Debates of April 15th, 2021

Infrastructure

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

Mr. Speaker, again, as this project relates to climate change, it is important that the Conservative Party can answer some questions with respect to the pamphlet that it released this morning. It is a pamphlet, not a plan. It has more holes in it than we could drive a truck through.

Certainly the focus is on a number of things, including putting a tax on carbon, which in and of itself would be an interesting step forward if it were not so convoluted, complicated and actually incented the creation of more pollution and put more pollution into the environment.

At the end of the day, we need to be skeptical. We need to look at this through thoughtful eyes. It is not a good plan, but it is also from a party—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie.

Labour

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, dock workers at the port of Montreal began a partial strike refusing overtime. The management side is standing its ground, foreshadowing a labour dispute that could drag on.

The Liberals have already hinted that they intend to introduce back-to-work legislation, in complete violation of workers' fundamental rights. This is hardly surprising.

Can the Prime Minister promise workers that he will allow the bargaining process to proceed, that he will respect the integrity of their rights and that he will not impose back-to-work legislation?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

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

Negotiations between the two parties have been ongoing for over two and a half years.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order. The member for Manicouagan on a point of order.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for the last two questions, there has been a lot of background noise in the House, and I am having a hard time hearing, even with my earpiece.

I would like you to remind my colleagues to respect other colleagues who have the floor.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member is right. I was going to say something after the answer, but this forces me to say it now. I thank the member for raising the issue.

I want to remind members that, if they want to talk, they can go to the other side while keeping two metres apart. That is fine. If they are 20 metres apart, that is a problem because then they have to shout, and that is unacceptable in the House.

I know that debates in the House can get heated, but I want to make sure members know how this works.

It is hard to estimate the distance, but I am sure the hon. members in the chamber can figure out the difference between two metres and 20 metres.

The hon. minister.

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

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

Negotiations between the parties have been ongoing for over two and a half years, and our federal mediation and conciliation service has been there every step of the way. In fact, in February, I took the extra step of appointing two of our most senior mediators.

We understand the impact this is having on the Port of Montreal and the key role it plays in economic activity in Canada. I would like to encourage the parties, who are now at the table as we speak, to reach an agreement. We will consider all options as we move forward on this very important matter.

Foreign Affairs

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, the Russian Federation has increased attacks on Ukraine's eastern borders. This has been coupled with significant Russian troop movement, raising concerns among NATO and G7 allies about a possible further invasion of Ukraine. This could lead to a devastating conflict, putting thousands of Ukrainian lives at risk.

Canadians have an important and meaningful relationship with the people of Ukraine. The Liberal government must do more to support our Ukrainian allies. Will the minister please provide an update on the actions Canada is planning to take to deter possible further Russian aggression against the people in Ukraine?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we have been in very close contact with Ukraine. The Prime Minister has spoken to President Zelensky, and I have spoken to Foreign Minister Kuleba. We are speaking with our allies.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine against the amassing of unnecessary troops and equipment in Crimea and along the eastern border. I can assure the member that we are there for the Ukrainian people and with our allies with respect to this particular situation.

Health

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have made great sacrifices this year, spending time apart from their loved ones to stop the spread of COVID-19. These public health measures are important, but we also know that Canadians need support in these difficult times. The mental health of Canadians is an issue I am genuinely concerned about. Even though delivering these services falls to the provinces, I am proud to see that the federal government has stepped up to help.

Can the Minister of Health update us on the mental health supports our government is providing for Canadians?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Newmarket—Aurora for his constant advocacy in this area and his compassion and kindness for his constituents. He knows first-hand how disruptive COVID-19 has been for people and communities and how it has impacted all of our mental health.

We know that what helps is access to services. We knew we needed to step up to help the provinces and territories in delivering on their responsibilities in health care. That is why, a year ago today, we launched the Wellness Together Canada portal. It is free. Over 1.2 million Canadians have used it over 3.6 million times. People should check it out today for support—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Richmond—Arthabaska.

Official Languages

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Laurentian University is tens of millions of dollars in debt, and that is jeopardizing 69 programs, 28 of which are offered in French. The programs that were cut include political science, engineering, law, education and history, to name just a few.

The francophone community has the right to university programs in French. Despite all the rhetoric we are hearing from the minister, can she tell us what she has actually done to help Laurentian University?

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

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we have always stood up for official language minority communities, and we always will.

We know that post-secondary institutions are gathering places that are essential to the survival of communities across the country. We are willing to work together to ensure that francophones in northern Ontario have a strong post-secondary institution. As our document on the modernization of the Official Languages Act clearly states, we will continue to support these institutions because the future of our two official languages depends on strong, vibrant communities.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Before going on to the next question, I want to remind members that it is very difficult for the interpreters to hear properly if the microphone on members' headsets is too close to their mouths. Plus, it can actually be physically painful for the interpreters. I would therefore ask members to move their microphones either up or down just a bit, so that other members can hear them and the interpreters can do their jobs effectively.

The hon. member for Richmond—Arthabaska.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have been in power for nearly six years now, and they still have not introduced a bill to modernize official languages. The Liberals themselves do not respect French. I can think of some examples, like WE Charity, COVID Alert texts sent in English only and documents submitted at committee in English only, to name just a few. Now we also learn that Laurentian University's budget has never been increased under this government.

Will the minister stop blaming others, accept responsibility and take concrete action to help francophones at Laurentian University, full stop?

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

Mr. Speaker, my heart goes out to the students and faculty at Laurentian University who are in a very difficult situation. I think everyone in the House feels the same way.

The minister has been in touch with the provinces about this, and we are looking for solutions. We are prepared to work with our provincial counterparts to find solutions, but I remind members that education is a provincial jurisdiction.

National Defence

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday at the veterans affairs committee, Allan Hunter, a military and veterans advocate, spoke about the reaction from women in the military to the Liberal decision to shut down the defence committee’s study into sexual misconduct in the Canadian military. He said he has heard from women who have said, “Shutting down the committee is giving the message that what happens to females in the service is not important and that we are second-class civilians.” Mr. Hunter also said that women in the military feel like they cannot come forward now out of fear.

How can the Prime Minister justify adding to a culture of fear for women who serve in Canada's military?

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

Mr. Speaker, we will do everything necessary to make sure that we have an inclusive environment inside the Canadian Armed Forces. We owe it to our members.

We look forward to the recommendations that the committee will be making as it is talking to experts, including women from the Canadian Armed Forces. All options are on the table, and we will take action.

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when asked whether he felt the decision to shut down the committee by Liberal members would put women in our military further at risk, Mr. Hunter said, “I can say that since that happened, I have been getting contacted by females who have been assaulted, raped and abused in the military. Some are still serving, and they are absolutely terrified to come forward.”

The women are angry that the Prime Minister does not want to hear their stories or, worse yet, that he does not care. Does the Prime Minister not see that by shutting down the committee and covering this up he is adding to a culture of fear for women who serve in our military?

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

Mr. Speaker, we take these allegations extremely seriously, and we will be taking more action. The committee makes its own decisions regarding its actions. However, we respect the work that it will be doing.

Nonetheless, we will be speaking to our veterans and also current serving members. This is an area in which we must continue to make sure we get it right. We will be taking more action, and all options are on the table to make sure that we create an inclusive environment for all members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Post-Secondary Education

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the entire francophone community stands with Franco-Ontarians over the cuts at Laurentian University.

Yesterday, the Quebec National Assembly unanimously expressed its concerns. The president of the Université de Moncton, in New Brunswick, said, “We are all at risk. No one would have expected this to happen at a Canadian university.”

We know that the minister is talking to Ontario about working together in the medium term, but is a plan being negotiated now to shield the students and faculty of Laurentian University from the immediate consequences?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to see that my colleague shares our concerns about the fate of Laurentian University. For our government, there is really no doubt that we need strong post-secondary institutions for francophones in northern Ontario. We are ready to find solutions to achieve this, and we will always be allies of the Franco-Ontarian community.