Debates of Oct. 2nd, 2020

Defacing of Police Monument

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

Mr. Speaker, last month, the statue of the late Constable Ezio Faraone of the Edmonton Police was desecrated with graffiti.

On June 25, 1990, Ezio Faraone was courageously pursuing two bank robbers when he was shot and killed. He died at the young age of 33, and to this day he is remembered as a man of honour. Ezio Faraone was murdered for doing nothing more than his job. He put his life on the line to keep our community safe, and he paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, but part of a trend. Acts of vandalism against the monuments to those who have given their lives to protect our communities must be condemned unequivocally, and perpetrators of such vile acts must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Belarus

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Canadians, including Belarusian Canadians, I thank our government for condemning the fraudulent elections in Belarus and for imposing tough sanctions. Canada stands in solidarity with the people in Belarus.

I would like to recognize Nepean residents Dr. Piotra Murzionak, president of the Ottawa Chapter of the Belarusian Canadian Alliance, and Siarhei Mazgavoi for their hard work in highlighting the devastating actions of the dictatorships in Belarus.

For many years, Belarusian Canadians from all across Canada have fought for justice and human rights in Belarus, and have organized several events on Parliament Hill.

Housing

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Mr. Speaker, housing in Nunavut and across the North is in a crisis state.

I recently did a housing tour in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions, and what I saw was was inhumane. Lack of adequate housing and safe spaces result in death. Inuit are dying. I saw homes where babies and young children were living that were overcrowded and mould-ridden, and that had not been renovated in years.

The Nunavut Housing Corporation is severely underfunded by the federal government. The federal government has a responsibility to fund housing in an adequate way, with appropriate materials for the North. Adequate housing is the least this government can do after years of neglect, oppression and colonization.

I will be presenting a report on what I saw in the coming weeks, and I expect the federal government to act on it now. Inuit and Nunavummiut cannot wait any longer.

School in Pierrefonds—Dollard

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the pleasure of visiting children and teachers at Collège Beaubois, an elementary school and high school in my riding.

The day I visited, I planted a tree with the students and the principal, Éric Rivard. Mr. Rivard then signed A Pact for the Transition, which is a wonderful initiative to reduce our ecological footprint.

Collège Beaubois already supports neighbouring communities, especially the most disadvantaged communities, and it is now committed to reducing its ecological footprint by adopting a number of measures, such as promoting educational content that is focused on the environment, environmental responsibility and eco-citizenship; adopting sustainable development practices in the management of its building; and joining forces with partners in the community to share solutions to address the climate crisis.

On behalf of the people of Pierrefonds—Dollard, I want to congratulate—

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We have passed the one-minute mark.

The hon. member for Steveston—Richmond East.

Conversion Therapy

[Kenny Chiu, Conservative, Steveston—Richmond East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition leader is correct in saying “the importance of respecting the rights of my fellow citizens was paramount” and that we as parliamentarians secure the rights of every Canadian, including the LGBT+ community.

I too will be clear. Harmful and coercive conversion therapy that seeks to demean and denigrate people for who are they are is reprehensible, is wrong and must be banned.

In March 2020, the government introduced Bill C-8 to ban the practice. However, the definition in Bill C-8 was so poorly worded, so unsound, that any rational individual would recognize it as an empty virtual signal.

Yesterday, instead of listening to feedback on how to improve the bill's sloppy wording, the government chose to reintroduce it verbatim as Bill C-6.

Ending conversion therapy must be done responsibly, with the spirit of compassion, wholeheartedly in good faith rather than cynically giving token recognition to a community asking for help.

Latin American Heritage Month

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Speaker, October has been celebrated as Latin American Heritage Month in Canada since 2018.

More than 400,000 people of Latin American heritage contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political fabric of this country. On that note, I want to honour the dedication of certain MPs from various parties who have served in this House, including my compatriots Osvaldo Nunez, Paulina Ayala and of course, my colleague, the hon. Pablo Rodriguez.

I am Chilean, the daughter of a valiant, resilient people that takes pride in our ancestors. For over 20 years, our freedom was taken away. Children, women, men, members of my family, and artists and journalists were tortured, arrested, kidnapped or murdered, including Victor Jara, one of Chile's greatest poets and singers.

[Member spoke in Spanish]

First Trans-Canada Flight

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the first trans-Canada flight, a significant achievement by members of the Canadian Air Board, a department of the Dominion of Canada established in 1919 to oversee the development of aviation in Canada following the First World War.

On October 7, 1920, a seaplane departed Canadian Air Board Station Dartmouth, now the location of the Royal Canadian Air Force's 12 Wing Shearwater. The aircraft was bound for Vancouver, nearly 5,400 kilometres away, an incredible feat through the successful completion of the first trans-continental crossing of Canada by air.

The air board brought aviation to the attention of the Canadian public, so much so that former Governor General Vincent Massey said, “The aircraft came to Canada as a godsend...It probably has meant more to us than it has to any other country.”

This historic event brought two Canadian coasts together and deserves our recognition.

Town of Innisfil

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 200th anniversary of the town of Innisfil. Yes, Innisfil is older than the Dominion of Canada.

The story of Innisfil began in 1820 with the official survey that laid out the boundaries and concessions. The first settlers were the Hewson and Soules families that arrived by way of the East Holland River and beautiful Lake Simcoe to settle at what is now Big Bay Point.

It was not long before John and George Warnica’s efforts cleared the way for Yonge Street and Highway 11 to be built through Innisfil, an important route connecting York and Barrie that was completed in 1825.

The earliest official recorded census shows that by 1842 the population of Innisfil was 762. Today, Innisfil is a growing, inclusive, vibrant and innovative town of distinct communities with a population of over 36,000.

Although the anniversary celebrations have not happened as planned because of COVID, I wish Mayor Lynn Dollin, council and all the residents of the town of Innisfil a very happy 200th anniversary.

Opioids

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic is the public health crisis of our generation. However, there is another crisis that is killing Canadians at an alarming rate, the opioid crisis. Opioid overdoses are now responsible for more deaths in the country each month than COVID-19.

Our government's approach to opioids has been consistent since 2015. Substance use and addictions are health care problems, not criminal ones. The solution to these problems lies in a stronger public health approach, not in tougher criminal sanctions. That starts with harm reduction.

When we learned that the vast number of overdose deaths were linked to the presence of fentanyl in the illegal supply of opioids, we took action. Our government is investing $9.5 million to ensure the safe supply of opioids. This approach, coupled with supports and treatments for substance use addiction, will help save lives and improve public health.

Of this funding, $582,000 is being delivered to my riding to the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. This will enable Angela Robertson and her dedicated team to continue the critical harm reduction work and continue to save lives in our community.

Natural Resources

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on March 24, the former finance minister told Albertans that help for our hurting oil and gas sector was “hours, possibly days” away. That was around 190 days ago, and still nothing.

Albertans watched last week's throne speech anxiously awaiting a plan, any kind of plan, but still nothing. In fact, Canada's resource economy was not mentioned at all. We are a patient bunch, but when we have to wait half a year, it shows negligence.

Should Albertans just take the Prime Minister at his word about phasing out the industry? The only thing the Liberal government is saying is that Alberta's oil and gas sector is closed for business. It is saying goodbye to all the revenues it generates for our hospitals and schools, and all the families that depend on those jobs.

It is a bleak time in Alberta and people are looking for hope, something the government is not offering.

COVID-19

[Bob Benzen, Conservative, Calgary Heritage, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dancehall was an iconic business in my riding that built up a loyal following over nearly 50 years. It was also home for rodeo history, with hundreds of pieces of memorabilia loaned over the years by champion ropers and riders, yet even its unique profile could not save Ranchman's from the economic ravages of the COVID lockdown.

Solvent and profitable businesses like Ranchman's and others across Calgary, Alberta and Canada have disappeared or are struggling to survive commerce-killing, government-imposed restrictions. The negative impacts of job losses and isolation on individuals are having a detrimental effect on society as a whole.

The response to ongoing public health challenges cannot always be just more economic shutdowns that businesses have no capacity to endure. Will the Prime Minister finally present a realistic plan that balances keeping Canadians safe with protecting their jobs?

The Environment

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the climate crisis and growth of inequality represent the pre-eminent environmental and social challenges of our time. Our planet faces catastrophic impacts if we do not take strong and urgent action to reduce carbon emissions. The unjustifiable concentration of wealth in the hands of so few while so many are struggling threatens the stability of our society and challenges the morality of our nation.

The COVID crisis presents us with a unique opportunity to hasten the transition to a sustainable and just economy. It is time to implement innovative policies like a universal basic income, a full-employment strategy, a nature-first lens and adopt measures of growth that capture true well-being.

At their core is the recognition that all people matter and we have one planet, whose well-being is our responsibility to steward for all generations to come. By aligning recovery measures with environmental and social justice priorities, we can set Canada on a course to a truly sustainable future.

Montreal East/Pointe-aux-Trembles Women's Centre

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Centre des femmes de Montréal-Est/Pointe-aux-Trembles, which works to pull women out of social isolation, help them stand up for their rights, and support their socioeconomic integration.

The Centre des femmes de Montréal-Est/Pointe-aux-Trembles is a pillar of our community that has been present in La Pointe-de-l'Île since 1975. It offers educational, facilitation, support and listening services to empower women from all walks of life and backgrounds to take control of their own destiny.

I also want to extend my thanks and appreciation to the founder, Gisèle Pomerleau, the director, Dorette Mekamdjio, the chair, Danielle Roy, and the whole team for the invaluable work they do. This is a caring, engaged, dedicated, dynamic team that is always there for women in Montreal East and Pointe-aux-Trembles.

Happy 25th anniversary to the Centre des femmes de Montréal-Est/Pointe-aux-Trembles.

Housing

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 lockdown and sanctions have left hundreds of thousands of Canadians without a job. Many homeowners affected had to ask themselves how they would pay their mortgages without a job. In an expensive housing market like the GTA, it is almost impossible. Mortgage deferrals helped, but came to an end this week. I have already received calls from concerned people across the GTA.

The threat of thousands of people losing their homes should be top of mind for the Liberal government. The throne speech could have addressed these concerns. Instead of any action or a plan, there was silence. The word “mortgage” did not make it into the speech at all. I hope the government will address this huge oversight.

Sisters in Spirit

[Yvonne Jones, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, on October 4, we honour the lives of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people. We support survivors and families and we recommit to concrete change to end the violence and to protect future generations.

On this day, and every day, our hearts are with the survivors and the families. Our government is working with all partners to develop a national action plan that sets a clear road map to ensure that indigenous women and girls, two-spirit and gender diverse people are safe.

Due to the pandemic, how we participate in this is critically important today and will change this year. I urge everyone, all parliamentarians and all Canadians, to take time on Sunday to acknowledge and reflect on what every Canadian can do to end this unacceptable situation for indigenous Canadians. Whether it is through outdoor and socially distancing events or online virtual vigils, I encourage everyone to participate.

Health

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I join with the leader of the official opposition and the Prime Minister in wishing the President of the United States and the First Lady a speedy recovery from COVID-19.

This situation serves as a reminder that rapid testing exists in the U.S. People in Canada are too often made to wait a very long time. The government announced that a rapid test has just been approved. That is great, but it was long overdue, as that test was approved in the U.S. six months ago.

Why did the government drag its feet?

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

Mr. Speaker, 7.9 million tests were ordered from Abbott and 2.5 million are arriving in the next few weeks, as late as December 31. We are working day and night to get these tests approved. Over 7.4 million Canadians have already been tested for COVID-19.

We are seeing a fall resurgence. We must continue to increase laboratory capacity and the number of tests done per day. We will continue to work with provinces and territories to ensure that we can do a high number of tests per day, but also have the resources to do rapid contact tracing and treatment of new cases.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the late 1990s, Canada created something that was very important and quite interesting, namely the Global Public Health Intelligence Network, which was mandated to help fight any pandemics that might emerge. It worked well in the fight against SARS and H1N1, for example. In 2018, however, the Liberal government decided to change that organization's role. The upshot is that rather than relying on Canadian scientists, the Liberal government is relying on the WHO.

Why did the government do that? This was very costly to Canada in terms of time lost.

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

Mr. Speaker, we were concerned with reports that GPHIN analysts were not able to proceed with their very important work. We will be conducting an independent review of these changes to make sure that this vital tool continues to inform decisions to protect Canadians.

From the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Global Public Health Intelligence Network has been a very important source of public health intelligence.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly the problem. This vital tool, as the parliamentary secretary said, has changed his mind. The decision was made by the Liberal government, and now we have to pay a huge price.

Does this mean that the government was so incompetent that it could not recognize its own responsibility on this issue?

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

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we trust and value science and evidence. We know the importance of public health intelligence in identifying outbreaks. As I have said, we are concerned about the reports from GPHIN analysts that they were unable to proceed with their important work.

We have asked for the independent review, and we look forward to their findings.

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

Mr. Speaker, this week the Liberal government has used in their talking points, over and over again, the need to quote scientists.

Let me quote the government's top scientist to the member across. Dr. Supriya Sharma said that only “hundreds of thousands” of tests would be arriving up until the end of this year. To put that into context, close to 300,000 tests were done in Ontario alone this week.

I would like to give the member the opportunity to correct the record, because I believe he just misled the House and the Canadian people. We are not seeing tests until early 2021.

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

Mr. Speaker, indeed we did order 7.9 million rapid tests from Abbott. The first tests will start to arrive in the next few weeks, with 2.5 million arriving by December 31, 2020. Then they will continue to arrive into 2021.

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

Mr. Speaker, here is the reality. There is such a big backlog in Ontario and Quebec for testing that the Prime Minister is telling people that they are going to have to miss Thanksgiving dinner and that they are not going to be able to visit their elderly parents in long-term care facilities. All this could be corrected if we had the ability to test frequently and get results within 15 minutes, which is what everyone else in the world has.

The member misled the House. He said these tests were going to be available now. We know from reports today that is not happening until 2021.

How many more people have to die because of their incompetence?