Debates of April 25th, 2023

The Environment

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, a UN report revealed that the melting of glaciers is “off the charts” and is now irreversible.

However, this government does not see this as a global tragedy, but rather as a business opportunity. Believe it or not, in the most recent budget, the government allocated millions of dollars for oil exploration in the Arctic. The unchecked use of oil is what led to this global disaster, and the federal government is seriously thinking that there might be some money to be made now that the ice is melting.

When will Canada stop off-loading the consequences of the climate crisis onto future generations?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. It gives me an opportunity to remind her that Canada's last greenhouse gas inventory showed that, between 2019 and 2021, the greenhouse gas emissions in our country dropped by over 50 million tonnes. There was no pandemic in 2019 or in 2021.

We had the best record of all the G7 countries in 2020 and 2021 when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are doing better than the United States, better than France, better than Japan and better than Germany.

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, by all means, let us talk about emissions and Canada's record. In no fewer than five reports released on Thursday, Canada's environment commissioner accuses the government of choosing words over action.

Commissioner DeMarco says he is disappointed and frustrated at hearing nothing but empty promises from Ottawa on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting biodiversity.

Is the environment commissioner wrong in each of his five reports, or is the federal government putting us directly on the path to disaster with policies such as oil exploration in the Arctic?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that we have a lot of respect for the work of the environment commissioner. Unfortunately, when preparing his five reports, he did not have access to the latest greenhouse gas inventory report, which came out last week after the commissioner's reports. He will no doubt include them next year.

I would also like to remind my colleague that in the recent budget that my colleague, the Minister of Finance, tabled in the House a few weeks ago, we made record investments in clean technologies, in renewable energy, which puts us at the top of the list of G20 countries in terms of investment in this sector.

Carbon Pricing

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Alberta families across the income scale will see a net loss of thousands of dollars because of the government's punishing carbon tax, so says the latest Parliamentary Budget Officer's report, but the Liberals would like to bury that one and cover it up.

The ripple effect on the cost of food from farm to truck to store continues to inflate food prices. Albertans know that the carbon tax siphons off their hard-earned money and does not lower emissions. Will this NDP-Liberal government scrap the carbon tax, or will Canadians scrap the government?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, I know Conservatives do not like to talk about facts, but I am going to put a few facts on the table.

In 2006, when they came into office, Canada ranked 17th in the OECD when it comes to child poverty. By the time they had left office in 2015, Canada ranked 24th. It is a little hard to take them seriously when they talk about poverty, but do members know what? After our coming into office in 2015, Canada now ranks second in the OECD when it comes to child poverty.

We will take no lessons from the Conservatives. We will continue to act and continue to support Canadians and families.

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is completely out of touch with the pain and suffering his tax increases are causing Canadians. Gas is taxed. Groceries are taxed. Home heating is taxed. CPP is taxed. Payroll is taxed. Groceries are taxed, again.

While well-connected, rich Liberals keep getting further ahead, hard-working Canadians are falling further behind. I have a simple question: When will the Prime Minister give Canadian families a break and axe his carbon tax plan?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, I find it very interesting that the Conservative member is saying this. To be honest, it represents the height of hypocrisy because the platform he ran on in 2021 said, “We recognize that the most efficient way to reduce our emissions is to use pricing mechanisms.”

Climate change is a challenge that requires action, certainty and coherence. On this side of the House, our position is clear: We are putting a price on pollution and more money back in people's pockets.

When Conservatives have a coherent policy on climate change, maybe they should tell Canadians.

[Rob Morrison, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Mr. Speaker, rural Canadians are facing real challenges trying to make ends meet because of the carbon tax. Prices went up again for groceries, fuel and everyday life. When a truck arrives to deliver groceries, it is now more expensive. For Gail and Doug in Creston, taking the children to a volleyball tournament 320 kilometres away is no longer an option.

This NDP-Liberal government's carbon tax is damaging. When will the government start listening to the common people, Canadians, and remove it?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to talk down the Canadian economy, but I have some good news. Last week, S&P, the ratings agency, published an economic analysis in which it reaffirmed Canada's AAA rating with a stable outlook. S&P concluded that Canada's AAA credit ratings “reflect the country's strong institutions; credible monetary policy; sound net external position; and wealthy, export-oriented economy.”

Our government is providing dental care, investing in health care, providing grocery rebates and being fiscally responsible.

Youth

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we launched the hiring period for Canada summer jobs. It is a program that provides employment opportunities for youth from different ages and backgrounds all over the country so they can learn new skills in the summer. Last year, 62 small businesses and non-profits in my riding of Hamilton Mountain participated in Canada summer jobs.

Could the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth please update the House on the importance of the Canada summer jobs program for youth across our country?

[Marci Ien, Liberal, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her advocacy.

Now that the hiring season for Canada summer jobs is under way, young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 right across the country can log on to the job banks website to find quality work experiences for this summer. As part of the youth employment and skills strategy, CSJ has helped so many young people facing systemic barriers to employment for years, because a level playing field is a key to success for everyone.

Telecommunications

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

Mr. Speaker, every day and everywhere, Liberal friends and donors are finding themselves getting ahead when everyday Canadians are falling behind.

In 2015, this government promised to lower cellphone bills by 25%, when in reality cellphone bills have never been higher, and the former industry minister found himself a cushy, corner office job with Rogers, the company that was supposed to be reducing those costs. The way things are going, the current industry minister is going to find himself with a cushy, corner office job with Volkswagen in a few years' time.

My question to the minister is this: Minister, have you seen your cellphone bills reduced by 25%?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to remind hon. members to place their questions through the Chair and not directly to each other.

The hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for giving me the opportunity to talk about a home run for Canada.

Just last week, we got the single largest investment in Canada's auto history of $7 billion. This is the first car manufacturer we have attracted to Canada in 35 years, and unlike the Conservatives, and what they did to the community of St. Thomas in 2011, we are investing in workers. We are investing in—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order, please. I had somebody shouting in my ear on my left. I will not mention who he was, but I want to remind everyone that when someone is asking or answering a question, a little respect would be nice.

The hon. minister.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was reminded, when we made this great announcement, that I think they were saying it was a waste. I can say that competent countries invest in their workers and their industries. We are going to invest in Canada despite the fact that they do not support the cause.

Official Languages

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

Mr. Speaker, a resident in the Lower St. Lawrence area in Quebec needed help and dialed 911. Nasty surprise, the operator did not speak French. Let us try to imagine asking for help from someone who does not understand us. Things do not go well and it is disturbing.

The CRTC, which regulates cellphones, must ensure that all Canadians, even francophones, have access to 911 service.

What explanation does the Prime Minister have for the CRTC's failure to provide security and access to 911 service in both official languages?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the House and members that this is completely unacceptable.

Indeed, Canadians rightly deserve to be able to get a response in French or in English, in both official languages of this country, from their telecom provider, particularly when they call 911. We will, of course, be looking into this matter.

I will repeat for all Canadians watching: This is unacceptable. We will take action to remedy the situation.

International Trade

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the $1-billion crab industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is at a standstill due to poor markets. Traditionally, when the Alaskan crab fishery goes down, Japan buys more crab from Canada. Instead, Japan is buying cheap crab from Russia instead of sanctioning Russia, like the U.S. did when the Ukrainian war started.

Has the Prime Minister asked our allies in Asia to sanction Russian crab, yes or no?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we have stood up for Ukrainians against the illegal war by Russia perpetrated on Ukraine. We have initiated sanctions. We have pulled its MFN status. We have raised this issue with Japan, and Japan, too, I would say, has been a strong defender of Ukraine. We will continue to stand up for Canadian fishers.

The Environment

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we live in the most beautiful country in the world. However, the threats to our environment have never been greater. Climate change is threatening nature, our communities and our economy.

The 2023 budget announced new measures to protect our environment, fight climate change and make Canada more resilient to the threats posed by extreme weather.

Could the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change tell the House about one of the key measures to help protect water and biodiversity across the country?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Vaudreuil—Soulanges for his question and above all for his commitment to environmental issues over the past 20 years.

In the latest federal budget presented by my colleague, the Minister of Finance, we announced record investments to protect freshwater in the Great Lakes and across the country. A record $730 million has been allocated, including $85 million for the creation of a water agency, which will be an independent agency that will protect freshwater sources across the country.

Air Transportation

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian air travellers deserve protections that are easy to navigate and get them the compensation they deserve. However, instead of listening to the experts, the minister seems to be doubling down on a system that is bureaucratic and expensive.

One of the most alarming aspects of his new law is a gag order on air passengers. Passengers who are not happy with the outcome of their complaint process will be prevented from speaking about it.

If the minister is so proud of his new process, why he is silencing the people who use it?