National Defence  Mr. Speaker, every step of the way, this government has always taken seriously the responsibility to support, provide resources to and follow up with anyone who comes forward with allegations of sexual misconduct or assault in the armed forces or otherwise. In budget 2021, we announced over $236 million to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the CAF, including money to enhance internal support services to survivors and to implement new external oversight mechanisms.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, the leader of the official opposition is decrying the process that we followed in this case back in 2018, but it was exactly the same process followed in 2015 by the then Conservative government. The leader of the official opposition, who was then the associate minister of defence, heard a rumour of misconduct and told his staff, who then told the PMO and the Privy Council Office.

Labour  Mr. Speaker, we often see the Bloc Québécois members rise in the House to say that they will defend the interests of Quebeckers. This is an opportunity for Bloc members to put their money where their mouth is. Will they support our bill to allow activities in the Port of Montreal to resume safely and to establish an impartial mediation and arbitration process that would resolve the disputes and lead to a new collective agreement?

Labour  Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. For years now, we have prioritized negotiations, and we encourage parties to find a common objective and plan. They were unable to do so. Our decision to intervene and force impartial mediation and arbitration so that both parties can find a solution was made as a last resort, given that we could soon see some significant damage to Quebec's economy and to Quebeckers.

Labour  Mr. Speaker, for years now, we have ensured that negotiations between employers and workers take place at the bargaining table. We have encouraged and enabled this process. That is the government's role, and that is what we have done. Now we have reached a point where negotiations are no longer working.

Labour  Mr. Speaker, we did move forward with federal emergency sick leave as of last year, for two weeks at $500 a week, and we added another two weeks. The challenge is that the best paid sick leave is that which goes through employers, and we are working on that right now. The Minister of Finance is working with the Province of Ontario to help it bring in sick leave through employers.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, as a government, we have consistently stood up for survivors. We have stood up against harassment and intimidation in federal workplaces across the country, and indeed in the Canadian Armed Forces. We have made significant investments in improving systems and accountability, and we will continue to do that.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning of my leadership, from the beginning of my time as Prime Minister, I have consistently stood up to defend people who are facing situations of misconduct or sexual harassment. I have always done that every step of the way, and my office has always taken that just as seriously.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, my office, and my chief of staff specifically, has, from the very beginning, always taken extraordinarily seriously any allegations of personal and professional misconduct, particularly allegations of a sexual nature. We have consistently stood up in defence of survivors, consistently pushed back against cultures that tolerate and accept marginalization or diminishment of women or other minorities.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, as I have been saying for some time now, yes, there was a complaint against General Vance. Nobody in my office or in the Minister of National Defence's office knew the nature of the complaint. We clearly have to improve the process. We have to make sure we create an environment in which people who want to bring forward allegations feel supported.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, what the Leader of the Opposition is putting forward is simply untrue. While there was awareness that there was a complaint against General Vance, there was no awareness that it was in fact a #MeToo complaint of a sexual nature. These are issues that we have continued to work on seriously as a government.

Health  Mr. Speaker, once again, it is important that in this House we base our debate in facts. In January and February, we did deliver hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses to Canadians and, indeed, by the end of March, by the end of the first quarter, we had surpassed our scheduled deliveries of six million vaccines, for a total of 9.5 million vaccines.

Health  Mr. Speaker, throughout this pandemic, one thing that has been strong and remarkable is the level of collaboration we have seen across political parties and, indeed, across orders of government. That is what Canadians have wanted to see, people working together. The federal government has consistently been there to support the provinces and territories as we make it through the various waves and as we face far too many tragedies.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Niagara Centre for his important question. This budget is about finishing the fight against COVID-19 and it is about creating prosperity for Canadians. Budget 2021 is a historic investment to address the wounds of COVID-19, put people first, create jobs, set businesses on a track for growth, and ensure that Canada's future will be more equitable, greener and more prosperous.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, we have been there for Canadians every step of the way. We promised to be there for as long as it takes with all the help they need. We are there, and we will continue to be there to support families, businesses, workers and all Canadians. We are all very hopeful that, by summer, we will be able to relax restrictions and step up economic activity.