Debates of June 18th, 2021

Science and Technology

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Markham—Stouffville for her excellent question on a very important issue.

As she said, earlier this week I was proud to announce, on behalf of Canadians, a historic investment of over $635 million to foster a stronger and more vibrant research and science ecosystem in Canada. Through these investments, we will support innovative world-class research to better address and overcome some of the most pressing challenges. These investments would create prosperity for all Canadians.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Madam Speaker, Oshawa is home to Ontario Tech University, an institution designed to be a key economic driver in my community.

A 2018 study found that 65% of software engineers and 30% of other STEM graduates leave Canada for opportunities abroad. The global tech race is on, and with the expiry of the American H1B visa ban in March, American tech companies are again free to start poaching our youngest and brightest.

When will Canadian students see a targeted plan to keep them and their futures in Canada?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Madam Speaker, we know that investment in science, technology and innovation are crucial. We also know that we need to invest more in training to make sure that people have the skills. I would agree with the member that we need to do everything we can to retain our bright talent here in Canada because we know that talent attracts investment.

That is why, in the last budget we presented, there are a number of measures to make sure that Canada remains the most attractive place for talent around the world.

Government Priorities

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister’s misleading and blind partisan rhetoric over the last week is quite something.

It was recently pointed out to me that the Liberals' attitude is like that of an irresponsible student who, only when faced with a deadline and possible failure in a class, realizes their actions have consequences. Instead of taking responsibility, they are blaming others, blaming the system, and screaming it is simply not fair.

The Liberals' condescending attitude abdicates the responsibility they have to serve Canadians. It is time to end the excuses and grow up. Will these Liberals take responsibility for their failures?

[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]

Madam Speaker, I find it bizarre that the hon. member is pointing the finger at blind partisan arguments, when he seems to have asked a question without a real subject other than a generic allegation about the government's failures.

I will tell him about the government's work. We launched one of the most ambitious pandemic responses, both from a public health and economic point of view. We are leading the world when it comes to the number of Canadians who have received their first dose. We have protected millions of Canadians' jobs. We helped nine million families keep food on the table and a roof over their heads with CERB. We have had about five million Canadians kept on payrolls as a result of the wage subsidy.

We have a plan that is going to kick-start this recovery, if only the Conservatives would—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Cloverdale—Langley City.

Public Safety

[Tamara Jansen, Conservative, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Madam Speaker, 21 years ago, a little girl named Heather was playing in her front yard in Cloverdale. Her neighbour, 24-year-old violent pedophile Shane Ertmoed, sexually assaulted and brutally murdered her. He stuffed her in his hockey bag and dumped her in the lake. Shane was sentenced to life in prison.

Recently, the parole board approved his early day release, even though he admits that he continues to experience disturbing sexual urges. He plans to work in public parks, which are visited by many Victoria families.

Will this government commit to reviewing this release immediately and overturning the board’s decision?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Madam Speaker, the case the member raised is certainly very disturbing. The Parole Board of Canada operates independently and makes decisions based on well-established criteria. I would definitely like to take a look at this case with the opposition member to find out more.

Health

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Madam Speaker, my community in Brampton North was hit hard by COVID-19 earlier this year and we have worked tirelessly to get cases down and vaccinations up. I am proud to say that over 75% of adults in Peel Region have received at least one dose, but we know there is more work to do to make sure we are all protected from COVID-19.

I would ask the Minister of Health: what actions can Canadians take right now to help us all have a safer summer?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brampton North, first of all, for her ongoing and continued advocacy for her constituents. Her work is tremendous and I am so grateful to have her as a partner in that work.

What Canadians can do is continue to step up to get vaccinated. We are the number one vaccinator in the G7 and that speaks to the hard work of the immunizers, but it also speaks to the willingness of Canadians to do the right thing and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities. While we are getting that job done, let us continue to do the other things that we know will keep ourselves safe: follow our local public health measures and wear a mask to protect our communities.

Employment

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Madam Speaker, recent policy changes to the Canada summer jobs program are hurting university students who need that program the most. Employers have been told that the longest a single job can last is eight weeks. University students need at least 12 to 16 weeks to make enough money for next year's studies, so they will not apply for these jobs.

Will the minister bring back flexibility to the program so jobs can be created that meet the needs of both university students and employers?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Madam Speaker, we are very excited that this year we have offered more jobs to the Canada summer jobs program than ever before. Up to 150,000 opportunities are available.

Prior to project approvals, of course, the member opposite had the opportunity to provide feedback on all the recommended projects. I encourage students to go to the job bank, apply for a job and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to contribute to their community and get work experience as they head back to university in the fall.

Health

[Derek Sloan, Independent, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have been troubled to see the suspension of Canadians' ability to travel domestically and internationally, as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We have seen Manitoba close its borders, keeping one-half of the country from the other. How many family vacations will be ruined by these measures?

Just yesterday, CBC reported from an anonymous government source that a vaccine passport program will be implemented for travellers entering Canada soon. Why is the government at liberty to discuss with CBC something that has never been presented or debated in the House of Commons?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, what will inevitably ruin Canadians' vacations plans is any member of their families becoming sick with COVID-19.

Every step of the way, we have relied on science and evidence to protect Canadians, to ensure that our communities are safe and increasingly free of COVID-19. We have done a great job together. It is really due to Canadians' hard work at protecting each other and the many sacrifices that they have made to do that. I want to thank all Canadians for stepping up because a country that has COVID banished from our communities is the safest one.

Points of Order

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been consultations among the parties and if you seek it, I hope that you will find consent for the following motion: That in light of the uncovering of unmarked graves at residential schools, the House call on the government to establish an independent commission with the resources to establish standards and provide oversight in the searches of records, in ground searches and investigations in accordance with the wishes of communities, as well as invite international experts including the International Commission on Missing Persons to work with first nations, Inuit and Métis communities to bring their children home.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We would need unanimous consent to pass this motion. Therefore, all those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

There is dissent and therefore it cannot be adopted.

I have two points of order, so I will go to the first one that came up.

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Statements by Members

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

Madam Speaker, immediately following the conclusion of my S.O. 31, I received a message from AV services and translation saying that unfortunately because of my mike they were unable to properly translate my S.O. 31, half of which was done in French and half in English. I therefore am requesting kindly that I be able to redo my S.O. 31.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.

[An hon. member]

Nay.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I had a nay on that, so therefore it is not approved.

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay has a point of order.

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

Madam Speaker, I just wanted to clarify. I did not quite hear it, but it was the Liberal Party that turned down the support for indigenous people in finding the bodies—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

That is not a point of order.

On another point of order, the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Madam Speaker, the precedent was set, as you will recall, a few years ago. We had unanimous consent to put the motion. That was accepted. Then you asked for unanimous consent to adopt the motion. That was declined. What that means is because the motion was accepted, we now have to have a parliamentary vote on that. You can check the precedents back to 2015, but that is indeed the case. When the House allows the presentation of a motion, then subsequent to that, if unanimous consent for adoption of the motion is denied, it does mean that we then go to a vote.

The member for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski moving the motion, having had the House accept the presentation of the motion, we would normally go to a vote. I would suggest though you might want to ask for unanimous consent to adopt again because that would very clearly the second time around avoid a vote. I think you would probably find unanimous consent, but if consent is not given for adoption, we have to proceed to a vote on it.