is no comprehensive plan to address the challenges that wild salmon and other sea life are experiencing in our riding.
The people in my riding want to know what the plan is. They want to know the comprehensive plan. It was missing from this throne speech. Could the member speak to this issue and what his government will be doing differently in the future?
Randeep Sarai Liberal Surrey Centre, BC
Madam Speaker, our environment and oceans are a vital source of food, productivity and work for thousands of Canadians, especially on the coast of British Columbia. The government's first responsibility is to protect the oceans so we can have an abundant fish stock that reproduces itself and comes back year after year. If we do not protect the oceans, salmon and sockeye stocks will not return again.
That is why we are protecting 25% of our coast and making sure there is an abundant food supply, particularly from the oceans, for years and generations to come. I can assure members that when the budget comes out in the spring, they will see initiatives to help protect the fishermen and women on the coast.
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Madam Speaker, the member just mentioned that he is looking forward to what will come out in the budget later this spring. However, when we will see a long-term outlook on when the budget will be balanced?
In past years, we have seen the government quietly slip the long-term fiscal projections into a press release the day before Christmas Eve when people will not notice, where it reveals that the budget will not be balanced for decades. Perhaps the member could address this issue. When will the government present the House with a plan to finally return our budget to balance?