Debates of Jan. 30th, 2023

Question No.1040—

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

With regard to the government's plan to provide automatic advance payments on the Canada workers benefit: (a) does the government have any projections on the number of overpayments and payments made to ineligible recipients that are expected to occur following the move to the automatic advance payment system, and, if so, what are the projections, in terms of (i) dollar value, (ii) number of recipients; (b) what mechanisms, if any, are in place for those who might not qualify for future payments to opt-out of the automatic advance payments; and (c) what are the details about how the government will be recovering the overpayments or payments made to ineligible recipients?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes to automatically issue advance payments of the Canada Workers Benefit, or CWB, to people who qualified for the benefit in the previous year, starting in July 2023 for the 2023 taxation year. These advance payments would represent a new minimum entitlement to the program for a year based on their income in the previous year. Changes to individuals’ incomes in the year relative to the previous year would not affect their entitlement to advance payments.

Some individuals would be entitled to more support with the implementation of this minimum entitlement than they would without it. This could include cases that are due to couple formation, such as marrying someone with a higher income, for example. This may also include individuals who received minor pay increases during the year, potentially from moving into a marginally more senior role in their workplace.

Eligibility to receive advance payments during the course of a year would cease in cases where an individual is incarcerated for a period of 90 days or more; moves out of the country; or dies before the start of the benefit year. Individuals are encouraged to notify the Canada Revenue Agency promptly where any of these changes in circumstance occurs to ensure that payments cease, and it is anticipated that overpayments due to payments made after one of these changes in circumstance would be rare.

If an individual were to receive advance payments that exceed the advance payments to which they are legally entitled, either due to one of the changes in circumstance noted above not being reported on a timely basis or due to a reassessment of their tax return for the previous year, any resulting overpayment would be recovered in the same manner as for other benefits based on prior-year income, such as the GST Credit. In particular, the Canada Revenue Agency may keep all or a portion of any future payments due to the individual until the amount is repaid.

Overall disbursements of the Canada Workers Benefit to low- and middle-income Canadians will exceed $4 billion in 2023-24. These incremental entitlements are estimated to cost $750 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year. In a typical year, the Canada Workers Benefit supports over 3 million Canadians. Given the changes in employment that Canadians face – whether it is a change in the number of hours worked or in the role in which they are working – the advance payments would support up to 1.2 million additional individuals in a year.

Question No.1048—

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

With regard to the Digital Citizen Contribution Program: (a) how much funding has been delivered to date; and (b) what are the details of all projects funded through the program, including, for each, the (i) recipient, (ii) amount of funding, (iii) project description or purpose of the funding, (iv) date on which the funding was allocated?

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question, the Digital Citizen Contribution Program, or DCCP, supports the priorities of the Digital Citizen Initiative by providing time-limited financial assistance for research and citizen-focused activities. To date, the DCCP has provided approximately $13.7 million in funding to recipients for approved projects.

With respect to part (b) of the question, details of all projects funded by the DCCP are publicly available through Proactive Disclosure on this webpage: https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/?sort=score%20desc&page=1&search_text=%22digital%20citizen%20contribution%20program%22

Question No.1049—

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

With regard to funding provided by the government through the Digital Citizen Initiative: (a) what are the details of all projects funded through the initiative where the government provided more than $10,000 in funding, including, for each project, the (i) recipient, (ii) amount, (iii) date, (iv) project description, (v) component or specific program under which funding was provided; and (b) of the projects in (a), are there any currently conducting research on disinformation or misinformation disseminated by the prime minister, ministers or government departments, and, if so, which ones and on what government disinformation or misinformation are they conducting research?

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question: The Digital Citizen Initiative funds projects through the Digital Citizen Contribution Program (DCCP) and a Joint Initiative with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) called the Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research.

Details of all projects funded through the DCCP are publicly available through Proactive Disclosure on this webpage: https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/?sort=score%20desc&page=1&search_text=%22digital%20citizen%20contribution%20program%22

Details of all projects funded through the Joint Initiative with SSHRC are publicly available through Proactive Disclosure on this webpage: https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/?sort=score%20desc&page=1&search_text=%22initiative%20for%20digital%20citizen%20research%22

With respect to part (b) of the question, the Digital Citizen Initiative is not currently funding research on information disseminated by the prime minister, ministers, or government departments.

Question No.1050—

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

With regard to the statement on Twitter by the Minister of Natural Resources on November 28, 2022, that “Climate change will cost Canadians $100 billion a year by 2050 - unless we hit our climate targets”: (a) what methodology was used by the minister to come up with that figure; and (b) what are the government’s projections on how much climate change will cost Canadians each year, by 2050, if the government does hit its climate targets?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has committed over $100 billion with respect to climate action. The Government of Canada’s Budget 2021 - A Healthy Environment for a Healthy Economy provides a breakdown of this commitment, and is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/04/budget-2021-a-healthy-environment-for-a-healthy-economy.html.

The Canadian Climate Institute report on Costs of Climate Change, which is available at https://climateinstitute.ca/reports/the-costs-of-climate-change/, provides reports that explore the costs, impacts, and consequences of accelerating climate change.

Question No.1053—

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

With regard to the Liidlii Kue First Nation’s efforts to open a women’s shelter in Fort Simpson: (a) which federal buildings has the government identified as available to the Liidlii Kue First Nation; (b) for each building in (a), what is the approximate cost to sell it to the Liidlii Kue First Nation; (c) for each building in (a), what are the reasons identified by the government as to why the transfer of ownership has not been completed; and (d) by what dates are the buildings in (a) expected to be available to the Liidlii Kue First Nation?

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has identified the following properties for disposal in Fort Simpson: 9829-102 Street; 10110-99 Avenue; and 9817-101 Street.

As per the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Real Property, a property identified for disposal is circulated through a formal process, granting priority to stakeholders to determine if they have interest in acquisition. During the circulation process, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) expressed interest in these units on behalf of local Indigenous groups, including the Liidlii Kue First Nation. PSPC is continuing to provide support to CIRNAC as it determines next steps for the release of the properties. Planning for the future of these assets, in collaboration with stakeholders, is ongoing and therefore Public Services and Procurement Canada is unable to respond to parts (b), (c) and (d) of the question.

Question No.1059—

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

With regard to funding and expenditures for ministerial offices, including the Office of the Prime Minister, broken down by fiscal year, for the last three years since 2019-20: (a) what was the total amount of funding provided to (i) all ministerial offices, (ii) each minister's office, including the Office of the Prime Minister; and (b) what is the breakdown of the spending of each minister's office by type of expense (salaries, travel, stationary etc.)?

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, a breakdown of expenses for Ministers’ offices, including the Office of the Prime Minister, is published each year in the Public Accounts of Canada at the following links. For 2019-20: https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/301/public_accounts_can/html/2020/recgen/cpc-pac/2020/vol3/s10/dcm-emo-eng.html; for 2020-21: https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/recgen/cpc-pac/2021/vol3/s10/dcm-emo-eng.html; for 2021-22: https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/recgen/cpc-pac/2022/vol3/s10/dcm-emo-eng.html.

Question No.1060—

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

With regard to the government's claim that it has lifted two million people out of poverty: how many of those two million people have since needed to use food banks or other charitable services due to high inflation?

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Income Survey (CIS) is the official data source for estimating annual poverty statistics based on Canada’s Official Poverty Line. Results from the 2020 CIS, released on March 23, 2022, show that there were 2.7 million fewer people living in poverty in 2020 compared to 2015. As a cross-sectional survey, the CIS does not collect information on past poverty status of surveyed individuals and families, nor does it collect information on current or prior utilization of food banks or services from charitable organizations. In addition, the latest available data on poverty is for the 2020 calendar year. Poverty statistics reflecting the higher inflation observed in 2021 and 2022 will be released by the CIS in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Question No.1064—

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

With regard to the $150 million announced in budget 2022 to support affordable housing and related infrastructure in the North, as of December 1, 2022, broken down by territory: (a) how much of this funding has been allocated; (b) how many housing units have been built; (c) how many of the units in (b) are currently occupied by residents; and (d) what is the breakdown of (a) though (c) by territory?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Minister of Northern Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, insofar as Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is concerned, the response is as follows.

Canada’s northern, remote and isolated communities face unique housing needs because of the challenges presented by geography, climate change, infrastructure and remoteness. Partners of the Arctic and northern policy framework identified the need to address housing in the north as part of the goal of supporting resilient and healthy northern and indigenous people.

In response to these challenges, the Government of Canada, through budget 2022, is providing $150 million over two years, starting in 2022-23, to support affordable housing and related infrastructure in the north, of which $60 million will be provided to the Government of Nunavut; $60 million to the Government of the Northwest Territories; and $30 million to the Government of Yukon. Of this funding, recipients must use a minimum of 60% for housing, and the remaining amount for housing-related infrastructure.

The first $75 million of budget 2022 funding, with $30 million for Nunavut, $30 million for the Northwest Territories and $15 million for the Yukon government, has been allocated to recipients, and the remaining $75 million in funding is to be allocated in fiscal year 2023-24. The funding provided through budget 2022 to territorial governments is through a flexible grant, allowing for the territorial governments to advance their most pressing housing and infrastructure needs immediately. Through this budget 2022 investment and ongoing partnerships with Canada’s territorial governments, the Government of Canada is empowering its territorial partners to ensure that all northerners, both indigenous and non-indigenous, have access to sustainable and safe housing and is supporting the health and welfare of northerners using made-in-the-north solutions.

A large percentage of northerners live in social public housing, and it is the territorial governments, through their respective housing corporations, that are responsible for overseeing and maintaining the social housing stock. This budget 2022 funding allows for Canada’s territorial governments to continue to support housing and infrastructure projects in their respective territories.

The funding allocated to these territorial initiatives is determined on a priority basis based on need, as determined by the territorial governments’ housing corporations. This budget 2022 funding is provided via grant, and as such, there are no reporting mechanisms associated with the granting mechanism. This approach of using grant funding is consistent with the principles of self-determination, where it is the recipients of this funding who are best positioned to determine how it should be used.

As a result, the department is unable to provide numbers in relation to the number of housing units that have been built or constructed or the number of housing units that are occupied, given this responsibility resides with the territorial government.

Question No.1065—

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

With regard to the $25 million announced in budget 2021 to support short-term housing and infrastructure needs in Nunavut, as of December 1, 2022: (a) how much of this funding has been allocated; (b) how many housing units have been built; (c) of the units in (b), how many are occupied by residents; and (d) what is the breakdown of units (i) built, (ii) occupied, by community?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Minister of Northern Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, insofar as Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is concerned, the response is as follows.

Canada’s northern, remote and isolated communities face unique housing needs because of the challenges presented by geography, climate change, infrastructure and remoteness. Partners of the Arctic and northern policy framework identified the need to address housing in the north as part of the goal of supporting resilient and healthy northern and indigenous people. In response to these challenges, the Government of Canada, through budget 2021, provided the Government of Nunavut with $25 million to support its immediate housing and infrastructure needs.

The majority of Nunavummiut live in social public housing, and it is the territorial government, through its housing corporation, that is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the social housing stock. In the case of Nunavut, 14% of its operating budget is allocated specifically to support social housing.

The entire budget 2021 funding amount of $25 million has been allocated to the Government of Nunavut during the fiscal year 2021-22, and project-specific allocations are determined on a priority basis based on need, as determined by the housing corporation. This budget 2021 funding was provided to the recipient via a grant. This approach of using grant funding is consistent with the principles of self-determination, whereby it is the recipients of this funding who are best positioned to determine how it should be used. As a result, the department is unable to provide numbers in relation to the number of housing units that have been built or constructed or the number of housing units that are occupied, given that this responsibility resides with the territorial government.

Question No.1067—

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

With regard to government funding for safer supply programs: (a) what quantity of substances have been distributed through safer supply programs, broken down by year, type of substance, and province or territory, since 2016; (b) who are the recognized manufacturers for the substances provided through safer supply programs, broken down by type of substance; (c) what are the total yearly government expenditures related to safer supply programs; and (d) how much was each manufacturer in (b) paid each year for substances provided by safer supply programs?

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to question (a), while recipients of Health Canada’s substance use and addictions program, or SUAP, funding are required to report back to Health Canada using standard performance metrics, this level of detail falls outside of what is collected by the department.

With regard to question (b), there are a number of prescription drugs approved by Health Canada that provinces, territories and authorized health practitioners can access for both medication-assisted drug treatment programs and safer supply pilot projects. Information on the specific brands of medications dispensed to safer supply clients is often recorded at the pharmacy level only, not by the programs themselves. Health Canada does not formally collect information on the manufacturers for the medications provided through funded safer supply pilot projects.

With regard to question (c), as of December 2022, the expenditures are as follows: $593,109 in 2018-19; $1,484,049 in 2019-20; $11,906,315 in 2020-21; $20,219,932 in 2021-22; $34,400,062 in 2022-23; and $9,282,388 in 2023-24.

With regard to question (d), as previously mentioned, information regarding how much each manufacturer is paid each year for the range of substances prescribed falls outside of what is collected by the department.

Question No.1068—

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

With regard to the government's announcement on August 12, 2021, to invest $1.44 billion into Telesat's advanced low Earth orbit satellite constellation, Telesat Lightspeed: (a) how much funding did the government invest in Telesat following this announcement, broken down by type of investment (grant, loan, purchase of equity, etc.); and (b) what are the details of all such investments, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) type of investment, (iii) amount, (iv) program under which the investment was made?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, the government remains in discussion with Telesat on a potential investment in the Lightspeed project. Completion of the government’s investment is dependent on Telesat satisfying a number of conditions, including Telesat successfully concluding agreements with other parties to fully finance the project. Accordingly, none of the government funds referenced in the agreement in principle that was announced on August 12, 2021, have been disbursed.

Question No.1070—

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

With regard to the government's announcement on August 12, 2021, to invest $1.44 billion into Telesat's advanced low Earth orbit satellite constellation, Telesat Lightspeed: (a) what are the details of government purchases or sales of Telesat equity or shares since the announcement, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) total price or amount, (iii) type of transaction (bought or sold), (iv) number of shares or percentage of equity, (v) share price, if applicable; and (b) what is the government's current equity stake in Telesat in terms of value, percentage of equity, and number of shares?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, the government remains in discussion with Telesat on a potential investment in the Lightspeed project. Completion of the government’s investment is dependent on Telesat satisfying a number of conditions, including Telesat successfully concluding agreements with other parties to fully finance the project. Accordingly, none of the government funds referenced in the agreement in principle that was announced on August 12, 2021, have been disbursed.

Question No.1074—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

With regard to the report in the Public Accounts of Canada 2022 that Global Affairs Canada lost $82,902 due to a single instance of fraudulent activity: (a) what was the nature of the fraudulent activity; (b) were the individuals involved in this fraudulent activity identified, and, if so, (i) what were their names, (ii) what organizations or businesses were they affiliated with, (iii) were they prosecuted, (iv) what were the outcomes of any court proceeding involving this fraud; (c) were efforts made to recover the lost funds, and, if so, why weren't those efforts successful; and (d) did this incident lead to any policy changes, and, if so, what were those policy changes?