Debates of June 10th, 2021

WE Charity

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the release today of the ethics committee's report into the WE scandal shows how comfortable the Liberals are with unethical and corrupt behaviour. It shows in detail how the Prime Minister gave a contract worth half a billion dollars to WE Charity.

This is an organization run by well-connected Liberals that paid over half a million dollars in fees and expenses to the Prime Minister’s family. It paid $20,000 to fly the Prime Minister’s wife abroad for its event and spent over $10,000 to produce and promote campaign-style advertising for the Prime Minister. The amount of financial and in-kind benefit that the Prime Minister and his family have received from WE is outrageous.

These facts and the appearance of a clear conflict of interest, on top of the billionaire island scandal, the SNC-Lavalin scandal and the illegal casino magnate scandal, among others, have been severely damaging to Canadians' confidence in their democratic institutions. Canadians deserve better and they can count on the Conservatives to secure accountability.

Homelessness

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, according to the Women's National Housing & Homelessness Network, homelessness among women, girls and gender-diverse peoples in Canada is a crisis hiding in plain sight.

It explained the extent of the problem is difficult to fully understand due to the hidden nature of their homelessness and the way women tend to avoid traditional shelters and other options since these spaces tend to be dominated by men. That puts women in precarious scenarios as they rely on relational and potentially dangerous supports when what they really need is a system that understands their needs and a housing policy that prioritizes them.

The network identified eight challenges and opportunities in seeking to prevent and end homelessness amongst women, girls and gender‑diverse peoples, and it does not consider the challenges to be insurmountable.

While there is a plan to allocate 25% of housing strategy funds for the unique needs of women and girls, it is critical that responses to homelessness among women, girls and gender-diverse peoples are urgently prioritized.

Jacques Parizeau Fund

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

Mr. Speaker, Jacques Parizeau is a monumental figure in Quebec's history, one of the main architects of the Quiet Revolution. He played a key role in the nationalization of hydroelectricity and the creation of the Quebec pension plan, the Société générale de financement and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

Then, after being perhaps the greatest finance minister in the history of Quebec, Jacques Parizeau, as leader of the Parti Québécois, became the premier of Quebec in 1994. He was just a few thousand votes shy of finally giving Quebec its independence. He was referred to as “Monsieur”. He was a great man, a statesman, a public servant, a monumental figure.

That is why the Foundation of Greater Montréal's Jacques Parizeau Fund plans to erect a monument in his honour, to be installed in the gardens of the National Assembly alongside those of other great former premiers who shaped our history. I invite all Quebeckers to visit the Foundation of Greater Montréal's website and donate to the Jacques Parizeau Fund so that “Monsieur” is given a tribute that reflects how much he is appreciated in his country, Quebec.

Anti-Semitism

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, incidents of anti-Semitism are on the rise in Canada and the incidents speak for themselves.

The annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents showed that for the fifth straight year Canada had set a record in 2020 with 2,600 incidents, an increase of more than 18%. Another report showed there were 50 incidents of anti-Semitic activity in the GTA in May alone, a fivefold increase over the previous few months.

A 21-year-old girl in Montreal stated, “I felt like I’m going to have to hide this fact that I was born in Israel for the rest of my life living in Canada...it was just terrifying.” She said that after being pelted with rocks.

Anti-Semitism is on the rise across Canada and this type of activity cannot be tolerated. Therefore, why is the Liberal Party offering safe harbour to someone who described Israel as a state of apartheid? Why is the Prime Minister accepting and welcoming anti-Semitic activity within his own caucus?

Portugal Day

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, people of Portuguese origin everywhere are celebrating Portugal Day, the day of Camões and Portuguese communities.

Portugal Day is first and foremost a time to celebrate everything that has shaped Portuguese culture over the centuries, rather than just a military deed, a conquest or even the Portuguese discoveries. It is a time to celebrate everything that arose from all of those facets of Portuguese history, from the cartography to the azulejos, from our symbiotic relationship with the ocean to the oh-so-delicious use of its resources.

Lusitanity is well represented not only by the pastéis de nata, our custard tarts, but also by the great and renowned literary works of Camões, Fernando Pessoa, Eça de Queirós and José Saramago; by fado, which embraces and charms us from cradle to grave; and by our simple but delicious gastronomy, enhanced by spices discovered in the 16th century and the skilful use of sea salt.

Finally, being Lusitanian, whether in Portugal or elsewhere in the world, means living with this rich heritage in our hearts without feeling too much saudade.

Public Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister suggested that the breach at the Winnipeg lab was espionage, but later he would not confirm it. Canadians are getting a little tired of the shell game that the Liberal government is playing with our national security.

Will the government confirm that espionage by Communist China was taking place at the Winnipeg laboratory, yes or no?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is playing a very dangerous game. As the Prime Minister has stated, we have provided the requested documents to the Canada-China committee with protections in place for privacy and national security. We then went further and provided unredacted documents to the only committee that has members with security clearance as well as the right safety protocols.

I suggest the member opposite go back to his conspiracy theory drawing board.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is sad to see the political games and cover-ups that the member and the government are willing to go to with respect to a breach at our level 4 biosecurity lab in Winnipeg. This is a lab working with the deadliest viruses in the world. People need two security clearances to work at that lab, and a security breach of that nature is catastrophic.

Canadians have questions. We do not need cover-ups from a parliamentary secretary. We need to know this: Will the Liberals follow the order of this Parliament and disclose to all Canadians the nature of their security breach?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, only the Leader of the Opposition considers the fact that our government has provided all of the documents unredacted in a secure manner to be somehow a cover-up. Either the member opposite does not understand national security or he simply does not care.

We have provided those documents. We have faith in the hard-working members of NSICOP and the secretariat that supports them to do this work and to provide that transparency while maintaining the safety and security of our national security systems in Canada.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed in the parliamentary secretary. She should know that I take the national security of our country extremely seriously. It is why I served 12 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and why I am concerned that there has been an infiltration at the top lab in Canada.

Yesterday, one of Canada's top security experts said that Chinese agents had infiltrated the lab under the watch of the Liberal government. We know that the lab's director resigned shortly after this breach. Parliament has a responsibility to examine a failure of this nature.

Why is the member continuing to cover up a failure to protect Canadians?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition cares about national security, he has a pretty funny way of showing it. We have provided all of the documents unredacted to NSICOP. Because the member opposite references his service, let me point out a quote from a professor from the Royal Military College of Canada in reference to the work of NSICOP. He said, “I think it demonstrates the value of having an independent review of organizations by parliamentarians of the changes that the government has put in place.”

I think the NSICOP report is very important for everyone to read. NSICOP is respected—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister suggested that the breach at the Winnipeg lab was espionage, but he does not want to confirm that.

Canadians are getting tired of the political games the Liberals play by always withholding information. Will the Liberal government confirm that espionage by Communist China was taking place at the Winnipeg laboratory, yes or no?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, once again, only the Leader of the Opposition thinks that the government providing all of the documentation unredacted, as well as the documentation in a secure form to two separate committees, is somehow a cover-up.

The Conservative leader is playing a dangerous game with national security matters for his own political stunts. We will not engage in that. We have faith in the hard-working members of NSICOP. I know just how hard they work. I was a member and I also understand the security measures that go in place to ensure that members have the right security clearance and that documents are held in a—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve a serious answer on a serious issue.

The Winnipeg lab is a level four biosecurity lab, which means that it works with the deadliest viruses in the world. This type of security breach is a catastrophic failure on the part of the government. It is extremely serious.

Is this government trying to cover up its failure to protect Canadians?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians deserve is a Leader of the Opposition who does not put the national security of Canadians at risk for a political stunt based on his own innuendo and conspiracy theories.

We have provided all of the documents, and I do not know how many times the government has to say that, in a manner that is safe and secure, unredacted, to those members. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition does not have confidence in his own members on the NSICOP committee to review this material.

Finance

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec needs to pay attention to Bill C-30.

The federal government is using it to bring back the Canada-wide securities commission. If that happens, the commission would wipe out Montreal's financial sector to the benefit of Toronto. That is why Quebec has been opposing this commission for 40 years and the Quebec National Assembly has voted four times in favour of motions against this project.

The Bloc Québécois managed to get the funding for the office mandated to create this commission cut from Bill C-30, but the Liberals are doing everything they can to bring it back with an amendment. The vote could be held on Monday.

Will the Liberals respect the unanimous will of Quebec and withdraw their amendment?

[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, with respect, I disagree with his characterization of the funding designated for the Canadian Securities Transition Office. That organization co-operates with willing partners at the provincial level on securities regulations and on other important matters, including tax evasion.

It is the government's view that this organization does good work, but I would point out that provinces that do not wish to co-operate with the CSTO are not forced to in any way, shape or form. I look forward to the debate on that proposed amendment.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's economic nationalism is at stake with Bill C-30.

We need a strong markets authority in Quebec to protect our head offices in order to ensure that our companies are growing and that they are doing so in French. We are the 13th largest financial centre in the world. That is something. That is what the federal government wants to destroy by centralizing activities in Toronto.

The Bloc Québécois managed to remove the funding for the office mandated to create this Canada-wide securities commission, but the Liberals are doing everything they can to reinstate it with an amendment to Bill C-30.

Will they withdraw that amendment? Quebec's business community is watching.

[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, let me reinforce this essential point. The Canadian Securities Transition Office in no way, shape or form impacts the jurisdiction of Quebec managing its own securities regulations. It is free to behave in the way it deems fit.

It is an opportunity for provinces that wish to co-operate on important issues: not just on securities regulations, but also on money laundering, tax evasion and other important financial matters. This organization does important work for the benefit of all Canadians. To the extent that Quebec wishes to pursue an independent process to achieve those outcomes, it is free to do so. This amendment will not change that.

Ethics

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

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the WE Charity scandal, we now know what to do with the Liberals. We need to hold their hand and tell them, no, it is not okay to think only of the interests of their filthy rich cronies, and no, it is not okay to give WE Charity privileged access to the finance minister's office.

They really are like little kids and have to be told everything. If they are not told what to do, they will do the same stupid things again.

All kidding aside, will the Liberals commit to implementing all the recommendations in the report from the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics released this morning, yes or no?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth]

Mr. Speaker, we respect our parliamentary institutions, including independent officers of Parliament, such as the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. We also appreciate the work of committees.

The opposition seems to be focused on playing partisan politics during a pandemic, rather than focusing on the needs of Canadians. Today, we could have been debating the budget implementation bill to actually bring about measures that would waive interest on student loans and extend rent and wage subsidies, for example.

We appreciate their work. I look forward to reading the report and getting back to the matter at hand.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government spent a year stalling, filibustering and even shutting down Parliament, but it has not been able to hide the fact that the WE scandal did not come from the civil service. The scheme was politically driven by key political ministers to help their friends the Kielburger brothers.

In an unprecedented economic crisis, the Prime Minister turned key government departments into an open bar for his friends and cronies, and they in turn hired his relatives and flew his family and the finance minister around the world.

This question goes to the Prime Minister. During the WE scandal, Canadian students and the taxpayers were the losers. When is he going to clean up the ethical mess in Ottawa and within his own ministries and cabinet?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the commissioner investigated the matter and his report cleared the Prime Minister of all allegations.

Let me quote directly from the report, at page 3, which states the Prime Minister “did not contravene subsection 6(1), section 7 or section 21 of the Act.” Further on page 3, the commissioner writes, “there is no evidence of impropriety in relation to [the Prime Minister's] decision making in relation to [this matter]". The commissioner continues on page 40 with, “I cannot conclude that a contravention has occurred.” That is it.