Debates of Feb. 27th, 2020

The Environment

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is the era of climate change, not the era of “Drill, baby, drill”. The CEO of Suncor said that the time for major projects is over. The CEO of Teck Resources wrote that, before the company will invest, the provinces need to agree on their climate policies. It has gotten to the point where the oil companies are greener than the government. That is unbelievable. The government paid a huge amount of money for the Trans Mountain pipeline and is watching the cost of the project skyrocket without so much as batting an eye.

Will the Liberals listen to reason and put an end to this irresponsible spending?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we have taken numerous measures to combat climate change. We developed a plan that includes 50 initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We promised to implement a plan to surpass the 2030 targets and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. We have made a lot of progress, but we still need to do more.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot fight climate change while spending $18 billion in taxpayers' money to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline. However, that is exactly what the government did. It wasted $18 billion on a pipeline that will transport the dirtiest oil in the world to markets that will continue to pollute.

Despite the answer the environment minister gave earlier, I would like to know whether he can explain how the Trans Mountain pipeline will help us meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. Minister of Environment.

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we have a serious and affordable plan for fighting climate change. We have spent more than $63 billion on green infrastructure and a clean economy, which is more than any other government in the history of our country.

Furthermore, every dollar generated by TMX will be invested in our transition to a clean economy. As we transition to a cleaner economy, we are ensuring that our resources get to market and that this transition is more affordable for everyone.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister said that every dollar generated by TMX will be invested in clean energy. That is like setting a village on fire to justify hiring firefighters.

Trans Mountain represents $18 billion that could be invested in health transfers, the fight against climate change, old age pensions and a just transition for oil workers, for example. Instead, the government is squandering our money on an outdated economic model that is based on the oil sands.

Will the Minister of the Environment recognize that this white elephant is harmful to both the economy and the planet?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we will put in place the best plan to fight climate change that this country has ever seen. We have a plan to go beyond the 2030 targets.

We want to develop a plan to achieve net zero by 2050. Our government has made more progress on climate change than any other government in the history of Canada.

Health

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Australia announced that it is implementing a contingency plan to address the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the decision today, as he expects a global pandemic to be declared within days. Even Canada's chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, told reporters Tuesday that the virus is likely to cause a pandemic.

There is no need to panic, but Canadians want reassurance.

Can the Prime Minister confirm today that there is a contingency plan ready to be activated?

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, at this time the risk within Canada remains low, but we do need to be prepared.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Based on what is happening around the world, we are now preparing for a global spread of COVID-19. Our focus is now on limiting the impact within Canada.

We already have emergency response plans in place. We also have federal, provincial and territorial preparedness plans to respond to a pandemic situation.

Only the World Health Organization can declare an pandemic.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the WHO director general said this today:

This virus does not respect borders.

From China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Australia and Brazil, the coronavirus is spreading to all corners of the world. People are dying, and Canadians are rightly concerned about their health and safety.

The government needs to assure Canadians it is doing everything in its power to protect our country from this global health emergency. The U.S. has implemented restrictions, denying foreign nationals entry into the country if they have visited China within the last 14 days. Our allies have taken unprecedented steps to protect their citizens and contain the virus.

Has the government considered the same restrictions?

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, as we learn more about COVID-19, our public health officials are updating their advice for travellers. If someone has recently travelled to any jurisdiction with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and they are unwell or unsure, we are asking that they self-isolate for 14 days.

This is out of an abundance of caution. Our public health system is well prepared to handle cases of the virus in Canada, and we are taking every necessary precaution to prevent the spread of this infection.

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the health minister is telling Canadians to prepare for a possible pandemic by stockpiling food and medication. While no one is trying to raise panic, sudden statements about needing to stockpile food and medicine are raising concerns across the country. Canadians are now wondering if they should be scared to fly, go to work or go to school.

How likely is Canada to face a pandemic at this time? Is the risk still low, or should we be stocking our shelves with supplies?

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, at this time the risk does remain low, but we do in fact need to be prepared. This is a very rapidly changing situation, and based on what is happening around the world, we are preparing for a global spread of COVID-19.

We must focus on the impacts within Canada. We already have emergency response plans in place. We also have federal, provincial and territorial preparedness plans to respond to a pandemic situation. The health and safety of Canadians is our utmost wish.

Consular Affairs

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Iran has the most COVID-19 cases in the Middle East, and Canadians are unable to fly out because all commercial flights have been cancelled. The minister said no one in Iran is requesting airlifts to get out of the country, but the facts tell a different story. Within the last 48 hours, the Iranian Canadian Congress has received over 100 emails from Canadians who are stranded in Iran.

Will the minister commit to evacuating Canadians out of Iran, just as the government did for Canadians in China and Japan?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we remain very committed to providing consular services to Canadians travelling abroad, obviously including Iran. We invite Canadians in Iran to take commercial flights while they remain available. Canadians in Iran can access services at our embassy in Ankara and can also contact the Italian embassy in Iran, which is our protector. We are providing consular services to everyone in the world who needs the assistance of Canada to come back home.

Health

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's nurses are warning that federal guidelines to protect front-line workers from COVID-19 do not go far enough and may be putting patients at risk. Safety protocols in Ontario, the U.S. and the European Union all call for the use of disposable respirators, while federal guidelines provide less secure barriers. Nurses say that federal standards presume the virus cannot spread through the air, but the science is unsettled.

Will the government listen to front-line professionals, revise its guidelines and ensure the best protection possible for health care workers and their patients?

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to thank the front-line health care providers across this country. They have been seized with this issue from day one, have been paying attention and have been doing incredible work, and for that I am very thankful.

We are committed to protecting health care workers and patients from exposure to COVID-19. The Public Health Agency of Canada released interim guidelines from medical professionals on infection prevention and control of COVID-19, which were developed in partnership with our provincial and territorial partners.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Serge Cormier, Liberal, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Speaker, fishers in my riding will soon be heading out to sea for the snow crab and lobster season. We hope their season is safe and successful for them and for everyone involved in this industry.

Can the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard update this House on what our government is doing to ensure our harvesters have access to markets while also continuing to protect the North Atlantic right whale?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question and for his work to support fisheries in his riding of Acadie—Bathurst.

This morning I was happy to announce updated measures to protect the North Atlantic right whale. We are working in collaboration with industry as well as with our conservation experts, but I want to be clear that the measures and progress we are making are only possible because of the support, hard work and co-operation of our fish harvesters.

We are ensuring that our fisheries remain sustainable and that products are getting to market while we are protecting for generations this animal that is so important to all of us.

The Economy

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec, the economic impact of the rail blockades is estimated at $100 million a day, and that is just in Quebec. The budget envelope for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is $300 million annually. In just three days, the blockades have undone everything the federal agency and the government hoped to accomplish in an entire year. We have already heard the platitudes repeated by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

What does the Minister of Economic Development have to say about this to the exporters, entrepreneurs and farmers in our regions?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is that we are working around the clock to solve this problem as quickly as possible. That is why we initiated an important dialogue that will begin today. At the same time, we have sent a clear message that the barricades must come down and the rail system must get back up to full speed. That is what is happening right now. We are well aware that we must continue in this direction so that our economy can get back to normal.

Public Safety

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the ongoing blockades by activists continue to hurt ordinary Canadians. Last week the Prime Minister said he hoped we will see positive developments. The public safety minister was hopeful the police would help restore rail shipments. The Liberals repeatedly speak of their hope that the protests will be resolved peacefully, yet we see protesters starting fires in front of moving trains.

Hope is a wonderful sentiment, but hope is not a management tool. When will the blockades finally come down and stay down?

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

Mr. Speaker, I understand the members opposite are hopeless, but let me assure members that we are working tirelessly, both to re-engage—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order. Order. We were doing so well. I want to make sure that people understand on both sides that when we throw stuff, it comes back negative. Just try to get along and do the best we can. We were doing very well. I was really having hope.

The hon. minister.