Debates of Oct. 5th, 2020

Alcohol Education Campaign

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we are in the middle of the 30th anniversary of Éduc'alcool.

The mission of Éduc'alcool is to keep the people of Quebec informed, aware and educated when it comes to drinking and their relationship to alcohol. For the past 30 years, in campaign after campaign, Éduc'alcool has influenced our evolving attitudes and helped us adopt healthier drinking habits. The percentage of fatal accidents due to impaired driving has dropped 20% over the past 30 years.

We can be proud of the progress that has been made, but it must not distract us from the serious challenges that lie ahead when it comes to alcohol.

With wisdom gained over the past 30 years, Éduc'alcool will tackle those challenges, especially ending alcohol-related domestic and sexual violence and continuing to work toward eliminating impaired driving.

Congratulations to Éduc'alcool. As their motto goes, moderation is always in good taste.

COVID-19

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, damn COVID-19!

“I am a store owner. The government closed my store, my livelihood, and then allowed it to reopen, but now my customers prefer to shop online.”

“I am a restaurant owner. My dining room is empty. I was asked to reinvent myself, but my refrigerators are once again too full.”

“I am a therapist. My waiting room emptied out before I was able to help. I find it hard to no longer be able to help people.”

“I am a young entrepreneur whose dream is dying. I do not know whether I will have the courage to start over.”

“I am a student. I have been hearing about these years, about prom and university parties since I was a child. Today, I have to entertain myself by watching TikTok between online classes.”

“I am a worker. I have energy to burn, but my shop is closed. It is depressing to be stuck at home.”

“I am a senior. I am finally at an age where I have some freedom, but I have never felt so alone. I have never met my great grandchildren.”

“I am the forgotten. No one talks about me on television and the various levels of government have forgotten about me, but life has changed for me too and I have no one to talk to about it.”

“I am a member of Parliament. I can no longer shake hands with my constituents, but so many of them need reassurance. To them, I say, ‘Talk to us, even through your mask. Our ears and hearts are open.’”

Community Organizations in Vaudreuil—Soulanges

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the hard work of the community organizations in Vaudreuil—Soulanges.

These organizations have maintained their essential services to those in need in my community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The emergency community support fund contributed more than $350,000 to help keep a number of organizations in my riding going. These organizations include Café de la Débrouille, the Centre d'action bénévole L'Actuel, the Notre-Dame-de-Fatima centre, Le Versant, the Vaudreuil—Soulanges RCM, Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil—Soulanges and the Réseaux emploi entrepreneurship.

These organizations have made a huge difference in our community during these difficult times. I want to thank them on behalf of the people of Vaudreuil—Soulanges. We will get through this by working together.

Health

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, around the world, countries are procuring hundreds of millions of rapid tests. The WHO procured 120 million and the United States 165 million. France is performing a million tests a week and Italy now has 30-minute tests at its airport. However, on Friday we learned that the government is blocking Manitoba from being able to procure its own rapid tests.

The Prime Minister has been months late on securing rapid tests for Canadians. Why are the Liberals now making the provinces go to the back of the line as well?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by congratulating the member opposite on his election as leader of the official opposition and by saying how pleased I was by his and his wife's recovery from COVID-19.

I share the member opposite's view that rapid testing is absolutely essential to our health. It is absolute essential to our economic recovery. That is why I am pleased that we bought 7.9 million rapid tests last week.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister said rapid tests are essential, but her own minister is sending mixed signals from the federal government. Last month, the health minister said that provinces were free to develop and deploy their own rapid tests. Nine days later, the health minister told the Government of Manitoba that it could not buy the recently approved Health Canada test.

The health minister has flip-flopped on the border, on the risks of COVID, on the use of masks and now on rapid tests. When will the government stop interfering in provincial COVID plans?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me say the health minister is a cherished colleague who is doing a fantastic job.

When it comes to provinces and the fight against the coronavirus, this is an effort that we must undertake together. That is why over the summer we agreed, in the safe restart agreement, to $19 billion to the provinces to support their fight against coronavirus and another $2 billion for the safe restart of schools.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, several regions in our country are fighting a second wave. Quebec is making sacrifices to fight COVID-19, but just yesterday, it had more than 1,000 new cases. If people cannot access rapid testing, they are more likely to spread the virus. The Prime Minister promised rapid testing six months ago. After all this time, we are still wondering why rapid testing is not ready for the second wave.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the opposition leader concerning the measures that the Province of Quebec has taken. I support these strong measures. That is very important, and we must work with Quebec.

Concerning rapid tests, we bought 7.9 million of them last week. The tests will be in Canada next week.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, they just ordered tests six months after they promised they would. Their slow response is impacting millions of Canadians. In Quebec, it is the long lineups. In Ontario, it is the labs that are stretched to the limit. In Manitoba, it is confusion over buying rapid tests.

When is the Prime Minister going to take the health of Canadians seriously and roll out a real plan for rapid testing?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. The Prime Minister and, indeed, I believe all members of the House take the health of Canadians extremely seriously.

When it comes to rapid testing, I was very pleased that last week we were able to announce the procurement of 7.9 million rapid tests. Those tests will be in Canada next week, and we will have more to announce about rapid tests very soon.

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians and Quebeckers know that the Liberal government failed to close the border in time for ideological reasons. The New York Times demonstrated that the decision to keep the border open was not based on science. The Prime Minister chose the WHO's misguided policies over the interests of Canadians.

Why did the Prime Minister balk at closing the border when he should have?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to make one small correction: Quebeckers are Canadians.

With respect to borders, I have to say that I am very proud of our government's policy, especially regarding the U.S. border. We were able to restrict non-essential travel while allowing trade, which is so vital to our economy, to continue. That is what we will keep doing.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the second wave has hit Quebec. We have 1,100 more cases today. That is unbelievable.

The health care system is on the verge of breaking down, yet the government has decided against increasing health transfers to care for our people. Simply put, the facts are undeniable. The government has spent nearly $300 billion more during the pandemic, but only $500 million on health care during a public health crisis. For every $100 the government has injected into the economy, only 15 cents has gone to health care. That is ridiculous.

When will the government do its part?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I absolutely agree that the second wave in Quebec and Ontario is very serious. We are taking it seriously. That is why we signed the safe restart agreement, which includes close to $3 billion for Quebec to support a safe restart.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, facts are facts. Quebec and the provinces are asking the government for $28 billion to make up the shortfall. The government gave them $500 million. That is less than 2% of what Quebec and the provinces are calling for to help with health care. The provinces and Quebec are calling for more help to take care of people. Health care providers in Quebec are asking for more money, more help.

What is the government waiting for? When will it help Quebeckers get the care they need while respecting Quebec’s jurisdictions?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of how serious the health care situation is in Quebec. That is why we gave Quebec nearly $3 billion for the economic recovery and health measures. We also helped seniors in Quebec through our Canadian Armed Forces. We were there when Quebec needed us and we will always be there for Quebeckers.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we are now, without a doubt, in the second wave of COVID-19, but the same problems persist. We are frightened for our seniors in long-term care centres. People are having a hard time accessing COVID-19 testing.

What is the plan for the second wave of COVID-19? What is the plan for improving access to COVID-19 testing? What is the plan for helping our seniors in long-term care centres?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the plan is to continue working closely with the provinces, territories and municipalities.

We purchased 7.9 million rapid tests last week, and we will have more news this week.

As for our approach, the safe restart agreement we reached this summer will provide the provinces and territories with $19 billion in support.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we are not headed in the wrong direction. The Prime Minister said we are not going in the right direction. The Prime Minister is the sole person responsible for steering our country in the right direction, but he is not taking action. Right now in Ontario there are 49 outbreaks in long-term care homes, where hundreds of seniors are infected with COVID-19, but we know that these problems have existed before.

What is the plan? What is the plan to help our seniors? When will families know that their loved ones in long-term care homes are finally safe?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I must agree with the leader of the NDP about one thing: We truly are at a crossroads when it comes to COVID-19. The second wave is here right now, particularly acute in Quebec and Ontario, and each one of us has a responsibility to do everything we can to flatten the curve.

When it comes to fighting the coronavirus, we are committed to continuing to work in close collaboration with the provinces, territories and municipalities. It is the Canadian way and we are going to keep on doing it.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian way to solve problems is to work together and act quickly. Unfortunately, back in March, during the first wave, the Liberal government dragged its feet on the border problem. Everybody recognizes that.

Now, in the midst of the second wave, the Liberal government is dragging its feet on approving rapid tests. There were 1,200 new cases in Quebec today, and some people are waiting a week for their results. Why is the government dragging its feet on this?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is right. We have to work incredibly hard together, the provinces, territories and local public health units, to fight this second wave of COVID-19.

We know that testing is one aspect of controlling COVID-19. So is a strong contact-tracing regime. So is isolation of close contacts.

We have been there for the provinces and territories, including all Canadians across this country. We will continue to work with the provinces and territories. This is a very sneaky virus, and we know that all hands on board is what we need to get through it together.

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

Mr. Speaker, we are not seeing results. Back in March there was the border issue, and now there is a rapid testing issue. Japan has been using tests since March that provide results in just 15 minutes.

Japan has been able to do it. Why is Canada dragging its feet on approving rapid tests?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the premise of the question of the member opposite is incorrect. We have had rapid testing in Canada for several months. In fact, we have nearly 70 GeneXpert machines across the country in provinces and territories, in rural and remote communities to protect indigenous communities, and we have continued to add tests as they become available in Canada. In fact, the Abbott test is our third test to have been approved that is a rapid test. We will continue to work with manufacturers and with provinces and territories to be there, no matter what it takes.