Debates of Oct. 23rd, 2024

Finance

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, when will Mark Carney disclose his conflicts of interest?

That is the question I asked the government about three weeks ago. The answer? Well, none. They refused to answer that question and instead accused me of engaging in personal attacks. When the adviser to the Liberal Party happens to be the chair of one of the largest asset management and private capital firms in the world, is it really a personal attack to ask when he will disclose his conflicts?

We do not know what all of his business interests are or what his remuneration is and how much he benefits when the share price of, perhaps, one of the companies that Brookfield owns rises in reaction to government news. These are important pieces of information.

Is the government shielding the adviser to its party's leader from transparency laws when it allows Carney to function as an adviser to the Prime Minister? After all, that is really what he is. This whole business of “adviser to the Liberal leader” is as if the Liberals would not have us believe that the member for Papineau, who, at least today, is the Liberal Party leader, and the Prime Minister, are the same person.

Mark Carney is advising the Prime Minister without having to have his conflicts of interest declared. This is not an academic question.

Just a few weeks ago we saw the Liberals make an announcement about mortgage insurance ceilings. This benefits one of Brookfield's companies: Sagen is one of the mortgage insurance providers in Canada. The ceiling going from $1 million to $1.5 million is an enormous business opportunity, and the markets reacted to that. Share prices got a good solid bump that day when the announcement was made. Therefore, it is relevant to Canadians.

Canadians need to know all the conflicts of interest around this adviser. I mentioned this in the premise of the question. The parliamentary secretary said that it was really good news because the mortgage announcement was going to increase construction, and it was going to be good for Canadians. Well, no. We had testimony yesterday at the finance committee that the only people that can get the maximum benefit of that increase to mortgage insurance limits are people who earn $350,000 or more per year. This announcement is good for the mortgage insurance business and for Brookfield. If we had a conflict of interest disclosure, we would know just how good it might be for Mark Carney, but they will not do so.

I ask the parliamentary secretary tonight if she could tell us on what date they will ensure Canadians will have the conflict of interest disclosure on this adviser who advises the leader of the Liberal Party, but the leader of the Liberal Party, for now, is the Prime Minister, so we may only be scratching the surface. This adviser has all kinds of other business dealings with governments, not only the Liberal government, but other governments around the world.

It is time for Canadians to know what the conflicts and potential conflicts are, so we can get on with separating the interests of what is good for Mark Carney, the Liberals and their friends from what is good for Canadians.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development]

Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to talk about what really matters to Canadians.

Since 2015, our government has been making important investments to grow the economy, strengthen Canada's social safety net and support Canadians. We introduced the Canada child benefit, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We reinforced the security and dignity of retirement income by strengthening the CPP and increasing old-age security for seniors aged 75 and over. We made generational investments in $10-a-day child care, cutting child care costs by at least half already. We also introduced the Canada carbon rebate to maintain an incentive to reduce pollution while putting more money in the pockets of hard-working Canadians in provinces where the federal fuel charge applies. All of these investments have made life more affordable for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

However, we know that Canadians continue to face challenges while the cost of living remains high. That is why, in budget 2024, the government invested in new measures like the national school food program, which will help an additional 400,000 children get the healthy food they need to learn and grow, and the Canada disability benefit, which will help improve the financial well-being of over 600,000 low-income persons with disabilities.

This is also why we continue to invest in the dental care plan, under which two million Canadians have already been approved to get the dental care they need from a dentist or hygienist. We do this so that every generation has a fair shot at receiving the dental care they deserve while making life cost less.

We are also helping to make life cost less through our ambitious housing plan. We have committed to building more homes faster, increasing housing affordability, growing the community housing sector and making it easier to rent or buy a home. Our government recently announced a suite of bold reforms to mortgage rules to make mortgages more affordable for Canadians and put home ownership within reach. We are also expanding eligibility for 30-year insured mortgage amortization to all first-time homebuyers and to buyers of new builds.

Canadians can count on the government to continue strengthening our social safety net while managing the nation's finances responsibly.

In fact, for the past past nine months in a row, inflation has been within the Bank of Canada's target range. Inflation fell to 1.6% in September, a 43-month low. Today, the Bank of Canada lowered the interest rate to 3.75%, which is going to help so many Canadians with their mortgage rates, credit cards and other borrowing costs.

These are powerful economic proof points. They show that Canada's economy is strong and resilient. They show that our economic plan is fiscally responsible. That is important because it means that we can afford to make investments and in turn make life more affordable for Canadians.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I will note that there was no answer to the question. I asked a question about the conflicts of interest disclosure. I had asked it before and did not get an answer, so I am here in Adjournment Proceedings to get the answer I did not receive in question period. However, the parliamentary secretary has again refused to answer it.

In her response, she began by saying that since 2015, the Liberals have been there to grow the economy. Let me be the one to let the parliamentary secretary know that, per capita, the economy is smaller today than it was in 2015. That is the legacy of the government. It has shrunk the economy. Canadians are poorer now than they were when the government took office nine years ago. That is the legacy of the government.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the numbers speak for themselves. I am very proud to be part of a government that has a plan to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance to succeed and build a good, middle-class life. Ongoing investments like the ones I outlined are making life affordable for Canadians, and investments in economic growth and competitiveness are showing results. Canada has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and this is recognized by our AAA credit rating.

This shows that our efforts to make life more affordable for Canadians are paying off.

Foreign Affairs

[Kevin Vuong, Independent, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are back this evening to discuss UNRWA and the government's failure to safeguard Canadians' hard-earned taxpayer dollars against funding terrorism.

On October 2, I asked the Prime Minister if he shared his minister's very blind trust in UNRWA. Unbelievably, the Minister of International Development had described UNRWA as one of his “trusted agencies”. So profound was the minister's trust that he broke his promise to Canadians and reinstated Canada's funding to UNRWA. This happened even before the release of a UN report on its investigation into UNRWA staff being involved in the October 7 terrorist attack. Let us be honest here: As is true whenever the UN investigates itself and examines one of its own agencies, the report had no intention of derailing the global funding gravy train. This is expected. However, the report was not all rainbows and unicorns. Even the UN had to admit that there was something very wrong with this tainted agency.

Let us look at the recommendations. The report recommended that UNRWA create a centralized neutrality investigations unit. That sounds impressive. Let us have a unit to investigate the neutrality of a UN agency. However, if UNRWA was so lily-white, why call for the establishment of such a unit? The report also recommended that UNRWA update its code of ethics and its staff training, as well as that it find more ways to screen UNRWA applicants. That is a bit strange for an innocent UN agency.

Why does it need to screen better? Could it be that it has been hiring terrorists? Unfortunately, that is exactly what has been happening. We recently learned that UNRWA is seeking immunity for staff involved in the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. The agency was even forced to admit that one of its employees, an alleged educator killed in Lebanon, was a Hamas leader. What a revelation that is. It does, however, bring ridicule on the UN report's findings and its absolution of UNRWA.

In my initial question, I asked whether the Prime Minister shared his minister's very blind trust in an agency that Canadian taxpayers fund into the millions, which just happens to employ terrorists. What a sad charade it is. With so much smoke swirling around how UNRWA operates, it is unconscionable for Canada to have acted so quickly to restore funding. We are not talking about a few dollars. In 2022, Canada pledged almost $32 million, making us the 11th biggest donor. In May, the Minister of International Development doubled down on his largesse in terms of terrorist support. The minister announced that Canada would provide $65 million, including $25 million as part of Canada's recurring payments to UNRWA. An additional $40 million would go to UNRWA and to other experienced partners in the region.

While we have Canadians who are hungry and struggling to make ends meet, the government is giving Canadian taxpayer dollars to a terrorist-hiring agency. This is completely immoral and unacceptable to Canadians, and the government is failing its duty to safeguard our dollars against funding terrorism.

My question to the parliamentary secretary is the same one the Prime Minister refused to answer: Does the parliamentary secretary share the Minister of International Development's trust in UNRWA? If they will not answer that question, would they agree that Canada should not fund terrorism, yes or no?

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development]

Mr. Speaker, of course, we continue to unequivocally condemn the brutal terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Canada also continues to support Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The allegations that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7 attacks were troubling. Following these allegations, the UNRWA immediately and proactively dismissed the employees who were named and co-operated fully with the investigation and review called for by the UN Secretary-General. The UNRWA has also continued to strengthen its neutrality mechanisms.

On March 8, 2024, Canada announced that it would resume funding to UNRWA. This decision was taken in light of the serious and significant reviews under way and the steps undertaken by UNRWA to address allegations and reinforce its neutrality mechanisms. Canada had seen the interim report of the investigation being done by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services and was satisfied that there was no significant obstacle to resuming aid as the named employees were no longer work for the agency. Other donors also came to this conclusion shortly thereafter and resumed funding to UNRWA before the ongoing review and study were finished. When resuming funding, Canada and other donors also considered the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the significant need for increased assistance. It is also important to recall that UNRWA provides up to 60% of all humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and its systems are essential for delivery of aid by other partners.

Reports that UNRWA is requesting that its employees be shielded from persecution by invoking their diplomatic immunity are false. These media reports conflate the initial investigation into the alleged participation of UNRWA staff in the October 7 attacks with a lawsuit filed in the United States against UNRWA and some of its senior officials.

We are aware that an UNRWA staff member was reportedly killed in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon on Monday, September 30. At the time of his death, the UNRWA employee had been on administrative leave without pay since March, following allegations that he had links to Hamas. The employee denied being a member of Hamas, but was nevertheless being investigated by UNRWA's internal investigation unit at the time of his death. Detractors incorrectly asserted the employee was subsequently reinstated.

UNRWA reports that throughout the investigation, the employee denied his affiliation to Hamas. The first time that UNRWA received confirmation of his role in Hamas was on Monday, September 30, 2024, when it was confirmed by Hamas. This case underscores UNRWA's diligence in responding to information about alleged activities by staff that are incompatible with their role as UN employees. We acknowledge the other UNRWA employees who have been killed in this crisis and are concerned about the continuing attacks against UNRWA personnel.

The work of UN agencies and trusted humanitarian actors in Gaza is fundamental to ensuring that the large number of civilians in need receive aid. Canada continues to be a major funding provider for trusted humanitarian organizations so that they can carry out their important work.

[Kevin Vuong, Independent, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, sadly, like the Prime Minister and the minister, the parliamentary secretary believes her talking points and eagerly adopts the “ignorance is bliss” mantra of the government. This “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” position will no doubt be reinforced on November 7, with the visit to Toronto by United Nations special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. Ms. Albanese is known for her open support of Hamas and other terror groups. She knows her rigged reports and comments are used to justify attacks on Israelis and Jews. In fact, in November 2022, Ms. Albanese participated in an official terrorist conference of Hamas.

Section 83 of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits support for terrorism, so I have two simple questions for the parliamentary secretary. Will the Minister of International Development be adding the not-so-special rapporteur to his list of most trusted people? Most importantly, will the government stop Ms. Albanese from bringing her hatred and support for terrorists to Canada?

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the rapid and unimpeded access of humanitarian relief for the more than two million civilians in Gaza is critical. UNRWA plays a critical role in delivering humanitarian assistance and essential services to Gaza and the West Bank. There are 123 countries that think the same and have signed on this year to a statement of shared commitments to UNRWA.

Canada will continue to work with UNRWA and other donors to ensure they implement the 50 recommendations of the review headed by former foreign minister Catherine Colonna. The review also found that UNRWA had sound governance and stronger neutrality mechanisms than other UN organizations.

Canada's assistance is subject to our robust enhanced due diligence process to ensure that no funding is diverted. We assess UNRWA to be an indispensable partner in aid delivery in Gaza during this dire humanitarian crisis.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:13 p.m)