Debates of Feb. 26th, 2020

National Defence

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister ordered the defence minister to get moving on replacing our north warning system as part of NORAD modernization, but he forgot to put it in the budget. A senior Canadian military officer recently warned, “the North Warning System cannot identify and track Russian long-range bombers prior to their missile launch...or their overflights of the Arctic...we cannot defeat what we cannot detect.”

Canada is at risk and we have to replace our antiquated north warning system now. Where is the money? Where is the plan?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for 10 years the Conservatives opposite under-invested in our defence. That is why we have been pleased to put forward, over the past five years, historic investments in upgrading defence capacity after 10 years of neglect by Conservatives, who wrapped themselves in the flag any chance they got and hid behind the troops any opportunity they could for photo-ops, but would not invest in our military.

We will take no lessons from them on needing to invest in our military, because that is what we have been doing and that is what we will continue to do on this side of the House.

Public Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, money laundering allows organized crime to profit off despicable acts like human trafficking and selling fentanyl. The Attorney General for British Columbia has said, “I’ve been incredibly disappointed with the response from the federal government.” Why? It is because the Liberals have done nothing. They promised $10 million but zero has been spent.

This is a crisis the Prime Minister has ignored for almost five years. What is he going to do today to ensure the country's financial system is secure?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, over the past years we have invested close to a billion dollars in strengthening our capacity to go after tax evasion and tax avoidance.

We have moved forward on working with the Province of British Columbia on money laundering. We will continue to work on this, particularly the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, who is working closely with his counterparts to ensure that we are cracking down on money laundering and the illegal activities that flow from it. This is something that we take seriously and Canadians take seriously.

Health

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today in Truro, Nova Scotia, a memorial service was held for 23-year-old Chantelle Lindsay. Last week, Chantelle passed away due to complications with cystic fibrosis. Of course, our condolences go out to her family.

Trikafta is a drug that treats CF, is available in the U.S., but is not available here in Canada. It could have saved Chantelle's life. Chantelle's father, Mark, said the government's chess game with the pharmaceutical industry cost Chantelle's life.

What is the Prime Minister going to do to make sure Trikafta and other life-saving drugs are available to Canadians who need them?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure that life-saving drugs are available and affordable to Canadians right across the country, which is why we have committed to moving forward on universal pharmacare, but also why we continue to work with the provinces to ensure that more drugs are approved.

We also recognize the high cost of rare disease strategy drugs, which is why we are moving forward with a way to support the provinces in those high-cost drugs. We know there is always much more to do.

Our heart goes out to the family and we will continue to work to make sure that all Canadians have access to the life-saving medication they need.

Public Safety

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, CP obtained an injunction against those responsible for the rail blockade in Kahnawake. The Peacekeepers are responsible for enforcing it, but they said no. As usual, the Prime Minister did nothing and made it Quebec's problem. However, the Sûreté du Québec cannot go to Kahnawake. That is obvious.

What happens now?

The people of Kahnawake have set up a blockade to protest against a problem in British Columbia. The solution is therefore in British Columbia, and the Government of Quebec cannot do anything in British Columbia.

Will the Prime Minister finally address the problem in British Columbia?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as members know very well, we have been working for a week and a half to fix this crisis with the people of British Columbia, Mohawk community members and people across the country.

We are negotiating to find a peaceful solution. In the meantime, we acknowledge that these blockades must be removed and that injunctions must be obeyed.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what has happened since the police dismantled the blockade in Belleville? Other blockades have gone up, in Kanesatake, in Lennoxville, in Gaspé and on the North Shore. In Kahnawake, in my region, the blockade is still up. The number of protesters has increased, and the blockade is bigger than ever.

We need to address the source of this problem. Unfortunately, only the Prime Minister of Canada can do so. I always thought that he had his head in the clouds, but now I see that it is firmly buried in the sand.

On behalf of Quebeckers and the people of La Prairie, my question for the Prime Minister is this: Will he finally stand up, respond, take action and fix this problem?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House respect provincial jurisdictions. We respect the authority and the responsibilities of British Columbia in this challenge. However, we are happy to provide support and assistance.

I do not think the member opposite is asking the federal government to assume the responsibilities of the provinces. That would be completely illogical.

We will always be there to provide support and assistance and work closely with our partners to come up with a peaceful, lasting solution.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, there is a dire situation across the Prairies. I met with farmers in Saskatchewan who are facing an urgent cash flow crisis. Actions by China are blocking canola exports and, of course, the Liberal carbon tax is putting a squeeze on their bottom line. Early snowfall has prevented the harvest from being completely taken off. As a result, loans are due in a short period of time and farmers do not have the cash flow to plant this season's crops.

Is the Prime Minister willing to consider extending the advance payments program deadline, waiving interest on its loans and looking for other types of solutions that will ensure that farmers have what they need to get a crop in the ground this spring?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that the 2019 wet harvest has been a challenging year for farmers and producers. We recognize that there are many challenges that they are facing right now. That is why we are continuing to work with provinces, the prairie provinces in particular, to look at solutions that are going to help farmers whom we rely on right across this country to put good, healthy food on our tables.

We will ensure that they are supported, that their hard work is rewarded and that they are reassured that there is a strong future in this country for our hard-working farm communities.

[Lianne Rood, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Do you even have a clue what farmers do, Mr. Speaker?

Many farmers in Lambton—Kent—Middlesex counties and across this country did not get their crops harvested due to the late spring and a wet fall. Now, they cannot pay back their advance payments, due next month, because their main asset is still in the ground covered in snow. As much as they would like to, farmers cannot control the weather, but they are majorly affected by it.

Does the Prime Minister have a plan to help farmers get through the coming planting season?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the difficult moments that farmers have been living, particularly this past year that has been particularly wet and difficult. That is why we have a Minister of Agriculture who is engaged regularly and with positive engagement with her counterparts across the country. We will continue to look at all sorts of ways to support farmers in the important work they do for our country. We will be there for them, as we have in the past.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am sorry I missed that, but I just want to remind the hon. members to channel their questions through the Speaker, and not ask the Speaker what he believes.

The hon. member for Foothills.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last fall farmers in my riding and across this country endured the harvest from hell, and then they had the carbon tax, the CN rail strike and trade issues. Those producers who were able to get their crop off are now facing illegal blockades, preventing them from even selling those commodities, putting them in a serious cash crunch this spring. Now their advance payments are due and they have no way of paying them back. They do not need platitudes; they need answers.

Will the Prime Minister commit today to extend the deadline on those loan prepayments and waive the interest under the advance payments program?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we know that Canada's agricultural and agri-food industry is a key driver of jobs, economic prosperity and growth for the middle class. We know that severe weather, from drought to flooding and other risks beyond farmers' control, can have serious impacts on their businesses.

Our government stands shoulder to shoulder with Canadian producers. We are monitoring the situation. We are working to ensure that they have the support they need.

Economic Development

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on February 14, our government announced a $600,000 investment in Motrec, a manufacturer of industrial vehicles located in Sherbrooke, to help increase the company's growth and production capacity. Thanks to this investment, Motrec is well positioned to expand its operations to international markets.

Can the Prime Minister tell us more about this investment?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pierrefonds—Dollard for the question and his hard work.

We know that businesses in the steel and aluminum industries are important players in our economy and supply chains. They provide good jobs to thousands of Canadians.

We are proud to give this company the tools it needs to develop innovative technologies and processes. Canadian companies that are innovating and seeking to capture new markets can count on our support.

Ukraine International Flight 752

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, does the Prime Minister yet realize that Iran's foreign minister, to whom he smilingly offered a handshake, a buddy hug and a bow, is not only the deceitful chief propagandist for Iran's democracy-crushing, terror-sponsoring regime, but is linked to recent gross human rights abuse in the deadly crackdown on civilian protests against the theocratic regime, not to mention his direct participation in the 1988 massacre of political rivals and dissidents?

Will the Prime Minister apologize to Canada's Persian community?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I made a promise to Canada's Iranian community to do everything we could to find answers to the questions they had about how their loved ones were taken from them and how they will be ensured to get compensation for it.

That is exactly what I expressed to the Iranian foreign minister. We need to be part of an international investigation that is credible and serious. We will continue to stand up for Canadians' rights. Whether they be Iranian Canadians or otherwise, we will continue to defend them and stand with them through this difficult time. We will not play petty politics the way the members opposite choose to.

Human Rights

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Iranian regime has found a new way to persecute members of the Baha'i faith, by requiring Iranians to declare their religion on their national ID cards but only providing four options.

No other religions are allowed, including Baha'i, the largest minority religion in Iran. Without one of these cards, Iranians cannot access government services, book a flight or even purchase a car.

Will the government call on the Iranian regime to end this and all other discriminations against the Baha'i faith?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government consistently stands up for human rights and the rights of minorities right around the world, which is exactly what we will continue to do.

I will highlight, however, that it has become more difficult for Canada to stand up for Iranian citizens who are facing persecution since that government closed the embassy in Tehran.

We are going to continue to work to—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to remind the hon. members that the rules of the House—