Debates of June 14th, 2024

Question No.2610—

[James Bezan, Conservative, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the above-noted question, what follows is the response from the CRA as of April 29, 2024, that is, the date of the question.

In response to part (i), the Canada dental benefit, CDB, has two eligibility periods from December 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, and from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

We note that one application may include multiple children.

During period 1, from December 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, the CRA received 206,290 applications for 323,350 children.

During period 2, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, as of April 24, 2024, the CRA has received 219,430 applications for 348,710 children.

Between both periods, since December 1, 2022, 441,180 unique children have been supported through the benefit.

In response to part (ii), due to the upfront validation program design of the interim CDB, the number of applications approved equals the number of applications received. Consequently, the CDB volumes stated in response to part (i) are the same for part (ii).

In response to part (iii), the CDB payment was designed to provide upfront financial assistance in which the applicant attests that they have incurred, or will incur, costs related to dental care services. Consequently, the CRA is not in a position to provide the requested number of Canadians who have received dental care paid for through the benefit, as the CRA does not have the data available.

Question No.2611—

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

With regard to the government's proposed plastics registry: (a) what is the projected cost to establish the registry and maintain it each year; (b) what is the timeline by which the government will implement the registry; and (c) did the government conduct any studies on the impact the registry will have on the price of food and other consumer products, and, if so, what are the details of each such study, including the findings and the website where the study can be found online?

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

Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a), developing and maintaining good-quality Canada-wide data on how plastic moves through the economy is necessary to transition towards a circular economy in Canada. The federal plastics registry, the registry, will provide critical data that will identify opportunities for the government to take further action to reduce plastic waste and pollution, as well as help monitor progress over time.

The cost to government to collect data for the registry is $7,294,154 projected over five years to establish the registry, and $600,756 each year after for maintenance. The cost of inaction against plastic pollution in Canada is very high. As an example, the regulatory impact analysis statement for the single-use plastics prohibition regulations, SUPPR, determined that the SUPPR alone will save Canadians $581 million over 10 years in avoided terrestrial litter cleanup costs. Canadians want to see more concrete action, like the SUPPR, from governments and industry to tackle plastic pollution. The registry is a stepping stone for future actions that tackle plastic pollution and cut costs for all Canadians.

In response to part (b), reporting requirements for the federal plastics registry will be introduced in phases to allow time and flexibility for those obligated to report. Phase 1 reporting will start in September 2025, requiring reporting on plastic placed on the market in three categories, electronic and electrical equipment, packaging, and single-use or disposable products, for the 2024 calendar year. Phase 2 reporting will start in 2026, adding reporting requirements for resin manufacturers and importers, as well as reporting on plastic placed on the market for the remaining categories: tires, transportation, construction, agriculture and horticulture, fishing and aquaculture, apparel and textiles. In 2026, reporting on plastic waste generated at industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities, plastic collected at end-of-life, as well as plastic sent for diversion and disposal for some categories, will also be introduced. In 2027, additional reporting requirements on plastics collected and sent for diversion and disposal for more categories will be added. Details of the reporting schedule appear in schedule 5 of the “Notice with respect to reporting of plastic resins and certain plastic products for the Federal Plastics Registry for 2024, 2025 and 2026”.

In response to part (c), Environment and Climate Change Canada, ECCC, has consulted extensively on the development of the registry, and no company has quantified the cost of reporting or signaled how these costs would impact the price of food or consumer goods. ECCC continues to work with companies on the development of a technical guidance to reduce the administrative tasks and costs associated with reporting and assist them in fulfilling their obligations. ECCC has also created category-specific working groups to better understand supply chains and develop targeted reporting methodologies to further assist companies in fulfilling their reporting obligations.

The federal plastics registry, the registry, is the most comprehensive registry of its kind. Other registries are usually limited to a few categories like packaging or electronics and electrical equipment. These registries differ from the registry by including provisions for extended producer responsibility and assigning costs to producers for the plastics they put on the market. Note that the registry assigns no charges to food or consumer good companies and does not regulate food or consumer products in any manner. It only aims to create an inventory of data on plastics throughout their life cycle and across several sectors of the economy.

Question No.2612—

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

With regard to top secret security clearances provided by the government: how many employees or representatives of registered political parties currently have top secret security clearances, in total and broken down by party?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada recognizes the need for political parties recognized in the House of Commons to have access to information that can help them protect themselves from threats and has undertaken a range of initiatives to contribute to this important objective.

As part of the plan to protect Canada's democracy, the Privy Council Office provides security clearances to representatives of political parties recognized in the House of Commons. These clearances give political party representatives the opportunity to attend briefings during pre-election and election periods, including recent by-election periods. The briefings, provided by the security and intelligence threats to elections, SITE, task force, range from unclassified to secret-level.

In addition to offering to sponsor clearances for representatives of political parties recognized in the House of Commons in the context of elections and by-elections, the Government of Canada also provides security clearances that allow parliamentarians and representatives of political parties recognized in the House of Commons to view documents intended for a readership beyond the government itself. This includes classified reports such as the independent special rapporteur's first report with its classified annex, which was published in May 2023, as well as the rapporteur's classified final report, completed in June 2023. Recently, Commissioner Hogue, who leads the public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's federal elections and democratic processes, published her initial report in May 2024, which also contained a classified annex. The Privy Council Office is responsible for facilitating the necessary security clearances at the required level for those representatives from political parties recognized in the House of Commons who need to access these classified reports.

Another key component of the government’s commitment to meaningful engagement with parliamentarians on national security is reflected in the 2017 establishment of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, NSICOP. The committee's mandate includes reviewing the legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative, and financial framework for national security and intelligence. It also covers any activity related to national security or intelligence conducted by a government department, except for ongoing operations where the appropriate minister determines that a review would jeopardize national security. Additionally, NSICOP can examine any matter pertaining to national security or intelligence that is referred to it by a minister of the Crown. NSICOP comprises 10 parliamentarians who hold top secret-level clearances and are bound by the provisions of the Security of Information Act, which requires them to maintain strict secrecy. Currently, NSICOP consists of three members from the Liberal Party of Canada, two from the Conservative Party of Canada, one from the Bloc Québécois, one from the New Democratic Party, and three senators. These individuals play an important role in conducting independent reviews and providing oversight of national security and intelligence activities in Canada.

Additionally, the government has recently introduced Bill C-70, an act respecting countering foreign interference, which proposes to update existing laws to better equip the government to detect, disrupt, and protect against foreign interference threats. Amongst other measures, this legislation would enable broader disclosure of Canadian Security Intelligence Service, CSIS, information to key partners beyond the Government of Canada, with appropriate safeguards, to help partners build resiliency to threats.

Question No.2616—

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

With regard to Canada's sanctions against the Russian Federation: (a) on what date was Airbus Canada granted a waiver to import titanium from the VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation; (b) which minister approved the waiver; (c) what was the rationale for the waiver; (d) who was consulted before the waiver was granted; (e) was the Ukrainian government informed before the waiver was granted, and, if so, when; (f) if the answer to (e) is negative, why not; and (g) has any other company in Canada been granted a waiver or waivers to Canada's sanctions regime against the Russian Federation since February 21, 2024, and, if so, what are the details, including the names of the companies?

[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.

Since 2014, Canada has sanctioned over 3,000 entities and individuals in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova and imposed numerous other measures in the financial, trade of goods and services, energy and transport sectors. These measures aim to denounce Russia’s breach of international security and those who support it, limit the Russian government’s ability to finance its illegal war against Ukraine, and pressure the Putin regime to change its behaviour.

On February 21, 2024, Canada marked the two-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine by imposing a number of new sanctions, including, among other measures, the listing of 10 individuals and 153 entities known to provide support to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.

Any person in Canada or Canadian outside Canada is prohibited from dealing in the property of, entering into transactions with, providing services to, transferring property to, or otherwise making goods available to listed persons.

Under Canadian sanctions legislation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has the discretion to issue permits to persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada on an exceptional basis in respect of activities that are prohibited under the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, and can similarly issue certificates under the United Nations Act.

The Government of Canada respects privacy and commercial confidentiality and does not comment on permit applications made in the context of the Special Economic Measures Act.

While the government does not comment on specific permit applications, from a general perspective each application for a permit or certificate that is received is reviewed in depth on a case-by-case basis. This review involves extensive analysis, applicable intra- and interdepartmental consultations, and significant due diligence.

Canada’s support for Ukraine is unwavering, demonstrated through its leadership in sanctioning strategic Russian industries complicit in the Putin regime’s ongoing breaches of international law. Canada stands with Ukraine and will continue to impose severe costs on Russia until it puts an end to its illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable war. Moreover, Canada shares this conviction with its allies and partners who, together, will continue to increase international pressure on Russia in support of Ukraine.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, furthermore, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 2600, 2602 to 2607, 2609, 2613 to 2615, 2617 and 2618 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled in an electronic format immediately.

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

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Question No.2600—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

With regard to asylum claims made by individuals who arrived in Canada on a student visa, since 2018: how many claims (i) were accepted, (ii) were rejected, (iii) are still being processed, in total and broken down by the school in which the claimant was enrolled when the asylum claim was made?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2602—

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

With regard to the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) response to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's special report to Parliament on February 15, 2024, indicating that a major privacy breach at the CRA involved "vast amounts of sensitive personal information" and that the CRA needed stronger security safeguards: (a) does the CRA accept the conclusions of the Privacy Commissioner that the current process and procedures that govern the handling of sensitive personal information are inadequate; (b) what steps is the CRA undertaking to rectify this lack of safeguards and due diligence to give Canadians confidence that their personal, sensitive and private information is secure with the CRA; (c) what steps is the CRA taking to limit collection until it can be confident that information can be properly secured; and (d) does the CRA take the position that seeking sensitive information from businesses with no sales or confirmed tax obligations would be a misuse of the Universal Periodic Review provisions, and, if not, why not?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2603—

[Robert Gordon Kitchen, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

With regard to usage of the government's fleet of Challenger aircraft, since October 27, 2023: what are the details of the legs of each flight, including the (i) date, (ii) point of departure, (iii) destination, (iv) number of passengers, (v) names and titles of the passengers, excluding security or Canadian Armed Forces members, (vi) total catering bill related to the flight, (vii) volume of fuel used, or an estimate, (viii) amount spent on fuel?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2604—

[Robert Gordon Kitchen, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

With regard to usage of the government's fleet of Airbus and Polaris aircraft since September 1, 2023: what are the details of the legs of each flight, including the (i) date, (ii) point of departure, (iii) destination, (iv) number of passengers, (v) names and titles of the passengers, excluding security or Canadian Armed Forces members, (vi) total catering bill related to the flight, (vii) volume of fuel used, or an estimate, (viii) amount spent on fuel, (ix) type of aircraft?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2605—

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

With regard to the 140 conflict of interest declarations filed in the 2022-23 fiscal year, and the 162 conflict of interest declarations filed in the 2023-24 fiscal year concerning public servants employed in the core public administration who were involved in contractual relationships with the Government of Canada, broken down by fiscal year: (a) what is the breakdown of the declarations by department, agency or other government entity by which the public servant was employed; (b) what are the names of the vendors which have contracts with the government that were the subjects of the declarations; and (c) what are the details of each contract provided to the vendors in (b), including, for each, the (i) department, agency, or other government entity that signed the contract, (ii) vendor, (iii) date, (iv) amount, (v) description of goods or services, (vi) manner in which the contract was awarded (sole-sourced, competitive bid)?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2606—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

With regard to human resource complaints submitted by employees of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, since January 1, 2016, broken down by year: (a) what was the total number of complaints broken down by the (i) name of the agency or Crown corporation employing the complainant, (ii) reason for the complaint, (iii) type of resolution or follow-up action that occurred; and (b) what was the average time between a complaint being filed and the matter being settled or otherwise concluded?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2607—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

With regard to tax owed to the government for unpaid excise tax on cannabis: (a) what is the current amount owed, in total and broken down by the province or territory of the entity owing tax; (b) how many separate taxpaying entities have unpaid excise tax on cannabis; and (c) what is the breakdown of (a) and (b) by the tax year from which the unpaid tax is owed?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2609—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

With regard to digital marketing firms contracted by the government to conduct digital marketing since 2016: what are the details of all contracts, including the (i) name of the firm contracted, (ii) commission provided to the marketing firm as part of the contract, (iii) total sum provided for marketing purposes, (iv) total amount used for marketing purposes, (v) marketing platforms used to communicate as part of the contract, (vi) policy initiative being communicated?