Debates of Nov. 3rd, 2020

Women

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of Canadian women. Their strength, ingenuity, bravery and intelligence are evident every day in Canadian society.

As a member of Parliament, lawyer and mother of four, I marvel at the professionalism, enthusiasm, dedication and caring hearts that my three grown daughters bring to their careers, studies and relationships.

Women make up a huge share of our front-line workers and are often sandwiched between their children and elderly parents. Many are entrepreneurs and small business owners. They are bearing the brunt of this pandemic on every front imaginable. They should be recognized and respected for their immense contributions.

I have always believed in the value of mentoring and encouraging young women. I was the founding chair of the CBA Women Lawyers Forum both nationally and in B.C. We championed formal mentorship, resilience and leadership education, and intergenerational collegiality. It has been proven that increased numbers of women on corporate boards leads to business excellence and success.

All women should consider mentorship and should encourage their peers during these trying times. I thank them for everything they do.

James Choi

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life of Corporal James Choi, a member of the Royal Westminster Regiment and a patriot who devoted his life to his country, family and community. Tragically, Corporal Choi passed away at age 29 after succumbing to wounds obtained during a live-fire training exercise in Wainwright, Alberta.

James was born in Mission, B.C., and grew up in Coquitlam as the eldest of three children to Korean immigrant parents. He was a football and lacrosse player, and studied criminology before joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 2016. He was described by his family as having been exceptionally responsible. Everything he did was about serving others and ensuring that his loved ones were safe and well.

Corporal James Choi will forever be in the hearts of those who were touched by his humility and love. I express my deepest condolences to his family, and I am here to support them during this season of grief.

[Member spoke in Korean]

[English]

May James rest in peace.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Winnipeg has now been declared code red because of COVID, and while the government keeps talking about how we are all in this together, people are being left behind. From the threat that 50% of small businesses will be closing in Winnipeg Centre, to the loss of loved ones at Parkview Place because of the government's failure to end for-profit care and legislate national standards for care, to the cases now being reported in local shelters, like Siloam Mission, this is a tragedy and the situation is becoming more dire by the moment.

The Liberals must match their talk with action and immediately take substantial measures to help our community. People's lives and jobs are on the line, and this is happening under the watch of the Liberal government. If we are really all in this together, it is time for the government to demonstrate it through real action.

National Caregiver Week

[Denis Trudel, Bloc, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during national caregiver week, let us all acknowledge caregivers' commitment to the well-being of their family members. Since this year's theme emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers, let us commend the invisible work of the people, mostly women, who make sacrifices over and over out of love, but who all too often forget to take care of themselves. They do invisible work with people who are sick, disabled or losing their autonomy, in addition to having a life-long role as a spouse, parent and worker. It is invisible work, but it is quite common. Almost one-quarter of Quebeckers are caregivers in one way or another, providing physical care, helping loved ones do their shopping and household chores, and more. Caregivers are among those most affected by the pandemic. Many of them gave up their income or job to protect someone who is weak or currently fragile.

In closing, I also want to thank the organizations that provide assistance and support to caregivers. We are with them, and we thank them.

Canadian Justice System

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the institution of the Canadian justice system is the envy of the world. We have a reputation for being a country that respects human rights, and we are all very proud of that. However, there is a fly in the ointment. The judicial appointment process has been tarnished by a Liberal corruption scandal. In order to be credible, this process has to be shielded from any political influence. We support an independent, impartial panel of experts to choose the best highly qualified candidates for judicial appointments in Canada.

I condemn the Liberals for choosing another path, for interfering in the selection of highly qualified candidates and replacing them with Liberal Party cronies. This situation is unacceptable and calls for the House to investigate the Liberal government's shady actions. This is about our reputation as a Canadian society here and abroad. We all have a duty as MPs to protect our Canadian justice system that is so dear to us. For that reason, we want to know the whole truth.

Sustainable Development

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Montreal East has an exceptional potential for development. In the coming years, we will have major opportunities to develop former industrial sites while preserving the environment.

In Hochelaga, hundreds of residents have come together to save the Boisé Steinberg, thereby demonstrating the importance they attach to natural, green spaces. I completely support the residents' initiative in planting trees. I applaud the support from other elected officials in preserving this wetland in the east.

I believe that it is essential for the future health of our cities to promote a vision for development that blends both the economy and the environment. That is why our government is making investments such as $950 million in the green municipal fund, $31 million for the Canada healthy communities initiative, and has allocated $2.2 billion to municipalities by accelerating this year's payments from the gas tax fund in order to support sustainable development projects. In Montreal East, we have an opportunity to provide a renewed boost to innovative, sustainable economic development.

Terrorism

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

Mr. Speaker, “certain political rights are inseparable from the very essence of democracy: freedom of thought, speech, expression..., assembly and association.” Can the Prime Minister tell us whose quote that is?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we will always defend political rights, Canadians' rights, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, freedom of expression, freedom of religion. All the rights Canadians expect governments to defend, we will always defend.

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

Today, Mr. Speaker, but not on Friday.

That quote was by the Prime Minister's father, in a book published while he was prime minister. In one generation, the Liberal Party has gone from freedom of speech being the very essence of democracy to the Prime Minister musing about what speech he might limit.

In the last week, world leaders have been standing with President Macron and defending free speech. Why has the Prime Minister not?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, last week, like this week, we condemn unequivocally the terrorist attacks in France and elsewhere. We stand with the French people. We will always stand against terrorism, against violence and in defence of free speech and other rights we hold dear around the world.

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

Mr. Speaker, four days ago, Canadians were concerned when the Prime Minister seemed to suggest that he would limit the freedom of expression. He wanted to have sensitive debates about “possible exceptions” while wearing a poppy, a symbol of our freedoms and liberties granted by the sacrifice of thousands who came before us.

The question is very simple. Does the Prime Minister believe that freedom of speech is essential to a democracy, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I said that last week, I say that again this week. Nothing justifies the horrific violence we saw last week and over the past weeks. Nothing justifies violence, nothing justifies terrorism. We will unequivocally defend freedom of speech, as I said last week, as I continue to say this week and as I will say again next week, if the hon. member asks.

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

Mr. Speaker, this morning, President Macron called Premier Legault. He thanked him for always being at France's side in protecting freedom of expression.

If the Prime Minister stands in so much solidarity, why did President Macron not call him?

Can the Prime Minister acknowledge his mistake and agree to always protect freedom of expression as guaranteed in the charter?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as I said last week, we unequivocally condemn the acts of terrorism that we have seen in France and elsewhere. We will always stand in solidarity with our friends in France. We will always defend freedom of expression. We will always work with France to promote the values we share all around the world.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is flip-flopping on a matter of basic rights, and that is disturbing.

We know the Prime Minister is refusing to stand up for true freedom of expression. Perhaps he has forgotten that the Charter of Rights signed by Pierre Elliott Trudeau guarantees that right. One is either for it or against it. There is no grey area.

Why is the Prime Minister unable to defend freedom of expression?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I said it last week and I have said it four times already today. I will say it again and I will continue to say it: We unequivocally defend freedom of expression. We unequivocally condemn these terrorist acts. Such violence is never justified.

We will always stand strong with our French friends and all who defend these fundamental rights around the world as we fight terrorism together.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have another chance to try to get an answer. It is hard to keep up with the Prime Minister.

On Friday, he came perilously close to rationalizing the terrorist attacks in France and the sickening murder of Samuel Paty by stating that the caricatures of Mohammed were a provocation and that free speech is not without limits. This morning, he is trying to make us believe the opposite. That is quite the acrobatic feat.

Does he condemn the Mohammed caricatures? No, but creators should self-censor. This is kind of like therapy: It will do him good to answer our question.

Where exactly is the limit on freedom of expression?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as I said last week and as I have said many times today, we will always defend freedom of expression. It is a fundamental principle of our democracy and our freedoms as citizens. We will always stand up in defence of freedom of expression.

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

Mr. Speaker, please. He keeps contradicting himself, except just now, when he finally said the same thing twice in a row.

To our great relief, the Quebec National Assembly and the Premier of Quebec have spoken on behalf of the Quebec nation. The French president actually called Premier Legault this morning.

Quebec refuses to sacrifice its values, its language, secularism, freedom of speech and communal harmony to multiculturalist communitarianism. Quebec condemns the attacks and their radical Islamist religious motives against France. This Prime Minister is undermining our relationship and friendship with France.

Will he at least admit that he does not speak for Quebec on such matters?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, we have been working very closely with President Macron for several years now to combat terrorism, defend our fundamental rights, defend freedom of speech and defend the values we care about as Canadian and French citizens.

We have been there to fight for the environment. We have been there, side by side, to fight for women's rights. We will continue to work closely to support and defend the freedoms of everyone on the planet.

Health

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians are worried about flu vaccine shortages.

Doctors have had to cancel appointments. Pharmacies do not have any more vaccines. Not only are we living in a global pandemic, but we are now fearing a flu epidemic.

Why did the Liberal government not prepare for this?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, we saw it coming and ordered more flu vaccines than usual. We are there to make sure that Canadians can get the flu vaccine. It is a very good thing that a record number of Canadians are seeking to get a flu vaccine. We will make sure that we have vaccines for everybody, because we know that fighting the seasonal flu is a very good way to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19.

We will always be there for Canadians.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, maybe the Prime Minister is not aware there are pharmacies that have run out of the vaccine. There are doctors that are cancelling appointments. People cannot get access to the vaccine for the flu in the middle of a global pandemic. We should have been prepared for this. Why was the Prime Minister's Liberal government not prepared for the reality of a flu season to have sufficient access to the flu vaccine?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we pre-ordered more flu vaccines than normal because we knew Canadians would do the important and right thing and get their flu vaccines. We have seen record numbers of people coming out for their flu vaccines. We will continue to work with the provinces and territories in order to be able to meet this surge in demand, because it is a good thing that Canadians are getting their flu vaccines. I will continue encouraging people to get their flu vaccines. Orders of government will work together to ensure that people will be able to get vaccinated soon.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, small businesses have suffered across Canada. Industry experts say that 60% of restaurants may fail by the end of the year. The Liberals knew that their failed rent subsidy and flawed wage subsidy programs were coming to an end this fall, yet they chose to prorogue the House in August and failed to prepare the necessary legislation when Parliament reopened. It is November 3. Why have small businesses had to wait months to find out details of support programs?