Debates of March 10th, 2021

Ethiopia

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Madam Speaker, I stand today to table a petition by my constituents of Edmonton Manning and concerned citizens across Canada pertaining to the ongoing crisis in Tigray.

Just like many Canadians, I was shocked and heartbroken to read about the systemic killings of hundreds of civilians, including women and children, by the Ethiopian government's forces. I call on the government to do the right thing through the details of this petition and support this motion.

Indigenous Affairs

[Paul Manly, Green, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Speaker, I have two petitions that I am tabling today. Both are initiated and signed by constituents in Nanaimo—Ladysmith.

In the first petition, the petitioners note that almost all community drinking watersheds on the east coast of Vancouver Island are privately owned because of the E&N land grant, which was part of the agreement to bring B.C. into Confederation 150 years ago. They point out that the E&N land grant violated aboriginal rights and title. They also observe there is a high risk of drinking water contamination due to industrial and human activity in these watersheds.

The petitioners call on the government to work with first nations, all levels of government and private land owners to begin the process of bringing these community drinking watersheds under public ownership and control to maintain a secure source of clean drinking water for future generations.

Human Rights

[Paul Manly, Green, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Speaker, the second petition outlines a long series of human rights abuses sanctioned and perpetrated by officials of the Chinese Communist Party.

The petitioners urge the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions against these perpetrators under the Magnitsky act, including freezing assets and barring entry to Canada.

Natural Resources

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of over 10,000 people concerning Governor Gretchen Whitmer of the state of Michigan's order to shut down Enbridge Line 5.

The petitioners note that the closure would have a devastating effect on the financial well-being of Sarnia—Lambton and tens of thousands of skilled tradespeople and employees of local refineries and supporting industries and businesses. The closure would also have a wide-ranging ripple effect throughout the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, including the disruption of fuel supply to major airports and transportation hubs, such as Toronto's Pearson Airport. Without Line 5, a massive portion of our industry would be wiped out.

The petitioners call on the government to protect their livelihood and sustain their quality of life by calling on the Prime Minister to appeal to President Joe Biden to intervene and prevent Governor Whitmer from inflicting overwhelming and catastrophic economic effect to communities in Ontario, Quebec, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.

Ethiopia

[Kerry Diotte, Conservative, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Madam Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of Canadians concerned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia. The situation in the Tigray region is critical. There are reports of war crimes happening in the region, including a large-scale massacre. Human rights organizations are gravely concerned.

The petitioners call on the Canadian government to push for an immediate end to this horrific situation.

FLARM Technology

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition from my constituents Martina and Bradley Leinweber, who lost their son Adam in a tragic gliding accident, a mid-air collision back in 2019.

The petition calls upon the House of Commons to legislate a mandatory use of aircraft collision avoidance systems in privately owned civilian glider aircraft and tow planes in Canada in an effort to prevent mid-air collisions and the associated unnecessary loss of lives.

It is possible that Adam's death could have been prevented if Canada required the use of this FLARM technology, this collision avoidance technology, which, by the way, is promoted by the Soaring Association of Canada.

The Leinwebers have worked tirelessly since Adam's death to ensure that no other family has to go through what they have. They are hoping the Minister of Transport will consider requiring this sensible and life-saving technology.

Ethiopia

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, I have six petitions to present.

The first petition highlights the situation in Tigray, as my colleagues have discussed.

The petitioners call for an end to violence, for humanitarian access, for international investigations and for the Government of Canada to be engaged with the government of Ethiopia and government of Eritrea on these issues, including providing election monitoring short, medium and long term.

Medical Assistance in Dying

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, the second petition raises serious concerns about Bill C-7, including the government's plan to eliminate the 10-day reflection period. The petitioners are also concerned about the government's plan to allow suicide facilitation for those struggling with mental health challenges.

Natural Resources

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, the third petition calls on the government to do advanced policies that support growth in Alberta's industrial heartland and growth in energy related manufacturing. It identifies a need to support permanent, accelerated capital cost allowance for energy related manufacturing.

Conversion Therapy

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, the fourth petition raises concerns about the definition of conversion therapy used in Bill C-6. The petitioners call on the government to fix the definition and then to ban conversion therapy, using a correct definition.

Human Organ Trafficking

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, the fifth petition raises concerns about organ harvesting and trafficking. The petitioners call on the government to pass Bill S-204.

Human Rights

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, the sixth and final petition highlights the Uighur genocide. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to recognize that genocide and apply Magnitsky sanctions to those who are responsible.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order following a comment you made in the middle of presenting petitions. I did not want to interrupt at that time, but even after you specifically asked that members not interject their own personal feelings on a petition, there were still presenters who said things like “and therefore I agree” or “therefore we should encourage the government to.”

Presenting petitions is a time to present petitions on behalf of people, but as the rules dictate, it should not be used as an opportunity to interject one's own feelings on it. Perhaps now is a good time to remind people to ensure they are only doing what the rules allow when they are presenting those petitions.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I appreciate the member for Kingston and the Islands' interjection. As I indicated, members should only be providing a brief summary of the petition and what the petitioners are asking, and not provide their personal views and if they support it or not. It is not a time for a speech on the subject. This will also allow more people to table their petitions and more parliamentarians to have the voices of their constituents heard.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 353 and 354.

Question No.353

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

With regard to the government’s response to the opioid crisis: has the government joined legal action against (i) Purdue Pharma, (ii) McKinsey, (iii) any other pharmaceutical companies or consultants who acted for pharmaceutical companies in relation to how their activities may have contributed to the opioid crisis, and if so, what is the status of any such action?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to support community-based projects that aim to address the needs of those who use substances. We have made it easier to access medications like Suboxone and methadone, while also rapidly establishing overdose prevention sites. Our government has also dedicated $66 million to the substance use and addictions program through the fall economic statement.

The Government of Canada has not joined legal action against Purdue Pharma, McKinsey, or any other pharmaceutical companies or consultants who acted for pharmaceutical companies, in relation to how their activities may have contributed to the opioid crisis, as of January 21, 2021.

Question No.354

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

With regard to the government’s decision to appoint Dominic Barton to various positions since November 4, 2015: (a) did Dominic Barton disclose the work that McKinsey had done for Purdue Pharma before receiving government appointments; (b) was the government aware of the work that McKinsey had done for Purdue Pharma prior to appointing Dominic Barton; (c) did Dominic Barton recuse himself or was he asked to recuse himself from any aspect of his work for McKinsey in light of his concurrent work for the federal government, and if so, on what subject matters; and (d) on what date did the government become aware that McKinsey had done work for Purdue Pharma during the time when Dominic Barton was its managing director?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the response from the Privy Council Office, PCO, is as follows.

The Conflict of Interest Act, the act, applies to all Governor in Council, GIC, appointees, including Canada’s heads of mission. The act sets out the steps to be taken to avoid real and potential conflicts between the private interests and public responsibilities of GIC appointees.

As full-time appointees, heads of mission not appointed or employed under the Public Service Employment Act fall under the “reporting public office holder” category for the purposes of the act. Reporting public office holders are subject not only to the act's general conflict of interest and post-employment rules, but also to its reporting and public disclosure provisions, and its restrictions on the types of assets they may hold and the outside activities in which they may engage.

Compliance with the act is a condition of appointment to a GIC position. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that they are not in a conflict of interest, and for seeking advice and guidance at an early stage from the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in this regard. In addition, within 60 days of their appointment, individuals are required to submit a confidential report to the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner describing their assets, liabilities, income and certain activities as prescribed by the act. Appointees are required to disclose certain matters throughout their term of office, and must review the information in their confidential report on an annual basis and comply with any new measures that may be necessary to satisfy their obligations under the act.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, if a revised response to Question No. 3, originally tabled on November 16, 2020, and the government's response to Questions Nos. 347 to 352 and 355 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled immediately.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Question No.3

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

With regard to undertakings to prepare government offices for safe reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic since March 1, 2020: (a) what is the total amount of money the government has spent on plexiglass for use in government offices or centres, broken down by purchase order and by department; (b) what is the total amount of money the government has spent on cough and sneeze guards for use in government offices or centres, broken down by purchase order and by department; (c) what is the total amount of money the government has spent on protection partitions for use in government offices or centres, broken down by purchase order and by department; and (d) what is the total amount of money the government has spent on custom glass (for health protection) for use in government offices or centres, broken down by purchase order and by department?

(Return tabled)

Question No.347

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

With regard to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations: (a) how many permits have been given to Canadians to produce (i) fewer than 50 plants, (ii) 50 to 100 plants, (iii) 100 to 200 plants, (iv) 200 to 300 plants, (v) over 300 plants; (b) broken down by year since 2016, how many licenses have been revoked due to criminal activity; (c) what specific actions, if any, did the government take to address the concerns raised in a news release from the York Regional Police on October 29, 2020, that “Investigators believe that organized crime continues to exploit the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulation”; (d) did the government introduce any restrictions to prevent the creation of “cannabis farms” resulting from the pooling of grow licenses; and (e) what specific actions, if any, did the government take to address the concerns raised by the York Regional Police on October 29, 2020, that “Organized crime networks have comfortably embedded themselves in this business, capitalizing and exploiting the loopholes in the current legislation”, including which specific loopholes the government closed?