Debates of May 26th, 2020

Proceedings of the House and Committees

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his good question.

For the NDP, it is clear that the federal government needs to fulfill its obligations and adequately fund the provincial systems. That is the NDP's vision.

It is also clear that the pandemic does not respect areas of jurisdiction; it is affecting everyone and Canada. The federal government of Canada certainly needs to talk to the provinces. However, we also have an obligation to take steps to ensure that the rights of seniors in long-term care facilities and in all seniors' homes across Canada are respected.

This crisis is a disaster for our country and the neglect has been extraordinary. We have an obligation to work together to come up with a solution. To do this, it is vital that we provide greater funding to the provinces.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for Battlefords—Lloydminster.

I am glad to be back in the House. I love being in the chamber. One of my friends in the media calls the day that he puts the newspaper together with the stories and the pictures “magic day”, and this is where magic happens for us as politicians, right here in the chamber. It is the only place, I think, where we can get the real feel of how Parliament is meant to work.

I appreciate that a number of colleagues are giving shout outs to their staff, and I would like to do the same. My staff works so diligently and hard on behalf of our constituents who have been struggling during this outbreak. I want to give a big thanks to Dana, Lisa, Laura, Lindsay, Megan and Gianfranco. The service they provide to our constituents is bar none, and I am proud of each and every one of them. I know the incredible amount of effort and skill they apply to each case that has come to our attention through the mailbox, by email or by phone. Even though we are not yet allowing visitors in our office, we are working to put in place the proper safety protocol so that we can start meeting with our constituents again when a phone call is just not enough.

Meeting here and having these discussions is something that is fundamental to democracy. As Conservatives, we have been saying that Parliament needs to meet, as we are doing here today, and it needs to do so consistently. Now, we are not saying that we need all 338 members here. We can use a hybrid system, which we are going to try out going forward with the special committee of the whole on COVID-19. There are ways for us to do that, as well as to vote. We are looking for a compromise where we can have Parliament function and deal with the business of the day.

Our municipalities are meeting. Our town councils and municipal councils are meeting every month dealing with things on behalf their ratepayers. Every provincial legislature is still meeting. They are acknowledging the need for social distancing while still doing the business of the day to ensure that they are on top of the COVID-19 crisis, and also dealing with all of the issues that government is charged with.

If we look around the world, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and even China are meeting. I am sure that the Prime Minister, with his admiration for the “basic dictatorship” in China, is watching closely as the National People's Congress of China is meeting shoulder-to-shoulder. If members watched them on the news, they are all wearing masks, but they are sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in their chamber. It is important that parliaments gather. We exchange ideas and have rigorous debate, which is not possible through Zoom with the technological problems, the inability to hear each other and the cutting in and out.

I am sure that the member for Timmins—James Bay will be glad that I am going to give a Winston Churchill quote, as follows:

It is difficult to explain this to those who do not know our ways. They cannot easily be made to understand why we consider that the intensity, passion, intimacy, informality and spontaneity of our Debates constitute the personality of the House of Commons and endow it at once with its focus and its strength.

That is the best way to describe why we need to be in here carrying out these debates, including the heckles. It is where we have an opportunity to have an exchange of ideas and to see the reactions and to be able to feed off each other's emotions to some degree, as long as it does not escalate too much. It is the role of parliamentarians in the House of Commons to have these discussions. Although the government motion refers to having a 95-minute question time during the committee of the whole with five minutes of back and forth, it still does not replace what we do in here via conversations and discussions on the bills of the day, which is something that we are not dealing with at all while we are in this special parliamentary committee format. For instance, we are not dealing with a budget, and I will get to that later.

Professor Christian Leuprecht from Queen's University has said:

Ultimately the underlying primary constitutional principle here is the principle of responsible government. It is about ministerial responsibility, first and foremost, during a crisis and an emergency...

Especially during a time of crisis, Parliament has a supreme duty to hold the executive to account. Canadians need continuous parliamentary audit of the executive and the bureaucracy's judgment.

This is the role of the opposition and the backbench of the government in the House, that we ask the tough questions. Our Constitution, our Westminster parliamentary system, is built upon that ministerial accountability and that is not happening when we are working off Zoom.

There are concerns in my riding. When I am here I can have my 10-minute speech and I can have my time in question period and I can have time at committee to raise concerns from my constituents. I want to raise a few of those right now.

One of the small business owners in my riding owns a couple of businesses and said she had to shut down because of the types of businesses she operates and is having trouble paying her rent. Unfortunately, her landlord refuses to participate in the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance and so she is going to be forced to leave and he is going to have to chase after her for the lease payments that are left. It is going to end up in court and could actually affect her other businesses because she is financially strapped now.

If I get a chance through the special committee and the 95 minutes of questions and answers maybe I will get the chance to get these answers from the minister, but if we are here all day long, I have a greater opportunity to raise these issues directly with the minister.

On the agriculture side, farmers are really struggling. The Interlake area I represent has gone through drought after drought. Before that there was BSE and flooding along Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, so a lot of farmers have been hit hard. They are trying to get crops in the ground and cattle fed through the winter, having enough pasture. On top of that, as we already heard, and I thank my colleague from Battle River—Crowfoot for the great job he does as the shadow minister of agriculture, we are seeing meat prices go up because there is less beef being processed in our meat packing plants because the slaughter facilities are being impacted by COVID and workers cannot get to work and, ultimately, prices on the retail side are going up.

The opposite is happening because of oversupply in our feed lots and among our cattle calf operators. One of my constituents lost $600 per head on the calves he held over the winter, as he always does. He sold them in the spring and received $600 less than he did the year before. Most operators will not be able to sustain that. That is over a $60,000 loss for that one single farmer.

There is also a commercial fishery in my riding, and it has raised many concerns. The Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation has quit buying pickerel from Lake Winnipeg and will not even try to market it because all the restaurants they sell to have shut down and there is an oversupply sitting in storage. Fishermen and their families have to go out onto the lakes and are not able to catch anything of value, like pickerel and whitefish, to sell.

One thing that is missing in all of this process is a budget from the government. We are spending money this year that could very well see us having a deficit equal to the budget we had last year of $350 billion. We could have a $350-billion deficit with the shrinking economy and the growing government spending in response to COVID-19. We still have not seen a budget from the government and accountability on how it is going to spend this money without crashing the economy, without putting us in such crippling debt that we may never be able to crawl out from underneath it.

It is our job as parliamentarians to look after the taxpayer, and that is not happening because of this special committee.

I can go on and on. Firearms owners in my riding are upset. These issues need to be discussed at committee, but we do not have every committee going. The public safety committee is not going. The national defence committee that I am vice-chair of is not operating. Without having those committees operating, we cannot deal with issues of the day in a timely manner to address the concerns of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the member is actually wrong in his assessment, and once this motion passes, it will enable the member to talk about whatever issue he so chooses to talk about and raise in the format of questions. We will still have members' statements and petitions as well.

Some things we will not have, such as opposition days. In order to have an opposition day, or a private member's hour, there are other aspects that need to be figured out, for example, how a member would actually vote. We cannot have 338 members inside the chamber all at once. Even the Conservatives seem to recognize that.

This is something that is evolving, much like many of the different programs. Three or four months ago, no one could have anticipated the types of changes that we have witnessed, such as providing the billions in support programs. Had we not done that, could you only imagine what the economy and our society would be looking like?

The government is moving forward, opposition members are contributing, life continues and we continue to look for ways we can improve our system.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I want to use this quote from December 2013. It reads:

We know why the Prime Minister prorogued the session back in September. It was because he did not want to have the House sitting. He avoided the day in and day out accountability in the House, because he was not happy with what was being reported in a sequence of events that portrayed corruption and fraud....

As a result, we lost weeks of debate earlier this fall because the Prime Minister did not want to come back. Why did he not want to come back? He had a very serious problem, and still does, and it is not going to go away.

Do members know who said that? It was the member for Winnipeg North.

He, of course, is failing to recognize that the issue of accountability, our ability as private members to bring forward our private members' bills, is not being enabled through this process. We are not dealing with any legislation. We are not dealing with opposition motions, as he already portrayed. That is part of accountability, and the Liberals are trying to duck out and do government through press conferences in front of the Rideau Cottage.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his intervention. I am pleased that he brought up the subject of agriculture, because that is what my question is about.

What does he think of the timid, even ridiculous, support that the federal government has offered the agricultural sector since the start of the pandemic?

Specifically, how does he feel about the minister frequently saying that farmers just need to take the money from AgriInvest? That is the same as telling a student that they will get a benefit as long as they empty out their bank account.

What is his view on that?

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am a farmer, and my son in law is just finishing putting soybeans in the ground right now. I can tell you that, knowing how AgriStability and the suite of business risk management programs work, they were never designed to deal with these types of crises.

Whether one is a beef farmer, a grain and oilseeds operator or a supply-managed dairy farmer, there are a lot of problems with the lack of response from the government. The government refuses, first, to recognize the issue and, second, to respond in a meaningful way to ensure that we are food secure and that our rural communities thrive. Without a healthy agricultural society, our rural communities hurt. The government refuses to put in place the proper cash injections to cover off the loss of market share on the international and domestic levels, and recognize the fact that we need to control supply.

Without the government,s putting in place those steps and programs, like the set-aside on slaughter animals, we will not get to a point of viability to survive through the pandemic, for our agriculture producers.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to what we are dealing with, beef, we were starting to see some really good expansion by many of our farmers, but since then we have been hit very, very hard. We have people who might not be able to make it through this, because they were holding their cattle over the winter, figuring that prices were going to be good.

The member talks about the issue of supply, but it is also capacity. We are no further ahead than we were with BSE, with three plants covering 85%, and nobody expected COVID was going to hit Cargill as hard as it did, but it did.

I want to ask my hon. colleague about the importance of having some provincial or regional capacity to give to our farmers, because there is a need for beef at the stores. We need to get this thing through. The set-aside is simply not going to get people through as it is, but the larger structural problem of kill capacity remains a problem, and COVID has really exposed it.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, when the member for Timmins—James Bay and I were first elected, we served on the agriculture committee together. The member is right. We do not have enough regional capacity across this country. Do we have surplus capacity on good days? Yes, we do. When everyone is operating at full steam, we have enough capacity within the country.

However, when we start seeing reductions in shifts, or shutdowns of plants in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, we will ultimately see impacts in other areas of the country. The farther away those facilities are, the harder it is to get animals to market, and the bigger the discounts they will take.

We need to look at our overall food security and how processing, along with production, is part of that. We also need to maintain the ability to export our high-quality food products around the world.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and an honour to rise in the House of Commons today to participate in this debate. The opportunity to debate, to stand and be counted in this chamber is a privilege, and it is the same privilege that those in the 42 Parliaments before us have had.

Now, in the 43rd Parliament, it is difficult to imagine that there are elected members of Parliament who are ready to pass on that privilege, but here we are today. In the midst of a pandemic, the government has put forward a motion that limits the role of Parliament. While this proposal is an improvement, of course, to the first one, it still falls far short of a full Parliament. It is shameful that some would devalue our democracy during a crisis.

Canadians have stepped up during this pandemic. They have followed the guidelines of our health authorities and have taken precautions. Our front-line health care workers have risked their health and safety to care for others. Essential workers have made adjustments to provide necessary services and goods to Canadians. All Canadians have faced disruptions and unforeseen challenges. The social, economic and health impacts of COVID-19 are widespread and, while the impact on each person may vary, not a single person is immune.

As Canadians across the country face these challenges head-on, they need to know that their government is also stepping up. They need to know that their government is committed to getting the best results for Canadians, and they need to know that their government is working to ensure that no one falls through the cracks. Right now, we are navigating the immediate fallout of this health crisis, but we still do not know what the long-term impacts will be.

The quality of governmental leadership will largely dictate the long-term impacts of this crisis. Good leadership is accountable, yet before us is essentially a permission slip from the Prime Minister asking to be less accountable. By limiting the role of Parliament, the Prime Minister is telling Canadians that he would like an audience and not an opposition. The government would like Parliament to govern without scrutiny, without debate and without opposition, but that is not how our democracy works.

Canada is a representative democracy. Three hundred and thirty-eight members of Parliament are elected across this country, each of us representing tens of thousands of constituents. Each of us is sent to Parliament with a mandate from those who have elected us. Each of us has the responsibility to represent all electors in our ridings.

If there are members of Parliament who think that in a time of crisis their responsibility to their constituents is any less, I must question why they chose to put their names on the ballot. In times of crisis, our responsibility to our constituents is even greater. As a member of Her Majesty's loyal opposition, it is my duty to hold the government to account. It is my duty to seek answers for constituents, and it is my duty to stand up for their interests and make them known.

As a Saskatchewan member of Parliament, I will make note that western Canada is notably absent from the cabinet table, and the government benches altogether. Last fall, western Canada rejected the failed policies of this Liberal government. They rejected the Prime Minister's attacks on their livelihoods and their communities. In our democracy, that is their right.

The Prime Minister, however, does not have a licence to shut down their voices by governing without opposition parties. In fact, the principal economic drivers in my riding of Battlefords—Lloydminster have been largely left out of the government's response to COVID-19. They have been left out despite the national importance of both of these economic drivers.

First, the Prime Minister has failed to step up to support Canada's oil and gas sector, a sector that will be critical for a speedy economic recovery for western Canada and, frankly, for Canada as a whole. Aside from paying lip service to the industry, the Prime Minister has failed to follow through with meaningful support. As hours, days and months go by, there is an emptiness to his words. Given the Prime Minister's history of attacking the oil and gas sector and his admitted goal of phasing it out, it is difficult not to view this as anything but a death-by-delay tactic.

The other sector that has been left by the wayside in the government's COVID-19 response is agriculture. Hard-working farm families across this country are facing a crisis of their own. In the past year, they have already been confronted with hardship after hardship beyond their control, and COVID-19 is yet another devastating blow. Our farmers are faced with rising operational costs, a disrupted service industry, labour shortages and reduced capacity at processing plants. Our farmers and producers have already sounded the alarm.

To maintain a steady supply of affordable and healthy food, we have to ensure our vital first link in the food supply chain. We do know that the Canadian Federation of Agriculture had asked the government for an emergency fund, but instead of responding to the specific COVID-19 challenges that our farmers are facing, the Liberals reannounced already-budgeted funding. To make matters worse, while our farmers are trying to face the challenges brought on by COVID-19, the government hiked the carbon tax, reaching into their pockets for more money at a time when they could afford it the least.

The disregard for these two sectors of national importance underscores the absolute necessity for Parliament. The government must be accountable for its actions and also its inaction. It is essential that as individual members of Parliament we have the opportunity to raise the issues that are important to and affect our constituents. We are their voice in the democratic process.

We have seen repeatedly during the COVID-19 special committee meetings the government dodge and deflect questions asked by opposition members that it, frankly, does not want to answer. It has shut down questions it does not want asked and justifies it by stating they are outside the scope of the debate of this committee. I would argue that the impact of COVID-19 is so far-reaching that there is not much beyond its scope. This pattern of avoidance certainly does not invoke confidence that much will change without Parliament fully sitting.

It is not up to the government of the day to decide how it will be held accountable for its governing. When it comes to fiscal responsibility and accountability, the Prime Minister and the finance minister seem equally disinterested.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It is time for question period. The hon. member will have two minutes and 30 seconds left in her debate when we come back to this.

Vote on Motion to Proceed to Orders of the Day

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Before turning to statements by members, I wish to inform the House that an error occurred during the recorded vote on the motion of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to proceed to orders of the day earlier today.

More specifically, the name of the hon. member for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia was called when it was actually for the hon. member for Shefford. The name of the hon. member for Shefford was subsequently called, but that vote was counted twice. This error created a tie that resulted in my deciding vote being cast in the negative, in favour of continuing with the proceedings, that is, continuing with the routine proceedings then under way.

There was no tie vote. The motion should have been adopted by a vote of 24 yeas and 23 nays, and the House should have proceeded to orders of the day. I wish to apologize to the House. I have instructed the Clerks to correct the journals so that the official account reflects the House's real decision.

I thank members for their attention.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order arising from the ruling you just gave.

During the vote, our intention was to be at 23. I thought I had counted 23. During the process of the vote, I was counting and I saw we were 24. I removed myself. I was not present afterward, so my vote should not have counted. Therefore, I would say the vote, as it stood, should have carried because I had exited the room. As soon as I saw that we were one number too high, I had exited the room.

I would ask for your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House. We are trying to manage these situations a little dynamically. It was our commitment to be at 23. It was my error that we were at 24 and, when I saw that error, I removed myself from the House.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to thank the hon. member for his information. We will certainly take it under advisement and ensure that when the publications come out, we will have the appropriate numbers in there to reflect what happened.

Front-line Workers

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time and opportunity to say a special thanks to those individuals who have had an impact on the lives of all Canadians.

We often thank our first responders, our health care workers, but there are so many other people, from the farmer who produces the food to the truck driver who delivers it to the supermarkets or food centres to the individuals who provide cashier services and stocking of the shelves, not to mention those services that are so critically important.

The other day I had the opportunity to speak to taxi and bus drivers. Imagine driving a bus or a taxi and not knowing who is coming in the doors or entering the car. Many people are contributing to ensure that we as a society are much better off in getting through this pandemic.

On behalf of the constituents of Winnipeg North, and I believe all members of Parliament from all sides of the House, I would like to express our appreciation and gratitude.

Sex Selection

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, for months Canadians have adapted to painful new realities. They are making sacrifices every day and expect their elected representatives to be their present voice in Ottawa. However, the government has stripped Parliament of its work and continues to deny Canadians that voice.

Preventing discussion on private members' bills means that my privilege and responsibility as a member of Parliament has been held captive. In February, I had the honour of tabling Bill C-233, the sex-selective abortion act. The bill would prohibit a medical practitioner from performing an abortion if the reason is the sex of the preborn child.

My constituents, and indeed 84% of Canadians, have been clear that sex-selective abortion is not permissible in Canada, yet we know it happens in our country because we have no law against it.

It is time for Canada and the Prime Minister to stand up for human rights and end inequality between the sexes from the earliest stages of life. It is time to restore Parliament and continue this vital conversation.

Community Service

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, at a time when our country is facing one of its greatest challenges, I am very encouraged every day to see how Canadians are pulling together to help one another and to bring kindness and hope to others.

Whether it is the medical staff alongside paramedics from the Queensway Carleton Hospital doing extra shifts in long-term care homes, young people bringing groceries to seniors, those who are sewing homemade masks or local musicians doing free virtual concerts, we see the best in people during this time of crisis.

Even children understand this, like four-year-old Marcus who knew that his neighbours were a little gloomy. He also was not happy that all the rocks were grey. He decided to colour the rocks with bright colours and deliver them to his neighbour's doorstep. This is the kind of joy and community spirit that we need at this time.

During this pandemic, Canadians across the country are sharing their joy with others.

Small Carriers

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, Air Canada announced that it was cancelling its flights to and from Abitibi-Témiscamingue until at least September 8. This is a blatant lack of respect. Our regional leaders are angry, especially when the economic recovery is urgent.

I remind the House that Air Canada, to which the government loaned $780 million to help it get through the crisis, is claiming the status of a carrier that includes a regional component. We, too, want to get through this crisis. Knowing that the Rouyn-Noranda airport is the third busiest in Quebec, it is inconceivable that our region would get hit by these kinds of cuts. Air Canada must assume its obligations, shoulder its responsibilities and show consideration for the people of our region.

I thank the Minister of Transport for his empathy, but what can we do now with this most delicate, if not most frustrating, situation?

Now more than ever, it is time we considered concrete and sustainable support for small carriers serving the regions of Quebec and Canada. They want to offer us their services. They are sincerely reaching out so we can all find a lasting solution.

Asian Community

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had a unique story about the selfless people in Fleetwood—Port Kells who were helping our vulnerable neighbours stay safe from COVID-19. However, there is another virus present: the social virus of racism directed at our asian community. News of verbal and physical attacks, although small in number, have amplified their level of worry and fear caused by the coronavirus itself.

I know that questions about China's actions or lack of them, its attack on democracy in Hong Kong and its increasingly belligerent and bellicose posturing in the world concern the Chinese community as much as anyone. However, people live in fear of speaking out if they have family still in China.

I know this because I reach out and talk to them as their MP and as their neighbour. Today, I invite all my other neighbours to do the same. Send the signal that in our community we all stand for that most Canadian value of working together for the common good. That is the very foundation for the way out of our current challenges and our way forward.

Bob Pitzel and Hugo Alvarado

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Mr. Speaker, two great artists have passed away recently in my home province of Saskatchewan, Bob Pitzel of Humboldt in March and Hugo Alvarado of Saskatoon just a couple of days ago.

Bob Pitzel was a masterful watercolour artist who spent many hours in his studio just south of Humboldt. Bob loved painting rural Saskatchewan scenes. His worked often displayed the old farm homes, the fences and trucks. He also enjoyed painting trains and won many awards for his work. Bob is lovingly remembered by his spouse Maureen Doetzel.

Hugo Alvarado came to Saskatoon from Chile, with a mere $5 in his pocket. What a gift to our city. Hugo was heavily involved in Artists Against Hunger, raising funds for those in need. His paintings featured landscapes, cityscapes and still life. A former Saskatoon citizen of the year, Hugo always encouraged others to paint and express their feelings.

We will miss these artists as both Bob and Hugo gave back so much to our arts society.

Farmers in Alfred-Pellan

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, more that ever, people in my riding of Alfred-Pellan and across Canada appreciate the excellent work our farmers are doing to feed our community. From vegetable farms to plant farms, to dairy farms, to livestock farms, the people of Laval have access to fresh products right in their backyard.

This summer make it a point to encourage the families behind our milk and cheese, our meat and fruits, our vegetables and produce. Make sure the kids know that tomatoes and strawberries do not come from shelves. They should visit the farms and buy local.

Now that the season has begun, visit one of our farms and buy local, instead of lining up at the grocery store. This is one way to thank our hardworking farmers and stimulate the economy.

Let us do our part and support the businesses in Alfred-Pellan that are reinventing themselves. We need each other. Let us stay close.

Kanata—Carleton

[Karen McCrimmon, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to stand in the House today to thank the people of Kanata—Carleton. Each day I am inspired by the way people in my riding have come together in the face of COVID-19.

I am so proud of everyone: volunteers, social services agencies, health care and essential workers, the farmers in West Carleton who are working to feed our families and the world-class high-tech companies in Kanata that are providing the very tools and networks we have come to rely on to do our jobs and to stay connected to our family and friends.

During times like this, more than ever, we appreciate how lucky we are to be Canadians. The contributions of individuals in my riding of Kanata—Carleton provide a great example of what Canadians are capable of. I am so proud the innovations developed in Kanata are being used right across the country as we navigate this crisis together.

Scleroderma Awareness Month

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

Mr. Speaker, this coming Monday marks the beginning of Scleroderma Awareness Month in Canada.

Scleroderma is a progressive and chronic connective tissue disorder that can attack one's internal organs, literally shutting them down one by one. It can also cause weeping ulcers, skin deterioration and Raynaud's disease, among other symptoms. While these past few years have seen advancement in treatments that can ease pain and slow the progression of the disease, researchers have yet to find a cause for scleroderma and are still looking for a cure.

As many in the House know, I had to watch my mother suffer the awful effects scleroderma inflicts on individuals. In the end, scleroderma took her life. Unfortunately, my mother was just one of many women to be afflicted with scleroderma, as almost 80% of sufferers are women and most are diagnosed before the age of 50.

Due to COVID-19, Scleroderma Canada has moved its annual walk to a virtual format this year. I encourage everyone to participate and be very generous.

Research on new therapeutic measures have been promising, but we cannot rest until researchers find a cure for this horrid disease.

Science

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, from day one, science has been at the centre of our government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are relying on the scientific advice of Canada's chief public health officer, our chief scientific adviser and many others to inform our decision-making and our public health response.

In April, we announced $1.1 billion to stimulate the science sector through Canada's plan to mobilize science to fight COVID-19.

This funding will support Canadian scientists in the international race to develop a vaccine and treatments, and it will increase our capacity to manufacture them once they are available.

These massive investments in science are already paying off. Yesterday, the University of Saskatchewan's VIDO-InterVac, an early federal funding recipient, announced that its vaccine was successful in animal models, meaning that it will soon be moving to clinical trials in humans.

Canada is home to some of the best scientists in the world and Canadians trust them, so our government is committed to supporting them as they work around the clock to solve the COVID riddle.

Louis-Saint-Laurent

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for over two months, the people of Louis-Saint-Laurent and all Canadians have shown determination and resilience in the face of the pandemic crisis.

Throughout my riding, I see and salute front-line health care workers: orderlies, nurses, doctors, those who put their own life at risk to save lives.

Throughout my riding, I see and salute essential service workers: those who work in grocery stores, pharmacies and corner stores. What is more, I am pleased to see an increasing number of young people aged 16, 18 or 20 working for these businesses with honour and dignity.

Throughout my riding, I see and salute charitable organizations, food banks, those that are helping the most vulnerable.

Finally, throughout my riding, I see and salute the people who, little by little, are getting back to their everyday lives while following the public health guidelines.

Needless to say, I very much look forward to Monday at 9 a.m. when the Coiffure au Masculin salon, located on Valcartier Boulevard in Loretteville, will reopen its doors. I cannot wait to go back there.

The COVID-19 crisis has changed and will forever change our way of life, but it will definitely not change the determination and spirit of resilience of the people of Louis-Saint-Laurent and of all Canadians.

Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the stories of residents and businesses across my riding rising to the challenges of COVID-19 are inspiring.

The Rotary Club of Haliburton donated 300 food bags to those in need. Kawartha Lakes firefighters raised $5,000 for the Kawartha Lakes Food Source. Whitney Plastics in Lindsay donated two boxes of face shields to the Kawartha Lakes Police Service. Gail Holness is raising money for the Haliburton Highlands Health Services through online yoga classes.

Philippa Skjaveland, owner of Kawartha Quilting and Sewing in Millbrook, is using her network to sew scrub caps for paramedics. Fleming College donated PPE to local health organizations and service providers. Local lake associations across the riding have donated thousands of dollars to food banks and local charities. Volunteers Mike Bassett of Cannington, Jonathan Koot of Beaverton, and Hunter Lovering of Sunderland are using 3D printers to make ear guards for front-line workers. Children and staff at Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden initiated the rainbow project to thank front-line workers.

The people in Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, like many communities right across Canada, are banding together in their response to these challenging times.