Debates of March 25th, 2021

Kraft Hockeyville

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 15th anniversary of Kraft Hockeyville, an exciting event that celebrates family, community and the spirit of hockey. This year, the historic village of Bobcaygeon is one of the four finalists.

Many across Canada will recognize Bobcaygeon from, of course, the Tragically Hip song written about escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city for the quiet country life. Others will know Bobcaygeon as the hub of the Kawarthas for its amazing shops, restaurants, trails, boating and, of course, fishing.

For me, it is my hometown. It is where I grew up. In fact, it was in 1991 when the Bobcaygeon Cougars Bantam hockey team, which I was part of, went to the all-Ontario finals where the community centre was bursting at the seams, while family and friends cheered us on. Indeed, hockey has always been a big piece of the village's character and the arena serves as a focal point for the area, not just for sports but for such events as the famous Bobcaygeon Fall Fair.

Voting opens April 9, at 9 a.m., and goes until 5 p.m. the next day. I encourage everyone all across the country to register now and vote Bobcaygeon.

Greek Independence Day

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, March 25 marks 200 years since the Greek war of independence began, the start of the revolution which would allow the people of Greece to regain their freedom after 400 years of Ottoman occupation.

On this day in 1821, the words eleftheria i thanatos, freedom or death, became the slogan of the nation, and brave men and women fought courageously for a better future for their country, for a liberated Greece.

It is thanks to the heroes of 1821 that Greeks are still around today to thrive in communities around the world.

The bicentennial of Greek independence is a momentous occasion for Hellions and Philhellenes to remember and honour these heroes, but it is also a moment to reflect on how far Greeks, both in and out of Greece, have come in the 200 years since independence and where they are headed in the future.

[Member spoke in Greek]

Natural Resources

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Mr. Speaker, if by chance the Liberals intend to have us continue business here, in a few weeks I will be presenting a motion to support Canada's energy workers, my constituents and all Canadians. When we support our oil and gas industry, it generates billions of dollars in tax revenue. We support thousands of direct and indirect jobs that support business, our communities and the families that thrive within.

If we are to recuperate from the pandemic's economic fallout, we cannot twiddle our thumbs with Canada's most important export resource at the mercy of foreign competitors. I call upon the government to support my motion to further stand by our energy sector workers.

We have world-class resources, with the highest environmental standards. It is time we celebrated.

Government Accountability

[Lianne Rood, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, responsible government means accountable government. Responsible government is why we are here now, in this place, to hold the government accountable. However, the Liberals seem to believe that government exists for them and their friends and that charity begins at WE. In the words of former Liberal minister David Dingwall, “I am entitled to my entitlements.”

Sadly, the Liberals are known for such choice phrases. That is why Canada's Conservatives will bring in the toughest accountability and transparency laws in Canadian history. Conservatives will toughen the Conflict of Interest Act and impose higher penalties. Conservatives will tighten the Lobbying Act to end the abuse by Liberal insiders. Conservatives will increase transparency to end Liberal cover-ups. That is responsible government.

Velma’s House

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the families of MMIWG2S, survivors of violence and advocates who have been fighting for years to see Velma’s House open in Winnipeg Centre this Friday.

Velma’s House, named after the late elder Velma Orvis, who was a tireless supporter and advocate for women, girls and two-spirits, is a 24-7 low-barrier safe space that will be open 365 days a year to provide safety, comfort and connection to those experiencing violence or exploitation or who are unsheltered. The space will serve our community with a trauma-informed and harm-reduction approach, have an in-house elder, and be staffed by a diverse team, including those with lived experience.

I want to thank Ka Ni Kanichihk and the 24-7 safe space planning committee, the Manitoba Coalition of Families of Missing and Murdered Women, the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, End Homelessness Winnipeg and the West Central Women’s Resource Centre for their tireless efforts in making this happen for our community.

Quebec Social Workers' Week

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week, Quebec is recognizing the vital contribution of social workers.

We are talking about 15,000 professionals who protect young people, help seniors, bring comfort and propose solutions for people in all sorts of situations, and that is important.

Social workers want to understand our reality, listen to us and guide us, and that is important.

Social workers focus on our strengths, believe in us and help us regain confidence, and that is important.

Social workers help us change things, and that is important.

These professionals address the social determinants of health to improve the standard of living in their communities, and that is important.

As a social worker myself, I want to commend my very competent and dedicated colleagues and recognize the important role each of them plays in helping people and the community.

Never forget, dear colleagues, we have you, and that is important.

Thank you for everything.

Health

[Tamara Jansen, Conservative, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday it was reported by our local newspaper, the Langley Advance Times, that there were five overdose deaths from illegal drugs in Langley in January and February. In the past, this number would have represented the entire year in my city.

All reports are pointing to the fact that the illicit drug market has become far more toxic. Despite this, the Liberals want to reduce the penalties for these drug traffickers who are responsible for the harms in our community. It is shocking.

Sadly, drug dealers are not the only culprit. Since the start of this pandemic, overdose deaths have doubled in B.C. Social isolation from lockdowns and a lack of clarity about the future are creating serious consequences on the mental health of Canadians, and the government voted down our motion to create a data-driven plan to get out of it.

Thankfully, Canada can count on the Conservatives for a robust plan to secure our mental health on the other side of this crisis.

Violence Against Women

[Emmanuel Dubourg, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, enough is enough.

The escalation of domestic violence in our society is extremely disturbing. Over the course of seven weeks in Quebec, seven women were killed by violent men. It is clear that what we are doing as a society to fight violence against women is not enough. All governments should immediately intensify their efforts to enhance support for resources dedicated to protecting women and fighting domestic violence.

The pandemic has changed people's living conditions, making problems worse. We need to act fast. We want to express our deepest condolences to the families of Elisapee Angma, Marly Edouard, Nancy Roy, Myriam Dallaire, Sylvie Bisson, Nadège Jolicœur and Rebekah Harry. We owe it to them to do better.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

There have been discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, and I believe there is unanimous consent to observe a moment of silence in memory of the seven Quebec women who recently lost their lives and of all victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

I now invite hon. members to rise.

[A moment of silence observed]

Health

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has failed to get a vaccine delivery guarantee from the European Union. Reports indicate that vaccine deliveries from India could be delayed for all of April. Canada lags the developed world on vaccine deployment.

How many more months of lockdowns will these new delays cause?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has already received half a million vaccine doses from India, on top of what was originally scheduled, and Canadians can also expect 1.5 million doses from the United States on top of what was originally scheduled.

We are using every diplomatic channel and relationship possible to increase and advance our deliveries. Montreal is now at 17% of the population having received a vaccine. There is more work to do, but we are delivering.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, other countries are opening up, and Canada has not even hit 15% to 20%. That is a failure.

This morning Health Canada officials confirmed the four-month delay in doses is an off-label use of a COVID-19 vaccine. Health Canada also confirmed this morning that there will likely be more changes to dosing directions. Canadians are left wondering: Is there a plan? Why did the Prime Minister create a science problem because of his vaccine supply problem?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I think the member opposite is failing to recognize that as science has evolved and recommendations have changed, the government has changed recommendations associated with the evidence and experience and expertise of scientists, researchers and public health experts. The government believes that the best way to respond to the pandemic is by using science, by understanding that as our knowledge and our understanding of the virus changes, so will our responses.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister failed to secure delivery guarantees for vaccines from Europe. Vaccine deliveries from India will be delayed for all of April. Canada is already behind all our allies.

How many more months of lockdowns will these delays cause?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Speaker, let me set the record straight.

Not a single shipment of vaccines from the European Union has been blocked or delayed to date. Shipments of millions of vaccine doses continue to arrive in Canada, as planned. The Prime Minister spoke with the President of the European Commission yesterday, and she reassured him that this will continue to be the case.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General report on pandemic preparedness found that it was the Liberal government that shuttered the global pandemic monitoring system and left Canada vulnerable. The audit also found that the Public Health Agency relied on a risk assessment tool that was not designed to consider pandemic risks.

Why did the government shut down Canada's pandemic warning system in the lead-up to the COVID-19 pandemic?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, perhaps the member opposite would like to read the expert panel's interim report, wherein the expert panel indicated that although there were changes made to the global public health information network, these did not delay the response by Canada.

We have reviewed the Auditor General's report. We agree that this country, along with all countries, will need to review our response to the pandemic and make investments in public health, as we have been doing since the beginning of the pandemic.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Madam Speaker, according to the Auditor General report on pandemic preparedness, it was the Liberal government that shuttered the global monitoring system. The audit also found that the Public Health Agency relied on a risk-assessment tool that was not designed to consider pandemic risks.

Why did the government shut down our warning system in the lead-up to the COVID-19 pandemic?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, this government has used science and evidence every step of the way to respond to COVID-19. I will also say that since the beginning of the pandemic, we have expanded the Public Health Agency of Canada by more than 1,000 employees to date, to bolster our capacity in a number of critical areas. I would urge the member opposite to stop stalling and pass Bill C-14, which would allot a further $690 million for the Public Health Agency of Canada, as dedicated in the fall 2020 economic statement.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today the Liberals are finally recognizing the need to increase health transfers to Quebec and the provinces. After years of effort by the Bloc Québécois, Ottawa is finally acknowledging that the federal government is underfunding health care. It is a first step.

Unfortunately, the amounts in Bill C-25 are not recurring and they are seven times lower than what Quebec and the provinces are asking for. As the ancient Chinese proverb says, even the longest journey must begin with a first step.

Will the government commit to recurring health transfer increases, up to 35% of costs?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, every step of the way, we have been there for provinces and territories to support them in their pandemic response, including $19 billion in direct transfers and the purchase of PPE, vaccines and medical equipment. The Prime Minister has committed to continue to be there for provinces and territories to support them as the country recovers from COVID-19.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the Quebec proverb says it is not enough. The Bloc Québécois is not saying it, the Quebec premier and all the provincial premiers are saying it. I will even quote them: short-term funding, while helpful, does not permit the provinces and territories to address Canadians' long-term health care needs. They need $28 billion to make up for chronic federal underfunding, coupled with annual indexing.

We are talking about $4 billion. That is seven times less than what they asked for and it is not recurring.

Does the government promise that this is a first step in a journey leading to 35% federal funding of health care costs?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, what I have said repeatedly in the House and what the Prime Minister has committed to repeatedly in the House is to be there for Canadians, to be there for Quebeckers and to be there for the Province of Quebec throughout this pandemic and beyond. That is our commitment today to Canadians. We will do whatever it takes to get Canadians through this pandemic and back on the road to recovery.

Violence against Women

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, seven women were killed in the span of six weeks in Quebec. We must put an end to this femicide immediately.

Violence against women is a pandemic within a pandemic. Organizations that support women need help immediately. We need a plan.

What is the Prime Minister waiting for?

What is the plan to stop femicide and save lives?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Mr. Speaker, one life lost is too many. We grieve with you.

We continue to put survivors at the centre of what we do.

There were 160 lives lost in 2020, and seven women lost in seven weeks in Quebec. Even one life lost is one too many. Our government will continue to work with frontline organizations that have already, over the past year, supported close to a million women, children and non-binary folks in their hour of need. We all must do more and in their memory, we will.