Debates of Dec. 2nd, 2020

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Sound Quality and Interpretation in House Proceedings

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I would like to make a brief statement regarding the participation of members in hybrid sittings of the House.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the House has adapted or changed some practices to allow for hybrid sittings. This is to ensure the safe participation of members, whether they are physically present or participating via video conference.

The introduction of the technology allowing hybrid sittings allows members to speak and hear the proceedings of the House in the official language of their choice. I would like to remind everyone that if they are not speaking, to please turn off their mikes or put them on mute.

To be effective, however, interpreters following the proceedings must be able to hear what is being said so they can repeat it in the other language. It is not possible to allow simultaneous interpretation when the audio quality is not good enough. This has led to interpretations that are disruptive to the proceedings.

The Chair understands that House leaders and whips have taken steps to address this problem and remind all members to abide by the best practices with respect to video conferencing, including the use of House-approved audio equipment.

Using such equipment will reduce the chances of disruption and improve the smooth conduct of our deliberations. Equally important, I want to remind members to perform the necessary connectivity and audio quality tests before participating in the proceedings. IT ambassadors are available should members need assistance or wish to confirm that their setup meets the required standards.

To this end, members have to use the proper audio equipment and connectivity in order to participate in debate remotely. This will be the best way to allow our proceedings to continue uninterrupted in both official languages.

I thank all hon. members for their attention in this matter.

New Brunswick

[Jenica Atwin, Green, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, an ode to N.B.:

Some words of support and appreciation,
Some love for New Brunswick sent across the nation
To entrepreneurs pushing side hustles,
To our front-line workers and our own Dr. Russell.
Our citizens acted to protect others,
Thinking of nurses, sisters and brothers.
With so much at stake and facing such trouble,
We did our best to stay safe in the bubble.
Once thought of as Canada's sleepy drive-through,
The desire to visit steadily grew.
Come find us online and see what is in store;
When this is all over, come visit our shores.
We have the highest tides, farmers markets with loot,
The longest covered bridges and the biggest axe to boot.
A diverse place, home to rich cultures and celebrations,
Like Harvest Jazz and Blues, and Mawi'omi in first nations,
Harbours and haunts with lobsters and fiddles,
Acadian hospitality and Moncton in the middle.
From St. Andrews to Stonehaven, Madawaska to Dalhousie,
We are fun-loving Maritimes and we say it proudly,

Let's go, everyone.

We would love to see you here.
Come for the “Frenglish” and stay for the beer.
But until the time we can meet again,
Stay two metres apart, mask up and stay safe, my friends.

Happy holidays.

Roger Nugent

[Ken McDonald, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, Roger Nugent of Conception Bay South, a son, a loving husband and friend, passed away at the age of 60.

Roger was a good friend of mine. As kids, we started school together, and we graduated high school alongside one another in 1976. He was a great guy who was always up for a laugh or a lark, but was never one to cause trouble. He was a man who loved hunting, fishing or anything to do with the great outdoors.

Over the years, I spent a lot of time in the Nugent family home. I was always welcomed and made to feel safe. Roger is missed by many, but especially by his loving wife, Bernice; his parents, Tony and Ursula; his brothers and sisters, Kenny, Terry, Debbie and Joy; and of course his best buddy, his dog, Chipper.

Roger, my friend, will be missed. May God bless him.

Holiday Season

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage my constituents and those across the country to shop local this Christmas.

This year has been tough, especially for small businesses. Many small business owners I have spoken to since the pandemic began say they are barely hanging on. No matter how difficult the circumstances, small businesses truly are the foundation of our communities. Even just one purchase, when amplified across the whole community, could make a big difference.

Some small business owners are seeing more people shopping local, which is good to hear. Looking back on 2020, this has not been an easy year for anyone. My constituents have preserved and remain hopeful, despite all 2020 has thrown at us.

I want to take a moment to wish you, Mr. Speaker, and all my colleagues and, most of all, my constituents of Yellowhead a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. This holiday season, I remind everyone to shop local.

Cam's Kids

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Gordon Hicks, a resident of Uxbridge, Ontario, who is being appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.

Gord and his family founded Cam's Kids, a foundation focused on ensuring that no child's mental health issues restrict their potential. The foundation is named after Gordon's son, Cameron, who struggled with anxiety and tragically passed away during his first year at the University of Ottawa.

What makes Gord so inspiring is his ability to translate the pain of losing his son into meaningful work to help prevent other families from suffering the same loss. When speaking to Gord, he explained that the pain of losing a loved one never fades, yet he and his family wanted to turn Cam's tragedy into helping other young people. They felt if they could help save even one person, then they would make a real difference in honour of Cam.

Cam's Kids has ambassadors in universities and colleges across the country, and has supported countless young people, which is a powerful legacy in Cam's honour. We thank Gord and the Hicks family for the betterment of our community and our country, and wish him congratulations.

Louis Plamondon

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

Mr. Speaker, our very esteemed colleague, the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, our friend, my friend, now holds the record for longest serving French-speaking member of the House of Commons. He has been a member of the House for 36 years, two months and 28 days today.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois I want to humbly recognize his total commitment to his constituents and his close, often personal, relationship with them, as well as his commitment to Quebec sovereignty because he is the dean of separatists in the federal Parliament and he has all sorts of new friends. I said I make this statement humbly because, after all, I am talking on behalf of a party that the member founded in his riding of Sorel‑Tracy with Lucien Bouchard.

Adored and adorable, wise, but not overly so, my colleague won the confidence of his constituents 11 times because he is there for people, he listens, and he will do anything for the people and businesses in his part of the country.

I am confident that he will convince them to vote for him a twelfth time, and if he does, he will beat Wilfrid Laurier's century-old record. We will wait until just after that for Quebec to separate.

Congratulations. It will be a pleasure to continue writing history together.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Unfortunately, persons with disabilities often have the hardest time accessing health care, education and jobs. They are at high risk of poverty, violence and neglect, and are often the most marginalized individuals in communities in crisis.

As a society, it is our responsibility to make sure nobody is left behind during this pandemic and to rebuild a stronger, more inclusive society. Let's commit to rebuilding our country together with Canadians with disabilities, and let's make sure they get full access to the services and care they need.

Murray Church

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a story about the community coming together in Merritt, British Columbia, to rebuild the historic Murray Church after it burned down from a pointless act of arson in January 2019. I am happy to say that the church has reached nearly $170,000 of its $200,000 goal. It recently held a ground-breaking ceremony with the hope of construction next year. The fire caused a lot of anger and heartbreak for the people of Merritt, but they have taken a difficult situation and, despite all the challenges they have faced, turned it into something that people could rally together on. The spirit of community is extended right across this great country, as many Canadians have contacted Trinity United Church to show their support. My congratulations go to all involved.

As we enter the holiday season, let us remember that we are all part of a community and what that means. Let us give back to those we love and those in need. Let us look to positive examples like Merritt, and know we can overcome anger and sadness and come together as a country.

Conservation Authorities Act

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, I join Halton mayors and conservation authorities across Ontario, and state my extreme frustration with Ontario's Bill 229, schedule 6 amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act.

Conservation authorities, such as Conservation Halton, have served the interests of Ontarians for over 60 years. They have not only worked to conserve the environment, but they have ensured the resilience of ecologically important watersheds such as ours in Halton. Locally, ours has planted four million trees. It manages over 11,000 acres of land, employs hundreds of people, educates millions of kids and provides a place to play, hike, swim, paddle and ski for millions of Ontarians every year. Conservation authorities do essential work. They are experts, researchers, guardians and stewards. The environment does not stop at the stream or the trailhead. When environmental protections are reduced, it undermines human health.

I appreciate that this is a provincial matter, but it affects everyone. I ask that Premier Ford and his government withdraw schedule 6 from Bill 229, and uphold the integrity of conservation authorities in Ontario so they can continue protecting our natural environment and the collective well-being of Ontarians.

Orleans Parade of Lights

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, despite the challenges, the traditional Orleans Christmas parade has been reinvented this year.

The first parade took place in 1994, and it has grown to become Canada's largest after-dark Santa Claus parade with crowds of over 100,000 in attendance. Thanks to the incredible work of the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters Association and its partners, we will be able to experience the magic of Christmas once again. The 26th edition of the Orleans Parade of Lights takes place on December 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. In keeping with today's realities, it will feature a static, drive-through display at the OC Transpo Park & Ride on the north side of Place d'Orleans.

I invite everyone to join me in taking part in this amazing drive-through initiative, whose purpose is to collect toys and money for our community's less fortunate.

Thank you, and I hope to see you Saturday.

COVID-19 Vaccine Plan

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

Mr. Speaker, a failure to plan is a plan to fail, and Canada has no COVID-19 vaccine plan. The government has secured access to the vaccine. What it has not done is told us who, when, where, what or how Canadians will get it. Worse still, the Liberals are attempting to downplay the severity that Canada's lack of a plan implies.

As a former military logistician, I cannot overstate that the complexity of the prioritization, transportation and security of the vaccine distribution must not be underestimated. The vaccine may not be available yet, but the value of being ready when it is will be measured in deaths prevented and livelihoods saved.

The government has had months to prepare, but has failed to act. Canadians are waiting. Canadians need a national COVID-19 vaccine plan, now.

Local Small Business

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

Mr. Speaker, my riding of Saint John—Rothesay is currently in the midst of its second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our local small businesses are again bearing the brunt of the economic impact of the increased public health restrictions that are necessary to flatten the curve.

The last three months of the year are when most retailers make more than 40% of their annual revenue. For small retail businesses in our community, the second wave could not have come at a worse time. As a former small business owner, I know first-hand how critical small businesses are to our community. They are truly the backbone of our local economy. That is why I am committed to standing up for small businesses in my riding in the House. I also rise today to encourage the people of my riding to support local small businesses when they do their holiday shopping this year.

This holiday season, let us all give back to those who give our community so much all year, by gifting local.

Foreign Affairs

[Ron Liepert, Conservative, Calgary Signal Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, for nine months Canadians have isolated, worn masks and had their lives significantly disrupted, but those are inconveniences that pale in comparison to what two Canadian citizens have had to endure in China. It is going to be two years, in a couple of days, since Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were detained arbitrarily by the Chinese government.

Michael Spavor's family members are constituents of mine, and while believing that much has been done to secure his release, they are getting concerned for his well-being and for the toll that this is starting to take. While Meng Wanzhou is given due process and almost total freedom in Vancouver, Michael Spavor has been a total prisoner of the Chinese government, in apparent retaliation for her arrest.

The Spavor family is grateful for the work of Canadian officials, including ambassador Barton, during these past two years. However, today I am calling on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to elevate this file and secure the freedom of these two innocent Canadian citizens.

Keystone XL Pipeline

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I stand today on an issue close to my constituents: the Keystone XL pipeline. This important endeavour is now the subject of scrutiny south of the border, as the new administration is taking office.

COVID-19 shook the lives of every Canadian. It took the jobs of many, and now we need to prepare for our economic recovery by safeguarding projects of national interest, such as Keystone XL.

I call on the Liberal government to set aside our political differences and help advocate for this important project to get Canadian resources to market. Together, we can save Keystone XL and, with it, thousands of well-paying jobs in Alberta for the sake of national unity.

Birthday Congratulations

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on November 27, one of my constituents, Rose Jacobson, celebrated her 100th birthday.

To this day, Rose can still rattle off her name in Morse code because of her service in the Second World War. She became an expert in many codes during her years of service.

Rose grew up in Montreal, and when the call came for women to join the forces, she left her job to do so. Rose said that the initial reaction to women in the army was a bit awkward, and some thought it was a bit of joke, but in time, she and her peers earned respect for their work to support the war effort.

From 1942 until the end of the war in 1945, Rose spent much of the war training pilots, and some of them were from Australia and New Zealand. She said that she did not choose to be an instructor. They chose her.

Rose married a military man, Edwin Christopher “Jake” Jacobson, and over the years they had three daughters: Sharon, Diane and Lynne.

Today we celebrate Rose, her accomplishments and her tremendous service to this country.

We thank Rose and wish her a happy birthday.

Mercier‑Est Community Organization

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

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise to mark the 35th anniversary of an organization in Mercier‑Est called “Le Chez‑Nous”, a vital community hub for people aged 55 and over in La Pointe-de-l'Île.

For the past 35 years, Le Chez‑Nous has been offering recreation activities, coordinating outreach services and providing compassionate support to our most vulnerable seniors. What is important to highlight today, however, is the vitality of its members and the dedication of its volunteers. These women and men make an enormous contribution that reaches far beyond the organization's walls. They help maintain intergenerational ties and have a positive impact on the entire Tétreaultville community.

It is a great honour for me to wish a happy 35th anniversary to Carmen Diaconescu, the chair of the board of directors, Melda Saeedi, the executive director, and the 1,000 members of that organization.

Happy 35th anniversary, Le Chez‑Nous, and keep up the good work.

Parry Sound—Muskoka

[Scott Aitchison, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we approach the Christmas season, I think it is safe to say that we will all be glad to put 2020 behind us.

In Parry Sound—Muskoka, communities have come together to support each other and our most vulnerable, especially seniors. First responders, paramedics, firefighters, police, nurses, doctors and support staff have all served our community admirably through this crisis. Now we are turning our attention to real and meaningful recovery.

In Parry Sound—Muskoka, recovery starts with building on our strengths: our natural resources, lakes and waterways, our clean environment and, most importantly, our people. What the people of Parry Sound—Muskoka are looking for from government is a real plan on vaccine delivery, an economic plan that includes more than massive and crushing debt, access to reliable and affordable Internet, and delivery on attainable housing promises.

What we need is the certainty, clarity and competence a Conservative government would deliver.

Violence Against Women

[Yvonne Jones, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, as we approach the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, I stand to remind colleagues and all Canadians that for too long victims of gender-based violence have had to suffer in silence. One-third of women in Canada over the age of 15 face gender-based violence. This is staggering, and we must all work together to ensure the protection of all women.

In Labrador and across Canada, I commend the efforts of those working hard to help women and children who are fleeing violence and who are calling others to action in support of their safety. Whether it is the women's transition house in Nain, Sheshatshiu, Natuashish, Rigolet, Happy Valley Goose Bay or Labrador City, or the Selma Onalik Safe House in Hopedale, we know that there are safe places for women and children to turn for help across Labrador.

Our government is committed, and we will not stop the heavy lifting that is required to help victims of gender-based violence, because together we can create a society where all people feel safe, including all women.

Health

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

Mr. Speaker, in May, the government signed with Chinese pharmaceutical giant CanSino to manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine. In late August, the deal fell apart. It was not until September 16 that the government opened up a new approval stream for COVID-19 vaccines that could be imported to Canada. The first approvals were not applied for until October.

Why did the Prime Minister cost Canadians five months in the vaccine race because he wanted to partner with China?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, from the spring we knew that the way through this pandemic was going to be with vaccines, so we set out to make deals and to find out how many vaccine companies we could sign potential deals with. We actually signed and announced deals with Moderna and Pfizer in early August, well before the CanSino project fell through.

We put all our eggs in as many different baskets as possible, and that is how we have the most diverse portfolio of vaccines and more doses potentially per capita than any other country in the world. We have been there for Canadians.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister partnered with CanSino first in May. We know from Global News today that CSIS had been warning the government about CanSino for years. In fact, we asked the public safety minister last week if intelligence officials had briefed the Prime Minister and the government about risks on CanSino. He refused to answer, and Canadians deserve answers.

How delayed is our vaccine response going to be because the Prime Minister preferred to partner with China ahead of everyone else?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is not at all, not delayed at all. We set out to ensure we were knocking on every single door. We were ensuring that regardless of which companies or which researchers found the vaccine first, Canadians would get doses of those vaccines. That is how we ended up with the broadest portfolio of potential vaccines of most countries in the world and more doses per capita than just about any other country.

We have been there with a solid plan to ensure that Canadians get vaccinated when the time comes.

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

Mr. Speaker, “what China did, is they got what they needed (from Canada) and they stopped the vaccine shipment. This neutralizes the ability for Canada to participate in developing the vaccine.” This is the assessment of a leading intelligence expert on how the Liberal government got played by China.

Why did the government bet our nation's health, our economy, on a partnership that it was told was against our national security interest?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservative Party is just making things up. We actually secured the broadest range of vaccine potentials. We knocked on every door to ensure that Canadians would maximize their chances of getting an effective vaccine when they came through.

Yes, when CanSino withdrew, we went from potentially eight deals with vaccine makers to seven deals with vaccine makers. However, those seven deals that we have cover the best portfolio of any country in the world and more doses per citizen than just about any other country.

That is the leadership we have shown. That is how we have Canadians' backs.