House of Commons Hansard #46 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was farmers.
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Official Languages.
This government is talking out of both sides of its mouth. First, the Minister of Official Languages claims to want to protect the French language, but then, her colleague, the Minister of Justice, rejects the ruling from the Federal Court of Appeal and wants to take francophones to court. Talk about hypocrisy.
Will the Minister of Official Languages show some respect for francophones and put a stop to this legal action?
David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Madam Speaker, we made the difficult decision to seek leave to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court of Canada. We do not take this decision lightly.
Our government has committed to strengthening the Official Languages Act, which we have done with Bill C‑13.
Unfortunately, we do not agree with some aspects of the Federal Court of Appeal's ruling that could jeopardize the training and employment support received by 80,000 British Columbians.
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
Madam Speaker, last year, a week into the Atlantic mackerel season, a confused DFO closed it. A few days later, it opened it and fishermen landed their quota within about two days in locations where mackerel are not traditionally found. DFO has not assessed the stock off the Scotian shelf in more than a decade, yet it continues to cut the quota. The NDP-Liberal government just closed the healthy Pacific herring stocks against the science. Holy mackerel.
Will the current government start listening to fishermen, or is it “just incompetent”?
Joyce Murray LiberalMinister of Fisheries
Madam Speaker, I have taken many opportunities to be on the wharfs to listen to fishers, boat owners and processors. My goal is to build a healthy, sustainable and growing fish and seafood sector, and for that we need sustainable stocks. There is no decision at this point on mackerel stocks, but I can assure the member that while conservation is the baseline for future growth of the stock—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Pontiac.
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
Madam Speaker, speaking of incompetence, after the Harper Conservative government neglected the Canadian space industry for a decade, our government reinvested in that sector.
In fact, the national capital region is a booming hub for this sector of innovation that helps Canada gain a unique perspective on our world, support science and implement revolutionary services.
Can—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
Order. The hon. minister.
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Madam Speaker, I sense the enthusiasm of my colleagues across the way, but I would like to begin by thanking my hon. colleague for her question and her work.
Earlier, I announced—
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Madam Speaker, my colleagues are right to applaud. She clearly works hard.
At the beginning of the year, I announced Canada's strategy for satellite Earth observation. It is an historic program that will create jobs, stimulate economic growth and help us gain a better understanding of our planet and our universe. The strategy is designed to provide information—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
Order. I give the floor to the hon. member for Hastings—Lennox and Addington.
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
Madam Speaker, tax season is a very stressful time for many Canadians, especially seniors who rely on paper packages to file because they do not have access to digital options. This year, on top of having their GIS clawed back, many working seniors are now facing the prospect of filing late because the government is incapable of sending out timely or accurate T4s, which affects seniors such as Rosemary in Calgary.
When can Canadian seniors expect to receive their accurate tax information, and will this government extend the filing date for financially at-risk seniors?
Peter Fragiskatos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue
Madam Speaker, the CRA understands that this has been a stressful time for seniors. While paper T4A forms were initially misprinted, the digital copies given to the CRA have been accurate since the start of tax season. Impacted seniors can file online at any time using these digital documents. There is therefore no plan to extend the tax filing deadline at this time.
Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls, ON
Madam Speaker, my riding of Niagara is the number one leisure tourism destination in the country, yet since April 2020 there has been zero representation from Niagara on Destination Canada's board of directors. This means that, through the whole pandemic, which has hit our national tourism sector the hardest, Niagara has been without a voice at the table, despite there being two vacancies right now in need of appointment.
Does no one in this NDP-Liberal government understand the significance of Niagara to Canada's tourism economy? When will they reappoint someone from Niagara to Destination—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance.
Rachel Bendayan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
Madam Speaker, Niagara is a beautiful part of this country and we are absolutely looking forward to welcoming tourists to Niagara and to tourism destinations right across Canada.
In fact, just recently, Destination Canada was thrilled by our announcement to change our border measures. We are opening up to the world. Tourists are coming back and Destination Canada is going to play a key role in that. I and the minister will work with Destination Canada to complete the board of directors appointments.
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Madam Speaker, a lack of federal consultation with the province of Saskatchewan resulted in a massive cost increase over RCMP retroactive pay. Provinces fund 70% of RCMP policing costs, yet the federal Liberals refused input from the provincial government on the issue, despite an agreement requiring collaboration. Rural communities, villages, towns and cities across the province cannot afford this.
When will the government stop ignoring Saskatchewan, fulfill its commitments and give these communities a much-needed break?
Pam Damoff LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Madam Speaker, the administration of justice, including policing, is the responsibility of provinces and territories. They are the ones that are best placed to choose the policing services that meet the needs of their communities. The current policing services agreement between the RCMP, provinces and territories and municipalities, at the time it was negotiated, included consultation with parties such as the Province of Saskatchewan.
We support Saskatchewan, and we are continuing to work with provinces such as Saskatchewan to deal with the new contract that was signed by the RCMP.
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Madam Speaker, while COVID-19 remains a significant issue in the global south, my question has to do with tuberculosis. Last year, more than 4 million people globally were diagnosed with tuberculosis. There were diagnoses where it was missed by health services, fuelling preventable deaths.
I would like to mention Dr. Paul Farmer when I am speaking of tuberculosis, as he died last month. He was a distinguished doctor and researcher who devoted his life to ending this scourge.
My question is for our Minister of International Development.
Could the minister please tell us what Canada is doing to help countries in the south address the—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The Minister of International Development has the floor.
Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalMinister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill for her advocacy on this very important issue.
Harjit S. Sajjan Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Yes, I thank her for her hard work as well. Thank you very much. I am glad you acknowledged that.
The member is right. Tuberculosis is second only to COVID-19 as the world's leading infectious disease killer. That is why yesterday, during World Tuberculosis Day, I had the pleasure of announcing an $11-million investment to TB REACH before a group of volunteers from Results Canada and other advocacy groups.
TB REACH initiatives increase the ability to detect and treat tuberculosis in vulnerable populations, including a dedicated focus on vulnerable women and girls, people living with HIV/AIDS, socially and economically disadvantaged groups and migrant workers.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Madam Speaker, Canada's federal ports are not being maximized to their full potential, which is adding to costs and limiting opportunity in communities such as mine. Port Alberni has the only deep sea port on the west coast of Vancouver Island and has been advocating for federal support to develop a floating dry dock, yet Canada does not have a program to build floating dry docks in federally regulated ports or in rural communities.
Will the government finally develop a national floating dry dock fund to support local economies and workers in communities such as mine?
Soraya Martinez Ferrada LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing)
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
As we know, since being appointed, the minister has worked on several transport files, including air and marine transportation and also ports.
I would be pleased to follow up with my dear colleague on his riding's specific issue.