House of Commons Hansard #5 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was pandemic.
Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19Government Orders
Liberal
Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I heard the rule yesterday about not taking pictures of the screen or of other members. What is the rule on taking screenshots during the voting proceeding? Could you clarify the rule on that?
Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19Government Orders
The Speaker Anthony Rota
For taking screenshots, it is the same as being in the House. If a member takes a picture, they are taking a picture, and posting it just adds to that. Members are not permitted to take photos in the House.
I wish to inform the House that because of the time required to complete the recorded division, it will not be possible to proceed to Statements by Members. Accordingly, the House will now proceed to Oral Questions pursuant to Standing Order 35.
The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby has a point of order. It came up just before I started.
Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19Government Orders
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and if you seek it, I hope you will find unanimous consent, notwithstanding the usual practice, for proceeding to members' statements prior to proceeding to Oral Questions today.
Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19Government Orders
The Speaker Anthony Rota
This being a hybrid sitting of the House, for the sake of clarity I will only ask those who are opposed to the request to express their disagreement.
The question is on the motion. All those opposed will please say nay.
Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19Government Orders
Some hon. members
Nay.
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government's disinterest and disdain for small businesses have left many small businesses behind during the pandemic. In fact, billions of dollars have been announced, but still the commercial rent relief program has been massively not used. Why? The Liberals got it wrong because the Prime Minister's top-down “I know best” way is not the right way and does not work.
When will the Prime Minister and the Liberals start listening to the needs of small businesses and adjust this program so that it helps them today?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we moved forward quickly to support Canadians with the Canada emergency response benefit. Then we moved forward with the Canada emergency wage subsidy, which helped hundreds of thousands of businesses across the country. We also moved forward with the Canada emergency business account to help small businesses and, yes, we moved forward with the commercial rent subsidy. The commercial rent subsidy program, not being within federal jurisdiction, was delivered in partnership with the provinces. It has not worked as well as any of us would have liked, which is why we continue to work on ensuring we can support businesses even better.
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, the heart of the problem is that the Liberals keep ramming through bills without proper consultation and without letting members of Parliament, who represent these small businesses, be part of the debate. In fact, they rammed through six pieces of legislation, many of which the Prime Minister just talked about, without adequate consultation or debate. Today debate is being shut down again on another piece of legislation that could help Canadians but will probably be very flawed.
Why will the Prime Minister not let us do our job? Why will the Prime Minister not listen to Canadians and do a little consultation before ramming through these pieces of legislation?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, in the spring we were facing an unprecedented challenge that caused all parties to come together. Yes, we passed historic legislation to support Canadians during this time of crisis, and it helped millions upon millions of Canadians. I was pleased to see the collaboration of all parties working to get it right as quickly as possible.
We are in a second wave right now. While the opposition is playing politics, we continue to focus on delivering for Canadians the help they need because we will have their backs.
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, we could have debated this legislation for six weeks, but the back the Prime Minister had was his own when he shut down Parliament to cover up for the WE scandal. We will take no lessons from him on playing political games.
The Prime Minister refuses to listen to small businesses, farmers, energy workers, fishers, everyday Canadians and the members of Parliament they have elected. He is acting in a dictatorial way and is doing this primarily to avoid accountability and to cover up his own scandal.
Why does the Prime Minister put his own interests ahead of the interests of Canadians and democracy?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we are facing a second wave of the pandemic right across the country and the Conservatives continue to want to talk about the WE Charity. We on this side of the House are focused on the pandemic. We are focused on delivering for Canadians.
While I am up here, allow me to take this opportunity to express to Canadians my encouragement to download the COVID Alert app. It is safe and free and an easy way to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. I encourage everyone across the country to download COVID Alert and do their part to keep us all safe.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, for nearly two months now, the Prime Minister has been doing everything he can to prevent parliamentarians from doing their job.
Last night I saw something interesting on Twitter. The tweet said: “I wonder what the great Prime Ministers (PMs) of the past might think. During the entirety of the Second World War, neither the British [PM Churchill] nor the Canadian [PM Mackenzie King] ever sought to limit debate, especially on matters involving financial appropriations”. That tweet was by the Hon. Andrew Leslie, retired general and former member of Parliament and Liberal Party whip.
What does the Prime Minister think of this keen observation about letting all parliamentarians do their job?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with an unprecedented pandemic, a crisis that requires everyone to work together. That is exactly what we have been doing since the spring. As parliamentarians, we worked with all the parties to implement ambitious programs to help Canadians, such as the CERB, the wage subsidy, and measures to help seniors and youth.
We will continue to address Canadians' needs and work with members of the House, because we know that this is what Canadians need.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, the work we did in the spring was all well and good, but what has been happening in the past two months is exactly the opposite.
The Prime Minister unilaterally decided to shut down Parliament for six weeks. Then he refused to allow proper debate in committee of the whole. Now he is limiting a very important debate on more than $50 billion in spending to barely four and a half hours.
Why not draw inspiration from Churchill, who held proper debates even in the middle of World War II?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, during this time of crisis, we must all work together. That is what we are doing to address Canadians' needs. It is a shame to see the Conservatives playing politics while Canadians are in need.
In the meantime, I want to take this opportunity to encourage all Canadians to download the COVID Alert app. We know there is a chance it will be available in Quebec soon. We want everyone to do their part by downloading this great app, which is free, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, most Quebeckers learned that they are now in the red zone. On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would first like to express my solidarity with the people of Quebec who just received this terrible news.
Today, a survey revealed that 81% of Quebeckers want the federal government to increase health transfers. That is only natural, since we are in the midst of a health crisis. Yesterday evening, the Bloc Québécois introduced an amendment to that effect. We want more health transfers. The Liberals voted against it, the Conservatives voted against it, the NDP voted against it, and the Green Party voted against it.
Why is the federal government turning its back on Quebeckers when we are in the midst of a second wave?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, while the Bloc Québécois is complaining, we are taking action. This week, we will be sending $19 billion to the provinces to help them fight the second wave. These are agreements that we signed with all of the provincial premiers because we have been there, from the beginning, to support the provinces in the important work that they are doing with us to control this pandemic.
I spoke with Premier Legault yesterday evening to once again express our solidarity. We will be there to help the provinces and to send money where it is needed.
Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals put $500 million into health care. Quebec and the provinces want $28 billion. Honestly, can the Prime Minister count?
Eighty-one per cent of Quebeckers and 73% of Canadians want health transfers to increase. In Quebec, the National Assembly is unanimous: They want health transfers to increase. All provincial premiers want health transfers to increase.
What is it going to take for the Prime Minister to understand?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, Bloc Québécois members are very good at shouting, but they do not always listen.
Since day one, we have transferred billions of dollars into health care systems to counter this health crisis in Quebec and across the country. We also made a formal commitment to work with the provinces on increasing health transfers; there will be a first ministers meeting this fall on the matter. We have had 18 first ministers meetings since the pandemic began. We are going to have more and we are going to talk about health transfers. We have promised to do that.
Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC
Mr. Speaker, according to the report we received today, the deficit is now $300 billion.
I am afraid of what the government might do in this situation. It will do one of two things: it will either cut help to Canadians or shift the entire burden onto ordinary people. That is exactly what it must not do.
I urge the government to shift the burden onto those who have turned a profit. Is the government ready to make sure that the very wealthy pay their fair share?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the first thing we did when we took office in 2015 was raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% so we could lower them for the middle class. That was a very good idea. Unfortunately, the New Democrats voted against that initiative.
We will continue to help the most vulnerable people all across the country by creating economic growth for everyone and ensuring long-term fiscal responsibility. That is what Canadians expect, and that is what we will deliver.
Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer has announced that the deficit is now over $300 billion. I am worried because, in that case, governments often do two things: either they cut the help to Canadians in the midst of a pandemic or they put the pressure of paying for the pandemic on the shoulders of working-class families. Both of those are the wrong things to do.
So far, the Liberal government has talked about taxing extreme wealth inequality, but no one knows what the Liberal government means when it says that. Will the Prime Minister commit today to something direct, making sure that those who have profited off the pandemic pay the price?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the very first thing we did when we took office in 2015 was raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% and lower them for the middle class. Unfortunately, the New Democrats voted against that initiative.
Every step of the way, we have had Canadians' backs, supporting the most vulnerable, ensuring that our businesses can come back strong through this pandemic and ensuring, every step of the way, that we do so in a fiscally responsible way. That is what Canadians expect of us, and that is what we will keep doing.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister just talked about wanting Canadians to do their part with contact tracing very enthusiastically, but that is really easy for him to do given his privilege. The reality is that somebody wanting a test has to wait in line for hours right now and then might have to isolate for days, taking time away from work and family members. It is not that easy. People around the world have access to at-home testing or rapid testing, but nobody in Canada does. That is his fault.
If the Prime Minister is asking Canadians to do their part, when is he going to do his job?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I share the enthusiasm of the member opposite for more testing opportunities and technology across the country.
No matter where a Canadian lives, they should have access to testing when they need it. That is why we have been working so diligently with all of our partners to ensure that we have access to rapid, point-of-care testing, of which we have approved two. Of course, testing at home is more complex and it is a challenge for countries all around the world. We will continue, we will stop at nothing, to make sure that we have the most current technology that is accurate and that helps contribute to defeating COVID-19.