Debates of June 5th, 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is finally going to meet with François Legault on Monday to talk about immigration. It is about time, after leaving Quebec to deal with a record influx of newcomers.

Monday should be the deadline for the federal government to stop offloading its responsibility. Quebec is calling for a temporary reduction in immigration and for French requirements in federal programs. Quebec is calling for an even distribution of asylum seekers. Quebec is calling for $1 billion for taking them in.

On Monday, will the Prime Minister agree to all these requests and finally sign the cheque?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Bloc Québécois wants to fast-track asylum claims. However, the height of hypocrisy was when a Bloc member spoke during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance to oppose the government's proposed reforms for fast-tracking asylum claims.

I know that the Premier of Quebec thinks that the Bloc Québécois is useless. I do not share that opinion, but I am becoming less sure.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I am speechless, Mr. Speaker.

If the federal government thinks that $1 billion is a lot, then all it had to do was take care of asylum seekers sooner, rather than sit back and watch the bill get bigger and bigger. The government could have also kept the bill lower by doing its job, especially when it comes to work permits.

According to Quebec, asylum seekers represent nearly 20% of social assistance recipients. It is not because they do not want to work. It is because Ottawa is not giving them permission. Minister Fréchette confirmed that asylum seekers are receiving benefits for an average of 10 to 11 months while they wait for a work permit from the federal government. Minister Fréchette said that.

When will Ottawa stop driving asylum seekers into poverty?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the entire opposition opposed our asylum system reforms, which are designed to speed things up. I think this is ridiculous. The Bloc Québécois should take responsibility. We are talking about light blue and dark blue, but it is pretty much the same thing.

With regard to Monday's meeting, the member will have to wait until Monday.

Carbon Pricing

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton Mill Woods, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Liberals are trying to hide what Canadians already know: The carbon tax is a costly scheme that is making everything more expensive.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer has already proven that the vast majority of Canadians are worse off economically because of the failed scheme. What we did not know is that the government actually went out and did its own economic analysis of the carbon tax, but it is refusing to release it.

Why the cover-up?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite should be careful what he asks for, but I will reiterate, for the benefit of the House, that eight out of 10 Canadians are better off today than they were before because of the price on pollution.

As a bonus, on World Environment Day, when it comes to the environment and climate change, we are making contributions to achieve our targets, and we can do Canada's part, as I know all Canadians want to do, in combatting climate change.

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton Mill Woods, AB]

Mr. Speaker, all the Conservatives are asking is for the report to be released so Canadians can see the results, because Canadians are the ones who are paying for this expensive, failed Liberal scheme.

When the government goes to the trouble of putting together a report and doing an analysis, but keeps the report a secret and does not even allow the Parliamentary Budget Officer to talk about it, we have to wonder how bad it is.

When will the Liberals end the cover-up and release the report?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, for the Conservatives, that is not what the PBO said. The Parliamentary Budget Officer issued a report, about a month and a half ago, saying that he accidentally overestimated the economic impact of the carbon price on Canadians.

I would like to re-emphasize for Canadians that eight out of 10 Canadians get more money back through the Canada carbon rebate than they pay in the price on pollution. As a reminder, the next payment for the Canada carbon rebate will go out on July 15 in the summer.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are hiding the truth from Canadians. The environment minister is refusing to release a secret government report that proves the carbon tax is costing Canadians more than they get back.

In fact, the Liberals have placed a gag order on their own budget watchdog, blocking him from speaking about this damning report. Canadians already know the carbon tax is a complete scam.

When will the Liberal minister release his secret report and end his carbon tax cover-up?

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the member opposite that, thankfully, we all passed the FES last week. That means, in the member's riding in Manitoba, a family of four is going to receive $1,440 with the rural top-up. In my riding, in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is $1,430. In Alberta, it is $2,160.

No matter how we do the math, eight out of 10 families are better off with the carbon rebate, especially families in rural Canada. They have the top-up.

[Richard Lehoux, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of this Liberal government, the cost of living is too high and Quebeckers are paying the price. Once again this week, the Bloc-Liberal coalition voted against pausing federal gas taxes to give Canadians a break. Worse still, the Bloc Québécois wants to radically increase taxes on the backs of Canadian families. The Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed this week at the Standing Committee on Finance that the government has a secret report that proves the economic impact of the carbon tax.

When will the Prime Minister release the report that proves that the Conservatives and Canadians are right?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. Eight out of 10 families get more money back in their pockets than they pay as part of the carbon price because of the rebate, in regions where the price applies. It is very simple. All the proceeds from the price on carbon are redistributed equally to all families. The wealthiest pay more than they get back. Middle-class families get more back than they pay. It is as simple as that. Eight out of 10 families are getting more money back in their pockets, and those are middle-class and low-income families.

Northern Affairs

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, in 2011, the Conservatives changed the food mail program that went from helping people in the north to subsidizing rich corporations in the south. Everyone knows it is not working, but the Liberals refuse to reform it.

The North West Company and the CEO make millions in profits and bonuses, but people in the north cannot afford to eat. When will the Liberals finally reform the Conservatives' broken nutrition north program so it helps people to afford healthy food?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Minister of Northern Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we know that the affordability of food and nutrition is so important in the north. We are committed 100% that 100% of the retail subsidy will go to northerners. We are currently doing an internal review of nutrition north. Once that is done, we will do an external audit. We are committed that 100% of the retail benefit will go to northerners.

Grocery Industry

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, families in Nanaimo—Ladysmith are struggling to keep up with rising food prices, yet the Liberals have done nothing to lower the costs, and the Conservatives would rather protect CEO profits. The NDP is giving them a chance today to help Canadians. They can either support our motion to cap the cost of essential foods, or keep protecting CEO profits while families go hungry. Which will they choose?

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

Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that food prices are difficult for many families across this country, but they got a bit of good news today, and 4.75 is the number that Canadians will remember. However, if the member really wants to help, she should ask all the members, especially on the opposition, to support us in pushing Walmart and Costco to adopt the grocery code of conduct.

On this side of the House, we have been pushing for more competition, because we know that more competition will bring stabilizing prices, will bring more choice for consumers, and will make sure that, over time, Canadians will win on that. We are committed at every step of the way to fight for Canadians. I know that the Conservatives will vote against that, but we will fight for Canadians.

Diversity and Inclusion

[Valerie Bradford, Liberal, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we mark the beginning of Pride season, it is a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community and reflect on their accomplishments. However, we know that the rise of hate directed toward this community has made many feel unsafe. Could the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth update the House on our government's efforts to create a safer and more inclusive Canada?

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

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

As we raised the Pride flag a couple of days ago, I announced $1.5 million to offset security costs for Pride festivals right across the country. It is not the kind of announcement I ever want to make, but the queer community feels directly what security agencies tell us: Hate is on the rise.

The community asked for help, and we responded. At a time when we are seeing less support for queer communities, our government will never waver. On this side of the House, we support Canadians, no matter who they are, for being their authentic selves.

Ethics

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Mr. Speaker, who is Randy?

The Minister of Employment has a 50% stake in a PPE company embroiled in allegations of fraud. Text messages from the COO reveal that a partner named “Randy” was involved in one of those shady business deals. The minister assures us that it is not him, yet somehow he is unable to identify who the other Randy is amongst a handful of employees.

So, again, who is Randy?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, of course Canada has among the toughest, most stringent ethics and conflict of interest provisions in the world for public office holders. The minister in question appeared yesterday before committee for one hour and answered all of those questions.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Mr. Speaker, there is no trace of this other Randy. Global News cannot find him, the COO claims there is this other Randy, but, conveniently, has forgotten his last name and the minister cannot identify him among a handful of employees. This is a farce. Everyone knows who Randy is.

Will the minister just stand up and admit it is him?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat it in French for the member: Canada has among the most stringent ethics and conflict of interest provisions in the world for public office holders.

The minister in question appeared yesterday before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics for one hour and answered all of those questions.

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

Mr. Speaker, the NDP-Liberal minister from Edmonton wants Canadians to think that he is not breaking the law, but he was cashing cheques from a company that was lobbying his government and a company that he owns 50% of was winning government contracts using his name as the minister. He is not allowed to do either.

In a Global News report this week, text messages reveal someone named Randy at his company was part of a $500,000 fraud. The minister said it was not him, that it was the other Randy. Of course, it was.

Who is the other Randy and what is his last name?

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

I would caution members to be careful in using the proper names of individuals in the chamber.

The hon. government House leader.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I, of course, just answered that question, so I would invite the member to move on.