Debates of Feb. 22nd, 2021

Hybrid Vote

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We are starting to get into debate there. The point was good until then.

There are some other members with their hands up who are not with us in person.

The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that in my speech I noted that the minister said he was talking on behalf of the Government of Canada. This is the first time someone is saying he is talking on behalf of someone else in the House of Commons. There is no link in that way when people are voting, other than that they support it. He said he was voting on behalf of the Canadian government. This is—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I believe we are starting to get into points of debate. I thank both members for the points they have brought forward.

I will now go to other members who want to talk on the same topic.

The hon. member for Elmwood—Transcona.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on the point arising out of the vote, particularly the characterization by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of his vote, I have a few remarks to make.

The first is that I agree it is a species of a more general problem, which is members taking the opportunity in the virtual Parliament to use the fact we appear on screen and are at liberty to say things to characterize their vote. That is something I know you have said is not appropriate, but I think you may need to give some thought to how you will enforce that better. When a male in the House of Commons does not wear a tie, I have seen more serious consequences than for when members continued to characterize their vote inappropriately online, so I would like to see an end to that.

Beyond that, I think what happened today goes a bit further with respect to abstentions and the point raised by the official opposition House leader just now in respect of speaking for the government on a vote.

I note that in House of Commons Procedure and Practice, on page 575, it states:

There is no rule requiring a Member to vote. A Member may abstain from voting simply by remaining seated during the vote. Such abstentions are of an unofficial nature and are not recorded although, on occasion, Members have risen following a vote to offer an explanation....

Clearly, members have the right to abstain, but I do not see anything in there that allows them to abstain on behalf of anyone else. In fact, abstentions are not normally recorded. It is only by virtue of the virtual Parliament that members have had occasion to mention an abstention, which has to do with the technical demands of the virtual Parliament, not because we have changed a principle in allowing abstentions.

As a further point from House of Commons Procedure and Practice, I note also that on pages 582 and 583, in discussing the nature of votes, it mentions two kinds of votes: one the conduct of a party vote and another the conduct of a row-by-row vote. There is no government and non-government vote, so while I object generally to people characterizing their votes and do not think any member should be speaking on behalf of other members in respect of their vote, I also note that even the characterization itself is problematic, because nowhere does the government appear as an entity for voting in the House of Commons anyway. I think that is a bad precedent and I would appreciate your speaking to that point and making it clear that the government is not an entity represented for the purpose of the votes in the House of Commons.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have been listening to my hon. colleagues, and I am very happy to simply say “I abstain”.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, very quickly, to address the point that was raised by the opposition House leader, at the core of this issue is the fact that nobody should be saying anything other than “yes” or “no”. That is what you should be considering in this, not the context of what was said, otherwise you become an arbiter of what is acceptable—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have one final small point on this matter. Abstentions are not recorded in the records of Hansard. There is no need to place an abstention on the record, but I do think that over time the practice of recording abstentions is a good one. It allows members to let their constituents know they were present in the House but had a reason of principle to abstain.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I just want to say to the Minister of Foreign Affairs that he did the honourable thing.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

There are two issues that we had to deal with, and we will start with the first one. When voters vote, please, I beg you, either vote for, against or abstain, but we do not need the comments. That is something you maybe keep to yourselves. We do better on some votes than others, but please, when you vote, all members, just say that you're in favour, against or that you abstain.

On the second issue, the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs already took care of it. When he did speak the first time, I want to point out that he did mention he was abstaining and there was no vote recorded. That is just a clarification for everyone here.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, Government Orders will be extended by 73 minutes.

It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38, to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable, Official Languages; the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, The Environment; the hon. member for Cloverdale—Langley City, Persons with Disabilities.

Interparliamentary Delegations

[Yasmin Ratansi, Independent, Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the 2020 Westminster Seminar: Preparing Parliamentarians for a Changing World, held from November 23 to 27, 2020.

Copyright Act

[Bryan May, Liberal, Cambridge, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-272, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance or repair).

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise to introduce my private member's bill. It addresses copyright being used in a way for which it was never intended: to block the repair and maintenance of items that have been purchased by Canadians.

It is a targeted bill that would create specific exemptions to copyright. When someone buys something, it must be able to be repaired by that person and not restricted by the manufacturer. Repairing the things we own is key for our environment, for the safety of Canadians and to our livelihoods. These factors have never been more important than during the pandemic, when repairs are more critical than ever for manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture.

I look forward to the debate and the support of all members of the House.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

National Strategy for a Guaranteed Basic Income Act

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-273, An Act to establish a national strategy for a guaranteed basic income.

Mr. Speaker, it is my absolute honour to introduce my private member's bill: an act to establish a national strategy for a guaranteed basic income. It would require the Minister of Finance to develop a national strategy to assess implementation models for a national guaranteed basic income program as part of Canada's innovation and economic growth strategy. It is time we find a 21st century solution to support Canadian workers, and for all Canadians to have an equal opportunity to succeed and contribute.

I look forward to the debate and to receiving support from all.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Electronic Voting System

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, in relation to possible technical issues encountered by members in the course of voting with the electronic voting system, from its implementation until Wednesday, June 23, 2021:

a) subparagraph (p)(iv) of the order adopted on Monday, January 25, 2021, shall be rescinded;

b) any Member unable to vote via the electronic voting system during the 10-minute period due to technical issues may connect to the virtual sitting to indicate to the Chair their voting intention by the House videoconferencing system; and

c) following any concern, identified by the electronic voting system, which is raised by a House Officer of a recognized party regarding the visual identity of a Member using the electronic voting system, the Member in question must respond immediately to confirm their vote, either in person or by the House videoconferencing system, failing which the vote shall not be recorded.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Are any members opposed to the hon. member moving the motion? If so, please say nay.

I hear none. The House has heard the terms of the motion. Any members opposed to the motion will please say nay.

Hearing no voices, the motion is carried.

(Motion agreed to)

Industry, Science and Technology

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

moved:

That the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, presented on Friday, November 27, 2020, be concurred in.

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Niagara Falls.

I am happy to speak today to the order in council appointment of Marsha Walden to the position of president of the Canadian Tourism Commission, referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on Friday, September 25, which I was a proud to be part of for a short time before moving on to my portfolio now as shadow minister for the COVID-19 economic recovery.

Disease-induced crises are nothing new to the Canadian tourism industry, but certainly the crisis created by the novel coronavirus has been the most damaging crisis it has ever faced. This industry will never look the same post-pandemic. Even after we have all been vaccinated and the virus is just a foggy memory or a blurb in a textbook, it is clear and paramount that all levels of government have a role to play in the industry's eventual successful recovery.

The tourism industry knows what needs to happen for it to move ahead toward a successful recovery. Across the board, stringent measures have already been implemented in an effort to assure that all tourism-related activities are safe and communicated to the public. The industry is equally aware that confidence in travelling and the risk perception surrounding it are going to determine the speed of recovery.

This industry has done yeoman's effort to keep running. With methods for cleaning and sanitizing and with PPE requirements in restaurants, airplanes, museums, arenas, etc., it has really stepped up to try to have at least some level of business. Retrofitting or refurbishing facilities with advanced filtration, plexiglass partitions and the removal of soft furnishings, along with cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning, has been done. There are reduced capacity and occupation rates; 24 hours between occupancies in hotels; spacing at restaurants; booking times to visit a museum; and the advent of technology to help with innovation. We are using technology-based apps to streamline tourism activities, including self-serve check-ins and QR code menus, which we have all become accustomed to.

The government should only be there to meet efforts taken by these industries and ensure that compliance is met. The government must not impose unreasonable measures that thwart business owners' ability to operate or create an environment of disincentives that causes them to shut down. To make these onerous and expensive changes, our tourism industry needs credible and realistic measures from our federal government to allow companies and tourism services to confidently operate.

The government needs to move away from simply subsidizing and handing out aid and toward providing incentives for sustainable growth and innovation. Ideas include offering interest-free loans, guaranteed loans and creative financing options for sectors that have been hit incredibly hard. Incentives like this would benefit all sectors: airlines, cruise lines, hotels and restaurants. Other ideas include the lifting of visa requirements for countries as they recover, to increase international tourism; allowing provincial governments to regulate themselves without heavy-handed mandates from Ottawa; and protecting distressed assets from being scooped by predatory investors looking to take advantage of a weakened tourism sector.

While the government neglected to come up with a plan to innovate in this tourism space, we saw some amazing efforts and collaboration from our once-strong Canadian airlines and our world-class institutions, as they provided solutions with the now-defunct rapid-testing pilot program. This was a great example of an industry stepping up and of a private sector success, but it was shut down by the federal government with its new requirements. The airlines realized how critical it was to create a safe travel environment and they developed a pilot project for rapid testing at airports. I admire their efforts because they knew they needed something to be able to get going again.

Testimony given at the health committee last week did little to indicate that these new restrictions are going to be an improvement and that they are based upon strong data. However, there was some data from the rapid testing. On February 11, just over 49,000 people were tested and 1% tested positive. They were monitored and made to quarantine, and this worked successfully.

On an anecdotal note, in my riding, for over 30 years, a company called Paull Travel has provided tailored independent travel services. Like many other companies and individuals involved in the tourism sector, they are finding themselves faced with the impossible. These companies are failing, and while the rest of the economy may be able to experience some sort of a bounceback, it is really difficult in the travel industry. On top of this, the commissions the 13 women working at Paull Travel were expected to earn for services they did were clawed back because of cancellations.

The government's inability to provide rapid testing for Canadians and the much-needed support for airlines thwarted much of the travel during the pandemic. Many large travel agencies and independent providers are facing decreases of up to 90% today compared with 2019.

We cannot pretend that things are going to go back to normal. For decades to come, gone with be the days of banquets and large conventions. Travel agents and many other hospitality workers may not be required, and we will have to find suitable jobs for these individuals. The government has to be proactive and forward thinking when thinking about re-skilling and upskilling workers to move into other high-demand sectors, such as the emerging tech economy.

We need to start talking about what retraining is going to look like for those whose skills no longer match job demand, working with both the public sector and the private sector to identify gaps in the economy and the places where this talent is going to be needed. I have some important facts. Of the over 14,000 large and small travel agency businesses in Canada, over 90% are considered small business and 75% of travel agents are women. Travel agencies across Canada generate over $30 billion in sales and $3 billion in revenue on an annualized basis and many in this industry have not been able to qualify for standard or special EI benefits. This sector is desperate and it needs to be acknowledged.

At the beginning of the pandemic in Canada, the travel industry alone dealt with numerous travel advisories and with their clients, cancellations and all of the things that happened because of that. Due to the virus and its devastating impact on travel, the travel industry has experienced close to zero new revenue, and layoffs and closures have started to happen. This has an enormous effect on families. Any targeted relief for the travel industry must include these travel agencies. They need the government's help and they need to be sure that they are paid for services rendered.

If we can get in front of the health issues and demonstrate a safe environment for travel, we can give this sector a fighting chance. There will need to be significant investment in marketing to aid the recovery in both domestic and international travel. We must ensure that the public understands the health risk and the data that indicates what the risk is so they can make appropriate choices.

For every industry, a plan is more than financial support. It must be a road map that gives some indication of reopening and strategies. We cannot look toward the future without a plan. Canada has so much to offer the world: natural beauty, rich history and unique culture found nowhere else on the planet. It would be a shame if we let this sector suffer because of a lack of leadership. I look forward to when the government will come forward with plans that will help this industry get back on its feet.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, does the member of the Conservative Party currently support the restrictions that are in place today?

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, there cannot be an economic recovery until there is a health recovery. Every area of the country has to be able to deal with this health crisis. Yes, I support the restrictions, but future restrictions and future policies should be based on strong data.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we are talking about restrictions, I am wondering if the member agrees with some of the assertions made by the member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke. She has been on social media quite a bit lately claiming that the Prime Minister was complicit in spreading this virus around the world.

Does the member agree with the member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and her comments on that matter ?

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what we have to focus on, and what I come back to in this health crisis, is that we cannot have a recovery until we get through this crisis. That is a combination of making sure that we have vaccines here, we have execution of those vaccines and we have rapid testing. Having all those tools available will let us create a safe environment for people operating in this industry and people at large. Clearly, what people want is to get back to work. It is the job of government to make sure that we can do so safely.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, at this point in the pandemic, the tourism sector is looking for certainty. It is looking for a plan from the government. The member mentioned that travel agents and tourism operators have been put in a bad situation. They are looking for a signal from the government that there is going to be some relief and certainty. These individuals, particularly in the travel industry and predominantly women, have been very hard hit and are looking for action.

In the face of inaction, can the member share what he expects from the government in order to provide certainty to these folks?

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what businesses need is some level of certainty or planning so they can understand what the potential looks like. Unfortunately, this particular industry has seen very little. We have talked about the airline industry, and the government coming up with some sort of a plan. People in the industry are still waiting. This uncertainty slows down the opportunity for them to get back to work or at least to plan for the future so they know what they are up against.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Via Rail workers are really struggling right now. We know workers throughout the tourism industry are really struggling right now.

Does my hon. colleague believe that one of the solutions, as we see the pandemic persist, would be to put in place a guaranteed livable basic income, particularly for those who are working in tourism and the travel industry, which has been completely gutted by the pandemic?

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the more important thing we need to look toward is how we can reopen these sectors and get people back to work. The people I talk to say that is what they want. They want to get back to their jobs. They want to get back to their way of life. They want to be able to do that as soon as possible. Again, that is why it is critical we get vaccine deployment, rapid testing and the things that can create a safe environment for people to get back to work. That would be their preference, and that would be mine too.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today in concurrence of the fourth report from the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology regarding the order in council appointment of Marsha Walden as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Tourism Commission, now known as Destination Canada.

On October 29, 2020, the committee met to consider Ms. Walden's appointment. At that time I had the opportunity to attend and take part in the session as we examined Ms. Walden's qualifications to assume this most important leadership position. Ms. Walden is assuming this position at a critical time for the industry. In fact, during our meeting in October, I noted that according to Destination Canada's own status of the industry report, it had forecast that our Canadian tourism sector would not recover to its record high levels of 2019 until 2024 at the earliest. The Destination Canada report indicated this would be “a catastrophic loss for our economy”. Given COVID's continued impact, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada now estimates it will be 2026 before this sector recovers to its record-setting numbers set in 2019.

Also during our October meeting, I noted the industry report indicated that the federal government needed to “provide a light at the end of the tunnel”. However, as we continue to watch the federal government struggle to secure our vaccine supply and implement widespread rapid testing, our tourism sector is left to struggle. In other words, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the federal government's dreadful and mismanaged response to it, has set the Canadian travel and tourism industry back instead of providing the much-needed light at the end of the tunnel that this industry so badly needs.

That is why we need the federal government to succeed in getting Canadians vaccinated more quickly. That is why we need the federal government to succeed in procuring and implementing rapid testing devices across the country so we can begin returning our lives to normal. Canadian businesses associated with travel and tourism have been some of the hardest hit. Many of them joined an advocacy movement called just that: the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses. When the federal government closed our land borders and implemented stringent travel restrictions in March 2020, our Canadian airlines and airports were immediately shuttered. While other countries were quick to financially support their aviation sectors, our federal government has yet to provide the financial aid that is so urgently required.

In addition to shutting the engines that literally drive our domestic and international travel and tourism economy, this pandemic has greatly impacted many small and medium-sized businesses including hotels and accommodations, restaurants and attractions. Nearly every sector within Canada's travel and tourism industry has experienced disruption, uncertainty and harm to its daily operations, revenues and business planning forecasts. When businesses are impacted at this magnitude, workers and employment are also severely disrupted; therefore, it is not surprising that we are continually hearing more about layoffs and job losses across these industries, and higher unemployment numbers in this industry compared with others.

For example, the Hotel Association of Canada says that in April 2020, there were 114,000 jobs in the sector. As of December 2020, this number was reduced to 87,500 workers. Many hoteliers are now wondering how long it will be before they run out of cash: 40% of operators do not think they will make it past this month and 70% say they will not make it until the spring.

Another example of employment hardship is in the restaurant industry. According to Restaurants Canada, in the first six weeks of the pandemic, the food service sector lost more than the entire Canadian economy lost during the 2008-09 recession. Let that resonate for a moment. One out of every five jobs lost to the pandemic has been in the food service sector. According to the December labour force survey from Statistics Canada, at least 316,000 fewer people are employed in the food service sector right now than there were in February 2020.

It is a similar story in our aviation sector. We hear about more layoffs, more job losses and more regional route closures basically every other week. COVID-19 and the government responses to it have had devastating impacts on these industries and on the jobs they provide for Canadians. When these sectors and others are taken together, the national unemployment rate according to Statistics Canada was 9.4% as of February 5.

However, the unemployment in Canada's travel and tourism industry far exceeds this number. It currently sits at 18.6%, nearly double the national unemployment rate, which underscores just how hard hit Canada's travel and tourism industry has been.

Canada's Conservatives, as the official opposition, have been pleased to work with private-sector stakeholders to listen and advocate on their behalf as we learn to understand their challenges going through the pandemic. That is why we have been pleased to work with the federal government on improving many of the emergency programs that were hastily launched without much consultation, understanding or consideration of the stakeholders they were intended to help. Through our good work and the federal government's co-operation, we have been able to improve emergency business programs such as the Canada emergency wage subsidy, the Canada emergency rent subsidy and the Canada emergency business account. While we are pleased with these improvements, our work is far from over.

These programs, and the newly created highly affected sectors credit availability program, are designed to be temporary, and their goal is to help businesses survive through the pandemic. They have little to do with the economic recovery that is needed on the other side. That is where Ms. Walden and Destination Canada will play a major role. A core mandate of the federal agency is to influence travel and tourism supply, and build demand for the benefit of locals, communities and visitors through leading research, aligning with public and private sectors and marketing Canada nationally and abroad. There is no doubt that Destination Canada will play a critical role in supporting tourism recovery from coast to coast to coast as early as this summer, or at least so I hope.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that everyone who wants a vaccine will have one by September. For this to happen, we need our vaccine supply to increase significantly, very soon, so that progress can be made in vaccinating Canadians between now and that time. As of this speech, just over 1.5 million Canadians have been vaccinated in a country with a population of more 38 million.

My riding of Niagara Falls includes Canada's top leisure destination. Our local tourism industry is very much seasonal, and traditionally relies upon a busy and successful summer season to take those important small and medium-sized businesses through the slower shoulder months of the fall and winter. Losing the 2020 summer tourism season, through no fault of their own, has had a detrimental impact, and I cannot imagine the consequences for them of possibly losing a second consecutive summer season this year. If that happens, the fault will land squarely on the shoulders of the federal government for failing to secure enough vaccines for Canadians in a timely manner.

Destination Canada must be ready to assist the federal government as we move forward. The 2021 federal budget should outline a detailed plan and measures to achieve tourism recovery, and I look forward to reviewing these plans when they are released. Destination Canada will play a major role in informing the government of what is needed for tourism recovery in alignment with industry partners, and I sincerely hope to see measures that will support our Canadian travel and tourism industry, especially those who have been hardest hit.

I am also aware of the excellent tourism recovery plan that has been proposed by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. What better place to start helping the industry than by listening directly to what the industry needs?

While I do not hold much confidence in this government under the absentee leadership of our Prime Minister, I do hold hope that Ms. Walden will bring leadership to Destination Canada at a time when it is so dearly needed. As such, I concur with the committee on its fourth report as presented to the House.