House of Commons Hansard #17 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was rcmp.

Topics

Federal Disaster Assistance ProgramStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

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

The hon. member for Shefford.

Monique LeyracStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Bloc

Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Monique Leyrac, who died this past December at the age of 91.

This amazing woman from a nearby riding chose to spend her last years in Sutton, in the Eastern Townships, because that was where she wanted to live.

As her friend François Dompierre said so well, “She lived her life as she wanted. She was a feminist in her everyday life long before it was trendy.”

I also want to note that until recently, she was able to enjoy her retirement at home, admiring her garden, as we would wish for everyone.

She was one of Quebec's greatest actresses and singers of the last century, if not the greatest. She was known around the world and left her mark in illustrious concert halls. She sang the words of legendary Quebec songwriters like Vigneault, Léveillée, Ferland, Plamondon and many others.

An exhibit in her honour will be open at the Museum of Communications and History of Sutton from June 20 to October 12, 2020.

The Bloc Québécois and I want to offer our—

Monique LeyracStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

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

The hon. member for Calgary Rocky Ridge.

Teck Resources Frontier ProjectStatements By Members

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB

Madam Speaker, media reports say that during Wednesday's caucus meeting, the Prime Minister "heard an earful from his...caucus...passionately urging his cabinet not to approve Teck Resources'...$20-billion...Project in Alberta." Maybe he should do what Richard Nixon did and call in a plumbers unit to plug the leaks. In the meantime, we also now know that the Liberals are planning some kind of aid package as a ridiculous plan B.

Alberta does not want aid. Alberta wants to work. Alberta wants its economy back. Alberta wants the federal government ro stop making things worse.

If the Prime Minister decides to set aside the scientific, evidence-based recommendation to approve this project, which has strong local indigenous support, and instead decides to make a political decision to kill the project in order to placate his backbenchers and the separatist Bloc, who are currently propping up his government, he will provoke a of national unity crisis—

Teck Resources Frontier ProjectStatements By Members

11:15 a.m.

Liberal

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

The hon. member for Sault Ste. Marie.

Bon Soo Winter CarnivalStatements By Members

11:15 a.m.

Liberal

Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Madam Speaker, like many communities across Canada, my riding of Sault Ste. Marie celebrates the winter season with an annual celebration.

This year, the 57th Bon Soo Winter Carnival takes place from January 31 to February 9. There are more activities added every year, and it is truly a carnival with something for everyone. Organizations from across the riding come together to offer unique experiences, such as the Bon Soo Mario Kart Super Smash Tournament, the Sault College Annual Pow Wow, snowshoeing at the Indian Friendship Centre, the Torch Light Skate and, for the truly brave, the polar bear swim, often emulated but never copied fully.

Bon Soo is a labour of love for countless volunteers, community organizations and sponsors.

Madam Speaker, I know you know the winters in northern Ontario can be a challenge in February. Saultites warm themselves up during this time of year, and I would like to invite all in this House to join us in Sault Ste. Marie at Bon Soo.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB

Madam Speaker, apparently the Liberals have been considering aid for Alberta as cover to reject Frontier. Albertans are not refugees or evacuees from a natural disaster. We are inventors, creators, risk-takers, entrepreneurs and innovators. We want free markets and a level playing field, but Liberal government policy is turning Albertans into victims.

Clearly, the Liberals do not get Alberta. Albertans do not want government handouts or bailouts. We just want to work.

When will the Liberals get out of the way and let Alberta do what it does best for the good of Canada and the world?

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Vaudreuil—Soulanges Québec

Liberal

Peter Schiefke LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Madam Speaker, we were elected in 2015 and again in 2019 to grow the economy and protect the environment. We have processes in place for projects such as Teck, and we are moving through that process.

The process is now at the phase where cabinet will need to make a decision by the end of February. When the time comes, I look forward to them sharing that with this House and Canadians from coast to coast.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB

Madam Speaker, the science and evidence are already in, and the experts have already spoken. Teck Frontier is in Canada's public and national interest. It has met every condition.

The only thing left is a political decision, and now the Liberals are trying to move the goalposts again. The Liberals' double standards only ever apply to Alberta, but the actual experts say that not approving Teck will increase global emissions.

Will the Liberals approve Teck Frontier, yes or no?

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Vaudreuil—Soulanges Québec

Liberal

Peter Schiefke LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Madam Speaker, we are following the process that was actually in place under the previous government. We have been working through that process. In 2016 we put in place the joint review panel, and in 2018 consultations ended on the project.

Now we are in a position where cabinet will be making a decision on all of the factors surrounding this project. They will share that with Canadians and this House by the end of February.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB

Madam Speaker, the only thing left is a decision by politicians. The experts have already weighed all the factors. Albertans are world leaders in oil and gas innovation for environmental protection for the benefit of all Canadians. A strong Alberta makes a strong Canada.

Albertans want all industries and all provinces to thrive, but Alberta alone is held back and put down by the Liberals. The Liberals are turning a national opportunity into a national unity crisis.

When will the Liberals approve Teck Frontier?

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Vaudreuil—Soulanges Québec

Liberal

Peter Schiefke LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her passion with regard to this issue.

I would like to repeat for this House once again, for those who are unaware, that cabinet has until the end of February to render that decision. It will be shared with this House and all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We look forward to that decision being shared with all Canadians.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Madam Speaker, only the Liberal Party and the Liberal government could say no to a $20-billion project, no to 10,000 new jobs, no to 14 first nations who agree with the Teck project, no when everything on the checklist was done and every stage completed.

This government is the problem. It is saying no to a project that is good for Canadian unity and good for all Canadians.

When will they see reason?

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Vaudreuil—Soulanges Québec

Liberal

Peter Schiefke LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the question.

In 2015 and in 2019, Canadians chose to put a Liberal government in office on the promise of building a better economy and protecting our environment. That is what we have been doing since 2015.

We have a process to follow and we are following it. Under this process, we have until the end of February to make a decision. When the decision is made, we will announce it to all members of the House and all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Madam Speaker, the École des hautes études commerciales released a report a few weeks ago indicating that Quebec used 10 billion litres of gasoline last year. That is an increase.

Where did 62% of that gasoline come from? It came from the United States. If the Liberals want to support Donald Trump, that is their problem. We, the Conservatives, want to support Canada's oil and natural resources industries. The Teck project is good for Canada, is good for Quebec and is good for the economy.

Why is the government still refusing to approve a project that is good for everyone and that has the support of all Canadians?

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Vaudreuil—Soulanges Québec

Liberal

Peter Schiefke LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Madam Speaker, I want to once again thank my hon. colleague for his question.

We are working hard to support Alberta's energy sector. We approved the Trans Mountain project and are implementing Line 3.

We are in a position where we have to make a decision on the Teck project, and we are following the process. We have until the end of February to make our decision public. When it is time to do so, we will be pleased to share that decision with all members of the House and all Canadians.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

February 7th, 2020 / 11:20 a.m.

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Madam Speaker, speaking of Trans Mountain, the CEO himself just announced that the cost of building the pipeline has almost doubled, rising to nearly $13 billion. Factoring in the purchase price, we have now had about $18 billion stolen from us to pollute the planet.

Is this how the government intends to achieve net zero by 2050? Is that the government's plan for fighting climate change, spending $18 billion dollars to increase pollution?

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Ottawa—Vanier Ontario

Liberal

Mona Fortier LiberalMinister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance

Madam Speaker, the Trans Mountain expansion project is an investment in Canada's future.

At a time when 99% of our energy exports go only to the United States, Canadians understand that more than ever we need to diversify our market. Construction on the project is under way with thousands of Canadians hard at work in Alberta and British Columbia.

Every dollar the federal government earns from the project will be invested in Canada's clean energy transition funding, to support the clean energy projects that will power our homes and communities.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Madam Speaker, the Teck Frontier project is not compatible with fighting climate change.

As the parliamentary secretary for science said, the government has made a clear commitment to achieving net zero by 2050, and both his fellow Canadians and his grandchildren expect the government to meet that target.

The Liberal member for Beaches—East York said that if the government were truly committed to net zero and to science, cabinet should have no trouble saying no to Teck Frontier—

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

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

Could we have silence please so that the hon. member can ask her question?

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Madam Speaker, I would like to start over, please. Half the room could not hear my whole question. I would request that you let me ask it again.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

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

I believe the question was understood because the member was just finishing it. I would therefore ask the minister to answer the question.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Madam Speaker, I did not ask a question.

Natural ResourcesOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

An hon. member

Can she ask her question?