Debates of Oct. 7th, 2020

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, “you've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when” to swindle a naive Prime Minister of $200 million of other people's money. That is exactly what Gateway Casinos has just done. It cannot get money from anyone. In fact, for 10 years its owner tried to sell the company, but nobody would buy. While we have new job losses of 2,000 people in the energy sector out west, 500 out east, one million Canadians without paycheques since the pandemic, why is the Prime Minister throwing away our money in this jackpot for casino insiders?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that Canadians across the country are hurting because of this pandemic. We created many different mechanisms to support them, whether it was the Canada emergency response benefit, the wage subsidy or the LEEFF program, which is the large employer enterprise funding. We have ensured that the money is delivered independently to organizations that qualify for it and it is a loan rather than any sort of grant of money. These are things that we have put to make sure that our economy comes roaring back. We will stay focused on the pandemic and on supporting Canadians through this pandemic.

Public Services and Procurement

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government launched the national shipbuilding strategy 10 years ago to replace its outdated icebreakers, but it left the Davie shipyard out completely.

Now, 10 years later, it has realized its mistake. The icebreakers are only fit for the scrap heap. After snubbing the largest shipbuilder in Canada, the government has been unable to replace the icebreakers. It is searching abroad for a used ship when it could have built a new one in Lévis.

Will the government admit that it would have been easier to give the Davie shipyard its fair share of the contracts?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the national shipbuilding strategy was established many years ago, and our government was the one that included the Davie shipyard in this strategy.

Although the Davie shipyard has had some difficulties in recent years, we recognize that it does quality work, has always been extremely innovative and has excellent workers. We are very proud that we were able to include the Davie shipyard in our national strategy to build a naval fleet and ships for the Coast Guard.

We will continue to work with our excellent workers in the shipbuilding industry across Canada.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that brings to mind a Dalida song, but I will not sing it. I will spare your ears.

For the second time in recent weeks, because of its poor planning and childish insistence on excluding and snubbing the Davie shipyard, the government has bought a used ship from another country instead of investing here at home. The government chose to buy an icebreaker that will last 10 or 15 years at most, instead of buying a new one made here that would have cost about the same.

When will the government make choices that support our economy and invest in our people and our businesses?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, from day one, we have invested in Canadian workers through a strategy to build the ships we need, and that strategy includes the Davie shipyard.

Many jobs have been created across the country. We are very proud of the work our marine industry workers do. We will keep looking for opportunities to invest so we can create more jobs and more value for our marine industries, including the Coast Guard, our ferries and our armed forces.

We will be there, and we will keep investing.

Employment

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Liberals are taking yet another step toward annihilating the gas and oil industry here in Canada. The Prime Minister wants to designate plastic as a toxic substance. In the plastic manufacturing industry currently, there are 5,000 jobs in Alberta, 23,000 jobs in Quebec and over 40,000 jobs in Ontario.

As Canada transitions away from single-use plastics, and while two million people have already lost their jobs in this country, what is the Prime Minister's plan with regard to mitigating job loss?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know first-hand the impact of harmful plastics in our environment. That is why we committed to moving forward in 2021 to ban harmful single-use plastics. That is what Canadians expect of this government and that is what we are going to do.

Unfortunately, the Conservatives continue to play political games and do not think it is important to protect the environment. We have made very clear that none of these bans on single-use plastics will affect any sort of medical supplies, which obviously are essential during this pandemic. We will continue to have a thriving industrial response as we move forward on plastics.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals play political games, jobs are being lost.

Canadians are being impacted. They are having a hard time being able to pay their bills and take care of their families. We are talking about two million jobs that have already been lost in this country. Now we are talking about tens of thousands more jobs.

My question is very simple. In the midst of an economic crisis, when will the Prime Minister put forward a plan to protect Canadian workers?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives say climate change is a problem, but they want to make it free to pollute and then hope for the best. They say they want to grow the economy and support the middle class, but they ran their campaign on a promise to cut billions of dollars in projects that are improving the lives of Canadians. They say they are against plastic pollution, but do not want to take any meaningful action to actually address it.

We know that to ensure jobs for the future, ensure a better future for our kids, we need to take action now in ways that support industries and move forward in the right way. That is exactly what this government is doing. Unfortunately, the Conservatives do not believe in that.

Justice

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, loved ones and friends of the victims of flight 752 gathered here in Ottawa and elsewhere in the country. It has been nine months since the incident. The victims' loved ones are still calling for justice for the 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents who lost their lives.

Will the government listen to the families and impose Magnitsky sanctions on those responsible?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I had the sad duty of sitting down with these families who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

As I said, we will always be there to support them while they await justice for their beloved family members, but also while they await compensation. Iran must take immediate measures to ensure a full and transparent investigation. The families must be compensated.

Iran shared the flight recorder report, but it only contained information that we already knew. We need answers and we will continue to work on getting those answers.

Health

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc back home, in Quebec. With more than 80,000 confirmed cases and nearly 6,000 deaths so far, millions of Quebeckers are currently in red zones. I am glad the Quebec government decided to adopt the federal COVID Alert app.

Could the Prime Minister provide the House with an update on the app and tell us how this tool can help Quebeckers better protect themselves?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne for her question and for the work she does.

Throughout this pandemic, we have been there to protect the health of Quebeckers. The COVID Alert app has been available in Quebec since last Friday, and I encourage everyone to download it. Over three million people across Canada are using it. The app is secure and protects people's privacy.

Let's do it for ourselves, our neighbours and our loved ones. Everyone should download the COVID Alert app today.

Foreign Affairs

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Iran is one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, and increasingly so, with the imprisonment of human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari, the brutal murder of Canadian Zahra Kazemi in 2003 and the 55 Canadians killed last January. When will the government realize the regime does not respond to engagement?

When will it list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, something that the House of Commons called for over two years ago and something the Prime Minister voted for?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to not just the 55 Canadians lost on Flight PS752 but also the 138 people in total who were heading to Canadian soil to connect with family, loved ones and friends.

We know there is much more to do, which is why we are continuing to work with the international community to hold Iran to account. We expect Iran to provide answers to important questions, such as why the missiles were launched in the first place and why the airspace was still open. We will continue to work with partners to ensure transparency, accountability and justice, including reparations to the families.

Employment

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

Mr. Speaker, in a pandemic, Canadians need honest and specific answers.

Last week, I asked the Minister of Employment to explain why more than 154 workers from Mégantic—L'Érable, whose employer decided to use the work-sharing program, had only been paid 50% of their salary for five months. We heard some general comments, but no answers. Today, I am asking the Prime Minister.

Does he think it is right that Canadians who chose to return to work rather than receive the CERB are penalized and are not paid what the government owes them?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, from the start of this pandemic, we have been there for Canadians, with the CERB, the wage subsidy and targeted measures to help those in need. I do not know the details of the situation my colleague referred to, but I will undertake to make inquiries and return with a good answer in the future.

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

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

What message is being sent to Canadians who want to work when they are not getting answers and did not get any answers last week?

What message is being sent to the businesses in Thetford Mines and Trois-Rivières that answered the Prime Minister's call not to lay off their workers?

Unfortunately, the message they are getting is “stay home”. That is not good for their health, not good for the economy and bad for the country.

When will the Prime Minister give a clear, precise answer to all of these workers who are out half of their income because they trusted the Prime Minister when he called on them to return to work?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, CERB, the wage subsidy, the student benefit, the assistance for seniors and the various measures we implemented were all there to help Canadians during the pandemic, to help workers and small businesses, among others.

We will continue to be there for workers, businesses and our economy during the second wave. We know that one of the best ways to protect the economy and make sure it bounces back is to control the spread of the virus right now.

We are calling on everyone to help us control the spread, and we will continue to do so to help workers.

Housing

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, especially during a global pandemic. This is a major priority for my riding, Ottawa South.

With flu season right around the corner, urgent help is needed to quickly create new affordable housing units.

Can the Prime Minister update the House on what our government is doing to help more Canadians find a place to call home?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Ottawa South for his question and for his hard work.

One thing we have learned from this crisis is that our economic recovery must include more affordable housing. That is why we are proud to announce a $1-billion rapid housing initiative to help meet the housing needs of the most vulnerable Canadians. This initiative will create 3,000 new permanent affordable housing units across Canada and will help achieve our goal to eliminate chronic homelessness.

Foreign Affairs

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after another night of intensive bombing of Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, we are wondering how the federal government could have sold military technology to Turkey. Today, those technologies are being used against Armenian civilians. That goes against our obligations under the UN Arms Trade Treaty, as does the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Now, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is off to Europe. We need more than photo ops. People are dying.

What pressure tactics will be used to restore peace in Nagorno-Karabakh?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the allegations that Canadian technology is being used in this conflict. The minister immediately asked public servants to look into those allegations.

We suspended the relevant export permits to Turkey in order to better assess the situation.

We are asking that measures be taken immediately to stabilize the situation on the ground. We are asking for a peaceful, negotiated solution to this conflict.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

That is all the time we have for questions today.

Before continuing, and while I have everyone's attention, I would just remind everyone that it is their responsibility as MPs to wear the headsets that are provided by the House. That is something that everyone appreciates here in the House, but especially the interpreters.

That is very important for their health.

Please be considerate toward them, as well as to your colleagues in the House.

As well, on that note, members will please make sure that they are in a place, whether asking a question or anticipating receiving a question, that is well connected. Members should make sure that their connection is strong and works well. Again, they should think of their colleagues in the House and online, and the interpreters who are working so diligently in the back rooms there to make sure that we get the message across.

The other thing is that someone yelled “time”. I appreciate the help and that the member is trying to help me, but I do have a timer here. Just so that everyone knows, when they are asking or answering a question, if they watch and they see the speaker slowly leaning forward, the five seconds has started, and by the time he or she stands up, the five seconds are done.

While I am at it, we have only so many allowed in the chamber. We try to keep it to a certain number in order to make sure that COVID-19 does not spread any more than it has among MPs. Also, we have had an overflow: Some of the MPs have gone up into the gallery. I just want to encourage them not to shout, scream or clap hands. It is hard enough to keep track of what is going on here on the floor, let alone up in the gallery, and we do not have the guards to throw them out, so we would appreciate it if they kept that to a minimum.

Now we will continue.