Debates of Feb. 25th, 2021

Arts and Culture

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to recognize R. Paul Dhillon for being among BC Entertainment Hall of Fame's latest inductees.

As a South Asian award-winning screenwriter, producer, director and journalist, R. Paul has made his community very proud. He has been able to shed light on the experience of B.C.'s South Asian population as well as highlight the significant contributions that Canada's South Asian population has made to the social, cultural and economic fabric of our community and our nation.

I would also like to congratulate Luv Randhawa for recently being awarded the 2020 best international artist by UK Bhangra Awards, and reaching into the top five on iTunes. Only hours after the release of his album, Believe in Me, the album reached number two on the iTunes R&B charts in Canada, number five in the U.K. and number nine in the U.S.

I congratulate both of them for their success in the arts.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Manitobans, like all Canadians, are hurting as a result of COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed by governments in a response.

Families have been forced to say goodbye to loved ones over video calls. Many have lost jobs or seen their hours reduced. Businesses have had to close their doors, some permanently. This is not the way things should be.

COVID-19 has been with us for a year now, yet the Liberal government's response has failed to mature with the passage of time. This endless cycle of restrictions, some imposed by provinces and others by the Liberal government, must end.

The Conservatives have asked the Liberals for a timeline to lift restrictions. We have asked for a plan on vaccine procurement. We have asked for a plan to restore the economy. In every case, the Liberals refuse.

It is time to stop the excuses and show some leadership, protect the vulnerable, provide vaccines to those who want it and allow everyone else to resume their lives.

Firearms

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Mr. Speaker, a government's number one priority should always be to keep its citizens safe. This is why it is so confusing that the Liberals are attempting to demonize the law-abiding firearm owners in Bill C-21, while simultaneously introducing new measures that reduce sentences for criminals charged with illegal gun offences.

If the Liberals were focused on protecting Canadians, they would not have voted against Bill C-238, which would have imposed tougher sentences for criminals found to have smuggled firearms or to be in possession of illegal firearms.

It is abundantly clear to my colleagues and many of my constituents that the Liberals are more focused on furthering their own ideological agenda rather than protecting all Canadians.

Long-Term Care Homes

[Scott Duvall, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a global pandemic that has shone a bright light on the deplorable conditions in some of our for-profit, long-term care homes in Canada, and in Hamilton.

The site of the deadliest outbreak of COVID-19 in our city, Grace Villa long-term care, exemplifies what is wrong with the for-profit model. There were 234 cases and 44 of the 156 residents, or 30%, have died due to the virus.

We have heard stories of poor sanitation, lack of personal protective equipment, bad working conditions and understaffing, resulting in woefully inadequate care. We recently learned that not one single long-term care home has had resident quality inspection by the Ontario Ministry of Health since 2018.

It is time for the federal government to work with our provincial and territorial partners on long-term care. It is time to improve the working conditions to allow for better care. It is time to develop national care standards and regulations, and step up the Canada Health Act. It is time to take profit out of long-term care.

Diabetes

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. This was a major breakthrough for people with diabetes, but there is still a lot of work to do.

In 2018, a group of young people came to Parliament Hill to speak to parliamentarians about type 1 diabetes, which is a topic most people know little about. I got to meet Juliette Benoît, an eloquent, precise and brave young woman who wants to advance research. I learned that these young people have to be very disciplined to deal with the pressure this disease puts on them, as they must endure more than 1,460 injections a year.

We need to promote awareness of all the different types of diabetes, a disease that affects more than 760,000 people in Quebec alone. Research is key to improving the lives of people with diabetes. If we work together, we can make that happen. We must combine intelligence, knowledge and funding as we work towards this common goal.

As the African proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”

COVID-19 Emergency Response

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

Mr. Speaker, in my riding, students are not able to find post-graduate jobs, people are struggling with mental health, civil liberties are being eroded, small businesses are going bankrupt and families are not able to feed themselves all because of the COVID pandemic and the Liberal government's botched response.

I have heard from friends and family of people taking their own lives because of financial pain and isolation. It is very heartbreaking to hear. The reality is that only about 4% of Canadians have received a single dose of the vaccine, while other countries are easing restrictions and opening up. Our per capita vaccination rate is behind more than 40 countries.

We need to get the vaccine rollout right in order to secure jobs and secure our future, but the Liberal government is failing Canadians. While it negotiated with CanSino, a deal that eventually flopped, other countries secured deals with Pfizer and Moderna that put them near the front of the line.

Canadians are paying dearly for the government's mistakes. The government needs to start doing its job so Canadians can get back to doing theirs.

Charlotte L'Écuyer

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Aylmer sector of Gatineau has lost two great women in 2021.

A few weeks ago, I rose in the House to recognize former mayor Constance Provost. Today, I rise to pay tribute to Charlotte L'Écuyer, who represented Pontiac in the Quebec National Assembly from 2003 to 2014.

She was very connected to her community and was passionate about access to health care. Charlotte dedicated her entire career to improving health care and social services in her riding. She remained an outspoken advocate for these services after she retired from politics.

Charlotte was a smart, strong and wise woman with a great deal of integrity.

On behalf of my constituents in Aylmer, I thank you, Charlotte. We miss you a lot.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I believe the hon. member for Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook has a point of order.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Mr. Speaker, because of the lack of interpretation during my member statement, I would like to redo it if the House is okay with that.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Yes, there were some glitches. The member for Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook once again.

[Member repeated his statement]

National Defence

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it is deeply troubling that the Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff has had to step down only a month after assuming command. This happened shortly after we learned that the Minister of National Defence sat on allegations with respect to the previous Chief of the Defence Staff.

My question for the Minister of National Defence is simple: Is he aware of any other misconduct allegations against any other commanding officer in the Canadian Armed Forces?

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

Mr. Speaker, our government takes all allegations of misconduct very seriously and will always take strong action in response to any allegation of misconduct that is brought forward, no matter the rank and no matter the position. Let me say that every woman in Canada should be able to do her job free of harassment. The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service has confirmed an investigation into Admiral McDonald.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the government's quarantine program is in complete ruins. The hotline does not work. Travellers are ignoring the quarantine and waltzing right out of the airport, sometimes receiving fines but sometimes not. Most disturbing are the reports of violence and people in quarantine hotels not being kept safe. If no part of this program is working, why has the government not suspended it?

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada has some of the strictest travel and border measures in the world, and that is absolutely as it should be. There are new COVID variants of concern in the world and our government will always do whatever it takes to protect Canadians. As a mother, as a woman and as a feminist, I am deeply concerned by the reports of violence and sexual assault. No one should ever have to fear for her safety.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I agree, but people are fearing for their safety. The government knows there are risks in the quarantine hotels it has set up. Health committee documents show that the government has been planning this series of quarantine hotels since June, but with more than seven months of planning, it has still failed to keep Canadians safe. Australia and other countries had similar problems that the Liberal government could have learned from.

When the Deputy Prime Minister knows there are problems with safety for Canadians, why is this program still in operation?

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

Mr. Speaker, this program is still in operation precisely because all Canadians are unsafe as long as the coronavirus is circulating in the world. By introducing strict border measures, including obligatory quarantine, we are acting to protect Canadians. This is something we will always do. Let me remind everyone in the House, and everyone listening, that no one should be travelling outside the country for non-essential reasons right now.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, mandatory stays in quarantine hotels are making people worry and fear for their safety. Bullying and violence are unacceptable. The government must protect people who are in quarantine. If the Prime Minister cannot keep people safe, he must suspend the program.

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

Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives do not want to protect Canadians from COVID-19, that is their prerogative. Those of us in government, however, want to keep protecting Canadians with our quarantine and border measures.

As a woman and a mother, I am of course deeply concerned by the reports of violence and sexual assault. Nobody should have to fear for their own safety.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the government had eight months to plan the program. The hotline that people were supposed to call is a failure. Canadians are not safe. Like the rapid tests and the vaccines, everything the Liberal government touches ends in failure.

When will the government fix this program?

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada's travel and border measures are among the strictest in the world, and I am proud of that. It provides an essential protection for Canadians, who are sacrificing a great deal in our fight against COVID-19.

From day one of the pandemic, we have made it clear that no one should be travelling. I want to repeat that travelling can put people and their loved ones at risk.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government has completely abdicated its responsibilities when it comes to the hotel quarantine system.

However, what we are asking for is not complicated. We just want the government to set up a phone line that works. We want the government to ensure that once travellers get to the hotel, they follow all public health rules, they are kept safe and they do not contract COVID-19.

The feds had two months to prepare for this. It seems to me that Canada should be up to the task. The solution is not to cancel quarantines, but rather to show the kind of leadership that is worthy of a G7 government.

Seriously, does the Prime Minister still want to lead this country?

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

Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of respect for the hon. Bloc member, and I know he agrees with our government that we all need to take tough, strict measures to protect Canadians. These tough, strict measures include border and quarantine measures.

I want to emphasize once again for all Canadians that now is not the time for non-essential travel abroad.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since I knew that the Deputy Prime Minister would be answering my question, I should have asked her if she is ever tempted to take over as prime minister.

The government needs to do its job. We are in the middle of a pandemic. The government must get going and take effective action. The government failed to quickly procure vaccines, it failed to manage the border and it failed with the hotel quarantines. I could go on and on. It is a horror show.

The public needs an effective federal government. It is possible to work quickly and well.

When will the government get its act together?

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

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the quarantines and the strict measures that we had to implement at the border, I want to remind the hon. member that the provinces, including the province of Quebec, agree with us that we need strong measures at the border to protect Canadians. That is something that our government will always do.

Pharmacare

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, many people in Canada cannot afford to buy the medication they need. Universal pharmacare could have helped them save money and given them access to the drugs they need. However, the Liberals voted against it.

Why does the government always defend the interests of big pharma instead of helping ordinary Canadians?