Debates of March 3rd, 2022

Natural Resources

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, we, and certainly European countries, would agree that the dependence on Russian oil and gas is a significant problem for Europe that it must move to address. European ministers have made that commitment, including at the International Energy Agency ministerial meeting I participated in earlier this week.

We are working very actively with our European colleagues and with our American colleagues to ensure we are working to help address both short and long-term energy supply issues in the context that Europe and Canada have committed to do, which is in the context of fighting both the crisis in Europe and the crisis of climate change.

The Environment

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the IPCC confirms that 3.5 billion people are extremely vulnerable to climate change, and 70% of those living in that precarious state are women. As we approach March 8, I would like to point out that women will be the main victims of climate change.

This brings me back to the government's actions. Tomorrow, the government will provide an update on the Bay du Nord project and the minimum 300 million barrels of oil. Knowing the consequences that this decision will have on climate change and women, will the Bay du Nord project be approved, yes or no?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, our government fully recognizes the importance of the decision on the proposed Bay du Nord project. As the member will know, we are following a legislated process and we are reviewing all the evidence, including the Impact Assessment Agency's environmental assessment report, in order to arrive at the best possible decision. I assure the hon. member that decision will be made in due course.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Environment announced that he would provide an update on the Bay du Nord project on Friday. Friday is tomorrow, not 10 months from now.

Usually, when a person schedules a press conference to make an announcement the next day, it is because that person has something to say and they already know what it is. I will ask my question again. Will it be yes or no to the Bay du Nord project and its 300 million barrels of oil in the middle of a climate crisis? It is not complicated.

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, again, this is a decision that is under consideration as we speak. We recognize the importance of a decision on this proposed project. We are following a legislated process, as I said, and it will be based on the best available scientific evidence. It is important that we are considering the advice of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, which, the hon. member will know, is independent.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to members that the only environmental assessment that the government should be concerned about is the IPCC report. The UN Secretary‑General says that it is the most damning scientific report that he has ever seen. This is serious.

The government, the Deputy Prime Minister and the parliamentary secretary tell us that we must listen to the science and make evidence-based decisions, but what does the science say? It says that there is no such thing as clean oil and definitely not 300 million barrels' worth of it. Science has confirmed that unchecked carbon pollution is forcing the world's most vulnerable towards destruction today and right now.

Therefore, Bay—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. parliamentary secretary...

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member mentioned, the IPCC report shows that all countries need to take bold climate mitigation and adaptation action to fight climate change. We absolutely must continue to cut emissions and build resilience through our society. That is why, since we took office in 2015, our government has committed more than $100 billion to climate action, and we are developing Canada's first-ever national adaptation strategy. We will continue to lead the fight against climate change.

International Development

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Europe, Asia and Africa all rely on corn and wheat from Ukraine, the region's breadbasket. With Russia's invasion, a global food crisis is emerging. The United Nations has already warned of catastrophic hunger and hundreds of millions are facing famine.

Canada can help. We have a crippled supply chain, punishing carbon taxes, a looming rail strike and PEI farmers are being forced to destroy millions of pounds of potatoes. In a global food crisis, when Canadian farmers want to help, why is this Liberal government neglecting Canadian agriculture?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, at a time of crisis like this, I completely agree that Ukraine does supply the developing world with wheat. This crisis is going to be extremely serious. I have been at the UN speaking with the heads of the world food program and other organizations, and Canada can play a very important role in this. We will work with our counterparts on how we can provide support for the developing nations in their time of need.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Mr. Speaker, countless people in Ukraine are fleeing from ongoing Russian aggression. This is a major refugee crisis. Over one million people have fled Ukraine. Canada can be a safe haven.

History demands that we act, and act now. Fast track visas are simply not enough. On what date will the visa requirement be lifted?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the critics of all parties for their spirit of collaboration and co-operation over the past number of days in advance of the announcement we made this morning.

That announcement is historic. This will remove many of the barriers that typically result in refusal so we can welcome as many Ukrainians fleeing this war as possible, as quickly as possible. However, I would also point out to the hon. member that we started preparing on January 19, and since the beginning of this year, more than 6,100 Ukrainians have already arrived in Canada, and we will continue to do more, because that is the very Canadian thing to do.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has been home to a Ukrainian community for decades. In fact, we have some Ukrainians right here in the House.

The United Nations estimates that a million Ukrainians have already fled to neighbouring countries to escape the atrocities of war.

Can the government show some empathy and flexibility, as we have been calling for since January 27, and immediately allow Ukrainians to come to Canada without a visa?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, President Putin's war on Ukraine is a war on freedom, democracy and the rights of all Ukrainians.

For the past month, we have been prioritizing applications for permanent or temporary residency from Ukrainians who wish to come to Canada. Those who are currently in Canada on a temporary basis can extend their stay.

Today we announced new measures that will make it easier, faster and safer for Ukrainians fleeing the war to come to Canada. This is good for Ukraine, and it is good for Canada.

Seniors

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

Mr. Speaker, the cost of living is going through the roof, and yesterday the Bank of Canada raised interest rates. Paying rent, buying food and medicine is seriously concerning for seniors.

Some of the most vulnerable seniors have been anxiously waiting for months to get their GIS paid back. The government is doing the bare minimum to help people get by, and time is running out to fix the government's GIS mess. Will seniors be left out in the cold again because the Liberal government could not fix the problems it created?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we know that seniors are hurting, and we have had the backs of Canadians throughout the pandemic. We know seniors who normally receive GIS payments are facing challenges today because they were supported by the CRB and CERB. In the economic and fiscal update, we presented our government's plan to alleviate financial hardship of GIS recipients who received CRB or CERB.

We will continue to investigate ways to respond to the needs of seniors.

Foreign Affairs

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, sanctions are one of the strongest tools we have to support Ukraine and deter Russia. This government has said it intends to block Russian ships from docking at Canadian ports, and we support this.

While it is ironing out the details, at least four Russian-owned vessels are bound for ports on our east coast. Dock workers have said they will not unload the cargo if it arrives. Will the government take decisive action to implement the ban now before dock workers are forced to do it themselves?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, our government stands with Ukraine and Ukrainian people. We will not let the Russian aggression go unpunished.

That is why our government took swift and decisive action to ban Russian flights from entering Canadian airspace. That is why our government took decisive and swift action to ban Russian ships from entering Canadian waters. Our government will do whatever it takes to stop the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine.

International Development

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on December 16 and 17, super typhoon Rai, or typhoon Odette, hit the Philippines. The typhoon caused significant devastation to communities, destroying homes and infrastructure. It also took lives in the Philippines.

The impacts of this national disaster are still being felt in communities in the Philippines almost two months later. Can the Minister of International Development tell us what Canada is doing to support the people of the Philippines?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Mississauga—Streetsville, who is also the first Filipina in this chamber.

Today, I am announcing that Canada will provide an additional $2 million in funding for life-saving humanitarian assistance to the Philippines to help the most vulnerable people affected by typhoon Rai. This funding builds on the $3 million of humanitarian assistance announced last year that Canada provided to the Philippines.

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this typhoon.

Housing

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, during the election, the Prime Minister was clear on his solutions to address out-of-control housing inflation. He said he was going to ban foreign ownership on homes in Canada, yet when the member of Parliament for Simcoe North proposed to do just that in finance committee, the Liberals voted that amendment down.

Is the Prime Minister only serious about giving young Canadian families a chance at home ownership when he needs their votes?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion]

Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear on our commitment to implement a temporary ban on foreign buyers for non-recreational, residential property. The member opposite knows very well that the amendment he is referring to was ruled out of order in the committee and would not have been enforceable, even if it passed.

We are committed to moving forward on this issue. If the member opposite and his party are serious about it, let them bring forward an amendment that can actually work.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the committee heard the amendment. We voted on it, and that party voted it down. We are only trying to get the Prime Minister to keep his promises. Home prices have increased a gobsmacking 43% since 2019, and the Liberals only seem to pursue new ways to increase the price of housing and push people out of the market.

Their latest scheme of mandatory energy labelling at the time of sale has been described as “a crazy thing to do in the middle of a historic housing-affordability crisis” by the Ontario Real Estate Association. When will the Liberals get serious about housing affordability for young Canadians and ditch this crazy new scheme of theirs?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.

Who is not serious about housing affordability? That party is not serious about housing affordability. They voted against the foreign vacancy tax. They voted against the first-time homebuyer incentive. They voted against investments in affordable housing. They voted against the rapid housing initiative. They voted against the top-up to the Canada housing benefit. They voted against the national housing co-investment fund. They voted against Canadians.

Taxation

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Marly came into my constituency office last week with tears in her eyes and her heating bill in her hand. She was worried because the price of living has skyrocketed but her payment at work has not increased at all. She will pay part of the bill but she cannot pay all of it. She will have to make up for it next month, hopefully. The problem is that she is doing this with every single one of her home bills.

To make matters worse, the carbon tax is increasing by 25% on April 1. My question is simple, while those across the aisle boo me for my question, and it is this. On behalf of Canadians, when will the punitive tax hikes be stopped?