Debates of April 8th, 2022

Agriculture and Agri-Food

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure my colleague. We are working very closely with the agricultural sector and its representatives on this issue. Thus far, the ships have been able to arrive in Montreal. The fertilizer is going to the farmers. We are also working to see what can be done in the medium and long term.

I would also like to remind my colleague that we changed the rules of the advance payments program this year to ensure that our farmers have quick access to liquid assets so that they can have good yields this year.

The Environment

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in budget 2022, our government is investing $1.7 billion to extend and expand the federal incentives for zero-emission vehicles program. Our government is also investing $3.8 billion to implement the first strategy for critical minerals.

Can the Minister of Environment and Climate Change explain how these funds will help us achieve our net-zero targets by 2050?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Châteauguay—Lacolle for her question and her advocacy for the electrification of transportation.

In order to support the energy transition and position Canada as an economic powerhouse in the future, we are not only investing in making electric vehicles more affordable, we are also ensuring that Canada is a global leader across the supply chain, from extracting the essential minerals needed to manufacture vehicles and batteries, to ensuring that charging stations are available across the country and are powered by clean energy.

Our government is here for Canadians. We are making smart investments to position Canada in the low-carbon economy of the future.

Labour

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Mr. Speaker, even though no contract has yet been signed to use the milk from its proposed 2,200-goat prison farm, the government continues to build dairy facilities at the Joyceville and Collins Bay institutions. Given the absence of a contract, it is strange the government continues to act and to spend as if it still plans to use prison labour to produce goat milk for export.

Will the government promise to never sign any contract that involves the use of prison labour for export products?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, the penitentiary agricultural program helps federal inmates gain the employment skills that are required for them to find meaningful employment in the community, which enhances their integration. In fact, we know offenders who participate in these programs are three times less likely to reoffend and find themselves back in custody.

That is why I am pleased to announce that the Correctional Service of Canada has indeed awarded a contract in Joyceville, and we will continue to work with my colleague and others in the chamber so that we can see this project to completion. Of course, we will make sure that this contract complies with all of Canada's international obligations.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for it to comply with all of our international agreements, we would have to pay prison labour market wages. We would have to ensure that the workers have all the benefits that are provided to free labour.

The question that arises, now that we have learned the contract has been signed, is this: Has the government guaranteed that prisoners will be paid market wages? Alternatively, has it guaranteed that none of this will be used for export to China, as in its original plan? It must be one or the other, or else we are breaking international law.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with my hon. colleague that, of course, we want to treat inmates fairly and we want to compensate them fairly. That is why I am pleased to share with him, and all members, that we have awarded the contract through the Correctional Service of Canada.

We are going to make sure that those inmates are getting the skills and the experience they require to become positive, contributing members to society, and we will work with all members to make sure that this experience and the training are done in accordance with all of Canada's international obligations.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the prison farm in Joyceville, Ontario, is also the home to a provincially inspected abattoir that serves eastern Ontario farmers. There has been a surge in buying local meat, and farmers have stepped up to meet that demand. The facility operator will be retiring. If we lose the abattoir there, there will be tremendous strain placed on processing capacity in eastern Ontario.

Will the Minister of Public Safety offer that licence to another operator, or will the abattoir be closed?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for his advocacy in his community. I have committed to working with him and other members who are engaged in the process of making sure that we have these programs come back to total fruition in the community. As I said, these programs ensure that inmates are equipped with the tools, the experience and the skills that are necessary to safely reintegrate into their communities.

I know my hon. colleague raises a specific issue with regard to licensing. We are engaging with him, and we will continue to do so.

Foreign Affairs

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the world has watched in horror over the past few weeks as Russia continues its unprovoked and horrific full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are not just fighting for their own freedom; they are fighting for all of us. Canada has taken strong action to support the Ukrainian people in that fight. Before Russia's invasion began, Canada began providing military support to Ukraine and has continued to provide significant military support.

I am proud that budget 2022, which was introduced yesterday, includes additional support to Ukraine.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence update Canadians on the support that was included in yesterday's budget?

[Bryan May, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his incredible work and commitment on this file and on this crisis throughout. Canada is one of the lead countries in NATO when it comes to supporting Ukraine, and now we are stepping up even more with an additional $500 million to provide further military aid to Ukraine.

As the Ukrainian Canadian Congress said yesterday, this is a crucial and timely decision. Our government will continue to give our Ukrainian friends the tools they need to win this war and, like the member for Etobicoke Centre, we will not rest.

Indigenous Affairs

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Qujannamiik, Uqaqtitiji.

In yesterday's budget, there were no new funds to help stop the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. This is extremely disappointing. Under the government, the genocide against indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people continues.

New Democrats have been fighting for funding to implement all of the calls for justice to help stop the violence.

When will the government finally provide funds to save the lives of indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people? Qujannamiik.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her passion and her dedication. I sit with her on the indigenous and northern affairs committee, and I know the member opposite has heard me say that we have $2.2 billion put aside over the next five years to address the missing and murdered indigenous women calls to justice. I also want to talk about the important work that we have currently done with that money, including $85 million for indigenous women's shelters across Canada. Also, we are continuing to move forward on cultural spaces in communities.

This week, our minister announced $16 million for funding for cultural spaces in Ontario and Quebec to address the cultural importance for indigenous women to continue practising their culture, continue practising their language and continue being proud of who they are. Our government is committed to indigenous women across Canada.

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

That is all the time for question period today.

Since some members may not be sticking around for the rest of the debate, I want to wish each and every one of them a happy Easter, and I hope they enjoy connecting back into their ridings for a couple of weeks.

Ukraine

[Jim Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table a petition on behalf of residents of Winnipeg South Centre who are outraged at the Russian Federation's unlawful and unprovoked war against the people of Ukraine.

Ukrainians are living with the gravest humanitarian and displacement crisis within Europe since the Second World War. My constituents and all Canadians are witnessing scenes they once hoped had been relegated to the past.

The petitioners would like Ukrainian refugees to find safety and security in Canada, and are asking for this to be made possible by lifting all visa requirements and granting visa-free travel to Ukrainians.

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

I would remind folks to take their conversations outside so that we can keep on with petitions.

The hon. member for Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup.

Corporate Social Responsibility

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to present a petition today on behalf of the members of Development and Peace in Quebec, but also across Canada.

This petition is signed by several hundred people who are calling on the government to ensure that Canadian businesses that invest in the mining sector in developing countries prevent adverse human rights impacts and environmental damage throughout their operations.

Development and Peace is an important organization that invests in developing countries to improve people's quality of life.

Immigration

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to table today.

The first petition has been initiated by Brenda Morrison, a human rights activist. She is calling for the government to take action with respect to the Afghan community. She notes that, for decades, after risking their lives to help the Canadian Armed Forces, many Afghan interpreters, other collaborators and their extended families were left in a highly precarious situation and were being targeted by the Taliban. With the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, many are desperate to get to safety but are unable to do so.

The petitioners are calling on the government to immediately undertake an emergency immigration measure that grants a temporary residence permit and temporary travel documents, while suspending the usual documentation requirements until people are safely here in Canada. That would apply to all Afghans and their extended families who served the military, those who are human rights activists and those with immediate family members here in Canada. They call to expand the stream to extended family members, as well. They are also calling for the government to open up spaces for sponsorship-agreement holders and to waive the refugee determination requirements.

The Environment

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition that I am tabling was initiated by my constituents, Marie Udaga and Nick Potrovitch.

The petitioners are calling on the government to enact a just transition legislation that reduces emissions by at least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to make a significant contribution to emissions reductions in countries in the global south. They further note that there needs to be action on winding down the fossil fuel subsidy and related infrastructure, to end the fossil fuel industry and related infrastructure.

The petitioners are also calling for the transition to a decarbonized economy, the creation of new public economic institutions, and the expansion of public ownership of services and utilities across the economy to implement the transition. They note that creating good, green jobs and driving inclusive workforce development are key, and that we need to respect indigenous rights, sovereignty and knowledge by including them in creating and implementing this legislation.

Finally, the petitioners are calling for the government to expand the social safety net and to pay for the transition by increasing taxes on the wealthiest people and corporations, and financing them through a public national bank.

The third petition is the same as the second, and has been initiated by my constituent, Leah Anderson.

I hope the government will take action on these petitions.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[The Speaker]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that this House approve in general the budgetary policy of the government, and of the amendment.

Financial Statement of Minister of Finance

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there is a lot to be said about the budget; my colleagues will say more when we resume debate. Unfortunately, I have to call out the government's tradition of systematically presenting the budget just before a parliamentary break. It prefers to tour around selling its version of the facts than to face the criticism of every elected member and every legislator in the House, and I strongly object to that. We will have a great deal more to say.

For now, I move, seconded by the member for Saint-Jean:

That the amendment be amended by adding the following:

“(d) increase health transfers as unanimously requested by Quebec, the provinces and territories;

(e) increase the old age pension for those aged 65 to 74;

(f) take concrete action against climate change;

(g) offer solutions to the rising cost of living for individuals and their businesses; and

(h) consult and respect the jurisdictions of Quebec, the provinces and territories.”

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

The amendment to the amendment is in order.

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.