House of Commons Hansard #12 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was deal.
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Madam Speaker, how we proceed in a way that protects the health of Canadians here in Canada and the health of Canadians abroad in China is a great question. We are working, as the member noted, on a plan to repatriate Canadians who wish to come back and to support them in a way that protects their health and protects the health of all Canadians.
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Madam Speaker, what is the plan? Canadians need more information. Once Canadians in China have safely returned to Canada, what is the protocol in place to protect Canadians at home? Will those returning be mandated to remain in quarantine? If yes, for how long?
The government has indicated that there will be an enhanced screening process. What does the screening process look like, and when will the government contact all of those who were on impacted flights for the confirmed cases already in Canada? Canadians need reassurance. Canadians need answers today.
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Madam Speaker, talking about misinformation, it is difficult to contain the spread of misinformation if we are conflating two separate issues.
The member opposite has asked about the number of contacts who were beside the patient in Toronto, who has since recovered. All of those people sitting within two metres have been contacted and confirmed as not having the coronavirus, so that piece is complete.
In terms of returning people from China, I will note that China will not allow people who are ill to travel. We will have a very comprehensive screening process in partnership with Canadian health care professionals on the ground, and we will continue to update as we know more.
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Madam Speaker, in November the Liberal government created the department of middle class prosperity. When asked to define the middle class, the new minister said she did not really know and did not have any hard data. She said they are families that have a quality of life and can send their kids to play hockey or even have different activities.
Can the minister tell us if her definition of the middle class is as fuzzy as her definition of personal happiness?
Mona Fortier LiberalMinister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague opposite for his question.
Ever since day one, our government has been working to strengthen and grow the middle class. We know people want an affordable home, a good education for their children and a dignified, secure retirement. That is what we are going to focus on. We have already accomplished step one, which was lowering taxes for the middle class. We will keep working for the middle class.
I would invite my colleague opposite to—
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Madam Speaker, I will help my colleague across the way.
The middle class is the 81% of families who are paying more taxes since the Liberals came to power. They are the families who are fed up with paying too many taxes. They are the families who are trying to make ends meet, who are having financial difficulties. They are the families who are paying for the subsidies to Loblaws and Mastercard because of the ridiculous decisions of this government.
If the minister really wants to help the middle class, she can ask the Minister of Finance to stop spending money at the expense of Canadian families.
Mona Fortier LiberalMinister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
Madam Speaker, while the opposition fixates on a specific number, we are taking action. That is why, when it comes to the middle class, our record speaks for itself. In 2015, the first thing we did was to lower taxes for the middle class while asking the wealthy to pay a bit more. We created the Canada child benefit, and we also lowered taxes this year at the beginning of our mandate. We will continue to work with the middle class to ensure that it has an affordable life and a good—
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Madam Speaker, we have been saying for years now that expanding targeted infrastructure programs with all kinds of strict criteria does not work. The program to deal with flooding is blocked, and that is according to the government's own report. Since no agreement could be reached with our national government, not a single project has been funded in Quebec. Not a single dollar has been transferred. Meanwhile, flooding is only getting worse and the cities are crying out for help.
When will this government do the only thing that actually is its responsibility, namely, transfer the money?
Catherine McKenna LiberalMinister of Infrastructure and Communities
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. Of course we are delivering on our commitment to invest in Quebec and the rest of the country. We are investing in green infrastructure. We are investing to ensure that our communities are more resilient. We are investing to create more public transit. There are many projects in Quebec.
We will continue to do so. We will continue working with Quebec and the municipalities.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Madam Speaker, the report clearly states that the government provided no funding to Quebec this time.
Floods are worsening and happening more frequently as a result of climate change. So-called 100-year floods are now happening every 20 years. Floods that should happen every five years are now commonplace. People are starting to dread the arrival of spring, yet the money is frozen in Ottawa because the government insists on making all of the decisions and adding strict criteria for these programs.
How much more global warming will it take to thaw this money?
Catherine McKenna LiberalMinister of Infrastructure and Communities
Madam Speaker, we are working with Quebec. We have already launched 10 projects in Quebec to make communities more resilient. We have projects all across Quebec, including the blue line in Montreal, the tramway in Quebec and the Champlain Bridge. We are working with Quebec and we will continue to do so. We do indeed need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and make our communities more resilient.
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Madam Speaker, in 2018, this House voted unanimously to support an NDP motion that meant that all the money left on the table at the end of the year for our veterans would go into the next fiscal budget.
Not only did this not happen, but the total money budgeted went down by $127 million, and at the end of the fiscal year, there was still over $100 million sitting on the table.
This is happening while veterans are struggling every day to get their needs met. Shame on the Liberal government. Can the minister explain to this House and to veterans why that is the case?
Darrell Samson LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Madam Speaker, our benefits are demand driven. This means that the money is always available to veterans who come forward. We are not leaving any money unspent. We are making sure that the money is available for all our veterans.
We know that all members of the House want to see veterans taken care of, and that is exactly what we are doing and will continue to do.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Madam Speaker, when it comes to indigenous kids, the Liberal government continues to wilfully and recklessly discriminate against first nations children on reserve.
The Liberals have fought court order after court order and are ignoring the unanimous will of this House. The Prime Minister is so committed to his crusade to deny these kids justice that he has spent over $5 million on court fees to fight them.
Why does the Prime Minister think this money is better spent on lawyers than on children?
Arif Virani LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Madam Speaker, this is a very important issue. What we stand by and fully agree with is that compensation for first nations children must be forthcoming for those who were harmed by past government policies.
We are seeking a solution to this issue that is comprehensive, fair and equitable for all first nations children in relation to child and family services.
The specific details with respect to payment and costs associated with litigation are covered by solicitor-client privilege. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on that particular issue.
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Madam Speaker, the current government recently gave Mastercard almost $50 million. Bear in mind these are taxpayer dollars. As if that were not enough, the story continues to evolve. We recently found out, thanks to the Post Millennial, that it was a former chief of staff within the Liberal Party who is now functioning as the chief lobbyist for Mastercard and secured this money. She also happens to be a maximum donor to the Liberal Party of Canada. Coincidence? I think not.
Why is it that the Liberals always seem to get paid while Canadians always seem to foot the bill?
William Amos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Innovation
Madam Speaker, it is obvious that this is an investment in the data protection of Canadians and Canadian jobs. Our government is investing in a new world-class cybersecurity centre in Vancouver, leveraging $100-plus million in private sector investment and literally hundreds of millions of dollars in private sector investment. It is going to create hundreds of new jobs, including for co-op students. It is going to protect Canadians from cyber-threats in an increasingly digital world.
That is what Canadians are asking us to do and that is exactly what we are going to do.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON
Madam Speaker, countless hours working as a top aide to Liberal ministers, years of maximizing her donations to the Liberal Party, years of working as a lobbyist for Mastercard and multiple meetings with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry: the cost to the taxpayer, $50 million. Ending Liberal corruption, that would be priceless.
Why do Liberal insiders continue to receive millions of dollars while Canadians are failing to meet their minimum payment to Mastercard?
William Amos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Innovation
Madam Speaker, the Conservative members' outrage knows no bounds.
Our job as a government is to attract investment into Canada, create great Canadian jobs and protect Canadians from cybersecurity threats. We have leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars from the private sector.
Mastercard could have implemented a centre of excellence in cybersecurity anywhere in the world, but it chose Vancouver. That is great news for Canada.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Speaker, as Canadians get their credit card bills in the mail, Mastercard gets a cheque for $50 million from taxpayers, thanks to the Liberals. This is a multinational, hugely profitable company. Today, the Post Millennial reported that, coincidentally, Mastercard's chief lobbyist is a former Liberal aide who has personally donated thousands of dollars to the Liberal Party.
When will the government stop the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars with its Liberal friends?
William Amos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Innovation
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question because, as I said before, it is manufactured outrage.
I would like to quote the Leader of the Opposition from a September 6 press release, where he stated:
It is vital, that the government adopt new policies and keep up with technology to make sure that Canadians—their money and their personal information—is protected.
I am sure members opposite would agree that we need to invest in technology and centres like this cybersecurity centre in Vancouver so that the data of Canadians is protected and they have confidence when they are banking online. This is what we are investing in. We are very proud to do it.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes
I want to remind members, especially on the opposition side, that they had the opportunity to ask questions without being interrupted. I would ask that we have order in the House so that we can get through Oral Questions so people can understand the questions and answers, especially those who are listening at home.
The hon. member for Steveston—Richmond East.