Debates of April 5th, 2019

Health

[Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Lib.]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his concern about this issue. Our government is deeply concerned by the tragic impact of the opioid crisis, and our hearts are with all of those who have loved a lost one.

This is the most significant public health issue in Canada's recent history. We have responded by investing over $350 million in emergency response, much of it in treatment; restoring harm reduction; and cutting red tape and removing barriers to treatment. This is a medical issue, not a moral one, and we will continue to do all we can to save lives.

Government Response to Petitions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions.

While I am on my feet, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful weekend.

National Defence

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on National Defence, entitled “Canada's Task Force Mali”.

In doing so, I would like to express, on behalf of the committee, our deep gratitude to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have served and are serving with task force Mali, and to all peacekeepers and United Nations civilian staff who served and are serving with MINUSMA, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.

Procedure and House Affairs

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 89th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I would like to move concurrence in the report later this day.

Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-438, An Act to enact the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights and to make related amendments to other Acts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to re-table the Canadian environmental bill of rights. While similar measures have been enacted by some of the provinces and territories, no such law has been enacted at the federal level. The bill would enact into federal domestic law international commitments made decades ago by Canada and measures recommended by the special rapporteur to the UN Human Rights Council.

First, my bill would enshrine the right of Canadians to a healthy, ecologically balanced environment.

Second, it would enshrine the Government of Canada's public trust duty to protect the environment, including legislating and enforcing environmental protection laws.

Third, it would extend to all Canadians the right to hold their government accountable through access to environmental information, participation in decisions impacting their environment and standing to seek judicial intervention where those rights would be denied.

Enactment of this bill has become all the more critical as environmental rights and protections have been eroded and promised reforms have not been forthcoming.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Procedure and House Affairs

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Madam Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 89th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

(Motion agreed to)

The Environment

[Alistair MacGregor, NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Madam Speaker, I present a petition with respect to the anchorages in and around the Southern Gulf Islands near my riding of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford.

The petitioners note these anchorages were designated without consultation with coastal communities and residents and without consideration of first nation rights and consultation with first nations. Their use has multiplied several-fold and numerous vessels are anchored for extended periods of time, which has resulted in continuous noise levels that are affecting the health of residents and negatively affecting local tourism and the financial health of associated businesses.

Therefore, the residents who have signed this petition call upon the Government of Canada to take all measures possible to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of commercial freighter anchorage sites throughout the Southern Gulf Islands.

Firearms

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise to table a petition signed by Canadians from across the country who were happy and relieved when our Conservative government got rid of the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry and then were saddened and dismayed to see the current government introduce legislation in the form of Bill C-71 that once again targets law-abiding gun owners.

These signatures are not just from gun owners; they are from families of hunters and families of people who are using firearms for legitimate purposes in rural areas. These petitions are from Canadians right across the country who want gangs and violence and drugs addressed by legislation, not by targeting law-abiding firearms owners.

I am happy to table this petition and to be able to continue to fight for the rights of law-abiding firearms owners.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Portage—Lisgar knows very well that she is to speak to the petition itself and not put her own position forward.

Childhood Cancer

[Kate Young, Liberal, London West, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am honoured today to table a petition on behalf of constituents of my riding of London West.

The petitioners are calling upon the Government of Canada to increase the amount of its childhood cancer research funding by 10%. They show concern towards the fact that childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related deaths among Canadian children.

The petition is signed by signatories who have had their lives impacted by childhood cancer.

I would like to thank the advocacy of Kim Vanderschel, who helped to collect these signatures.

Telecommunications

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

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to present three petitions to the House.

I am happy to table an important petition today on behalf of members of my riding of North Island—Powell River. This petition really speaks to what I talked about earlier today in question period when I spoke about Duncan Moffatt. It includes signatures of people in communities like Port McNeill, Sayward, Campell River, Tahsis, Telegraph Cove, Gold River, Port Hardy, Sointula and Alert Bay.

The petitioners wish to express their concerns to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Parts of Highway 19 and Highway 19A do not have cellular phone service. This is an important public safety concern, as it is sometimes necessary to travel over 30 minutes to reach an area with cellphone service or a land line to contact 911 in case of an accident or breakdown in need of assistance.

The petitioners request that the Government of Canada intervene with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and our local service provider, Telus, to ensure that there is continuous coverage on the highway to satisfy the need for public safety.

This is a fairly comprehensive list of people.

Women's Organizations

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

Madam Speaker, the second petition is signed by people from across Canada.

The petitioners are asking the government to better fund feminist women's organizations. Due to a lack of federal core operating funds, these organizations have been struggling for decades to keep the lights on and the doors open. The petitioners point out that feminist organizations are the most underfunded in Canada's non-profit sector, and yet they are the single most effective means of building better lives for women.

The petitioners ask the government to please take action.

Pensions

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

Madam Speaker, the third and final petition that I have today calls for the withdrawal of Bill C-27, an act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985. I have tabled several of these petitions in the House.

People in my riding are significantly concerned. They want to make sure that their benefits are protected and that pensions are protected.

We hope to see this action taken soon.

Animal Welfare

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to table a petition signed by hundreds of people who visited The Body Shop at the Bayshore shopping mall in my riding.

The petitioners are calling on the House to support Bill S-214 and ban the sale and manufacture of animal-tested cosmetics and their ingredients in Canada. The petitioners argue that it is not only cruel but unnecessary, since alternative tests are less expensive and more effective.

I want to thank The Body Shop and all of those who signed this petition.

Pensions

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

Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise and table a petition on behalf of constituents from Port Alberni, Coombs, Nanoose Bay, Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

The petitioners call on the government to withdraw Bill C-27, an act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985.

The petitioners point out that during the 2015 federal election, Canadians were clearly promised in writing that defined benefit plans that have already been paid for by employees and pensioners would not be retroactively changed into target benefit plans.

Bill C-27 was tabled by the Minister of Finance. It would permit this change, thereby jeopardizing the retirement income security of Canadians who have negotiated defined benefit plans as a form of deferred wages.

The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to withdraw Bill C-27, an act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985, and protect their pensions.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 2192, 2197, 2198, 2202 to 2208, 2212 to 2218, and 2229.

Question No. 2192

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

With regard to the Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund: what are the details of all grants awarded by the fund since November 4, 2015, including (i) name of the recipient, (ii) date on which the funding was received, (iii) amount received?

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism]

Mr. Speaker, the requested information is available on the Government of Canada’s website at https://open.canada.ca/en/search/grants. Instructions are as follows: open the link, enter “Canada Periodical Fund, Aid to Publishers” in the search field, and select the year.

Question No. 2197

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

With regard to the statement attributed to the spokesperson for the Minister of National Revenue in the Toronto Star in January 2019 that “We have hired over 1,300 auditors”: (a) how many of these new auditors are focused solely on off-shore tax evasion; (b) how many of these new auditors are focused solely on Canadian corporate tax evasion; and (c) how many of these new auditors are focused solely on Canadian personal tax evasion?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, the CRA’s compliance programs focus on size or type of non-compliance and taxpayers often use the interaction between individual and corporate entities to achieve non compliance. For this reason, rigid distinctions between corporate and personal tax evasion cannot be made.

For example, work related to the underground economy would encompass both corporations and individuals. Work related to high net-worth individuals and others involved in tax schemes would encompass individuals who use corporations, trusts and partnerships in their tax planning. In terms of work related to large businesses, the vast majority are publicly traded companies but a small number are trusts, partnerships or privately held corporations. Work related to GST/HST compliance includes a mix of corporations and sole proprietorships. Finally, for work related to small and medium-sized enterprises that have complex transactions, most but not all would be incorporated.