Debates of Nov. 26th, 2021

Natural Resources

[Corey Tochor, Conservative, Saskatoon—University, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the new Minister of Environment has refused to signal his support for the Canadian nuclear energy industry. He said it is not up to the government to decide what sources of energy would be used. Before he said that, he said something different, which was that it was time to close the Pickering nuclear power plant. There are 3,000 families who rely on those paycheques at that plant alone, and those good jobs across Canada.

Will the minister step forward today and announce his support for the nuclear industry and the good jobs that come with nuclear?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, as someone who grew up in Saskatoon and in the hon. member's riding, I certainly understand the importance of the nuclear industry in this country. Certainly, Cameco and other organizations in Saskatchewan are important drivers of economic opportunity for Saskatchewan families. Nuclear is an important part of the electricity grid in this country. This government has invested in the development of small modular reactors. We look forward to seeing those things demonstrated and ultimately commercialized. We look forward to moving forward with non-emitting technologies to ensure that we are fighting climate change, but doing so in a manner that promotes economic progress.

The Economy

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Mr. Speaker, now that inflation has taken hold and is the second highest in the G7, and because of the current government's unbridled spending, Canadians are suffering with rising prices for basic necessities.

Does the Prime Minister still maintain, at a time when Canadians need a prime minister who actually cares, that he does not think about monetary policy?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, let me start by reminding all members of the House and Canadians that inflation is a global phenomenon right now. It was 4.7% in Canada in October. In the U.S., it was 6.2%. In Mexico it was also 6.2%. In New Zealand, a country very similar to our own, it was 4.9%. Let me point out that the G20 average is 4.6%. That is the OECD average as well.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, The Globe and Mail is reporting that the biggest price surge in two decades is set to deliver a revenue balance worth billions of dollars to the current government's coffers. While the Prime Minister's cup runneth over, skyrocketing food prices are hurting Canadian families. Food, gas and home heating are all getting more expensive. The Prime Minister's high-tax, high-spending agenda cannot be the status quo.

Why is he dragging his heels on getting this country's finances under control right here, right now?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to something as serious as the nation's finances, it is important to separate partisan posturing from the facts. We just heard the posturing. Now for the facts.

A key fact is that this fall the world's two leading ratings agencies, Moody's and S&P, both reaffirmed Canada's AAA credit rating. That is an endorsement of our government's prudent economic stewardship and Canadians should take pride in this collective accomplishment.

Public Safety

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the mayor of Montreal met with the Prime Minister this morning. Again, she implored him to tighten the borders to deal with firearms trafficking. This is not the first time Valérie Plante has asked the Prime Minister to close the borders. Last time, it was to prevent COVID‑19 from entering Quebec. In the end, she had to do the federal government's job for it and deploy City of Montreal resources to screen travellers at the airports.

I would hope that this time, the federal government will do its job and deal with firearms at the border itself.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure my colleague that we are focusing on stopping the flow of firearms across our borders. To combat gun smuggling, we have made investments of more than $350 million. Through this funding, we have added more than 90 service officers and 19 prosecutors.

On the one hand, the Bloc Québécois members want action, but on the other hand, they do not support the federal government's investments at the border. How do they explain that?

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, more needs to be done, and it must be done now. The most important thing the federal government can do is combat gun trafficking at the border. The guns used in the tragedies that occurred in Montreal were illegal. It is already against the law to possess them, much less sell them, yet they are found in our neighbourhoods. Montreal and Quebec can deploy all the resources they have, but if the federal government does not do its part, guns will continue to find their way onto our streets.

Will the government finally commit to doing everything it can at the border to stem firearms trafficking?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes, absolutely. We are always willing to work with the Bloc, all members of the House and the Quebec government. That is what we must do to stop problems caused by gun violence.

Our government has made that promise, and we will keep it.

Transport

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we were slow to close our borders when COVID-19 emerged. Our allies did it in January 2020, but we waited until March. The World Health Organization has called an emergency meeting today to discuss the South African new variant, but the Government of Canada's own travel advisory does not even mention it. There is no mention of additional caution, screening or any new restrictions at all.

When the world acts, Canada watches and waits. When will the government finally act to protect the health and safety of Canadians and focus on our economy?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague on her appointment as the transport critic and I look forward to working with her on this and other files that are of concern to Canadians.

Let me reassure Canadians, first, that we are on top of this. We have acted from day one. Canadians know that we will never stop taking measures to protect their health and safety including testing, vaccination mandates and pre-departure testing.

I ask my colleague to work with us on supporting our vaccination mandate and supporting our pre-arrival tests, and making sure that we protect the health and safety of all Canadians.

Health

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after years of delay, Canadian Blood Services has finally announced its commitment to end the discriminatory blood ban. It is a step in the right direction, yes, but questions remain. Health Canada still needs to approve its submission. The government was told back in June that this submission would be coming.

If the Liberals care about ending this discrimination with the urgency it deserves, on what date can gay men finally donate blood in this country?

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, this government has always known that this was a discriminatory practice and it was up to the scientists and Canadian Blood Services to take this decision. We are very grateful to them for this proposal and we look forward to giving an answer in due course.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but that was absolutely shameful as an answer. You have always known this was discrimination. You have known for six months that this submission would be coming, yet you cannot give a date. You cannot outline what that process is.

To the minister, people are watching and waiting. Leadership is about backing up your words with action. Talk and talk and talk. The solution is there. The medical community is behind it. Stop talking and deliver results.

On what date will the government say gay men can finally donate blood in this country?

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I want to remind the members to ask their questions through the Chair and not to refer to another member as “you”.

The hon. minister.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, as someone who has advocated for this for a very long time, I understand that we have to wait for science and for the people who act in an arm's-length agency. It is up to the agency to actually ask us to do this. We are looking at this proposal and we hope to be able to respond as quickly as possible.

Climate Change

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians can be proud of Canada's active involvement at COP26 in Glasgow.

Canadian climate policies are internationally recognized as being fair and progressive.

Could the Minister of Environment and Climate Change tell us more about what Canada is specifically doing to combat climate change?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pontiac and congratulate her on her impressive career at the OECD before joining our ranks.

Canada has done a lot of work on combatting climate change. I could talk about everything that we achieved in Glasgow, such as the $5.3 billion for developing countries, including $1 billion to help the poorest countries reduce their dependence on coal, and the $1 billion for nature-based solutions.

Nevertheless, like other countries around the world, Canada still has a long way to go in the fight against climate change.

Seniors

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada’s aging population has been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in almost every conceivable metric. Instead of providing the compassion, empathy and support that the seniors who built our country deserve, the Liberal government has sadly penalized Canada’s seniors who took CERB by lowering their old age security payments.

Could the minister please tell me when the government will rectify this cruel decision and allow our seniors to collect what they have earned and give them the dignity they deserve?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, our government is aware, and I think all members of the House would agree, that our seniors have been disproportionately hit by COVID and they deserve our support. That is one reason that the government supported seniors with $500 over the summer. It is a reason that we have increased the OAS.

When it comes to the GIS and the CERB, we are very aware of this problem and we are working very urgently to get it fixed.

I also want to say that we can all help our seniors by getting vaccinated and urging them to get their boosters. My dad had his recently and it has been a real relief to me.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as the first Acadian to assume your role, on behalf of all Nova Scotians, let me congratulate you.

Recently a Nova Scotia indigenous fishing captain was lost at sea, leaving his uncertified crew stranded. The winter lobster season opens this Monday in southwestern Nova Scotia. DFO officials has confirmed that newly licensed moderate livelihood fishers are not required to have their vessels or crew government trained and certified like all commercial fishermen have to.

Why is the government so callously placing the lives of indigenous fishers at risk?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member opposite for his new appointment.

I have compassion and regret any time someone is challenged as a mariner with problems at sea. The Canadian Coast Guard works very closely with the communities to be there for Canadians and mariners.

With respect to the moderate livelihood fishery, everything we do at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is underpinned by the conservation of stock. This is a priority that is—

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

The hon. member for Peterborough—Kawartha.

The Economy

[Michelle Ferreri, Conservative, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our economic crisis has created a mental health and suicide crisis. During the election, I knocked on one man’s door and he showed me what he was eating for dinner, cat food. This is not an exaggeration. Food bank users are at all-time high. Canadians need to know a timeline. When will the government take the right action to support parents, children and seniors so they are not eating cat food?