Debates of Jan. 29th, 2020

Infrastructure

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as the grandson of a proud B.C. fisheries minister, I can tell members that the health of our wild salmon stocks on the west coast is extremely important to me.

I can assure members that the fisheries minister as well as our partners in the provincial Government of British Columbia are working closely together to ensure the stability and growth of our salmon stocks that are so important for British Columbians and indeed for people right across the country.

The Environment

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is the moment of truth. The government cannot claim to be fighting climate change if it approves the Teck Frontier project. The Frontier project means 260,000 barrels of bitumen a day for 40 years and at least four million tonnes of CO2 a year. That spells the end of us meeting our greenhouse gas reduction targets and the end of the Paris agreement. The government knows that the Frontier project is the end of any hope of protecting the environment in Canada.

Will the Prime Minister say no once and for all to the Frontier project?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as I said during the election campaign, Canadians can rest assured that we will reach our greenhouse gas reduction targets set in Paris. We will even exceed those targets. We are also committed to achieving net zero in 2050. That is vital not only for the environment, but also for economic growth. We know that creating good jobs and economic growth for our communities across Canada is an essential part of environmental protection. We will still do both at the same time and find the right balance.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, planting billions of trees is not the solution here.

Just yesterday, the government was asking New Brunswick to abandon the Maritime Iron plant project. The government was worried that this project would prevent us from meeting our greenhouse gas reduction targets. My question today is exactly the same, but this time it is about Teck Frontier in Alberta. This company produces even more pollution, with at least four million tonnes of greenhouse gases per year for 40 years. I do not think the Prime Minister needs an environmental assessment to make this decision.

Will he step up and put an end to this project and its pollution?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we would rather look at environmental assessments. We make decisions based on science, unlike the member opposite, who could not care less about environmental assessments. We prefer to base our decisions on facts and science.

I do want to mention that planting two billion trees will make a difference in the fight against climate change. I am sorry that the member does not believe this is an important issue. We know that protecting and preserving our nature and forests is part of protecting our planet.

Health

[Rob Morrison, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we know the first two cases of the coronavirus detected in Canada were on flight CZ311, which had more than 100 passengers.

The question is, and all Canadians deserve an answer, do the Prime Minister and the government know the location of, and have they notified, every passenger who was on that flight?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question, because indeed it is something we are absolutely following up on. We recognize that Canada, unlike many countries that Canadians visit, does not ask where someone's final destination is when they board a plane. We are using data that we have collected, like the passenger manifest, to follow up, and I can assure members that we are in the process of ensuring a follow-up on everyone who was on that flight.

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we now have three confirmed cases of the coronavirus here in Canada. Cases in China have jumped 65% in one day, and health officials have confirmed there will be more cases here in Canada. Other nations are stopping flights in and out of China and introducing more rigorous screening processes.

Is the Prime Minister satisfied with the actions of his government?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, obviously we take this situation very seriously, but I can reassure Canadians that the health risk to Canadians continues to be low. We are taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection. The best practices are in place across Canadian hospitals to isolate patients who are experiencing symptoms. Preventative measures are in place in airports in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, and we continue to coordinate with the WHO, with our international partners, to ensure that we are doing everything necessary to keep Canadians safe.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the number of cases of coronavirus is soaring in China and around the world. In Canada there are three confirmed cases, and several Canadians are currently under observation.

According to the experts, this crisis has greatly surpassed the SARS epidemic, and the WHO today convened the emergency committee.

Can the Prime minister tell us that he is certain that the situation is under control and that he is satisfied with his government's response to this crisis?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our health system is very well prepared to deal with the coronavirus in Canada. We are taking all necessary precautions to prevent it from spreading. We are collaborating with our partners abroad, and Dr. Tam, who is the head of our Public Health Agency, is working as an expert at the WHO to ensure international coordination.

Our best practices are in place at hospitals and we have put preventive measures in place at airports. The risk to Canadians remains low and our health care system is prepared to prevent the virus from spreading.

The Environment

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, more and more Quebeckers are choosing to reduce their carbon footprint by buying zero-emission vehicles. From 2018 to 2019, the number of electric vehicles on Quebec roads increased by 71%. People in my riding, Alfred-Pellan, have claimed nearly $1 million under the federal incentive introduced in May of last year.

Would the Prime Minister please tell the House about incentives that encourage Canadians to opt for zero-emission vehicles?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Alfred-Pellan for his work and for bringing this excellent news to our attention.

Last year, we introduced a rebate worth up to $5,000 for zero-emission vehicle purchases. That incentive is part of our plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.

We will continue to introduce even more practical and affordable solutions to help all Canadians join the fight against climate change.

Foreign Affairs

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs responded to my Order Paper question on Canada's shocking vote against Israel at the United Nations with boilerplate deflection, which ignores the offensive implications of that vote.

Again, does the Prime Minister actually know? Does the Liberal government, with regard to Canada's vote of yes, actually now consider East Jerusalem, which contains the holiest site in Judaism, the Western Wall, as occupied Palestinian territory?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government remains committed to a goal of comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. That includes the creation of the Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel that is secure within its own borders.

We recognize the need to renew efforts toward a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We have long maintained that peace can only be achieved through direct negotiation between the parties. We are always ready to support dialogue between the parties toward a negotiated and viable two-state solution.

Ethics

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

Mr. Speaker, last week, we learned that under the Prime Minister, Canada has fallen to a 10-year low on the global corruption index. We know that the Prime Minister was found guilty of breaking the Conflict of Interest Act. We know he used his office to circumvent, undermine and discredit the director of public prosecutions and the Attorney General. However, we still do not have the full picture. The Prime Minister is engaged in a cover-up by blocking access to several witnesses.

When will the Prime Minister put the reputation of this country first and end the cover-up?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect their Prime Minister to stand up for jobs right across the country. That is what I will do and I will not apologize for that. We will do it in a way that respects the independence of our justice system.

We will continue to ensure that Canadians can prosper and that we are creating jobs. As we have seen over the past five years, over a million new jobs were created. We will stay focused on ensuring a better present and future for all Canadians.

Health

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this is a question about Taiwan. The health and safety of Canadians depends on an effective, internationally coordinated response to the coronavirus. Taiwan has identified five such cases.

Does the government support the inclusion of Taiwan in international discussions about the virus, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, yes. As we did during the time of the SARS virus, we support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international multilateral forums, especially when its presence provides important contributions to the global public good.

We believe that Taiwan's role as an observer in World Health Assembly meetings is in the best interest of the international health community and Taiwan is also an important partner in the fight—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

If I could just interrupt the hon. Prime Minister for a second, I am having a hard time hearing the answer. I am sure everybody else wants to hear what the right hon. Prime Minister has to say.

I will let him continue, if he has anything else to add.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we welcome participation from the entire international community to promote global health. That is why we have long taken this position.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Lyne Bessette, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, agriculture is a dynamic industry rife with opportunity. Since today is Bell Let's Talk Day, it is important to remember that the agriculture sector is not immune from mental distress. As part of their job, farmers have to cope with increasingly unpredictable weather conditions and global markets, and the uncertainty that this creates can weigh heavily on them.

Many organizations, such as Au coeur des familles agricoles in Quebec and the Farm Stress Line in Saskatchewan, are making outstanding efforts to support our farmers' well-being.

Could the Prime Minister—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order. The right hon. Prime Minister.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Brome—Missisquoi for her work and for her question.

Mental health is a societal issue. We care about farmers' well-being. It can be hard for farmers experiencing mental distress to confide in people close to them. We are providing support and a range of mental health awareness initiatives, and we are funding research to gain a better understanding of the situation. We want to make sure that farmers and their families know that there are resources available to help them through tough times.