Debates of March 2nd, 2022

Natural Resources

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for many years now, we have been working hand in hand with our European partners to decarbonize the global economy, put a price on pollution and implement better emissions standards. We will continue to lead the way on protecting the environment and fighting climate change hand in hand with our European friends. We will continue to help them with everything they need. We know they rely on Russia for their energy right now. That is unfortunate, and we are going to seek solutions with them.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, things are moving faster and faster, if not backwards, and Europe is no longer dependent on Russian energy. Ukraine's IPCC representative says that oil is not the solution. The UN says that oil is not the solution. I wonder what the Minister of Environment says about oil being the solution.

If the Prime Minister wants to switch to blue, can he choose the right blue?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am staying red, because we know that we must build a future to protect our environment, for Canadians, for our economy, and that we are working hand in hand with the world. We recognize the challenges facing our European friends, and we will work with them on hydrogen. We will work with them on decarbonization. We will work with them on alternatives to fossil fuels. That is what we have been doing for years, and that is what we will continue to do.

Foreign Affairs

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Vladimir Putin is causing and committing war crimes right across Ukraine, and Canada has yet to sanction some of his closest friends and advisors. Under parliamentary privilege, I am going to name a couple of them.

Russian oligarch and politician Konstantin Babkin, director of Buhler Industries in Manitoba, said in 2014 that Russia should not stop at Crimea, and last month, he supported Russia's current actions. Putin insider Roman Abramovich, owner of Evraz steel, which has operations in western Canada and is supplying steel to build Russian tanks.

When will the Prime Minister finally sanction Russian oligarchs for supporting Putin's war machine?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, something that people have seen all around the world that has, I think, surprised many, including Vladimir Putin, is the level of unity and alignment among western countries. We are moving forward with a comprehensive series of sanctions on many individuals, including Vladimir Putin himself, and top oligarchs to demonstrate that the west stands united against this illegal incursion into Ukraine.

We continue to look for more people to sanction. We continue to look for next steps. We will take more steps, but we will do it in a coordinated fashion together with all allies, because that is what makes the biggest impact.

Natural Resources

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, sanctions against Russia are important. On Monday, I asked why the Liberals keep bringing in oil from dictatorships. The Minister of Natural Resources said I was incorrect and it was not happening, but that same day, the Prime Minister said he was going to ban oil imports from Russia. The next day, the Minister of Natural Resources said he was asking his department to design a ban.

They went from importing oil from Russia to not importing it, and from banning it to designing a ban. When will the Liberals get their story straight?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for the past couple of years, Canada has imported no gas and no oil from Russia. Over previous years, there were negligible amounts. The year 2012, actually, was the one in which we imported significant amounts of Russian crude, but we will still move forward in banning any further and future imports of Russian crude.

This is important as a symbol, but it is also important to demonstrate that we are comprehensive in our approach on condemning Russia.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister needs to realize is that one of the most effective tools against Russia right now would be to stop importing their unethical oil, which many of our allies are relying on. If only there were somewhere else in the world with abundant reserves of oil and natural gas that could replace it, somewhere that produces energy in an environmentally responsible way, in a way that respects human rights, and protects the world's peace and security.

Canada can and should be the solution to the world's energy needs.

Instead of leaving it to places like Russia and Saudi Arabia, will he finally step up and advocate for Canadian oil?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, even as we are now seized with this crisis in Ukraine, this unjustified and illegal invasion by Russia, we continue to be seized with other crises, including the crisis of climate change.

Unless we continue to be thoughtful about moving forward toward renewable energies and toward non-emitting sources of energy, we will be faced with crisis upon crisis such as those faced, unfortunately, by our friends in B.C. previously this year. We are going to continue to move forward on fighting climate change, despite Conservative politicians' resistance to do anything to fight climate change.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Mr. Speaker, like many Canadians, I have family in Ukraine. They have fled Kyiv, but they are not fully out of danger yet. Their future remains uncertain. Canada's government has expressed support for the Ukrainian people, but actions are more important than words. The Liberal government waits for sanctions to have an impact, but refugees cannot wait.

My constituents feel helpless and want to bring their fleeing family members to Canada.

We will ask it again: When will Canada make visa-free travel possible for Ukrainians?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, over the past many weeks, we have been working with our immigration department to ensure that we accelerate and simplify all the different processes to ensure that if there were, as there unfortunately looks like there is now, a refugee crisis, we would be able to help.

We have put in place and are putting in place measures that will make it as quick as possible, and as seamless and as safe as possible and that will ensure, as Ukrainians arrive in Canada, they are able to work, to study and to get the kinds of supports to contribute to their families back home who are fighting an extraordinary fight against the Russians.

The Economy

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bank of Canada has announced an increase in interest rates to deal with inflation. That is not going to help people who are struggling to buy groceries or help families who are struggling to find a home to call their own.

When will the Prime Minister put forward a plan to help families who are struggling with the rising costs of living and to help families who are struggling to find a home or put food on the table?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, inflation caused by this pandemic is happening around the world, but just like we did through this pandemic, we will keep having Canadians' backs. We have and we will continue to make life more affordable for families, seniors and the middle class with increases to the Canada child benefit that match the cost of living; with $10-a-day child care for families, which Conservative politicians voted against; with boosts to the GIS for vulnerable seniors; with more supports for students; and with investments in affordable housing. These are the things that we will continue to do to have Canadians' backs.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bank of Canada announced an interest rate hike to address inflation, but this will not help families who are struggling to make ends meet or families who are struggling to find affordable housing. Will the Prime Minister present a real plan to help families who are struggling to make ends meet?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we made a promise to be there for Canadians, and that is exactly what we are doing and what we have done.

We have done this by increasing the Canada child benefit in line with the cost of living, creating $10-a-day child care across the country, increasing the guaranteed income supplement for the most vulnerable seniors and providing more assistance to students through affordable housing.

We also made a commitment to reduce cellphone bills by 25%, and we have done that. We committed to working with the provinces and territories to reduce child care costs, and we are doing that. We committed to increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, and the list goes on. We will continue to be there for families.

Foreign Affairs

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the situation in Ukraine is alarming and heartbreaking. This illegal attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine has caused thousands of Ukrainian families to flee their homes in fear of Russian missile attacks.

Could the Prime Minister tell us more about Canada's efforts to support innocent bystanders and victims of this unprovoked invasion?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Mississauga—Lakeshore for his hard work. Yesterday, our government announced an additional $100 million in funding for humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine and for those who have been forced to flee the country. This funding will help provide emergency health services, including trauma care, support to displaced populations and essential, life-saving services such as shelter, water, sanitation and food. We will always be there for our Ukrainian friends and continue to work with partners to see what more we can do to help those impacted by this conflict.

Public Safety

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we have had much debate on the government's use of the Emergencies Act. The story of the illegal blockades is one of the failure of leaders to acknowledge and respond to the frustrations of the public. It is also a policing failure and a desire to weaponize critical issues for political gain. We are now left with a weary public who are weary with Canada's institutions and its politicians.

What is the Prime Minister's plan to lower the temperature in political rhetoric and restore faith in democratic institutions?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it has been a long two years. People are exhausted by COVID, and people are exhausted by what is happening in international events. It is really important that we look back over these two years and remember what was best about Canadians.

Canadians stepped up for each other during those darkest times. We were there to support each other. We were there to believe in each other. We actually got vaccinated to a higher degree than just about any other country in the world, all the while supporting our frontline health workers and others. Canadians showed what they are made of during this pandemic. We are going to continue to demonstrate that we remain there for each other.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this is also about taking personal responsibility, and the Prime Minister needs to do that. Democracy and the freedoms we enjoy in Canada as a result of concepts like rule of law and bipartisanship are fragile. What concerns me about the government's use of the Emergencies Act during a time of heightened political rhetoric and lack of trust from the public is that it is an admission of failure of our institution's ability to respond to the pressure of the times we are living in. We all need to do better.

What is the Prime Minister's personal commitment to restore confidence in Canada's democratic institutions?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, these blockades were hurting our communities, our economy and our trust in our institutions. We needed to create new tools to bring them to an end. Canadians were tired. Canadians were rattled, not just by COVID, but by the intensity of the occupations, which were hurting their jobs, their communities and their neighbours. We demonstrated an ability to stand together, follow the rule of law and uphold the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to restore order so people can continue to protest peacefully and express their opinions. That is the foundation of this country.

Foreign Affairs

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives strongly support every effort to aid Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion. That being said, Putin has warned those who defend Ukraine, saying, “Whoever would try to stop us...should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and lead you to such consequences [as] you have never faced in your history.”

Is Canada prepared if Putin follows through on his threat?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Vladimir Putin obviously vastly underestimated the resilience and the resolve of the Ukrainian people. He also underestimated the resolve and unity of countries standing together to uphold the rule of law, to uphold the international order that has caused unprecedented peace and stability through the past 75-plus years and has delivered prosperity and growth for all of our countries. We will continue to demonstrate that someone such as Vladimir Putin, who breaks the rules-based order, does not get to profit from the economic benefits that come from it.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I asked about Canada's emergency preparedness. This is a very serious matter. Putin has publicly directed an alert of Russia's nuclear forces. Canada's national security and public safety must be the paramount priority for the Prime Minister. Canadians have every right to know what our emergency preparedness plan is should Russia launch, for example, a major cyber-attack or move in on our Arctic territory or, God forbid, launch a military response on Canada.

Are we prepared?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as one of the founding members of NATO, as a strong partner in North American continental defence, Canada is prepared for any and all eventualities. However, the best way is not to hunker down and wait for it. The best way is to be leaning forward, as we are with all of our NATO allies, reinforcing the eastern flank of NATO and being present with troops and investments that demonstrate that the world stands together, that NATO stands together, and we will not tolerate this kind of Russian aggression.