Debates of Oct. 17th, 2023

CBC/Radio-Canada

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Colleagues, I frankly could not hear the answer from the parliamentary secretary. I would ask that we have good decorum in the House.

I will ask the hon. parliamentary secretary to take it from the top.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Mr. Speaker, our government has made it clear that Hamas is a terrorist organization. We have said that, the Prime Minister has said that, and we will keep saying that, but on this side of the House, we will also keep working for an independent CBC that is well funded to do the good work of providing quality journalism to Canadians. This is, on this side of the House, a priority for us, as it is a priority for all Canadians.

If Conservatives or others have a challenge with the CBC, they are welcome to write to the ombudsman.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives may not applaud as vigorously for me. I agree with my colleague that the CBC and Radio-Canada do outstanding journalistic work, and that must be protected. Journalists, however, know how to use loaded words. Journalists know how to describe the despicable acts committed by Hamas on October 7. That is their job.

However, CBC management's directive is something else entirely. It looks a lot like censorship. CBC higher-ups are actually muzzling the press. They are taking a political stance. That is absolutely not the broadcaster's mandate. Yes, CBC management is independent, but I do want to ask the minister the following question.

Does she think that, as a matter of principle, CBC management should be getting involved in journalists' work?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we have always been clear. Hamas is a terrorist group that has committed countless atrocities. That has always been clear.

CBC/Radio-Canada is independent, but we see the translation issue as unacceptable. We have some incredible talent here at home and the translation could very well be done here by Quebec artists or francophone artists from across Canada.

The Economy

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after eight long years, one would hope that the government would figure out that sound, responsible, economic and monetary policy is key to keeping inflation low. Instead, inflation is nearly double what it should be, resulting in massive increases in food, heating, rent and mortgages. Canadians living paycheque to paycheque recognize that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. To make matters even worse, we have the NDP supporting the government's fiscal incompetence.

Will this NDP-Liberal Prime Minister start listening to Canadians, stop inflationary spending and cancel the carbon tax?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the colleague for the question, but I am really surprised that she is not talking about the historic investment announced in her riding yesterday. Umicore invested $3 billion in her riding, creating 600 jobs for young people to stay in her riding.

We are building the economy of the future. We are investing in electrical vehicles. The member should be rejoicing that we are making smart investments to create growth in this country.

[Shuv Majumdar, Conservative, Calgary Heritage, AB]

Mr. Speaker, grocery inflation is up this year over $1,100 for families. Emissions are up 2.1%, making Canada 58 out of 63 in its commitments. The job-killing, no-more-pipelines Bill C-69, coupled with the carbon tax, now quadrupled, comes precisely at a time when our energy would secure the world, lower emissions and guarantee Canadians could eat, heat and house themselves.

Will this Prime Minister admit that, after eight years, his NDP-Liberal government is not worth the cost?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, it really is shocking that Conservatives are claiming to be on the side of Canadians and helping them with affordability when their very allies in the Alberta government in the UCP are trying to take the pension plans of Albertans out of the Canada pension plan to have a reckless, unstable Alberta plan.

While those Conservatives stand on the sidelines and do nothing, we are going to defend the Canadian pension plan in Alberta and across the country.

Oil and Gas Industry

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's Supreme Court has verified what Conservatives have been saying for a long time, and that is that the Liberal government is out of line, out of step and out of touch when it comes to respecting provincial jurisdiction.

Its reckless spending is only outdone by its unconstitutional attack on Canada's energy sector, the very sector that we will need to pay off Canada's debt. After eight long, miserable years of this Liberal-NDP government, Canadians know this Prime Minister is not worth the cost.

Will the government, for once, work with Canada's provinces and industry, and commit today to repeal Bill C-69?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, one of the very sorry things about the conversation coming from that side of the House is the complete rejection of the need to ensure we have a sustainable environment going forward, that the price of entry, in terms of building a strong economy, means actually having a view about environmental sustainability.

When that party was in power, Conservatives gutted the environmental assessment process. They destroyed the faith that Canadians had that we were protecting the environment and we were respecting indigenous rights. We have put in place better rules. We certainly respect the decision of the court, and we will be making the appropriate amendments to ensure the environment is protected and the economy moves forward.

Small Business

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was happy to join the Minister of Small Business to kick off Small Business Week in Montreal, where we met amazing small businesses such as Camillette Jewelry, Unel and Cookine. Les Délices Lafrenaie, a small must-try bakery located in my riding, is one of the many businesses that form the backbone of our economy.

Can the Minister of Small Business tell us how the government is supporting the hard-working, innovative and diverse entrepreneurs across our country, who represent 98% of our businesses in Canada?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Speaker, happy Small Business Week to the small business owners and entrepreneurs all across this country. It was terrific meeting with some of these incredible folks in Montreal. I want to thank my colleague for joining me.

Since 2018, our women entrepreneurship strategy has helped over 22,000 women start up and scale up. Yesterday I announced a nearly $3-million investment for École des entrepreneurs du Québec to support close to 2,000 women entrepreneurs in Quebec and across Canada.

Despite the Conservatives voting against this program and others like it, we will always support Canada's incredible women-owned and minority-owned business.

Public Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, media reports reveal the RCMP could not pursue their criminal investigation against the Prime Minister and his SNC-Lavalin scandal because he was hiding secret documents from the federal police.

If any other Canadian hid documents from the RCMP, they would end up in jail. After eight years of this Liberal-NDP government, the Prime Minister thinks he is above the law. Canadians know that he is not worth the cost.

What are the documents that are so damning that the Prime Minister is hiding them from the RCMP? Why is the NDP trying to help him get off the hook?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, as the RCMP have confirmed, there is no active investigation. The case is closed, and authorities did not pursue any charges.

My hon. friend knows very well the RCMP operations are conducted independently from government. If he has operational questions for them, I would suggest he contact the RCMP.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Iranian regime supports Hamas and is responsible for death and destruction throughout the world.

Yesterday I asked the House to support my Bill C-350 to list Iran's IRGC as a terrorist organization, and therefore to shut down their operations in Canada. However, the Liberals refused.

After eight years, why are Liberals still refusing to hold this regime accountable, and why are they continuing to allow the IRGC to operate here in Canada?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, it is well known that Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. We share the understandable concern of many Canadians with regard to Iran's role in the state sponsorship of terrorism.

As my colleague knows, decisions around listing terrorist entities are based on the advice of our security professionals. I have obviously asked them to update this advice for the government and we will take all necessary decisions as soon as it is appropriate.

Justice

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, once again, we hear reports of Canadians crying out for help with their mental health, but being offered assisted death instead.

The government refused to listen to mental health experts, to veterans, to disabled people and to indigenous Canadians. It did not listen to the family whose mother begged for help, but instead was euthanized before her kids could even say goodbye.

Canadians overwhelmingly oppose this overreach on assisted suicide. Tomorrow, we can end this madness by passing Bill C-314.

Will the government give Liberal MPs a free vote? This is for the whip, yes or no?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the mental health of Canadians is a fundamental priority for me and everyone in this chamber. The issue of MAID is a deeply personal and complex choice. It involves balancing the protection of the vulnerable, as well as the autonomy and freedom of choice of individuals. Those decisions always need to be made commensurate with the charter protections that exist.

This is why we need to be vigilant in terms of ensuring our decisions are informed by evidence and expertise. Our government is moving to restrike the joint committee of parliamentarians to deliver that expertise and advice. I hope the official opposition can support us in that endeavour.

Innovation, Science and Industry

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is undeniable that technology is progressing at an unprecedented rate, significantly transforming our society faster than ever. Artificial intelligence continues to advance and reshape the world around us.

Could the minister share with the House the steps the government is taking to ensure that Canadians are prepared for the massive societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence?

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

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, and as Canadians know, Canada is a global leader in AI and Canadians have created many of the world's best AI innovations. At the same time, Canadians take the potential risks around AI very seriously. That is why we are committed to ensuring that Canadians can trust the AI system. Through our voluntary code of conduct, leading Canadian companies will adopt responsible frameworks for advancing their AI systems to strengthen safety and trust.

We will work to ensure that Canada's AI policies are adapting to a rapidly changing world.

Child Care

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today is Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day in Ontario, but where is the respect when the government keeps their wages low?

A new report from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care shows the staffing crisis is threatening the success of the national child care program. This is not a worker shortage; it is a respect shortage, a dignity shortage and a wage shortage.

Will the Liberals implement a wage floor of at least $25 an hour for child care workers now?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, the people who take care of our children day in, day out deserve to be well respected and well compensated. Building out a national early learning and child care system takes time, it takes effort and it takes hard work with our partners. We need to attract and retain our ECEs across the country. To do that, we need them to have better working conditions and competitive pay.

We have been clear with the provinces, the territories and our partners that we are working toward that and we expect that along with them.

Climate Change

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is time for a wealth tax. Canadians For Tax Fairness revealed that most of us are taking key steps to tackle climate change. At least 90% of us have cut down our carbon footprint by over three tonnes per person in the last 30 years, but the ultra-wealthy are working against us, increasing their pollution by 34 tonnes per person over that time. This is a result of decades of Liberal and Conservative governments giving the ultra-wealthy a free pass while Canadians are doing the heavy lifting

Why are the Liberals refusing to make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my hon. colleague that in a recent podcast on a very popular Canadian show, one of her ex-advisers to the federal NDP and many provincial NDPs was asked, point-blank, what he thought people would remember of this Liberal government. He said that they would remember it as the first government to take climate change seriously in the history of Canada.

I agree with this NDP adviser. We are the first government in the history of Canada to take climate change seriously, which is why we have put forward more than 100 measures to fight climate change. It is working. We have reduced emissions in Canada by the equivalent of removing 11 million cars from our roads.