Justin Trudeau

[Foreign Affairs, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, if I start correcting the hon. Leader of the Opposition on the facts, we will be here all day. The fact of the matter is that the listing of an organization as a terrorist organization is actually a meticulous process led by intelligence and security agencies and carefully calibrated to do no harm to Canadians or Canadian military members serving overseas. We will continue to take all measures to hold the murderous regime in Iran to account. We will continue to stand with the community. We will stand against anyone who is attempting to harm or intimidate Canadians on Canadian soil. We are always open to doing more. That is what we are continuing to work on.

[Foreign Affairs, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, for years, during the previous Conservative government's attacks and rhetoric against Iran, including the closing of the embassy, the Conservatives never moved forward on banning the IRGC and declaring it a terrorist organization. We know there is a rigorous process to do that. We are pursuing and looking at all options around it.

What we did do is use rarely before used measures in the immigration department, which were used in the case of war crimes in Rwanda and elsewhere, to ban, for life, senior members of the IRGC from ever being able to come to and find solace in Canada. That is a strong measure, and we are always open to doing more.

[Small Business, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the House that, during the pandemic, in Quebec and everywhere else in Canada, $8 out of $10 of assistance to Canadians came from the federal government. SMEs are the backbone of our economy.

We were there for businesses during the pandemic and we will continue to be there for them as they recover. We have a fiscally responsible approach, but we also provide some leeway to those who wish to avail themselves of our loan forgiveness option.

[Small Business, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, we know that small businesses were hard hit by the pandemic and that many are still going through a tough time today. The emergency business account was a lifeline for small businesses. That is why we announced extended deadlines, providing an additional year for term loan repayment and additional flexibilities for loan holders looking to benefit from loan forgiveness.

We will continue to be there for small businesses in Quebec and across the country.

[Public Services and Procurement, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, both the RCMP and the CBSA's professional integrity division are investigating, and the CBSA has also launched an internal audit to look into contracting at the agency.

Once again, when the Leader of the Opposition talks about dividing Canadians, he does not want to accept that over 80% of Canadians chose to get vaccinated during the pandemic. He continues to play divisive games to try to divide Canadians on a matter core to public health and public safety. We have always stood up for the safety of Canadians while he chooses to wear a tinfoil hat.

[Public Services and Procurement, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said to the opposition leader, when it comes to contracting, investigations are ongoing and processes have been updated.

He does not much care about facts or process, just his hidden agenda driven by ideology, an ideology rooted in denying that the government had to act fast in a once-in-a-century moment to keep Canadians safe. He does not want to talk about the pandemic. He does not want to talk about his behaviour during the pandemic and following it. He will continue to try to distract and deflect based on his ideology and based on the members of his team. It is very telling that the Conservative Party would choose not to prioritize Canadians' safety.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, when the opposition leader is bringing up matters that were duly settled four years ago, it is obvious they have no vision for the future of this country, no plan to move Canada forward and nothing to offer Canadians except cuts, austerity and partisan attacks.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows well that the RCMP and the CBSA's professional integrity division are investigating. The CBSA has also launched an internal audit to look into contracting at the agency and has increased oversight processes when it comes to contracting.

[Indigenous Affairs, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Yukon for his leadership.

Yesterday's announcement represents an important milestone. This historic court settlement is the largest in Canadian history and will provide $23 billion to those impacted. While no amount of money can make up for the incredible pain that was caused, this is an important step toward affirming the voices of those affected and our commitment toward reconciliation. It could not have been achieved without the leadership of first nations, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside them to deliver for indigenous people across this country.

[Foreign Affairs, October 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, we unequivocally condemn Hamas's terrorist attack against Israel. We support Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law.

We are deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. As I said, there are ongoing diplomatic conversations about the consideration of humanitarian pauses, and that is something Canada supports.

Desperately needed humanitarian aid must reach vulnerable Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and Canada is working closely with partners to build a humanitarian corridor. Hamas must immediately release all hostages, and Canadians and foreign nationals who wish to leave Gaza must be allowed to do so.