House of Commons Hansard #57 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was countries.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Mr. Speaker, we regularly inform our partners, the provinces and territories, of the number of doses they can expect. We have published the number of vaccine doses that we expect to receive in the next quarters.
Canada has one of the most advanced and diversified vaccine procurement strategies in the world. Canadians can be proud and rest assured that vaccines will be available to every Canadian who wants one by the end of September.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Armed Forces has launched an investigation into the serious allegations of sexual misconduct by former chief of the defence staff, General Vance. We know from news reports that the defence minister was made aware of these allegations back in 2018 by the defence ombudsman and that he then referred it to the Privy Council Office.
When did the defence minister first brief the Prime Minister? Was it when he first learned of these allegations, or just this week when the story broke?
Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we have no tolerance for any form of sexual misconduct. This is something that I take very seriously. I also want to acknowledge the courage of the survivors who have come forward.
I have always ensured that any allegations that were brought to my attention were reported to the appropriate authorities to begin an investigation, regardless of rank or position. I have always followed all of the appropriate processes in pursuing issues related to workplace harassment whenever allegations have arisen.
We will ensure that a full, thorough and independent investigation is conducted.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, these are serious complaints against General Vance. They were brought directly to the defence minister's attention by the defence ombudsman, and he had a responsibility to follow up after he reported it.
The minister has a duty to every serving member in uniform. Yesterday, the Prime Minister said that all investigations are taken seriously regardless of rank or position. Now, did the defence minister ensure that the Privy Council Office and the Prime Minister's Office were aware of these allegations in May 2019, before they gave General Vance a salary increase?
Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, I have always ensured that any allegations that were brought to my attention were reported to the appropriate authorities to begin an investigation, regardless of rank or position. I have followed all of the appropriate processes in pursuing issues related to workplace harassment whenever allegations have arisen.
We will always take a policy of no tolerance when it comes sexual misconduct.
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, far too many uniformed members have been victims of sexual harassment in a culture where their voices are not heard. This government promised to change things so every investigation is taken seriously, no matter the rank of the person involved. However, Canada's former top military commander stands accused of the same behaviour he was tasked with stamping out. The Minister of National Defence knew it and did nothing for three years. This minister broke a sacred trust to protect armed forces members from harm.
How will the Prime Minister restore that trust?
Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, we have no tolerance for any form of sexual misconduct. This is something that I take very seriously. I have always ensured that any allegations that were brought to my attention were reported to the appropriate authorities to begin an investigation, regardless of rank or position.
I have always followed all the appropriate processes in pursuing issues related to workplace harassment whenever allegations have arisen and, in this case, we will ensure that a very thorough, full and independent investigation is conducted.
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Speaker, what is going on at Veterans Affairs?
The union of Veterans Affairs employees recently found that one in three staff had experienced harassment in the workplace. Harassment and discrimination have no place at work, especially not in a government department. No wonder staff turnover is so high and backlogs are continuing to grow.
Veterans are tired of excuses. Will this minister finally stand up for workers and for veterans to create a safer work environment, so our veterans get the help they deserve?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we take reports of workplace harassment very seriously and we have made it absolutely clear that everybody deserves to work in a safe and healthy environment.
My department has received the survey from the union and has met with it to discuss it. We will continue to work closely with the union to address these issues.
Employees of Veterans Affairs Canada do exceptional work on behalf of veterans every single day and they deserve a safe workplace, just like everyone else.
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals believe they are handling the climate crisis better than the United States, but the opposite is true. The Biden administration has halted the Keystone XL pipeline project, whereas the Liberal government is promoting it and spending billions of dollars buying Trans Mountain.
President Biden is showing leadership by eliminating subsidies for fossil fuel companies, whereas the Liberals are putting hundreds of millions of dollars in oil companies' pockets. They still dare to call themselves champions of the environment. That is Liberal hypocrisy, and it has gone on long enough.
Will the Prime Minister promise to end subsidies for oil companies, yes or no?
Natural ResourcesOral Questions
St. John's South—Mount Pearl Newfoundland & Labrador
Liberal
Seamus O'Regan LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, let me speak quickly to the single biggest relationship we have, the single largest customer for Canadian crude, for instance, which is our biggest export. It is not just an issue for Alberta or Saskatchewan; it is an issue for all of Canada.
Cross-border energy trade between Canada and the U.S. is over $100 billion each year. We will not find two countries in the world that have their energy sectors linked as closely as we do. Over 70 pipelines and three dozen transmission lines are crossing our border.
We will co-operate with the new U.S. administration on areas of common interest: improving continental energy security and protecting our workers.
Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, B.C. is the western maritime province with strong links to the Asia-Pacific. We also have a unique, diverse and vibrant economy. Therefore, I welcome our government’s proposal to create the specific B.C. regional development agency.
Could the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages tell the House more about our plan to implement this new B.C. regional development agency?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Economic Development and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Vancouver Centre for her strong advocacy.
Our government understands that British Columbia has specific needs. That is why, for the first time in history, we will be creating a B.C. regional development agency to create and protect jobs in the beautiful province of British Columbia.
My colleagues and I have been connecting with entrepreneurs and workers all across the province and we look forward to establishing this new B.C. regional development agency for B.C. people by B.C. people.
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, Enbridge is spending $8 billion modernizing Line 3, Canada’s main oil transportation link to the U.S. since it was approved by President Obama in 2016. The final section to be upgraded is being challenged by the same activists that moved the new U.S. President to cancel Keystone XL.
The Prime Minister recently spoke with the U.S. administration about energy security without any specifics. Before more environmentally destructive policies are decided in a void of real information, will the Prime Minister commit to getting specific on pipelines with the U.S. administration?
Natural ResourcesOral Questions
St. John's South—Mount Pearl Newfoundland & Labrador
Liberal
Seamus O'Regan LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, we approved the Line 3 replacement project and we did that in order to create good, middle-class jobs. Line 3 is a mixed service line. It carries heavy, sweet, light and high sour blends of crude from Hardisty in Alberta to Superior, Wisconsin. Construction on the project is complete. It is operational on the Canadian side. Ambassador Hillman has underscored the importance of this line to both state and federal level officials in the U.S.
We support our oil and gas workers. We will continue to advocate for projects that support North American energy security.
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, those are verbal assurances and verbal assurances leading to no results are not worth the salaries of the storytellers hired to write them.
What Canada needs is action, not stories. Canadian energy workers are receiving an ongoing legacy of failure from the government: northern gateway, energy east, Trans Mountain, Teck Frontier, Keystone XL and now Enbridge Line 3 and Line 5.
When will the government stand up for the people it claims to represent and take action to protect their jobs?
Natural ResourcesOral Questions
St. John's South—Mount Pearl Newfoundland & Labrador
Liberal
Seamus O'Regan LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, let me go through another list, one based on facts.
We approved TMX. We are building it and there are more than 7,000 jobs created so far. We approved Line 3, another 7,000 jobs created. We approved NGTL, with thousands of jobs to be created. We are building LNG Canada and providing thousands of jobs. On orphan and inactive wells, we will spend $1.7 billion and thousands of jobs will be created. The wage subsidy kept more than 500,000 workers in their jobs in a pandemic in Alberta alone. That is our record.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister keeps sidestepping the question about what he will personally do to support Line 5. We know of efforts by others in the government to keep Line 5 open, but we need the Prime Minister to show direct leadership here. Does he not understand the impact this will for jobs in Sarnia—Lambton, Ontario, Quebec and Alberta?
When will the Prime Minister pick up the phone and call his American counterparts about Line 5?
Natural ResourcesOral Questions
St. John's South—Mount Pearl Newfoundland & Labrador
Liberal
Seamus O'Regan LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, we take this issue very seriously. Line 5 is vital to our energy security. It is a line that is a critical economic and energy security link between Canada and the United States and it has safely operated for over 65 years. It provides good paying, middle-class jobs for thousands of workers at refineries in the member's riding in Sarnia and also in Montreal and Lévis, Quebec.
I can assure the House that we are looking at all our options. Line 5 is a vital pipeline for Canada's energy security. We will continue to advocate for it.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the natural resources minister supports Line 5, but the Prime Minister is abdicating his responsibility here. He is not answering questions. He is not taking personal accountability.
When will the Prime Minister pick up the phone and ask President Biden to intervene to keep Line 5 open?
Natural ResourcesOral Questions
St. John's South—Mount Pearl Newfoundland & Labrador
Liberal
Seamus O'Regan LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, we are working every day on this issue. Line 5 is vital for Canada's energy security. Ambassador Hillman is making the case in Washington. Consul General Comartin is making the case in Detroit and in Lansing. The Minister of Transport raised it with the transport secretary, Pete Buttigieg, yesterday. The Prime Minister raised the importance of North American energy security with Vice-President Harris. I will be raising this issue with the incoming U.S. energy secretary as soon as she is confirmed.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, the only real way to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants is to vaccinate everyone. However, we cannot vaccinate everyone because the government is failing to procure vaccine doses. This means that it is more important than ever to secure the Canadian border. Even now, vacationers who want to travel during the break can still buy tickets from a U.S. airline rather than a Canadian one. Not only are tickets available, but they are discounted.
Why is the government letting this situation drag on instead of prohibiting all non-essential flights?
Omar Alghabra LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleague to join me in calling on all Canadians to avoid vacation travel or non-essential travel. We have called on Canadians since last year to do so. We have added quarantine measures. We have enhanced those measures by asking all travellers to be tested before arriving. Now we have added extra measures.
Let there be no confusion. Any Canadian who is travelling on a non-essential trip will have the strictest measures in the world, and we are doing so because we want to protect the health of Canadians.
Xavier Barsalou-Duval Bloc Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC
Mr. Speaker, the federal government keeps telling us that it is strict, but if that were true, it would no longer be possible to book trips down south a month and a half after the holidays. If the federal government were so strict, airlines would have refunded customers who chose not to travel rather than offering cheaper flights. If the federal government were so strict, Quebec would not have had to ask for a delegation of authority to monitor quarantines. There are holes in the government's net.
When will Ottawa take action on this?
Pablo Rodriguez LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, what my Bloc Québécois colleague refuses to admit is that Canada has some of the strictest rules in the world. We now know that all of the big Canadian airlines are no longer flying to Mexico and the Caribbean. We are also in discussions with other airlines. Another measure we have taken to discourage people from travelling is requiring them to follow stricter rules when they return. They need to be tested before they come back, pay $2,000, quarantine for three days in a location approved by the federal government, and then complete the quarantine period at home.
These are extremely strict rules, and my colleague should at least have the decency to recognize that.