Debates of Dec. 6th, 2021

Seniors

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree just how challenging this pandemic has been for our seniors, but every single step of the way, our government has been there to support seniors, especially those most vulnerable, by strengthening their GIS. We moved extremely quickly to provide immediate and direct financial support for seniors.

When it comes to CERB and GIS, we know it has been hard on some seniors this year. I can assure the hon. member that we are working hard to find a solution to ensure that those affected will have the supports they need. We have always been here for seniors. We are going to continue to be there for them.

Health

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want travel rules that keep us safe from the omicron variant. Instead, the government has introduced measures that are unclear and inconsistent. This has caused chaos at the airport, and it puts travellers' safety at risk.

Last week, the U.S. introduced stricter testing requirements for Canadians, and omicron has now been identified in over a dozen states, but Canada's new testing rules do not apply to flights coming from the U.S. Could the minister explain why?

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

Mr. Speaker, every opportunity to answer such questions is a welcome opportunity. I thank the member for providing one. He is right that we need to be focused on the health and safety of Canadians. We need to do this in a science-based manner, and we also need to follow public health advice.

While I hear some interesting comments from the Conservative MPs, I would like to ask them whether they have heard about the science of vaccinations. Maybe they would like to commend that in their own party.

Gender-Based Violence

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 32 years ago today, Canadians were shocked and horrified to learn that 14 young women with a promising future ahead of them had been murdered in a senseless act of misogyny, hatred and gender-based violence. Those women were robbed of the chance to achieve their dream.

Can the Minister of Public Safety tell the House what our government plans to do to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question, and I join her in honouring the 14 young women who were murdered in a cowardly attack just for being women.

Our government has taken action by implementing background checks to prevent people with a history of domestic abuse from obtaining a firearm. We are still considering other measures we could take to end gender-based violence and allow women to achieve their full potential every day.

Public Safety

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, I asked the government when it would make a decision on banning Huawei. I have received no answer, so I am going to try again. Canada's most trusted security partners, including the U.S., have banned the use of Huawei technology in their 5G networks. Our country is the only one yet to say no to Huawei.

The Prime Minister promised to make this decision before the 2019 election. Here we are three years later, with another election behind us, but still no decision. When will the government and the minister make a decision?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, our government will continue to ensure that Canadian networks are kept safe and secure. Canadians can be assured that we will not compromise on matters of national security.

While we cannot comment on specific companies, an examination of emerging 5G technology and the associated security and economic considerations is under way. We have been clear that this analysis will take into account important domestic and international considerations, and we will make the best decision for Canadians.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, failing to act is compromising national security. Last month, the minister met with President Biden's technology adviser to collaborate and talk about national security. There was a lot of talk but no action by the minister. Meanwhile, our telecoms have spent close to a billion dollars on Huawei equipment and now want to have taxpayers compensate them for that. Can members imagine that?

Will the minister say no to compensation? Will she finally say no to Huawei?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, we have been clear that the work under way takes into account the important domestic and international considerations. We will ensure to always make the best decision for Canadians. We will not compromise matters of national security.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this side of the House has been telling the government for three years now that Huawei poses a threat to Canada's national security. In 2019, Ralph Goodale, who was the minister of public safety and emergency preparedness at the time, was ready to address this. That was two years ago. All members of the Five Eyes have banned Huawei, except Canada. Even the Canadian industry has severed all ties with that company.

Will the Prime Minister finally make up his mind, or will he leave the decision up to the next Conservative government?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, our government will always ensure that our Canadian networks are safe and secure. Canadians can be assured we are not going to compromise on matters of national security.

We are not going to comment on specific companies, but members should know that the examination of emerging 5G technology and the associated security and economic considerations is under way. We will always act in the best interests of all Canadians.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have to wonder whether the minister has the information. All the proper Canadian agencies have already conducted their investigations and national security audits, and the reports have been filed. We all know the answer, and everyone knows that Huawei poses a threat to 5G and to Canada's national security.

Could the minister be honest and set a date for when Canada will finally say no to Huawei?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, our government will continue to ensure the security of Canada's networks, and Canadians can be assured that we will not compromise on matters of national security. As we have clearly indicated, our approach will take into account important domestic and international considerations, and we will make the best possible decision for Canadians.

Gender-Based Violence

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec has announced that it plans to require tracking bracelets to keep perpetrators of domestic violence away from their victims. This is good news, but the federal government must follow suit. The coroner recommended the use of this bracelet in response to the brutal killing of Marylène Levesque in 2020.

If Ottawa does not also require the use of a bracelet, Ms. Levesque's murderer would never have had to wear one, since his parole was managed at the federal level. Will Ottawa follow Quebec's lead and require that violent men wear a tracking bracelet?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I assure my colleague that I have recently discussed the implementation of the electronic bracelet with my Quebec counterpart. We are committed to continuing that discussion and to finding investments and additional resources to combat violence against women. We will continue to work together.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, enough with the lip service. If the federal government does not step up here, then perpetrators of the most serious crimes against women will not be required to wear a tracking bracelet. Quebec wants to make criminals under its jurisdiction, meaning offenders sentenced to less than two years, wear a bracelet, but perpetrators of more serious crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction, who represent the greatest danger, would not be required to do the same. It is hard to imagine a clearer example of a double standard. This bracelet can save lives.

Will the minister make a commitment today to require that offenders under federal jurisdiction wear a tracking bracelet?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, as I already said, I will continue discussions with my Quebec counterpart about implementing the tracking bracelet, but we will not stop there. We will continue to look for other ways to work together on combatting domestic violence and keeping communities safe for everyone.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Afghan refugees who managed to escape to third countries are being deported back into the hands of the Taliban because their visas are expiring. This Liberal-made immigration backlog is delaying their applications and putting their lives at risk. Canada had months to prepare for the situation in Afghanistan, but the Prime Minister called a selfish election, abandoning those who serve Canada and avoiding any accountability.

On what date will the promised 40,000 Afghan refugees come to Canada, or will they become another abandoned Liberal promise?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, the situation in Afghanistan is nothing short of heartbreaking. The reality is that we have made a substantial contribution by committing to bringing in 40,000 Afghan refugees, and I point out to the member that the effort is well under way. More than 4,000 Afghan refugees are living in Canada today, another 1,200 in third countries have been approved to come to Canada and another 9,500 who are still in Afghanistan have been approved for onward travel.

I am pleased to take this occasion to share with the hon. member that on Thursday evening of last week, the first cohort of privately sponsored refugees landed in Toronto, with 243 new Canadians who will be calling our country their home going forward.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Mr. Speaker, on August 15, Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, endangering thousands of Afghans who worked and fought beside Canadian Forces. It is same Taliban that has hunted and killed our soldiers over the past 20 years. The government has committed to taking in 40,000 Afghans but to date has taken less than 10% of that number. In the meantime, another 10,000 Afghans are frantically wondering who will get to them first: the Canadian government processing their paperwork or the Taliban.

Why is the immigration minister playing roulette with 10,000 Afghan lives?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I take enormous exception to the allegation that any member of the House is playing roulette with the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable people. The reality is that Canada stepped up to make a world-leading commitment to bring 40,000 Afghan refugees here. As the member pointed out, there are more than 4,000 here today, 1,200 more in third countries and 9,500 more in Afghanistan.

The hypocrisy behind the question is something the member should be ashamed of, as he campaigned on a commitment months ago during the election to completely eliminate the government-assisted refugee stream altogether, which brought 4,000 people here.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Mr. Speaker, an Afghan refugee in my riding has been struggling for years to get her husband to Canada. The Taliban has now frozen their funds. My staff have been communicating with another hopeful refugee. On August 16, when the Prime Minister called an unnecessary election, her little girl was tragically trampled to death in the chaos at the Kabul airport, where our government was utterly unprepared.

When can these desperate people, who have endured such terrible suffering, expect the Liberals to finally clear bureaucratic backlogs and get them safe passage to Canada?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, with great respect, the attempt to politicize the question of the resettlement of 40,000 Afghan refugees is entirely inappropriate. The reality is that every morning when I wake and every night when I go to bed—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Could I ask the hon. Minister of Immigration to start from the top? I have someone yelling in my ear and I cannot hear a thing.