Debates of April 15th, 2021

Post-Secondary Education

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am reaching out to my colleague. Laurentian University needs a solution before the 100 professors relocate and the students move away to Ottawa or Quebec. We would be more than honoured to welcome them in Quebec, but they have the right to services in French in their native Ontario. Above all, we need to find a short- and medium-term solution before a single student abandons their post-secondary studies in French.

Has the government been in contact with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to discuss the urgent need for action?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario and Official Languages)]

Mr. Speaker, as I was telling my colleague, we are ready and looking for solutions.

The minister is in contact with her counterpart and the Ontario ministers. Post-secondary institutions fall under provincial jurisdiction.

From the beginning, we have been there for Franco-Ontarians, and we have been there to protect the linguistic minority here in Ontario. I am proud that we have reached out. Now, it is really up to Ontario to respond.

Indigenous Affairs

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation has been on a boil water advisory for years, and even though half the island still does not have clean drinking water, the Liberals are pressuring the band to lift the advisory anyway. The Liberals are also refusing to work with the community to improve Georgina Island's water treatment facilities. Clearly, they think access to clean water for only half the residents is good enough.

When will the Liberal government stop playing games and ensure that the Chippewas of Georgina Island and other first nations communities have access to clean drinking water?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Mr. Speaker, let me reassure members of this House and all Canadians that this simply is not the case. I would note that when we took power, there were 105 long-term water advisories in effect. We put together a plan and invested $4 billion, and we have now lifted 106 long-term water advisories. No pressure is put on any first nation. We work in partnership with those nations, including the Chippewas, and we will continue to do so, respecting their rights and respecting the rights of all Canadians to have access to clean and safe water.

Housing

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, while Canadians are losing sleep wondering if they will ever be able to afford a home, the Liberal government readily acknowledges that our system is a safer market for foreign investment than for Canadians trying to purchase a home.

Why have the Liberals turned a blind eye to foreign speculation and the negative role it is playing in our real estate market? Is the government really okay with selling our neighbourhoods to foreign investors seeking to make a quick buck?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, we brought back federal leadership in the affordable housing sector. We have brought back significant investments that were missing in action when the party opposite was in government. Through the national housing strategy, which is now a $70-billion plan, we are investing more than ever before in communities to ensure the availability of affordable housing in Canada.

Public Services and Procurement

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, once again the Liberals followed up an election promise to indigenous people without results. The minister of PSPC failed to set targets or even put in place a mechanism to measure the actual results for indigenous procurement. In the minister’s 2021 mandate letter, there was no mention of the 5% indigenous procurement promise to indigenous businesses that was made in previous years.

Can the minister explain to the indigenous business community why, rather than fix the failures, the Liberals have decided to just lower the bar for her department?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are very committed to continuing to meet the minimum 5% target for diversifying federal supply chains in the area of indigenous procurements. We have also made sure to target indigenous suppliers. We have awarded 32 contracts to 24 self-identified indigenous businesses, collectively worth $120 million, including for logistics and air charter services, among others, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a priority for me and my department, and we will continue to—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel.

Diversity and Inclusion

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-6 to eliminate conversion therapy was introduced last year.

I know that the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights heard moving testimony about the importance of taking steps to ban this destructive practice. Bill C-6 will send a strong message to members of the LGBTQ2 community that this government cares for and protects them.

Would the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth tell us why this bill is so important?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel is right. It is time for us to take decisive action to end conversion therapy in Canada and do everything in our power to end violence and discrimination. We know that young Canadians are our future and that we have to protect them.

Our government is strongly committed to protecting the rights of LGBTQ2 communities, without exception. LGBTQ2 rights are human rights.

I ask all members of the House to support this bill without delay.

Taxation

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in light of all the administrative problems that the Canada Revenue Agency is having due to the Liberals' poor planning, Canadians will have a hard time producing the necessary documents to file their 2020 tax return by the April 30 deadline.

Can the government extend the filing deadline without penalizing Canadian taxpayers?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands full well that this is a stressful tax season for all Canadians. We will continue to be there for them every step of the way.

In February, we announced that recipients of the emergency and recovery benefits would be eligible for interest relief if they filed their 2020 tax returns. The Canada Revenue Agency has also put in place robust taxpayer relief provisions that grant them relief from penalties or interest incurred for reasons beyond their control. These measures will ensure that Canadians who need help during tax season will get it.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, with record debt and deficits, the wannabe disciples of modern monetary theory across the aisle have only one option, and that is to raise taxes. From the soon-to-be $170 a tonne carbon tax, the Liberals' punishing fuel standard, and even charging Canadians more for beer, that is the Liberal MO.

Former Liberal MP and insider, Dan McTeague, has said he is pretty darn sure that a GST hike is coming. My question is simple. Will the Liberals be hiking the GST in next week's budget?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, since the hon. member mentioned our plan to put a price on pollution, I congratulate his party on finally embracing the need to price carbon as well. Unfortunately, the Conservative plan is actually going to cost Canadian households more and do less for our environment.

When it comes to the fiscal track Canada is on, I would remind the hon. member that the COVID-19 pandemic created immense costs, and our government was there to support households and businesses to weather the storm. When the budget is tabled on Monday, he will see a suite of measures that will continue to protect Canadians' health and well-being; support households and businesses through this pandemic; and set the course for an economic recovery that is inclusive, prosperous and green.

Seniors

[Terry Dowdall, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit seniors hard. Increases in the cost of prescriptions, groceries, delivery charges and service fees have them all feeling the pinch.

The $9 million to the United Way last March never trickled down to the seniors. The $300 last June was not enough to make ends meet. However, the 61¢ increase in OAS in December, that is just an insult.

My constituent, Lloyd Lancaster, told me that he and his wife put their increases together and decided to go out and have a cup of coffee. Is half a cup of coffee what the government calls direct support for our seniors in need?

[Deb Schulte, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, it is really unfortunate that the opposition continues to confuse the cost of living increase with the significant support that we provided seniors during the pandemic.

We know many Canadian seniors are facing significant health, economic and social challenges due to COVID-19. That is why we provided them with significant tax-free support. Combined with the GST top-up, this provided over $1,500 tax-free to support the most vulnerable senior couples in our communities.

We will continue to support seniors and all Canadians during this pandemic.

International Trade

[Fayçal El-Khoury, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government knows that it is extremely important to strengthen our relations with Canada’s allies and are committed to expanding Canada's global trade ties. The Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade recently led a virtual trade mission to France.

Could the minister talk more about the importance of empowering Canadian businesses to diversify and expand their presence on the world stage?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I led a virtual trade mission to France bringing together over 300 entrepreneurs, 36% being women-owned, 20% are youth-owned and 20% are visible minority-owned businesses. This is inclusive trade in action, taking advantage of Canada's trade agreement with the European Union through CETA.

Our government will continue to promote inclusive and sustainable growth through trade, building back a greener future and a sustainable economic recovery.

Indigenous Affairs

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation have spent the last 50 years fighting for justice after industrial pollution poisoned their waters with mercury. Ninety per cent the residents still suffer from mercury poisoning. Three years ago, Grassy Narrows made a land declaration banning industrial activities on its traditional lands, but the Ontario Conservative government is now accelerating mining development on those lands.

Why is the Liberal government not living up to its responsibility to defend the rights and title of the people of Grassy Narrows?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Mr. Speaker, the member would well know that this government has invested historical funding into the mercury treatment centre that was announced early last year to right a historical wrong that should never have occurred in the first place.

When it comes to advocating for the rights of Grassy Narrows', chief and council, and the people of Grassy Narrows are fully capable of doing it, but we will also be their voice at the federal level for whatever they advocate to premiers across the country and to territorial premiers as well. We are glad to do it and speak up on their behalf at any time, but they are fully capable of doing it as well.

The Environment

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada's climate record just continues to get worse. The most recently released data shows that our greenhouse gas emissions were rising at the beginning of COVID. Today's report from Environmental Defence demonstrates, once again, that fossil fuel subsidies are also going up, while a report from the Breach tells us that the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers secured its own special committee with cabinet.

Next week, when the Prime Minister stands up in President Biden's climate summit, we will at long last announce a target that is meaningful and holds to 1.5°C?

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

Mr. Speaker, certainly, we have developed a comprehensive climate plan that enables Canada to move forward with the rest of the international community to meet our international obligations. A credible climate plan requires increased ambition. The parties to Paris agreed that all would need to do more and increase ambition overtime. Countries around the world are doing that, and Canada will be playing its part in the international community and seizing the economic opportunities.

I believe that all parties in the House, with perhaps the exception of the Conservative Party, agree on the need for greater ambition, and Canada will be bringing forward a new climate target next week at the Earth summit.

The House resume from April 14 consideration of the motion that BillC-14, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 30, 2020 and other measures, be read a third time and passed.

Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:10 p.m., pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading of Bill C-14.

Call in the members.