House of Commons Hansard #120 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was military.
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, this week, the government introduced Bill C‑32, which seeks to modernize the Official Languages Act. This bill contains historic measures to protect and promote French across Canada, including in Quebec.
Can the Minister of Official Languages tell the House how Bill C‑32 will help us achieve real equality between our two languages?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Economic Development and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his excellent question and his leadership at the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
Our Bill C‑32, essentially a modernisation of the Official Languages Act, will protect and promote French in all areas of Canadian life, in our cultural institutions, in our public service and in international relations.
Bill C‑32 guarantees that francophones have the right to work and be served in French, whether they live in Quebec or somewhere in the country with a strong francophone presence. I hope that all parties will join us so we can quickly pass Bill C‑32.
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Mr. Speaker, this week, the government undertook the modernization of the Official Languages Act.
I am somewhat concerned about the timing of the bill's introduction. It will be a slap in the face to all those who have been waiting a long time for this bill if the government introduced it knowing that it intends to dissolve Parliament. Only the Liberals have that authority.
Can the Prime Minister promise now that Parliament will be back in the fall to study the bill?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Economic Development and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his excellent question. He knows full well that we are a minority government and that every bill needs the support of the opposition parties.
Given that the Conservative Party has been calling for the modernization of the Official Languages Act for years, and given that the government has now introduced a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act, my question for him is this: Will the Conservative Party support our bill, yes or no?
Chris d'Entremont Conservative West Nova, NS
Mr. Speaker, patient groups across the country have been calling on the government to delay the implementation of the PMPRB guidelines, which are set to come into force on July 1. Most of the witnesses we have heard at health committee on the subject were unanimous in their position that they want less pandemic distraction and more time for a transparent discussion, to ensure that the new regulations will do more good than harm.
The implementation of the new regs has already been postponed twice. Will the minister postpone the regs again, as requested by patients?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, we have done a tremendous amount of work to lower drug prices in this country and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to do that. Canada has among the highest patent medicine prices in the world and these high prices negatively affect the ability of patients to access new medicines.
We will continue to work with all stakeholders to make sure that we can drive these prices down so that all Canadians have access to effective medication.
Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence has responded to several questions today in the House, but will not respond to my questions and I ask if he would. As someone who has served his country, he knows the military slogan, “Never pass a fault”. That is what he is doing with his failed leadership. He is the only original minister of the Liberal government. He has had six years, three Supreme Court justice reports, two ombuds reports, eight generals who have resigned, the last two chiefs of the defence staff under investigation, and he gives words like, “We need to do better; we need to do more”. We do, but we need a new minister with the confidence of Canadians to do that.
Will he resign?
Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, speaking of not passing a fault, maybe the member should ask himself this: What action did he take when General Vance was appointed and went under an investigation?
We will not take lessons from the member opposite when it comes to service of this country. I also served my country and I take very seriously looking after our people. That is why we increased our budget for the military and put people number one. Why I say we need to do more is because I also feel the pain of our members. I will do my darndest and best always for the sake of the Canadian Armed Forces until we get an environment that is inclusive and not the politics that the member opposite continually plays.
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Mr. Speaker, during the pandemic we have seen how important our digital capacity is in order to respond to the urgent needs of Canadians. Our government rose to the occasion and ensured that they received the benefits and the programs they needed in a timely fashion. We do know, though, that there is more work to be done.
Can the Minister of Digital Government update this House with her plans to continue the important work in providing critical digital delivery of services to Canadians?
Joyce Murray LiberalMinister of Digital Government
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells for his hard work.
Our digital response to COVID showed that we are capable of moving very quickly to bring critical programs and services to Canadians when and how they need them. My newly released digital government strategy is about modernizing how we build and manage IT, improve the service experience of Canadians, collaborate using secure tools and data, and change how we work to better meet the digital expectations of Canadians. It is about government services that are secure, reliable and easily accessed, including from any device.
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that the U.S. department of transport is fining Air Canada $25 million for failing to promptly refund passengers. By comparison, the Liberal government did nothing for over a year while Air Canada sat on billions of Canadians' hard-earned dollars. The minister repeatedly defended the airlines. Then, over a year after the pandemic began, the government turned around and loaned Air Canada the money to finally pay back passengers.
The U.S. stands up for its citizens. The Liberal government stands up for corporations. Why is that?
Omar Alghabra LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, our government stands up for our citizens and passengers. We understand that the pandemic has been hard on everyone. This is why we made significant progress in securing refunds for Canadians. My colleague knows about the deal that we have signed with Air Canada and Air Transat, and we are working on signing other deals with other airlines to ensure that passengers receive the refunds they deserve. We are committed to Canadian passengers.
Ramesh Sangha Independent Brampton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, in my last S. O. 31 on May 31, I talked about the excessive use of power regarding systemic racism and discrimination intra-community, and in institutions and government.
What steps will the government and the leadership be taking to eliminate these concerns of misuse of power, not in their own self-interest, but for the best interest of Canadians at large?
Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak about the work that our government has been doing. Since taking office in 2015, we set out to create Canada's anti-racism strategy. It was created by Canadians informed by lived realities and experiences for Canadians. We have continued to look at our appointments process. The Prime Minister has acknowledged that systemic racism exists. It is going to take all of us to dismantle these institutions and I appreciate the member showing his support, because racism is real and we have a lot more work to do. Our government has made commitments through programs. I look forward to working with the anti-racism secretariat to ensure that we have a more consciously inclusive Canada.
Diversity and InclusionOral Questions
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, I think there was a technical problem earlier when I gave my member's statement.
I am wondering if I could get the unanimous consent of the House to give my statement again.
Statements by MembersPoints of OrderOral Questions
Statements by MembersPoints of OrderOral Questions
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, the good weather is here and Montreal is coming out of lockdown. Our patios and shopping streets are bustling. After these long and difficult months, it feels so good to be able to get together and celebrate life.
Nothing says summer in Montreal like festivals. With the MURAL Festival, the Festival des musiciens du monde, the MAPP Festival, the Fringe Festival, the Festival international Nuits d'Afrique and the Festival international de Jazz de Montréal, Montreal will truly be celebrating this summer.
We still need to be cautious. We need to respect our health and safety measures, but we also need to celebrate. We need to celebrate everything that makes life worth living, such as our families, our friends, and our arts and culture. I am so proud of our community. From the live music from the rooftops of Pop Montreal to the free delivery service of the COVID‑19 Help Hub, to moms baking for local food banks and chalk rainbows in every alley and driveway, our community came together to take care of each other. Let us celebrate that. We have earned it.
André GagnonOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
Colleagues, in July, André Gagnon, Deputy Clerk of the House of Commons, will celebrate 31 years of service in the House.
André needs no introduction. He has been a table officer for nearly 23 years and has served 24 different chair occupants.
After having held positions in every area of Procedural Services, it is not surprising that he was appointed deputy clerk in September 2014.
His experience, deep understanding of procedure, and ability to distill and explain complex procedural and administrative questions has made him a trusted source for good advice to members from all parties. Trust me, after the last couple of days, he has been a real source of knowledge for me.
This chamber will continue to benefit from André's counsel thanks to the often quoted third edition of the House of Commons Procedure and Practice, which he co-edited with former acting clerk Marc Bosc.
As the vice-chair of the Association des secrétaires généraux des parlements francophones since 2006, he also helped francophone parliamentary institutions grow and flourish. He will be leaving us in a few days for a well-deserved retirement.
André, on behalf of myself, all those who have had the honour of serving the House in the chair, MPs and employees of the House of Commons administration, I would like to thank you for your contributions to our institution. You have always served with dignity, humility, a strong sense of duty and your own brand of humour.
I wish you and your wife, Lucie, health and happiness as you begin this new chapter of your life.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, if I may, I would like to join you in congratulating and thanking André Gagnon for his years of service to the House and members of Parliament.
Of course, as you have said, Mr. Speaker, André has vast knowledge, wonderful professionalism and dedication. He has been truly invaluable. I know that numerous Speakers have relied on his wise advice and guidance. He has done his very best to save Speakers from themselves, and usually with success.
I am sure he must be looking forward to spending more time with Lucie and his family and maybe riding his bike, which I have seen him do a few times. I wish him all the best in life and in the next phase of his career.
I wish you the best, André.
Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to pay tribute to a wonderful man who I was fortunate to get to know during my time in your role as Speaker. I do not need to tell you that serving as Speaker is an extremely challenging role, but thanks to a strong support team of clerks, such as Deputy Clerk André Gagnon, Speakers are able to continue the tradition of safeguarding the rights and privileges of the House, and members continue to be served by the highest degree of professionals.
As deputy clerk, André Gagnon has played a leadership role. If one has been around here long enough, then they likely know his big bright smile, his quick jokes and his kindness. André is serious, smart, understanding and a strong leader. He is admired by his staff and is highly respected by his colleagues. He also pulled some of the best pranks this chamber has ever seen. His work ethic and dedication to this chamber are second to none, and I know we will all miss his wisdom around here.
The whole House administration team during my time, clerk emerita Audrey O'Brien, former clerk Marc Bosc, Eric Janse, Bev Isles, Colette Labrecque-Riel, and of course, the man of the moment, André Gagnon, were a procedural dream team. I cannot thank them enough.
The years we spent sitting around the table in 220 north Centre Block will be forever ingrained as some of the best of my career. We debated and edited, re-edited, rewrote, redebated and re-edited more rulings than I can count, but there is no other team I would have rather done it with. André was there. He was there to support this House, his team and all members of Parliament.
In the aftermath of the October 22 shooting, André was there with a steady hand. It was difficult. Things were changing quickly, but he was such an incredible force to help the chamber get through that, always putting the interest of the institutions first.
In the changeover to our temporary home in West Block, the House administration had an enormous task. Much of it we might never know, but, again, André was there all along.
Of course, Mr. Speaker, you no doubt know first hand that, as deputy clerk, André helped lead the House of Commons administration during the pandemic. I would like to commend André and his entire team for the role they have played in ensuring that this House, this institution that is so vital to our democracy, was able to function with all the challenges that the pandemic posed.
André, we will miss your smile, your personality, your wisdom and your experience in this chamber. We are sorry to see you go, but I am sure I speak for everyone who ever worked with you when I say we are so grateful for your service. We wish you all the very best in your post-parliamentary career.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Mr. Speaker, it brings a tear to my eye to join my Bloc Québécois colleagues in the House of Commons in recognizing Deputy Clerk André Gagnon for his excellent work. By “colleagues”, I mean all MPs, past and present, and every Bloc Québécois staffer over the years.
Mr. Gagnon chose to step down a little sooner than we might have liked. It was only just in 2019 that we made a vigorous comeback. All of us—the Bloc Québécois, the House of Commons, Parliament, all members and every unit of the House of Commons administration—are losing an exceptional man, a man who made his mark and whose influence will not soon be forgotten in this place.
Mr. Gagnon is the Gagnon of Bosc and Gagnon's famous House of Commons Procedure and Practice. It is a monumental work, a manual detailing the procedure and practice of the House of Commons, and he was its co-author. It took seven years of rigorous, serious work by a rigorous, serious man.
It is also true that, throughout his career, which began in 1998, he has had exceptional experiences. He worked closely with Audrey O'Brien, the first ever female clerk of the House of Commons. He also worked closely with the youngest member of Parliament to become Speaker of the House, the hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle, who was 32 when he was appointed.
Mr. Gagnon saw and supported the arrival of several members from parties not recognized by the House of Commons: the Greens in 2011 and the Bloc Québécois between 2011 and 2019. He saw majority and minority governments and, in every situation, he was quick on his feet and skilfully dealt with the pressure from the various parties.
Mr. Gagnon is well liked by all political parties, members and colleagues, for a number of reasons. The first, and most important, is that he has a keen understanding of the political issues faced by MPs. We feel understood; he understands us.
He has a profound respect for the role of MPs. All members, be they government members, opposition members, members of an unrecognized party or independents, receive the same robust and respectful support.
Generous in his explanations and teachings, he wants members to understand procedure. He knows how to transmit his passion. I must also point out Mr. Gagnon's contribution to promoting the French language in the world of parliamentary procedure, since he has been vice-president of the Association des secrétaires généraux des parlements francophones since 2006.
Mr. Gagnon is known to be a unifier and a positive leader. The Bloc Québécois has a great affection for him and greatly admires his career. I want to say that he also has the perfect personality for the position. His smile, his good humour, his sense of humour, his ability to listen, his generosity and his respect for members are, in my opinion, human qualities that every clerk should have. Let us be frank, he has them all.
We are sad to see him go. We are losing a giant, an exceptional man, and we know that our sadness is shared by his colleagues and by every member of the House. We all know that he will be leaving behind a great void.
In conclusion, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to extend my most heartfelt thanks to deputy clerk, procedure, André Gagnon for his excellent work, his contribution and his dedication to the public service. We owe him much, and wish him a wonderful retirement.
Thank you, André Gagnon, I wish you well.