Debates of Oct. 1st, 2020

Seniors

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have good news for seniors between the ages of 65 and 75. According to the federal government, they are immune to COVID-19. Even in a lockdown, they are immune to loneliness and isolation. The cost of groceries is not going up for those privileged to be between the ages of 65 and 75.

Seriously, can the government explain why seniors aged 65 to 75 do not deserve the same pension increase as other seniors? Why is the government creating two classes of seniors? Poverty does not wait for someone to turn 75.

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, while the government remains committed to implementing the policies as reaffirmed in our throne speech, at this time we are focused on managing the COVID-19 public health crisis. This year, we have invested over twice as much financial assistance for seniors as we committed to in our platform. We provided financial support to seniors 65 and above sooner and with greater support for the most vulnerable.

Seniors can be assured that our government has been there to support them during the pandemic and will continue to be there for them.

Telecommunications

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the industry minister said in 2016, “We must address the needs of Canadians who could have access to the Internet.” In 2017, he said, “They need these services". In 2018, he said, “...high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury.” In 2019, he said, “Access to high-speed Internet is essential”. Now it is 2020 and the Liberals are rehashing the same tired promises.

It has been five years. Canadians are frustrated and still waiting on this promise. When will we finally see some improvement on this issue?

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

Mr. Speaker, it has been five years and since we formed government, over a million households are on their way to getting connected to high-speed Internet. Today, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, along with the Prime Minister, announced an additional tool to connect three-quarters of a million households and businesses in underserved communities to high-speed Internet. That is in addition to the investments already made and in addition to the universal broadband fund.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

And it is still not working, Mr. Speaker.

The rural broadband expansion has been an unmitigated disaster. We have heard plenty of big plans from the Liberals over the last five years, but very little delivery and many unsatisfied Internet users. However, a new entrant, SpaceX, may be able to offer a solution that rural Canadians and their businesses have been desperately needing. It is not asking for a cent. It just wants its licence approved.

When will the minister get busy and give it the green light?

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's passion on this file. If he would like a briefing on how we have been moving forward and how we can work together, I am happy to offer it to him.

The needs across the country are diverse. We are attuned to those. We are looking for diverse partners to make that happen. Today's announcement on the partnership with the Infrastructure Bank is one way that we are moving forward.

If my colleague has solutions that he would like to bring to the table, I know we are all busy, but I will happily make time for him.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, announcing the same money over and over again is just not getting the job done. Here in New Brunswick, there remain tens of thousands of households and small businesses without access to reliable high-speed Internet connections.

In 2019, the Liberals said they would accelerate the expansion of rural Internet. They promised the same thing in May. They have made the same promise again in this new throne speech.

When will the minister give a clear timeline? When will upgraded connections roll out in rural New Brunswick?

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

Mr. Speaker, I hope that our Conservative colleagues will, first and foremost, support the Speech from the Throne where the commitments to accelerated and more ambitious supports for communities, like those in New Brunswick, were made.

Second, I want my colleague to know that we are working very hard to ensure that every household is connected to this essential service.

Third, I truly hope that colleagues who are interested are working to get their communities connected to our department so that we can help support strong applications moving forward.

Seniors

[Lenore Zann, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize that today is National Seniors Day. Here in Cumberland—Colchester, we have many incredible seniors who have helped build Nova Scotia through good times and bad times. In fact, they have helped build the Canada that we love today.

However, many seniors across Canada are facing isolation and uncertainty, especially with fears of the second wave of COVID-19. I was pleased to hear a renewed commitment from government to protect and support seniors in the throne speech.

Could the Minister of Seniors please tell us exactly what she has been doing and will be doing to help support Canadian seniors?

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Cumberland—Colchester for the opportunity to send my best wishes to our elders on National Seniors Day.

Today I invite everyone to show their love and appreciation for the seniors in their lives. During the pandemic, our government has provided financial, social and health supports to seniors. We have an ambitious agenda to increase old age security and improve the quality of long-term care, and accelerate universal pharmacare and help seniors remain in their homes as they age.

We will continue to be there for Canada's seniors every step of the way.

Health

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal government, Health Canada is permitting dozens of large-scale medical cannabis grow-ops with hundreds of plants to operate in the suburbs of my riding.

One family suffered a break-in after their home was mistaken for the grow-op next door. Health Canada is refusing to share critical information that law enforcement needs in order to shut down any illicit gro-ops.

Medical cannabis can be grown safely, but there is a loophole that is impacting the safety and quality of life of my constituents. Will the health minister be putting their needs first and close the loophole immediately?

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we worked very hard to ensure we would get the bulk of the illegal cannabis industry off the streets, having a product on the street without knowing what was in it. The legislation to legalize cannabis in Canada has been successful and we have taken away a big portion of the business that was on the street.

I would be pleased to open up a dialogue with the member, to have a conversation at any time, at her convenience on this issue.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, it has been over two weeks of questions about the Nova Scotia fisheries crisis without getting great answers.

The Prime Minister made reconciliation with our first nations a priority, speaking of understanding, friendship and redressing past digressions. Honest discussions must take place with both sides so they can work together for a better future.

In its desire for reconciliation, why is the government knowingly pitting indigenous and non-indigenous against each other in St. Mary's Bay and destroying any friendship that has been maintained for over 300 years?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, since day one, the priority has been to de-escalate the tensions that we have seen on the water in southwestern Nova Scotia. I am thankful to say that this actually is happening now.

Now we work with the first nations community as well as with industry as we go forward. We believe that the best way to do this is through respectful dialogue. We are currently in discussions with first nations communities. They are actually saying that these discussions are positive. Today is an extremely special day in Nova Scotia, happy treaty day.

We will continue to do this to ensure we implement these first nations' rights.

Natural Resources

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has the highest unemployment in the G7 and our finances are teetering on the brink.

TC Energy's natural gas pipeline expansion could have generated 5,500 good-paying jobs and $4 billion in investment, with all the tax revenue to go with it. The Canadian Energy Regulator recommended this project for approval back in February, but the Liberals still have not acted.

Does the lifeline that the NDP threw the government include a knife in the back of the west again or are the Liberals just this spiteful all on their own?

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

Mr. Speaker, in the face of COVID-19 and at the request of several indigenous communities, our government extended the deadline for a decision on the NGTL project in order to safely and meaningful consult and address outstanding concerns as appropriate.

As the House knows very well, good projects only get done when we take the time and do the hard work to meet our constitutional duty to meaningful consult with potentially impacted first nations.

Justice

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in February, our government tabled Bill C-7 to comply with a Quebec Superior Court ruling, which ordered changes to Canada's medical assistance in dying law. However, due to the pandemic, our government was granted an extension until December 2020 to comply with this order.

Could the Minister of Justice please update the House on our government's plan to comply with the Truchon decision and to respect the court-imposed deadline?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice]

Mr. Speaker, in the coming days, our government will reintroduce what was formally Bill C-7 on medical assistance in dying. We consulted extensively on this legislation and believe that it ensures personal autonomy and choice, while protecting the most vulnerable. It affirms the inherent and equal value of every life.

As we move forward, we will work to ensure the parliamentary process is inclusive and accessible. I want to assure my hon. colleague and all Canadians that even in a pandemic, all voices will be heard on this deeply personal and important issue.

Government Programs

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my constituent, Brian, tried to apply online for CERB retroactive payments on September 29, after learning the rules for CERB had changed. To his shock, he was told that he could only apply for the last period of the CERB payment.

When we looked into this, the CRA agent told my office that on September 28 they received direction to limit the retroactive applications. There was no public warning whatsoever of this change, and it is contrary to what the government's own website states. This is utterly unfair and unacceptable.

Will the minister honour the original deadline for retroactive payments?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the member that if there are any particular cases, I will certainly look into it.

When Canadians needed support the most, the Canada emergency response benefit was there to help support nearly nine million people pay their bills and be there for their families. While we see an economic restart in some jurisdictions and sectors, we know there is still a long way to go.

That is why our government is implementing the next phase of our economic recovery plan, new flexibilities in the employment insurance program that will allow more Canadians to apply and receive a minimum of $500 per week for at least 26 weeks and new income support benefits that will provide similar support to non-EI Canadians.

Health

[Marwan Tabbara, Liberal, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear the government's announcement of the purchase of 7.9 million rapid point of care COVID-19 tests, which have been approved by Health Canada.

As we head into the fall months, could the minister update the House and Canadians on three things: first, the accuracy of the test; second, to whom the tests are being distributed to across Canada; and third, who is making the distribution decision?

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians need access to better and faster testing. That is something we are all very clear on and that is something we are delivering on. We are working around the clock to make evidence-based decisions so we can approve and procure new testing technologies. After a thorough review by Health Canada, the Abbott ID NOW rapid test, as announced yesterday, was approved for use in Canada.

Decisions on distribution are not and must not be political. PHAC is working closely with its provincial and territorial partners to ensure these tests go where they are needed most.

Oral Questions

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, page 623 of Bosc and Gagnon states, “The proceedings of the House are based on a long-standing tradition of respect for the integrity of all Members. Thus, the use of offensive, provocative or threatening language in the House is strictly forbidden.”

Today, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement called the question from my colleague for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles “irrelevant”. She may have also inadvertently misled the House. In fact, I have great respect for the minister; she is a learned law professor. She suggested his question was irrelevant because the contract for ventilators was with a company FTI Professional.

Let me pierce the corporate veil. A press release this year from Baylis Medical said, “The Baylis V4C-560 ventilator, manufactured in partnership with FTI Professional Grade Inc. (FTI), and Baylis Medical, is part of the order commissioned—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I will interrupt the hon. member. I think we are getting into debate. I can understand the first part.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!