Debates of Oct. 30th, 2020

Health

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

Madam Speaker, Canada has among the highest patented medicine prices in the world and these high prices negatively affect the ability of patients to access new medicines.

In August 2019, we announced the final amendments to the patented medicine regulations. This is the first substantive update to the regulations in more than 20 years and the member knows that new guidelines were just released about a week ago. These amendments will give the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board new tools to protect Canadians from excessive prices of patented medicines.

[Kerry Diotte, Conservative, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Madam Speaker, I was talking to an Edmonton travel agent named Matthew. He is worried. His business has been devastated by the pandemic. He is desperate for help. I asked him what one thing he would like to see the government do for his industry. He told me that we need to have rapid testing for COVID, widely available in Canada. It is already widely available in other countries. It will save the travel industry.

I am asking this for Matthew: When will Canada catch up to other countries on rapid testing?

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

Madam Speaker, the member's question gives me an opportunity to tell the member that just since October 21, there have been 1.5 million rapid tests shipped around the country: Ontario, 531,924 units; Quebec, 577,896 shipped this week; in B.C., 18,576; and Alberta. The list goes on and on. The orders are arriving and they are—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Peace River—Westlock.

Infrastructure

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Madam Speaker, the A to A railway is a $22-billion project. It would open up markets for Alberta and Yukon. We need these jobs, not government handouts. However, these days the Liberals seem only interested in green-lighting projects for their friends. The A to A project should not have to subcontract Baylis Medical to get this Prime Minister's support. Will the Prime Minister affirm his support for this project; and on what day will we see that happening?

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

Madam Speaker, we know that in Canada it is time to build up, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank is an important part of that plan. Our plan is creating a million jobs and building strong communities through investments in infrastructure like public transit, clean energy, broadband and affordable housing for indigenous peoples and northern communities alike. Our government knows that investing in infrastructure for communities for growth for Canadians is important. Unlike our Conservative friends, whose leader in the previous government campaigned on a promise to cut $18 billion from the infrastructure program—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Berthier—Maskinongé.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, week after week, I rise in the House to call for farmers to get the compensation that Ottawa promised after betraying them in free trade agreements. Week after week, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tells me that it is coming. The weeks have now become two years.

When will the government deliver the compensation it promised dairy farmers for the next few years? When will it reach an agreement with poultry and egg farmers and with processors? Why force them to fight for years for the money it promised?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Madam Speaker, I can assure you that our commitment to supply-managed producers and processors remains strong.

We are committed to proceeding with the second compensation payment for dairy farmers by the end of the year. We will also be announcing the type and scale of the compensation package for poultry and egg farmers for the first two agreements with Europe and the trans-Pacific region.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, we keep getting the same answers.

Agricultural co-operatives had a good program, the deferred tax program, which helped them access capital to reinvest in their businesses. This program expires at the end of the year, and the government refuses to tell the Standing Committee on Finance whether it plans to renew it. The co-operative movement plays a critical role in Quebec's agriculture and our food sovereignty.

Will the government confirm today that the program will be renewed and that it will not abandon agricultural co-operatives?

People are worried.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Madam Speaker, I can assure the member that we recognize the importance of the agricultural sector to our economy in all its forms.

We have made it very clear that producers and processors will be a major part of our recovery plan. I can say that this tax provision for agricultural co-operatives is currently being studied.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Madam Speaker, the Liberal government continues to leave Canadians behind. Dairy farmers in North Okanagan—Shuswap and across Canada need certainty to continue to make valuable contributions to our economy and food security.

In 2019, dairy producers were promised compensation for concessions the Liberals made in trade agreements. First-year payments were made, but no certainty has been provided for the remaining seven years, nor were any details on concessions made in the CUSMA trade agreement.

Why has the minister failed to deliver certainty of support for Canadian dairy farmers?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Madam Speaker, once again I want reassure my colleague, all farmers under supply management and the processors that we still stand strongly behind our commitment to full and fair compensation for all of them.

We announced $1.75 billion for dairy farmers. The first payment was made less than 12 months ago, and we will proceed with the second compensation payment this year. We will also make an announcement around compensation for poultry and egg producers.

Telecommunications

[Richard Lehoux, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Madam Speaker, as I often say, Beauce is a launch pad for SMEs. I want to talk specifically about one local business, and that is Garage Robert Carrier in Saint-Hénédine.

Despite its sincere desire to keep its head above water during the pandemic, this small business faces one major obstacle. It is located in a rural area where Internet access is unreliable. Dozens of other SMEs in my region are in the same predicament. This business cannot grow the way it would like to.

Will the government wake up and come up with a real plan to get rural areas connected? When will that happen?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his important question.

Obviously, every household in Quebec and across Canada needs to be connected to the Internet, including those in Beauce, a region that we are very fond of.

My colleague, the Minister of Rural Economic Development, is very much aware of this issue. What is more, this morning, I had the opportunity to talk to the Quebec minister of the economy. Of course we want to collaborate with the Government of Quebec on the issue of high-speed Internet access.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Madam Speaker, the government promised to connect rural Canadians. Earlier this year I sent out a survey to analyze cellular service in my constituency. An alarming 92% of households stated that they are dissatisfied with cellular service. Clearly the plan is not working.

Can the minister inform the 92% of my constituents how to contact emergency services if they cannot make a phone call?

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Madam Speaker, I too understand the importance of connectivity. We understand that Canada's economic recovery depends on broadband connectivity in every household and every business across the country.

Federally funded projects are supporting connections of a million households across 900 communities, including 190 indigenous communities. It is interesting, though, that the Conservatives and the NDP voted against budget 2019, which included our connectivity program.

I look forward to working with the member opposite and all members of the House to get all Canadians connected.

National Defence

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

There have been long-standing reports of a lack of support for the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces when they have had to face issues in the workplace, such as harassment. The minister was mandated to work to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces have a workplace characterized by professionalism, inclusion and a value for diversity. As part of that commitment, he was to work with the senior leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces and defence team to establish and maintain a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.

Could the minister share with us the work that the Canadian Armed Forces is doing to establish a harassment-free environment?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, our government takes allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously. No one should feel unsafe at work, especially in the Canadian Armed Forces, but we know that we still have a lot more work to do to eliminate these types of behaviours. That is why we launched the path to dignity and respect, a strategy for long-term culture change to eliminate sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces.

We will not stop until all members are able to perform their duties in an environment free from harassment and discrimination.

Veterans Affairs

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Madam Speaker, many Royal Canadian Legions across my riding have expressed financial concerns since the outbreak of COVID. The legions continually support veterans in these difficult times. Branch No. 8 in Rocky Mountain House contacted the Minister of Veterans Affairs and was told that an aid package was in the works, but that was over a month ago.

Legions are in need of financial assistance. When will the government help legions and our veterans?

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, the well-being of our veterans and their families is a top priority. We fully understand the vital role that legions play in supporting veterans and their families in all communities. That is why I am proud to share with the House that Bill C-4 was passed in the House a few weeks ago. It includes $20 million to support organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion and other partners.

Our response to the pandemic is ongoing, and we will ensure that our partners who support veterans will continue to have what they need to continue to do their great work.

Housing

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Madam Speaker, Edmonton's token funding allocation for rapid housing shows how little the Liberal government knows about the realities on the ground. Alberta is experiencing an economic downturn like it has never seen before. Homelessness is on the rise, with camps forming in multiple locations; drug-related fatalities are soaring; and there is a growing mental health crisis. The situation is going to get worse with the onset of winter.

Given the incredibly difficult circumstances, can the minister explain why Edmonton received only 3.4% of funds, a disproportionately low share?

[Adam Vaughan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families]

Madam Speaker, I was very proud to work with Mayor Iveson on delivering these critical dollars, and with Susan McGee from Homeward Trust, one of the most effective programs across this country in combatting chronic homelessness.

This funding is divided into two streams. Both streams are accessible to Edmonton, but Edmonton was given block funding to deal with the immediate crisis of homelessness through the COVID crisis. It can also apply to the other stream. I will remind members that this is the first installment of many installments to come on this file.

I would be happy to work with the member opposite to find out what properties are available for acquisition and deployment toward any chronic homelessness. I am very proud of the $1 billion we have put on the table.

Public Safety

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

Madam Speaker, there have been 414 reported shootings just in Toronto this year. On Monday, a young man was gunned down outside a Scarborough LCBO. Five years of Liberal soft-on-crime policies have delivered these results, but the government refuses to take responsibility.

How many GTA residents need to be shot for the Liberals to admit that their plans are not working?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Madam Speaker, that is a very important question.

In the last Parliament, we made significant investments, $51 million, to enhance CBSA's ability to enhance its screening detection and training around firearm smuggling. We also invested $34 million in the RCMP's integrated criminal firearms initiative, which the member voted against.

Law enforcement and our border service officers are doing their job, but they need more help. That is why we committed in the throne speech to bring forward legislation that would give us new authority to keep guns out of the hands of criminals by stopping the illegal smuggling of firearms at the border into Canada, as well as the trafficking of firearms through diversion and—