Debates of April 19th, 2021

The Economy

[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, the hon. member's world view is patently ridiculous when he outlines it in that question. The reality is, he sees the cost of our response but not the value and the measures we have advanced to support Canadian households and businesses. He ignores the fact that inaction in the face of this once-in-a-century public health and economic emergency would have had a cost that was far greater than supporting Canadian households and businesses.

I would direct the member not to my own words but to the recent report of the IMF, which indicated that if our government had not taken such quick and decisive action at the outset of this pandemic, our debt would remain the same size but there would be economic scarring that we would pay for—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.

Post-Secondary Education

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 60 years of education at Laurentian University is being trashed. Professors who built unique programs are being kicked out of the door without even access to their severance, students are being told not to come back even though they are halfway through their studies and the midwifery program has been gutted even though it has had its own funding.

The member for Sudbury is saying, “Hey, don't look to the Liberal government for any help”.

Here is the thing. We had an emergency debate, and the Liberals made all kinds of positive talk about Sudbury. Where is the plan to show up and work with the province to save this important francophone, anglophone and indigenous institution? Where is the backbone to help Laurentian and the people of Sudbury?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages]

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

It goes without saying that we are extremely concerned about what is happening at Laurentian University. We are concerned and we are obviously thinking of the professors who have lost their jobs and the students who have been negatively affected.

That is why we are in talks with the Government of Ontario, which had jurisdiction over education, to find solutions. We will be there to help the francophone community and, of course, the people of Sudbury and northern Ontario have access to post-secondary education in French. We will be there as allies.

Ethics

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the member for Winnipeg North sponsored a charter-violating petition for Mr. Tataryn, former president of the Manitoba Liberal Party and retired police officer, who is attempting to limit any criticism of police by making changes to the Criminal Code. The member claimed to support the petition in spirit, but according to parliamentary records, the member also supported the petition in dollars. Financial records reveal that he had hired Tataryn as a subject matter expert.

Why is this government willing to violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to help its Liberal buddies?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the member that our government will always stand up for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and we are working very hard with our law enforcement agencies and through their leadership with law enforcement agencies right across the country.

We had, just this weekend, in Ontario an extraordinary example of where the police were offered authorities to violate the charter and, unanimously, they stood up to that and said no. I want to acknowledge that leadership and assure the member that we remain committed to upholding all of the rights and freedoms that are available to all Canadians throughout the country.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past year has been extremely challenging for everyone here in Canada and for people around the world. While many Canadians have been working remotely, essential workers have been physically working on the front lines across the country to keep us safe and to make sure that we have food on our tables. Many of these frontline workers are immigrants whose status is temporary.

Can the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship please inform this House of what our government has done to recognize the invaluable contributions that newcomers bring to Canada and our economy?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, the pandemic has shone a bright light on the extraordinary contributions of newcomers who are working on the front lines of our hospitals, long-term care homes and farms. That is why I was proud to announce a fast, innovative and inclusive pathway to permanent residence for up to 90,000 essential workers and international students who are already in Canada and giving back.

This is another positive example of how, when given the opportunity, hard-working and skilled newcomers can accelerate our economic recovery and drive a pathway to prosperity for all Canadians.

Public Safety

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, 12 months have passed since the innocent victims lost their lives in the worst killing rampage in this country. The scars of the victims' loved ones are still very difficult to heal. One of the reasons is that the investigation has been slow since day one, revealing little information and keeping the victims' families in the dark. We know that the final report is due November 2022, but details continue to trickle out to the media.

When will the minister put the victims' families first and respect their right to information as guaranteed by the Canadian victims bill of rights?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, the tragic anniversary reminds us and deepens all of our resolve to ensure that we get the answers that the families need and that we take the actions necessary to ensure this does not happen again. We listened to the families and the people of Nova Scotia, who made it very clear that they wanted a full, independent and comprehensive public inquiry into this. We listened to them, and we have appointed that public inquiry and that work is ongoing.

In addition, there has been a very extensive criminal investigation conducted by the police of the jurisdiction, the RCMP, in this case, and that work is ongoing.

We understand the traumatic grief being experienced by that community and by those families, and we will do—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Lakeland.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it has been an entire year.

The Portapique massacre started with domestic violence. The murderer's partner was assaulted and hid in sub-zero temperatures for hours after escaping her abuser. Twenty-two people and an unborn child were killed.

Despite calls by victims' families and Conservatives for a full public inquiry, the Liberals turned to their old avoid-and-delay tactics. It was not announced for three months and only began taking applications for participants last month. Why has the public safety minister avoided and delayed seeking justice for victims of the Portapique massacre?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, in the hours and days immediately following this terrible tragedy, we worked with the Province of Nova Scotia in developing a plan to initiate an immediate comprehensive review of all of the circumstances; we reached out to a former chief justice of the Province of Nova Scotia to conduct that review. We then heard very clearly from the families and the communities of Nova Scotia and all of our members of Parliament representing Nova Scotia that a public inquiry was required. We listened to and respected their wishes and we have appointed that public inquiry.

We will do what is necessary to provide answers to the families. We understand that a full and independent inquiry is what they want, and that is what we worked to deliver to them.

Taxation

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

Mr. Speaker, one million Canadians still do not have access to their Canada Revenue Agency accounts.

The Conservatives are calling on the Liberals to extend the deadline for tax returns until June 30, so this issue can be fixed. It is a simple, clear request that makes perfect sense.

Will the Prime Minister agree to extend the deadline for federal tax returns until June 30, yes or no?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands that tax season is particularly stressful for Canadians this year. We will continue to be there for them at every step of the process.

I encourage all Canadians to file their taxes on time, to prevent any delays in the benefits and credits they are entitled to. Canadians can easily file their taxes online or on paper, and some can even do so over the phone.

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

Mr. Speaker, I get the impression that the minister did not understand the question at all.

There are one million files that Canadians cannot access. Quebeckers are already living in a ridiculous situation. It is the only province in Canada where individuals have to file two tax returns because the Liberals have refused the unanimous request of the Quebec National Assembly to resolve this situation.

This is a simple request to help people during the pandemic.

Why is the government refusing to make life easier for Quebeckers during this difficult time by extending the deadline for federal tax returns until June 30, as the province has already done?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we announced in February that people who receive emergency and recovery benefits would be eligible for interest relief if they filed their 2020 tax returns.

We have also put in place robust taxpayer relief provisions that grant them relief from penalties or interest incurred for reasons beyond their control. These measures ensure that Canadians who need help during tax season will get it.

Employment Insurance

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

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the House adopted the Bloc motion to extend employment insurance sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 50 weeks. Also roughly a year ago, the Prime Minister met with Marie-Hélène Dubé and Émilie Sansfaçon, who fought until the very end for this idea. My thoughts are with them today.

On Thursday, in response to a question from my colleague from Thérèse-De Blainville about the issue of 50 weeks, the Minister of Employment said that everything was on the table.

Will the government extend the benefits from 15 weeks to 50 weeks or not?

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her advocacy and hard work on this issue.

Canadians expect and deserve an EI system that is flexible and responsive to their needs. That is why we have spent the last five years modernizing EI and making improvements for Canadians. EI sickness benefits are an important support for Canadians who need to leave work because of illness or injury. Right now, too many claimants use up their EI benefits before they can return to work, and that is why we are committed to extending EI benefits to help Canadians pay the bills while they recover.

There is more work to do, and we will keep working so that EI is there for Canadians when they need it most.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am not really surprised that the government is using today's budget as a convenient excuse to avoid the question. However, we can do something tangible without passing the budget. I introduced Bill C-265, which would extend employment insurance sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 50 weeks.

Mr. Speaker, you found that Bill C-265 required a royal recommendation to pass third reading.

My question is simple. Will the government vote in favour of the bill and will it provide the royal recommendation?

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, we know many Canadians exhaust their EI sickness benefits, and that is why our government has made a commitment to extend EI sickness benefits. We understand the importance of paid sick leave, providing Canadians the support they need to get the treatment they need, and that is why we made paid sick leave a priority during the pandemic. Extending EI sickness benefits is part of our government's commitment to modernize EI.

Our commitment is to Canadians and to be there for them during difficult times, whatever it takes and however long it takes. Extending EI sickness benefits is a central part of that commitment.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the poor planning and isolated decision-making of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has caused tremendous confusion and uncertainty from coast to coast. On the east coast, the minister has not given a satisfactory answer to the lobster fishing crisis; she has only introduced an interim measure. On the west coast the minister has created further uncertainty and instability for our prawn harvesters as well as our fish farmers, with no plans in place to help them or the communities most affected by her decisions.

When will the minister stop harming Canadian fishing communities with her unclear decisions, lack of consultation and uncertainty?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, it is extremely disappointing to see the member opposite politicizing a Supreme Court-affirmed right for first nations communities. We have been working with first nations, as well as with industry, to communicate our plan for this year, which is to make sure we have as many harvesters on the water as possible in a safe and efficient manner in order to sustain the fishery as we work toward long-term agreements.

The only person who seems to be confused by my decision is the member opposite.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last December the fisheries minister announced her Discovery Islands decision. She did not base the decision on science, she did not base the decision on advice from her department and she did not base the decision on transparent and balanced consultations.

The Discovery Islands decision is part of the minister's larger pattern of announcing surprise decisions that put British Columbians out of work, whether they be involved in aquaculture, public fisheries or prawn or crab harvest.

What does the minister base her decisions on?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, the decision with the intention to phase out fish farms by June of 2022 in the Discovery Islands was not an easy one to make, but it was based on the outcomes we had after a number of discussions and consultations with the seven first nations in the Discovery Islands.

We have seen the court's decision on the transferring of fish. That injunction in no way changes my decision to phase out farms in the Discovery Islands by June of 2022.

We will continue to work with the first nations, industry and the province on the best path forward.