Debates of Nov. 28th, 2023

Finance

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

Our government is tackling affordability issues and environmental issues at the same time. We are scaling up affordable housing in Canada by making it easier to access mortgage relief. We are offering Canadian families incentives to help them save thousands every year on their energy bills, and we are helping them make the switch to electric heat pumps with an investment of $500 million over four years.

On this side of the House, we are delivering results for Canadians on affordability and on the environment.

Automotive Industry

[Ryan Williams, Conservative, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, $15 billion is $1,000 per household, and there is no guarantee for Canadian jobs. Not only are 900 jobs going to taxpayer-funded foreign workers, but the union today said it would cost Canadian contractors $300 million in lost wages. This is not Deal or No Deal. This is a terrible deal for workers who were promised jobs in Windsor.

When will the minister responsible for costing the union $300 million and Canadian families $1,000 per household release the contract that Canadians have paid for?

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to protecting local jobs, we will not take any lessons from the Conservatives. When they were in power, we saw the rapid decline of our automotive industry and the loss of over 300,000 manufacturing jobs.

Let us review some of the most recent actions of Conservatives compromising local jobs. They are filibustering the sustainable jobs act at the natural resources committee, which is a bill that would give workers a seat at the table in the clean economy. They are opposing landmark legislation that our government tabled on the ban of replacement workers. They have opposed the Atlantic accord, which is supporting an offshore wind industry in Atlantic Canada. Those are just a few examples of the hypocrisy.

[Ryan Williams, Conservative, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the only things the Liberals are protecting are taxpayer-funded foreign jobs.

Here is what could have happened. The Liberals could have ensured that we mine the material for batteries in Canadian mines with Canadian workers. We are not. We could have ensured that the parts for the cars were made by Canadian workers in Canadian factories. We are not. These could have been 100% Canadian jobs. They are not. Instead, Canadians are paying $1,000 a household so Canadian contractors can lose $300 million and get ripped off.

Why will the Liberals not release the contract? Is it because it should have been ripped up?

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, let us just review what Lana Payne, the national president of Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union, has said, “In an ironic twist, we’ve learned the program...exists only because of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, an agreement negotiated and signed by”—guess who—“the Conservatives themselves back in 2014.” Ms. Payne also said, “Either way they are officially talking out of both sides of their mouths. It's embarrassing....”

That is the largest private sector union in the country.

While the Conservatives put their ignorance and recklessness on full display to Canadians, we will stay focused on building a powerhouse auto industry.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this government is making things up as it goes. It is giving away $7 billion of taxpayers' money to fund foreign workers in Montérégie. This Prime Minister has once again failed to protect Quebec's workers. He has failed to include the most basic requirement in the agreement, namely, making foreign companies hire Quebeckers here at home.

This government is just not worth the cost. What does this Liberal government have to hide in these contracts? Why is it not disclosing them publicly?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservatives are against a new economy that harnesses all the talents of Quebeckers and Canadians at the frontier of a new economy. All the jobs for Quebeckers and Canadians will be in Montérégie. The members opposite do not want us to sign a good deal with this company. It is not their fault; it is because they do not know what they want to do for the economy.

We are here for Quebeckers and Canadians. We are going to do it in Montérégie and across Canada. That is our plan and we are going to follow through.

Tourism Industry

[Michael McLeod, Liberal, Northwest Territories, NT]

Mr. Speaker, indigenous tourism was among the hardest-hit sectors of the travel industry during the pandemic, but it was becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry before the pandemic and that opportunity still exists. The growth of indigenous tourism is an important element of reconciliation and a major opportunity for first nations, Métis and Inuit communities. It was among the key priorities of the new federal tourism growth strategy announced this summer.

Can the Minister of Tourism tell us what our government is doing to support indigenous tourism?

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, our government wants to position the indigenous tourism industry for long-term sustainable growth. I recently announced the indigenous tourism fund that will support thousands of projects for micro and small businesses across the country, and in the member's riding of Northwest Territories.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, ITAC, will provide financial assistance to build capacity among indigenous businesses. Indigenous tourism has the power to transform the tourism sector, and more than that, it has the power to advance self-determination in an economy of reconciliation.

Infrastructure

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the ultrarich owner of the Ambassador Bridge is trying to end the ban of hazardous materials on the bridge between Detroit and Windsor.

Last year's bridge blockade proved we cannot put the country's most important trade link at risk so a billionaire can profit while endangering businesses, residents and the environment, including Great Lakes drinking water. These goods are already safely crossing the Blue Water Bridge now and, in 18 months, at the new Gordie Howe Bridge.

Will the government not cave to the billionaire's greed, and will the government keep people safe and keep the ban on?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, it is essential that we continue to make the investments and work with partners to keep our trade corridors open, including making the necessary investments to improve our country's national infrastructure that helps drive our local economy.

With respect to the hon. member's very specific local concerns about the bridge he raised in his question, I would be happy to speak with him after question period and set up a time to discuss the details in person as our schedules allow.

Persons with Disabilities

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Mr. Speaker, people living with disabilities are children, parents, grandparents, community members, our neighbours and our fellow Canadians, and they deserve to live in dignity.

The few in Alberta who get some provincial support know it is not enough and feel they are being trapped in continual poverty. New Democrats and disability advocates fought to secure a national Canada disability benefit, but the Liberals are delaying.

Edmontonians living with a disability do not have time to wait. When will the government implement a fully funded Canada disability benefit?

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity]

Mr. Speaker, I am so happy that our House, together, passed an important disability benefit with Bill C-22. We are committed to making sure that this benefit is realized, and that this will get dollars into the pockets of those who need it for Canadians who are with disability and who are of working age. This will help alleviate poverty and help Canadians who are looking forward to this benefit. We will do so properly and without delay.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I have in my hand an article from CTV entitled “'Manifestation of weakness': Zelenskyy condemns Canada for return of Russia-Germany pipeline turbines”.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I will ask the hon. member if he is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to table the document.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to table the document.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am hearing that there is no appetite for unanimous consent.

The hon. member for St. Albert—Edmonton.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to seek unanimous consent to table a National Post article in which former premier Klein—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am afraid the hon. member does not have unanimous consent. That has been clearly indicated.

The hon. Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during question period today, on numerous occasions the Conservative Party of Canada referred to carbon pricing as a tax. Conservatives talked about the respect of our institution. They should—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Order. The hon. minister knows that this venturing into debate.

The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, on several occasions, yelled from his seat for members to stop lying in the House. He used the word “lie” on several occasions. I would ask that the member withdraw his comments.