Marc Serré

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, February 25th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian farmers work hard every day to produce high quality products. In September 2019, Verner, Ontario, in the riding of Nickel Belt, hosted the largest international plowing match and rural expo of all time with the help of 1,000 community volunteers. The agricultural industry has been working very hard and facing some major challenges during this pandemic.

Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell us about the measures our government has put in place to help the agri-food sector across the country?

[Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020, January 26th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her important question.

One of the first things the Conservative Government of Ontario did when it was elected was to eliminate sick days. It is really important that Parliament review the issue of sick days.

We have already adopted certain measures with the collaboration of the opposition parties. I agree with my colleague. When we look at the most vulnerable populations, we realize that they are mainly women who work in the health care sector, and we must take them into consideration to ensure that we are implementing the right measures for them. The comments put forth by my colleague in the opposition will help me when we discuss how to help workers, as well as what financial support can be provided to give them a better sick leave plan.

[Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020, January 26th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question.

I mentioned in my speech that the government and the opposition parties collaborated on the measures to assist businesses and individuals. Some measures were taken very quickly at the beginning of the pandemic, but changes were also made during the summer and fall. This proves that Parliament and our elected officials are here to help Canadians.

Arts and culture are indeed very important, and our government must do better for the entire not-for-profit sector. We must find better ways of supporting not only arts and culture, but also all not-for-profit organizations in order to build on our language and culture. As a francophone, I think that this is really important, not only in Quebec, but throughout Ontario, and particularly in northern Ontario.

[Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020, January 26th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for that important question.

We have not tabled a budget in two years. The measures that our government took during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the support of the opposition parties, had an impact on everyone, on all Canadians. It was therefore important for us to present the fall economic statement.

This spring, we will table a budget based on greater certainty. It is very difficult to come up with a budget in these uncertain times related to COVID-19, but we will do so by continuing to focus on support for Canadians and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020, January 26th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, since it is 2021, I would like to first take the opportunity to thank the residents of Nickel Belt and Greater Sudbury for putting their trust in me. I always do my best to represent them properly. I would also like to thank my family for their support. Finally, I would like to say a special thank you to my staff, who continue to work hard to support all residents of Nickel Belt and Greater Sudbury.

I would also like to assure the people of Nickel Belt and Greater Sudbury that our government and I have one priority: their health and well-being. Our responsibility is to ensure their physical and mental well-being, as well as the economic health of our businesses and communities. By so doing, we can ensure the ongoing economic recovery of our ridings.

COVID-19 is a non-partisan issue across the country. We have a duty as a country to work together across all party lines and across all levels of government to come to the collective goal of getting through this pandemic together. From the beginning of the pandemic our government has mobilized with the opposition and passed concrete measures that offer direct assistance to those in need.

Many families, students, seniors, businesses and indigenous communities felt the challenges. Mental health remains a challenge. We must prioritize our health in all its forms, check in with those who need it the most and recognize and reach out to those who need better support. That is why we stepped in. CERB provided $2,000 a month to eligible individuals, and we listened to residents to make changes to ensure people were not slipping through the cracks. Now it is the CRB.

We have also provided $300 million to first nations communities. Many in my riding also received funding. We provided over $157 million for Canadians who are experiencing homelessness and to address these unique challenges during the pandemic. There is over $50 million for women's shelters, because of the unique challenges women have faced during this pandemic, like job losses, violence, disproportionate income loss and child care needs.

Also, there are payments to seniors, up to $500, and for those with disabilities, up to $600. In Nickel Belt we have 17,360 people receiving OAS and GIS benefits for seniors. Also important is the one-time payment we also provided for the CCB payment. This is an important measure to help families and to help children, especially single moms in our communities. In Nickel Belt we have 9,700 families receiving the CCB, and it is important that we continue to support our children and our families.

Student loans are also important. We have offered grants for students and also deferred the loan payments.

Rental assistance for businesses throughout this pandemic has been important. We have modified the regional relief fund through agencies like FedNor. We have heard clearly from businesses the need to adjust some of these relief programs. Some $1.2 million was given to economic partners in West Nipissing to help local businesses meet their needs during this pandemic.

There is also the $2 billion for the safe restart agreement with Ontario. We have supported things like enhancing testing, contact tracing, supporting those in long-term care homes and ensuring there is safe and sufficient child care spaces for returning to work. More needs to be done.

It is important that we offer stability and support to local priorities outlined by local area municipalities. We also ensure emergency programs for private sector businesses, Legions, food banks, arts and culture and not-for-profit organizations all across Canada, Nickel Belt and Greater Sudbury.

For example, there is $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through the charity and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services, like the United Way North East Ontario. It is helping those in need and helping municipalities like French River, St.-Charles and Markstay-Warren. It is helping Valleyview Community Church, the Greater Sudbury municipality in partnership with Onaping Falls Lions, and the Metro grocery store in Valley East. This is all to support our most vulnerable.

We have also provided $100 million in emergency funding for food security. Of that, $100,000 went to five organizations in Nickel Belt: Onaping Lions Club, Destiny International Church in Val Caron, Helping Hands Family Mission in Hanmer, and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation community.

It is also important that we support Canadian heritage and arts and culture. In Nickel Belt there is the museum in Sturgeon Falls, the Capreol Historical Heritage Museum, the Greater Sudbury archives and the Conseil des Arts de Nipissing Ouest.

It is important to continue to support non-profit organizations.

I want to thank all the volunteers who are supporting our organizations with their time, and for submitting proposals and working hard at the grassroots level with solid partnerships to make a difference in people's lives, in their communities and in our neighbourhoods.

The support that flows through this community shows how resilient our economy is and shows the dedication of our government and people tasked with making changes at the local level. These include infrastructure in the municipality of Markstay-Warren, bypass roads in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and investments for providing a light industrial park for economic development.

Also, regarding broadband, there was $270,000 for the Wahnapitae First Nation. It is very important to get high-speed Internet to homes and businesses in the community.

We made important strides. The fall economic statement was a true testament to this, and I am proud that our government is investing in RDAs all across Canada and FedNor in northern Ontario. I am proud of the staff at FedNor and the work that they do in the community. As a government, continuing to enhance regional development agencies is important.

We committed to investing in research and development and procurement of vaccines for all Canadians who want them. Just yesterday, public health in the district of Sudbury announced that vulnerable seniors and long-term care residents in northern Ontario are closer than ever to getting the vaccine. Progress is happening. The federal and provincial governments will continue working together to offer solutions and to ensure we all persevere through this.

That is why we need to support our long-term care residents and staff. This is a non-partisan issue. All levels of government need to get together and find solutions. We need to make sure that we look after our most vulnerable, and long-term care is an important area at all levels of government. We need to do what we can. If it means using the Red Cross or the Canadian Army, we need to make sure that residents and staff are safe in long-term care residences.

When we look at the most vulnerable, we look at seniors living in apartments who are isolated, and seniors who are living in their homes and are isolated. We need to make sure we support them also.

COVID-19 has highlighted just how challenging something as dangerous and disruptive as COVID can be. Through the pandemic, Canadians have shown that it really takes a lot to keep our communities safe. As we are showing, we will do whatever it takes to support our communities.

Overall, the government's quick and comprehensive assistance made it possible to provide unprecedented, comprehensive support of $407 billion, nearly 19% of the GDP, to help Canadians and Canadian businesses keep their heads above water during the pandemic. That includes $270 billion in direct support measures, or 12% of the GDP. It is really important to continue to ensure that we are supporting individuals and businesses.

The fall economic statement also reminds us that there are other changes that we must continue to address. Digitization continues to be important and carries the potential for tremendous benefit if it is managed fairly and effectively as we grow our economy. With the measures in the fall economic statement, we would leverage this potential to better benefit Canadians.

I want to thank residents of Nickel Belt and Greater Sudbury, and say meegwetch to all of the front-line workers, first responders, police officers, truck drivers and retail workers. I thank them for the work that they are doing in making a difference in our community. I ask people to stay safe and keep following public health measures.

[Mental Health, January 26th, 2021]

Happy new year, Mr. Speaker.

I rise to acknowledge Bell Let's Talk Day, which is Thursday, January 28. This day is about raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental health challenges.

We all know someone suffering from mental health issues, whether it is a friend, a family member, a neighbour or ourselves. It is really hard for people to ask for help.

In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to take care of our mental health and to check in on those around us. Feelings of anxiety and worry can be normal. People who are struggling should reach out for help. There are many resources available. Let us share, connect virtually and keep moving forward.

On Bell Mental Health Day, today, this week, and every day, spread the word and make a positive change. I know the residents of the Nickel Belt and Greater Sudbury are up for the challenge.

May everyone stay safe and take care of each other.

[Keystone XL Pipeline, January 25th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, yes, the first thing we are doing today in the Keystone debate is looking at moving forward. Therefore, I appreciate the question the member is asking. It is why we need to invest in workers and renewables. The economy is moving toward that and we have to find ways to balance that out.

Hopefully we can move forward and look at more investments, but we have made investments in renewable energy and workers and in economic development agencies to make sure that we look at the jobs moving forward.

[Keystone XL Pipeline, January 25th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question.

With respect to the Paris targets for 2050, it is important to consider not only the energy sources we use now, as I mentioned in my speech, but also renewable energy sources.

We need to look at the investments the government has already made and see how we can build a better green economy. Balance is important. Right now, 6.7% of vehicles worldwide are electric. Change is happening. Investors around the world are focusing on green energies. We need to plan and strike a balance.

Some investments will affect workers, for example, the miners in Ontario. When my father was a member of Parliament in the 1970s, there were 25,000 miners in Sudbury. Now, there are 5,000.

We need to take investments in innovation into account. We need to look to the future and look at how to build the economy.

[Keystone XL Pipeline, January 25th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question, but I disagree with him.

When he was the leader of the third party in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister supported the Keystone project. When he became Prime Minister, he continued to support the Keystone project. There have been discussions between the U.S. administration and the Prime Minister to determine how to continue with Keystone. Unfortunately for us, President Biden decided to cancel the project after he was elected.

With regard to the buy American provisions, our two countries engage in 2.2 billion transactions. We have an integrated economy. We will find ways to work constructively with the new U.S. administration, with the goal of ensuring that our two economies can grow together.

[Keystone XL Pipeline, January 25th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I thank the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue for his remarks.

I would like to start by acknowledging that we are gathering on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin people.

Canada and the U.S. have one of the most productive, collaborative, mutually beneficial, bilateral relationships in the world. An essential element of this relationship is energy. I was a member of the natural resources committee from 2015-18, and we heard clearly from witnesses all across the country of the importance of our natural resources in Canada. We know the United States is Canada's most important market for energy. In return, Canada is the largest and most secure foreign source of energy for the United States, including crude oil, natural gas, hydroelectricity and uranium.

In 2019, 91% of Canada's energy exports were destined for the U.S., totalling nearly $125 billion in value. The reverse was also true. Canada is the second-largest market for U.S. energy exports, and these exports play an important role in ensuring Canada has a reliable and secure energy supply. The truth is that Canada and the U.S. have a highly integrated energy infrastructure system, which allows for the optimization of current global competitiveness, benefiting both Canada and the U.S. We know that the energy sector provides thousands of well-paying, middle-class jobs on both sides of the border.

Canada is the United States' largest, safest, most reliable and most competitive supplier of oil and gas, including crude oil, refined oil products and natural gas. Here are some enlightening facts. In 2019, Canada supplied 56% of the United States' crude oil imports, accounting for 23% of U.S. consumption. Canada also supplied 9% of the natural gas used in the U.S. One in five barrels of oil consumed in the United States comes from Canada. The United States imports more oil from Canada than from all OPEC countries combined.

Canadian crude oil accounts for the majority of the oil refined in the U.S., and those products drive the American manufacturing sector and are exported around the world. Canada is one of the only major suppliers of oil to the United States that has a price on carbon and a 2050 net-zero target.

An essential element of this energy system is the energy infrastructure, including pipelines. As the Prime Minister said directly to President Biden during their meeting last week, we are disappointed, but we acknowledge the President's decision to keep his election promise and revoke the presidential permits for the Keystone XL project. We have raised the importance of this project several times. We discussed it directly with President Biden recently and in November, as well as several times with senior officials in the incoming administration, including in the days leading up to his inauguration.

That being said, Canadian oil already flows through more than 70 pipelines, creating one of the most integrated energy systems in the world between two countries. We maintain that to continue providing and improving the benefits of Canadian oil and gas to the United States, we must build and maintain the necessary infrastructure to get the products to where they are needed. As far as electricity is concerned, Canadian hydroelectricity exports provide many U.S. states with a clean, renewable, solid base load 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Electricity crosses the U.S.-Canada border along more than 30 major transmission lines unrestricted by physical or tariff barriers as part of an effective, efficient, highly integrated North American energy grid. This highly integrated system benefits both Canada and the United States. Operators consistently take advantage of spare energy capacity in neighbouring jurisdictions to optimize their systems. Ratepayers benefit from a more reliable and resilient electrical system that expands the international border.

In 2019, Canada exported over 60 teratonnes of hours of electricity to the U.S., the equivalent of powering almost six million U.S. homes. Those exports save American households, consumers and companies hundreds of millions of dollars each year on their electricity bills. Canadian hydro also contributes to U.S. energy security and helps states meet critical GHG emission reduction targets and to move to a low-carbon economy. With regard to uranium, Canada supplies the U.S. with 33% of the fuel used for its reactors, which in turn generate 20% of U.S. electricity. Industry and government in both countries are also collaborating on developing advanced nuclear technology, including the next small modular reactors that the natural resources committee studied at great length a few years ago.

In the current context of a global pandemic, it is more important than ever that we work closely to ensure a secure, reliable, sustainable supply of energy sources for North America and the world.

We know that Canada and the United States share a common vision to build back better, together, a vision that will ensure a clean, inclusive and equitable energy future. Canada is committed to securing an ever-growing variety of energy sources, whether it is about reducing the environmental footprint of conventional energy, developing or deploying clean energy or increasing energy efficiency. It is clear that the Canada-U.S. relationship can withstand, and even thrive, despite the extraordinary challenges we currently face. To move forward, we must build on our interdependence and seek ways to strengthen our North American locality.

The energy relationship between Canada and the United States is a model for the rest of the world. Let us continue this great relationship with the United States as a partner, friend, ally and neighbour. While it is natural to emphasize self-sufficiency, Canada, the United States and other countries cannot go it alone.

Canada and the United States are partners. This is how we will build alliances between the two countries.