Debates of April 30th, 2021

Motion No. 9

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

moved that a ways and means motion to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures be concurred in.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The question is on the motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request either a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I ask them to rise in their place and indicate it to the Chair.

The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we request a recorded division.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #103

Ways and Means

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I declare the motion carried.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

moved that Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures, be read the first time.

(Motion deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Offshore Health and Safety Act

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

moved that Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Offshore Health and Safety Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, I am addressing the House from my home on the Robinson-Huron Treaty territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae peoples.

As members know, this is a very important bill. When we look at the oil-producing provinces here, with the minister's own province of Newfoundland, this is really an important issue to the minister. This is really an important issue that affects his neighbours and friends when we look at offshore issues that we have dealt with.

When the minister first started to work here, with former premier Brian Tobin, he was 20 years old, and that was 20 years ago. At the time, there was only one platform under construction, which was the Hibernia. When we look then and now, we know that developing the platform designs and fabrication work completely ensures that we could work safely in one of the harshest environments there is. Ultimately, achieving first oil was crucial for the financial future of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Today, we have a proud and mature industry, one that has accounted for 30% of the province's GDP, 13% of the labour compensation and 10% of employment over the years. It has been successful because of the people at the heart of this, the determined and proud workers, but also because of efforts by this government to support the industry. Let me be clear: There has been no government that has done more for the Newfoundland labour offshore than this government, not since the time of Brian Mulroney and John Crosbie.

In the face of challenges, we had our workers' backs. We introduced a dedicated offshore component to the emissions reduction fund to address our common mission to lower emissions, and we look forward to having more to say on this program soon.

We provided $320 million to the provincial government to support workers and increase the environmental performance of the offshore, real action to maintain jobs and protect the future of this sector. We cut through a system that represented government at its worst, reducing regulatory hurdles and cutting down on a lot of the environmental assessments, from an astounding 905 days to 90 days, without losing an inch of the environmental integrity. We did this understanding how crucial the sector has been for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The industry provided the province, the provincial government, with more than $20 billion in royalties between 1997 and 2019, funding key services and infrastructure, from health and education to highways and hockey rinks. A similar story could be told for the offshore impact of our neighbours in Nova Scotia. That province's two natural gas projects created jobs for Nova Scotians before they were decommissioned.

When we look at the capital spending, it was about $8.5 billion over 20 years, and $1.9 billion in royalty payments between 2000 and 2017. Most importantly, our offshore impacts people, supports workers, builds communities. In my province, in Newfoundland, where the minister is right now, and it also applies to Nova Scotia, this industry has created an opportunity to generate hope, reunite families and establish livelihoods.

Building this industry has not been easy. We have had to deal with the engineering challenges of safety, extracting oil in the unforgiving North Atlantic, where storms can cause rogue waves as high as 20 or 30 metres, in what the CEO of Exxon Mobil has described to me as a very harsh environment to operate in, one of the harshest places in the world.

The first was the Ocean Ranger tragedy in 1982, which left 84 people dead, 54 of whom were Newfoundlanders. The resulting royal commission led to many safety improvements. The minister was young at the time, but he remembers the delivery of The Evening Telegram newspaper, which carried the news. It was something that shook the minister and a lot of people in the community. Equally agonizing was the sense of helplessness and pain.

Despite these challenges, tragedy struck again in 2009. Mechanical problems sent a helicopter taking 18 workers to the offshore platform plunging into the Atlantic. Only one somehow miraculously survived. A public inquiry after the 2009 tragedy led to the proposed reforms that were largely incorporated under the Offshore Health and Safety Act passed in 2014.

That brings me to the objective of the legislation we are now debating. Bill S-3, as amended by our colleagues in the other place, would give Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland better health and safety regulations for our workers. Passing it would make sure that transitional regulations from 2014 would apply retroactively to January 1 of this year.

I realize this whole process is taking far too long and we are all frustrated. I will explain the reasons for the delay shortly, but let me first speak about the spirit of the act. The Offshore Health and Safety Act clarifies the roles of both levels of government, as well as regulators, in preventing accidents and injuries. It outlines the safety roles played by everyone involved, from owners, operators and employers to supervisors, employees and contractors.

In addition, the act added the following to the safety regime: a new appeal process when someone is accused of violating the rules; the establishment or clarification of employee rights, including the right to refuse dangerous work without the risk of reprisal; a workplace culture that makes clear that these safety concerns are a shared responsibility of everyone involved; an efficiency regulatory regime that contains no jurisdictions of inconsistency; and finally, the inclusion of the transportation of employees to and from these sites.

I want to focus now on the parts of the act that are especially relevant to today's discussion. I am referring to the creation of the 2014 transitional regulations so that three governments could take the time to do this right and finalize permanent regulations.

This transition arrangement was set to expire at the end of 2020. The Government of Canada is asking, through Bill S-3, for an additional year, to December 31 of this year, to get this done. I would be among the first to acknowledge that it seems at first glance rather surprising that we would take up to seven years to finalize this process. This is complex work. These regulations run close to 300 pages. They need to be translated. We need to go over them with a fine-tooth comb to ensure they are precise and consistent in both official languages.

These regulations incorporate by reference 173 domestic and international health and safety standards, which are contained in a document totalling more than 15,000 pages. We need all three levels of government to vet and approve these finalized regulations, which would involve multiple ministries and two joint management regulatory boards. We have to respect our joint management framework. We have to work in partnership, and sometimes that takes more time, but that is how we develop the best legal framework in the world to protect our workers and how we constantly improve it. That is why it is the best. It is strengthened by consulting others, unions, companies and Canadians.

Other challenges are that while others on these permanent regulations—

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I am going to have to interrupt the parliamentary secretary. I should have given him a heads-up that we would be doing this partway through this remarks. We are going to Statements by Members. He will have the remaining time in this period for his speech when we get back to debate on this subject, likely later this day.

We will now go to Statements by Members. The hon. member for Pierrefonds—Dollard.

World Immunization Week

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, World Immunization Week is celebrated every year in the last week of April. Diseases once feared, like diphtheria, measles, polio and smallpox, are under control and in some places eradicated because of vaccines. However, the COVID pandemic is currently ravaging India through a severe second wave. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of immunization through vaccination. We are all in this together.

Canada has stepped up to help India with $10 million in funding through the Red Cross. Domestically, our government announced an investment of $2.25 million to the immunization partnership fund. This is to support vaccine uptake by ensuring Canadians have access to credible vaccination information and to manage that pain and fear. Through sound public education, effective vaccination campaigns and robust international co-operation, let us make global vaccination a reality.

Public Health Agency of Canada

[Nelly Shin, Conservative, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Alex is a visitor from Israel who is staying in Vancouver to care for his sick 90-year-old mother. When he first arrived in Canada, he was detained and scheduled for deportation the next morning. When I intervened in person at the airport immigration office, I was told Alex had not applied for exemption to enter Canada, but in fact, he had applied twice. I asked Alex to apply again. He made five more attempts, but Public Health Agency of Canada's system did not receive any of the submissions. After Alex made four more attempts the next day, PHAC's system finally acknowledged receipt of his application and Alex was allowed to stay in Canada.

I wonder how many visitors who came to Canada for compassionate reasons were sent home because of technical glitches on PHAC's system. How many are patiently awaiting exemption papers while PHAC has no idea they have applied? Could the minister please look into the efficacy of PHAC's online system to ensure visitors like Alex are not unduly deported and sick Canadians, like his mother, can get the care they need?

Cancer Month

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, April is Cancer Month or Daffodil Month. Nearly one in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. It was 32 years ago that my mom died of leukemia. My dad was a 25-plus year survivor of colon cancer and last year I talked about my sister, Jill, undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Well, she has finished and she is doing just great.

I was thrilled to see $30 million in budget 2021 for childhood cancer research. I look forward to what pediatric oncologists like Dr. David Malkin can do with this funding so that we do not lose children like Ayverie Caster, Teagan Walsh and Carson Clapham.

I applaud the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network that received $150 million in budget 2019, and the work of cancer researchers across Canada who are doing groundbreaking work to kick cancer's butt.

LUSH Valley Food Action Society

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to pay tribute to the board, volunteers and staff of LUSH Valley Food Action Society on central Vancouver Island. Created in 2000, LUSH Valley helps people gain the local food system's skills of knowledge and access to good food. They believe good food is a vehicle for empowerment, social justice, celebration and community well-being.

The scope of LUSH Valley grows each year and now includes a fruit tree and farm gleaning program utilizing volunteers to share the harvest to ensure good food does not go to waste. Programs include a share of the harvest community garden helping people to learn to grow their own food; healthy food programs teaching all ages to cook healthy meals and appreciate local food; a food share program providing hot meals and good food boxes to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic; and importantly, ongoing advocacy with all levels of government to grow our local economy by supporting farmers and producers to address food security.

Thanks to all those who work so hard with LUSH Valley to ensure food security for so many in our communities.

Disabled Sports Challenge

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, May 2 is sports and physical activity day in Quebec. I am ahead of the game this year, as I already participated in the Défi sportif AlterGo sports challenge, the objective of which is to promote adaptive sport and healthy living. The Défi sportif AlterGo also promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities through sports.

This year, the Défi sportif AlterGo reinvented itself with a hybrid formula, another big first for the challenge. It took place at Leblanc high school in Laval, which is in my riding. The agenda for the morning of sports included a mini-marathon for 50 young athletes. Regardless of the distance involved, they showed courage, enthusiasm and perseverance.

I commend all the young athletes who outdid themselves in the challenge. They are an inspiration. I look forward to next year's challenge.

Hélène Leclerc

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of my assistant of the past five years in Rivière-du-Loup, Hélène Leclerc.

Hélène has been a pillar of the service we have been providing the community together since 2015. My constituents often commented on Hélène's excellent service. Her insights, her attention to detail and her careful approach over the years helped the entire team hone our work ethic. I thank her for her professionalism. I wish her a wonderful retirement with her friends and loved ones.

I would like to add that the past year has been tough on Quebeckers and Canadians, but it has also been difficult on a professional level for all our employees both on the Hill and in our ridings. True to form, they poured their hearts into helping us stand up for the interests of our constituents.

I want to thank Hélène once again for her commitment to serving the community and the public and I want to reiterate how much her work in my riding meant to us.

Happy retirement, Hélène.

COVID-19

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this has been a really tough year on everyone, but recent research from SickKids Hospital has shown that children and youth have experienced a unique variety of negative impacts on their mental health because of COVID-19. Greater stress from feeling isolated; the cancellation of sports, other events and in-person class; and just not being able to hang out have all caused increased anxiety, depression and irritability.

COVID-19 sucks. It sucks for everybody, but that is especially true for kids and youth. It is so important that Canadian youth know two things. First, this is temporary. We are going to get through this. Things are going to get way better really soon. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Second, it is okay not to be okay. In fact, right now it is totally normal not to be okay and there is help available.

In Milton, the Reach Out Centre for Kids is at rockonline.ca. There is also wellnesstogether.ca; and Kids Help Phone, over text at 686868. It is free and 24-7.

For over a year, we have been apart, but children and youth are not alone. I ask them to please take care of themselves, take care of one another and always remember they are loved.

Human Rights

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are nearing the ninth anniversary of the imprisonment of human rights advocate, Raif Badawi. Mr. Badawi and his wife fell under a fraudulent investigation in Saudi Arabia by Saudi authorities. These types of investigations occur as part of a crackdown on political prisoners in Saudi Arabia. This is not the first time that I have raised Mr. Badawi's case.

Canada has stood firmly in demanding the release of human rights campaigners throughout the world, especially those imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. I speak today at a time of renewed possibility for global leadership and collaboration on human rights, a potential for greater coexistence in the Middle East, and a step toward an effort to restore trust and respect in human rights.

Saudi Arabia must release Raif and Samar Badawi and Waleed Abu al-Khair. Waleed should be allowed to rejoin his family here in Canada.

Mayor of Mission

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

Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, the residents of Mission, B.C. voted in a mayoral by-election and selected Paul Horn as their representative. I congratulate Paul on his victory.

In all, six candidates put their names on the ballot and presented their vision for the future. It was an exceptional campaign. I thank Earl, Rhett, Dave, Colin and Nelson. All the campaigns brought forward new ideas to build a stronger community.

Mayor-elect Horn is well known in Mission as a committed community advocate, and I know he will bring that same passion to Mission council. I look forward to working with Paul to address the current and future challenges in our growing region.

This election especially reminds me how blessed we are. We have rivers; we have lakes; we have agriculture; we have ingenuity; and, most important, we have a vibrant community and so much to be hopeful for. I thank the people of Mission.

Ramadan

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and revelation for those of the Muslim faith in my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges. While activities may be virtual and Iftar, the communal breaking of the fast, will only occur with family this year, the light is no less dampened by these challenges.

Ramadan reminds us of the importance of the values of sharing and caring and being compassionate in our daily lives. On that note, I want to acknowledge the incredible work done by the Islamic Cultural Centre in Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Many individuals work very hard at this charitable organization to meet the spiritual and social needs of our Muslim community, including Aatif Abdelati, Issak Alid, Mohamed Elbardaoui, Mustapha Attebaa, as well as all the centre's administrators.

To all those practising Ramadan this year, and from my family to theirs, I wish a safe and healthy completion of their fasting and extend my sincerest wishes of peace and happiness.

Ramadan Mubarak.

Ottawa Valley Volunteer

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

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize Mr. Delbert O’Brien for his many lifetime contributions that make the Ottawa Valley such a wonderful place to live. An esteemed member of the Ottawa Valley legal, political, business and agricultural communities, Mr. O’Brien’s community contributions are many and varied. His recent nomination to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame highlights his farming involvement and years of work with the Ontario drainage tribunal, which adjudicates disputes under the Ontario Drainage Act on the impact of water management on farmland use.

Del is the calibre of appointee to head up the new Canada water agency as someone with much practical knowledge and common sense. When Del O’Brien speaks, people listen. Though retired for some years, Del is still very active in sharing his considerable institutional knowledge and years of experience, recently calling for a revolution in rural planning policies.

I congratulate Del O’Brien.

Bill C-10

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in what countries do the governments control what people post on the Internet and what they can see, and punish content that does not match “the government's vision”? They are China, Russia and soon to be Canada, because that is precisely what the Liberal government's Bill C-10 would do. Comments about matching the government's vision are not those of a Chinese communist official, but of the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Former CRTC commissioner, Peter Menzies, has characterized this bill as a full-blown assault on freedom of expression and the foundations of democracy. It is no wonder the Prime Minister has expressed admiration for China's perfect dictatorship. This bill is Orwellian, it is undemocratic, it is un-Canadian and it must be stopped.

Opioids

[Alistair MacGregor, NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last week another overdose advisory was issued in the Cowichan Valley by Island Health. Again, members of my community are at increased risk of overdose and death because of toxic street drugs. We have lost 498 people in B.C. in the first three months of 2021, a 48% increase from the same time last year. These are devastating statistics demanding action from our federal government. However, when both the B.C. government and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police request decriminalization, the Liberals respond with a declaration of principles. When municipalities and health experts call for a national public health emergency declaration, the Liberals respond with a paltry $116 million over two years.

It is exhausting having to continually raise this issue in the House of Commons, knowing the policy solutions are there and having the Liberals respond with half-measures. We must do better.

Claude Jasmin

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Claude Jasmin, the multidisciplinary artist, author and scenographer of the famed novel and television series, La petite patrie, has died.

La petite patrie was influential in its day, and its appeal has proved timeless, as it was recently reissued as a graphic novel. Quite a few of Jasmin's many novels have been made into movies.

Jasmin was a leading light of Quebec's arts and literature scene and a passionate advocate of the French language and Quebec independence. He won numerous awards and made his mark in television and radio and as an art critic, frequently collaborating with his son and grandson.

Everyone knew him as a lifelong uncompromising intellectual, a man of energy and conviction. His work will live on long after his passing. He is immortal.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois and all Quebeckers, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. I am grateful to Claude Jasmin for being Quebec's steadfast champion.

Mental Health

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, COVID has taken a toll on the mental health of Canadians. No matter where one comes from, no matter their age, race, religion or sex, concerns with mental health can affect anyone at any time. With what has felt like the longest year in history, compounded by never-ending lockdowns and restrictions, Canadians are tired and rightfully so.

This is why Canada’s Conservatives have a five-point plan to secure the future of Canadians. It includes securing jobs, securing accountability, securing the country, securing the economy and, importantly, securing mental health by boosting funding to provinces for mental health care, providing incentives to employers to provide mental health coverage to employees and, crucially, creating a nation-wide suicide prevention hotline to help those who need it most.

Everyone is tiring in their life and everyone has trying periods, but let us get out of this crisis by securing our mental health and securing the future.