House of Commons Hansard #23 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was project.
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
Mr. Speaker, without question, our government has made bold and unprecedented investments to grow the middle class and help those working hard to join it, but we know that far too many Canadian families are still struggling. In a country like Canada, one family living in poverty is one too many.
Will the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development update the House on the work being done to combat poverty in Canada?
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Families
Mr. Speaker, since we got into office, we have prioritized the fight against poverty and growing the middle class, and our plan is working. Through key investments in Canadians and according to the Canadian income survey, we have achieved our goal of helping over one million Canadians to escape poverty.
That is the largest reduction of poverty in Canadian history. We will continue to work toward a future where each and every Canadian has—
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, this government's lack of leadership shows in its approach to everything from the rail blockades to the coronavirus. According to Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, the signs are worrisome. The World Health Organization is talking about a possible pandemic, but what is the government doing? Nobody knows. Radio silence. This situation is very worrisome. This is a serious, high-risk issue, but the Liberals are twiddling their thumbs.
What is the government's plan for helping Canadians protect themselves from the coronavirus?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say that Dr. Tam is working very closely with our international partners, but more importantly with our provincial and territorial partners.
As the situation evolves and as the World Health Organization raises its alarm around a country's ability to contain the virus, we shift our focus to domestic preparedness and making sure that provinces and territories have what they need to respond to any potential outbreak.
Let me be clear: This is a situation of great concern for the world, and we are on it.
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Mr. Speaker, with at least 33 countries reporting cases, 11 cases confirmed in Canada and over 80,000 global cases, we are now being told to prepare for a possible COVID-19 pandemic.
Other countries stopped flights in and out of China; Canada did not. Other countries immediately introduced strict screening measures; Canada did not. We are now being told the window of opportunity for containment for stopping the global spread of this virus is closing.
Can the health minister confirm that she is satisfied with the actions taken to date?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, the measures the member opposite is talking about are ones that are found during the containment phase. In fact, we did have screening for passengers who were coming from the most heavily affected regions. However, now that we find the coronavirus in at least 35 countries, many that may not be tracking the virus, those measures are less effective. It is time to turn our attention and our resources to making sure we are prepared on the domestic stage.
I will remind the member opposite that Italy had some of the most restrictive travel quarantine. In fact, it has two significant outbreaks and two communities under quarantine.
Kerry-Lynne Findlay Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Alberta Court of Appeal struck down the federal carbon tax as unconstitutional. The majority opinion called the carbon tax a “constitutional Trojan horse”, as it would set no limits on federal government power.
For the Liberal government to impose an expensive public policy unilaterally, when it is of clear national importance with national unity implications, was reckless and tone deaf.
When will the Prime Minister work to actually reach environmental targets and scrap this unconstitutional carbon tax?
Jonathan Wilkinson LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, we have already heard from Ontario and Saskatchewan courts that this approach is fully within federal jurisdiction. The Alberta Court of Appeal's decision is one step in the process. This will be adjudicated in March before the Supreme Court of Canada and we are very confident that federal jurisdiction will be upheld.
I do find it odd, however, that the party opposite, which professes to be a party that believes in the market, rejects a market mechanism, which is the most efficient way to reduce emissions, in favour of a more expensive regulatory approach or perhaps just an aspirational one.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, the carbon tax is bankrupting Canadian farmers across the country and the numbers are only going to get worse unless something is done.
Ontario grain farmers paid $12 million in carbon tax last year just to dry their grain. The carbon tax will cost hog farmers $22 million by 2022.
A grain operator in my riding contacted me last night. He is going to be paying close to a million dollars in carbon tax over the next two years. Enough is enough. The Alberta courts have found the carbon tax to be unconstitutional.
When will the agriculture minister cancel her farm-killing carbon tax?
Marie-Claude Bibeau LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, I know how concerned our farmers are about all the stress factors they have been dealing with, including bad weather in 2019, international trade, and issues stemming from the rail blockades.
I understand the situation, and that is why we created a suite of risk management programs. I am working hard with my provincial counterparts to improve those programs.
We also implemented measures for certain sectors, such as exempting fuel used on farms from the price on pollution.
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, while the WHO is worried about COVID-19 becoming a pandemic, health care professionals in Canada are worried about the federal government's lack of preparedness. Infectious disease specialist Karl Weiss is criticizing Ottawa for not implementing any effective coordination efforts.
If the government manages this public health crisis as badly as it is managing the rail crisis, we have every reason to be worried. Can it reassure the public and explain its emergency plan as a leader in the fight against COVID-19?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, we have been working very closely through the pandemic plan that Canada developed after the time of SARS, which has many permanent structures in place and other urgent structures that can be raised up in situations like COVID-19.
I am very confident that under the leadership of Dr. Tam and the Canadian Public Health Agency, we are working closely with our federal and provincial territories to understand and know what they will need to respond to the outbreaks as they may happen.
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am actually going to quote Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. She said that “we have to prepare across governments, across communities and as families and individuals, in the event of more widespread transmission in our community.”
The federal government has a crucial role to play when it comes to public health, transportation and border security. What is it doing to prepare?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear the member opposite quote Dr. Tam, who is of course the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada. She and I, and many other officials, have been working very closely to do exactly what he is proposing, to have a substantial plan that deals not just with outbreaks of coronavirus as they may occur across the country, but to prepare Canadians for what that means in terms of disruption to their lives and to ensure our systems across government are prepared as well.
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, the illegal blockades have held our country hostage for over 20 days and every day the situation gets worse.
The Prime Minister's weak leadership has emboldened these radical activists. They know that they can shut down bridges, highways and other critical infrastructure without consequence. Now they have shut down the Lakeshore West GO Train, preventing thousands of commuters from getting to work. The situation is spiralling out of control.
When will the Prime Minister end these blockades?
Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, as I think most people would understand, there are injunctions in place and there are laws that need to be obeyed. The Prime Minister has been very clear, urging people to obey the law and to take down those barricades.
We also have confidence in the law enforcement officers of jurisdiction, who are well trained and understand their responsibilities. They are endeavouring to resolve these barricades and these blockages in the most peaceful way possible.
We will continue to maintain our confidence and to support law enforcement and the provinces in their jurisdictions as they endeavour to clear these blockages and resume service for all Canadians.
David Sweet Conservative Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON
Mr. Speaker, last evening. at the peak of rush hour in the GTHA, another blockade was set up on the tracks near York Boulevard in Hamilton.
These illegal protestors are disrupting the GO train service to Hamilton and Niagara, and it continues today. This adds to the already unbearable gridlock that my constituents face daily.
Meanwhile, the elected representatives of the Wet'suwet'en people support the projects these protestors are actually opposing.
When will the Prime Minister act and end these illegal blockades?
Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, I would like the member opposite to understand that the responsibility for actually enforcing the law with respect to those blockades is the responsibility of the police office of jurisdiction operating within the provincial jurisdiction of authority.
It has been made very clear, and the police is doing that job, but it is doing it in a very responsible way. Its responsibilities require that it be done peacefully and effectively.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday illegal protestors blocked the West Coast Express commuter train in the Fraser Valley again. The B.C. public safety minister declared, “Police do not need an injunction to clear and arrest the blockaders.” When the B.C. New Democrats call out illegal activity and advocate for police action, the Liberal government has to know that it is asleep at the switch.
I never thought I would say this, but when will the public safety minister take a page out of the B.C. NDP playbook and get our rail lines cleared?
Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, I recall a time when the Conservatives actually believed and entrusted law enforcement to do its job. As a matter of fact, as I have quoted in the House, they have previously stated that they have full confidence in the judgment of the RCMP and they respect its operational independence.
Our government continues to respect the law and those who have been tasked with upholding it.
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, in an age of rapidly evolving technologies, the government has new tools it can rely on, such as artificial intelligence, to improve services to Canadians.
Could the Minister of Digital Government tell the House how the government is using artificial intelligence to improve services to Canadians?
Joyce Murray LiberalMinister of Digital Government
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Orléans for her question.
Canada is a world leader in artificial intelligence. The government is using its expertise to improve services to Canadians. From tools for improving safety in marine transportation to technology for revitalizing indigenous languages, we are using artificial intelligence to better serve Canadians.
We have mechanisms in place to ensure that its use always lives up to Canadians' expectations in terms of values and ethics.
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
Mr. Speaker, seniors, rural residents and those without Internet have been unable to access the information and the tools they need to file their taxes. The Liberal member for Winnipeg South Centre's office said it best, “This is a very poor reflection on an organization that is already viewed by many as being very insensitive to the clientele it is trying to serve.”
The minister has failed Canadians for five long years. When will she stand up to her agency and fight for everyday Canadians who are just trying to file their taxes?
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, the CRA certainly is not overlooking the 1.7 million Canadians who choose to file paper tax returns.
Since 2018, the CRA has mailed out tax packages directly to those who filed paper returns the previous year. Anyone who has not received a tax package can call the dedicated telephone line and order one, and the package can also be downloaded or ordered on the CRA's website.
There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill.
