Debates of Feb. 4th, 2021

Opposition Motion—Proposed Special Committee on Canada-United States Economic Relationship

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Madam Speaker, I apologize.

If the new President can put in protections for workers who have quit unsafe workplaces during COVID-19 so that they can still claim benefits, why will the Liberal government not make the right to refuse unsafe work a real right with real protections during this pandemic? Could the member speak to that?

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is always imperative to improve the working conditions of all Canadians. The pay equity legislation we introduced and the changes to the Labour Code that the minister for labour has brought in are all very concrete measures. With the three recovery benefits we brought in, including the two-week sick leave portion, the caregiving benefit and the recovery benefit, we are helping to ensure that Canadians go to work in safe conditions, free from harassment, and that if there is any impact from COVID, they can spend that time safely at home and be safe from that environment.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency)]

Madam Speaker, we have a lot of arrangements with the United States, as has been said earlier. I want to bring one up another one that probably no one else will mention, the Alaska Highway, which goes from British Columbia through Yukon to Alaska. It is the only way Americans can get to Alaska, so for decades the U.S. has funded the Shakwak project to rebuild the highway, which we take care of, but it has run out of money. I hope the member, and all members in the House, will support me in trying to get the United States to reinstate funding for the Shakwak project to rebuild the Alaska Highway, which is important to Canadian tourism and is falling apart in some spots.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Speaker, I thank my dear colleague from Yukon. He has touched on a soft spot. I grew up in northern British Columbia and Prince Rupert, the southern terminus of the Alaska ferry system. The Alaska Highway goes up north, and I am very familiar with that area of the world. It is one of the most beautiful parts of North America. We are fully supportive of any initiatives my dear colleague and friend would like to take on that note.

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Madam Speaker, I very much appreciate this opportunity to speak to this very important motion, but first I would like to say that I will split my time with the hon. member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill.

I want to begin with a story. The reason I am starting with a story is that this is possibility thinking. This is possibility thinking 101 about what can be done when we bring all parties together.

For about a month or so right before Christmas, our office worked tirelessly for a couple who were separated. The gentleman was in Michigan and the woman lived here in my riding. We worked very well with the minister's office and the land border controls on both sides. On Christmas Eve, our office was still working diligently on this problem. I spoke to a member of the minister's office, and he was working on Christmas Eve as well. On Christmas Day at 2:37 p.m., we received a text that the woman and man were reunited.

Why do I bring that up? We are facing, if I can be so bold as to say so, World War III. What got those people back together were the efforts of all. It is absolutely vital that we keep that in the forefront and look at the possibilities as opposed to the negatives.

As always, it is an honour to speak to the importance of this motion to create a special committee to study the economic impact on Canada-U.S. relations. My riding of Essex neighbours the busiest international border in North America. Thus, I am well aware of the importance of getting this right. In fact, a new international bridge is currently being built to support this infrastructure.

As I previously had the honour of being the deputy shadow minister for Canada-U.S. relations, I understand the importance of being a strong partner in working with our close ally, friend and neighbour, the United States of America. Further, as a former committee member of the international trade committee and having been part of the passing of CUSMA, I know today's motion to create a committee is vital.

Solid relationships only work when there is strong communication and open, honest dialogue. So much is at stake, and now, more than ever, is when we need to work shoulder to shoulder with our neighbour and get this right. So much of what this House has been speaking about and will continue to speak about and study in committee and seek solutions for can be tied directly back to Canada-U.S. relations, including vaccines, Line 5, the Keystone XL pipeline, steel and aluminum tariffs, and softwood lumber agreements, or lack thereof. The list goes on.

This committee will provide for a win-win for both countries. This is not a one-side-takes-all. However, this committee will create a foundation and a plan for recovery for all Canadians in each province and territory from coast to coast to coast. The work of this committee will be an opportunity to not only save jobs but also create to jobs, good-paying union jobs that sustain our economy and put food on the table for Canadian families.

It has been stated that we are in World War III, and although we cannot physically see the enemy called COVID-19, we are nonetheless at war. Now is the time to work closely with our closest ally on every front.

Having worked in the United States for a number of years and having been part of an international company, I witnessed how integrated our economies are. Both economies rely heavily on each other. The automotive sector and the supply chains that go along with it are a solid example.

However, COVID-19 has brought many obstacles. One example would be local mould-makers. I have spoken with them on numerous occasions. The issue they are having now is that they are losing contracts to the United States, and the reason is that because of COVID-19, they cannot get their inspectors onto their shop floors to see their product. These types of discussions at committee we can find solutions for, but to lose contracts, millions and millions of dollars for Canadians, is not acceptable. We need to study this.

My riding of Essex has been called a microcosm of not only Canada but of North America. Basically, if we can find it in Essex, we can probably find it in Canada. Just as our relationship with the United States is unique on the world stage, so too are our economies uniquely aligned. Essex, like Canada and the United States, has so much to offer, but bringing these opportunities is only possible when all parties work together. Canada cannot afford to be a junior partner at the table and have our economy dictated by the stroke of a pen. We can no long sit idle without a solid, well-executed plan and be blindsided at the 11th hour once again.

Creating this committee, with members from all parties collectively working for the common goal of a strong economy, secure jobs, a plan for recovery and a strong Canada, is what is needed most today. Studying the impacts of COVID-19 would give Canada the tools it needs to have solid negotiations with our U.S. counterparts. We can no longer afford to do nothing.

Budgets do not balance themselves, vaccines will not deliver themselves and our economy will not rebuild itself. The time to plan to secure our future is now. As has been stated on a number of occasions, there is trade of $1.5 billion per day between these two fantastic countries. What is possible? How much higher could that be? How much more stake could Canada have in the game?

At a time when our countries need to be focused on getting people back to work and restoring our ways of life after COVID-19, this committee would get answers for Canadians and fight to secure everyone's future. We must begin planning now, today, to reopen and rebuild our economy and get all Canadians back to work. This is about the future. This is about a plan. This is about bringing the greatest minds of all colours and parties together to ensure once and for all that Canada is a strong partner with the United States of America and is the highest on the international stage.

I will leave members with this: I am sure that no member in this House would disagree that the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations would be more important than a special committee on Canada-U.S. relations. Canadians deserve nothing less.

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

Madam Speaker, the reality is that the relationship between Canada and the United States, when it comes to trade, is worth over $2 billion a day. Never have we had another partner in the world that we have relied on so much for trade. I think the Liberals and the Conservatives can see eye to eye on the need for this particular committee, notwithstanding the fact that some of the other committees could handle some of this work. This is a unique relationship, so it needs this committee.

However, we have heard members of other parties suggest that the only way we can successfully have trade is if we get everything we want. Would the member agree that a successful trade agreement is one based on compromise, understanding that both sides overall will experience more trade, but that both sides will have to give some concessions in some places?

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Madam Speaker, a long time ago someone said to me that it is only a good deal if it is a good deal on both sides. That is business 101.

I agree that there need to be concessions on both sides. I totally agree that our countries need to be aligned every step of the way.

However, it is also vital that Canada gets its fair share and that Canada comes out as a leader at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Madam Speaker, my colleague and I have had lots of conversations over the last several months. As the member will know, of great importance to me is the protection of workers in Alberta. We know that Albertans have suffered disproportionately with job losses and are feeling incredible anxiety during the pandemic and as we come out of the pandemic. We know that we want to get help to workers. We need to support them. We need to support their families.

I am concerned about the subsidies that go to oil and gas companies, not toward jobs for workers but rather toward supporting the CEOs or shareholders. We know that the Biden administration has ordered all federal agencies to eliminate federal fossil fuel subsidies.

Would the member be in favour of making sure that no subsidies go to oil and gas companies in Canada, and that in fact those dollars go to support jobs and workers in Alberta?

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Madam Speaker, with regard to supporting workers, another thing I did not have time to speak to specifically was that through this committee, this turns the page on the negative. The quicker we can do that, the quicker, hopefully, we can deal with the mental health of not only our families but our workers.

It is absolutely vital that we get them back to work, that we get food on the tables of all Canadians, and ensure that we turn the page on mental health. I am always in support of workers on every level.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Madam Speaker, I am a member of Parliament from British Columbia. The softwood lumber industry has really been heavily impacted. Thousands of jobs have been lost. Mills have been closed everywhere, including a 100-year-old mill that is actually high-tech, in my riding of Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge.

There has been barely a whimper from the Liberal government. It talks about having conversations. Conversations are good, but sometimes the government needs to fight for this country. It boasts about what a wonderful job it has done, but the facts on the ground are quite different. We are seeing jobs lost in softwood lumber, in the energy sector and in aluminum.

Does the member agree that this bipartisan committee could add some real value to our Canada-United States relations?

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Madam Speaker, the answer is very simply yes.

[Leona Alleslev, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Madam Speaker, we are here today to talk about the creation of a special House of Commons committee to look at all aspects of the U.S.-Canada economic relationship.

Why create a special committee? There are two key reasons. First, we need an integrated opportunity to look at all aspects of the economic relationship. Our House of Commons committees tend to focus on certain aspects such as finance, trade or foreign affairs. We need to be able to look at all of those things in one committee, and that is why we need this special economic relationship House of Commons committee. An economic relationship includes all those aspects.

Second, parliamentarians absolutely have a role in this conversation. We have seen increasing challenges, and a narrative from the government that says the House of Commons committees do not have a role; however, House of Commons committees work with Canadians to discuss, look at and research challenging issues so we can make recommendations to Canadians and governments.

Why do it now? We find ourselves at a tipping point. We have witnessed a fundamental shift in the global economic balance of power. We are seeing countries use trade as a weapon to gain political, economic and national strategic advantage. At the same time, in the last 20 years we have seen vast increases in consumer spending, GDP growth and stock prices. What we have not seen, in the United States and Canada, is significant economic benefit for individual Canadians or Americans, and that was before COVID.

Now we need to act with a sense of urgency. This rising tide has not raised all boats. We need to understand why that is, and we need to be proactive to determine how we are going to secure the future health and prosperity of Canadians. There is no question we will not be able to do that successfully without our most important trading partner, defence and security ally, and in many cases our greatest friend: the United States.

We have $1.5 billion a day in trade. All kinds of people and goods go back and forth. We have integrated supply chains. We need this committee in order to understand where both our countries are economically, and to look at what the foundation of our economic relationship needs to be.

The world is not the same as it was in the 1980s, when we first put NAFTA in place. Both our economies have changed substantially. From 1999 to 2015, the U.S. lost over five million manufacturing jobs. Canada lost over 600,000, which was over 25% of our country's industrial workforce. Barely two workers in 10 in Canada are employed in making goods, and in the last 18 years, there has not been a single net increase in jobs in the goods sectors.

In both our economies, the middle class is drastically shrinking. In the United States in 1980, 60% of the national income was from the middle class. Unfortunately, today that number is 40%. Every four years, one in five people in the middle class falls into the ranks of the working poor, and it is increasingly difficult to move up. Wages are stagnating, the gig economy is making work more precarious, prices continue to rise and student debt is a greater burden than for any generation previously. From 1990 to 2015, 80% of Canadians saw few, if any, income gains, and that was before COVID.

We see a trend in the U.S. that started long before President Trump and may well continue under the new administration. We need to understand what that is and actively plan to address it, mitigate it and work mutually for a win-win situation between Canadians and Americans.

The narrative we have heard is that the global trading system is universally unfair to U.S. workers. There is a call in the United States to turn back the clock to a time when goods sold in the U.S. were made in the U.S. There is also a further push for globalization, which appears is neither inevitable nor desirable, and if actions speak louder than words, a number of examples highlight this trend.

For example, the renegotiated NAFTA, now called the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA, is not a free-trade agreement but a managed trade agreement, with conditions that further restrict Canada's participation in the North American market. It gives American farmers increased access to Canada while also eliminating regulations and slanting the playing field in favour of the U.S. Also, it caps the growth of the Canadian auto sector and raises the cost of Canada's production, jeopardizing our competitiveness. It is an agreement that has caused Canada to lose sovereignty, because it is not a simple free-trade agreement: it is an agreement with clauses that put conditions on Canada's ability to enter into other trade agreements and limit our independence on monetary policy.

Furthermore, the U.S. has seen massive tax reform. U.S. corporate taxes have been slashed, and measures have been put in place to incentivize American companies to repatriate their manufacturing operations to the U.S. We have witnessed punishing steel and aluminum tariffs under the guise of national security, and new protocols have been put in place to make it easier to put further tariffs on in the future. We are also witnessing non-tariff trade barriers from the United States: The United States International Trade Commission is in the process of reviewing the safety and security of blueberries, strawberries and red peppers that Canada is exporting to the U.S. After 21 days of these investigations, the U.S. could impose tariffs on these products. This is a $750 million export market that affects over 8,300 Canadian farmers and families, and thousands of jobs as well.

There is no question that economic relationships at their core are relationships and, like relationships between people, no aspect of an international relationship can be viewed in isolation. Canada's relationship with the U.S. is a defence and security one. It is a values and ideas one. It is a world view one, as well as an economic one. It is one that is rapidly changing and evolving. Canada cannot afford to be complacent and take for granted, or assume, that the conditions that have been in place for the last 20 years will remain the same going forward.

We must pivot. We must have the courage to look at ourselves and understand exactly what we need to do to position ourselves, and the United States, in a win-win situation for the future. We need a special House of Commons committee to understand our own economic situation, our own rules and regulatory frameworks, our own taxes and everything else so that we can also look at the security and prosperity that we depend on in this most important relationship.

Canada's security and prosperity depend on this relationship. The benefits that we can achieve, together with our friends and allies, will be unparalleled. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting the motion before us, so that we can create the committee and get this work started as quickly and urgently as possible to position ourselves for a secure—

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

Questions and comments, the hon. member for Kingston and the Islands.

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

Madam Speaker, the member talked a lot about the middle class, the growing divide between the haves and the have-nots and, in particular, how important it was to support the middle class.

In December 2015, she voted in favour of reducing taxes on the middle class in order to add tax to the 1%. I wonder if she can comment as to whether she still supports the decision to vote that way.

[Leona Alleslev, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Madam Speaker, when looking at the economic relationship with the United States, we absolutely need to have a clear-eyed perspective on the strength and opportunities of our tax system as it relates to the regulatory environment and structure of the U.S. taxes. Therefore, I hope this committee would take the opportunity to look at those structures as much as it would look at trade and other aspects that we need to consider.

[Louise Charbonneau, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech.

I would like to hear her speak briefly about dairy farmers and supply management.

She mentioned that bilateral trade has had an impact on the blueberry and pepper sectors.

Compared to other sectors, dairy farmers are really getting battered by all this trade and are often forgotten. How does she feel about that?

[Leona Alleslev, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Madam Speaker, this is a very important issue.

We need to make sure that our industries that are in need and in critical condition are able to keep going.

What I mean by that is, particularly as we have seen in the challenges with COVID, where we have been unable to secure vaccines and we have been made vulnerable because we do not have the drugs and medical supplies, etc., we need to ask ourselves if our dairy producers and farmers are also critical to the safety, security and prosperity of our country and if they are, what will we do to ensure we have that critical self-sufficiency, so both in times of good and in emergency situations we have those basic abilities to protect Canadians.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madam Speaker, my question will build on the previous one. I would like to hear my hon. colleague's comments on the value of this committee in addressing important issues to our agriculture industry with the U.S., in particular the importance of Line 5 in providing essential propane to our farmers in Ontario and Quebec.

[Leona Alleslev, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Madam Speaker, there is no question that this is the critical value of this committee. It would allow us to look at the oil and gas situation, to talk about Canada's energy security as well as the ability to look at health considerations and health security as well as look at finance, tax and trade conditions. None of these things can be looked at in isolation. Our relationship with the United States is broad and comprehensive. Therefore, any plan that we put forward to ensure Canada's security and prosperity must take all those things into consideration.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Madam Speaker, my colleague touched on all aspects of this motion, and I hope that at the end of the day we form a committee. In this motion, there is a lot of interest for, I hope, all political parties and the regions of Canada having such a very important partner, the United States. Why is it very critical at this specific time to have this study, to have this motion and to have this committee?

[Leona Alleslev, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Madam Speaker, we saw the trends that were jeopardizing the relationship and putting Canadians in a slightly more disadvantaged economic position before COVID. Now, with the world and the United States facing significant challenges after COVID, there has to be a sense of urgency. We do not have the luxury of time. We are going to have to figure out what recovery looks like and this committee will be critical to dealing with our most important relationship and ensuring we are getting on with it as quickly as possible. Time is not a luxury we have and that is why we need this committee now more than ever.

Black History Month

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Madam Speaker, February is Black History Month, a time to highlight the resilience, many achievements and rich history of Black Canadians.

This month of celebration and learning has not always existed in Canada. The fact that Black people were forced into slavery on the land that would become our country is a little-known chapter of our history. The ensuing fight against slavery helped lay the foundations for the Canada we know today.

Black Canadians have made invaluable contributions to our society, and they continue to do so. If not for their innovative and revolutionary ideas, the world would have missed out on discoveries like refrigerated trucks, automatic elevator doors, mailboxes and pacemakers, to name just a few.

Post-Secondary Students

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to salute Canada's post-secondary students. I am the father of two students who completed their university studies during this pandemic. I can see how our current times have affected studies, celebrations, mental health, careers and life plans.

Post-secondary students should take heart that this is a pause in what will be a big future for their generation. Canada needs their leadership in an increasingly uncertain world.

Let me also salute the student leaders who have soldiered through this unusual time, leaders like Spirit River Striped Wolf at Mount Royal University. The past academic year was not what anyone could have imagined, but his leadership during this difficult time and the adjustments he has made to advance the needs of the student body has been exemplary.

More than post-secondary students may know, the challenges they are overcoming at this time are the building blocks for our country's future, and we are going to need them. The great opportunity in front of them is being the architects of what the new normal will be.

Canadian School Counselling Week

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the first week of February each year, Canadian School Counselling Week, recognizes the contributions of the school counselling profession to the mental health and well-being, and the personal, social, educational and career development of all students in Canada. This week is meant to increase awareness of the programs and services that characterize the school counselling profession.

This special week highlights the role school counsellors play in supporting student success. Their role is especially vital during these uncertain times amidst a global pandemic. With the implementation of remote learning and tele-counselling, school counsellors are key in the transition to a rapidly changing learning environment.

On behalf of my colleagues and all parents with school-age children, I would like to thank our school counsellors for the support they provide to ensure our children's success.

Léo Major

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, Quebec marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Léo Major, one of the greatest military heroes in Quebec and Canadian history.

On June 24, 1944, he lost his left eye but refused to leave the battlefield. He continued to serve as a scout and sniper, fighting with legendary courage. On October 30, during the Battle of the Scheldt in the southern Netherlands, Léo Major single-handedly captured 93 German soldiers and liberated an entire city.

Nothing could stop this man in the Second World War or the Korean War, where he served again, as did my uncle, Georges Desilets. Not enough people in Quebec and Canada know about this extraordinary man, and we have a duty to keep his memory and all of his acts of bravery alive, just as the Dutch people in the city of Zwolle do every year on April 14.

Sergeant Major, we thank you for your service.