Debates of Dec. 8th, 2021

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2021-22

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, does the minister plan on harmonizing with the U.S. on antigen tests?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Mr. Chair, antigen tests are tests that are typically quite rapid but not as effective and precise as the molecular tests.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I forgot to tell you that I am splitting my time with the member for Kelowna—Lake Country.

Can the member commit to heading to harmonization with the U.S. on antigen tests?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Mr. Chair, if the member would like to have a briefing, as this is all a bit complicated, she can ask for one and I will provide it to her through my officials.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, the travel restrictions are confusing at best, and the government is adamant about hotel quarantines as an effective measure against COVID-19. Does it concern the minister that there are ever-changing travel restrictions, with the impact they are having on the tourism sector?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Mr. Chair, the answer is yes. We are obviously very mindful of the impact this is having on all Canadians, including the people in the travel industry. We do this to protect the safety and health of Canadians.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, is the minister concerned about the continuation of quarantine hotels in attracting tourism or anyone to this country?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Mr. Chair, Canadians have learned through the history of COVID-19 that the situation evolves, and they expect the government also to change its measures to protect their health and safety.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I will just tell the minister that the CBSA identified 46,000 people from April to June of this year who landed in a U.S. border airport and immediately crossed the border into Canada by land.

First, is the minister aware that there are two different rules for entry?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Mr. Chair, with some regret, but with respect, I will say that this is something we know, yet the members on the other side asked just a few days ago that we remove all tests and all quarantine measures. That would not have been the right thing to do.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, with all due respect, we asked the minister if he was going to harmonize the tests with the U.S. I just did that right now.

Is there a plan on harmonizing tests with the U.S.?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Mr. Chair, our first priority is to protect the health and safety of Canadians. That is why we are taking those measures. If I have more time later, I will explain why those measures are the right ones for Canadians.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I will try to talk about the independent Canadian travel advisers, 12,000 of them. Most of them are women and some are in the LGBT community.

Has the Minister of Tourism heard from them at all?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Chair, we went to the wall for independent travel agents during the pandemic, and we will continue to represent their interests.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, is the minister aware that they have not been captured under any of the government's programs over the last 20 months?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Chair, I am in discussion with members of the independent travel agency. We have heard their concerns and we are working on them.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, will he commit to correcting this tonight at committee?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Chair, officials are working on this matter. We are in constant contact with members of the independent travel agency, and we will work on this matter.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, he has an opportunity to correct this at committee. Will he correct this tonight, yes or no?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Chair, we will work on this matter, as I have said.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, the independent Canadian travel advisers have come to the government. They have been quite vocal. They are not included in any of the programs that the government has put forward for Canadians. Will he commit to correcting that tonight, yes or no?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Chair, we worked with independent travel agents in the negotiations with the airlines in the LEEFF funding. We are in constant conversation with this sector of the economy. We will continue to work with these very important entrepreneurs.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, is the Minister of Tourism concerned about the ever-changing travel restrictions and the impact they are having on the industry in Canada?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

I have already answered that question, Mr. Chair. What I did not say, however, is that we are going to do the right things for Canadians, as we have done for the last 20 months. This is absolutely important. There are no risks to take when it comes to protecting the safety and health of Canadians.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, in typical fashion, Canadians will know that the government hastily held a press conference on November 30 to announce mandatory arrivals testing.

I will start with a simple question. When will 100% of arrivals be tested in Canada?