Debates of Feb. 3rd, 2021

National Defence

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, troubling allegations have surfaced regarding the former chief of the defence staff.

The women and men in our Canadian Armed Forces are the best in the world, and they should never be subjected to sexual misconduct of any kind. Canadians, especially those in uniform, expect the highest standards from those in the chain of command.

Did any government officials, including the defence ombudsman, ever brief the Prime Minister or the Minister of National Defence on these allegations against General Vance prior to this week?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, every person deserves a safe work environment.

Our government has no tolerance for any form of sexual misconduct. When such allegations are brought to the Minister of National Defence's attention, he has always taken them seriously. He has also always ensured that they are reported to the appropriate authorities to begin relevant investigations that might be warranted, regardless of rank or position.

This is something this government has always taken seriously, and we always will.

Health

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, constituents of Don Valley North would agree that increasing Canada's bio-manufacturing capacity is an important part of our recovery plan. That is why we moved quickly to expand vaccine manufacturing capacity across the country.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our objectives have always been very clear: to provide Canadians with safe and effective vaccine and treatments and to return our economy and society back to normal.

Could the Prime Minister provide us with an update on what we have done to enable domestic vaccine production?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, two companies, Precision Nanosystems and Novavax, are now on track to manufacture vaccines right here in Canada. This is a major step forward to get vaccines made in Canada for Canadians. Pending Health Canada approval, tens of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses could be made right here at home.

We will continue working around the clock to get as many vaccines as we can to Canadians as fast as we can, whether they are domestically sourced or brought in from reliable partners around the world.

Housing

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, housing co-ops whose operating agreements expired prior to April 2016 were left to fend for themselves by the Liberals. Meanwhile, those after the cut-off could receive funding until 2028.

After ignoring their cries for help for five years, the government finally announced that they have one month to apply for up to one year of funding. This is not good enough. Using year-end budget slippage to address this critical issue is patchwork, not a strategy.

Will the Prime Minister ensure predictable and long-term stable funding for 7,500 low-income families, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, after years of a federal government that pulled back from being involved in housing, we stepped up, five years ago, with a national housing plan worth over $40 billion, which has secured housing for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We will continue to do the work necessary to ensure housing investments in all provinces and territories and all communities continue to move forward. The federal government will continue to be there as a partner to this fundamental need for so many Canadians.

Statements by Members

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during my statement earlier, I believe some parts were cut off because of technical difficulties. With the unanimous consent of the House, I would like to repeat my statement.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

All those opposed to the hon. member's request please say nay.

There being no dissenting voice, it is agreed.

The hon. member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel.

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues.

The pandemic has definitely contributed to the larger number of consumers shopping online, which in turn has fuelled growth in parcel delivery. I would like to take a moment today to highlight the important work and tireless efforts of Canada Post employees across the country. They are delivering goods as well as letters and cards. They play an essential role every day by helping our communities feel connected at a time when self-isolation has become the norm.

I want to give a shout-out to Alban Malaisé and Richard Marques, two remarkable and hard-working postal workers in my riding of Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We have a point of order from the hon. member for Abbotsford.

Oral Questions

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have two points of order.

The first is that during question period, on at least two occasions, the Prime Minister was muted. Now, I have to hope that it was inadvertent, but the problem is that even though, Mr. Speaker, you stepped up and asked the Prime Minister to unmute himself, his response was then disconnected from the question that had been asked by the leader of the official opposition. It is my view that when that occurs, both the question and the answer should be repeated so that Canadians fully understand what we are dealing with.

My second point of order is that on one occasion during question period, and I did not want to interrupt about it then, when the leader of the official opposition was asking a question, he was not visible on our screens for most of that time. We could hear him, but he was not visible. I would ask, in future, Mr. Speaker, that you allow him to repeat his question so that he is in full view of Canadians to watch and listen to him as he asks the question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I wait for your response.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The actual videotaping with the cameras are outside of our control. I know that the people who are operating them do the best they can to get to the person who is speaking right away. We will talk to them and see what they can do about making sure that the delay between the start of the question and the camera getting to that person is minimized. That is something we will take under advisement.

As far as the question being started over again, I will have to consult with the table officers to see exactly how that works. I mean, these are uncharted territories and I will have to give it some consideration.

I want to thank the hon. member for bringing both of those points up.

The House resumed from January 27, consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.

Instruction to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:20, pursuant to an order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 34 as amended under Private Members' Business in the name of the member for Lac-Saint-Louis.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #44

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion as amended carried.

Before we proceed to the next vote, we will pause the sitting briefly in order to allow employees who provide support to the sitting to substitute each other.

The House resumed from January 28 consideration of the motion that Bill C-204, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (final disposal of plastic waste), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Pursuant to an order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-204, under Private Members' Business.

The list of members voting by video conference has now been established for use by the table.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #45

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to remind hon. members that, when voting, we want to know if they are voting yes or no, yea or nay, and not the editorial that goes with it. It is a long voting period, and members' co-operation would certainly be appreciated.

Before proceeding to the next vote, we will pause the sitting briefly in order to allow employees who provide support for the sittings to substitute each other safely.

The House resumed from January 29 consideration of the motion that Bill C-229, An Act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Oil Tanker Moratorium Act

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

Pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-229 under Private Members' Business.

The list of members voting by video conference has now been established for use by the table.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #46

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

I declare the motion lost.