House of Commons Hansard #8 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was iii.

Topics

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Holland Liberal Ajax, ON

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and I believe and hope that if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House: (a) the members to serve on both the Standing Committee on International Trade and the Standing Committee on Finance be appointed by the whip of each recognized party depositing with the Clerk of the House a list of his or her party's members of the said committees no later than the ordinary hour of adjournment today; (b) the Clerk of the House shall convene a meeting of both said committees no later than Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

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

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

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

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)

Religious FreedomPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be presenting a petition signed by many members of Canada's vibrant Muslim community, highlighting an important issue of civil rights and religious freedom in Canada.

I wish to present a petition regarding Quebec's Bill 21. The petition acknowledges that the bill opposes Canadians' basic human rights and calls on the House of Commons to condemn this piece of legislation.

The EnvironmentPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Green

Paul Manly Green Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a petition that calls on the government to collaborate with the provinces on the immediate development and implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to reduce waste in Canada, including the development of mandatory extended producer responsibility programs and deposit return programs, which will both reduce environmental impacts and save Canadians money.

Herring FisheryPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to table a petition on behalf of residents of coastal British Columbia.

The petitioners draw attention to the fact that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced that the Pacific herring population dropped by nearly a third from 2016 to 2019, and it looks as though it will drop by more than 50% by 2020. The unexpected drop in the herring population has led to overfishing of the existing stock. Pacific herring is the basis of the food web that supports wild Pacific salmon, killer and humpback whales, cod, halibut, sea birds and other interdependent species on the Pacific coast.

The petitioners want recognition of first nations' constitutional protective rights to herring, which are an important food source and an integral part of first nations culture.

The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to suspend the 2020 Salish Sea herring fishery until a whole-of-ecosystem plan is developed, to fairly compensate local fishers for the economic losses they might incur and to ensure that decisions are made with the full participation of first nations and local communities.

United Nations Convention to Combat DesertificationPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise to present this petition.

The petitioners are calling on Canada to return to the United Nations convention on drought and desertification. We had withdrawn from the convention in 2012 under the former Conservative government and were the only party to do so.

In the time it takes to present petitions, I am happy to inform the House that the government has rejoined the convention on drought and desertification, and I am happy to so inform the petitioners.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 2, 5, 14, 18 to 20, 24, 31, 32, 35, 40, 46, 58, 61, 63, 65 to 67, 70, 77, 80, 87 to 91, 103, 106, 107, 114, 119, 120, 125, 127 to 129, 130, 132, 133, 135, 138 to 140, 143, 146, 149 to 151, 157 to 160, 163, 173, 175, 178, 179, 183, 194, 200, 204, 206, 208, 212, 216, 225, 231 and 238.

Question No. 2Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

With regard to the practice known as “March Madness” where expenditures are made in order to avoid having unspent funds at the end of each fiscal year: what are the specific policies, programs or incentives that are currently in place, if any, in order to discourage March Madness spending, broken down by (i) department, (ii) agency, (iii) Crown corporation, and (iv) other government entity?

Question No. 2Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Hull—Aylmer Québec

Liberal

Greg Fergus LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and to the Minister of Digital Government

Mr. Speaker, the Treasury Board’s financial policy instruments apply to departments as defined in section 2 of the Financial Administration Act, or FAA. Organizations in the Government of Canada, for example Crown corporations, that are not defined in section 2 of the FAA are encouraged to adopt these policy instruments to the extent possible.

Under Treasury Board’s policy on financial management, the deputy head, as accounting officer for the department, is responsible for ensuring that departments have effective systems of internal control to mitigate risks in the following broad categories: public resources are used prudently and in an economical manner; financial management processes are effective and efficient; and relevant legislation, regulations and financial management policy instruments are being complied with.

Deputy heads are also responsible for effective multi-year expenditure plans, or multi-year financial planning, to ensure funds are spent on departmental priorities. Departments must maintain effective due diligence and ongoing monitoring of spending to ensure alignment to their mandates.

Additionally, most departments are able to carry forward a portion of unspent funds from one year to the next. This flexibility acts as a disincentive for the “March madness” spending.

Question No. 5Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

With regard to the SNC-Lavalin affair: (a) how many individuals has the Privy Council Office determined are to be bound by cabinet confidence and are thus unable to speak with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); and (b) will the Prime Minister allow the RCMP to conduct a full investigation and waive cabinet confidence for all individuals the RCMP wishes to interview, and, if not, why not?

Question No. 5Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Mississauga Centre Ontario

Liberal

Omar Alghabra LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Public Service Renewal) and to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, anyone having access to confidences of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, i.e., cabinet confidences, is required to maintain the confidentiality of that information. This includes ministers of the Crown, ministerial exempt staff and departmental officials. Before taking office as a member of the Queen’s Privy Council, every minister swears to keep matters discussed in council, including cabinet, secret. Public servants and ministerial staff are required, as a condition of employment, to keep confidential any information that comes to their knowledge in the performance of their duties pursuant to the terms and conditions of employment.

The government fully co-operated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In the course of an investigation, the RCMP is independent of the control of the government. Whether the RCMP conducts an investigation is a decision of the RCMP alone. Therefore, only the RCMP would be aware if any minister of the Crown, ministerial exempt staff or departmental official invoked their confidentiality obligations in this matter.

The RCMP was given the same access to cabinet confidences and privileged information as was provided to the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, pursuant to Order in Council P.C. 2019-0105. The decision to provide access to the RCMP was made by the Clerk of the Privy Council as custodian of cabinet confidences.

Any questions concerning activities of the RCMP should be forwarded to them directly.

Question No. 14Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

With regard to projects funded under the Canada 150 Signature Project Program: (a) what are the details of each project, including (i) project name, (ii) description, (iii) location, (iv) original project cost, (v) final project cost, (vi) original funding commitment, (vii) final funding amount provided to the project, (viii) project completion date; and (b) for each project that went over budget or required additional government funding, what was the reason for the cost overrun?

Question No. 14Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Toronto—Danforth Ontario

Liberal

Julie Dabrusin LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, information on grants and contributions awarded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, including pan-Canadian signature projects of Canada 150, is available on the Government of Canada proactive disclosure website: https://search.open.canada.ca/en/gc/?sort=score_desc&page=1&search_text=&gc-search-orgs=Canadian%20Heritage.

Of note, the location of a beneficiary is not representative of the scope of a project. For instance, signature activities were of a national scale and, therefore, were delivered in many communities across Canada.

Question No. 18Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

With regard to the late delivery of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) by Irving Shipbuilding, which was originally scheduled for 2018 and is now scheduled for 2020: (a) what is the new anticipated delivery date; (b) why was the delivery date delayed; and (c) will the government receive a discount or will Irving Shipbuilding be required to pay a late delivery fee as a result of the delay and, if so, how much?

Question No. 18Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Gatineau Québec

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, the new anticipated delivery date for the first Arctic and offshore patrol ship by Irving Shipbuilding is early 2020.

With regard to part (b), shipbuilding is complex, especially for a first-of-class vessel, and schedules can be challenging to predict. In the case of the first Arctic and offshore patrol ship, the originally anticipated delivery date of summer 2018 has been adjusted to early 2020. The adjustments to the schedule result from challenges associated with new production processes within a new facility on a first-of-class vessel. Irving Shipbuilding has learned lessons from the build of the first ship that are being applied to the construction of the subsequent ships. Resulting efficiencies will help the planning and achievement of anticipated dates for the delivery of the other ships in the class and the program as a whole.

With regard to part (c), although there are no late delivery fees or discounts, the shipyard is financially incentivized to deliver on schedule and on budget. The level of profit varies depending on the final cost of each ship, which is a factor of time and level of effort. Further, the contract calls for the supplier to report regularly to Canada on schedule and cost performance, for individual ships as well as for the program as a whole, which is designed to provide the government with the information required to manage the program and to update planned delivery dates as is reasonable and appropriate.

Question No. 19Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

With regard to the diplomatic letter received by the government from United States officials that criticizes the level of defence spending: (a) what are the details of the letter including, (i) date on which it was received, (ii) sender, (iii) recipient, (iv) summary; and (b) how many similar letters critical of the level of defence spending have been received by the government since November 4, 2015, and what are the details of all such letters, including (i) date, (ii) sender, (iii) recipient, (iv) summary?

Question No. 19Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Vancouver South B.C.

Liberal

Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, positions Canada to remain strong at home, secure in North America and engaged in the world. Through this policy, Canada is making significant investments to the Canadian Armed Forces.

The United States remains Canada’s most important ally and defence partner. The Canada-U.S. bilateral defence partnership covers the full range of defence activities, from joint training exercises to personnel exchanges, strategic policy discussions and operational co-operation both at home and abroad. Canada is committed to remaining secure in North America, through our partnership with the U.S., including through the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD. Canada and the U.S. are both founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, and Canada remains committed to working with the U.S. and NATO allies and partners to contribute to a more stable, peaceful world.

With regard to parts (a) and (b), in processing parliamentary returns, the Government of Canada applies the principles of the Access to Information Act and certain information is withheld on the grounds that disclosing such information would be injurious to national security, defence and/or international affairs.

Question No. 20Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

With regard to the new search and rescue planes, which were supposed to be delivered by Airbus on December 1, 2019: (a) why was the delivery date delayed; and (b) what is the new delivery date?

Question No. 20Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Vancouver South B.C.

Liberal

Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, this government is making investments to ensure that our search and rescue crews have the necessary aircraft to support life-saving services to Canadians in need. As such, we are procuring 16 new planes that are capable of providing improved search and rescue capabilities over long ranges, in difficult weather conditions and at night.

Canada accepted the first aircraft in Spain on December 18, 2019. As outlined in the defence capabilities blueprint, National Defence anticipates receiving all aircraft by 2022-23. For more information, please visit: http://dgpaapp.forces.gc.ca/en/defence-capabilities-blueprint/project-details.asp?id=1721

With regard to part (a), the acceptance of the first aircraft was delayed to ensure final inspections of the aircraft could be completed and to assess the readiness of the aircraft operating manuals.

With regard to part (b), as noted above, Canada accepted the first aircraft on December 18, 2019.

Question No. 24Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB

With regard to page 25 of the Liberal Party of Canada election platform which stated that “we will merge existing financial and advisory services currently scattered between several agencies into Farm Credit Canada”: (a) which specific entities and services will be merged into Farm Credit Canada (FCC); (b) how many jobs at each of the entities in (a) will be (i) eliminated, (ii) transferred to FCC; (c) what is the breakdown of jobs in (b) by location; and (d) what is the projected timeline for this merger?