House of Commons Hansard #29 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was agreement.
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has a responsibility to protect jobs across the country and uphold the law. That is exactly what I did.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives do not want to be the official opposition, the Bloc is ready to step up to the plate.
The Bloc Québécois's efforts are focused on making gains for Quebec. The Conservatives are focused on making gains for themselves. The other difference is that the Bloc Québécois has someone they can send to negotiate. That must be difficult to hear.
Quebeckers want to know if the Prime Minister will protect access to the border and if seniors' buying power will improve.
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to follow the advice of experts and public health officials to ensure that those arriving in Canada are informed of ways to protect themselves and are adequately monitored.
We will of course continue to invest in our seniors, as we have done since coming to power in 2015, by increasing the guaranteed income supplement for the most vulnerable. We continue to try to help seniors. It is part of our approach to supporting Canadians.
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, the federal government has been underfunding health care, which is causing problems that go beyond the coronavirus. This is an ongoing problem that affects the quality of our health care. This is an ongoing problem that hinders the work of our doctors and nurses. Our hospitals are already overcrowded. Once the coronavirus crisis is resolved, our hospitals will still be overcrowded.
Will the government kill two birds with one stone and fix this ongoing problem by increasing health transfers to 5.2%, as Quebec and the other provinces have called for?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that it is important for our provincial authorities to have the resources necessary to keep Canadians safe and healthy during the coronavirus crisis. That is why we announced today that we will transfer $500 million to the provinces to help them prepare for the arrival of COVID-19.
We will always be prepared to work with the provinces to improve our health care system for all Canadians, while ensuring that we respect provincial jurisdictions, of course.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, this question period just got interesting. The Bloc leader just said that there were negotiations between him and the Prime Minister of Canada.
I would like to remind the House that the upshot of those negotiations was that the Ethics Commissioner was prevented from testifying before Canadians. The Bloc abetted the government in muzzling the Ethics Commissioner.
I also want to point out that the RCMP is investigating those actions, which could be considered criminal.
This is my question for the Prime Minister: What did he give the Bloc in exchange for helping to muzzle the Ethics Commissioner?
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Mr. Speaker, China, Iran, Italy and South Korea have all been designated as high-risk areas and the WHO is now declaring COVID-19 a pandemic.
While screening measures when entering Canada or travelling within Canada still have not been updated, the WHO is asking countries to take urgent and aggressive measures.
The government has the ability under the Quarantine Act to require all individuals who have visited high-risk areas to be placed in quarantine. When will it use it?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, every step of the way, we have followed the advice of experts and public health officials on how to best protect Canadians.
On this side of the aisle, we believe in science. We unmuzzle scientists. We listen to experts in how to make our decisions to keep Canadians safe and, so far, that has borne out.
We are continuing to monitor very closely how the coronavirus evolves in Canada, encouraging Canadians to take steps to keep themselves safe. We will continue to inform Canadians at all border areas of how to keep themselves safe and how to keep all Canadians safe.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, the media recently reported that travellers arriving at our international airports are being asked additional screening questions about their point of origin to help identify people who may be carrying COVID-19. Apparently, these questions have not been updated in some time.
With every passing day, the virus spreads to more countries, such as Italy, Iran and South Korea, and even to New York State.
Could the Prime Minister confirm whether the automated kiosks have been updated to include those countries?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, as always, the health and safety of Canadians are our priority. We follow all public health advice, based on scientific knowledge and data.
We have stepped up our monitoring, and screening processes have been added at all international airports, land border crossings and points of entry.
We will continue to monitor this situation very closely and make the necessary changes in due course.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I gather the Prime Minister is not aware. I hope his people will get him that information.
At this point, when a plane lands in Canada, officials know where the passengers are coming from. They have that information about people crossing the border legally too.
The problem is that we know people are still crossing the border illegally every day at places like Roxham Road. The government does not know who they are, where they are going or where they came from.
Now that coronavirus is an issue, can the Prime Minister at least tell us whether these people undergo a health screening when they arrive and whether necessary precautions are being taken?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, as we have been telling opposition members for quite some time now, the safety and security of Canadians are never compromised either at or between border crossings.
We know the identity of each and every person coming into Canada at official points of entry or irregularly.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Indigenous Services when his government would stop breaking the law and honour the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling to immediately stop discriminating against first nations children. This was followed by 10 seconds of silence and then story time. The same silence was heard about a plan for COVID-19 on reserves.
When will the minister follow the rule of law, honour the tribunal ruling and stop discriminating against first nations children?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we strongly agree that we must compensate indigenous children harmed by past government policies. It must be done in a way that is both fair and timely to further healing.
We have worked closely with the parties and found consensus on a number of key areas. We have demonstrated our commitment to addressing long-standing child and family service needs of first nations, Inuit and Métis children.
We will continue working with our partners to ensure indigenous children are supported and cared for in the right way, with connection to community and culture.
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Really, Mr. Speaker. This past week a little child from Attawapiskat had to be flown to Kingston, because of the damage tap water is doing to her body, and a little boy in Kashechewan suffered horrific burns. The only thing the medical clinic could do was send him home. That is the face of third world health in the north.
Therefore, when the Prime Minister does not even bother to give a permanent seat to his indigenous services minister at his COVID-19 table, indigenous people know they are going to get a third world response.
Does the Prime Minister have any clue what COVID-19 is going to do when it hits the overcrowded reserves in northern Canada?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the federal government is responsible for delivering health care to indigenous communities and to the Canadian Armed Forces.
I can assure the member that all necessary authorities are involved in all discussions about how to ensure we keep Canadians safe, including indigenous Canadians, who, as the member well pointed out, are in much more vulnerable situations quite often. That is why we are focusing very much on what we can do to make sure that the coronavirus and its potential impacts do not devastate indigenous communities.
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
Mr. Speaker, since 2015, our government has been making responsible investments for Canadians, for example, by lowering taxes, supporting families and ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
Because of these investments, Canada and Canadians are in a strong position to respond to emerging challenges.
Will the Minister of Finance please update the House on when the government will present budget 2020?
Bill Morneau LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, in the past four years, we have made very significant investments to make life better for Canadians. It is very important to note that we have boosted our country's economic growth while maintaining, and even improving, our fiscal situation.
That fiscal position is so important for our ability to deal with challenges, real challenges that Canadians recognize we are facing in the economy today. That is why I am so pleased to address those challenges and to bring forward budget 2020.
I am pleased to announce that on March 30, at 4 p.m., we will be presenting budget 2020. I ask that an order of the day be designated for that purpose.
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, this past week in my riding, I got to meet little Owen.
Owen is four months old and his mom and dad brought him to an event I hosted. While I was holding this beautiful baby boy and noticing how strong and alert he was, his mom and dad told me that Owen had cystic fibrosis. They wanted help from me to get the medication he needed to live the life that he deserved.
Could the Prime Minister tell families like Owen's family and others when they can expect to have access to the life-saving drug Trikafta?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we recognize the impossible situations that far too many families are in with children who suffer either from rare diseases or diseases that require extremely expensive medication. That is one of the reasons why we put forward a rare diseases high-cost drugs strategy to help provinces across the country deliver the drug care that is actually needed.
We are also moving forward on creating better access to more affordable drugs for families that need them right across the country. It is part of our commitment to make sure that nobody ever has to pick between paying rent or paying for the medication he or she needs.
Ted Falk Conservative Provencher, MB
Mr. Speaker, we will try this again.
Ethan, Janelle and Tyler are just a few of my constituents who suffer from cystic fibrosis. Ethan is not even two, and Janelle and Tyler are both young entrepreneurs. They need a new medication to help them reach their full potential. That medication is Trikafta and it is not available in Canada because of regulations that are deterring the drug maker from making it available here.
What will the Prime Minister commit to today to make sure Ethan, Tyler and Janelle have access to this life-saving medication in Canada?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, first, our heart goes out to families that have family members struggling with illness. It is truly heartbreaking.
We know the importance of patient access to new therapies for serious or life-threatening conditions. To date, the manufacturer of Trikafta has not submitted an application to market this product in Canada. It is the manufacturer's decision to apply to market its product in Canada. For serious or life-threatening conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, physicians may request access to the 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.
Diane Finley Conservative Haldimand—Norfolk, ON
Mr. Speaker, earlier today my colleagues and I sent a letter urging the Prime Minister to work with us to address flooding along the Great Lakes. Many people in Haldimand—Norfolk have businesses and homes right along the shoreline.
That shoreline has already seen record high water levels. These people are not just worried about potential damages, but also for their safety.
Will the Prime Minister set partisan politics aside and work with us to address this very serious issue?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the safety and security of Canadians is always a primary concern for the government. We will work to ensure the safety of Canadians along the Great Lakes and elsewhere.
At the same time, on this side of the House, we recognize the prevalence of extreme weather events and flooding is only going to increase with climate change. That is why making serious measures to fight against climate change, like a price on pollution right across the country, are the kinds of things that Canadians expect and to which the Conservatives have closed their ears and hearts.