Debates of May 14th, 2019

Health

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Cumberland—Colchester for his hard work on the health committee as the chair.

As someone whose first job was as a mental health counsellor, I am proud to be a member of a government that has made a historic investment of $5 billion in the area of mental health and addiction services. We are also targeting our efforts to support the mental health of young Canadians, indigenous peoples, the LGBTQ community, black Canadians, veterans and so much more.

I am proud of these efforts and we will not stop until every Canadian gets the help and assistance they need when it comes to mental health.

Public Safety

[Glen Motz, Conservative, Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we have heard today that the murderer of Tori Stafford is seeking compensation from the government for her “unfair treatment”.

Canadians will remember that the Liberals moved Tori's killer from a maximum-security prison to a healing lodge until outraged Canadians forced them to reverse their decision.

Will the government commit to fight her attempts at getting any taxpayer dollars for putting her back behind bars where she belongs?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, it is not at all clear what the status of any alleged court proceeding might be. Indeed, the media coverage with respect to the judge's comments would indicate that he is not clear what the status is.

The member can be assured that the Government of Canada will very strongly defend its position.

Transportation Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, as co-founder and co-chair of the parliamentary all-party cycling caucus, I am pleased to share that today is Bike Day on the Hill.

Approximately 200,000 Canadians cycle to work, which is good for their health and our environment. Sadly, on average, 7,500 Canadians are seriously injured while cycling each year and 74 cyclists are killed. Many tragedies can be prevented with improved cycling infrastructure and side guards on heavy trucks. We must do better to keep Canadians safe.

The NDP is calling for a national cycling strategy. Will the government get on board and help make Canada a cycling nation?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, as a cyclist myself, I realize that the point brought up by my colleague is a very important one. That is why last year we published a report that was the product of 10 provinces, three territories and the federal government putting together 57 measures that could be used to improve safety for vulnerable road users, not only cyclists but pedestrians as well.

We realize how important this is. Within federal jurisdiction, we are already undertaking pilot projects to improve the visibility of large commercial trucks so truck drivers can see the cyclists.

Mining Industry

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands the importance of the Canadian minerals and mining sector to our economy and to the communities across the country. Our government believes developing Canada's natural resources in cleaner, more sustainable ways will create good middle-class jobs, enhance competitiveness and reduce pollution as we move to a clean energy future. We have made significant investments to achieve these goals.

In celebration of National Mining Week, could the minister update the House on steps our government has taken to ensure Canada's mining sector continues on a path to prosperous sustainable development for years to come?

[Amarjeet Sohi, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his hard work.

The mining sector supports over 600,000 good middle-class jobs across the country. It is the second-largest private sector employer of indigenous peoples in Canada.

Our government stands behind this sector. That is why we extended the mineral exploration tax credit for a full five years and launched the minerals and metals plan. Workers in the sector help empower our clean economy. We wish them a very happy National Mining Week.

Public Services and Procurement

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, why does Canada need the Asterix and the Obelix? Because the Preserver and the Protecteur are out of commission and there was a fire aboard one of them. This is a national emergency for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Vice-Admiral Norman understood that. The Prime Minister dragged him through the mud. Now he can redeem himself.

When will he place the order for the Obelix? That is what 1,200 laid-off Davie shipyard workers would like to know. They worked for Canada and are ready to do so again.

[Serge Cormier, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, once again, our government is 100% committed to strengthening the Royal Canadian Navy and ensuring that it has the resources it needs to serve Canadians.

The Davie shipyard employees delivered the Asterix, and we know they did excellent work. Our government relies on official advice from the Department of National Defence and the armed forces to assess the navy's needs.

The commander of the navy publicly stated that there is no immediate need for a second temporary supply ship and that he is satisfied with the services provided by the Asterix.

Our government has complete confidence in the navy's advice and will continue to invest in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Intergovernmental Relations

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec government builds our infrastructure, not Ottawa. The Canada-Quebec agreement is clear on this. Infrastructure is a provincial and municipal responsibility. However, Ottawa is trying to impose conditions on us, and the result is a tramway project in Quebec that has been stopped in its tracks. Our projects are going nowhere because Ottawa prefers to argue.

Will the minister stop creating conflicts and send Quebec the infrastructure funding as a lump sum with no strings attached, as the Quebec government has asked?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

As I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, we are working closely with the Quebec government.

The Highway 19 project was introduced by the Government of Quebec, and Premier Legault made it a priority. As announced yesterday, the project was then approved in Ottawa.

We work closely with our colleagues and respect provincial jurisdictions. There is no question that we will continue to invest in communities across the country.

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, instead of making grand statements, I invite the minister to reread the Canada-Quebec infrastructure agreement. It states that “Canada's role in any Project is limited to making a financial contribution, and that it will have no involvement in the implementation...or...operation. Canada is neither a decision-maker nor an administrator”.

The minister's election announcement about Highway 19 is nothing but talk. Not even one centimetre of the highway will be built.

Instead of arguing, the government should transfer the lump sum to Quebec.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

Mr. Speaker, we work very closely with our Quebec colleagues.

As I said yesterday, we are not in election mode, we are in construction mode. What Quebeckers expect from us is that we promptly look at projects submitted by all provinces, that we approve them according to the criteria set out in the bilateral agreement and, above all, that we announce them in time for construction season. If there is one thing that will not wait, it is construction season.

We are going to move forward.

Justice

[Erin Weir, Independent, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, on the Mark Norman case, it has been refreshing to hear the federal NDP leader speak up for due process.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Geoff Regan]

Order, please. The hon. member for Regina—Lewvan has the floor.

[Erin Weir, Independent, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, that case and the SNC-Lavalin controversy have raised questions about interference in our justice system. They have also underscored the need for independent review of decisions made by the director of public prosecutions.

Will the government commit to separate the office of the attorney general from the minister of justice if re-elected?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, our government firmly believes in the institutions of government and respects them deeply. On this particular issue, we have asked—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Geoff Regan]

Order. The hon. member for Windsor West will come to order.

The hon. Minister of Justice.

[David Lametti, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, we have asked a former minister of justice and attorney general of Canada, the hon. Anne McLellan, to look into this matter and give us her recommendations. Her track record is impressive, and she understands the various pressures that come along with this position. I look forward to working closely with her to ensure that our government continues to set higher standards for governance.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties, and I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That the House recognize Vice-Admiral Mark Norman for his decades of loyal service to Canada, express regret for the personal and professional hardships he endured as a result of his failed prosecution, and apologize to him and his family for what they experienced during their legal conflict with the government.

[The Speaker, Geoff Regan]

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

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Geoff Regan]

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