Debates of Nov. 17th, 2020

Government Transparency

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Mr. Speaker, like many other MPs elected just over a year ago, I have been getting lots of questions about how my first year in Parliament has been. I reply pretty much as expected, while highlighting that it is an absolute honour and privilege to serve the constituents of Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound and that I view myself as one of the more non-partisan MPs in the House. Unfortunately, I find myself becoming more partisan every day. The main reason is the lack of transparency and openness from the government.

In my first question in the House last December on behalf of Canadian beef farmers, I asked why the government did not apply to the World Organisation for Animal Health for BSE negligible risk status in July 2019. I did not get a reply. I asked for a written response this past winter. I got a non-response. I tried again this fall and the answer this time was that Canada applied in July 2020.

The government likes to preach about building back better. How about just do better? Canadians expect answers. Just answer the questions.

Giving Tuesday

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on December 1, we will mark Giving Tuesday. It is the eighth year it will be celebrated in Canada. Giving Tuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering that takes place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day when charities, companies, community leaders and residents join together to support their favourite cause by fundraising, donating, volunteering and spreading the word.

We have seen inspiring Canadians across our country come together to support those in need throughout this pandemic. Across Canada, there are 43 movements celebrating Giving Tuesday, including in my hometown of Mississauga, where a group of volunteers lead Mississauga Gives, a campaign harnessing generosity to bring about positive change.

Whether someone chooses to make a financial contribution to a cause important to them, donates a gently used item, donates time, donates blood or chooses another way to give, I encourage everyone to join millions of Canadians this Giving Tuesday as we unite to make a difference.

Recognition of Bravery

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to rise in the House today to recognize two young constituents who showed incredible bravery in the face of terrifying circumstances.

Last month, Finn and Oliver Goddard were travelling with their family in my riding when the family's truck hit black ice, rolled over, landed on the passenger side and pinned all the occupants. Then 11-year-old Finn sprang into action: He unbuckled Oliver and helped him get out. Under Finn's leadership, together they were able to rescue the rest of the family from the vehicle. Finn was composed and calm, but decisive. He knew what he needed to do and just did it.

I want to say to Finn and Oliver that when others might have froze, they took action and, in doing so, saved lives. They have proven themselves to be steadfast in the face of a daunting challenge. They have demonstrated to themselves and their community that they can do anything.

I am so proud of these young men and I know they have a bright future ahead of them. I hope all colleagues in this place will join me in thanking them.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Natasha is a single mom in my riding who works as a server at a local Italian restaurant. When I talked to her last week, even though I could tell she is as tough as nails, her worry about being out of work because of future COVID lockdowns weighed heavily on her. Natasha wants to work, but in my province, which was already hit hard by the Prime Minister's devastating policies against workers in the energy sector, it has become nearly impossible. The Prime Minister has no understanding that Natasha and most people in Calgary cannot afford to spend two weeks at home to wait for test results if their kids get a runny nose. He also failed to get rapid tests for Canadians, which could have helped to prevent the second wave.

The Prime Minister has failed to take care of Canadians, COVID or not. He consistently puts Canadian interests behind his own or those of the cocktail set at the United Nations. He makes choices that continue to devastate the ability of Canadians to work and be healthy.

We must fight back when he says he wants to expand this devastating so-called reset of our nation. Women like Natasha do need a reset: a new Prime Minister.

The Environment

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a new report just came out naming Saudi Arabia and Canada as the worst performers when it comes to fossil fuel subsidies. Let us take a moment to let that sink in. We are topping the list with Saudi Arabia as the worst in the world.

Canada promised to stop giving out fossil fuel subsidies, but like so many other empty promises, the government is actually increasing the amount of public money being handed out to big oil and gas companies. Let us not forget that the Liberals bought a pipeline. Why are we not investing that money in creating good, sustainable, low-carbon jobs?

Canadians are calling for a just and sustainable recovery. They want investments in clean energy, green infrastructure, energy-efficient housing and public transit. However, instead, the government is doubling down on the fossil fuel industry.

The Prime Minister claims to be a climate leader, but Canada is on par with Saudi Arabia, named as the worst when it comes to handing out public money to big oil and gas. It is time to put some action behind the empty promises and end fossil fuel subsidies now.

Music Venue in Montreal

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for months now, the Bloc Québécois has been calling on the government to create a special status for the unique and wonderful sector that is arts and culture.

We use the term “the arts” to refer to the profoundly human connection between artists and the public in a welcoming and inspiring environment. However, curtains have come down, spotlights have gone dark and wonderfully talented artists are no longer able to earn a living from their craft.

We were saddened to learn that 2 Pierrots, a landmark music venue in Montreal, will close down for good in December. 2 Pierrots was a hallowed place, whose stage helped launch the careers of hundreds of Quebec musicians, some to stardom.

Culture is on the verge of extinction. Both CERB and the wage subsidy were unable to save 2 Pierrots, because the government needs an extensive, targeted, secure and permanent plan to save culture.

I want to congratulate and sincerely thank the owners of 2 Pierrots and all of the artists who brought so much joy to St-Paul Street in Old Montreal. Farewell, 2 Pierrots.

Status of Women

[Jag Sahota, Conservative, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister for Women and Gender Equality publicly guessed how much income she made per year. Not only was she wrong, she was wrong to the tune of almost $20,000. For a CERB recipient, that is 10 months of benefits. For a person in the minister's riding, that is seven months of pay at the average income level.

It is particularly maddening coming from this minister because female entrepreneurs have seen their businesses decimated by COVID-19. Workers in the hospitality and tourism sectors are overwhelmingly women. They are among the hardest hit by the pandemic. They would love to have an additional $20,000, and I bet most of them could tell us, down to the last red cent, how much they made on their last paycheque.

The minister cannot represent Canadian women in the COVID economy if she can forget about more money than most of them will make.

Rainer Karl-August Drimeyer

[Adam Vaughan, Liberal, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there is a picture that hangs in my Ottawa office. It is of a friend, a man called Dri. Dri is short for Rainer Karl-August Drimeyer.

I first met Dri in the mid-nineties. He lived in a tent on Lake Ontario in Toronto. When I met Dri, he had turned his back on the world. He found himself a quiet place to look at the stars, have a little drink and write some cosmic poetry by a fire. Eventually, other homeless people, new tents, then activists and politicians would gather around the fire he started. Tent city was born and Dri was its mayor. Tent city was eventually cleared. The residents were given housing, but Dri was Dri, and he chose to pitch a tent and sleep in that tent because he said it just felt right.

Dri was one of a kind and he passed away this week. He was a reluctant activist, but not only did he remain housed for the rest of his life, he also never stopped fighting to make sure other people were housed as well. We lost a good soul this week. His fight is our fight, and that fight continues to end homelessness in Canada.

To Dri I say, “Rest in peace, mate.”

Foreign Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to China, the government is out of step with our allies.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury department imposed sanctions on four more officials involved in the draconian security laws in Hong Kong. That makes 15 in total. The number of officials sanctioned by the Canadian government is zero.

Why is the government always hanging back when it comes to getting serious with China?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has a complex, multi-dimensional relationship with China that looks at challenges and engages with China with eyes wide open. Many international partners are also facing similar challenges and are actively engaging with them in order to evaluate best approaches together.

We have been clear about the principles and commitment to the rule of law, our deep concern for our citizens who have been detained, and our farmers and producers. We remain firm in defending our principles and interests, and always will.

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

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to threats against Canadian citizens, our eyes have been wide open for years. Chinese Canadians have been subjected to intimidation, not just in Hong Kong but here in Canada as well. At committee, immigration officials admitted they do not track, nor do they try to stop, Chinese agents posing as students, tourists or workers.

Why is the Prime Minister failing to protect Canadians who speak out against the Chinese communist regime?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has among the best security agencies in the world. The folks who work for our security agencies work every single day to keep Canadians safe. Not all of it appears in the newspapers. On the contrary, a lot of the work that is done in important situations is never heard of at all.

We will continue to ensure we are supporting our security agencies and supporting Canadians who speak up, and protecting all Canadians from foreign interference or influence, because we know that to be free in Canada is the best thing in the world.

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

Mr. Speaker, our security agencies know that Huawei cannot be in our 5G network, so I hope the Prime Minister votes with us on our motion.

When Australia realized it had a problem with infiltration by Chinese agents, it did something about it. It stopped infiltration on campuses, in business and in academia. The Prime Minister waves his finger and says that interference is inappropriate. Chinese agents are threatening Canadians on our soil, and all the Prime Minister has to say is that it is in appropriate.

Will the Prime Minister show Canadians that he has a plan to keep them safe from Chinese operations in Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our security agencies have worked with a range of Canadian institutions and universities to make sure that they are safe. Canadian universities, of course, work with a range of industry partners on research projects, so we created a working group with universities and those national security agencies to help Canadians safeguard their work and identify potential risks.

We will always protect data and intellectual property, advance science and ensure that international research partnerships are always beneficial to Canadians.

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

Mr. Speaker, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand have all said no to Huawei in their 5G networks. Those countries have put the interests of their citizens ahead of the interests of the Chinese state, but this Liberal government continues to admire China and ignore the security of Canadians.

When will the Prime Minister say no to Huawei in our 5G networks?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, 5G technologies can meet the explosion in consumer and industrial demand for faster, higher-capacity networks.

We want to ensure that Canadians benefit form the latest 5G innovations, but we will always be there to protect the safety and interests of Canadians. That is why we are working with our security agencies, which will make recommendations on how to best ensure competitiveness while also protecting Canadians and Canadian businesses.

Official Languages

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

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal member for Saint-Laurent says that the decline of the French language in Montreal is a myth. The real myth is the Liberal government’s claim that it is protecting the French language in Québec.

We have been awaiting the modernization of the Official Languages Act since 2015. Nothing has been done, but there have been a lot of delays.

Does the Prime Minister agree with the hon. member?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Saint-Laurent has apologized for her insensitive comments.

As a Montrealer, I am concerned by the decline of the French language we are currently witnessing, and our government will always be there to protect French everywhere in Canada, whether in official language minority communities or in Quebec.

In the throne speech, we acknowledged that French has a special status in North America, and we will work hand in hand with the Government of Quebec to protect the French language in Quebec and across Canada. Above all, we will be there to protect francophones across the country.

Canadian Heritage

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

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

The Minister of Canadian Heritage said, “Our rights end where another's pain begins”. What I understand from this comment by the minister, who is responsible for arts and culture programming, the CRTC and CBC/Radio-Canada, among other things, is that we all lose our freedom of expression the minute someone decides to say they are hurt by what we are saying.

Can the Prime Minister confirm that?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

No, Mr. Speaker. We will always defend freedom of expression, the freedom of our creators and artists to express themselves and to challenge our society and our authorities, as well as our freedom to challenge each other.

We need our creators to help us dream and think about a different world, a better world or a worse world. Our creators are the essence of our identity. We will always support them and defend their freedom of expression.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of creators, who is in charge of censorship at Radio-Canada?

Because of a mere comment, not even a complaint, let alone a letter to the ombudsman, just a comment, Radio-Canada censored an episode of La Petite vie, no less. The censored episode was restored soon after, but with a warning added, just in case anyone might mistake La Petite vie for a BBC documentary.

Is there an expert in playing dress-up here who can tell me if Radio-Canada's censorship of the work of Claude Meunier, Guylaine Tremblay and Marc Labrèche would go so far as to condemn Normand Brathwaite, a Black man playing the role of a Black man?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we will always stand up for freedom of expression. We will always stand up for our creators. We will always stand up for people's ability to express themselves freely in this country.

Radio-Canada's decisions are obviously independent of government measures. We expect everyone to act in a way that upholds our most fundamental rights.

Taxation

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberals, Conservatives and Bloc Québécois all voted against our motion to tax the ultra-wealthy and excess corporate profits.

While families are struggling to make ends meet, the ultra-wealthy are making record profits. Why does the Prime Minister always defend the interests of the ultra-wealthy at the expense of others?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the first thing we did as a government in 2015 was to raise taxes on the wealthy and lower them for the middle class. Unfortunately, the NDP voted against that initiative.

We have been there every step of the way to help the middle class and lift Canadians out of poverty. During this pandemic, we have been there to support families, workers and small businesses. We will always be there to ensure that Canadians get through this pandemic and create a better world through their prosperity. We will be there for them every step of the way.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about what happened yesterday.

Yesterday the Liberals, the Conservatives and the Bloc voted against our motion to tax the ultra-wealthy and to tax the excess profits of large corporations. Let us talk about what excess profits look like. The Westons, who own large grocery stores across Canada, have received massive profits during this pandemic. What they are doing is increasing dividend payouts to their shareholders, while cutting the pay of front-line workers.

Why does the Prime Minister stand with the Westons instead of front-line workers?