House of Commons Hansard #111 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was point.
Marco Mendicino LiberalMinister of Immigration
Madam Speaker, as I was saying, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague. I know that this is a very important issue.
Canada will always stand up for human rights around the world and we remain deeply concerned about Mr. Badawi's detention. This case is very sensitive and we will continue to put his health and safety first. Every Canadian MP and, in fact, every Canadian wants Mr. Badawi to be reunited with his family.
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Madam Speaker, every time the government partners with the Communist regime in China, Canadians end up suffering. First, it was the Prime Minister's partnership with China on vaccines that put the lives of Canadians at risk. Now it is the government's foolish investments in the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The Prime Minister has given millions of dollars to a bank that invests all over Asia, but not in Canada. Meanwhile, our two Michaels languish in Chinese jails.
Why is the Prime Minister partnering with the Chinese Communist government while ignoring two innocent Canadians?
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Madam Speaker, as we have said before in this House, Canada will remain firm and resolute in defending our principles and interests when it comes to China. We have a complex and multi-dimensional relationship with China. It presents many challenges for Canadians. Many of our international partners also face similar challenges and we are actively engaging with them on all of these issues.
Our policies are based on Canadian interests, our fundamental values and principles, including human rights, as well as global rules and strategic partnerships. We will stand firm and smart in our relationship with China.
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Madam Speaker, all talk and no action.
The finance minister has refused to say whether she made the return of the two Michaels a condition of throwing millions of taxpayers' money at this China-led bank. She also will not tell Parliament how many Canadian jobs this bank has created or how many of our small businesses have benefited. The lack of accountability is appalling. Meanwhile, it has been over 900 days since China threw the two Michaels into prison.
Why does the minister continue to appease China when she cannot even secure—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. parliamentary secretary.
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Madam Speaker, there is no appeasement going on. The situation of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor weighs upon our minds and our hearts and our actions every day. Our ambassador is in touch whenever we are able to get consular access to them, as well as others, including Mr. Schellenberg, and others we are not able to get access to.
We will stand firm, resolute and smart in our relationship with China. We continue to stress the principles that Canadians expect us to stress and we will continue to work with our partners around the globe, ensuring that we find a way to have the international rules-based order and human rights adhered to by China.
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Madam Speaker, the government's lack of a plan for a safe, permanent reopening and late vaccine deliveries have taken a brutal toll on small businesses. Many still need access to the Canadian emergency business account to have a fighting chance for survival. A keystroke error should not mean weeks or months of delay or denial of access to the government’s most basic small business pandemic support.
When will businesses be able to correct simple mistakes and typos and qualify for the CEBA?
Rachel Bendayan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to report to this House that yesterday an advisory was sent to our financial institutions. We have found a solution for those new businesses that are having difficulty accessing the CEBA loan program, whether it is the $40,000 initially or the top-up of $20,000 that we introduced in September.
I would also like to add that we are working on a number of other initiatives, including a very important initiative that was mentioned in the budget, in order to lower credit card transaction fees for our merchants, as well as a new program—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Calgary Rocky Ridge.
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Madam Speaker, announcements and promises are not a correction mechanism.
Small businesses are drowning in debt and need their customers back. The government's failure to procure vaccines and make prudent use of other tools has kept too many businesses closed for far too long and contributed to the recent brutal jobs numbers.
Will the government finally table a plan for areas under its jurisdiction for a safe and permanent reopening?
Rachel Bendayan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business
Madam Speaker, as the member opposite knows, it is the provinces and territories that are responsible for imposing local restrictions that may be affecting our small businesses. What the member opposite should also know is that this federal government has been there since the very beginning in order to support all of our small businesses and all of our entrepreneurs right across the country. We have introduced, of course, the wage subsidy and the rent subsidy, as well as numerous other supports, and extended those supports in the most recent budget.
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Madam Speaker, in my riding, wild salmon is key to our cultural and economic health, and needs immediate action from the government to survive.
In 2019, the Liberals made it clear, both in the election and then in the minister's mandate letter, that fish aquaculture would be changing. The parliamentary secretary has been consulting on this since well before Christmas with the industry, indigenous leaders and the public.
Now, after waiting over two months, aquaculture workers and wild salmon advocates are looking for clarity. There is no time to waste. Would the parliamentary secretary give us a date on when we can expect to see this report?
Terry Beech LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries
Madam Speaker, I very much appreciate this question. In fact, wild Pacific salmon is a priority for this government, which is why budget 2021 dedicated $647 million to the recovery of abundance in wild salmon. It is a historic and unprecedented announcement.
I also appreciate the opportunity to discuss the report. We have been consulting with stakeholders across British Columbia, and I fully expect that the report will be ready in the next number of weeks.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Madam Speaker, one year ago today, a New Brunswick police officer shot and killed Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member Chantel Moore, during a wellness check. The first nation and family requested a meeting with the public safety minister and meaningful police reforms to address violence against indigenous people.
Since Chantel was killed, two more police shootings, one fatal, have occurred to Tla-o-qui-aht community members.
What is it going to take for the minister to bring forward police reforms and meet directly with the family and leadership of the Nuu-chah-nulth people?
Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Madam Speaker, our thoughts, of course, are with the family and friends as they mark the anniversary of the tragic death of that young woman.
Following the tragic passing of Ms. Moore, which involved the Edmundston municipal police service, I spoke with the New Brunswick regional chief and the president of the Nuu-chah-nulth tribal council to discuss wellness checks and the different rules of the police in our communities. I think it is essential that there always be a timely, transparent, independent investigation in these matters.
The Quebec independent police oversight agency has investigated this case and has turned over the results to the province's public prosecution services—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Surrey Centre.
Randeep Sarai Liberal Surrey Centre, BC
Madam Speaker, the Surrey region was hard hit by the coronavirus this spring. Nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists and other health care providers have worked around the clock to care for patients and administer vaccines.
As we see a decrease in cases across the country and an increase in vaccines administered, I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement when more Canadians can expect to begin receiving their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Madam Speaker, I want to give a shout-out to and thank my colleague for Surrey Centre for his support for frontline health care workers and for highlighting the collaboration with provincial and territorial partners, which has been key to our vaccine rollouts.
Canadians are already being scheduled for and receiving their second doses, and every Canadian who wants to will be fully vaccinated by September. In fact, my hon. colleague will know that 3.85 million doses have been delivered to his home province. Over two-thirds of British Columbians have received at least one dose. At least two million doses are arriving in Canada every week in June and July.
Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer—Mountain View, AB
Madam Speaker, rural Canadians have been waiting years for accessible, affordable and reliable Internet service. Last week, the Liberal-appointed chair of the CRTC, who has previous ties to big telecom companies, slashed hopes with a reversal of the commission's previous decision on wholesale access rates.
My constituents are tired of this backroom lobbying by large telecom companies. Why does the Liberal government consistently refuse to stand up for Canadian consumers, and why has it abandoned its election platform commitment to affordable Internet services?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Madam Speaker, I would say that we are standing up, and we share the member's goal, and I think the goal of all members in this House, around affordability, competition and innovation. The member will know that our government has been relentless in promoting competition to lower prices while working to improve the quality and increase the coverage of telecom services in Canada. We are ensuring that Canadians pay affordable prices for reliable Internet services, regardless of their postal code.
We will keep working with service providers and we will fight for—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Souris—Moose Mountain.
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Madam Speaker, right now the demand for mental health services in Canada is higher than ever, and the government has failed the many struggling Canadians who are still waiting for help.
It has been nearly six months since this House passed a motion to establish a national suicide prevention hotline, and instead of taking action, the Liberals are passing the buck to the CRTC, causing more delays.
Why does the government continue to drag its feet on immediate action to this life-saving initiative?
Jennifer O'Connell LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Madam Speaker, on the contrary, since the beginning of our mandate we have made investments in mental health supports as we know this has been a critical area of investment prior to COVID, throughout COVID and post-COVID.
When it comes to the three-digit hotline, I am happy to say that the CRTC has announced a consultation period. I implore everyone to provide that feedback.
We also have invested in resources now, like Wellness Together Canada, that provide immediate services to over a million Canadians and we will continue to invest in this critical area.
Chris d'Entremont Conservative West Nova, NS
Madam Speaker, the residents along the Avon River in Nova Scotia are looking for the Minister of Fisheries’ final decision on the Windsor causeway.
Her interim decision a few months has created chaos along the river. Lake Pisiquid is now a dusty dry basin apparently causing respiratory problems for residents of the town of Windsor. There are reports of fish and turtle kills upstream where fresh water and salt water are now mixing. The new unpredictable water flow is causing bank erosion, causing nightmares for families and farmers.
What decision will the minister make, aboiteau or no aboiteau?
Terry Beech LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries
Madam Speaker, protecting the environment and biodiversity is a priority for our government. We remain committed to ensuring adequate passage for fish at the Avon River tidal gate.
Our department is currently reviewing, under the Fisheries Act, an application from the Government of Nova Scotia for replacing the existing tidal gate. The project will be evaluated for fish passage for all species likely to use the Avon River.