Debates of Feb. 4th, 2020

The Environment

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, we agree with the Government of Quebec on a whole host of issues. We get along well with Quebec. We collaborate and move forward together.

Take, for example, the cultural exemption clause in the free trade agreement that the Prime Minister of Canada defended. He fought for it, telling the Americans that it was a line we would not cross, that it was extremely important for our cultural sector in Quebec, for the Government of Quebec and for all the members on this side of the House. We stood up for aluminum, we stood up for every file, and we stood up for Quebec.

Official Languages

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are using the Premier of Quebec's support for CUSMA to dodge our questions on aluminum. They should also recognize that when it comes to the French language in Quebec, it makes sense to invoke the Quebec government's authority. Because all Quebeckers have the right to work in French, Mr. Legault is demanding that federally regulated businesses be subject to Bill 101.

Is the Liberal government finally going to comply with this Quebec requirement?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, there are 35 members from Quebec here who hold Quebec dear, and hold the French language dear. That is important. We have always stood up to protect our language, to promote it, to share it with others, because it is also the vehicle for our culture. Speaking of culture, let us come back to the importance of this agreement we signed. This agreement protects our ability to legislate to defend our culture. Let us talk about the fact that 70% of the aluminum has to come from North America. Let us talk about all the benefits, not only for Quebec but also for all Canadians. It still has not been—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Flamborough—Glanbrook.

Foreign Affairs

[David Sweet, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement continues its campaign against Israel on Canadian campuses in Canadian cities. In my own backyard, when it first came about, some from the BDS movement called for sanctions against Jewish professors at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Given the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in Canada, North America and the world, could the Liberal government clarify whether it considers BDS to be anti-Semitic?

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

Mr. Speaker, we always stand up for Canadian values and Canadian principles and we will continue to do so not only in Canada but on the international stage.

Public Safety

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, a year and a half ago, my motion calling for the immediate listing of the IRGC as a terrorist entity passed the House of Commons with Liberal support. The minister voted to act and then failed to act.

Last month, the IRGC shot down a civilian airliner with two separate missiles, killing many Canadians. Canadians want an explanation from the government.

Why did the government choose not to list the IRGC?

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

Mr. Speaker, we remain unwavering in our commitment to keep Canadians safe. We continue to work with like-minded countries to ensure that Iran is held to account for its support for terrorism. We have imposed sanctions on Iran and the IRGC, as well as on senior members of its leadership.

Canada has already taken a number of significant actions against the IRGC, including listing the Quds Force as a terrorist entity. Last year, we added three additional Iran-backed groups to the Criminal Code as terrorist entities.

The listing of entities is an ongoing process. Government officials continue to assess all groups and monitor new developments.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is just not true for the minister to say that the government has taken action against the IRGC. The Quds Force was listed by the previous Conservative government and that minister, along with the others, stood in their places and voted to “immediately” list the IRGC. They cast that vote over a year and a half ago.

Canadians want answers. It is a very simple question. Many Canadians were killed on this flight, and the government had chosen not to list the IRGC. People deserve to know. Why did the minister choose not to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity after voting a year and a half ago to immediately do precisely that?

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

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, the listing of entities is an ongoing process. We rely on government officials to continue to assess all groups and to monitor new developments—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am sure the minister appreciates the coaching he is getting but it is rather loud and I am not able to hear anything.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already indicated, the Quds Force has already been listed by Canada as a terrorist entity. Last year, we took the additional step of adding three additional Iran-backed groups that were proxies for terrorist activities, and listing them under the Criminal Code.

We continue to engage in that process and to monitor developments as they become apparent.

Employment

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last year, Canada summer jobs created more than 70,000 opportunities for youth across Canada, with hundreds of small businesses and local organizations benefiting in Scarborough alone.

In my riding of Scarborough—Agincourt, 242 summer jobs were created. The Canada summer jobs program creates valuable work experiences for youth across Canada, while helping them gain the skills and experience they need as they start their careers and successfully join the labour force.

Could the minister please update the House on this year's program and the benefits for both employers and youth?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Scarborough—Agincourt for her dedication to Canada summer jobs.

Canada's prosperity depends on young Canadians getting the education and the experience that they need to succeed. That is why Canada summer jobs is such an important part of our youth employment strategy. We are providing young Canadians with paid summer jobs so they can gain valuable experience.

I am pleased to share that the application period for employers is open. I encourage all members to reach out to local organizations and small businesses, to make sure that all of their ridings benefit from this excellent program.

Foreign Affairs

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, there was $8 million for a temporary hockey rink, $56,000 more for Jet Skis and meals for the Prime Minister's billionaire island vacation and $1.5 million for Liberal ministers' office renovations. Now the Liberals have wasted almost $2 million more on their UN Security Council seat bid, with a third of that going to promotional items. For what, Canada coffee mugs for Kim Jong-un and al-Assad?

Why is the Liberal government so obsessed with wasting taxpayer dollars?

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians who are watching know that Canada must show leadership in the face of major global challenges. More than ever, Canada is playing a positive role by being a champion of diversity and of inclusion, by addressing climate change, by leading peace and security efforts, and by helping the most vulnerable.

A seat on the UN Security Council would allow Canada to be a stronger voice on the international stage, fight for inclusion, fight for diversity and fight for Canadian values.

Government Spending

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Liberal job-killing policies are forcing Canadians to the food bank just to feed their families. However, while Canadians struggle, the Prime Minister has been wasting taxpayer dollars as he jets around the world.

New documents show that he spent over $95,000 on food and drinks on just one international trip. He and his friends drank 57 bottles of wine and 35 cans of beer. I did not even get an invite.

Will the Prime Minister put an end to his wasteful spending habits and show respect to Canadian taxpayers?

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

Mr. Speaker, if my colleagues would like to listen, we are more than happy to invite the member if he wants to help us gain a seat on the UN Security Council.

We would like to get his voice, to have him work with us to bring Canadians' values to the international stage, to talk about climate change, to talk about our feminist foreign policy, and to bring positive leadership to the world.

That is what Canada is standing for around the world, and I would hope the member would stand with us in defending Canadian values around the world.

Democratic Institutions

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government says our democracy is threatened by foreign interference, but it looks like the bigger threat could be from the government.

The Liberals violated the Shawcross doctrine. They put Unifor on the media bailout fund. They introduced Bill C-76, limiting ads and free speech before elections. They tried controlling the House in Motion No. 6. They rigged the rules for their own benefit in the leaders' debates. Their Internet report is proposing what could be the largest restriction on free speech in Canadian history.

Last week, we found out the Liberals spent $430,000 of public money on partisan social media in the last election. Who is the bigger threat to Canadian democracy?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin, the first time I take my seat and the floor in this House, by congratulating you, Mr. Speaker, and thanking my former University of Toronto classmate for his question.

Our government is committed to an open and transparent democratic system.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Speaker, our colleagues in front are laughing. They are probably confusing the former Harper government's plan with what our government has done to make elections fairer and more accessible. We are proud of the work done by my predecessor, the minister of democratic institutions. It made elections fairer for every Canadian.

Health

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, too many people in my riding of Cape Breton—Canso have been unable to find a family doctor or a primary care team. That means that many of my constituents have to travel to Halifax or other cities just to get a checkup or a prescription.

Can the Minister of Health please tell my constituents what the government is doing to help the provinces improve access to family doctors or primary care teams?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Cape Breton—Canso for his question.

Every Canadian should be able to rely on the health care system, yet more than five million Canadians do not have access to a family doctor or a primary health care team. We know there is more to do.

We are making significant investments, including more than $40 billion to the provinces and territories this year, and we will keep working with partners like the province of Nova Scotia and the member for Cape Breton—Canso to make sure that all Canadians get the care they need, when they need it.