Debates of May 12th, 2021

COVID-19 Emergency Response

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to ask that again because the Prime Minister knows Canadians are in a tough third wave. The provinces are in lockdown with restrictions because we do not have vaccines like the U.S. and the U.K. do.

There is a new answer just delivered to the Prime Minister, so maybe it contains the details on why he decided, in the midst of a global pandemic that originated in Wuhan, to partner with a state-owned Chinese enterprise to get us vaccines. That initial decision is why we have the third wave.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the level of misinformation and disinformation coming from the Conservatives should really concern all Canadians.

We reached out as of last spring to look for any and all sources of vaccines for Canadians. We suspended any engagement with the Chinese CanSino when we saw it was not going to deliver. That is why we have secured deals with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novavax and others to deliver vaccines for Canadians.

This is what we have moved forward with every single day. We have delivered to keep Canadians safe.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister stated that, “A one-dose summer sets us up for a two-dose fall”. This is yet another slogan without any action, especially considering the partnership with a Chinese company.

How long will the pandemic drag on here in Canada because of this government's mismanagement?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, 50 million doses will arrive in Canada by the end of June, which means that everyone in Canada will be able to get at least one dose. If we can get the number of cases down and get COVID-19 under control across the country, we will be able to have barbecues with friends and go out a little more this summer.

We will still have to be careful, and people will need to get the second dose of the vaccine in the hope that things will feel a little more normal in the fall. We will do this together. I have faith in Canadians. Our government will continue to be there for them.

Elections Canada

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday when we asked the Prime Minister if he wanted to call an election during a pandemic, he clearly said no.

However, I have read just about every commentary by just about every analyst and nobody but nobody believes him. This may be an opportunity for the Prime Minister to try to achieve a consensus.

I propose that he organize a private meeting with whoever he wants. It could be the leaders of the all the parties here. We could meet in a room, reach a consensus and apply it without closure.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of this pandemic, we have shown that we are here to work with the opposition parties and to meet the expectations of Canadians and that is exactly what we are doing. Our priority is to continue to deliver vaccines and provide support to families, workers and small businesses.

We will continue to operate in the House if the opposition parties are here to work. Unfortunately, the Bloc Québécois voted twice in favour of an election a few weeks ago by voting non-confidence in the House. It is the Bloc that is interested in having an election. We are not interested.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister should have the wisdom to recognize and consider opportunities for consensus.

I encourage him to call a meeting to discuss with whoever he likes, but it could be with the party leaders if everyone is on board with that. We could study the content of the legislation, reach a consensus and apply it thereafter, following a parliamentary process and avoiding an awful closure motion in order to come to a democratic agreement.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have been trying for months on end to enact a bill to make elections safer during a pandemic. We are very pleased that the bill will be studied in committee so that all parties can examine it.

No one wants an election during the pandemic. However, if an election was triggered by the opposition voting against the government, it must be held safely. In recent months, opposition parties have voted in favour of an election 14 times.

As for us, we are doing what we are doing to meet Canadians' expectations.

Health

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the military report into the long-term care home crisis in Ontario and Quebec has revealed additional shocking details. Many of the people who died in long-term care did not die because of COVID-19. They died because of neglect. They were dehydrated and malnourished. Despite knowing this, the Prime Minister has yet to take action on bringing in national standards or a commitment to removing profit from long-term care.

What will it take for the Prime Minister to take concrete action to save lives in long-term care?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, only the NDP would consider that $3 billion in budget 2021 towards long-term care would not be enough or would not be action.

People living in long-term care deserve safe, quality care and to be treated with dignity. This pandemic has shown us that there are systemic issues affecting long-term care homes across Canada. That is why we invested that $3 billion to create standards for long-term care and make permanent changes.

We will continue working with our partners to protect our loved ones in long-term care right across the country.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, only the Liberals and the Prime Minister would think that their actions were sufficient. People are still dying in long-term care, it is still clear that neglect is ongoing and it is still clear that there are no national standards in place to protect seniors and residents of long-term care.

Certainly, the government has failed to do something as basic as make a commitment to remove profit from long-term care, starting with Revera. Again, I ask when will the Prime Minister take concrete action to save lives in long-term care?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the situation facing residents in long-term care across the country is absolutely deplorable. We have seen far too many lives lost because of unacceptable situations. That is why as a federal government, we have stepped up and worked with the provinces and territories, whose jurisdiction it is, to send them supports and create standards so that every senior right across the country can be properly protected. They can retire and live in safety and dignity. That is something that we know, but it is also something that we understand is led by the provinces.

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

Mr. Speaker, to instill confidence during a pandemic, the Prime Minister must absolutely tell Canadians the truth. It was surprising to say the least to hear him talking yesterday about a one-dose summer.

What does that mean? We all know that two doses are required. I am sorry, but one dose is not enough, it is a failure and it confirms that the government is unable to deal with the situation properly. What will the Prime Minister do to ensure that Canadians have access to both doses this summer?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, from the outset of the pandemic, on this side of the House, the government has listened to the science and the recommendations of scientists and doctors. They have clearly stated that when 75% of the population has had a first dose and the number of new COVID-19 cases is under control across the country, we can do new things, like have barbecues with friends. Restrictions will be partly lifted this summer if, and only if, people get vaccinated and the number of cases is under control.

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

Mr. Speaker, giving people one dose of a vaccine is not a success; it is a failure. The Prime Minister has said that it takes two doses, but he is not able to get them distributed for this summer.

A year ago, when we were looking for vaccines, the Prime Minister's first move was to sign an agreement with China, which then changed its mind and left us with nothing at all. We went 10 days without receiving a single vaccine back in January or February.

We are now in the midst of a third wave and we are short on vaccines because the Prime Minister has been dragging his feet these past few months. How is the Prime Minister going to ensure that people will get the second dose this summer?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have been saying all along that everyone will be fully vaccinated, with both doses, by September. We will be getting 50 million vaccines by the end of June and, given we have a population of 37 million to 38 million people, this means that a huge number of people will be getting not only their first dose, but also a second.

People will be able to get their second dose in the summer so that, in September, we can reopen with a two-dose fall. This is the path we will take together.

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

Mr. Speaker, I take him at his word: reopen in September with two doses. However, he had said that the second doses would be given by September.

As we speak, Europe is reopening. As we speak, our American neighbours can go to events and gatherings. In contrast, Canadians are still dealing with lockdowns.

Canadians want access to vaccines. The Prime Minister promised that everyone would be vaccinated by September, but he cannot deliver the goods. What will he do in the coming weeks and months to make sure Canadians have access to both doses of the vaccine this summer?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for months and months now, we have been saying very clearly that every Canadian who wants to be will be fully vaccinated by the end of September.

When we look at the numbers, we can even achieve this earlier, before September. We know that we must all work together, and it is sad to see the Conservatives once again misinforming Canadians.

We will have everyone fully vaccinated by September. We will give everyone the opportunity to receive one dose by the end of June. We will overcome the pandemic together if people get vaccinated.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the question on many Canadians' minds is when they will become fully vaccinated.

By what date will enough vaccine doses arrive to Canada so that every Canadian who wants one will become fully vaccinated?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have been saying since last year that everyone in Canada who wants to be, will be fully vaccinated by the month of September. It is very possible that we will be able to do that even ahead of that date because we are doing so well on vaccine deliveries. We will continue ensuring that people can get vaccinated as quickly as possible, because for a one-dose summer and a two-dose fall everyone needs to roll up their sleeves and get their shot.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has presided over the delivery of unclear and changing advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine. There have been supply problems with the company that the federal government has not addressed, and now some provinces have stopped using this vaccine altogether.

What happens now for Canadians who have received one dose of AstraZeneca? Should they be getting a second dose of AstraZeneca, or will they be able to? Should they be getting two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or will there be some sort of mix or combination of vaccines? It has been really unclear from the Liberal government what the steps forward are for AstraZeneca, so I would ask for clarity on this from the Prime Minister.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for absolute clarity, every vaccine approved by Health Canada is safe and effective. Canadians who got any dose of any vaccine have been doing their part to reduce cases. It is a good thing, moving forward.

Scientists and health officials are leaning in carefully on what the next steps are and what the best recommendations are, going forward. We will ensure that they work closely with provincial health officers on delivering the doses that are needed for Canadians in the coming months.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know if the Prime Minister is refuting the announcements by the Provinces of Alberta and Ontario on AstraZeneca, but it is really not clear. I am going to ask him again for clarity concerning a provincial response, what he said and what his advisers have told Canadians.

Again, will folks who have received the first dose of AstraZeneca, as he has, be able to receive a second dose of AstraZeneca, or will they be receiving two doses of Pfizer or Moderna? Are they going to be getting some combination? It has been very unclear from the get-go on this vaccine, so I am just asking the Prime Minister for some clarity on the AstraZeneca vaccine.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that politicians should be delivering health advice, but the best advice that I have heard from my doctor and others is that people who have received one dose of AstraZeneca can very well, and should very well, get a second dose of AstraZeneca. As recommendations change and as people look at different courses and options around the world, we will have more data and continue to update people on the recommended path. I can assure everyone that those who got the AstraZeneca vaccine, as I did and as did the Leader of the Opposition and other party leaders, did the right thing and will continue to be well cared for in the way forward.

National Defence

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, allegations of sexual misconduct against General Vance have been circulating since 2018. The Minister of National Defence was aware of the existence and the nature of those allegations since 2018.

However, General Vance was not subject to an investigation and suffered no consequences. Not only did he remain in his position with no questions asked for three years, but he was also even given a pay raise.

Will the Prime Minister confirm that the Minister of National Defence never saw fit to inform him of the existence of allegations against the highest-ranking officer in the military?