Debates of Dec. 4th, 2020

Official Languages

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec National Assembly, the Government of Quebec, the mayors of the six largest cities in Quebec and the majority of members of Parliament from all parties in the House are in agreement. This does not happen often, so we should use this opportunity.

Everyone agrees that the Charter of the French Language should apply to federally regulated businesses in Quebec. The only dissenting voice is the Liberal Party of Canada. It talks about the importance of French in Quebec but is the only one not acting on it.

Will the Liberals apply Bill 101 to federally regulated businesses, yes or no?

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Official Languages)]

Mr. Speaker, our country was founded on our two official languages.

The situation of French is unique. There are almost eight million francophones in Canada, in a sea of over 360 million inhabitants who are almost exclusively anglophone. We have a responsibility to protect and promote French, not only outside of Quebec, but also within the belle province. That is why we will continue to invest in protecting the French language, introduce a bill to protect and promote the language, and strengthen the Official Languages Act.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in addition to all those I already mentioned, there is also the Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec, the Union des artistes and at least three other major unions. Everyone in Quebec agrees that the Charter of the French Language should be applied to federally regulated businesses. Everyone agrees except a handful of members of the Liberal Party of Canada. The Liberals are alone in this.

Why can they not put an end to this phony debate since there is actually a consensus? Why are they incapable of saying that Bill 101 will apply to federally regulated businesses?

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Official Languages)]

Mr. Speaker, for the first time in our county's history, the Government of Canada recognized that we need to protect both the francophone community and the French fact in the beautiful province of Quebec.

Quebec needs to be able to share its language and culture with all of North America. At the same time, we need to protect our linguistic minorities. We are working hard on that, and we encourage members from all political parties to work with us so that we can reform the act in the best interests of North America's French-speaking community.

Employment

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, when I asked the government yesterday about the nearly 600 USW 5890 members who will be working their last shift just a week before Christmas, the government's response was arrogant, dismissive and, quite frankly, disrespectful. The two ministers bragged about the CERB and CEWS programs like they themselves were Santa Claus bringing the gifts of government programs to these hard-working Canadians. The problem is these hard-working men and women do not want government programs to support their families. They want to go to work and earn a paycheque.

Why is that concept so hard for these out-of-touch Liberals to understand?

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure all Canadians that our government has been there for workers throughout this pandemic and before the pandemic. Let us look at some of the measures that we have put in place. The Canada emergency response benefit has helped almost nine million Canadians, providing immediate benefit money that they needed in order to pay for things like groceries and rent. The wage subsidy has kept the strong relationship between employer and employee. Why? It is so that we can come back with a strong recovery. That relationship is important.

We have gone beyond federally regulated. We have offered support to provinces and territories: $3 billion for a top-up to help essential workers, $2 billion in PPE and $19 billion in a safe restart. We will always be there for—

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member for Flamborough—Glanbrook.

[David Sweet, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when hundreds of steelworkers are laid off in Regina, it sends shockwaves all the way across the country and all the way to the Hamilton steel industry. The local union leader in Regina said the Canadian steel industry is struggling because new projects are being built with cheaper offshore alternatives instead of product produced in Canada. It is time for the government to change its anti-energy policy and broken infrastructure plan, otherwise our steel sector will remain in jeopardy.

What is the government doing to ensure steelworkers across Canada will not be facing further layoffs this Christmas?

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

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to the workers at Evraz who are facing this very difficult moment. Our government has approved and supported the construction of major pipeline projects, including Line 3 replacement projects, TMX, KXL and NGTL 2021.

From the beginning of this crisis, we have taken actions to support workers. We invested $1.7 billion to create thousands of jobs through the remediation of inactive and abandoned wells and have been supporting the sector with a 75% wage subsidy that has kept millions of Canadians working. We will continue to support Canada's energy sector workers. Workers are at the heart of everything that we do.

Health

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the United Kingdom has approved a COVID vaccine and will begin distributing to its citizens. Canadians wait. The United Kingdom has reduced its quarantine times because of rapid testing. Canadians wait. The United States has now reduced quarantine times as well, with rapid and home-based testing. Canadians wait. Australia has announced and released its COVID distribution strategy. Canadians wait.

While the rest of the world rolls out vaccines and rapid testing, why is the health minister forcing Canadians to wait, while mental health deteriorates and suicide rates reach a crisis level?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the party opposite, we follow public health advice and we follow the advice of scientists, researchers and medical officials. That is how we have made every decision, based on science and evidence. We are going to continue to work with our public health officials, scientists, and the provinces and territories to make sure that we do our best to keep Canadians safe.

In regard to mental health and addictions support, I remind Canadians that wellnesstogether.ca has a number of supports, including access to therapists and counsellors.

Transportation

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Mr. Speaker, five months ago, the two bridge commissions in my riding wrote to the government seeking financial relief. They received no response. In October, I asked the government about this during question period. Again, no response. Two weeks ago, I hand delivered the Minister of Public Safety a letter on this request and there was still no response. On Monday, we learned the federal government is providing financial relief to some international bridge crossings, but not all, despite each playing a vital role in supporting our economy.

Why does the Liberal government not believe in fairly supporting all international bridge crossings during this pandemic?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what my colleague just said, we are very much aware of the fact that there has been reduced traffic across our international bridges. We are very much aware of the situation.

Indigenous Affairs

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we now have five confirmed cases of COVID in Attawapiskat, which could be a disaster for the north. All across the north, first nations families are being left behind.

At Gaagagekiizhik School, students have been forced to register legal complaints through Jordan's principle to get the most basic supplies to keep themselves safe. They have been doing their homework in a Tim Hortons parking lot in Kenora because it is the only place to get Internet access.

The government gave $2 billion to look after suburban kids in the provincial system. Why did the minister abandon the children of Gaagagekiizhik? What is he going to do to keep them safe?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite would probably appreciate an update on Attawapiskat. Our officials are in direct contact with leadership and WAHA to ensure that contact tracing and isolation are under way. People should rest assured that they will have the backing of the Government of Canada throughout this, in particular indigenous communities in remote and isolated locations.

As to the children with increased demands under Jordan's principle, indeed, our office, in particular, stands ready to help them during this very difficult time.

Public Service of Canada

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I was proud to join the Black caucus in a statement calling to make our public administration actually reflect the diversity of the public it serves. However, this week a Federal Court class action claim was brought against the Liberal government seeking relief from the practice of Black employee exclusion throughout the federal public service.

If the majority of the Liberal cabinet agrees that anti-Black racism exists within the federal government, what specific measures within the federal workplace, if any, has the government taken to actually address it?

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and to the Minister of Digital Government]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot ignore that racism is a lived reality for Black Canadians, indigenous peoples and people of colour. We have to make sure that our public service is not only representative of the population it serves but that it offers an opportunity for all employees to express their full potential.

Our government has taken concrete steps to address anti-Black racism, systemic discrimination and injustice across the country. Most recently, the fall economic statement committed $12 million over three years to a dedicated centre on diversity and inclusion. This will accelerate the government's commitment to achieving a representative and inclusive public service.

Seniors

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, seniors in Marc-Aurèle-Fortin are worried about the pandemic, but they are also worried about mental health and isolation. I know the holidays will be difficult for them. Our government supports seniors with programs like new horizons for seniors.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors please give us an overview of our government's support for seniors during the pandemic?

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Marc-Aurèle-Fortin for his hard work in his community.

We know this is a difficult time for everyone, especially seniors, and we have taken action to help address mental health issues.

As my colleague mentioned, this year we funded nearly 2,000 additional projects under the new horizons for seniors program to combat isolation. In addition, we launched Wellness Together Canada, a free online portal that connects Canadians to mental health professionals.

Together, yes, together, we are all going to get through this.

Natural Resources

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our entire economy has been crippled by the war the government has waged on the oil sector in Alberta. Our natural resources sector decline was due to Liberal inaction. At least this is the feeling of my constituents of Edmonton Manning, who are now at their breaking point.

When will the Prime Minister stop his war on the west and support the recovery and development of Canadian oil, the most environmentally responsible and ethical in the world?

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

Mr. Speaker, we approved the Line 3 pipeline, with 7,000 jobs created. For Keystone XL, our support is unwavering, with 1,500 jobs created. We are building LNG Canada, with thousands of jobs. We got TMX approved and it is getting built, with more than 7,000 jobs created so far. We approved NGTL 2021, with thousands of jobs to be created. For orphan and inactive wells, $1.7 billion was spent, with thousands of jobs created. Under the wage subsidy, more than 500,000 workers were kept in their jobs in a pandemic in Alberta alone.

That is our record.

Canada Post

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as Canada remains gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rural-urban divide has grown. In my riding, Rosedale, Kelsey, Cadogan and Alliance have postmasters that are retiring, and these villages and hamlets face the pending closure of Canada Post locations. In rural Canada, access to prescriptions, e-commerce and financial services depend on postal service.

Can the minister commit to hearing the voices of rural Canadians and ensure that there is an equitable level of service provided to them?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, it is this government that scrapped the Harper plan to dismember Canada Post and kept home delivery in place, kept the financial capacity of that corporation going and kept employees working at Canada Post. Heaven knows what we would do during this pandemic without the men and women of Canada Post in rural Canada and urban Canada.

Right across Canada we are helping Canadians get through this pandemic. My thanks to Canada Post.

Infrastructure

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Mr. Speaker, communities across Canada like Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge were optimistic when the minister announced infrastructure stimulus spending, and we got the shovels ready. A full construction season has passed and the shovels are ready, but not the money needed to dig.

The government talks about intersectionality. Well, we have plenty of intersections waiting to be built. We have projects to improve services in Pitt Meadows and give better access to Katzie first nation, and a four-laning project in Maple Ridge.

When will we see the funding promised, or will it be a Liberal lump of coal again this year?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows very well that when the province puts forward applications, our government takes six weeks to process them.

He brought an interesting term to the House of Commons and I want to correct the record. “Intersectionality” is not used the way my colleague used it. It is about the various ways that people's identity, like gender, disability, age, geography and indigeneity, affect the way they are impacted by decisions.

If my colleague wants more information about how intersectionality is woven into our government's response, I am happy to provide him a briefing.