Debates of Feb. 4th, 2022

Veterans Affairs

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, veterans benefits should adjust with inflation, yet veterans benefits have increased only 2.7% when inflation has increased by 4.8%. This may not seem like a lot to Laurentian elites, but to veterans who are trying to feed their families, every single penny counts amid ballooning inflation.

Will the Minister of Veterans Affairs commit to ending this discriminatory policy so veterans can get what they deserve to feed their families?

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for joining our veteran affairs committee. I would like to remind him that it is our government that invested $11 billion in the last five years to support our veterans. I will also share with Canadians that it was the previous government that fired 1,000 workers and closed nine offices.

We have reopened those nine offices. We are investing in supporting our veterans, and we will continue to do so.

The Economy

[Lianne Rood, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the price of chicken is up 6.2%. Bacon is up 19.1%, and gas is up 33%. In Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, seniors, people with disabilities and families are telling me that they can no longer afford the basic necessities, and rural Canadians have no choice but to drive everywhere. With the government so disinterested in Canada's inflation crisis, people are feeling frustrated and losing hope.

What will it take for the government to admit that “Justinflation” is hitting Canadians hard, or does it not care?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we understand how important the issue of affordability is. We also understand that inflation is a global phenomenon.

Interestingly enough, Conservatives often accuse us of over-investing in Canadians. However, in the last election, Conservatives promised to spend more than what our government is currently investing. At the same time, their promised policies were assessed by experts, and it was noted they would under-deliver on housing, child care and on climate change.

I think Canadians made the right choice in the last election.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Michael Kram, Conservative, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, AGT Foods, Federated Co-operatives, Viterra and Cargill have all announced the construction of new canola crushing plants in Regina and the surrounding area, which will create 400 full-time jobs. However, growing canola requires fertilizer, lots of fertilizer. The government has announced it will be making farmers ration fertilizer by 30%.

Why is the government putting Regina's new canola crushing plants in jeopardy?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reassure my colleague.

My colleagues know how committed we are to tackling climate change. Farmers are the first to feel its effects.

We are working with industry representatives to find the best solutions. We are also making significant financial contributions to help our producers adopt best practices and have access to energy-efficient equipment.

Contrary to what the Conservatives may think, productivity does not preclude respect for the environment.

Canadian Heritage

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

Mr. Speaker, according to a Leger survey, more than two-thirds of Canadians think that streaming platforms should contribute to Canadian culture. The same survey reported that young Canadians are the ones most likely to be in favour of having these companies contribute to our culture.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage recently introduced a bill regarding online streaming.

Can he tell us what, exactly, this bill means for young Canadians?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the wonderful question he just asked. He clearly cares about our artists and artisans, and I congratulate him for that.

This bill would require that streaming platforms contribute to our culture. This will promote the creation of more Canadian films, series and music. It is what we need to help build the next generation of Canadian artists and to support the next Denis Villeneuves, The Weeknds and Cœur de Pirates.

In practical terms, our bill will enable young Canadians to celebrate and participate in culture, our culture, today and in the future.

The Economy

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to be the last person to rise and ask a question about the price of all essential goods. The problem is that 60% of Canadians are saying that they are struggling to pay their monthly grocery bills. Today, the job numbers came out for January, and it is not good news. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This means that more than 200,000 Canadians do not have jobs. In Canada, in 2022, this is a disgrace, and it lies squarely at the feet of the Prime Minister.

My question is this: With hundreds of thousands of Canadians out of work and prices skyrocketing, when will Canadians once again be able to afford food, fuel and heating their homes?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the data released today shows that Canadian workers and businesses were impacted by omicron. That is precisely why we have supports in place to support them, supports that, by the way, the Conservative Party voted against.

The fact remains that our economy has strong fundamentals and is recovering well from the COVID recession. Jobs have recovered 101% from prepandemic levels, while they have only recovered by 87% in the U.S. Statistics Canada has released data that shows that we had six consecutive months of GDP growth.

We are going to continue to focus on Canadians. We are going to continue to focus on affordability.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Richard Lehoux, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I contacted the Minister of Immigration and the Minister of Employment and Workforce Development in November about an issue with the foreign temporary worker program that is affecting several businesses in my riding. I unfortunately have not heard a peep back from them.

I have to wonder whether these ministers communicate at all. Do they talk to each other?

Do they have a real plan to reduce processing times and to cut red tape so that the workers these businesses desperately need can be brought in?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to answer the hon. member's question. He is right to point out that businesses need access to workers and they need access to them quickly. I would respond by pointing to the fact that last year we welcomed the greatest number of permanent residents, including those under economic migration streams, in Canada's history.

Just this Monday, I also had the opportunity to make an announcement that included $85 million to reduce processing times, with a specific focus on work permits.

To respond to the member's question about whether I had the opportunity to meet with the minister responsible for ESDC, we will be chatting this afternoon, as we often do, to work on programs that will get workers into Canadian businesses more quickly, because we know the economy can flourish if we give it the opportunity to gain access to the labour that it needs.

Government Appointments

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

Mr. Speaker, on January 28, it was reported that Rideau Hall paid out $277,592 in confidential settlements, as well as running up legal bills of nearly $170,000 in the same year. Former governor general Julie Payette had resigned for presiding over a “toxic workplace”.

How much more hush money has been paid to those who endured the intolerable workplace at Rideau Hall and, specifically, when was the Prime Minister made aware of it?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I would advise my colleague, first of all, that all questions pertaining to legal matters of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General are best directed to that office.

However, I also want to advise the House that our government remains firmly committed to every Canadian having a safe and healthy workplace, and the Prime Minister has made a commitment to provide such a workplace to Canada's public service. We welcome Her Excellency the Right Hon. Mary Simon's commitment to foster a positive environment at Rideau Hall as she and her staff continue to undertake important work in the service of all Canadians.

Diversity and Inclusion

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 26th anniversary of the designation of the month of February as Black History Month thanks to a motion moved by the Hon. Jean Augustine in this Parliament. This is a month to celebrate, remember and recognize the many contributions made by Black Canadians and their accomplishments.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Diversity and Inclusion) please update us on how the government will be supporting Black History Month?

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Diversity and Inclusion)]

Mr. Speaker, this year the theme for Black History Month is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day”.

Our government supports Black Canadians through investments in a number of areas, including building capacity in Black communities, supporting young Black Canadians, providing culturally focused mental health programs, and supporting entrepreneurship and anti-racism strategies.

During Black History Month, I invite everyone to join us in celebrating and recognizing the many contributions Black Canadians have made to our Canada.

Transportation

[Bonita Zarrillo, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the pandemic has impacted transportation. Canadian communities are facing damaging cuts to public transit that impact thousands of seniors, workers and students who rely on it every day. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities are calling on the federal government to invest urgent funds to keep public transit running for people and to address the climate crisis. Last November, the NDP made the same call, and we have not yet heard back.

When will the Liberals act to ensure our public transit remains viable for the people who rely on it?

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we know that many Canadians, including those living in remote areas and indigenous people, depend on public transit for transportation. The minister sent a letter to my provincial counterparts earlier this year and the federal government is ready to support provinces where public transit is concerned.

I understand that the importance of this service for Canadians is top of mind. We will continue to advocate for them and work with provincial and industry partners to find a solution.

Opioids

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

There have been discussions among the parties and, if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion:

That a take-note debate on the opioid crisis in Canada, be held on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, pursuant to Standing Order 53.1, and that, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House: (a) members rising to speak during the debate may indicate to the Chair that they will be dividing their time with another member; (b) the time provided for the debate be extended beyond four hours, as needed, to include a minimum of 12 periods of 20 minutes each; and (c) no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

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

It is agreed.

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

(Motion agreed to)

Citizenship and Immigration

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. The first report is entitled “Safe Haven in Canada: Special Immigration and Refugee Measures are Urgently Needed for the People of Hong Kong”. The second report is entitled “Immigration in the time of COVID-19: Issues and Challenges”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to each of these two reports.

Liaison

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 107(3), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Liaison Committee, entitled “Committee Activities and Expenditures: April 1, 2021 - August 15, 2021”.

This report highlights the work and accomplishments of each committee, as well as detailing the budgets that fund the activities approved by the committee.

Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-230, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (intimidation of health care professionals).

Mr. Speaker, over the past two years, we have seen just how important our health care system is and how critical the medical professionals who work in that system are to Canadians. We need to create a work environment for medical professionals that protects them, supports them and encourages them to continue in the critical work they do.

I rise today to introduce a private member's bill entitled the “Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act”. Medical professionals are facing increasing pressure to participate in assisted suicide, and this is causing many to question their ability to work here in Canada.

The bill proposes an amendment to the Criminal Code that would protect medical professionals from intimidation or coercion to participate in medically assisted suicide, in the same way that workers are protected from intimidation or coercion if they want to form or be part of a union.

I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill's speedy passage and thereby demonstrate their deep commitment both to our amazing medical professionals and to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Competition Act

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-231, An Act to amend the Competition Act (vehicle repair).

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to present a bill I think all members of Parliament will support, similar to what has happened in the past. I thank the member for Timmins—James Bay for his help on this issue for the last number of years.

This bill would do three major things. The first is that it would amend the Competition Act to authorize the Competition Tribunal to make an order requiring vehicle manufacturers to provide independent repair shops access to diagnostic and repair information and to service parts on the same terms and manner as the manufacturers make that information and those parts available to their own authorized repair providers.

Second, it would update the voluntary agreement that is still in place since 2009 in my original legislation to include the rights of digital software that will cover future innovations and technologies as we move to zero-emission vehicle standards in electric vehicles.

Lastly, and most importantly, it would ensure consumers have the right to choose where they get their vehicles fixed, help the environment by making sure vehicles with emissions are stronger and also cleaner, and be good for public safety as vehicles on the road would be repaired, in order and in the best condition possible.

I look forward to this legislation hopefully having the same fate as my previous attempt, which resulted in Parliament acting on this important issue.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Parliamentary Staff

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations and I hope that, if you seek it, you will find consent for the following motion. I move:

That the House express its gratitude to all parliamentary staff who continue to do the indispensable work needed for Parliament to function efficiently and safely through these difficult circumstances.