Debates of March 8th, 2021

National Defence

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, I look forward to going to committee to set the record straight when it comes to the former ombudsman's testimony. We do have a lot more work to do. Progress has been made with having a declaration of victims rights and a review of the military justice system.

We are looking at other opportunities so we can create greater independence as well. We are going to build on the work we have done. A lot more work needs to be done and a lot more review needs to be done. We need to make sure that we work harder to create an inclusive environment for all members of the Canadian Armed Forces, especially women.

Indigenous Affairs

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday we heard very sad news that another indigenous woman had been murdered in the city of Winnipeg. She was loved and cherished by her family, community and friends. I send my love and sympathies. Government inaction is costing the lives of women, girls and 2SLGBTQ2IA individuals. Her life mattered and her life was of value.

How many more sisters have to be stolen before the government finally implements the 231 calls for justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the individual the member referenced. Our hearts are with the survivors and families of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and two-spirited and gender-diverse people.

In response to the first-ever national public inquiry on the ongoing national tragedy, our government is working with all provincial and territorial governments, as well as with indigenous leaders, survivors and families, to develop a national action plan that sets a clear road map to ensure that indigenous women and girls and two-spirited and gender-diverse people are safe.

Women and Gender Equality

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this International Women's Day comes after a long year of combatting COVID. Women have been at the forefront of the pandemic's impact. As we move forward toward recovery, can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality update the House on how the recent launch of the feminist response and recovery fund would provide support to essential organizations working on the front lines to ensure the safety and security of women?

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her advocacy and hard work on women's issues.

Canada's recovery from the pandemic depends on ensuring that Canadian women are working and safe. The $100-million feminist response and recovery fund will support local, regional and national efforts to end violence against women and girls, improve their economic security and increase their participation in decision-making roles.

Our government is investing in women's and equity-seeking organizations because it is one of the best ways to advance gender equality. We have a strong track record of supporting the women's movement, and we are continuing that support when they need it the most.

National Defence

[Jag Sahota, Conservative, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in 2015, then chief of the defence staff, General Vance, launched Operation Honour with the mandate to address and eliminate sexual misconduct within the military. Now we learn that allegations of sexual misconduct against General Vance were brought to the minister’s and Prime Minister's attention in 2018, and they actively chose to ignore them.

With today being International Women’s Day, why should women place their trust in the Prime Minister when he deliberately ignores sexual misconduct within the military at the highest ranks?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, any allegations that were brought to our attention were always taken to the appropriate authorities, with absolutely no tolerance for this type of behaviour. No elected official should ever be part of an investigation. In this very case, after we were informed, the former ombudsman was contacted by the Privy Council the very next day so that an investigation could begin. There is no evidence that the ombudsman relayed the original information, despite repeated follow-ups by senior officials. We take this very seriously.

Our government has taken every step to make sure we create a greater opportunity for women in the Canadian Armed Forces. We need to create an inclusive environment for all women in the Canadian Armed Forces.

[Jag Sahota, Conservative, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in 2018 at the status of women committee, the minister said, “inappropriate sexual behaviour of any kind is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the Canadian Armed Forces.” Now we know that those were just words and nothing more. It is clear that the Prime Minister likes to say he stands up for women, but when it actually comes down to standing up for women, the government frequently and consistently turns its back on women.

How many more women need to come forward before the Prime Minister takes sexual misconduct seriously?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, we want all survivors to have the confidence to come forward so they can be heard and protected and to make sure their allegations can be investigated.

When it comes to the actions of our government, we will take no lessons from the previous government. Bill C-77, the declaration of victims rights, died on the Order Paper in the previous government, but we passed it. Plus, SMRC currently provides 24/7 support to anyone for these types of matters anywhere in the world.

We will continue this work. We know we have a lot more work to do, but we will not stop or rest until we have zero tolerance.

Public Services and Procurement

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today Pfizer told Parliament that the original contract the Liberals signed with them had no vaccines scheduled to be delivered in Canada until sometime in 2021, even though other countries were receiving them in December 2020. We also found out that it was not until late November, after the issue became a political hot potato, that the Liberals went back to Pfizer to renegotiate.

It appears the Liberals negotiated a position for Canada that had us at least two months behind other countries. Why?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, is the opposition upset that our government was able to accelerate vaccine deliveries? We received doses sooner and were among the first countries to begin vaccinations in December. Will we hear next that they are upset we are receiving an additional 1.5 million doses in March, earlier than planned, to bring us to 8 million doses for this quarter?

We will keep bringing vaccines into this country for Canadians.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today Pfizer told Parliament that unlike other developed economies, the Liberals did not negotiate for December deliveries of vaccines in the original contracts. In fact, they did not even bother to ask Pfizer for December deliveries until late November. This cost Canadians lives and jobs, and left our country more vulnerable to the spread of variants.

Can the minister confirm what Pfizer said today? Did the Liberals use tax dollars to pay a premium to get a photo op on a tarmac, only to be followed by months without the Pfizer vaccine?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, I wish the hon. member a very happy International Women's Day.

I would like to correct the record. We were able to accelerate vaccine deliveries because of our strong relationship with Pfizer. Indeed, it was because of that relationship that it has committed to another 1.5 million doses in March, with an additional 3 million doses, to bring us up to 36.5 million doses for Canadians prior to the end of June and 117.9 million doses prior to the end of September.

Pensions

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, seniors are most affected by COVID-19 but have received the least support from the federal government. It is even worse for women, who are more likely to live in precarious circumstances after age 65.

That is why the Bloc Québécois is calling for a $110-a-month increase to the old age security pension for seniors 65 and over, as we think of our mothers and grandmothers in particular.

Will the government acknowledge that the pandemic is hard on seniors, especially women, and will it increase this pension?

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, what the Bloc motion today fails to recognize is the full range of challenges that seniors face and that we have been supporting seniors with direct financial support and enhanced programs.

Our government recognizes the pressures on older seniors. As seniors age, their financial security often decreases and their needs increase. That is why our government recognizes this need and will help address it by increasing old age security by 10% for seniors aged 75 and up.

We have taken significant actions to support seniors, especially during COVID-19. We will always stand with seniors.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the pension should be increased at the age of 65, not 75.

Seniors are the people who have endured the longest and strictest lockdowns. They are affected the most by rising prices. They are clearly affected the most by the virus. They are affected the most by isolation, which hurts their mental health and accelerates cognitive decline in the most fragile individuals.

During the election campaign, the government promised to increase old age security. Its promise to seniors was inadequate, but now they are getting nothing. When will the government finally increase this pension starting at the age of 65?

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians have faced significant challenges due to COVID-19, and to support seniors, our government issued special one-time payments for those who receive OAS, GIS and the GST credit. Altogether, we have provided over $1,500 for a low-income senior couple, all tax free. We will continue to support seniors and all Canadians during this pandemic. We remain committed to increasing old age security by 10% for seniors aged 75 and up.

National Defence

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in March 2018 the military ombudsman met with the defence minister to confidentially advise him of an allegation made against the head of the Canadian military. The minister refused to look at the evidence and the meeting ended. The next day the Prime Minister’s department asked the ombudsman to divulge the details of the case. He refused to break his word and tendered his resignation. Three years later the matter became public, yet the minister feigned surprise.

Who was the minister trying to protect: himself or the Prime Minister?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, no elected official should ever be part of an investigation. That is why I immediately informed PCO, which is in charge of Governor in Council appointments, to take up this matter and it immediately contacted the ombudsman, whose job it is to investigate allegations. I look forward to going to committee to testify there once again.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence has been complicit in covering up allegations of sexual harassment against the former chief of the defence staff. It is appalling that on International Women's Day 2021, our women in uniform are afraid to speak out against sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour, all under the watch of our feminist Prime Minister. What happened to honour? What happened to ministerial accountability?

Will the minister take responsibility and admit to participating in this cover-up?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, we have always taken every allegation seriously. No elected official should ever be part of an investigation. That is why it was immediately reported to the appropriate authorities, in this case the Privy Council Office, which is charge of Governor in Council appointments, so that it could follow up with the ombudsman, whose job it is to look at allegations, and that is exactly what was done. I look forward to testifying at committee at the earliest opportunity.

International Trade

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on the government's agenda for legislation in Parliament this week, we see that its priorities include ensuring that it can have an election and ensuring that convicted criminals have it easier. What is missing is the Canada-U.K. trade deal, ensuring free trade with one of our most important and largest trading partners. The government missed one deadline already and had to sign a temporary agreement. The next deadline is just weeks away.

What is the plan, or will we need to sign a temporary temporary agreement?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the Canada-U.K. trade continuity agreement. We have worked with the United Kingdom so that we can provide that predictability for Canadian exporters and Canadian businesses. That is what they get right now with the continuity agreement. I am looking forward to working with my hon. colleague and all members on all sides of the House to make sure that this important agreement gets passed and continues to provide the tariff-reduction rates and the continuity that our businesses so need at this time.

Women and Gender Equality

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when we asked Canadians to stay at home to limit the spread of COVID-19, we recognized that home was not a safe place for everyone. Today, as we celebrate International Women's Day, it is important to recognize that the fight continues.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality tell us what our government has done to support victims and survivors of gender-based violence during COVID-19, particularly in Quebec?

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Mr. Speaker, we took swift action to help women and children fleeing violence by granting up to $100 million to women's shelters and other organizations.

In Quebec, we are providing over $8 million for groups that offer shelter to women and victims of sexual assault. We provided funding to over 200 groups in Quebec, including the Montreal Sexual Assault Centre and Auberge Madeleine. Let us put an end to fear and violence.