House of Commons Hansard #410 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was pardon.
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Mr. Speaker, there is no end to the Liberals' political interfering and scheming. After politicizing the fighter jet procurement file, they politicized the Navy's procurement projects.
If the Liberals have nothing to hide, why will they not provide Vice-Admiral Norman with the documents he needs to defend himself?
David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, the government is fulfilling its obligations to the court and to the trial by providing the required documents during the process. All our obligations have been fulfilled.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's former parliamentary secretary has had enough. He is going to testify against these Liberals in defence of Vice-Admiral Mark Norman.
Canadians know that the Prime Minister has abused his office to reward his friends and attack his enemies. The Prime Minister had no problem at all covering the cost of his own staff's legal fees during the whole SNC-Lavalin scandal, but refuses to do the same for the vice-admiral.
Why is there always one set of rules for Liberals and punishment for anyone who gets in the Prime Minister's way?
David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, once again, I can assure this House that all rules are being followed in this case. All demands for legal assistance are being undertaken according to the rules. All requests for documents under third party records applications are being met by my department.
This prosecution is being handled by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. It is independent of my office and our government, and there has been no interference.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, it did not stop the Prime Minister from talking about this and that Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was going to be charged.
The Liberals are obstructing subpoenas in the Vice-Admiral Norman trial, making it impossible for him to mount a proper legal defence. They are refusing to cover his legal costs, hoping to drive him into bankruptcy, and are sitting on critical documents that he needs to defend himself.
When will the Prime Minister turn over all the documents requested by subpoena, unredacted, and give Vice-Admiral Norman the fair trial he deserves?
David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, once again, quite simply, the government is meeting all of its obligations with respect to third party obligations. The government is following all rules with respect to applications for the support of counsel.
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, when the Liberals were elected, they promised to do politics differently. How things have changed. We have now learned that they are using a partisan tool to fill influential positions in our country, like judges and senators, just like the Conservatives appointed their friends when they were in power. These appointments must be based on merit and not party alliance. Experienced people are being overlooked for those with big red lawn signs and even bigger cheques.
Why does the government care more about its wealthy supporters than the crucial requirement that our courts be independent of politics?
David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have set up a process for the appointment of judges which is transparent, merit-based and rigorous, beginning from the applications being treated by judicial committees across Canada all the way through the rest of the process.
Canadians have a right to donate to political parties. This fact neither helps nor hinders any applicant. The applications are based solely on merit. We have appointed over 300 judges, and their quality is of the very highest calibre.
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, so basically, the best Liberal wins.
The Liberals are so arrogant that they do not even realize the harm they are doing to the Canadian system of government. Canadians expect us to put the partisanship aside when it comes to the nomination of our judges, senators and officers of Parliament. We depend on the integrity of our institutions for a democratic and fair society.
The Prime Minister promised to do politics differently. Will the Liberals commit right now to Canadians not to use their partisan database for future appointments?
David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, we have put together a transparent, merit-based process that is highly rigorous. These appointments, which were made by both my predecessor and me, have resulted in over 300 appointments of the very highest calibre. Of those appointments, 55% are women. They are better representing the diversity of Canada. We know we still have a way to go, but this is an outstanding crop of appointees, who have been appointed only based on merit.
Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is so weak on foreign affairs that he is now allowing Chinese-run Huawei to have unprecedented control of a government-funded university research chair. The Prime Minister's weakness is now undermining academic independence and free speech. Anyone who has concerns about Huawei is being told that they cannot be part of this university program.
Why is the Prime Minister allowing a state-controlled enterprise from China to dictate policies at Canadians universities?
Kirsty Duncan LiberalMinister of Science and Sport
Mr. Speaker, universities across Canada work with many partners on joint research projects, across all disciplines. The freedom to pursue ideas across borders and disciplines rouses real scientific insight and innovation.
Our national security agencies work diligently to monitor security threats and have measures in place to protect Canada's systems. We will follow the advice of our public security officials and would only work with partners that have their approval.
Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, the minister took the Prime Minister to NSERC for his annual photo-op today, but he failed to address real concerns that they are allowing China to screen out university partners based on their views toward Huawei. If Canadians express security or other concerns about risks of Huawei, they are being shut out of this university program.
Why is the Prime Minister using taxpayer dollars to fund Chinese-state interests at a time when China is locking up Canadians?
Kirsty Duncan LiberalMinister of Science and Sport
Mr. Speaker, as I said, we will follow the advice of our public security officials and would only work with partners that had their approval.
Science and research are inherently open by nature. Our researchers work with partners across all disciplines. When universities partner with an organization, NSERC organizes a peer-review process that avoids individuals who have conflicts or relationships with the applicant or partner organizations, ensuring that proposals are solely on the basis of—
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, Stanford University and Berkeley, in California, along with the University of Massachusetts and the University of Oxford, have cut their ties and partnerships with Huawei. They realized the danger of such partnerships, since China's current policy for the integration of military and civilian technology development is being led personally by China's president.
This means that Canadian researchers working with Chinese collaborators could be indirectly contributing to the development of China’s military. The Prime Minister is trying to expand the research partnership with Huawei. Why?
Kirsty Duncan LiberalMinister of Science and Sport
Mr. Speaker, as I said, Canadian universities work with many partners on research projects across all disciplines.
We will listen to our public security officials. We will work only with partners that they approve.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, right now, Beijing is detaining two Canadians without cause, and two others are awaiting execution. Many of our allies have banned Huawei and warned Canada to do the same.
While the Prime Minister is hesitating and waffling, China is attacking our agricultural industry. Will the Prime Minister finally stand up for Canada's security and interests and make a decision on Huawei?
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is in close contact with the families of both Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, our brave Canadians.
This is not about grandstanding or scoring points. It is not about politics. It is about working persistently, carefully and resolutely to get them home. We have rallied an unprecedented number of partners around the world in support of Canada's position on this and many other issues. Canada has won international support in an unprecedented way.
We will continue to work until every Canadian is home safely.
Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Mr. Speaker, the owners of small businesses and family farms who want to sell their business to their children are still paying a lot more in taxes than those who want to sell to strangers. That is unfair and completely ridiculous.
The bill I introduced in February 2017 sought to remedy that situation, but the Minister of Finance convinced the Liberals to vote against it by promising he would introduce such a measure in a future budget. Budget 2019 was his third and last chance to do just that, but, for the third time, the finance minister refused to do it. It does not make any sense to punish those who want to keep their business in the family.
Why is the Minister of Finance picking on those families?
Jennifer O'Connell LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance (Youth Economic Opportunity)
Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to lowering taxes and ensuring that small businesses thrive in this country.
In addition, we are making improvements through this budget to ensure that farmers and fishers have better access and, again, the ability to grow and thrive in this country.
After 10 years of failed policies under the Conservatives, we know how to grow the economy, and that is what we continue to do. With our budget, a typical Canadian family is $2,000 better off. This is the type of economy we are growing, one that works for everybody.
Wayne Stetski NDP Kootenay—Columbia, BC
Mr. Speaker, a landmark UN report released this morning shows that nature is in crisis. Globally, around a million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, and in my riding of Kootenay—Columbia the future of the caribou is uncertain.
Biodiversity loss threatens our economy, food security, health and quality of life. The causes of species decline include habitat destruction, climate change, pollution and invasive species.
It is past time to sound the alarm.
When will the government begin the transformative change that experts say we need to secure a sustainable future?
Sean Fraser LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, the UN report to which the hon. member refers provides a sobering assessment of the challenge facing us today.
Since the 1970s, the world has lost about 60% of its wildlife, and Canada is one of five countries representing three-quarters of the world's remaining wilderness. The fact is that we have an opportunity and an obligation to do something about this emergency.
We moved forward in budget 2018 with an investment of $1.3 billion, the largest investment in nature conservation in its history.
I have been in the member's province to work on the southern mountain caribou file. This is one of many challenges, and it is time to sound the alarms.
Michel Picard Liberal Montarville, QC
Mr. Speaker, summer is fast approaching, or at least we hope it is, and festival season is starting up.
The calendar is already packed in Montarville, with outdoor stages, exhibitions and other activities, and they are counting on even more people to attend.
Budget 2019 increased funding for festivals and various local events. Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism tell the House how the government will support festivals like the ones in my riding?
Pablo Rodriguez LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. It is nice to hear a good question.
For the first time in more than 10 years, the government is investing more in festivals and celebrations. We have invested $40 million in festivals big and small. This funding will in large part go towards supporting local festivals in our regions.
The Conservatives slashed cultural programs for over 10 years. Every night they dream of slashing more, but not us. We will always be there for our artists, our creators, our festivals and our regions.
