House of Commons Hansard #44 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.

Topics

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Madam Chair, are veterans informed when a flag is placed on their file?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE

Madam Chair, as I indicated quite clearly for my hon. colleague, it is not a place to discuss issues like this which concern security. I would be very pleased to discuss this with my colleague at any time, but what we always have to focus on is—

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

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

Sorry for the interruption, the hon. member for Yorkton—Melville.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Madam Chair, are veterans services and funding impacted by a flag on their file?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE

Madam Chair, again, I can tell my hon. colleague that we always deal with veterans with care, compassion and full respect to ensure—

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

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

The hon. member for Yorkton—Melville.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Madam Chair, can a flag be removed?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE

Madam Chair, I feel it is not the place to discuss this issue at all. We have to be careful and ensure that—

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

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

The hon. member for Yorkton—Melville.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Madam Chair, when cleared of wrongdoing, should a veteran have to hire a lawyer to have a flag removed?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE

Madam Chair, again, I would tell my hon. colleague that issues like this need to be discussed clear of the House of Commons. We want to ensure that we deliver care, compassion—

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

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

The hon. member for Calgary Skyview.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Conservative

Jag Sahota Conservative Calgary Skyview, AB

Madam Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Edmonton Manning.

On April 22, the Prime Minister announced funding for the Canada student grant program. On April 23, one day later, the grant was promised to the WE organization and his close personal friend. Therefore, we know it pays to be friends with members in the government.

We can contrast that with the promise the Minister of Finance made to the oil and gas industry. It has been 99 days and still nothing. Where is the support?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Waterloo Ontario

Liberal

Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth

Madam Chair, we have been clear that we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Canadians from coast to coast. We know that all sectors have also been impacted. Our government has continuously worked with provinces, territories and municipalities to respond to these various challenging needs, including within the natural resources sector.

We will continue to deliver for Canadians.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Conservative

Jag Sahota Conservative Calgary Skyview, AB

Madam Chair, let me make it clear who the question is for: the Minister of Finance. It has been nearly 100 days. It is not assistance if employers cannot or will not be able to access programs. The oil and gas sector needed assistance before the pandemic. Things have only worsened.

What do my constituents in Alberta need to do to get assistance?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

July 22nd, 2020 / 1:35 p.m.

St. John's South—Mount Pearl Newfoundland & Labrador

Liberal

Seamus O'Regan LiberalMinister of Natural Resources

Madam Chair, yesterday the House voted in favour of an expansion of the wage subsidy program. These changes will expand essential supports going into December for a lot of hard-working Canadians, the energy sector included. These changes will further assist the liquidity needs that will prevent further layoffs and will ensure that we continue to support our energy workers, regardless of where they are in this country, but we know particularly in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Conservative

Jag Sahota Conservative Calgary Skyview, AB

Madam Chair, to the Minister of Environment, to make matters worse the Liberals are saying projects have to reach net-zero by 2050 in order to be approved. As oil and gas begins what will be a long and difficult recovery, the Liberals are once again causing uncertainty, shifting money and jobs to the other oil-producing nations.

I will ask again: Where is the support for this crucial industry?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

Seamus O'Regan Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL

Madam Chair, I would agree with the hon. member about how crucial this industry is, but I would disagree with the premise that net-zero makes us less competitive. If one talks to Cenovus and many of the other major players in the oil patch right across this country, they will argue that making sure we adhere to net-zero is, in fact, a competitive advantage.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Conservative

Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB

Madam Chair, on the sole-source contract for the WE organization, has the government secured the data for the students and teachers, and where is that data?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Waterloo Ontario

Liberal

Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth

Madam Chair, it was a contribution agreement that was negotiated between the public service and the organization. As the member knows, and as I have testified at committee, contribution agreements are proactively disclosed and will be available in the public forum.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Conservative

Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB

Madam Chair, I am not asking about that. I am asking a specific question. Yes or no: Is there an area in the contract where the data of Canadians is protected?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON

Madam Chair, once again, it is a contribution agreement. Officials who were at committee to testify were able to provide the differences between them. I encourage the member to check out the testimony. Yes, we did—

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Liberal

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

The hon. member for Edmonton Manning.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:35 p.m.

Conservative

Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB

Madam Chair, I ask the minister to tell us, in the contract between the government and the WE Charity, if the data of thousands of Canadians, students and teachers, is protected. Is it yes or no?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other MattersGovernment Orders

1:40 p.m.

Liberal

Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON

Madam Chair, I believe I have answered that. Part of my conversations and back and forth with officials was to ensure the health and safety and security of Canadians, and I would assume those details are in the contribution agreement. We will remain focused on Canadians.