Debates of Feb. 4th, 2022

COVID-19 Economic Measures

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, ESDC was made aware in July 2020 of over $442 million in double payments for the Canada emergency response benefit. However, the Auditor General cannot audit the program until the CRA verifies whether recipients meet eligibility requirements, which will not be until 2023.

Will the government start verifying eligibility now so that Canadians can know how their tax dollars are being spent?

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

Mr. Speaker, our government is focusing on making sure that Canadians and Canadian workers have the measures they need to be supported during this pandemic crisis. It is unfortunate that with the wave of omicron, the Conservative Party voted against Bill C-2, which brought in measures that are currently supporting Canadians.

We are going to be there for Canadians. We made a promise to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes and we are going to continue doing just that.

Public Safety

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the government has again stiffed Canadian IT companies and awarded a sensitive tech contract to a foreign company. It is so sensitive, in fact, that it stated the work had to be done here in Ottawa using a government computer, yet the work is actually being done outside the country and certainly not on a secured government server. However, do not worry. For security, it told the company to merely turn the screen away from the window when working.

Is this seriously the government's idea of cybersecurity?

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

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to national security and cybersecurity, members on the other side of the House and Canadians at home understand that we take them very seriously. I can assure the member that all issues relating to cybersecurity and national security are reviewed by the relevant agencies to make sure that we protect data and we protect the safety of all Canadians.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

That is not at all the case, Mr. Speaker. The government, when queried, actually claimed the workers had to stay in the U.S. due to COVID restrictions, but during the first year of the pandemic, seven million people were able to cross the border into Canada. The Liberals famously even exempted wealthy, connected American CEOs from the border restrictions.

Why would the Liberals give a pass to the wealthy and connected, but tell contractors working on our sensitive security tech abroad to simply turn the monitors away from the window when working?

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

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues understand that throughout this pandemic, we put in place a number of measures to protect the health and safety of Canadians. A number of them were regarding our borders.

As I said before, when it comes to cybersecurity, I do not think we can take lessons from my colleagues. We take that very seriously, as well as national security. Canadians at home know that we will always take decisions to further their best interests.

Health

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have been promising to lift the blood ban for years. In December, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec submitted a recommendation to lift the ban and move to behaviour-based policy for donations. The Minister of Health said his government would be moving quickly, but it has been six weeks and we still have no idea about the process, how long it will take and when changes will be implemented.

Will the minister share the timeline for ending the ban on blood and plasma donations for men who have sex with other men and trans women once and for all?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport]

Mr. Speaker, we committed over and over again to continue to ensure that our blood services are fair and equitable, and I agree with the member that historically they have not been. Steps have been taken, and as we all know, there is a timeline going forward to ensure that blood donations can be made by everybody in Canada. That is the fairest way forward and the most equitable way forward, and I share a commitment with many members of the House who want to ensure that these changes are made ASAP.

Air Transportation

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, London's and Windsor's airports, which contribute enormously to their local economies, have remained closed to international travel, while other smaller airports in the region and across the country have been allowed to open. The transport minister has given no indication of when they will be allowed to reopen to international flights. They have lost significant revenue through this key winter season. Of course, there are public health recommendations against travel, but people need to know what to expect in the coming months.

Will the minister let people in London and Windsor know when they can expect their airports to reopen to international travel?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are advising Canadians to avoid all non-essential international travel at this time. This is to add to our layered approach at the border, including predeparture PCR testing and on-arrival testing. These are measures that are based on public health advice, and we are constantly evaluating domestic and international COVID situations. We will not hesitate to adjust these measures as needed.

Gender Equity

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

Mr. Speaker, throughout the pandemic, there was a need in the LGBTQ2 community for support provided by LGBTQ organizations and partners, and it was a critical lifeline for many. These organizations provided critical mental health support, suicide prevention and gender-affirming care, as well as housing support and other valuable resources. In order to continue that essential work, they require sustainable financial assistance.

Can the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth update the House on the accomplishments of our government in helping the LGBTQ2 community?

[Marci Ien, Liberal, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her advocacy. She is absolutely right. The LGBTQ2 organizations are a vital resource for Canadians, and they need our support to keep their doors open and continue to grow.

It is why this week I was so pleased to extend funding for the historic LGBTQ2 community capacity fund for another year. This funding is going to enable organizations to strengthen their infrastructure to advance LGBTQ2 equality across this country. The tireless work and advocacy of LGBTQ2 organizations have shaped the fight for equality here in Canada and around the world, and we must continue to support their efforts.

Health

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is now 420 days since Parliament passed a unanimous motion that referenced the “alarming rate of suicide in Canada”, called it a “national health crisis” and demanded the House take “immediate action” to institute a nationwide three-digit 988 suicide prevention hotline.

My question for the minister today is simple. What is the current number that Canadians should remember so that in their darkest moment they do not have to do a Google search to find the help that might save their life?

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to implementing and fully funding a national three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline. The CRTC is currently considering public input from consultations that have been extended, and replies will be accepted until March 2022 to accommodate additional interventions and formats more accessible to persons with disabilities, such as video. We understand the urgency of implementing this crisis line, and we will ensure we get it right, including that it has the capacity to connect people to the most appropriate support—

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

The hon. member for Edmonton—Wetaskiwin.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

Mr. Speaker, if the government does not know the number, how can Canadians be expected to?

A Google search will eventually tell us that the 24-7 number for the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is 1-833-456-4566. Since the December 2020 vote, more than 4,500 Canadians have tragically lost their lives to suicide. We have so much work to do together on mental health in this country, but this is a relatively easy first step.

By what specific date will Canada finally have an operational three-digit 988 suicide prevention hotline?

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

We understand the urgency of implementing this crisis line, and we will ensure we get it right, including it having the capacity to connect people with the most appropriate service in the most appropriate way. We are investing $25 million over five years to develop, implement, expand and sustain a fully operational pan-Canadian suicide prevention service that can also provide virtual services.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there is a growing frustration among Canadians about the Prime Minister's lack of leadership to end this pandemic. We want to see an end to the protests and lockdowns. We denounce all forms of hatred and violence. The comments they last heard from the Prime Minister were earlier last month. He said we need to “hunker down” over the winter and hope for a better spring.

Canadians are looking for a more detailed plan. They are looking for leadership. They are looking for unity to get us past this.

Will the Prime Minister and the government finally stop dividing Canadians and bring them together in hope and optimism to finally get us past this pandemic?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that all members recognize the leadership that has been shown by the Prime Minister and this government by following the evidence and science, which unequivocally demonstrate time and time again that the way we are going to get out of this pandemic is through vaccinations. That is why we have been working with all Canadians. We put this question on the ballot in the last election. Canadians had an opportunity to choose, and they chose to support a way forward through vaccinations.

I am very concerned about the demonstrations that we have seen and the lack of following the law in the streets. We need to be sure that we follow the law. No one is above the law and that applies to the convoy as well.

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Sturgeon River—Parkland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister is ducking the question again. The most important question that my constituents and all Canadians want to know is this: When will the federal COVID-19 restrictions end? Canadians deserve transparency. They deserve to know what the Liberal plan is, if any, to end these restrictions.

What is the metric and what is the timeline for Canadians to expect to see an end to COVID-19 restrictions?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport]

Mr. Speaker, I absolutely agree with my colleague that we all want COVID-19 to be over. Perhaps one thing that we disagree on is how. We need to ensure that all of our communities are vaccinated, and we are encouraging everybody to get vaccinated so that we can get back to normal.

My colleague knows that many of the lockdowns are provincial in nature. We continue to work with our provinces and territories to ensure that our communities continue to be safe.

COVID-19 Protests

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am totally flabbergasted by the response that the Minister of Public Safety gave to the leader of the Bloc Québécois. He just confirmed, in front of everyone here, that the federal government has not even tried to talk to the various spokespeople for those responsible for the protest in Ottawa.

He just confirmed that he is putting all the responsibility for negotiations on the police, when it is the federal government that the occupiers came here to see. The minister's job is not to comment on the news. It is to protect public safety. When will he take the lead in managing this crisis?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

The government is known for having made many commitments during the pandemic. On this side of the House, we follow the evidence and science. Vaccines are the way to get out of this pandemic. We want to continue on that path.

On the ground, we need to respect the police's jurisdiction over operational decisions. That is how our democracy works.

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what is happening in Ottawa is no longer a protest. It is the siege of a G7 country. However, we feel that the federal government is taking this lightly.

The federal government must create a crisis task force that includes members of all levels of government and all police services. The Minister of Public Safety must provide an update every day at a press conference, as any good government would do when managing a crisis. Will the Prime Minister finally take the crisis seriously and create a real crisis task force?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said a number of times, we must respect the role of the police, as they have the skills and jurisdiction to make operational decisions on the ground.

The government had a record of commitment to the public throughout the pandemic. We must follow the science and use vaccination, which is the best strategy for getting out of the pandemic.