Debates of Feb. 4th, 2021

Public Safety

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, in a few weeks, a year will have passed since Canada's worst mass murder occurred in Portapique, Nova Scotia. After severe public pressure from family and opposition intervention, the government finally did the right thing and called for a public inquiry. However, the families of the victims are still in the dark and are still battling with the Liberal government for answers.

Federal institutions must respect the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, which includes the right to information. When will the minister provide families with the information for which they have been calling?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the member that in direct response to the concerns raised by the victims, their families and the people of Nova Scotia we initiated a public inquiry. We have three commissioners, who are now engaged in the important work of getting the answers people need.

The independence and integrity of that public inquiry needs to be honoured and recognized. It has an important job to do. I am very confident that upon completion of its important work, it will be able to provide the families of those victims and all Nova Scotians with the answers they most certainly need and deserve.

Justice

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

Mr. Speaker, many residents in my riding are frustrated and fed up. Many medicinal marijuana growers are growing much more than their licences permit them to and have much more than a few plants, which is causing big problems within our neighbourhoods. All of this is happening without any proper supervision and enforcement by Health Canada.

When residents have asked for help, it is a revolving door. The RCMP say it that is Health Canada's responsibility and Health Canada does nothing. This practice might help the minister deflect responsibility, but it is doing absolutely nothing for my constituents and Canadians.

When will the Liberal government clean up this mess?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the member that when we introduced legislation to strictly regulate the production, distribution and consumption of cannabis, we left in place strong criminal sanctions against those who grow and distribute marijuana outside of the regulated regime. We are aware of concerns, and have listened to Canadians with concerns, about those who would abuse the provisions of the medical marijuana scheme that is in place.

When people grow that marijuana and sell it outside of medical authorizations, they are committing a crime. It is the responsibility of the police jurisdiction to investigate those crimes and bring charges where appropriate. Strong penalties exist for those activities and the tools are available to law enforcement to control those behaviours.

Health

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is about time the Prime Minister closed the borders. He should have done so long ago, but he is once again causing confusion. Which hotels will be authorized, and when? Will people who have received both vaccine doses be exempt? Plus, he is still offloading the work onto the provinces.

Canadian citizens abroad need to make plans and decide what to do to come back, so when will we get a clear plan detailing restrictions complete with clear instructions and precise dates?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the person trying to confuse Canadians is my colleague himself. We have been very clear from the start. Everyone who is abroad should follow these rules: make the reservation, pay the $2,000, take a test before boarding the plane, take another test upon arrival, and quarantine for three days. I do not see what is so complicated about that. If my colleague spent just 10% of the time he spends criticizing us telling Canadians not to travel, that would be helpful for everyone.

Foreign Affairs

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Secretary General of the United Nations expressed serious concerns about the crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The UN estimates that about 3.2 million people, more than half of Tigray's population, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. This was echoed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who said that if nothing is done, the situation will only get worse.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs share Canada's views on the situation? What are we doing to address the humanitarian crisis?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

Canada is extremely concerned about reports of sexual violence and allegations of serious human rights violations in Tigray. We call on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians, to work to de-escalate the situation and to allow immediate humanitarian access. Canada is providing $3 million for humanitarian operations in Ethiopia and Sudan in response to the impact of growing conflict.

International Trade

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the Prime Minister made the outrageous claim that his government has demonstrated its ability to stand up for Canadian steel and aluminum workers. This comment is so out of touch with the reality of steelworkers across our country, especially here in Regina, where my friends Rod, Mike, Courtland, plus 600 others, are now out of work.

Will the Prime Minister apologize to the thousands of Canadian steelworkers he and his government have failed to support over the past five years? The natural resources minister's speaking notes will not help these people get jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, let me remind the hon. member that our government has stood up for steel and aluminum workers across the country. When the illegal 232 tariffs were imposed, our government imposed dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs, and thanks to that strong response we had those tariffs lifted.

If anyone owes steel and aluminum workers an apology, it is the leader of the official opposition, who called on us to lift those tariffs.

Public Safety

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, cross-border Peace Arch Park in my riding is a U.S.-Canada border loophole. For Mike, Charlaine and their neighbours, who live next to the park, this is intolerable. Since Washington State reopened its side in May, visitors from across Canada and the U.S. are constantly meeting in the park and returning home, with no tracing, no quarantines. We saw many picnics and counted 60 pitched tents last Sunday.

Does the minister not see this as a public health issue?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, of course I do. We have, as explained several times, implemented some of the strongest measures in the world.

Last March, we essentially closed the border between Canada and the United States for all non-essential travel. We have continued to maintain those provisions while allowing for the movement of essential workers and essential goods across the border.

The measures we put in place require all people returning from the U.S. to enter into quarantine. Those measures are enforceable, with significant fines and consequences for those who break them. We will continue to do all of the things that are necessary to help keep Canadians safe.

Natural Resources

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Line 5 is an essential part of Canada's energy supply chain, providing half the oil needs of Ontario and Quebec. It is currently under threat of being cancelled, but the Prime Minister has not even lifted a finger. Canadians need to fill up their gas tanks, heat their homes and cook their food. Energy is, after all, the fuel of life.

Wait a second. Is that why the Prime Minister promised to plant two billion trees? Are we going back to wood-burning stoves?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, Line 5 has operated safely for over 65 years. Enbridge continues to monitor its operations around the clock. It is undertaking checks with remotely operated vehicles and has human divers at regular intervals. The tunnel project, which Michigan recently issued permits for, will make a safe line even safer. Over the past 10 years, Enbridge has transported more than 27 billion barrels of crude with a safety delivery record of 99.99%.

On this side of the House, we are working hard to support our oil and gas workers and protect Canada's energy and industrial infrastructure.

Health

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as vaccines continue to arrive in Canada, we know how important it is for all Canadians to get vaccinated when the time comes. I know that while our researchers are working hard to ensure that any vaccine is safe for Canadians, some may still have hesitation to get vaccinated.

Can the Minister of Health please update us on the work being done to make sure all Canadians have confidence in the COVID vaccines?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her hard work on the health committee.

We know that we need to do more to ensure that all Canadians have access to reliable, accurate and timely information about vaccines and the importance of vaccination. That is why we have announced the immunization partnership fund, which will provide over $30 million for community organizations and leaders to develop tailored and targeted tools and resources that could increase vaccine confidence and address barriers to access and acceptance within their communities.

I encourage all organizations to apply and every Canadian to get vaccinated when their time comes.

Foreign Affairs

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last week President Biden announced a freeze on U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Here in Canada, the Liberals continue to fuel the very war they condemn by exporting arms to a country with one of the worst human rights records in the world.

This is not right. If the U.S. can do it, so can we. We must protect Canadian workers and uphold human rights.

When will the Liberals stop selling deadly weapons to Saudi Arabia, fuelling one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is committed to a stronger and more rigorous arms export system. That is why we acceded to the Arms Trade Treaty and human rights considerations are now at the centre of our export regime. I, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, will deny any permit application where there is a risk of human rights violation.

The Environment

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in question period, the Prime Minister said he was “pleased to see the U.S. follow our lead on banning fossil fuel subsidies.” The Liberals promised in 2015 to end fossil fuel subsidies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the contrary, though, between 2014 and 2018, both went up. Greenhouse gas emissions were up and fossil fuel subsidies were up, even before adding the $17 billion for Trans Mountain.

How is the vertigo my Liberal friends are now experiencing from no longer being able to discern up from down?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, in November our government introduced a climate plan that demonstrates how Canada will exceed its Paris Agreement targets and will create jobs and economic prosperity for the future. As part of this, our government is committed to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, and we are on track to do so.

We were pleased to see the Americans follow our lead in committing to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. Canada has already eliminated eight tax measures in that sector, and we are working with Argentina on a peer review of fossil fuel subsidies. Our government will continue working with Canadians to cut pollution and grow our economy.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

That is all the time we have for today.

Before we go to the points of order, I want to remind the hon. members that headsets are supplied by the House. To ensure that staff are able to help if something goes wrong, maybe they can make sure they have one of those headsets at home or in their office when they are speaking in the House. This makes it that much easier for the IT ambassador to help out.

Also, although it is getting better, let us not forget to keep the boom down on the mikes. It should be about half an inch above or below the mouth so that members do not get a popping sound. We do not want to injure our interpreters. Let us make sure they remain healthy. They are very important for ensuring that we receive service in both languages.

The hon. member for Edmonton West.

Oral Questions

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order arising out of question period.

Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister was crowing about how much better the Canadian job market was doing in recovery compared with our colleagues in the U.S. With the House's permission, I would like to table an OECD report that actually shows the U.S. has recovered 33% better.

[Maryam Monsef]

No.

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

No.

[Some hon. members]

Debate.