House of Commons Hansard #426 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was seniors.
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, Alberta cancelled the carbon tax and gas prices have fallen across the province. The same thing cannot be said for rural British Columbia.
Yesterday, in Vavenby, Canfor laid off 178 workers. There is no employment, but the Prime Minister is happy to have them pay extra for gas because that is exactly what he wants.
When will the Prime Minister stop punishing rural Canadians and take real steps to address the high price of gas?
Catherine McKenna LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear about what Premier Kenney said. He said that climate change is the “flavour of the month”.
This is actually an existential threat. If we look at what is happening in Alberta right now, we see that forest fires are starting even earlier.
I have another fact. It was found that Doug Ford's climate plan costs twice as much to do less. It costs twice as much money for taxpayers.
Taking action on climate change is something we need to do. We can do it in a way that makes life affordable, creates good jobs and ensures we do not leave the biggest debt to future generations through inaction on climate change.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Order. I ask colleagues to show a little respect for each other. I am sure they would want the same shown to them.
The hon. member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier.
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Speaker, this government is out of touch. Canada's environment commissioner and many organizations, such as the UN, are saying that Canada will not achieve its Paris targets.
In committee, I asked the minister whether Canada was going to meet its targets. She said yes. What a lack of honesty and transparency.
This government needs to be honest. When will it tell Canadians that the Liberals in power will not meet the Paris targets?
Catherine McKenna LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, Canadians want to know whether the Conservative Party will support our climate emergency motion, which is very simple. It basically states that climate change is real, that it is an emergency and that we need to meet our Paris targets.
I have a simple question. Will the Conservatives join the others and vote in favour of the motion?
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Order. I had no problem hearing the question from the hon. member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier. He should listen to the answer, whether he likes it or not, out of respect for the House.
The hon. member for Abbotsford.
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals continue to pretend they are going to meet their Paris targets, yet the evidence is overwhelming: Every single credible source, including the minister's own department, says the targets will not be met. Nevertheless, every day the minister gets up in the House and repeats loudly, and sometimes very loudly, something she knows to be patently false, in the hope that Canadians will totally believe it.
When will the minister admit that the Liberals will not meet Canada's Paris targets?
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
The hon. member for Durham will come to order.
The hon. Minister of Environment.
Catherine McKenna LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, I do not have to repeat talking points. I am just going to say the truth.
The truth is that we have a climate emergency and we need to take action on climate change. Inaction costs us even more.
We just found out that Doug Ford's “climate plan” is actually costing twice as much as our federal climate plan. Taxpayers are paying more to do less.
We need to take action on climate change. Why will the Conservative Party not recognize that the environment and the economy go hand in hand and that we need to take action for the future of our kids?
Julie Dabrusin Liberal Toronto—Danforth, ON
Mr. Speaker, the dream of owning a home seems increasingly unrealistic for my constituents in Toronto—Danforth.
While many of my constituents are trying to save for what will likely be the largest investment of their lives, we continue to see people who are failing to pay their fair share.
Could the Minister of National Revenue update us on the government's progress in combatting tax evasion and tax avoidance in the housing market?
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Toronto—Danforth for her interest in an issue that is important to her constituents.
Our government recognizes the importance of ensuring a fair housing market for all Canadians. That is why the CRA has increased audits of real estate transactions in British Columbia and Ontario.
Since 2015, CRA auditors have reviewed 41,700 files in Ontario and British Columbia, resulting in over $100 million in penalties, and have identified over $1 billion in additional taxes.
I can confirm—
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is easier for small businesses in my province to sell goods all over the world than to other provinces. Due to the Prime Minister's failure to lead, there is still no free trade within our country. This is an absolutely absurd situation.
Provinces are starting to step up. However, the Liberal government would rather defend its protectionist status quo. Will the government do what Canadians are demanding and stand with premiers Kenney, Moe and Pallister for free trade in this great country?
Bill Morneau LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, we know that internal trade in this country needs to be freer. This is a very important issue. The IMF came out recently, when it was looking at Canada, and identified the fact that we could actually increase our GNP if we had freer trade across the country. That is why we are working towards this goal.
We know that most of these barriers are at a provincial level, so I am encouraged to see provincial leaders taking action on this. The federal government has taken significant action. In our most recent budget, we took away all federal constraints, for example, to moving alcohol across our country.
Now we need to work together with the provinces to get this done.
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Mr. Speaker, dozens of workers with developmental disabilities were fired from their jobs after the Liberal government shut down the National Archives program that employed them. Liberals have promised to find them meaningful work within government, but nothing has been done. When the Prime Minister was asked about the fate of these workers, he gave empty talking points.
These workers deserve better. They want to know, will the Liberals commit today to replace those jobs they took away?
Carla Qualtrough LiberalMinister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility
Mr. Speaker, on the eve of our third annual National AccessAbility Week, and of course with Bill C-81 having gone through this House last week, I can assure every Canadian that we will find jobs for these workers. In fact, we are showing them the dignity of giving them meaningful work so that they contribute to government operations.
I have been working with the organization. No one will be without a job.
Geng Tan Liberal Don Valley North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the global transition to a low-carbon economy is among the great challenges and opportunities of our lifetime. Our government has been a leader in the transition to a clean energy future. However, to succeed, we must engage expertise from around the world.
Could the minister update this House on how Canada is showing clear leadership, bringing together international partners from government and industry to solve one of the most important global issues of our time?
Amarjeet Sohi LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Don Valley North for his hard work.
Last week, Canada hosted the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation. We brought together over 25 countries to help build a more sustainable energy future that supports workers and communities and creates middle-class jobs.
We highlighted the leadership of women, indigenous peoples and young Canadians in Canada's energy sector, and highlighted why Canada is the place to invest.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Mr. Speaker, Liberals are all talk and no action when it comes to the crisis with China. Today we have learned that the crisis with China is about to get worse. The Chinese government has now set its sights on our livestock industry.
The Canadian Meat Council is telling producers that they cannot count on the Canadian embassy to defend their interests in China. When will the Prime Minister realize that his inaction is devastating Canadian farmers and ranchers?
Marie-Claude Bibeau LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, I can assure you that we have been working very closely with producers in all sectors for months now. We are monitoring the situation, and reopening the Chinese markets, including the canola market, is our top priority.
A working group is taking a very serious look at this issue, and we are following its recommendations. Yesterday, I confirmed the deadlines for the new advance payments program. I can assure the House that we are working with our farmers and for our farmers.
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Mr. Speaker, Canada's family reunification system is wrong-headed. Ottawa terminated immigration services at the embassy in Cuba without notice or explanation. People seeking sponsorship to join family in Quebec have to undergo medical tests in other countries, go back to Cuba, and then come to Quebec and pay thousands of dollars.
What is the government going to do to fix this situation and finally let Quebec and Canadian families be together?
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, Canada and Cuba have long enjoyed a special relationship. Immigration plays a key role in preserving the strong ties that unite the people of our two nations.
However, as a government, we have a unique responsibility to protect the health and safety of all our employees. Cuban nationals seeking to apply for travel documents to Canada will continue to have access to services online, and Canadians and permanent residents will continue to be able to submit documents directly to our embassy in Cuba.
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Mr. Speaker, that is not an answer.
Children are currently stranded in Cuba without their families because Canada cut consular services. We cannot ask minors to figure out how to get a visa for Mexico, pay to get there, figure out how to get a doctor's appointment and collect all of the necessary paperwork in a foreign country. The families are the ones who suffer.
Can the government tell us when services will be restored? What is the government waiting for?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I was in Havana nearly three weeks ago, and I spoke with diplomats at our embassy. I want to thank them for their excellent work, and I want to assure our diplomats and all Canadians that the health and safety of our diplomats and their families is our number one concern.