House of Commons Hansard #85 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was firearms.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I am just going to interrupt. We started off really well, but it seems to have gone downhill. I just want to make sure that everybody can hear the answer that is being given. The hon. member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes asked a question and I am sure he wants to hear the answer.
The hon. parliamentary secretary.
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives cannot seem to make up their minds about vaccinations. A year ago, they were saying we would never have enough vaccinations to get every Canadian vaccinated, yet lo and behold, we have got many vaccinations in the arms of Canadians.
The member for Yorkton—Melville claims the government has some kind of secret agenda after refusing to get vaccinated herself. Her colleague, the Conservative MP for Niagara West, has talked about banning mRNA vaccines in Canada. That is the same vaccine that has saved millions and millions of lives.
The science is clear. Vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19, as well as reducing severe cases, hospitalizations and death.
When will the Conservatives get on board and encourage their constituents to get vaccinated?
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, an RV dealer in Kelowna—Lake Country, a boat dealer in B.C., as well as their respective national industry organizations, all tell me that the normal delivery times for an RV, boat or their parts from the U.S. have gone from two weeks to up to four months and they will lose their summer sales season. They all said it is because of the federal border vaccine mandates affecting drivers that continue to hurt their small businesses.
When will the Liberals wake up from their 2020 policies and remove these out-of-date, unscientific, unjustified vaccine mandates that are killing small business?
Adam van Koeverden LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians are sick and tired of COVID-19. We all want to get back to normal, but just wishing away or ignoring COVID-19 is simply not going to work.
Over the past few months, we continue to see more deaths from COVID-19. In fact, there have been 10,000 deaths in 2022 alone. The most important thing that we can do to get through this pandemic is to continue to ask Canadians to go and get a third dose and remain vigilant.
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Speaker, the EU and U.S. have dropped their mandates, while Canadian travellers still have to provide proof of vaccination, wear masks and be subject to random testing. Canadians want to travel again, but the backlogs created by these now unnecessary restrictions have become so extensive that Air Canada had to cancel 360 flights in one week at Toronto's Pearson airport.
When will the government finally focus on economic recovery and lift these out-of-date, punitive travel mandates?
Adam van Koeverden LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport
Mr. Speaker, let me first start by thanking our health care workers who have sacrificed so much over the last couple of years. They have spent two years on the front lines to protect us all and one of the best ways that we can support them and ensure that they stay safe is continue to encourage our constituents to get vaccinated.
Vaccines remain an important tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and variants, and as the federal government, we will keep doing everything that we can to support Canadians and keep them safe, which includes encouraging them to get vaccinated.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, Quebec has had a carbon market with California since 2014.
The Minister of the Environment actually went to California yesterday, but not to announce that he would be forcing polluting sectors to join the carbon market. No, he announced that the federal government will be creating its own pseudomarket, a system with no emissions cap that allows companies to exchange the right to pollute without actually reducing greenhouse gases.
In a GHG cap and trade system, the “cap” part is not optional. Why is the minister creating a licence to pollute?
Terry Duguid LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, establishing a federal carbon offset market is a win-win for the economy and the environment. Starting with landfills, we are putting in place a market-based mechanism to incentivize businesses and municipalities to invest in technologies and innovations that cut pollution. Over the coming year, we will roll out more offset protocols for activities in other sectors, such as forestry and agriculture. This is good for the economy and good for the environment.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is actually a win-win for oil companies.
This new scheme is not actually a carbon market. What it will do is let oil companies continue to pollute like there is no tomorrow while buying offset credits that will give the false impression they are reducing emissions. It is cosmetic, and Greenpeace agrees: “Offsetting doesn’t stop carbon from entering the atmosphere and warming our world, it just keeps it off the books of big polluters responsible.”
Why is the minister creating a greenwashing system instead of promoting the carbon market?
Terry Duguid LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member that we are working on many fronts to reduce fossil fuel emissions. We are capping emissions from the oil and gas sector. We are implementing a robust clean fuel standard. Yes, we are creating a carbon offset market, as well as phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2023, two years ahead of schedule.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, let us recap the Minister of Environment's actions this year.
First of all, he approved an additional $2.6 billion in oil subsidies. That is his key budget measure on climate. Then, he approved the Bay du Nord oil project and its billion barrels of oil. Now he is creating a system that will enable oil companies to keep polluting, but to buy credits that will hide their real greenhouse gas emission numbers. What is more, he is a self‑proclaimed environmental activist. Sure. Okay then. Soon he will be making us drink oil.
Does the Minister of Environment take us for fools?
Terry Duguid LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, perhaps I should remind the hon. member of the emissions reduction plan the minister introduced just a few weeks ago, a very practical road map to fight climate change as we build a clean economy. Here are some of the really important and exciting measures: incentives and infrastructure for electric vehicles, energy retrofits for greener homes and buildings, capping oil and gas emissions and, of course, supporting our farmers for more sustainable agriculture.
We are acting. We are acting very, very prominently.
Gary Vidal Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK
Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in northern Saskatchewan has never been so high. Gas is over two dollars a litre and the ever-rising carbon tax has led to unprecedented freight costs. In Black Lake, Hatchet Lake and Fond du Lac, four litres of milk can cost nearly $14, a dozen eggs, $9, a kilogram of apples, $12.
Everyone in Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River is suffering from these record price increases. The Liberals and the NDP continue to vote against Conservative measures that would provide relief. Why?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, we understand that affordability matters to Canadians and we absolutely understand that Canadians living in rural and northern communities face particular challenges. That is why our government has taken action and is providing support that is arriving to Canadians right now.
Let me talk about the Canada workers benefit. We have increased it by $9 billion over five years. The first increased support arrived this April. It is providing a family of three up to $2,300. There are minimum wage workers in northern Saskatchewan.
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC
Mr. Speaker, 1,300 workers in Nunavut may soon be out of a job because the government refuses to act.
Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation recently requested an emergency order to allow it to continue to ship six million tonnes of iron ore for 2022. The Minister of Northern Affairs denied the request.
Why is the government forcing these workers out of a job?
Dan Vandal LiberalMinister of Northern Affairs
Mr. Speaker, our government supports a strong resource development sector that is sustainable, creates jobs for northerners and indigenous peoples and respects the environment.
Last week, I spoke to the leadership of Baffinland mines as well as the Qikiqtani Inuit Association about this issue. I am happy and encouraged that they were both at the table to address outstanding issues and work toward an outcome that benefits both parties. Working together with all parties is the only way this issue will get resolved.
Ryan Williams Conservative Bay of Quinte, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canada's skilled labour shortage has reached over one million jobs vacant. The shortage of labour is costing our economy $30 billion and is driving inflation. The government is focused on growing government, adding 61,000 federal positions since 2015, but Canadian businesses cannot find home builders, factory workers and truckers. This is costing Canadians more in food, housing and goods as lack of employees further chokes the economy and spikes inflation.
When will the government put as much energy into filling Canadian vacant jobs as it does into growing its own bloated government?
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the response to this question in the appropriate economic context and I would like to remind the hon. member that, to date, Canada has seen 115% of the jobs lost during the pandemic returned. Our GDP is ahead of prepandemic levels. We are at the lowest rate of unemployment in the recorded history of Canada.
At the same time, we are going to launch a number of measures to continue to recruit new workers, including through immigration. I am pleased to share with the House that, as of today, Canada will welcome its 200,000th permanent resident this year, more than a month and a half faster than any year in the history of Canada.
We are going to continue to use every tool at our disposal to fill the gaps in the labour force and grow our economy.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, as the cost of living skyrockets, the Liberal government is abandoning families who are increasingly relying on food banks to feed their kids. Worse, while families are struggling, the PBO found that the Liberals cut the Canada child benefit. Families' budgets are already stretched and the Liberals are making it even harder for them by cutting the amount they currently receive. This is shameful.
Why are the Liberals shortchanging families when they are already struggling to feed their kids?
Karina Gould LiberalMinister of Families
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is committed to giving families more money to help with the high cost of raising their kids and to making a real difference in the lives of our children. That is why, in 2016, the government introduced the Canada child benefit to provide increased support for low- to middle-income families with children.
The Canada child benefit is tax-free and based on income, so it provides more support to families who need it the most. The Canada child benefit provides support to over 3.5 million families, including over six million children, putting more than $25 billion tax-free into the pockets of Canadian families.
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians want bold action that matches the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, but the Liberals are going about business as usual, failing to secure a livable future. This is the existential threat of our time, and we need a response not seen since the Second World War.
The U.S. just announced they will use their Defense Production Act to build solar panels and heat pumps. Canada has a Defence Production Act that could be used to fight the climate crisis and create good, long-term jobs.
We are in a climate emergency. When will the government start acting like it?
Terry Duguid LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her advocacy and her good work at the environment committee.
I will just remind her that we have a very robust emissions reduction plan that is an ambitious sector-by-sector pathway for Canada to reach our 2030 emission reductions on our way to 2050 net zero. This has broad support from environmental groups to industry and to farmers.
Canadians want us to deliver clean air, a healthy environment and a strong economy. That is exactly what we are going to do.
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Mr. Speaker, climate change is the greatest long‑term threat we face as a global community.
As the country's largest asset owner and public purchaser, can the President of the Treasury Board explain how the Government of Canada is doing its part to green its own operations?
Mona Fortier LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the hon. member for Vaudreuil—Soulanges for his hard work and for his important question.
The federal government is leading by example in the fight to reduce greenhouse gases. It is doing so by adopting low-carbon solutions for our buildings and vehicles, using sustainable products, reducing the use of single-use plastics, and purchasing greener power.
Together we will take strong, concrete, meaningful and measurable action. Together we will reduce emissions from federal operations by 90% by 2050.
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, after four years, Canadians are learning about a settlement between a young woman and Hockey Canada. The victim states that she was repeatedly assaulted in a hotel room in London, Ontario, in 2018. We are hearing that Hockey Canada settled out of court in response to the accusations against eight CHL players.
We had a chance to discuss this yesterday at the heritage committee, but the government members refused. Why is the government minimizing this type of violence?