Debates of Oct. 9th, 2020

Housing

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

Madam Speaker, last month the Liberals made yet another housing announcement, $1 billion to be spent in six months to purchase 3,000 units.

There has been nothing rapid about the government's previous housing commitments, and without a public plan and application process, it is hard to see how this will be different.

When can we expect the application information in full, and will the minister commit to providing this House with a regional breakdown and running list of all projects approved? Canadians deserve the transparency.

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

Madam Speaker, the rapid housing initiative, which the member speaks of, is an innovative and fundamentally necessary $1 billion investment at the front lines to help fight homelessness as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The member asks for transparency, and of course there will be transparency. There always has been, right along, all the way, with all of the projects that we have announced, publicly posted through CMHC and reported back to the House. That is part of the national housing strategy requirement.

The money will be made available within the coming days, with new criteria, for people to apply. The $55-billion national housing strategy works alongside the rapid housing initiative to make sure Canadians get the housing they need, and the safety and security they need to make sure the pandemic is endured properly.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Madam Speaker, restaurant owners across the country have been some of the hardest hit by this pandemic. The government's rent support program was needed, but it did not work because there was no incentive for landlords to participate. Now the government is intending to ban single-use plastics, which the restaurants are currently using to keep us all safe.

When will the Liberals stop punishing businesses, and when will they introduce a rent program that works?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Western Economic Diversification Canada) and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency)]

Madam Speaker, we have been there for the small business community throughout the pandemic.

We have a comprehensive plan, as well, to address plastic pollution. The proposed ban for six single-use items will be phased in, so businesses and individuals have time to switch to alternatives. Virtually all jurisdictions that introduce bans provide early notice to allow alternatives, and we will do the same.

Public Safety

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

Madam Speaker, over the past two weeks there have been over 20 shootings in Toronto, and 13 people have been injured or killed. Those numbers do not include the rest of the GTA. The Liberals have had years to act on rising crime and they have failed miserably.

Why will the Liberals not get tough on crime and support stricter sentencing?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

Stronger gun controls, especially for assault weapons, are particularly important to the Liberal Party of Canada. That is why we brought in a ban on military-style assault weapons, which have no place in our society. That is also why we have invested in the RCMP and our law enforcement agencies.

Although the Conservatives may talk tough, they spent a decade cutting budgets to the RCMP and our intelligence services, which work together to combat gun violence. We will continue to do that work.

Natural Resources

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Madam Speaker, the NOVA Gas Transmission pipeline was to start construction this summer across most of my riding, but on May 19, after cabinet already took the maximum 90-day limit to review, it received notice that the Governor in Council extended the timeline by as much as 150 days because of COVID-19. The end of 150 days is near and thousands of jobs are on the line.

Will it get approval or is this another pipeline that does not get built because of the government?

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources]

Madam Speaker, in the face of COVID-19 and at the request of several indigenous communities, our government extended the deadline for a decision on the NOVA Gas pipeline project in order to safely and meaningfully consult and address outstanding concerns as appropriate.

As the House knows very, very well, good projects only get done when we take the time and do the hard work to meet our constitutional duty to meaningfully consult with potentially impacted indigenous communities. We have learned that, and we are going to make sure that projects get built where there is meaningful consultations with—

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

The hon. member for Vancouver East.

Housing

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Speaker, Canadians are struggling to find housing they can afford. In fact, 2.5 million families are paying more than 30% of their income on rent. In Vancouver East, the homeless population continues to grow. Empty Liberal promises and announcements will not put a roof over people's heads. Meaningful action is required now. While Canadians struggled to pay their rent in a pandemic, the wealthiest walked away with $37 billion in profits.

Will the government step in for Canadians, tax excessive corporate pandemic profits and invest in housing for everyday people?

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

Madam Speaker, since this government took office in 2015, we have been consistently stepping up and making substantial investments in providing housing to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. A $56-billion national housing strategy is just part of that. Additionally, reaching home, for example, the program that serves front-line housing work in this country, has been increased to almost $1 billion this year. We just announced $1 billion for rapid rehousing. These are real dollars helping real people.

While the NDP's focus is on getting people's names into petitions, we are focused on getting people into housing. Our work is not finished. We will finish this job with a good, strong budget this fall. We are committed to housing Canadians—

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

The hon. member for Hamilton Centre.

Seniors

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, throughout this pandemic, seniors have lived in appalling conditions in long-term care homes, and many have died there too. Eighty per cent of the COVID-19 deaths are tied to LTCs, and while Conservative and Liberal governments built a for-profit system that places shareholders ahead of staffing and seniors care, Ontario's NDP leader, Andrea Horwath, has announced a plan to actually fix long-term care in Ontario.

With the second wave upon us, Canadians are demanding national leadership. Will the Liberal government finally put people ahead of profits and take the profits out of Canada's long-term care homes?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I share the devastation of the member opposite about the severe lack of protection for some seniors in long-term care homes all across the country. That is exactly why the safe restart agreement included $740 million to provinces and territories to strengthen their infection prevention control processes to protect seniors where they live, no matter what province.

The Speech from the Throne also committed to creating national long-term care standards for provinces and territories, and we are not wasting any time. We will be doing that very shortly.

COVID-19 Response

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have heard the concerns coming from parents, families, school boards, teachers, bus drivers and support staff throughout my riding, Nickel Belt, regarding the current school year.

Many students have returned to in-person classes. It is crucial that everyone continue to follow all public health measures.

Can the hon. Minister of Families, Children and Social Development share what our government has been doing to support our provinces to ensure the safety of students and staff members during this pandemic?

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

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Nickel Belt for his excellent advocacy and strong work on this file.

For the past few months, we have been acutely aware of the challenges facing families, children and teachers in the education system. It is why we worked so hard over the summer to advance $2 billion as part of the safe school reopening program to help schools acquire PPE and cleaning materials and do the changes necessary to keep families and children safe. We have also increased the Canada child benefit. We have also made investments in broadband to make sure distance learning is possible for more kids across this country.

The member is right: There is work to be done here, but working with provinces, territories, indigenous governments, municipalities, school boards and, most importantly, families and children, we will make sure the school year is done as safely as possible with federal investments.

Infrastructure

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Madam Speaker, the St. James Civic Centre in Winnipeg is home to countless programs and events in my community. Its long-proposed expansion project includes new space for the St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre. This critical project will benefit so many in my community, including seniors, yet the government will not provide any clear commitment.

I emailed the Minister of Infrastructure weeks ago but have yet to receive an update. Seniors cannot wait. When will the minister provide answers? It is time to get this project done.

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

Madam Speaker, what this difficult time has shown us is that every dollar we invest in public infrastructure can and must do triple duty. First, our government is investing in infrastructure projects that are creating thousands of jobs across the country and growing our economy. Second, we are investing in infrastructure so that everyone gets a fair shot at success wherever they live in Canada. Third, we are investing in infrastructure that makes our communities cleaner and more resilient.

Over the next two years, our government is committed to creating a million new jobs and building strong communities through investments in infrastructure, including community centres like the member has mentioned.

Health

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West, ON]

Madam Speaker, CosMic Plants is a small agriculture business in my riding that produces products for major grocery chains. It is planning to expand and hire more people, but to do that, its current staff needs essential training by professionals on the new equipment purchased from the Netherlands. Unlike many other countries around the world, Canada has no plans for COVID testing, so business travel has stopped.

Does the minister understand that the government's failure on rapid testing is jeopardizing jobs not only at CosMic Plants, but in my riding and around the country?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, every step of the way, Health Canada has been there for industry, for provinces, for territories, indeed for Canadians, approving product as quickly as possible within guidelines that keep Canadians safe.

It is very important that the member opposite know that not only have we been approving rapid tests, but we have been reaching out to manufacturers of these tests to ensure that they apply to market these technologies in Canada. We will stop at nothing to make sure that we have the tools Canadians need.

[Nelly Shin, Conservative, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Madam Speaker, Jacqueline is a single mom with three children and each one has cystic fibrosis. They take 30 pills and spend two to three hours in chest physiotherapy every day. Jacqueline's life is overwhelmed by appointments and close calls, and her ability to work is limited.

Trikafta is a drug that can significantly help CF patients, including children, but just as with COVID rapid testing, Canada is lagging behind on approvals. Trikafta saves lives and should be approved, just as it has been with our allies.

Why do Canadians have to lose hope because of the government's delays and inaction?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, the premise of the question implies that the member opposite does not realize that Vertex has not applied to sell Trikafta here in Canada. In fact, we have reached out to the corporation to ask it to apply. We have assured it that we will expedite the review of Trikafta.

I met with Cystic Fibrosis Canada folks last week and talked about this very thing. It is very important that Vertex know that Canada is anxiously awaiting an application to ensure that Trikafta is available to Canadians as well.

Taxation

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Speaker, without any warning, Anne Perron Arsenault and other Canadian osteopaths were ordered by the Canada Revenue Agency to collect GST, because the government decided overnight that they were no longer recognized as real health care workers.

These businesses owners just took on additional costs to open and comply with health regulations, so why did the government choose now to slap this new tax on them and their clients in the middle of a pandemic?

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue]

Madam Speaker, the excise tax dictates that manual osteopathic services are taxable since they are not regulated by any province or territory. Only osteopathic services provided by a physician are exempt from the GST/HST. The agency has not changed its interpretation of the act in any way.

Canada Post

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Madam Speaker, I am taking a page from your pharmacy and talking about Christmas before Halloween is even over. Canada Post has already warned that it will not be able to handle Christmas deliveries. Two months to go and it has already thrown in the towel, instead of learning from the delays during the pandemic and making improvements. We do not need Canada Post complicating our Christmas plans, on top of COVID.

How will the government force Canada Post to make its deliveries on time?