Debates of Oct. 21st, 2020

Ethics

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I understand why the Bloc wants an election so badly. For the past six or seven months, the federal government has been delivering the goods, literally, for Quebeckers, helping Quebec families, Quebec workers and small businesses. It has been working in partnership with the Government of Quebec.

We will continue to support Quebeckers. It cannot be easy, politically speaking, for the Bloc to see a federal government doing so much good for so many Quebeckers.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, if only that was the extent of our problems, things would be much easier.

It is not the opposition that is paralyzing Parliament but rather the growing number of Liberal scandals. Today we learned that the Liberals awarded a $237-million contract to Frank Baylis, who was a Liberal member of the House just last year. It was an untendered contract, much like the one involving WE Charity, awarded through a shell corporation created just seven days before receiving the Liberal cheques. If we had to set up a committee at every instance of Liberal cronyism, Parliament would be paralyzed for quite some time.

How many special committees are we going to need to get through all the Liberal scandals?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been working with all parties in the House to “deliver the goods”. We delivered the CERB, the Canada emergency wage subsidy, personal protective equipment and testing supplies. We delivered by supporting the safe restart of classes for our students. We worked very closely with the provinces. We will continue to work with all members of the House to support Canadians. The opposition must make a choice.

Do opposition members want to continue working productively or not?

Aviation Industry

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we saw hundreds of aviation workers protesting here on Parliament Hill, pleading for the government to provide them with a plan that gets them back to work.

It has been over 200 days since both Porter and Sunwing Airlines have operated flights, with both Air Canada and WestJet suspending dozens of routes. Because of the Liberal government's failure, flight attendants have been furloughed, pilots are struggling to get flight hours and air traffic controllers have been laid off.

When will the Prime Minister finally deliver a plan for the aviation sector?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that many sectors have been extremely hard hit by this pandemic, particularly the airline sector, among others. That is why the wage subsidy has helped the airline industry with over $1.1 billion in support.

We will continue to work to support our airlines as we go through this difficult situation. We know we need to have a strong airline industry once we come through this pandemic. That is what we are focused on. We continue to work with partners. We continue to support workers across this country. We will ensure that Canada stays a strong leader in airlines and aeronautics.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have met with over 30 stakeholders in just the past four weeks, and they continue to tell me how desperately they need a plan or some kind of action from the government. We have heard that the government is starting to consult and work on solutions for the sector, but the fact is it should have been listening long before now.

Just today, the EU removed Canadians from the list of approved travellers, and the ripple effects of the Prime Minister's negligence will continue to grow.

Has the Prime Minister given the Minister of Transport a directive and a deadline to address this critical situation, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as a government we have been squarely focused on the safety and security of Canadians. Now, we have seen other parties and other leaders not be as responsible in terms of doing the things that are protecting from the spread of COVID-19, but we will continue to ensure that what we do in terms of closing the borders and keeping Canadians safe is always top of mind.

Yes we are there to support small businesses and large, we are there to support workers, and we will continue to, but we will always make our decisions based on protecting Canadians from this pandemic first and foremost.

Health

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister please share whether he consulted with Dr. Theresa Tam on how a federal election would be held during a national pandemic? What is the science-based approach to keep Canadians safe? If an election is called today, how will immunocompromised Canadians be able to go to the polls?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, from the beginning we have worked with scientists and health experts, and we know full well that Elections Canada has continued to work to ensure we are able to hold an election in a safe way.

We do not want an election, and the choice is up to the opposition parties whether they want to keep working productively and constructively in Parliament or not. That is what they are facing as a choice, and that is what we will see shortly.

Public Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, online hate is an ever-increasing and pervasive threat that has dangerous implications. We have seen racism simmer and rise. We have seen members of this House face the consequences. We have lost too many lives to despicable acts of violence in Canada and globally. We need concrete action.

Can the Prime Minister please inform the House about our progress in addressing the Christchurch call to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her advocacy on behalf of her constituents.

Too many people have been victimized by online hate, and we have seen the results of this too many times. That is why, yesterday, we announced over $700,000 in funding to YWCA Canada to examine hate speech trends while developing online tools and digital literacy training for young Canadians.

We are also working toward establishing requirements for social media platforms to remove such hatred within a reasonable time or be held accountable. We are working together to address harm caused by online hate.

Health

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister refused to answer the question from the member for Calgary Nose Hill, the member for Durham and the member for Richmond—Arthabaska. The question is simple: Why is he refusing Canadians an answer to a simple question on how a federal election would be held during a pandemic? What is he afraid to tell us, and why is he afraid to give this House a science-based approach to an election during a pandemic?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are continuing to focus on delivering for Canadians in this pandemic, on keeping Canadians safe.

The members of the opposition have brought forward a motion that is clearly of non-confidence in this House, and they will then need to decide whether they want to continue to work collaboratively in this House, or not. That is the choice they get to face.

On this side of the House, we are not interested in an election. We are dealing with Canadians. We are delivering for them every single day. The choice is up to the opposition.

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

“Keeping Canadians safe”, Mr. Speaker.

The Prime Minister has had multiple joint press conferences with Dr. Tam. In September, he said this: “Every step of the way, we were informed by our experts as to how to keep Canadians safe”.

Today, the Prime Minister's silence is an admission that he has not consulted Dr. Tam or experts ahead of threatening a general election in the second wave of a pandemic. Will the Prime Minister put the health and well-being of Canadians first, today? Will he rise in this House and undertake not to force a general election, before public commentary and opinion from Dr. Tam and Elections Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the choice is up to the opposition parties. They moved a motion that is clearly not in confidence of the government. They have decided that they no longer want to work constructively in this House to deliver for Canadians. It is their choice.

On this side of the House, we are not interested in an election. We have much work to do to continue to deliver for Canadians. The question before the opposition members today is whether they want to continue to work constructively for Canadians. We shall soon see their answer.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I just want to remind hon. members that calling people names that are unparliamentary is not really acceptable. I want to remind them to watch their language. I know times get emotional in here and sometimes things run away from members, but they should be careful.

The hon. member for Lévis—Lotbinière.

Justice

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to the media, the criteria for a Liberal appointment to the bench are party membership, putting up signs, participating in a party event, working the phones during an election campaign, being volunteer of the month and, of course, being a member of the Canadian Bar Association.

Are these really the Liberals' new criteria for a judicial appointment in Canada? This is absolutely scandalous.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we brought in major reforms to the judicial appointment process in 2016. We strengthened the role of independent judicial advisory committees. We created a more rigorous, open and accountable system that better reflects Canada's diversity. Appointments are based on merit, on the needs of the courts and on each candidate's area of expertise.

We are proud of the extremely competent members of the legal profession who have been appointed since our improved system was introduced. They come from diverse backgrounds and, yes, they have different political affiliations.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is Small Business Week, and SMEs are vital for our recovery and the best way to boost the economy. Small businesses in my riding of Vimy have been hit hard by the pandemic, but even so, many of them have bravely stood on the front lines during this time.

Can the Prime Minister tell the House how our government will support our SMEs with a team Canada approach?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Vimy for her very important question and all of her hard work.

SMEs have always been there for us, and they need our support today more than ever. That is why we launched the largest small business aid package in the history of our country, with programs such as the Canada emergency wage subsidy; the Canada emergency business account, which helped over 770,000 small businesses; the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program; and many more.

Nothing is off the table when it comes to helping small businesses, because they are the key to our country's success.

The Environment

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is hiding behind the opposition and refusing to be open with Canadians about his agenda. While people are struggling with the second wave, they also know that we are facing another impending global emergency: the climate crisis. Just two weeks ago, in his throne speech, the Prime Minister made promises to take long overdue climate action, but now the Prime Minister seems determined to go to an election. He is playing politics with our climate and our future.

Were those promises on climate change real commitments, or just empty pre-election announcements?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, over the past five years, we have done more on climate change and to protect Canada's natural habitats than any government in the history of the country. When we came in, a mere 1% of Canada's coastal areas and oceans was protected. We are now up to 14% and are on our way to 25%.

We will continue to stand up for Canada's environment, continue to create good jobs into the future by investing in transforming our economy in positive ways, and we will ensure that every region of the country plays a strong role in building that better future.

Even as we are in this crisis of the pandemic, we need to address the crisis of climate change, and this government will.

The House resumed from October 20 consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.

Opposition Motion—Special Committee on Anti-Corruption

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:07 p.m., pursuant to order made on Wednesday, September 23, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to the motion of the Leader of the Opposition relating to the business of supply.