Debates of July 22nd, 2020

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Matters

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, according to reports, the Liberal government failed to request up-to-date housing reports before approving migrant workers to come to Canada. Since then, we have seen outbreaks on farms that have put our food supply and the safety of workers at risk. With COVID-19 on the rise, why did the minister not request up-to-date housing reports?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, employers of temporary foreign workers have an important role to play in helping prevent the introduction and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary foreign workers entering Canada must comply with all public health requirements, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine. These rules are important for maintaining public health and safety.

In addition, employers of temporary foreign workers are also responsible for their workplaces—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Haldimand—Norfolk, a very short question and, hopefully, a very short answer.

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that did not answer the last question.

Business owners in my riding are already saying that the changes to the wage subsidy program have made it even more difficult to apply. I have one who is saying it is not worth it because the cost for the accountant would be greater than the potential benefit. Why is the government determined to leave small business owners struggling, instead of making it simpler and easier for them to get ahead?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that it is very important for us to get the support needed for businesses that are struggling through this pandemic challenge. We know the broadening of the wage subsidy program and its extension for a longer duration is going to support businesses, and we are committed to ensuring that we help business owners calculate the support they will get through this really challenging time. We think this is a very important—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Red Deer—Lacombe.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, has the Liberal Party ever received any personal data of young Canadians from any of the WE entities?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth]

Mr. Speaker, in regard to the CSSG, we did collect data to ensure that the most vulnerable populations would be able to participate. In regard to the specific question, I can ask and get back to him.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in the finance committee, just moments ago, there were allegations that WE has transferred data to the Liberal Party of Canada. When they were asked, WE officials refused to actually answer the question, so I am going to ask specifically again: At any time, has WE or any of its entities sent data to the Liberal Party of Canada, yes or no?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would say that the premise of that question is entirely false.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am actually referring to testimony that just happened at the finance committee, where it has been alleged by one of the witnesses that WE has transferred information, the personal data of Canadians, to the Liberal Party of Canada. When WE was asked about this directly, it refused to answer, just like the government is refusing to answering.

Can we have a clear answer? Can we shine some light on this issue? Yes or no, has the Liberal Party of Canada ever received the data of Canadians from WE?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I can hear the interim leader of the official opposition yelling at me. I will answer the question.

Members of the finance committee have asked us to appear. At my first opportunity, I was there to answer those questions. Members of all parties passed a motion to ensure that information would be available. Officials have been appearing. What we hear from the member's question is that obviously those answers are being provided, because we also want to ensure that Canadians receive this information.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is either a yes or a no. The fact that the Liberals are refusing to respond with a no means that the answer is obviously yes.

Therefore, my question is this: How much information has the government received from WE, and when did it receive it?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member refers to allegations with a predetermined outcome. That is the Conservative way.

On this side, we will stay focused on Canadians to ensure that they have the programs and resources they need. When members of the finance committee, members of all parties, asked us to appear, we appeared because we respect the democratic institutions and our processes.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Abbotsford.

Per section 25 of the Investment Canada Act, has the minister notified Huawei of his intent to conduct a national security review of Huawei's announced prospective investment?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite full well knows, with regard to any 5G deployment and anything that pertains to protecting Canadians, we will take appropriate measures to make sure that we come forward with an appropriate decision that is in the best interests of Canadians.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, per section 25 of the Investment Canada Act, has the minister notified Huawei of his intent to conduct a national security review, yes or no?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, all such transactions taking place in Canada are subject to a national security assessment and we will make sure that continues going forward.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on what precise date did the minister notify Huawei of the intention to conduct a national security review?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, again, I want to remind the hon. member that when it comes to the deployment of 5G or any transactions occurring in Canada that are subject to the Investment Canada Act, all of the appropriate processes and procedures will be followed.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the reason I am asking these questions is that the process I am referring to only has a 45-day window to complete the national security review and provide a recommendation with regard to the project.

Did the Prime Minister include the Time Limits and Other Periods Act in Bill C-20 as a way to kick the Huawei decision down the road for another six months?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite full well knows that we are engaging with the telecommunications sector, that we are working with our allies and national security experts to make the appropriate decision on behalf of Canadians to ensure that their interests are protected and they are continually protected going forward. That will always remain our priority.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister intend to use the Time Limits and Other Periods Act provisions in Bill C-20 to kick the Huawei decision down the road for another six months?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to do our due diligence when it comes to the deployment of 5G in Canada. We have been very clear that this is an important technology and that it needs to be deployed in a very safe and secure manner. That will guide our decision-making process.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want to know how deeply the Prime Minister was in bed with the WE organization. We know that the Prime Minister's family received hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees, and, of course, he returned the favour by giving one of the charity's shell companies almost $1 billion to run a volunteer program.

To the Prime Minister, has any member of his extended family ever been a principal or a shareholder of, or held any financial interest in, ME to WE Social Enterprises Inc., ME to WE Asset Holdings Inc., Global Impact Fund Inc., ME to WE foundation or any other related corporations, yes or no?