House of Commons Hansard #100 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-15.

Topics

National DefenceOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on National Defence heard multiple witnesses over three months, including non-partisan public servants, say that the details of the allegation were unknown. The record is clear.

During her testimony, the deputy secretary to the cabinet said, “I did not have information about the nature of the complaint or specifics that would have enabled further action.”

The former mediator testified at committee that he could not provide any details, saying that he took the investigation as far as he could with the complainant's permission.

This highlights why we need to create a system in which people feel supported to come forward.

National DefenceOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC

Mr. Speaker, in 2015, 2019 and 2021, the Prime Minister asked the Minister of National Defence to work with the senior leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces to establish a workplace free from harassment. He asked three times.

Not only did the minister not do that, but he hid information from the Prime Minister regarding allegations of sexual misconduct involving Canada's top soldier. Not only did the minister not fulfill his mandate, he acted directly against it.

How can the Prime Minister still have confidence in his Minister of National Defence?

National DefenceOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, in budget 2021, we announced over $236 million to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the Canadian Armed Forces, including enhancing internal support services to survivors and implementing new external oversight mechanisms.

This builds on the work we were already doing, including creating a strategy for long-term culture change to eliminate sexual misconduct and implementing the declaration of victims rights.

We also recently appointed Louise Arbour to conduct an independent review into the handling of sexual misconduct, as well as Lieutenant-General Carignan to serve in the new role of chief of professional conduct and culture.

HealthOral Questions

May 12th, 2021 / 2:40 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to carry on with the line of questions my colleague just asked.

As the Prime Minister has received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, will he be getting a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of Pfizer or Moderna in the future? Which one will it be?

HealthOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I will assure the hon. member for Calgary Nose Hill that I talked to my doctor just last week, and he recommended that I get a second dose of AstraZeneca in the coming weeks or months when it becomes available and when my turn comes up in the province of Ontario. That is what I am focused on doing.

I know questions are being asked around the world about the data that involves mixing and matching doses. There are no recommendations around that yet, but I know scientists are leaning in carefully to see if it may be the right option for many people.

HealthOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, is the Prime Minister and the government recommending that people who received the first dose of AstraZeneca get a second dose of AstraZeneca, with that comment he just made, or is he advising them to contact their doctor?

HealthOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the government do not make health recommendations. That is not my job. I shared what the member asked for, which was what advice I personally got from my doctor. I certainly encourage all Canadians to talk to their doctors, who will then be informed by experts and doctors in their jurisdictions, in their provinces and territories, and by the national guidance from NACI and from Health Canada. That is the best way to move forward.

People should not take recommendations from politicians, particularly not Conservatives. They should take recommendations from their doctors and the experts.

HealthOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, the experts are the regulators at Health Canada and NACI, which both report into the government or the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister just stood in the House and said that he would be getting a second dose of AstraZeneca based on his doctor's advice.

Based on the experts at Health Canada and NACI who report into him, would he stand by that advice?

HealthOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I highlighted that I spoke with my doctor and he said that he expected that in the coming weeks, whenever that comes up, I would get a second dose of AstraZeneca. We will, he will and others will of course be following the updated guidance that I am sure will continue to evolve from recommendations by experts on what the right path forward is. However, Canadians need to be reassured that every step of the way their health and safety is at the forefront of all recommendations. Every vaccine distributed in Canada is approved by Health Canada, because it is safe and effective.

HealthOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, again, Health Canada and NACI report into the government and the Prime Minister. He would have access to their advice. He has access to a family physician's advice, which many Canadians do not.

Therefore, I am wonder if he can tell Canadians who, like him, received the first dose of AstraZeneca two things: if they should be waiting for supply to get a second dose of AstraZeneca based on what Health Canada and NACI said; and whether AstraZeneca ever plans to deliver a dose of vaccine to Canada, but particularly whether they should be waiting to get their first dose of AstraZeneca, as his family physician advised.

HealthOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, vaccines are rolling out across the country right now. We will have received 50 million doses of vaccine by the end of June. We will continue to make recommendations. We will continue to see Health Canada, NACI and provincial deciders making recommendations about how and when all Canadians can get vaccinated.

However, I will take this moment to thank everyone who has stepped up and gotten a first dose of vaccine, congratulate the many who have already received their two doses of vaccine and encourage everyone else to get vaccinated as soon as possible, so we can have a much better summer.

HousingOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

NDP

Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC

Mr. Speaker, the housing crisis in Montreal was already a big problem, and the pandemic made it even worse.

Does the Prime Minister have any idea how much rent and house prices have gone up in the past year?

HousingOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we know that housing is no longer affordable for lots of Canadians. For many years now, we have been making significant investments in the national housing strategy, and we have added to those investments in our latest budget. Initially, the budget for the national housing strategy was $40 billion. It is now $70 billion.

We are making progress in our fight against homelessness and with the rapid housing initiative in partnership with municipalities and provinces. We know that the housing crisis is real for many families.

HousingOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

NDP

Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC

Mr. Speaker, the answer to my question is that rent has gone up more in the past year than it has in any other year since 2003. House prices have increased by up to 23%. This is a very difficult situation.

Why is the Prime Minister not taxing excessive profits and investing that money in building affordable housing now?

HousingOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are doing.

We have invested billions of dollars all across the country to build housing now. We have agreements with municipalities, community organizations and the provinces to address the housing situation, and that is what we will continue to do.

As for taxing the wealthy, the first thing we did was raise taxes for the wealthiest Canadians and lower them for the middle class. Unfortunately, the NDP voted against that initiative.

HealthOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Brampton West Ontario

Liberal

Kamal Khera LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development

Mr. Speaker, this week is National Nursing Week. Nurses across Canada have made tremendous sacrifices to keep us safe and protected from COVID-19, and we thank them for their dedication, commitment and compassion.

As a proud registered nurse myself, I have seen those sacrifices first-hand, while working alongside incredible nurses in long-term care hard hit in the first wave in Brampton, and now on the other side by vaccinating as many Canadians as possible.

Will the Prime Minister join me and all Canadians in recognizing the fundamental role of nurses during this pandemic and beyond?

HealthOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, allow me to begin by thanking the member for Brampton West for her unwavering dedication to her community as both an MP and a nurse.

Nurses are the backbone of Canada's health care system. They have helped us through every aspect of this pandemic, from the emergency room to the ICU, from vaccination clinics to public health units, from long-term care to mental health services.

This year has been incredibly challenging for health care workers, and we owe nurses deep gratitude for their heroic efforts fighting COVID-19 on the front lines. For all nurses in Canada, I thank them. We are grateful for their service.

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage posted a tweet suggesting that public opinion is being manipulated by a misinformation campaign and that anyone questioning Bill C-10 and the Liberals' attack on freedom of expression—

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member.

I would ask him to start his question over again because there is a discussion under way in the House and I am having a hard time hearing his question. I would also like to hear the response.

The hon. member for Richmond-Arthabaska.

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage posted a tweet suggesting that public opinion is being manipulated by a misinformation campaign and that anyone questioning Bill C-10 and the Liberals' attack on freedom of expression is, at best, a conspiracy theorist.

I have a very simple question for the Prime Minister: Does he endorse what the Minister of Canadian Heritage said?

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect us to be there to support our artists, our creators and our cultural industry. We know how worrisome it is to see the power and prominence of web giants that do not support Canada's cultural industry.

That is why I was very pleased to see a unanimous resolution at the National Assembly of Quebec to support Bill C-10. We know that it is not an attack on freedom of expression. On the contrary, it is a way to help and support our artists. That is truly what we want on this side of the House.

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, all of us, all MPs from all parties, agree that we must help the cultural sector. I asked the Prime Minister a very simple question.

Are the people who defend freedom of expression in this country considered to be troublemakers, conspiracy theorists and people who spread misinformation? Does he really believe that the concerns of Canadians, analysts, experts, professors and all those who oppose the Liberal government's Bill C-10 are part of a huge conspiracy as his Minister of Canadian Heritage is implying? Does he agree with his heritage minister, yes or no?

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the member for Richmond—Arthabaska is in a rather difficult position, because Quebeckers and Canadians remember only too well the Conservative government's attacks on culture and artists in Quebec and the rest of Canada a few years ago.

Seeing them again take a stand against artists and our content producers and aligning themselves with the web giants must be disappointing for this Conservative member from Quebec. We will always defend freedom of expression and the freedom of our artists.

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is unable to answer questions, so I will give him a concrete example.

There are two artists in my riding who have more than 500,000 subscribers on YouTube and who share their creations with people around the world. This is how they earn a living.

Under the amended Bill C-10, the CRTC will have the power to legislate the content on their YouTube channel because the minister said that they could be considered broadcasters. Does the Prime Minister agree with his heritage minister's vision, yes or no?

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member and the Canadian content creators in his riding that an individual using social media platforms will never be considered a broadcaster under this bill.

The obligations that apply to the web giants will not apply to Canadian users. The proposed amendments to Bill C-10 significantly limit the regulator's powers on social media platforms and explicitly exclude individuals from any form of regulation.

I have a question for the member: When will the Conservatives support the cultural sector?