Debates of Aug. 12th, 2020

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Matters

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Chair, we have also made it very clear that we will not back down. We find these tariffs unacceptable and we are taking action.

We have said that we will impose reciprocal dollar-for-dollar retributive tariffs against the United States in order to stand up for those workers. We are now consulting with Canadians across the country on how to do that most effectively, and we will always stand up and support aluminum workers in Canada.

[Leona Alleslev, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Chair, at yesterday's China committee it was stated that the People's Republic of China is actively threatening Canadians on Canadian soil who seek to expose China's authoritarian agenda. These individuals have been subjected to everything from physical threats to commercial blacklisting and state-backed cyber-hacking with no protection from Canada.

When will the government introduce legislation to combat foreign influence and protect basic human rights in Canada from aggressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Chair, let me be very clear. The safety and protection of Canadians is paramount to this government. We will never allow any form of foreign interference in Canada by state or non-state actors. Every time there have been allegations, we have taken action with the Minister of Public Safety.

We invite any Canadian who might be subject to any form of such actions as have been described to contact law enforcement authorities. We will always defend the freedom and liberty of Canadians in Canada from foreign interference.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Chair, we know that the United States imposed a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum. We knew it. We all saw this coming. We called it, but the government did nothing.

Sure, we can retaliate with tariffs of our own, but we faced this same problem in 2018. The aluminum industry is still wondering what happened to the money that was supposed to be given to them.

Why should we trust this government when it says that the money will be redistributed so as to benefit the aluminum industry?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Chair, as we have said very clearly, we strongly disagree with the tariffs that have been imposed by United States. They are unacceptable, we believe them unlawful and we are prepared to take strong reciprocal action.

We will not back down in the face of such intimidation, and it is our intent to always stand up for aluminum workers. As we do that, we are working closely with industries that are impacted by these unacceptable decisions made by the United States. We will be there to support those workers and to support those industries as we have always been.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Chair, this business of tariffs, retaliatory tariffs and programs to help the industry feels a bit like Groundhog Day. Meanwhile, there is no accountability.

I sat down with the government to propose concrete, long-term solutions to protect the industry. These solutions did not come out of thin air; they came out of consultations I had with industry stakeholders. Everyone was in favour of creating a low-carbon procurement policy. Everyone agreed to put more money into research and development, to promote a circular economy with recycled aluminum and to foster a competitive tax and regulatory environment.

Why does the government not want to sit down with us to find long-term solutions that would protect the aluminum industry?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleague from Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. As he will no doubt recall, he and I met with aluminum workers in his riding in Lac-Saint-Jean. We also met several times with unions and management to discuss the future of the aluminum sector.

We even invested in green aluminum. He must remember launching Elysis together.

Yes, we are examining this matter. Yes, we are working with unions and management to develop export markets for aluminum in order to make it ever more competitive. I want to thank my colleague for contributing to those efforts.

This is not about politics. It is about working for Canada's aluminum workers.

[Jenica Atwin, Green, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Chair, my first question to the Minister of Health is very simple.

Is it the responsibility of the minister's department to uphold the Canada Health Act in all jurisdictions in Canada?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Chair, yes it is.

[Jenica Atwin, Green, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Chair, will the government intervene then to save Clinic 554 and, by this, ensure access to reproductive health and essential services to the LGBTQ2S+ community in New Brunswick?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Chair, as the member likely knows, our department has been working with both the province and the clinic for some time now to ensure that the full range of reproductive services, including abortion and supports for the LGBTQ2S+ community, remain available in that province.

[Jenica Atwin, Green, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Chair, the Minister of Public Safety said that he heard calls from families, survivors and advocates when he made the important announcement that the federal government was launching a full public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting. Families will get answers, communities will be able to heal and recommendations will be made, ensuring that such a tragedy will never happen again.

Can the minister also hear the voices of the families of Rodney Levi, Chantel Moore and Brady Francis? Can he hear the calls from the New Brunswick and British Columbia chiefs, the indigenous leaders and advocates, and launch a comprehensive, open and fully transparent inquiry into how the legal and law-enforcement systems have failed indigenous people in New Brunswick?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Chair, we have heard them and are listening very carefully. There are ongoing discussions between us, indigenous leadership and the Government of New Brunswick. On this critical issue, we understand the concerns and the need for answers that people have expressed. We are working with indigenous leadership and with the Government of New Brunswick. We are committed to getting people the answers they need and are responding appropriately.

Everyone deserves to live in peace and safety and with a sense of security in every community in this country. We are absolutely committed to that, and we will always listen to the people who are impacted by these tragedies to ensure that we respond in the appropriate way.

[Jenica Atwin, Green, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Chair, the pandemic has shaken to the core the very way that we, not too long ago, thought how to do business: walking into a store, trying and touching various items and shaking hands once a transaction is finalized. Businesses had to adapt to new ways of doing things, and fast.

The Fredericton economic development agencies group, in its effort to respond and advocate on behalf of all businesses, highlighted the need for businesses to obtain support and information on transitioning to or expanding e-commerce options. Does the government have a plan to support businesses to make this transition?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Chair, we have been talking to businesses all around the country. I was just on an Atlantic tour last week, and it is absolutely our priority to support them to ensure that they are getting more digital options. They can count on the government to have their backs.

[Jenica Atwin, Green, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Chair, the last time the Official Languages Act went through a complete overhaul was 1988. I am practically the same age as this legislation. Linguistic minority communities across the country, organizational representatives and specialists have worked hard to contribute to the study, and the report and its recommendations were submitted to the government over a year ago now. I know the minister cares deeply about the vitality of official languages, but the longer the government drags its feet, the more hope fades with each passing day that anything will come of this file.

Can the minister confirm that the legislation will indeed be modernized during her present term of office?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Chair, I want to assure my colleague that this issue is extremely important to our government and to the Minister of Official Languages. All of us, including the minister, are working very hard on this matter. We will ensure that this is acted on as soon as possible.

[Jenica Atwin, Green, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Chair, I read the report following the review of systemic racism and oppression at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It is telling of the problems present in our society and how pervasive systemic racism and homophobia are when an institution that was created to promote respect for others and encourage reflection and dialogue fails its own mission. The report provides avenues for reparation. Every action toward inclusivity has the potential to lead to significant improvements in the lives of Canadians. There are some recommendations specifically with respect to the language used in communications.

My question is for the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth. Would the government be ready to adopt a gender-inclusive language, remove gender binaries and adopt an epicene style of writing in all of its internal and external communications, in English and in French?

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

Mr. Chair, I want to commend the member for her style in questioning and bringing up issues that are in the backyards of Canadians. These are matters that come to my desk often.

I am entirely committed, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to ensuring that we build back even better and be even more inclusive, so yes, these are recommendations we are considering. I understand that the Canadian Armed Forces, under the leadership of the Minister of National Defence, have brought in gender-neutral pronouns, and I want to remind all Canadians that in 2017, royal assent was granted to the amendments we brought forward as a government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to include gender identity and gender expression.

We have a lot more work to do, but the member has provided me with the confidence that together we can get this done.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie.

The minister said earlier today that he is proud of the emergency commercial rent assistance program, but it is only helping one in 10 of Canada's small businesses. Is that what the Liberals consider a success? Was the goal to make the Prime Minister's chief of staff's husband's company millions of dollars, but not actually help small businesses?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Chair, the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program has so far assisted over 670,000 Canadians and over 72,000 small businesses, and it has delivered relief in the amount of $712 million. That is substantial progress since the beginning of this program. We will continue to monitor this program to make sure that it delivers the help small businesses need at this difficult time.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Chair, it is a mess that does not reflect the facts on the ground. The CECRA was advertised as a program intended to help small business owners pay their rent, but it was designed to target and provide full control to the landlords. In the beginning, only landlords carrying a mortgage were eligible to apply.

Why did the Liberals privatize a program that should have been tenant-driven in the first place and hand it to a mortgage company instead of actually helping Canadians?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Mr. Chair, delivering much-needed help to 670,000 Canadians is something to be proud of. Delivering help to 72,000 Canadian small businesses and delivering relief in the amount of $712 million are things that should be applauded. Unfortunately, the member opposite sees something negative in that, but we are proud to stand behind the record of delivering for small businesses.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Chair, one out of 10 is not a success. The Prime Minister's chief of staff's husband's company had a service fee of $84 million. That is 14% of the money that has gone out the door, with a 90% failure rate.

Why did the Liberals not just simply get the qualified, non-partisan public service to do this work?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Mr. Chair, delivering help to over 670,000 Canadian employees is something to be proud of. We will continue to monitor the CECRA program to make sure that we help as many small businesses as possible.