Debates of May 22nd, 2024

Motion That Debate Be Not Further Adjourned

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell my NDP colleague that the Bloc Québécois never opposes progressive policies. It defends the political independence of Quebec. That is what the Bloc Québécois does.

I would also like to point out to my colleague that many unions are members of OUI Québec. OUI Québec is a pro-independence umbrella group. Does this mean the NDP does not support Quebec unions, since it opposes independence? We cannot be allies in every battle, but we are definitely closer to most Quebec unions than the NDP is, because Quebec has already proven how progressive it is.

Still, I am astounded that the Minister of Justice is drawing a link between women's rights and the fact the Bloc Québécois opposes pharmacare. No society is more progressive on women's rights than Quebec. If the Minister of Justice wants to improve gender equality, one of the best ways to do that would be to pass a secularism law, since certain religions make distinctions between men and women. I do not know if he is in favour of passing a secularism law. I would like it if he could tell us.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we just heard some interesting comments. I want to note that when we talk about women, there are impacts on women as a whole, but there is also a disproportionate impact on certain women.

I am talking about first nations women, Métis women, women of African heritage, as well as East Asian and South Asian women. These women are disproportionately affected by diabetes.

I hope that those who come from a progressive people and party will understand that these women are disproportionately affected by the policies currently in place regarding diabetes.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I was elected at the same time the minister was, and I remember the sunny ways and accusations that the Liberals made against the Conservatives about our use of closure and our use of ending debate here. The Liberals promised, in the 2015 election, that they would no longer do that.

Is the minister proud of himself today?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud, as I am advancing the rights of women and the rights of diabetics in Canada.

I am a bit concerned about the member for Peace River—Westlock. About two short days after the member's leader cavalierly indicated that he would be invoking the notwithstanding clause to trample Canadians' charter rights, the member for Peace River—Westlock stood up and called for ending abortions, protecting the preborn and overturning the Morgentaler decision.

That demonstrates quite clearly who is on the side of protecting women's rights and women's reproductive rights in this chamber.

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

It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings at this time. Members may wish to refer to the Speaker's ruling from June 7, 2021, at page 8001 of the Debates where the Speaker addressed the situation and indicated to the House that “the question and comment period on a time allocation motion or closure motion will be interrupted only if there is an opportunity to conclude the proceedings in the same sitting.”

Accordingly, I will remind members that there are four minutes remaining for questions and comments on the motion after Private Members' Business.

[Sylvie Bérubé, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties, and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for me to introduce the bill that I planned to introduce today.

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

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Criminal Code

[Sylvie Bérubé, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-390, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (provincial medical assistance in dying framework).

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today to introduce this important bill entitled an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding a provincial medical assistance in dying framework.

The purpose of my bill is to enable persons who have an incapacitating illness to make an advance request for medical assistance in dying, in accordance with the unanimous will of the Quebec National Assembly. The recognition of advance requests for MAID in the context of a serious, incurable, incapacitating illness would constitute an important step forward for patients' peace of mind.

The text of this bill amends the Criminal Code so that MAID can be provided under a provincial framework that stipulates that a person with an illness that could deprive them of the capacity to consent to care can make an advance request for MAID.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, as I have done in the past to have the questions on the Order Paper on the record, I would ask for unanimous consent to do so. I believe there was consultation done prior.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Questions on the Order Paper

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

Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 2487, 2490, 2491 and 2497 to 2500.

Question No.2487—

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

With regard to Health Canada's (HC) authorization of COVID-19 vaccines: (a) has HC received studies about theoretical risk of Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease (VAED), also referred to as Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE), from the manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccines; (b) if the answer to (a) is affirmative, (i) what were the outcome of the studies, (ii) which manufacturers and independent researchers are conducting these studies, (iii) what were the timelines to completion; (c) if the answer to (a) is negative, did HC, the Public Health Agency of Canada, or the National Advisory Committee identify a need for long-term studies to examine VAED, and, if not, why not; (d) has any federal health agency, department or other government entity been monitoring for VAED ADE post-COVID-19 injections; (e) if the answer to (d) is affirmative, (i) what is the data, (ii) what are the timelines, (iii) was this active or passive monitoring; (f) if the answer to (d) is negative, why not; and (g) has any federal health agency, department or other government entity been monitoring for the potential of vaccine-enhanced infectivity?

[Yasir Naqvi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, before a vaccine is approved in Canada, the department conducts a rigorous scientific review of its safety, efficacy and quality. Submissions typically contain extensive data regarding the vaccine's safety, efficacy and quality, including results of pre-clinical and clinical studies, details on manufacturing processes, and information on adverse events following immunization. An authorization is only issued when the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of its use. After authorization, Canada has a robust and well-established vaccine safety surveillance system involving Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada or PHAC, provinces and territories, and vaccine manufacturers.

In response to (a), Health Canada received and reviewed the outcomes from clinical studies of COVID 19 vaccines, including the assessment for the theoretical risk of vaccine-associated enhanced disease, VAED.

VAED, antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE, and severe COVID-19 cases were considered adverse events of special interest that were followed by the independent safety data monitoring boards as part of COVID 19 clinical trials. VAED/ADE is considered an acute phenomenon resulting from exposure to the virus shortly following vaccination when the immune system may have a disproportional response to the virus. In the protocols for these trials, there were prespecified stopping rules that included monitoring for the onset of severe COVID 19 cases as part of the safety surveillance for the potential of VAED/ADE events during the conduct of the clinical trials.

The available data from the clinical trials suggested no evidence for VAED associated with COVID-19 vaccines. Research using suitable animal models for testing vaccine immunogenicity and enhanced disease did not demonstrate evidence of enhanced disease following vaccination. This has been tested with several different vaccine platforms, including mRNA vaccines.

In response to (b), see response to (a) and (e). While the outcomes of clinical trials did not demonstrate evidence of VAED associated with the use of COVID-19 vaccines, VAED was considered an important potential risk in all risk management plans of these products and has been monitored closely for authorized vaccines. This process allows Health Canada to assess information submitted by the manufacturer as it became available during the product life cycle and regularly assess whether there is any new safety information that may affect the benefit-risk profile of the product.

As with all health products, Health Canada continues to monitor the safety of COVID 19 vaccines. Should new safety issues be identified, Health Canada takes action, which could include communicating new risks to Canadians and health care professionals, requesting safety information from the manufacturers, or changing the recommended use of the product.

Further details about all authorized COVID-19 vaccines, including information on clinical trials conducted, can be found on the Government of Canada’s website “COVID vaccines and treatments portal”, at https://covid-vaccine.canada.ca/. Specifically, information about Comirnaty, by Pfizer-BioNTech, can be found at https://covid-vaccine.canada.ca/info/SBD00510-comirnaty-en.html; information about Spikevax, by Moderna, can be found at https://covid-vaccine.canada.ca/info/SBD00511-spikevax-en.html; information about Nuvaxovid, by Novavax Inc., can be found at https://covid-vaccine.canada.ca/info/SBD00581-nuvaxovid-en.html; information about Vaxzevria, by AstraZeneca, can be found at https://covid-vaccine.canada.ca/info/SBD00519-vaxzevria-en.html; information about Jcovden, by Janssen Inc., can be found at https://covid-vaccine.canada.ca/info/SBD00522-jcovden-en.html; information about Covifenz, by Medicago Inc., can be found at https://covid-vaccine.canada.ca/info/SBD00582-covifenz-en.html.

In response to (c), see response to (a) and (b).

In response to (d), following authorization, Canada has a robust and well-established vaccine safety surveillance system involving Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada or PHAC, provinces and territories, and vaccine manufacturers. Health Canada continues to monitor the safety profile of health products once they are on the Canadian market, to help ensure that the benefits of the product continue to outweigh the risks. The safety profile of these products is monitored by reviewing information from manufacturers and international regulators. When new safety issues are identified, Health Canada takes action, which could include communicating new risks to Canadians and health care professionals or changing the recommended use of the product. In addition, Health Canada and the PHAC have been actively monitoring and reviewing reports of adverse events following immunization, AEFI, including VAED, reported to the Canada vigilance program of Health Canada and the Canadian adverse events following immunization surveillance system of the PHAC. This information is published on the Government of Canada’s website. It is important to note that these reports do not necessarily imply that a relationship between the adverse event and the vaccine has been established. However, they are an important information source supporting ongoing safety monitoring.

In response to (e), as part of the ongoing pharmacovigilance monitoring for COVID-19 vaccines, no new safety signal has been identified for VAED to date. Furthermore, the information available at this time demonstrates that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines continue to outweigh potential risks. Health Canada continues to monitor these vaccines as long as they are authorized and marketed in Canada.

In response to (f), see response to (d).

In response to (g), as described in (b) and (d), Health Canada and the PHAC have been actively monitoring and reviewing reports of adverse events following immunization, AEFI, reported to the Canada vigilance program of Health Canada and the Canadian adverse events following immunization surveillance system of the PHAC. This information is published on the Government of Canada’s website.

In addition, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, NACI, primarily evaluates clinical and post-market observational data to support the development of recommendations on the use of vaccines in Canada.

Question No.2490—

[Terry Dowdall, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

With regard to Canada Post: (a) what was the total amount spent on fuel in the last year; (b) what is the breakdown of (a) by gasoline versus diesel; (c) what is the estimated number of litres of (i) gasoline, (ii) diesel fuel, purchased in the last year; (d) how many vehicles does Canada Post currently own; (e) what is the breakdown of vehicles owned by (i) diesel fueled, (ii) gasoline fueled, (iii) hybrid, (iv) electric; (f) what is the estimated number of kilometers driven by Canada Post vehicles last year; and (g) what is the breakdown of (a) through (f) by province or territory?

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, in response to (a) to (c) and (e) to (g), Canada Post is a Crown corporation that operates at arm’s length from the government and has a mandate to be financially self-sustaining in a highly competitive sector that includes global companies like Amazon, FedEx and UPS. The requested information is commercially sensitive and treated as confidential.

In response to (d), Canada Post Corporation owns approximately 14,900 vehicles, including trailers.

Question No.2491—

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

With regard to the Housing Accelerator Fund, since September 1, 2023: (a) how many applications for federal funding were rejected or unsuccessful, broken down by (i) province or territory, (ii) municipality; and (b) what is the projected number of residences that could have been constructed if funding was provided?

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the housing accelerator fund, with respect to part (a), in processing parliamentary returns, the government applies the Privacy Act and the principles set out in the Access to Information Act, and as there are no agreements in place for applications that remain unfunded through the housing accelerator fund, the information has been withheld on the grounds that it qualifies for an exemption under operations of government.

To protect the confidentiality of CMHC’s partners and proponents, information regarding applications or potential projects cannot be released publicly until CMHC has a signed agreement with the proponent and a public announcement takes place.

The housing accelerator fund program received 544 applications, of which 179 resulted in signed agreements, including the agreement with the Province of Quebec. For more information and progress report on the housing accelerator fund, please consult CMHC’s website: https://www.placetocallhome.ca/progress-on-the-national-housing-strategy.

With respect to part (b), over 140,700 new estimated units were identified in the applications that were not selected. Under the current successful agreements, CMHC estimates 750,000 new units will be built over the next decade.

Question No.2497—

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

With regard to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s funding of the barn swallow nesting structure project in Prince Edward Point: (a) what was the cost of the project, in total, and broken down by item and type of expense; and (b) what are the details of all contracts related to the project, including, for each, the (i) amount, (ii) vendor, (iii) date and duration, (iv) description of the goods or services provided, (v) manner in which the contract was awarded (i.e. sole-sourced or competitive bid)?

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

Mr. Speaker, in response to (a) the total cost of building materials, including lumber, plywood roofing materials, caulking materials, concrete and supporting hardware, was $1,889.04.

Environment and Climate Change Canada, ECCC, staff purchased materials from local retail stores and then built the structure using a total of nine person days. The breakdown of the cost is as follows: Picton Home Hardware, February 27, 2024, $904.38; Picton Home Hardware, March 13, 2024, $530.69; Picton Home Hardware, March 13, 2024, $286.60; Picton Home Hardware, March 14, 2024, $63.68; Home Depot, March 8, 2024, $67.30; Home Depot, March 11, 2024, $36.39.

In response to (b), no contracts were issued related to the construction of the barn swallow structure at Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area. ECCC sourced specifications and the design for free from partners at Ontario Parks, and acquired the construction materials locally when possible using credit cards. ECCC technical staff then built the structure using approximately nine person days. Retail vendors of the materials and amounts are provided in part (a).

Question No.2498—

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

With regard to the completion date on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project being delayed until September 2025: (a) was the delay related to disputes with Valard Construction; (b) to which of the four major associated construction projects are the additional $700 million assigned, and which of these projects is expected to result in more claims; (c) will the $700 million cover the overrun costs to the subcontractors until the end of 2022; (d) what additional funds will be allocated for work order charges from 2023, 2024 and 2025 until the end of the project; and (e) if there will be no additional funds allocated, will the government confirm there will be no more contractors' claims for the remainder of the project?

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the completion date on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project being delayed until September 2025, with respect to part (a) no, the delay is not related to disputes with Valard Construction.

With respect to part (b), the additional money, approximately $685 million, is largely related to COVID-19 impacts project-wide and is not assigned to any one specific component of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

With respect to part (c), the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, WDBA, anticipates that the additional funding will be sufficient.

With respect to part (d), WDBA has funding within its existing reference levels to address certain retained risks.

With respect to part (e), WDBA cannot confirm whether there will be more contractors’ claims.

Question No.2499—

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

With regard to the Gordie Howe International Bridge project: (a) what are the estimated costs to taxpayers associated with the new completion date; and (b) will the cost overruns, those identified and the others yet to be determined, lengthen the time it takes for Canadian taxpayers to be reimbursed through the collection of tolls, will the toll charges be increased to cover the additional costs, or both?

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, with respect to part (a), the estimated cost to taxpayers associated with the new completion date is $507 million, which will ensure the Gordie Howe International Bridge project is delivered to Canadians safely, responsibly and in a timely manner.

With respect to part (b), several factors will impact the time it takes to recoup Canada’s contribution to the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, including the toll rate, traffic volumes and overall project costs. Toll rates will be set by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and will be influenced by various elements, including rates at other crossings, the project’s objective to facilitate economic growth and cost recovery.