Bob Zimmer

[COVID-19 Pandemic, April 20th, 2020]

Madam Chair, I thank the minister for highlighting the very reason I am asking her to fix it. Our companies do not qualify for it based on that reason.

Airlines in the north are critical for essential needs like food and medications. Can the minister please tell me what special considerations are being taken to ensure that these northern airlines are able to continue their important work that is specific to so many of these remote communities that rely on them for their very survival?

[COVID-19 Pandemic, April 20th, 2020]

Madam Chair, many businesses across the north have very different needs than the rest of the country, from short seasonal work to exploration work that does not always generate revenue right away. We have made the Minister of Finance aware of these concerns.

When will the Canadian emergency wage subsidy be amended to consider the needs of the north?

[COVID-19 Pandemic, April 20th, 2020]

Madam Chair, the Canadian north has had many challenges. We have heard over the last number of months promises made by the government that it is going to help our northern communities, but it simply has not been the case. For example, many of these businesses that operate in the north do this solely by hiring contractors for their labour.

Can the minister tell me if the Canada emergency business account will be modified to take into account the special needs that businesses in the north have?

[Regional Economic Development, April 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, businesses in the north have a very different need from the rest of the country. With a shorter business season and industries like junior mining and exploration, it is clear that the government's one-size-fits-all approach to emergency business measures has, sadly, done little to support our northern economy. The Yukon Chamber of Mines and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, as well as other northern businesses, have said programs like the Canada emergency wage subsidy will not work for the north.

Will the government listen to these leaders and make changes so that our businesses in the north have a fighting chance to survive?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, April 11th, 2020]

With regards to the Budget 2019 commitment to build or expand northern infrastructure projects “through a doubling of the federal municipal infrastructure commitment in 2018-19”: (a) what is the breakdown of this funding by project; (b) what are the details of all projects in (a), including the (i) name, (ii) description, (iii) amount of federal contribution, (iv) projected completion date; and (c) how much of this funding has been delivered to date, broken down by individual project?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, April 11th, 2020]

With regard to the government’s response to the report of the Special Senate Committee on the Arctic entitled “Northern Lights: A Wake-Up Call for the Future of Canada” tabled in June 2019, and broken down by each of the 30 recommendations: (a) what directives has the government given to fulfil each of the 30 recommendations; (b) what funding streams have been allocated to fulfill each of the 30 recommendations; and (c) what plans and timelines have been established by the government to fulfill recommendations each of the 30 recommendations?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, April 11th, 2020]

With regard to the report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs entitled “A Path to Growth: Investing in the North”, tabled in the House in April 2019: (a) what directives has the (i) Minister of Northern Affairs, (ii) Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, (iii) Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, given to the departments for which they are responsible to fulfill each of the six recommendations, broken down by recommendation; (b) what funding streams have been allocated to fulfill each of the six recommendations, broken down by recommendation; and (c) what plans and timelines have been established by the (i) Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, (ii) Department of Infrastructure Canada, (iii) Department of Innovation and Economic Development Canada, to fulfill each of the six recommendations, broken down by recommendation?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, April 11th, 2020]

With regard to the status of projects funded by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) since November 4, 2015: (a) what are the details of all projects funded to date, including (i) recipient, (ii) project description, (iii) location, (iv) program under which funding was delivered, (v) total federal commitment, (vi) total federal funding actually delivered to date, (vii) current status of project; (b) for each project in (a), is the project ahead of schedule, on schedule, or behind schedule; (c) for each project in, (a) what was the (i) original projected completion date, (ii) current projected completion date; and (d) for each project that is behind schedule, what is the reason for the delay, broken down by project?

[Indigenous Affairs, February 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Premier of Nunavut said he would not support any new marine protected and conservation areas until a devolution deal can be reached. The premier said:

The creation of any new conservation and protected areas in Nunavut would have a significant impact on our ability to manage our lands and resources and carry out negotiations for decision-making, leading to potentially very serious consequences.

Will the Prime Minister listen to the premier and people of Nunavut and not close any further lands or any marine protected areas without a devolution agreement in place, yes or no?

[WestJet, February 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate some great news for Dawson Creek and South Peace. Dawson Creek has a special place in my heart because that is where I was born.

Last week WestJet announced that it would be adding a new non-stop daily service between Dawson Creek and Calgary. Air travel to and from our northern communities is crucial, so beginning April 26, this year-round service on WestJet Link will begin.

Our local airports are an important part of our growing community in northeastern B.C., and having competitive air service is essential for keeping our economy moving and linking our communities together.

I would like to congratulate WestJet and thank mayor Dale Bumstead and the many people of Dawson Creek who worked so hard to bring this new service to the area.

I cannot wait to be one of the first passengers on this inaugural flight.