House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2019, with 43% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 15th, 2019
I have pictures.
As the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons said, “The only tweet that the Conservatives will not change is their affiliation with Faith Goldy. They seem to be very proud when it comes to those actions.” It is out there for Canadians to see whether they like it or not.
When it comes to association with far right movements, personalities and ideas, could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence inform the House how racist—
Business of Supply May 15th, 2019
Mr. Chair, I am pleased to rise and speak to the important subject of diversity and inclusion in our Canadian Armed Forces. I will take the next 10 minutes to address how the Canadian Armed Forces fosters and encourages diversity so that our forces remain strong, serve our whole society and will endure in the future.
Unlike the previous government, which repeatedly cut support to the Canadian Armed Forces, we are ensuring that the Canadian Armed Forces has the right mix of people, equipment and training to meet the important demands placed upon it.
We recognize that diversity is an essential factor in overall mission success, and that is why we are committed to making progress on that issue. I personally know that the work done around an inclusive and collaborative decision-making table is improved by the diversity of its members. Whether that diversity is gender, identity, expression, orientation, ethnicity, language, experience, heritage or religion, each brings different perspectives that when added together will support better decisions, better plans and better strategies.
A diverse and inclusive force is more operationally effective. It improves how we understand the human dimension of conflict zones, affording greater access to communities.
In Afghanistan, for example, some of our women in uniform worked closely with local women to gather crucial intelligence, situational awareness and build relationships with local communities. Men could not have accessed that intelligence.
These are just some of the reasons that our defence policy of “Strong, Secure, Engaged” makes diverse perspectives a critical component in our decision-making. Our commitment to diversity includes growing the representation of women in the Canadian military to at least 25% of the total force by 2026.
Our government is committed to gender equality and to providing a work environment where women are welcomed, supported and respected. Increasing enrolment is a critical part of that commitment, and that is why we have announced initiatives that will draw on Canada's diversity, including increasing enrolment of women.
Knowing the operational and cultural value that women bring to our forces, Canada launched the second national action plan on women, peace and security in November 2017, with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces as major partners. The plan prioritizes women's involvement in all of Canada's military activities.
We know that women and men, boys and girls all experience conflict differently. The action plan has bold objectives to advance gender equality and the leadership role of women and girls in all stages of conflict resolution and to protect their human rights throughout.
Canada is also expanding its influence and values on the world stage. In 2017, we hosted the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference in Vancouver, where we launched the Vancouver principles to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers and the Elsie initiative to increase the participation of women in peacekeeping. Through the Elsie initiative for Women in Peace Operations, Canada works with the UN to integrate women's perspectives into peace processes, from conflict prevention and conflict resolution to reconciliation and economic recovery post-conflict. We are making sure that women's voices and different lived experiences are represented for meaningful participation in peace operations.
Notably, Canada is already a world leader in terms of the proportion of women in its military. For example, the number of women in senior leadership roles has almost doubled since 2015.
All Canadian Armed Forces occupations and environments are open to people of any gender, who are selected for training, promotions, postings, and career opportunities based on rank, qualifications, and merit.
The Canadian Armed Forces actively recruits qualified women for challenging career opportunities. Applicants interested in joining an under-strength occupation and applicants who help meet diversity objectives are processed in priority.
Of course, the forces will always have room for talented, motivated and qualified Canadians who meet requirements and standards for personnel selection, and all applicants' files are addressed with due diligence.
In addition to recruiting a more diverse workforce, Canadian Armed Forces members must all be properly equipped and cared for through the duration of their careers. That is why gender-based analysis-plus, GBA+, integration is now part of all defence team activities.
For example, the new Arctic and offshore patrol ships coming later this year will have single or double occupancy crew cabins and individual washroom facilities. This will allow for greater comfort, easier distribution of a mixed gender crew and accommodation of other specific needs. Additionally, the equipment is designed to be operated by a very broad range of physical body characteristics to accommodate members' size, strength and weight.
On a more sombre note, allow me to state the obvious. In our armed forces and everywhere else, every person deserves a professional environment in which he or she is treated with respect and dignity. Inappropriate sexual behaviour of any kind is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Our government takes all allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously.
Our military faces well-known challenges that it is working hard to address, so it can recruit and retain more diverse members by fostering a culture based on trust, respect and dignity for everyone. The Canadian Armed Forces has taken significant steps to address all forms of sexual misconduct in its rank, but there is still much work to do.
Military leadership continues to press forward, understanding that people are at the heart of everything it does and that the military must exemplify the beliefs and values of the Canadians they serve.
It has also been important to address the anti-LGBTQ2 practices and policies of the past.
In March 2018, the Government of Canada signed the final settlement of the LGBT purge class action suit, providing up to $110 million dollars to compensate those federal public servants, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP directly impacted by anti-LGBTQ2 practices. The Prime Minister formally apologized to those Canadians harmed by federally sanctioned practices.
We must also act to ensure a harassment and discrimination-free work environment at all times. That is why in January 2018, National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces launched the positive space initiative to promote a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
As part of the government's commitment to inclusion, National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are enhancing relationships with indigenous communities. As the Prime Minister has said, no relationship is more important to our government than our relationship with first nations.
One way the Canadian Armed Forces makes important contributions to Canada's reconciliation with indigenous people is through occupational and leadership training and experience, all of which contributes to a renewed relationship.
The Canadian Forces aboriginal entry program provides indigenous people with an opportunity to get hands-on experience with military training, careers and the military lifestyle, with no obligation to join the forces. With the skills they develop, indigenous members and veterans can assist with economic governance and other priorities when they refocus these skills in their communities once they complete the programs or they can choose to continue serving in the regular or reserve force.
My time is limited and therefore I can only touch on some examples, but I would invite members to look at the good work the defence team has been doing when it comes to the Kapyong Barracks or how, in Canada's north, rangers work diligently to protect our sovereignty, perform search and rescue operations and carry out operations and patrols.
We know we need a Canadian solution that works for our unique country and our specific values. We can be confident that the leadership of the Canadian Armed Forces is fostering an inclusive, diverse and harassment-free work environment for all those who serve our country.
I would like to use the remainder of my time to ask questions of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence.
We know the Conservatives do not mind being associated with the likes of Faith Goldy and the Rebel, until they are caught that is.
Foreign Affairs May 9th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the Criminal Code listing regime is an important tool for countering terrorism and is part of the government's commitment to keep Canadians safe.
The update to the listings is an important step to fight terrorism globally and ensure that Canada remains a safe and peaceful country. There is a prescribed step-by-step process. New entities are added once it has been determined that they meet the legal threshold.
Public Safety May 9th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, I commend the member for Brampton South for her advocacy on this topic.
We are working with our partners in business and academia in order to strengthen Canada's cybersecurity and to become a world leader in the field.
We have invested $895 million to fund our new national cybersecurity strategy to ensure that our cyber-systems are secure and resilient, to encourage innovation and to support effective leadership and collaboration between government and all our partners.
Our government will be introducing legislation to create a Canadian framework for cybersecurity across all sectors.
Natural Resources May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, we believe that economic prosperity and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. They go together. We can look at LNG Canada's recent decision to proceed with a $40 billion project on the west coast of British Columbia. It will create thousands of good jobs and generate billions of dollars in new revenue for government, all while building the cleanest large-scale LNG facility in the world.
That is our vision for this clean-growth century. It is a vision where Canada is leading the way, creating the prosperity we all want while protecting the planet we all cherish.
Natural Resources May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Calgary Rocky Ridge for his question.
Through Bill C-69, we are delivering on a promise to Canadians to review and streamline our environmental review and regulatory processes. We know that this legislation will put in place better rules to protect our environment, fish, and waterways and help rebuild public trust in how decisions about resource development are made, all while strengthening investor confidence and advancing indigenous reconciliation. How? It is by implementing a single, integrated and consistent approach based on the principle of one project, one review, and by ensuring that good projects move forward in a predictable and timely way.
Indeed, Bill C-69 would tighten timelines, eliminate overlap among review panels and make government more accountable. This new approach would also help to diversify Canada's energy markets, expand our energy infrastructure and drive economic growth. That is what Bill C-69 would do. lt is about ensuring that the economy and the environment go hand in hand. That was our vision behind Bill C-69 and the reason for creating a new Canadian energy regulator to replace the National Energy Board.
We want to create a new federal regulator that reflects Canada's changing energy needs, with an expanded mandate, greater diversity and enhanced powers. This is important. and frankly overdue, because the NEB's structure, role and mandate have barely changed since it was created in 1959. We need a modern regulator to integrate Canada's energy, economic, environment and climate goals, and at the same time, renew Canada's relationship with indigenous peoples.
All of these things are clearly illustrated in our government's comprehensive response to the Federal Court of Appeal's decision on the Trans Mountain expansion project. We instructed the National Energy Board to reconsider its recommendations on the project to include the effects of marine shipping related to the pipeline's expansion. We relaunched our government's phase III consultations with indigenous groups affected by the project. These actions are among the things that make Bill C-69 transformational: earlier public consultations and indigenous engagement, greater collaboration with the provinces and territories and decisions based on science.
Through all of these measures, we can create a Canadian energy sector for tomorrow's clean economy, one that is globally competitive, attracts investments and ensures that we are developing and transporting our energy responsibly. These are all things that Canadians have told us were important to them. Bill C-69 shows that we were listening.
Natural Resources May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. We heard Canadians when they said they wanted a better process for reviewing major resource projects, because all Canadians have a stake in ensuring that good resource projects can move forward and grow the economy, create good middle-class jobs and do so in a way that protects the environment and our health.
The bill does that and provides better opportunities for meaningful participation at all stages by introducing a new early planning and engagement phase and by ensuring Canadians have the information and tools they need to participate fully.
It is a response on behalf of every Canadian who wants our natural resources sector to be competitive, to be sustainable, to be a source of good, middle-class jobs now and into the future.
Natural Resources May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, of course, we are going to see the issue differently. Our government has said since day one that economic growth and environmental stewardship can and must go hand in hand. They are not competing interests. They are not opposing goals. Canadians have made that clear.
With help from indigenous peoples, representatives from our natural resource sectors, environmental groups and Canadians from coast to coast to coast, Bill C-69 proposes a number of key improvements over the current system.
These changes would ensure that decisions are transparent and guided by robust science and indigenous knowledge. They would ensure that project reviews consider a wider range of impacts, including those on the economy, the environment, our health, indigenous rights and local communities. They would also support more timely and predictable reviews, advance reconciliation and partnership with indigenous peoples, and reduce duplication and red tape through a one project, one review approach.
Canada has a new wave of projects on the way which makes this legislation not only important to address existing concerns, but necessary for us to take full advantage of future potential.
Our latest inventory indicates there are more than 400 resource projects either already started or planned over the next decade worth a combined value approaching $585 billion.
The time is now. If we want to keep seizing all of these opportunities and build a Canada that works for everyone, we must develop our resources the right way. That is the purpose of Bill C-69 and the reason for creating a new Canadian energy regulator to replace the National Energy Board. Canadians deserve a federal regulator that reflects Canada's and the world's changing energy needs. lt does so in five key ways.
First, it proposes a modern governance and management model. Second, it would enhance investor certainty by reducing red tape, duplication and unnecessary delays in the decision-making process. Third, the new Canadian energy regulator would renew public trust in the review process by making it more inclusive, transparent and meaningful. Fourth, the new Canadian energy regulator would support indigenous participation and ensure meaningful engagement throughout the review process. Fifth and finally, the new federal energy regulator would have the tools it needs to safeguard the public and protect the environment.
Through all of these measures we can reap the benefit of the tremendous future in front of us, ensure Canada is competitive and our future is bright for our kids, grandkids and future generations.
Telecommunications May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, we are not going to pre-empt the government's review of 5G security. We will not commit to any specific course of action until all considerations have been taken into account. All options remain open. We are well aware of the urgency of this issue given that the race to 5G is well under way, and we are working hard to develop an approach that is right for Canada.
Telecommunications May 6th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, our government takes the cybersecurity of Canadians very seriously, and we will never compromise on national security. We are investing more than $869 million to fund a new cybersecurity strategy to ensure secure and resilient cyber-systems and to encourage innovation.
As part of this strategy, the Communications Security Establishment received funding to establish the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. The new centre is a hub for the government's leading cybersecurity experts and can address rapidly developing cyber-threats throughout the world in real time.
Together with Canadian and international partners, Canada's national communications intelligence agency is constantly working to identify threats, and we will continue to listen to its advice. We have the utmost confidence in the CSE's cybersecurity expertise, but, of course, it cannot do it alone.
Security is a collective effort that involves 31 telecommunications service providers. We have been partnering with industry and vendors since 2013 to make sure that the equipment in our telecom networks is safe and secure for all Canadians. The success of this program demonstrates the willingness, transparency and good faith of the private sector to work with the government.
Canadians can be confident that our telecommunications networks are properly protected. They are among the best and most secure in the world. We are leveraging that experience, and that of our allies, to ensure that Canada continues to raise the bar for security globally. Some of our closest allies around the world have restricted certain equipment from inclusion in their 5G deployments.
We will continue to engage with our allies around the world as the government works to formulate Canada's position on this issue. 5G will be the backbone of the digital economy and a platform for innovation. Beyond improving telecoms, 5G will enable new technologies across other sectors such as transportation, energy and health care.
Canadians can rest assured that we are working to make sure that these networks are properly and thoroughly protected.