Debates of Oct. 5th, 2022

Foreign Affairs

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has some of the strongest sanctions in the world against the bloodthirsty regime in Iran. We have stood with the families of PS752 over the past 1,000 days to ensure accountability and justice. Of course, the Iranian government continues to resist any calls for accountability and justice, but we will continue to hold it to account, including on the international stage.

We have listed the IRGC Quds Force as a terrorist organization. We will continue to sanction the leadership of the IRGC as we make sure that it is fully accountable for the crimes it is committing.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I asked a simple yes-or-no question.

The Prime Minister has as his primary job to protect our citizens. Fifty-five of them were murdered by this terrorist group, which shot their plane out of the sky, a civilian aircraft.

Does the Prime Minister believe that the group that fired that missile and killed our people is a terrorist group, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have recognized that Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. We have seen listed the IRGC Quds Force. We have just recently moved forward with strengthened sanctions against the IRGC leadership to ensure that they cannot find safe haven in Canada, but I will also say, having sat with families of the PS752 victims, it was not just 55 Canadian citizens. There were close to 150 or more people on their way to Canada, permanent residents, students, whom we also grieve for every single day and whom we stand with as we hold this Iranian government to account, and will continue to.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I asked a simple yes-or-no question.

The Prime Minister has had 1,001 days to think about the answer. His officials informed him that this group murdered our citizens, yet by failing to list the group as terrorists, he is allowing it to raise money, coordinate, plan, operate and recruit right here on Canadian soil. It is not banned from doing any of those things.

One last time, will the Prime Minister show some respect and actually answer a question? Is this a terrorist group, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have clearly identified Iran as a state supporter of terrorism. We have moved forward with strong sanctions against the leadership and the responsible people in the IRGC to prevent them from benefiting from the crimes they commit or purchasing or holding property in Canada.

We will continue to stand up in support of the Iranian people, who are so bravely contesting and protesting against this bloodthirsty regime. The young women who are waving their hijabs in the face of these criminals and the strength that they are showing every single day in standing up for their rights is something that all Canadians stand with together.

Sports

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Hockey Canada set up not one but at least two funds to cover the costs associated with sexual misconduct cases. We can all agree that that is unacceptable.

Everyone in the House already unanimously agreed to support a Bloc Québécois motion last June calling for an independent inquiry into how Hockey Canada handles sexual misconduct complaints.

An independent inquiry would allow us to finally get to the bottom of this, as well as get some concrete recommendations that could apply to all sport federations.

Will the Prime Minister finally launch an independent inquiry, or does he want to continue to wait for the results of an internal investigation by a tone-deaf organization?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians all know full well that Hockey Canada's actions are absolutely unacceptable.

It is inconceivable that Hockey Canada officials think they can continue to operate. All federal funding has been suspended. In addition, I know that organizations like Hockey Quebec have already cut ties with Hockey Canada.

I think the only people who believe that Hockey Canada has any kind of future are the folks at Hockey Canada, because Canadians have completely lost faith in that organization. Hockey Canada officials need to wake up and they need to stop doing their job. They must be replaced—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I hear what the Prime Minister is saying, but his credibility is at stake.

As a side note, the Bloc Québécois would like to commend the leadership at Hockey Québec. They have cut all ties, including financial, with Hockey Canada. The hope is that this will put pressure on the organization to clean house from the top down.

The Prime Minister has to step up the pressure. In order to be credible, he must launch an independent, public inquiry into Hockey Canada's handling of sexual misconduct complaints. The top brass needs to know that everything they have done will be uncovered and made public.

I am urging the Prime Minister to act. If he wants to clean house and get things done, when will he launch a real independent investigation?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Hockey Canada no longer has any credibility or legitimacy. I say that as a prime minister, as a parent, and as a Canadian who is proud of our national winter sport.

We will always be very clear that Hockey Canada's actions have been unacceptable. The sooner they understand that it is time for them to get off the ice, the better for all our children who want to continue to play hockey, but whose parents no longer trust the organizations that are connected to Hockey Canada.

Disaster Assistance

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the government has pledged only a third of a probable over $1 billion for the cleanup after hurricane Fiona. The residents of Cumberland—Colchester are calling our office every day to try to understand the process of obtaining funding. Once again, the government of inaction and no planning has no answer.

On the east coast, we are tough but people need this support now. When will the Prime Minister have a concrete plan for Atlantic Canadians?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to sit down with Premier Houston in Nova Scotia just yesterday to reassure him of how disaster assistance works in this country. Unfortunately, as a country we are getting better at it, whether it is because of wildfires or floods across the country.

The federal government is there to backstop up to 90%, in some cases, of the expenditures put out by the provinces on disasters like these ones. We will be there. We will be there to support Atlantic Canadians as I have said. We put forward $300 million in funding for cases that are not covered and issues that are not covered by the DFAA. We will be there across the board to support Atlantic Canadians.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Atlantic Canadians need help now, not two years from now.

The Prime Minister's sad, inadequate hurricane relief program would not even cover the cost of rebuilding wharves. If the Prime Minister had a fisheries minister, he would know that the most immediate problem is income lost for lobster fishermen in the Northumberland Strait.

That is because the season is over now and they cannot fish again until the winter fishery. Why is there no immediate emergency income relief support for fishermen in Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I know for a fact that all Canadians, and everyone in the House, stand united in our support for Atlantic Canadians right now. It is not a moment for partisan disagreement. It is a moment to be there for Canadians.

What I have said repeatedly to Atlantic Canadians and to their premiers is that we are there as partners. We are flowing money now. We will be flowing money for the years to come. The federal government is there to help rebuild. We will do everything necessary in order to get people's lives back in order. That is the promise I made directly to folks on the ground. That is a promise I am happy to repeat here in the House.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister announced a third of the funding over twice the time needed to rebuild industries and infrastructure in the wake of Fiona's devastation. Small craft harbours alone need a half-billion dollars to rebuild and fortify, while fish harvesters need at least $50 million to cover their losses and damages, not to mention what is needed to rebuild tourism and agriculture.

Why is the current Prime Minister letting down Atlantic Canadians who have put so much trust in him?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I got to sit down with people like Sean and Amy, who had the roof from a house two blocks away land on the side of their house. I talked to Barb, who lost her antique shop. I talked to Mitch, who saw his seafood shop completely devastated by rising waves, and I made a commitment that we would be there.

With my $300-million announcement yesterday, we are announcing that we are going to be there right away, including for things that are not covered by the already existing disaster financial assistance agreement.

We will be there to fund the province's efforts to close to 90%. We will be there to help rebuild.

Indigenous Affairs

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we observed the day of action to raise awareness of the national crisis regarding missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Reports show that they are more likely to experience violence than any other Canadian. At yesterday's gathering on Parliament Hill, families and survivors called on our government to support their healing and justice initiatives.

Could the hon. Prime Minister update us on what is being done to end this crisis?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the member for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle for her question and her hard work.

Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people have the right to be safe in their communities, wherever they live. We will always stand with communities and families in responding to this crisis, and we will continue to work on concrete measures, while ensuring that our initiatives are trauma-informed and focused on those who are still suffering.

Foreign Affairs

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is not enough to put our hands over our hearts, light up Parliament and say we stand with Zhina Mahsa Amini and the victims of flight PS752 and their families.

We know the Liberals are soft on crime. Now we know they are also soft on terrorism, as the Liberals continue to let IRGC agents plan, organize and raise money here in Canada. These are the same people who killed our people.

The Prime Minister is denying victims of Iran's brutal regime justice. Does he believe the IRGC is a terrorist organization, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has some of the strongest sanctions against Iran of any country in the world. We have recognized Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. We have moved forward with strong and meaningful sanctions against the leadership of the IRGC, and we will continue to do more.

Over the past 1,000 days we have stood with the families of the victims of PS752. We have worked with the international community, including the ICJ, ICAO and other places, to ensure accountability for Iran. We will not rest until this regime is held to account for its bloodthirsty, murderous actions.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the brutal murder of Zhina Mahsa Amini, the massacre of flight PS752 and the long list of human rights violations of the IRGC requires more than just symbolic sanctions. The IRGC is a terrorist organization that brutalizes Iranians and citizens of other countries. It is currently allowed to organize and raise money here in Canada.

Once again, does the Prime Minister believe that the IRGC is a terrorist organization, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has some of the strongest sanctions in the world against the Iranian regime. We have continued to recognize Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and we will continue to ensure that the IRGC leadership does not find a safe haven for its money, its properties or itself in Canada. We know we need to continue to do more and we will, as Canada and people around the world stand with the girls and women in Iran who are standing up against this regime in memory of Mahsa Amini, in memory of the PS752 victims and in memory of all those this bloodthirsty regime has murdered.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on January 8, 2020, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a civilian airline, flight 752, killing 55 Canadian citizens and 30 residents of this country. My question for the Prime Minister is very simple: Does he believe that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization, yes or no?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the IRGC is an arm of the Iranian military. Iran is a country that we have recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism. We have continued to move forward on strong sanctions against IRGC leadership to ensure they cannot find safe haven in Canada and cannot find a safe place for their money or their fundraising in Canada.

We will continue to work with the international community to get justice for the victims of PS752 and support for the families to hold this murderous regime to account.

Health

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, extreme weather events, hurricanes, floods and droughts are taking a toll on our farmers' mental health. Many of them find it difficult to ask for help.

This is Mental Illness Awareness Week, and we need to talk about it. We also have to recognize that the pandemic affected many groups that were already marginalized, such as youth, women, indigenous communities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We need to do more.

Can the Prime Minister tell us what the government will be doing to support Canadians' mental health?