Debates of Dec. 3rd, 2021

Public Safety

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question.

One life lost to gun violence is one too many. We have taken important steps to address gun violence. We have made significant investments to improve investigative capabilities, and we have set up a working group with the United States. I will be speaking with my Quebec counterpart later today.

COVID-19 Response Measures

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Madam Speaker, health experts have told us that if countries like Canada do not work urgently to get vaccines to the world's most vulnerable populations, dangerous variants like omicron will continue to develop. The global impacts will be dire. More people will die and the COVID-19 nightmare will continue. Canadians want to get back to normal, but that will not happen unless everyone everywhere has access to the vaccine.

The Liberal government is moving way too slowly. Will the government scale up production, waive patent restrictions and make sure vaccines—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. minister.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her advocacy on this very important issue. It is precisely why, from the very beginning, Canada stepped up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is precisely why we helped found, support and co-chair the COVAX AMC group. It is exactly why we have donated millions of vaccines to the developing world. We understand that until we end this pandemic everywhere, we do not end it anywhere.

Small Business

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Madam Speaker, small businesses have struggled through an enormously challenging year. On December 31, they will be ready to toast a more prosperous and brighter new year. However, who will be knocking on their doors when the clock strikes midnight? It will be the Liberal tax collector. The New Year's hangover this year will be the CPP increase.

After such a difficult 2021, why are the Liberals increasing CPP taxes on businesses?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Madam Speaker, it is a real pleasure to be rising in the House again today.

I think the member is misleading in her question. In fact, this is not an increase. This is not a tax. We will make sure we will be there. What Canadians understand is that we have been true to them and have been with them every step of the way during this pandemic, and we will continue to be there for small and medium-sized businesses.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Madam Speaker, the government says the January 1 payroll tax hikes are necessary, but a payroll tax needs a payroll to tax. Statistics Canada's most recent survey of business conditions says that one in four businesses expects their profitability to be down by the end of the year. There have been many times this year when more businesses have closed than opened.

Is the government not concerned that a higher tax in this country's current economic conditions could cause further small businesses to fold?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for the question because it gives me a chance to explain something to the House and to Canadians who are watching at home this morning. One thing that Canadians and small businesses across this nation will remember is that we have been with them every step of the way through this pandemic, both at the start and during the pandemic, and we will continue.

I have one piece of free advice for the Conservatives. If they are genuine in wanting to help small businesses in Canada, why do they not support Bill C-2 instead of voting against it like they did yesterday?

Seniors

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

Madam Speaker, elder abuse manifests itself in many forms. Financial, emotional, mental and physical abuse is rampant against Canadian seniors and it is only increasing. In the last Parliament, the House unanimously agreed to Motion No. 203. Among other things, this Conservative-led initiative called for legislation to combat seniors fraud. This was over two years ago.

When will the government take meaningful action and introduce legislation to protect Canadian seniors?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Madam Speaker, elder abuse, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable. This issue is extremely important to our government and it is an issue we all take very seriously.

We are working on initiatives to combat seniors abuse, including strengthening the law, creating a national definition and having better data collection. This builds on the work we are already doing with the National Seniors Council, with projects such as the New Horizons for Seniors program, to help raise awareness around seniors abuse.

I hope the hon. member and indeed all members of the House apply for the call for proposals for the New Horizons for Seniors program. The deadline is December 21.

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

Madam Speaker, last week I rose in this place to ask the government when it was going to rectify its GIS clawback that is currently crippling vulnerable seniors. The Deputy Prime Minister, in the process of deflecting the question, touted a one-time payment of $500 as some sort of compensation. Our seniors are losing up to nine times that amount because of this clawback.

I will ask this again. When will the government show compassion and step up? Our seniors need it and they deserve it.

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Madam Speaker, we all know how challenging this pandemic has been on seniors. Every single step of the way, this government has been there to support seniors, especially the most vulnerable, by strengthening their GIS. We moved very quickly to provide immediate and direct financial support to seniors.

When it comes to the CERB and GIS, we are aware of the issue. I can assure the hon. member that we are working on this issue to find the right solution to support those affected. As always, we will be there for our seniors.

Forestry Industry

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Madam Speaker, yesterday, U.S. countervailing duties on softwood lumber doubled.

Yesterday evening, I spoke with representatives from the Quebec Forest Industry Council, and they are extremely concerned for these companies, which create 140,000 jobs in Quebec.

These companies' money is being gobbled up by duties instead of being invested in our economy. Many of them are local family businesses, such as D&G Forest Products in Sainte‑Aurélie, Bois Daaquam in Saint‑Just‑de‑Bretenières and Scierie Lemay in Sainte‑Marie.

What does the Prime Minister intend to do to convince the U.S. President to reverse his decision?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

I am from the Mauricie region, and I am very familiar with the forestry industry and companies like Rémabec and Resolute. My riding is even home to the École forestière in La Tuque.

If there is one thing that the Canadians watching at home this morning need to know, it is that the Minister of International Trade is in Washington today to defend the interests of forestry workers.

If there is one thing Canadians know, it is that we will always be there to defend the interests of the forestry industry and its workers and to work with—

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Madam Speaker, Canadians are being hit hard by inflation. Owning a home is out of reach for many Canadians. The U.S. countervailing duties on softwood lumber will only make matters worse.

If interest rates rise, which is entirely possible, we will have a perfect storm. It will be brutal.

The Prime Minister needs to get his act together, take leadership on this issue and get that decision reversed. When and how will he do that?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Madam Speaker, one thing that Canadians know for sure is that we on this side of the House know how to stand up for the interests of Canadian businesses and industries.

We demonstrated this when duties were imposed on the steel and aluminum industry, for example.

In addition, as I just mentioned while running out of breath, the Minister of International Trade is in Washington at this very moment, standing up for the interests of forestry workers and defending the interests of the industry. That is what we are doing today, and that is what we will continue to do.

Public Safety

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

Madam Speaker, it has happened again. Gun violence has hit Montreal yet again.

Yesterday, a 20-year-old man lost his life when he was struck by bullets. A 17-year-old teenager was also injured. It happened in the middle of the street in a residential neighbourhood at 7:15 p.m.

Montreal families are scared. They are scared of losing their young people, of being hit by stray bullets, of ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time, even in their own home.

The minister knows he has a duty to do something about this, but does he understand the urgency of the matter?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Madam Speaker, we agree on the importance of having cross-border working groups. That is why they have been around since 2002, in the form of integrated border enforcement teams.

Just this week, more than 60 firearms were seized through a partnership between the RCMP, the Sûreté du Québec and the Montreal police.

We have to do everything we can to ensure that our children, families and everyone can stay safe.

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

Madam Speaker, it was Montreal's 32nd homicide of 2021, and there is one more month to go.

I applaud the seizure of guns last week, but more must be done. I applaud the fact that the minister is willing to attend the summit organized by the mayor of Montreal, which will be held in late January, but he needs to act more quickly.

The Government of Quebec is set to announce an additional $46 million for the prevention of violence. There is a sense that action is urgently needed, but Ottawa is not quite there.

What will the minister do today to prove that he understands how urgent this is?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Madam Speaker, we are focusing on stopping the movement of firearms across our border and ending the senseless violence in our communities.

During the election campaign, we promised to invest at least $1 billion to help the provinces and municipalities ban handguns in their jurisdictions.

As I have already said, I will be having a virtual meeting with my Quebec counterpart to find concrete solutions on the ground.

Health

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Madam Speaker, in times of doubt and uncertainty, Canadians can rely on one thing from the government: more confusion.

Yesterday, the U.S. announced new travel restrictions for Canadians. On our side, the minister announced new testing measures for all travellers coming here. He did not say who would administer the tests, he did not say where travellers would have to isolate, he did not say when these measures would begin and he did not tell airports or airlines.

I have a few simple questions for the minister: Who, what, where, when and how will Canadians get details on this new plan?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I am happy for the opportunity to answer this question.

Before I respond, however, and since this is my first opportunity to do so, I would like to quickly acknowledge the new cohort of pages, of whom we are already very proud. The member for Hull—Aylmer and I were once pages, many years ago. We know how challenging it can be to manage work and school. We thank them in advance for everything that they will be doing.

As for the question, as always, all of our decisions are based on science and on keeping Canadians healthy and safe.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Speaker, last week, the Liberal government announced stricter border measures to combat the omicron variant, as the Conservative opposition was calling for.

A week later, it has become clear that there is a huge gap between what the Minister of Health said and what is actually happening on the ground. There was no consultation with airports and very little with the provinces. It has been a week, and everything is a total disaster.

Does the Minister of Health realize that public health measures are not something he can make up as he goes?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I am obviously pleased to take the first question from my colleague, the Conservative critic, regarding health and safety.

I want to quickly say three things. The first is that this is all based on science. The second is that, with regard to any confusion, I am sorry to say that, just a few days ago, my colleague was asking for us to stop all testing at the border. Third, it would be interesting to know how many Conservative members have still not received one of the 61 million doses of the vaccine that have been administered across Canada.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Madam Speaker, I was hoping the minister would not add to the confusion.

Canadians are stranded in South Africa. They are desperately trying to get assistance from the government. They are having to jump through hoops just to find an affordable PCR test or a safe flight back home. Their calls for action have gone unanswered by the government, and it is scrambling to provide them clear guidance.

Does the minister have a plan to help bring these stranded Canadians home, or are they just going to keep sending those calls to voice mail?