Debates of May 8th, 2023

Electoral Reform

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the government will continue to look for ways to increase Canadians' participation in the democratic process. We have a number of suggestions. The leader of the NDP and the Prime Minister, in the supply and confidence agreement, agreed to a number of elements that will improve access to voting. We are working on those kinds of issues, constructively, and the government has made it clear that there is no consensus in terms of the kind of reform that my hon. colleague is talking about.

We are focusing on issues that matter to Canadians in terms of affordability, fighting against climate change and other issues that we think are very important.

The House resumed from May 4 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Interference by the People's Republic of China

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:15 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for St. Albert—Edmonton relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #311

Business of Supply

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I believe the hon. member for Don Valley West is rising on a point of order.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to inform the House that the Government of Canada has declared the individual in question today, a diplomat from China, Mr. Zhao Wei, persona non grata.

Our government has been clear we will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has taken this decision carefully after considering all factors. Diplomats have been warned that any type of engagement in interference in Canada—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I will interrupt the point of order, because I have another point of order regarding the information.

The hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle has the floor.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this sounds awfully like a political speech. The government had multiple opportunities to respond to questions in the House of Commons and has not.

I would just point out there is a rubric coming up in Routine Proceedings called statements by ministers. If they have something to say, that would be the time to say it.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am afraid the hon. member has a good point, and I am going to go along with that.

As the Chair, I thought maybe somebody would want the information, but we will wait for it to come forward.

Government Response to Petitions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to five petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

Human Rights

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very significant petition dealing with an issue that is very topical. It is that Canadian corporations based in Canada contribute to human rights abuses and environmental damage in other countries. The people who protest these abuses and defend their rights are often harassed, attacked or killed, and in this group are particularly indigenous peoples, women and marginalized groups who are under threat.

We know the process set up for observing responsible enterprise of Canadian corporations lacks the tools to actually ensure Canadian corporations do support human rights and operate in ways that make us proud.

These concerned citizens ask that the companies be prevented from adverse human right impacts and environmental damage through global operations and supply chains; require companies to do their due diligence, and Canada lacks compared to other countries in requiring companies to do due diligence; assess how their actions may be contributing to human rights abuses; have meaningful consequences for companies that fail to exercise this due diligence; and establish a legal right for people who have been harmed by Canadian corporations operating outside of Canada to seek justice in Canadian courts.

Falun Gong

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to table a petition regarding the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

The petitioners bring to the attention of the House the fact that the Chinese government has waged a nationwide persecution campaign against Falun Gong practitioners. This has resulted in arrests, with many being imprisoned for up to 20 years. They add that this includes torture and abuse. They also indicate that investigators have concluded that tens of thousands of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience have been put to death and that their organs were seized involuntarily for sale at high prices.

The petitioners call on this Parliament to pass a resolution to establish measures to stop the Chinese Communist regime's crime of systemically murdering Falun Gong practitioners for their organs, amend Canadian legislation to combat forced organ harvesting and publicly call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Medical Assistance in Dying

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition here signed by constituents and others. They are objecting to medical assistance in dying being used for mental illness. The petitioners believe this is a very drastic step and that medical assistance in dying should not be used for mental health.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 1331, 1332, 1337 and 1341.

Question No.1331—

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

With regard to the Department of National Defense (DND): (a) what specific activities were conducted on the former DND site near Burnt Lands Road in Almonte, Ontario; (b) what chemicals were used on the site; (c) what tests were conducted on the site; and (d) what is DND's explanation for the high number of cases of (i) glioblastoma, (ii) other cancers, diagnosed in people who used to live in close proximity to the site?

[Bryan May, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), the Almonte Antennae Yard was one of two unattended receiver sites that picked up incoming signals and relayed them through buried land lines to the main receiver inside the Diefenbunker, formerly known by its military designation, Canadian Forces Station, CFS, Carp. The Almonte site was not occupied on a regular basis by National Defence personnel and did not have the services and infrastructure associated with most military sites. It consisted of a single 26-square-metre concrete building and an expansive antennae field. Any garbage generated during routine maintenance was removed, and no hazardous materials were stored at the site. The site ceased operations in 1993.

With regard to part (b), the only chemicals used on the site were pesticides applied to restrict the growth of mixed brush and weeds. In 1991, a total of 40 litres of Spike 80W was applied at the CFS Carp, Almonte and Dunrobin sites, a total of four hectares.

With regard to part (c), soil testing conducted at the other remote receiver site, Dunrobin, and at CFS Carp in the fall of 1994 did not find any detectable pesticide residue. In July 1995, National Defence prepared an Environmental Disclosure Report for the Almonte Antennae Yard, which concluded that “since the Almonte spraying program was done at the same time [as spraying at Dunrobin and CFS Carp], it is logically assumed that no pesticide residue exists within this soil. No further action is necessary”.

With regard to part (d), the provincial public health unit is responsible for investigating and responding to community reports of disease clustering. The provincial public health unit has not raised any related concerns to National Defence.

Question No.1332—

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

With regard to the Statistics Canada Biobank at the National Microbiology Laboratory: (a) how many Canadians' (i) blood, (ii) urine, (iii) DNA, samples are currently stored there; (b) of the samples in (a), how many have been there for (i) less than a year, (ii) one to three years, (iii) over three years; (c) what are the guidelines and methods used by the Biobank related to how the samples are (i) used, (ii) stored, (iii) disposed of, (iv) anonymized; and (d) what are the timelines for sample disposal?

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

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), there are approximately 50,000 to 60,000 stored samples in the Statistics Canada biobank from Canadians who have responded to the Canadian health measures survey and the Canadian COVID-19 antibody and health survey. All holdings are from consenting Canadians and most have contributed multiple samples.

The samples include blood: 59,100 Canadians respondents for a total of 417,400 samples. The initial blood sample is separated into many smaller samples, such as serum, plasma, whole blood and dried blood spots. The samples include urine: 33,200 Canadian respondents for a total of 121,700 samples. The initial urine sample is separated into many smaller urine samples. The samples include DNA: 10,800 Canadian respondents for a total of 10,800 samples. Additionally, the samples include saliva: 11,300 Canadian respondents for a total of 11,300 samples.

With regard to part (b)(i) less than a year, 2022: there are 27,800 samples from 16,500 Canadians. With regard to part (ii) one to three years, 2019-21: there are 114,200 samples from 12,700 Canadians. With regard to part (iii) over three years, 2007-18: there are 473,800 samples from 31,000 Canadians.

With regard to part (c)(i), samples are only used for research projects at Canadian facilities and with Canadian researchers. Project proposals go through an internal feasibility review by Statistics Canada experts, followed by a second review by an interdepartmental expert biobank advisory committee. The biobank advisory committee requires the following items to grant approval: an approved feasibility review, a completed proposal, research ethics board certificates and proof of funding for the project.

Statistics Canada must approve the researchers to work on the project. Only the targeted survey samples required for the approved projects and relevant data are shared. The samples at the biobank contain no identifiable data. The survey data is connected to the biospecimen sample results using a unique digital identifier. The survey data and samples must be stored and analyzed by the researchers in a protected physical and virtual environment that must meet Statistics Canada security requirements. Laboratory service agreements must be signed with all laboratories storing and analyzing the biobank samples and the same rules as stated above apply.

All biobank projects that have been approved are listed at this location: Biobank projects.

With regard to part (c)(ii), samples are stored at the National Microbiology Laboratory’s Biorepository, which is compliant with ISO 9001 regarding their quality management system: ISO - ISO 9001 and related standards — Quality management.

With regard to part (c)(iii), samples are destroyed by the reference laboratory after a sample is used for an approved research project. Canadian respondents can also request their samples be removed and destroyed at any time.

With regard to part (c)(iv), all information in the Statistics Canada biobank and the survey data is protected by the Statistics Act, the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. Collected samples undergo a thorough and strict labelling process. Only authorized Statistics Canada employees have access to samples and survey data. Data does not include personal information. Under the authority of the Statistics Act, samples and data in the Statistics Canada biobank will always be kept secure and confidential.

Internal standard operating procedures, SOPs, are established and followed for each step.

With regard to part (d), samples are stored in the Statistics Canada biobank until they no longer have scientific value or when a respondent requests their samples be removed and destroyed.

Samples can also be disposed of after they have been analyzed for a research project. The laboratory has one month to destroy the samples after Statistics Canada has notified to proceed with the destruction of the samples.

Visit the Statistics Canada Biobank website for more information.

Question No.1337—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

With regard to the Mission Cultural Fund (MCF) since November 4, 2015: (a) what are the details of all spending from this fund, broken down by month, including, for each initiative funded, the (i) name of recipient, (ii) amount, (iii) location, (iv) date, (v) purpose, (vi) description of related events; (b) what was the amount spent from the fund, broken down by month; (c) what is the current status of the fund; and (d) if the fund is no longer active, (i) what happened to the remaining money in the fund, (ii) has the government replaced or transitioned the fund with another similar type of program, and, if so, which one?

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the following reflects a consolidated response approved on behalf of Global Affairs Canada ministers.

With regard to parts (a) to (d), Global Affairs Canada manages an extensive network of 176 missions in 110 countries worldwide. The department undertook an extensive preliminary search in order to determine the amount of information that would fall within the scope of the question and the amount of time that would be required to prepare a comprehensive response. The department concluded that producing and validating a comprehensive response to this question would require a collection of information that is not possible in the time allotted and could lead to the disclosure of incomplete and misleading information.

The mission cultural fund, MCF, is not a grant program but an enabling fund for missions in Global Affairs Canada’s international network to promote and leverage Canada’s cultural presence abroad and advance foreign policy priorities. Therefore, there are no recipients for the fund, as there would be in a grant program. The department is able, however, to provide which diplomatic mission received the funds to implement the initiatives.

The MCF expired on March 31, 2023. The MCF annual allocation for 2022-23, provided by the creative export strategy, was fully expended.

Question No.1341—

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

With regard to the Expanded Canada-India Air Transport Agreement announced on November 15, 2022: (a) what was Canada's position regarding the inclusion of Amritsar as part of the list of cities that Canadian carriers would have access to; (b) did Canada advocate to include direct flights to and from the Punjab region as part of the agreement, and, if not, why not; and (c) why was Amritsar not included in the agreement?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, India is an important and growing air market for Canada and for Canadians, for business, tourism, trade and visiting family and friends. The Canada-India air transport agreement, which dates to 1982, was last amended in 2012. It allowed operations by multiple Canadian and Indian airlines, with permission for 35 passenger flights per week for each country, but each side had limited a maximum of 14 flights per week to and from the same city. Canadian airlines were authorized to serve Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad. Indian carriers were authorized to serve Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver and two other cities to be selected by India. The air transport agreement also allowed unrestricted all-cargo services and the right to code-share.

To ensure there continued to be enough air capacity within the air transport agreement to meet the demand of Canadians, the Government of Canada was committed to pursuing a more liberalized agreement with India, including unlimited flights instead of a capped weekly amount, and access to more cities within the Indian market, including in the Punjab region. As part of this negotiation process and due to the importance of this file for Canadians, the Minister of Transport was heavily involved, including through an in-person meeting on May 3, 2022, with Minister Scindia, India’s Civil Aviation Minister. In this meeting, the Minister of Transport directly requested from his counterpart unlimited weekly flights and access to Amritsar for Canadian airlines.

For months, negotiations continued between officials from Canada and India. On November 15, 2022, Transport Canada announced an important expansion of the Canada-India air transport agreement. The expanded agreement allows designated airlines to operate an unlimited number of flights between the two countries, whereas the previous agreement limited each country to 35 flights per week. During negotiation of the expansion, Canada also actively sought access to all cities in India, Amritsar included, for Canadian airlines, and access to all cities in Canada for Indian airlines.

Air transport agreements are negotiated between two countries and one partner cannot choose to unilaterally expand its rights. Until agreement can be reached regarding access to additional cities in India, including in the Punjab region, Canadian airlines cannot be authorized to fly there.

However, India is well aware of Canada’s and the Minister of Transport’s interest in this matter. Officials of both countries have agreed to remain in contact to discuss further expansion of the agreement and the rights of Canadian air carriers. Other cities than those listed in the air transport agreement in both countries, including in the Punjab region, can be served indirectly through code-share services.

Canada is committed to continuing to negotiate new and expanded agreements to promote the interests of Canadians, as well as the trade and tourism sectors.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 1328 to 1330, 1333 to 1336, 1338 to 1340 and 1342 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled immediately.