Debates of Dec. 9th, 2019

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2019-20

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Chair, this was actually going to be my longest question and I was saving it to the end, so it is going to be a bit tougher.

The minister responsible for the Treasury Board is probably one of the favourite ministers for my constituents and me because he has really delivered, on behalf of this government and this Prime Minister, some really good stuff.

We can talk about the increase to the guaranteed income supplement, taking hundreds of seniors out of poverty from Winnipeg North. We can talk about the Canada child benefit program, taking thousands of residents in Winnipeg North, our children, out of poverty. There are so many other things that the minister has done in his other portfolio, yet we seem to be committed to continue. A good example of that is with the seniors over 75, giving a substantial increase for those seniors who really need it.

I wonder if the minister could provide his thoughts on how important it is that we continue to support our seniors and our youth through good solid, social progressive policies.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member used up a lot of time, so the hon. President of the Treasury Board has under 30 seconds to respond.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, I will be brief but there will be so much good to say about my colleague from Winnipeg North, one of my most preferred members of Parliament, one of those I have enjoyed working with so much in the last four years. We are so glad to have him back. I know opposition members of Parliament are also very glad to have him back because he is a man of experience and knowledge. We look forward to his continuing to share that experience and knowledge with all of us, and I know—

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Order. I am sorry, the time is up.

The hon. member for North Island—Powell River is resuming debate. The hon. member has just a little under seven minutes for questions and answers.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Madam Chair, I will go as fast as I can, but since I am standing for the first time speaking in the House, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of North Island—Powell River for allowing me to be here representing them. I want to take a moment to recognize the many forestry workers who are on strike right now in my riding, and struggling every day. My heart is with them and their families as they go through this very difficult time.

My questions are largely for the Minister of National Defence. I am so grateful that he is here today. I am so proud to represent 19 Wing Comox. Recently, Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North did a key ceremony and gave keys to several houses that were built in the Comox Valley. There are many volunteers from 19 Wing who have been donating a significant amount of time to support building these houses and I appreciate their hard work. Their commitment is the 19 Wing building our community.

However, the other reality is that in Comox Valley, the rental vacancy rate is below 1%, and the housing costs are increasing, skyrocketing in fact. Many people from the wing are struggling to find appropriate housing. I know some of our members are having to drive over an hour one way to get to work every day, which is definitely a challenge for them and their families. We also know that many of the barracks were built in the 1950s and need a significant upgrade to become more appropriate for the men and women in uniform.

The other reality is we have the addition of the search and rescue training facility. I am very proud of the work that we were able to do collaboratively with the community and with the minister to make that a reality. That resulted in a small increase of housing for the folks who are coming to get the training. It is not meeting that core housing need for so many of our members who need permanent housing on the base.

Could the minister update this place on any resources that might be coming to 19 Wing to address this important core housing need?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Madam Chair, I want to thank the member for her tireless advocacy, giving her service for the women and men in the Canadian Armed Forces and specifically in Comox. I thank them for the tremendous work that they do and the connection that they have with the community. I know that the members are extremely proud of that.

We have unique challenges across the country. We are looking at how we support our members. We have made significant investments on bases when it comes to the new capabilities that we are bringing in. Housing is a challenge in the area because there is a very low vacancy rate. Therefore, we are prioritizing this work. When I visited, I looked at this issue directly. I do not want to get ahead of myself to say that this is exactly what we are going to do, but one thing I can assure you is that I am personally looking into this, to make sure that housing is looked after.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I want to remind both members that they are to address the questions to the Chair, because both members referred to each other during debate.

The hon. member for North Island—Powell River.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Madam Chair, as we all know, there is a housing shortage and the cost of housing is high. However, in reality, that is not the only high expense that military members are facing in my riding. It is an expensive place to live. One military member has told me that people who move to British Columbia must remember to bring cash, which adds a certain barrier.

Could the minister tell the House if the government is exploring the possibility of offering the post living differential to the members who are currently serving in 19 Wing Comox? It is really important to our members to acknowledge this financial burden and give them support to do the important work they do. I want to recognize that many of the military members in my riding went to Mali and continue to do great work in my riding and across the world. I want to make sure they do not get set behind because of the important work they are doing.

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, we have conducted a review of PLD and how we support our members across the country, because as stated, there are unique challenges across the country and we want to make sure we get this right. There is more to follow on the PLD.

We will be investing more in housing in Comox. We want to make sure we get this right because the real estate challenges are very different from region to region and B.C. does pose a greater challenge to our members. We are also going to make sure to provide short-term fixes as well for any current issues our members are dealing with.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Madam Chair, one of the realities that I believe everybody in the House agrees with is that losing someone to suicide is a devastating experience. I am still very concerned about the fact that self-harm is still included in the military Code of Service Discipline. I know this prevents our men and women in uniform from feeling comfortable disclosing that they may be having a hard time and are considering suicide as an option. I just want to make sure that all the men and women who serve us and wear the uniform in this country feel they can disclose any thoughts, concerns or feelings they have, especially on the issue of self-harm.

Could the minister tell the House when self-harm will be removed from the code?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Madam Chair, first of all, the mental health and well-being of our women and men in the Canadian Armed Forces is an absolute priority for us, along with putting in the right investments when it comes to research on PTSD, mental health support and the joint suicide prevention strategy that we launched with Veterans Affairs.

On the exact topic the member is talking about, Bill C-77 was not the place to make those changes. As I have said, we will continue to work with all colleagues in the House and the Senate to address those direct concerns, because there is a much wider discussion to be had on this. I can assure the member that it is something we are taking very seriously.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

It being 10:18 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), all votes are deemed reported.

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

[The Acting Speaker, Carol Hughes]

Accordingly the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 10:19 p.m.)