Debates of Jan. 27th, 2020

Infrastructure

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

Mr. Speaker, we have committed to historic investments and infrastructure across the country. This includes building affordable housing, community centres, libraries, bridges, retrofitting municipal buildings and so much more, including a commitment to high-speed Internet across the country.

In fact, more than 4,800 projects are in progress or planned, which is more than four times what the previous government did. In budget 2019, we have $2.2 billion in the gas tax fund. We are creating work for workers, and as a result, families and communities are doing better. We are building a Canada of the 21st century: green, resilient and modern.

Health

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that, like all Canadians, everyone here is concerned about the coronavirus in China.

We all need to make sure this disease will not become a pandemic and spread in Quebec and Canada, so the minister can count on the Bloc Québécois's full support in that regard. All I want from her today is an update on her emergency plan and the main steps being taken to contain the coronavirus and halt its spread.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Montcalm for his question.

I would like to let Canadians know that the risk is low to Canadians and that we are working collaboratively with all provinces and territories, including the Province of Quebec, to make sure that we are prepared, that our health systems are prepared and that everything is functioning as it should. We will continue to work with the international community, including the World Health Organization and we will continue to adjust our processes as necessary. I have confidence in our public health system.

I thank the professionals who are working so hard to ensure that Canadians are protected.

Public Safety

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, have decided to cut ties with the royal family and live freely. The lovebirds are leaving the monarchic nest and moving to Canada. Good for them. Frankly, it is none of our concern. The thing that concerns us is the matter of whether taxpayers will be footing the bill for the couple's security costs.

Can the minister assure us that Quebeckers will not be paying for the royal couple's security costs?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I know this is an issue of discussion for many Canadians.

The Government of Canada is certainly aware of the recently confirmed plan of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to step down from their duties and to relocate to Canada on a part-time basis. This is an unprecedented situation. Discussions are taking place between our security officials and the RCMP and security officials in the United Kingdom as it relates to security obligations and how to most appropriately cover these security costs.

There have been no decisions made at this time. The ongoing security assessments and threat assessments are taking place.

Natural Resources

[Ron Liepert, Conservative, Calgary Signal Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, recently a UN committee called on our country to immediately shut down three major resource projects: the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, the Coastal GasLink pipeline and the Site C dam. These projects have gone through years of endless environmental reviews and they have the support of the first nations and the communities along the lines that look to directly benefit from these projects.

I ask the Prime Minister today if he is willing to stand in the House and let this unelected, unaccountable committee of the UN know that he rejects this recommendation and that he sends a clear message that it is full steam ahead for these projects?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, I can give assurances to the House that it is of the utmost importance that every natural resource project under way in the country takes input, that it is done in the right and proper way and that it follows the processes that we have worked so hard on, with an understanding that the most important thing we can offer here as well to the investment community is certainty of process, a certainty that the process goes well.

We will continue in that vein to ensure that other projects are heeded and see construction in the same way that TMX has in these days.

Telecommunications

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about inequality in Canada, we have to talk about reliable access to fast, affordable Internet.

Big telecom has a strangle-hold on the market, with government regulation preventing any meaningful competition or protection for consumers. Every one of us in this place, regardless of stripes, should be working to move beyond this archaic current state. The Prime Minister is getting lobbied hard to overturn a ruling that would allow for more competition.

More needs to be done, but at a minimum, will the Prime Minister uphold this ruling?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to hear that every single member of the House is going to work together to ensure that Canadians, regardless of where they live, have access to high-speed Internet. It is certainly a commitment by our government, backed by significant funding. Over 400,000 households have been connected since we formed office.

I can assure my hon. colleague that we are going to work very hard to make sure that every Canadian is able to benefit from the social and economic opportunities that come with connectivity.

Canada Revenue Agency

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency revealed in the “Serving Canadians Better” report that 83% of respondents had a service experience that did not meet their needs. Now public accounts show the Minister of National Revenue wrote off over $4 billion.

While everyday Canadians continue to receive very poor service from her agency, could the minister confirm which corporations and billionaires are getting the minister's sweetheart deal?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for its work.

The CRA will take the federation's comments into account to improve services at the call centres. The CRA is also committed to working with the CFIB to better serve businesses across the country. We have taken measures to better serve Canadians. Improvement in connecting to an agent was highlighted in the CFIB's analysis. Thanks to our investments in procuring new technology and new tools to improve services, our government is convinced that Canadians will continue to see improvements that will help us meet their expectations.

Health

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend we saw Canada's first presumed cases of coronavirus. While this was not unexpected, many people in my community of Don Valley North are wondering what this means for them and their families. Toronto's border service officers, public health officials and hospital staff have been working very hard to protect our citizens.

Could the Minister of Health please update the House on the current situation and what steps are being taken to address the public health impact of this virus?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. Protecting Canadians is our priority.

We have learned a lot from the SARS outbreak in 2003 and we are well-prepared to deal with this in Canada. We are all working collaboratively at all levels of government and we are sure that our system is prepared.

We continue to work with the international community and the World Health Organization to ensure our measures and responses are effective.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the crisis created by coronavirus underlines the importance of effective co-operation among all peoples and governments on health matters.

Will the Government of Canada finally join us in supporting full membership in the World Health Organization for Taiwan?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we take the safety and security of all Canadians abroad very seriously.

Canadian officials in Ottawa and in China are working closely together with their Chinese counterparts to address this situation that we are currently facing. I spoke with the Canadian ambassador to China today. Our mission in Beijing is working to help Canadians in China.

We will continue to offer consular services to all Canadians who may be affected in China.

Government Contracts

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as a result of the Liberal government's performance in the previous Parliament, marred by ethical breaches and cover-ups, the Prime Minister has mandated that his ministers hold themselves to the highest ethical standards. However, now we know that they are in the process of awarding a sole-source contract to former Liberal MP Allan Rock.

Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell the House if he believes that this blatant example of Liberal cronyism meets the highest ethical standard?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we are always going to uphold the highest standard of ethical behaviour. We are committed to a transparent government. We are going to welcome any voices who can contribute to our foreign policy.

If the member has any recommendations or any policies he would like us to consider, we will gladly listen to his as well.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this government is awarding a former Liberal minister a lucrative contract for consulting services with no call for public tenders. The Liberal culture of giving gifts to their cronies is far from over, even though it is 2020.

Canadians are tired of seeing this trading of favours, especially when it involves the public purse.

Why does the Prime Minister continue to waste our money for the benefit of his Liberal cronies?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, on this side of the House, we will always uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour. We are happy to be able to count on many Canadians who want to help develop—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order.

I am trying to hear the answer. However, when members near the Speaker shout, I really have a hard time hearing the answer. Therefore, I just want them to temper their voices. They can whisper stuff, but I want to remind them that when they shout, the Speaker cannot hear the answer. That is really difficult for the Speaker to keep a handle on things.

The hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, we are willing to listen to Canadians when it comes to our foreign policy. If the member opposite has any ideas he would like to share, we will gladly listen to his as well.

The Environment

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Centre for Greening Government was established in 2016 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the whole of government by 40% by 2030.

Could the President of the Treasury Board update the House on the progress made by the Centre for Greening Government in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating the member for Orléans on her election and her hard work.

Setting an example is the Government of Canada's duty, which it has done by establishing an ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of 40% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Producing results is what the Government of Canada has demonstrated today, since it has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 33% in 2020.

Providing hope is showing that we can grow the economy while protecting the environment.

Public Service of Canada

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals promised that they would stop the former Conservative government's practice of outsourcing public sector jobs and wasting money on private corporate contracts. However, a new report from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada shows that contracting out has doubled over the past decade.

This is $12 billion to private corporations for work that the public service can and should be doing.

How does the minister explain handing over $12 billion to the Liberals' corporate friends?