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

Rail TransportationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

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

Madam Speaker, CN wants to close its rail traffic control centre in Montreal to centralize its operations in Alberta. This is an injustice to Quebec controllers and it will make communication in French very difficult for rail workers. It can also become a safety issue, if English-only instructions are not properly understood by train conductors and railway workers.

Will the Liberal government do something to ensure that CN reconsiders its decision?

Rail TransportationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

South Shore—St. Margarets Nova Scotia

Liberal

Bernadette Jordan LiberalMinister of Fisheries

Madam Speaker, we recognize the concerns raised by the hon. member opposite. Our government remains committed to railway safety, as well as security, efficiency and environmental responsibility.

I would be happy to have the minister discuss this with him at a later time.

Rail TransportationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

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

Madam Speaker, just as the number of rail incidents continues to increase in Quebec, CN is only making things worse. There are 60 controllers in Montreal to manage all of eastern Canada. CN wants to replace them with 35 controllers to manage the entire country. We will end up with fewer controllers, not to mention that they will not be able to communicate in French.

Will the government take this up with CN?

Rail TransportationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Mount Royal Québec

Liberal

Anthony Housefather LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour

Mr. Speaker, we always share any concerns relating to Canada's official languages. The French language must be protected throughout the country for safety reasons. There is no question that the minister will review the situation as it relates to safety and language.

HealthOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC

Madam Speaker, yesterday in the House, in response to a question about what the government is doing to address the addictions crisis we are experiencing on our streets, the Minister of Health failed to outline a solution that would help those battling addiction.

The minister continues to prioritize harm reduction strategies without mentioning treatment or recovery. People battling addiction deserve the opportunity to enter treatment immediately, when they need it.

When will the government start making treatment and recovery a priority to help people with addiction?

HealthOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Dartmouth—Cole Harbour Nova Scotia

Liberal

Darren Fisher LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

The opioid crisis is the most significant public health issue in Canada's recent history, and our hearts are with those who have lost a loved one. We have responded by investing over $425 million in emergency responses, restoring harm reduction, approving over 40 supervised consumption sites, cutting red tape and removing barriers to treatments.

We will continue to tackle this health care crisis.

TelecommunicationsOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

Madam Speaker, people in Parry Sound—Muskoka, like so many in northern Ontario, are frustrated with the high price and low quality of Internet and cellphone services.

We keep hearing the promises to fix it, but areas like Port Loring, Kearney and Whitestone are still dramatically under-serviced. It is bad for residents, it hurts the economy and it even puts personal safety at risk.

No more talk. No more promises. Will the minister accept my invitation to come to Parry Sound—Muskoka to experience first-hand what rural Canadians are experiencing every single day?

TelecommunicationsOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Long Range Mountains Newfoundland & Labrador

Liberal

Gudie Hutchings LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

Madam Speaker, I am also from a rural community and understand the challenge of broadband. Our government is focused on improving the quality, coverage and price of telecom services to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We know we need the services for health, business, tourism and, of course, education.

Our previous program is finishing up. I look forward to working with the member opposite at any time if he has ideas on how we can advance the broadband file further.

TelecommunicationsOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Richard Lehoux Conservative Beauce, QC

Madam Speaker, many households and businesses in my riding live with an Internet connection or cellular service that is spotty or non-existent. I am one of those people.

In some countries, people struggle to feed themselves, but their Internet and cell service is decent. Here, the Liberal government promised to connect all Canadians by 2030, and we call ourselves a developed country.

Why is the government not working faster to connect taxpayers so they too can enter the 21st century?

TelecommunicationsOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Willowdale Ontario

Liberal

Ali Ehsassi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation

Madam Speaker, I can assure my hon. colleague that our government is focused on ensuring that our laws keep pace with Canada's rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape and that Canadians can continue to receive world-class services. We thank the panel for all the work it has done. We are focused on this challenge and we will have some decisions in the coming months.

The EnvironmentOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

Madam Speaker, people in my riding of Whitby are concerned about climate change and the environment. It was one of the top concerns I heard at the doors last fall. My constituents and many others along the shores of the Great Lakes have experienced, and are experiencing, unprecedented flooding over the last several years. This has caused shoreline erosion and property damage. Climate change is here and presents real challenges for communities across Canada.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change inform the House of the government's progress on tackling climate change and protecting our environment?

The EnvironmentOral Questions

11:55 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 the member for Whitby for his dedication to a clean environment and to taking climate action. Both on the doorsteps and at the polls, it was clear that a majority of Canadians voted for immediate and ambitious climate action. That is exactly what our government is delivering on.

Together, we will set a target to achieve net zero by 2050, help make energy-efficient homes more affordable, introduce measures to have clean, efficient and affordable communities, and make it easier for people to buy electric vehicles.

Canadians expect parliamentarians to work together to deliver on these promises, and that is exactly what we are going to do.

HealthOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB

Madam Speaker, siblings Callum and Aislinn Stepaniuk of St. Albert, ages seven and 12, have cystic fibrosis carrying the R117H mutation. Due to a lack of approvals, they are unable to receive the life-extending drug Kalydeco. Every day that they cannot access this drug shortens their life expectancy.

Why should Callum and Aislinn have to wait, given that the U.S. FDA has approved this drug for children with this mutation who are six years and older?

HealthOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Dartmouth—Cole Harbour Nova Scotia

Liberal

Darren Fisher LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

Madam Speaker, we know the importance of patient access to new therapies for serious or life-threatening conditions. It is the manufacturer's decision to apply to market a product in Canada.

For serious or life-threatening conditions such as cystic fibrosis, physicians may request access to a drug through the special access program. To help Canadians get better access to effective treatments, we are working with provinces, territories and other partners to develop a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases.

International TradeOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Chris Lewis Conservative Essex, ON

Madam Speaker, the wine industry in Windsor-Essex and across Canada is facing an uncertain future because of Australia's trade challenge that claims Canada's federal excise duty exemption on 100% Canadian-made wines is discriminatory.

We are about seven weeks away from the World Trade Organization's interim report. Canadians who work in the wine industry are worried.

When will the Liberals pick up the phone and get a settlement with the Australians?

International TradeOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business

Madam Speaker, I can assure the House that our government recognizes the enormous value of the wine industry and its contribution to Canada's reputation as a world-class agricultural producer.

We will continue to stand up for Canadian workers and the industry. We have explored ways to resolve this dispute with Australia and we will continue to work closely with the provinces to protect workers in this Canadian industry.

EmploymentOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Madam Speaker, the labour shortage is a huge problem, and the unemployment rate is evidence of that. I implemented a pilot project to create a co-operative for foreign workers with six businesses in Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier. No money is required, and this is a solution to help our regions and our businesses. The former Liberal minister did not get it. I am asking for a meeting with the new Minister of Labour.

Is it possible that this minority Liberal government will agree to work with me to find a solution for Canadian business owners?

EmploymentOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Delta B.C.

Liberal

Carla Qualtrough LiberalMinister of Employment

Madam Speaker, of course, I will meet with my colleague.

We know that workers are needed across Canada. There are a lot of jobs here.

I am very happy, because today we announced that 34,000 new jobs were created in January 2020. That brings the total to 1.1 million jobs created by the Liberal government.

Agriculture and Agri-FoodOral Questions

Noon

Liberal

Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

Madam Speaker, the agriculture sector in Canada contributes over $100 billion annually to our GDP and is responsible for one in eight Canadian jobs.

Our farmers, ranchers and producers from across the country proudly feed Canadians and the world with their incredible products. On February 11, we will be celebrating Canada's Agriculture Day to highlight their contributions and thank them for their hard work.

Could my hon. colleague the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food inform the House of the government's work to ensure the growth and prosperity of Canada's agricultural sector?

Agriculture and Agri-FoodOral Questions

Noon

Compton—Stanstead Québec

Liberal

Marie-Claude Bibeau LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Madam Speaker, farmers deserve our greatest appreciation. They care for our environment. They care for their animals. They are a source of inspiration.

Our government has ambitious plans for agriculture, such as reaching $75 billion in exports by 2025, finalizing compensation for supply management, improving business risk management programs and empowering women and youth in agriculture.

I invite all Canadians to celebrate Canada's Agriculture Day on Tuesday, February 11.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

NDP

Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL

Madam Speaker, the recent snowstorm that hit Newfoundland and Labrador shut down entire communities. Small business owners lost revenue and many workers, especially hourly and low-wage earners, lost a week's pay. The Liberals campaigned on a promise to help with lost income in case of disaster but we have not seen any action yet. Workers in my province need help now. Climate change will lead to more disasters like this.

Will the Liberals deliver on their promise and help those who need it right now?

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

Delta B.C.

Liberal

Carla Qualtrough LiberalMinister of Employment

Madam Speaker, the stories of neighbours helping one another, and our brave first responders working tirelessly to clear the snow and support those who lost power, exemplify the spirit and resilience of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our government took immediate action by mobilizing the Canadian Forces to areas affected by the storm. In addition, we have extended Service Canada hours. I have spoken personally with the minister. We are there. Our government reduced the wait time for EI to one week.

I can assure everyone in the House that we are there for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Madam Speaker, I would ask you to consult Standing Order 10 and note 51 on page 319 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, which allows the Chair to call not only a member but also the entire House to order.

When I asked my question, you allowed me to finish, but no former call to order was made. I would like you to make one so that if there should be any more questions that are irritants to the official opposition over the coming weeks, we will not have a repeat of the situation.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

Liberal

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

I thank the hon. member for her intervention. I had asked her to finish asking her question and not repeat it in its entirety. This was a misunderstanding between us and I believe the matter is now closed.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

Liberal

Carla Qualtrough Liberal Delta, BC

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order to offer a clarification stemming from question period on Wednesday, on the relationship between the RCMP and the Wet'suwet'en people.

It is true that the Government of British Columbia has contracted services to the RCMP, similar to many other jurisdictions, however, neither the Government of British Columbia nor the other jurisdictions direct RCMP operations. The RCMP always operate independently, in this case as well as any other.