Debates of Nov. 19th, 2020

Florentino Rosario

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Montreal Filipino-Canadian community and broader Montreal community have lost a true humanitarian, gentleman and civic builder.

Dr. Florentino Rosario's life and career as a surgeon took him from the Philippines to the United States to Ottawa's Montfort Hospital and later to Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital and Lachine General Hospital.

A gentle and humble man, his ethic of service extended beyond the professional realm to caring for the social and cultural well-being of his community. In 1976, noticing that more Filipino Canadians were moving to Montreal's West Island, Dr. Rosario founded the Filipino Canadian Association of West Island, which today continues to provide opportunities for West Islanders of Filipino heritage to celebrate their history and culture, and youth to socialize through sporting and other activities.

To Dr. Rosario's wife, Pat, we offer our deepest condolences on this tremendous loss that is shared by so many.

Suicide

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

Mr. Speaker, prior to the COVID pandemic, it was estimated that 10 people on average died by suicide every day in Canada. However, we know the numbers are likely higher as many cases go unreported due to the stigma attached to suicide and mental health. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults, and males account for 75% of all suicides.

Since the pandemic began, the existing mental health crisis across Canada has only become worse. Crisis hotlines have experienced a 200% increase in calls, which has led to increased wait times. These statistics are alarming and we need to do better.

I recently tabled a motion in the House that would consolidate all existing suicide prevent services into one national suicide prevention hotline, with a simple to remember three-digit phone number, 988. When minutes count, a three-digit number could make the difference between a life saved or a life lost. The United States has taken real action on this and there is no reason why colleagues in the House cannot rally together and do the same.

My inbox is overwhelmed with messages from Canadians who have had experiences with suicide. I know that with the support of all colleagues in the House, we can do this. We have the opportunity to take real action right now. Let us work together and bring 988 to Canada.

Conservative Party

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this fall I celebrated my 12th year as a Conservative MP. I am thankful for the numerous individuals, men and women alike, who encouraged me to run, and the tremendous support I received from the Conservative Party once I made my decision.

When it comes to women in leadership, I am proud of our history, as ours truly is the party of firsts in the country: the first female cabinet minister and the first to serve as acting prime minister, Ellen Fairclough; the first woman to lead the official opposition, Deb Grey; Canada's first female foreign minister, Flora MacDonald; and, finally, Canada's first female prime minister, the Right Hon. Kim Campbell. They were all Conservatives.

As a mom to four beautiful, strong women and grandmother to seven granddaughters, I am grateful for these role models. I am proud to work alongside incredible women in our caucus today and I invite Canadian women all across the country to take another look at our Conservative Party.

COVID-19 Pandemic

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in my riding, we have the largest health care tribute mural in Canada in my riding. It was created by local artist David Derkatz and depicts a local nurse and doctor fighting COVID-19 on the front lines.

With the second wave upon us and the numbers of those infected and hospitalized exceeding levels seen this spring, we must reflect on what is next. Front-line health care workers, including those working at Windsor Regional Hospital, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, long-term health care facilities, those providing health care services in people's homes or those delivering services in the community, have been battling the pandemic daily for more than eight months now for all of us, with many more months to go before it is over.

We should take a moment to reflect on how their work life has been altered since the start of this pandemic and think about the emotional highs and lows they have endured as they fight COVID-19, sometimes being the final person someone sees before passing from this world.

For those who have not been wearing masks, it breaks public health orders and creates problems for those who are doing their jobs to protect us. We must all remain vigilant and do our part. If people love their families, friends, neighbours or even themselves, please wear a mask. Let this not all be in vain.

I thank our health care workers.

Christmas Miracle in Grand-Mère

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

Mr. Speaker, for 12 years now, a group of jovial retirees, including my very friendly neighbour across the street, have been getting together starting in early November to whip up sweet and savoury pies and other traditional Christmas comfort foods.

I will let members picture these men slaving over the stove under the stern yet amused gaze of their wives, who also lend a skillful hand to create these delights that taste as good as they smell.

In the basement of Saint-Paul church in Grand-Mère, a Christmas miracle happens over and over and over. Serge Leclerc and André Vanasse lead a team that proudly bakes around 14,000 pies and raises about $46,000 a year for people in need in Grand-Mère and Shawinigan. This makes the local city councillor very proud, and me too, of course.

Way to go, guys. You are doing great work.

China

[Leona Alleslev, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Canada's approach to China, the Liberal government has it drastically wrong and refuses to do anything about it. That is why Conservatives brought forward a motion to force the Liberals to change course, to make a decision on Huawei and to develop a plan to protect Canadians against China's aggressive foreign operations.

Canada is the only Five Eyes country that has not banned Huawei. With increased Chinese ownership of critical Canadian assets, widespread hacking and intellectual property theft and the intimidation of our citizens by Chinese agents right here at home, we are in urgent need of a plan.

However, only five Liberals put the security of Canadians first and all the others voted no, but they lost. Now they must provide a decision on Huawei and they must provide a plan within 30 days. Will they? Canada's economic and national security hangs in the balance. Canadians will be watching.

Long-Term Care

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today on Parliament Hill the advocacy group “Canadians for long-term care standards” led an emotional memorial called “Broken Hearts, Empty Shoes”. They placed over 2,000 pairs of shoes in remembrance of those we had lost in long-term care homes this year and years past due to neglect. Many families in my community have been impacted.

Families like the Parkes family, who lost Paul Parkes when he sadly passed away at Orchard Villa last spring. Mr. Parkes' family could not be by his side in his final days and his family had to hear about the deplorable conditions he and other vulnerable seniors were left in. Mr. Parkes' daughter, Cathy, has been sharing his story like so many family members who have lost loved ones. They have been advocating for the necessity and urgency of establishing national standards in long-term care.

I am grateful to our Prime Minister for his leadership and commitment to establish national standards. We need to ensure that our most vulnerable seniors are cared for and these tragedies never happen again.

Foreign Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, today the Liberal government voted against the state of Israel at the UN General Assembly for a second year in a row, contrary to our long-standing Canadian policy of opposing all resolutions that single out Israel. This is a policy that former prime minister Paul Martin had put in place. Even Ambassador Rae said he disagreed with the preamble of the resolution.

Why did the government break with long-standing Canadian policy and vote against the state of Israel at the UN General Assembly today?

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

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. Israel is a close and important friend of Canada, and Canada will always stand with Israel.

Let me also be very clear to Jewish Canadians in my riding and across the country. We stand with them, particularly today when we are seeing an appalling rise in anti-Semitism here and around the world.

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

Mr. Speaker, last year the Liberals broke with Canadian policy in pursuit of a UN Security Council seat. We all know how that ended. Canada lost the vote with six fewer votes than it had received in 2010, which is a damning indictment of the government's foreign policy. That is six fewer countries that see Canada as a leader on the world stage today.

When will the government restore Canada's long-standing opposition to these anti-Israel resolutions, which were upheld by previous Liberal and Conservative governments and put in place by former prime minister Paul Martin?

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

Mr. Speaker, let me speak to Canada's place in the world and to our foreign policy. Today we are living in a world where there is a worrying rise of authoritarian regimes and a worrying rise of anti-democratic populism. Our country, in that world, will always stand up for human rights and will always stand up for the rules-based international order. That may not always be popular, but that is the Canadian way.

Justice

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have five names: Robert M. Dysant, Arthur T. Doyle, Charles LeBlond, Tracey K. DeWare and Marie-Claude Bélanger-Richard.

What these people have in common is that they were all appointed as judges in New Brunswick and they are all friends of the Liberal member for Beauséjour. It pays to be friends with a Liberal MP. They just have to buy him lunch, and they get a job for life.

What does the Minister of Justice consider most important in the selection process? Is it donating to the Liberal Party, or is it knowing the Liberal member for Beauséjour?

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

Mr. Speaker, our government is proud of the process we introduced.

In 2016, we made essential reforms to the existing process, which included bringing back judicial advisory committees. This led to the appointment of 400 first-class legal experts to the bench by our government. It is a transparent and fair process that has contributed to diversity on the bench.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, just recently, another lawyer, Philippe Bélanger, was appointed to the bench. The scoop is that he was not friends with the member for Beauséjour, but he was friends with the Minister of Justice and had donated close to $10,000 to the Liberal Party. Should we be surprised? No.

In 2016, the former minister and current independent member for Vancouver Granville promised to review the judicial selection process to make it more transparent and merit-based.

Does the minister still intend to move forward with that reform?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

Our Minister of Justice was a law professor at McGill. He is a lawyer with very strong ethics and principles. We are very proud of the judicial selection process introduced by our government. It is a transparent process, far more transparent than the one we had before.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the process is supposedly transparent and relies on a committee that includes important figures from the legal community.

That very committee suggested an experienced lawyer from Quebec. A judge even supported the candidate, and she met all the criteria, except for one: the Liberal criterion. The lawyer in question is the spouse of one of our key Conservative volunteers in the riding of Drummond.

Why are the political views of candidates' spouses being taken into consideration when appointing judges?

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

Mr. Speaker, I do not fully agree with the question.

The reality is that our judicial appointment process is a clear process, a transparent process, an open process, a process that has led to a more diverse judiciary. It has helped select highly qualified judges in Canada.

Official Languages

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals say they want to defend French in Quebec, but they do not walk the talk.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said that he supported Bill 101, but the federal government has been gutting it since 1977. This government has refused to apply Bill 101 to federally regulated businesses. The Liberals even said at the time that it was a disgrace.

Today, the Bloc is proposing a bill to make an adequate knowledge of French a condition for becoming a citizen in Quebec. The Liberals do not want that, and they will be voting against it.

At the end of the day, is the Liberal Party’s real position on French in Quebec the same as the position of the member for Saint-Laurent?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

I am obviously an anglophone, but I must say that I agree that the French language in Canada, in Quebec and in Montreal is in a very fragile position. I agree that all of us here in the House have an obligation to work to help and preserve the French language in Quebec and Montreal. This is very important to us.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it looks like the Liberals have finally agreed that they want to promote French.

They recognize that French is in decline in Quebec. We thought that if the Bloc introduced a bill in favour of French, they would support it. Instead, however, they are threatening to oppose requiring a minimum knowledge of French for citizenship in Quebec.

Their words are hard to follow, but their actions are much clearer: they are against it. Why do they have this discomfort with French?

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

Mr. Speaker, defending the French language and Quebec culture is a priority for our government.

I want to give an example. During the negotiations on the new NAFTA, which were very difficult, we held a very firm position, which was to not allow any changes to the cultural exemption that protects Quebec culture and the French language. We succeeded in protecting that. It was very important to us.

The Environment

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis together, but the climate crisis is still going on. People are worried.

In 2007, Jack Layton introduced the first bill to combat climate change. Jack would not have been happy with the Liberal government's proposal to wait 10 years for results. People are worried now. They fear for the future, for the planet.

Is the Prime Minister committed to combatting climate change with the intention of winning?

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

Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. That is why I am very proud to say that the Canadian net-zero emissions accountability act will require the federal government to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we are all faced with the crisis of COVID-19, but the climate crisis is still here. People are worried about the future.

In 2007, years ago, Jack Layton proposed a bill to fight the climate crisis. It was the first of its kind. Jack would not be satisfied with the Liberal government's proposal to wait 10 years before seeing any results. People are worried right now, and they want to see a real commitment.

Will the Prime Minister commit to fighting the battle against the climate crisis as if he really wants to win it?

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

Mr. Speaker, of course the Prime Minister will, and so will everyone on this side of the House.

I will ask, respectfully, the leader of the NDP, whether the NDP will commit to supporting the Canadian net-zero emissions accountability act. This is landmark legislation. It sets Canada on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050. I am so proud of Canada for this legislation and I hope all members of the House will support it.