Debates of Dec. 7th, 2020

International Trade

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Madam Speaker, our absolute priority is to provide predictability and stability for Canadian businesses that export to the United Kingdom. We are very pleased that we have reached a successful transition continuity agreement with the United Kingdom. This will largely preserve the terms of CETA, which was an ambitious agreement with a 98% reduction in tariffs, protection for Canada's supply managed products, and the maintenance of our high standards for consumers, workers and the environment.

I look forward to getting support from members on all sides of the House, so we can provide this predictability and stability for Canadian businesses.

Public Safety

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

Madam Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs told Canadians threatened by those acting for Communist China to call their local police. Is that what I should say to Father Soo, the Richmond priest whose parishioners were photographed during a baptism? How about the pro-democracy advocate who was beaten up in Surrey?

Sure police can respond after the fact, but what active steps is the minister taking to stop the harassment from Communist China within our borders?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Madam Speaker, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the country. It has created uncertainty that foreign actors, such as the Government of China, and ideologically motivated violent extremists have exploited it to further their own interests.

I want to assure the member and this House that our security agencies are vigilant and actively investigating all threats of foreign interference while working with domestic and foreign partners, such as the Five Eyes. Over the course of the pandemic, our security agencies have also worked very proactively with businesses, research entities and other orders of government to ensure that they have the information and tools they need to secure intellectual property in the interests of all Canadians.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

Madam Speaker, some businesses in Vimy and across Quebec continue to suffer financially as a result of the pandemic.

Could the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance explain how the highly affected sectors credit availability program will help businesses in the tourism, travel, arts and culture sectors survive and recover from the pandemic?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Vimy for her hard work on behalf of her riding and for her work on the Standing Committee on Finance.

The highly affected sectors credit availability program is a new measure for the hardest-hit businesses, including those in sectors like tourism, hospitality, arts and entertainment. The program will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and low-interest loans of up to $1 million.

We will do everything we can to support workers and businesses through these tough times to help ensure they remain viable and in place to drive future economic growth.

Natural Resources

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Madam Speaker, earlier this year the Prime Minister said, “We need to get our resources to new markets safely and securely and that's why I've always advocated for the Keystone XL pipeline.”

As the Prime Minister knows, Keystone XL would be a huge advantage to indigenous communities. It would generate prosperity in our country by developing energy in an environmentally friendly capacity. It would create jobs during a time when unemployment is through the roof.

My question is very simple. Could the Prime Minister simply outline three very tangible steps he will take in the next little while to get this project done?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Madam Speaker, we have supported this project, as the Prime Minister has said, unwaveringly.

We have always supported this project for many of the reasons that the hon. member cites. One of the strongest arguments for this project is that we have a government that is fighting climate change, putting a price on pollution, committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, and making investments to help our energy sector become more sustainable than ever. That is the record we will be able to present to our partners in the U.S.

Justice

[Tamara Jansen, Conservative, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Madam Speaker, Roger Foley lives with a neurological disorder requiring him to live in hospital entirely dependent on caregivers.

Four times the caregivers he depends on for everything suggested he consider MAID, telling him that his care is too expensive. Roger told the justice committee, “My blood will be on your hands if you allow the...Truchon decision to tear down our laws...and there will be thousands of wrongful deaths.”

Why did the Liberals vote against our amendments to protect Canadians with disabilities?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice]

Madam Speaker, medical assistance in dying is a profoundly complex issue with deeply held beliefs. We are trying to respect all of those in this proposed legislation, including protections for the vulnerable, which we have built into this legislation after having consulted across Canada, as well as holding a massive online consultation. We have built-in protections for the vulnerable in order to balance freedom to choose, the autonomy to choose, with protection.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Madam Speaker, the Liberals are frustrated that my colleagues and I have been so diligent in vocalizing the concerns of disabled Canadians and medical professionals in regard to Bill C-7. However, the Liberal government ignored its own legislation to review Bill C-14; held the House hostage in May and June; prorogued Parliament in August; limited the justice committee to four hearings, blocking written submissions; and chose not to appeal the deadline imposed by the Quebec superior court.

Why does the Prime Minister not want to create legislation that shows compassion for all Canadians?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice]

Madam Speaker, a legislative review is, in fact, envisaged in the bill that was passed in 2016. That is still part of the government's plan. It has always been announced as part of the government's plan and as part of the steps introducing this particular piece of legislation.

All that the Conservative party is doing right now is delaying and causing more people to suffer. We therefore are asking all parliamentarians on all sides of the House to pass this bill as expeditiously as possible.

Employment

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Madam Speaker, many Canadians educated abroad, particularly those in the health care field, are ready to contribute to Canada's pandemic effort, but cannot because it is not easy to have to their credentials recognized. At the same time, newcomers to Canada, many of whom arrive with high-quality training and years of experience, face the same difficulty.

Could the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion tell the House how investments announced in the fall economic statement will help to ensure those educated abroad can work in their fields sooner?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Madam Speaker, attracting skilled newcomers from around the world is critical to Canada's economic growth and recovery. The foreign credential recognition program helps address specific barriers faced by skilled newcomers, such as the length and cost of credential recognition.

To scale up these supports, our government is proposing to invest $15 million in 2021 into the program, benefiting up to 15,000 skilled newcomers. Our government will continue to take strong and decisive action to support skilled newcomers and keep our economy growing.

Health

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Madam Speaker, every year, six million Canadians cannot visit the dentist when they need it because of the cost, and women are less likely to have access to dental care because they are often in part-time or precarious employment with no benefits. A lack of child care during the pandemic has meant that women who had benefits lost them when they had to leave their jobs to stay home with the kids, and many single moms were already struggling to afford dental visits for themselves and their children. The Liberals say that they will take action to help women hardest hit by this pandemic, but they continue to ignore their needs.

When will the government ensure that all Canadians get the dental care they need?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for highlighting the difficulty that many Canadians are facing in terms of their loss of benefits. That is why we have been working so hard at bringing forward a national pharmacare plan, because every Canadian deserves the right to have access to medication in a timely way and in an affordable way.

As I have said before in the House, we are always interested in exploring new programs. I would suggest the member opposite work with colleagues in the House to study the issue.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Yasmin Ratansi, Independent, Don Valley East, ON]

Madam Speaker, my constituents in Don Valley East are concerned about the new challenges that the pandemic has created. These are families of newcomers to Canada that are looking to complete their path to Canadian citizenship. They are eager to know what innovation has been made so they can become part of our Canadian family.

Could the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship provide the House with the details of the plan to allow citizenship tests to be taken online?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Madam Speaker, throughout the pandemic we have adapted quickly so we can continue to welcome new Canadians, while upholding the integrity of Canadian citizenship. We moved citizenship ceremonies online this spring, and have welcomed more than 43,000 new Canadians through the process. We also launched a new platform so citizenship tests could resume online.

We know that the citizenship process is a significant milestone for newcomers and we look forward to more measures and good news on this front.

Oral Questions

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Madam Speaker, today, the Minister of National Defence was asked an important question that we wanted an answer to and he was not able to answer because he did not have a headset. It is important that we all make the commitment.

We have been in this virtual Parliament now for some time. If ministers are going to be part of questions and answers, it is important they are wearing their headsets so they can answer the question, whether it is in the House of Commons or on committee. We have seen this other times and the translators are not able to translate and the questions go unanswered.

Therefore, I would ask the Liberal House leader and the Liberal whip to speak to their ministers and ensure they have the proper equipment if they are going to be participating in virtual Parliament.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I appreciate the input that the hon. member has provided. It is not just for ministers. It is a responsibility of all parliamentarians to ensure they have the proper headsets. They are able to obtain some from the IT department, but also they can purchase some. It is imperative that every member of Parliament use those headsets to ensure all parliamentarians are able to hear what is being said and what is being asked, and in order to ensure that everyone is able to hear the questions and answers.

I want to thank the hon. member for raising this very important point of order.

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, I do have a headset on. Unfortunately it is one that was not working properly. I will get another and ensure that it is working properly.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I do appreciate the intervention by the hon. minister. Maybe if headsets are not functioning properly, then I would ask that they ask another one of their colleagues to answer the question in the future.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to table, in both official languages—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I would like to ask the President of the Treasury Board whether he is wearing his headset and, if not, whether he can please put it on.

The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent on a point of order.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Madam Speaker, that is too bad.

I have a lot of respect and regard for the President of the Treasury Board, who is also a member from Quebec and my neighbour. Unfortunately, the rules apply to everyone, particularly after the point of order we witnessed earlier during question period.

We, the 338 parliamentarians, need to abide by certain standards so that we can do our job properly.

If we need a headset, we need a headset. Unfortunately, if the President of the Treasury Board does not have a headset, we need to move on.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, the point has been made and we will attempt to get the headsets necessary in order to ensure we get the document tabled, if not now, a little later in the day.