House of Commons Hansard #19 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was assault.

Topics

Judges ActGovernment Orders

6:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

Is that agreed?

Judges ActGovernment Orders

6:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

Veterans AffairsAdjournment Proceedings

6:05 p.m.

NDP

Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in this House today to discuss a question I asked a few weeks ago of the Minister of Veterans Affairs.

The reality is that last year there was an NDP motion put forward in the House by the member for Courtenay—Alberni, who proposed that when we look at the reality of so many veterans in our country, we want to make sure to support them the best way we know how, and the best way to do that is to make sure that any unspent resources at the end of the fiscal year would move forward into the next fiscal year.

That motion was voted on in this House and actually was one, happily, that was voted on unanimously. It was good to see support from all members for the veterans who have served our country. The motion was voted on positively, but sadly, the implementation was not carried out. In fact, last year $381 million was not spent on veterans as it should have been, in my opinion. I believe that the veterans of this country who served us so fearlessly deserve better.

The minister answered the question that I asked by saying, “benefits are demand driven."

Then on February 10, multiple articles came out, letting Canadians know that there were 44,000 veterans waiting on information about their disability benefits. That list of veterans at the end of September 2019 showed a 10% increase from six months earlier. It was quite a startling number.

We know, because veterans have told us, that long delays are stressful. To change these delays, it seems to me that more resources are needed for things like finding staff who can actually help deliver these services so that those backlogs do not become so long.

What was interesting to me is that the minister, when interviewed on this particular fact, said in one article:

Of course I always want more money. But what we have to do is deal with the money that we have and make sure we put the system together as efficiently as possible.

The minister said that he would always want more money. There was a motion in the House saying that if there were unspent dollars at the end of the fiscal year, we would forward them and put them into the next year's fiscal year. That was the NDP motion, and we all voted for it in this House unanimously. Then we realized that the 2018-19 allotment for veterans affairs was actually $127 million less than the year before, and at the end of that same 2018-19 period, over $100 million was left unspent.

The veterans ombudsman's report stated very clearly that issues about wait times are the single greatest complaint that they receive.

Today I am here to ask the question again: Why are the resources promised to veterans not being forwarded, and when will action be taken?

Veterans AffairsAdjournment Proceedings

6:10 p.m.

Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook Nova Scotia

Liberal

Darrell Samson LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for bringing up an issue that is very important not only to me and our government but to all Canadians: the well-being of our veterans, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families.

The House supported the motion in 2018 to end lapsed funding. We all want to ensure that veterans and their families have access to the supports and services they need when they need them. The well-being of veterans is a top priority for me and our government. That is why we are committed to doing more to support veterans and their families.

Our benefits are demand-driven. No matter how many veterans come forward, when eligible, they will receive their benefits. The process guarantees that whenever veterans come forward, whether it is this year, next year or beyond, they will receive those benefits. The resources are there for them at all times.

Over 90% of Veterans Affairs' budget goes to funding veterans programs and benefits. Every day, over $5 million in disability benefits goes to veterans. Last year alone, we spent $4.4 billion directly on benefits and services for veterans, their families and other eligible recipients. This is $1 billion more than the former Conservative government. This year, we expect to spend approximately $5 billion directly on services and benefits for our veterans. Changing how we account for lapsed funding will not change that or our priorities.

The veterans community is evolving and expanding along with its needs. Veterans Affairs is evolving too. For example, we opened 10 offices to provide better services, face to face, to veterans and their families. These offices were closed by the former Conservative government. We increased the amount of benefits provided to veterans with service-related injuries and illnesses. We introduced pension for life as an option for them. We also introduced eight new and enhanced initiatives to better support a seamless transition to life after service.

Our evolution in services and benefits and success in reaching veterans and their families has led to a significant increase in volume. Disability benefit applications alone rose from 29,000 in 2015 to 54,000 last year, which is an increase of almost double. To respond to this increased demand, Veterans Affairs has increased its program budget. This guarantees that no matter how many veterans come forward or when, they will receive the benefits and services they are entitled to.

It is worthwhile to note that last year 98% of the estimated funds available was spent to support veterans and their families with the benefits and services they needed. The remaining 2% that the hon. member has identified provides VAC the required flexibility to ensure that sufficient funding is available to support all veterans who are approved for those benefits. Therefore, there has been no impact on our commitment to helping veterans or on the ability of the department to deliver the services required.

Veterans AffairsAdjournment Proceedings

6:10 p.m.

NDP

Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC

Madam Speaker, I am sort of shocked.

I would not disagree in any way that the Conservatives did not support veterans in the way they had demanded. That was something I witnessed. However, the reality is that the new government, which keeps comparing itself to the last government, has still not hired back the right number of people to do the work, those the Conservatives removed. It is definitely something the lapsed money could help out with.

There are 44,000 veterans on the wait-list for disability benefits. We are hearing from the government that they should not worry because they will receive their benefits. However, the question is: when? Why is this process taking so long?

I hope the government will take this seriously, treat veterans a bit better and look at the opportunity provided by the motion that was in the House to make sure that lapsed spending is given back to this particular group that needs it so desperately, especially when the wait-lists are very long.

Veterans AffairsAdjournment Proceedings

6:10 p.m.

Liberal

Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS

Madam Speaker, because Veterans Affairs Canada's programs and services are demand-driven, we will never be able to predict 100% accurately the exact funds required for the programs for the upcoming year. Rest assured, however, that there will always be money available to support those who are eligible for these benefits.

We will continue to adapt and provide programs and services to the changing needs of veterans and their families. We will review them and see where things can be improved.

Make no mistake, we always want to provide faster, more efficient and higher-quality service for our veterans. This government will never cease in its efforts to improve the lives of our veterans and their families.

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

6:15 p.m.

NDP

Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC

Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to follow up on a question I asked the Minister of Health on February 6 with regard to the opioid crisis and how it is affecting my community in profound ways.

Every day, in parts of my community, there is a reminder of just how bad this crisis has become. It is a big-city problem that has moved to small communities. When I look at the work of the RCMP and various front-line service organizations, I see that we are very much at a breaking point.

If we look nationwide, nearly 14,000 people have now died from the opioid crisis. More than 17,000 people have been hospitalized as a result of this mounting crisis. In my own riding, in the 2018-2019 year, we had 26,683 client visits, representing 316 unique individuals. There were 170 overdoses recorded. More than a third of the total unique users were youth who were aged 15 to 24, and of this group, 75% are indigenous and 20% have complex needs.

First responders, overdose prevention facilities and emergency rooms have all endured massive costs, both monetary and emotional, because front-line service workers are experiencing high rates of burnout. This burnout means that we cannot recruit the people who are needed. It was actually nearly four years ago that B.C.'s medical health officer declared a public health emergency.

What I am asking today is that the federal government finally take note of this crisis, declare it a national health emergency and start giving communities like mine the assistance they need.

The other thing we need is for the federal government to take a leadership role and start tackling this crisis with innovative measures, such as decriminalization of possession of small amounts. It is time to stop using the criminal justice system to tackle a social problem and a health problem. We have to stop criminalizing people whose only crime is being addicted to drugs. They do not need the justice system. They do not need jail time. They need social services. They need health services. We need a federal government that is prepared to show the courage to bring in those types of measures.

The stigma associated with criminalization prevents many of these people from getting the help they need. Canada need only look to jurisdictions like Portugal, which in 2001 decriminalized small possession amounts and has shown an amazing turnaround. It has gone from a country that used to have one of the highest overdose death rates in all of Europe to a country with one of the lowest ones, where now people who are addicted to drugs are encouraged to come and get the help they need without fear of retribution from the criminal justice system.

Finally, in closing, another point is that the government has to start getting serious about providing a safe supply of drugs. It is the tainted street supply of drugs that is causing all of this death and destruction, and the longer we ignore this issue, the longer it is going to continue. This is causing huge amounts of damage, not only in the number of deaths but also in the survivors, such as people who have to deal with lifelong brain injuries as a result. Let us think about what the cost will be. It is being borne by families, by members of my community, by small business owners.

I am asking the federal government to take a look at those three things: declaring a national health emergency, decriminalizing small possession amounts, and making sure we have a safe supply so that we take leadership on this crisis and deliver the help that communities like mine actually need.

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

6:15 p.m.

Dartmouth—Cole Harbour Nova Scotia

Liberal

Darren Fisher LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

Madam Speaker, on a personal note, I want to thank the member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford. He gets this. He truly cares, and I want to thank him, not only for that passion and compassion, but also for the fact that he truly cares.

We are deeply concerned about Canada's opioid overdose crisis. New data released in December show that from January 2016 to June 2019, 13,913 people across this country have died as the result of opioid overdoses. While this number is staggering, we must not lose sight of the fact that this crisis impacts many more people than are reflected in the statistics. Each death affects families, friends, communities and loved ones, creating a loss felt by tens of thousands of people. This crisis is impacting all Canadians and is a national public health crisis of the highest priority.

This tragedy involves many factors, however, we know that the vast majority of overdose deaths are caused by illegally produced, highly toxic synthetic opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil. The introduction of these substances into Canada's illegal drug market corresponds with the steep rise in overdose deaths. Therefore, an important element in our response to the crisis must be to address the smuggling of these toxic opioids into Canada.

We have responded by enacting new legislation, fast-tracking regulatory action, making investments and working collaboratively with other countries to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs from countries like China. Prior to amendments to the Customs Act under Bill C-37, CBSA officers did not have the authority to inspect international packages weighing 30 grams or less without consent from the sender or addressee. For context, one 30-gram package can contain enough fentanyl to kill 15,000 people. Today, officers now have the authority to open any incoming package when they have reasonable grounds. We have also put in place scheduling amendments to restrict importation of chemicals used to produce fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances illegally. Additionally, our government has provided up to an additional $76.2 million to address the opioid crisis and problematic substance use, bringing the total recent investment to more than $100 million, including $30.5 million from budget 2019.

Because illegal drug trafficking knows no borders, international co-operation is also essential. Canada is working closely with international partners to prevent fentanyl and carfentanil from entering our country. Nowhere is our partnership stronger than with the United States. In fact, last June, the Prime Minister and President Trump reconfirmed our shared desire to address the overdose crisis ravaging Canada and the United States by committing to a joint action plan. Both countries are also working with the Chinese government to address the issue of illicitly produced fentanyl. The Government of Canada welcomed China's recent efforts to disrupt the illegal trafficking of fentanyl, as well as its addition of fentanyl-related substances to its supplementary list of controlled narcotics.

Enforcement to reduce the illegal drug supply is, however, just one component of our government's approach. If we are to turn the tide on this tragedy, we must commit to saving lives and supporting people who use drugs to improve their health and well-being. That is why our government restored harm reduction as a pillar of the Canadian drugs and substances strategy, approved more than 40 supervised consumption sites across the country, made naloxone available without a prescription and provided $150 million through the emergency treatment fund to provinces and territories to improve access to evidence-based substances and treatment services. A further $106.7 million was provided in budget 2019, which includes funding for pilot projects focused on pharmaceutical alternatives to the illegal drug market.

Our government recognizes—

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

6:20 p.m.

Liberal

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

6:20 p.m.

NDP

Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC

Madam Speaker, I thank the parliamentary secretary for his words, but I extend an invitation to him right here and now. If he and the Minister of Health want to come to my riding, they have an open invitation. I would be happy to introduce them to the Cowichan leadership group, which is made up of local political representatives from across the political spectrum.

I can say that we all, including the local mayors, the CVRD, the MLA and Island Health, stand united as a community in asking our federal government to do more. We have gone through this crisis over the last four years. The problem is a daily reminder.

I plead with him to listen to those in my community and local business groups when they say that we have a national health emergency. We need to move on with decriminalization and extend the provision of a safe supply of drugs. Our community needs this. I do not want to see any more people in my community harmed by this crisis. We need the federal government to step up.

HealthAdjournment Proceedings

6:25 p.m.

Liberal

Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his passion.

In the Speech from the Throne and in the minister's mandate letter, our government reaffirmed its commitment to making it easier for people struggling with problematic substance use to get help. We are working with the provinces and territories on new investments that expand community-based services, build more in-patient rehabilitation beds and scale up the most effective programs.

However, we know that stigma regarding substance abuse is hindering efforts to address the opioid overdose crisis. That is why one of our government's priorities in responding to the opioid crisis is to address this stigma. Under budget 2018, over $13 million was invested in a national public awareness campaign to help change attitudes and perceptions about people who use drugs.

International TradeAdjournment Proceedings

6:25 p.m.

NDP

Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Madam Speaker, so-called Canadian mining companies are destroying our nation's reputation around the world. The horrific impact of these companies is neither new nor surprising, given the lack of accountability of so-called Canadian companies when it comes to upholding human rights, labour rights and environmental rights in countries in which they operate.

Companies flying the Canadian flag choose to work in countries where the rule of law is weak, democracy is fragile, respect for human rights is tenuous, corruption can be rampant and accountability is non-existent. The absence of regulatory and institutional systems allows these mining companies to take advantage of these fragile and unstable countries, and vulnerable people suffer because of it. We have seen, over and over again, that these companies are allowed to operate in ways favourable to their bottom line while preventing the investigation of the human rights violations they perpetrate.

Two-thirds of the world's mining firms are currently incorporated in Canada. Can we imagine why that is? We have such lax oversight of these companies that, whether they are Canadian or not, they are incorporated here.

For far too long, we have allowed companies flying the Canadian flag to operate in developing countries without any accountability for serious human rights and environmental rights violations. Despite the government's claims, we are not protecting the most vulnerable populations and we are not holding these companies to account.

The late NDP member of Parliament, Paul Dewar, worked tirelessly, fighting for human rights in Canada and around the world. Paul demanded an ombudsman over a decade ago and the NDP has been fighting for this position ever since.

Finally in 2018, the Liberal government created the ombudsman for responsible enterprise to oversee Canadian mining, oil and gas operations around the world. The ombudsman was mandated to review alleged human rights abuses arising from Canadian companies' operations abroad, make recommendations, monitor those recommendations, suggest trade measures for companies that do not co-operate in good faith, and report publicly throughout the process. This is not what is happening.

The Liberal government promised an independent ombudsperson with real powers to investigate abuses and redress harms caused by companies that fly the Canadian flag. Instead the powers of the ombudsman were watered down and the promises made by the government have not been kept. In fact, it is business as usual. Once again, the government has said all the right things and has done nothing to actually ensure accountability.

I have worked in international development for over 20 years and I have witnessed first-hand the profoundly damaging impacts that Canadian mining companies have abroad. I have stood in Nicaragua in front of a fence that says “go home Canada”. I have spoken to mothers who have to give their children poisoned water because that is all they have. Mining companies flying the Canadian flag have poisoned the aquifer on which their communities depend.

I have been to Nicaragua, Peru and Ecuador. I have seen what has happened when we are not able to hold Canadian companies to account. I have seen how vulnerable people are impacted when these mining companies move in, their resources are pulled out, their environment is irreparably damaged and the communities are left to suffer.

Independent and respected organizations like Amnesty International and the United Nations have identified widespread abuses by Canadian companies. Those include targeted assassinations, gang rape, violence against unarmed protesters and the use of slave labour.

When Canadians learn about what these companies are doing, they are shocked. They cannot believe that our government would sit idly by and let these abuses happen. Canadians—

International TradeAdjournment Proceedings

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

I have to give the parliamentary secretary the opportunity to answer.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade.

International TradeAdjournment Proceedings

6:30 p.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business

Madam Speaker, Canada is committed to adopting responsible business conduct here and around the world. Canadian businesses are recognized as world leaders and known for their positive contributions to the communities in which they operate.

Responsible business conduct is not the same as corporate social responsibility for it goes beyond a philanthropic approach. Rather, it requires businesses to take action to prevent and deal with any negative repercussions they create.

Our government and all Canadians expect our companies abroad to operate at the highest of standards. This means respecting human rights, addressing climate change and ensuring environmental protections, and conducting their business in a way that is very much in line with our Canadian values.

Canada's approach to responsible business conduct includes both preventative measures and dispute resolution mechanisms, namely the Canadian ombudsman for responsible enterprise and the national contact point for the OECD guidelines for multinationals.

In April 2019, our government appointed Sheri Meyerhoffer as the Canadian ombudsperson for responsible enterprise, the first position of its kind in the world.

The ombudsperson's mandate includes promoting international guidelines, working with Canadian businesses on their practices and policies, and reviewing any claims of alleged human rights abuses arising from the operations of Canadian companies abroad in the mining, oil and gas, and garment sectors.

The ombudsperson can also provide informal mediation services and advise the minister on any issue.

The ombudsperson for responsible enterprise complements Canada's pre-existing voluntary dispute resolution mechanism, Canada's national contact point.

In addition to offering dispute resolution, the national contact point also promotes the implementation of the OECD guidelines, the most comprehensive set of international standards for the business community.

The OECD guidelines are applicable to all sectors and cover multiple issues, such as disclosure, employment and labour relations, human rights, the environment and corruption.

Canada's dispute settlement mechanisms are robust. Not collaborating in good faith could result in recommendations by the ombudsperson or the NCP to deny or withdraw enhanced trade advocacy support and future Export Development Canada financial support.

By further strengthening Canada's commitment to responsible business conduct, our government is renewing its strategy in this area. The renewed strategy will provide a basis for strengthening Canada's leadership in responsible business conduct.

International TradeAdjournment Proceedings

6:30 p.m.

NDP

Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Madam Speaker, with all due respect, to talk about promoting, advising and examining is not what we are talking about here. We need to have an ombudsman who actually has the ability to make decisions, to compel witnesses, to have judicial powers.

The idea that we are going to sit back and advise companies that it would be nice if they did not abuse human rights around the world while flying the Canadian flag and it would be pleasant if we could ensure that women and families are not forced to drink poisoned water is not enough. We need an ombudsperson who has teeth. Canadians need to see action when it comes to this.

To say that our businesses are accountable, that they are operating lawfully and responsibly is false. They are not. This is a lie. I think all Canadians would be shocked and disappointed in the Liberal government to know how little it thinks about our reputation around the world.

International TradeAdjournment Proceedings

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

Madam Speaker, our government is committed to demonstrating leadership around the world on responsible business conduct. We are taking action. We are engaging with companies early to prevent problems from arising, while also providing access to remedies when issues do occur.

Part of leadership is taking ownership over our problems, and we know we can strive to do even more. That is why our approach includes both prevention and access to dispute resolution and remedy.

Engaging in responsible business conduct is a key contribution of the private sector to supporting the implementation of Canada's agenda for sustainable development goals.

International TradeAdjournment Proceedings

February 19th, 2020 / 6:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6:35 p.m.)