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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 13

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 8, 2021 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 13 - Dec/8/21
Mrs. Élisabeth Brière
  • Dec/8/21 11:12:10 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I thank the minister for his answer. Our frontline workers and first responders are the real heroes in this crisis. While they help Canadians stay healthy or regain their health, what is our government doing to ensure that these health workers are getting the help they need when they need it?
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Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos
  • Dec/8/21 11:12:40 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I did not mention it, but I am very pleased that my colleague is now the parliamentary secretary to my colleague, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Taking care of our health care workers helps them take care of us and those who need it. With the $55 billion in investments that the Canadian government has made in the context of COVID‑19, we have been able to support these workers, whether they provide long-term care, work in a medical setting, or are working on the ground administering vaccinations, performing tests or enforcing health measures. It is very important to do this, and I thank my colleague for giving me the chance to remind everyone of that.
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Mrs. Élisabeth Brière
  • Dec/8/21 11:13:26 p.m.
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Madam Chair, this past year, the awful reality of the systemic racism that still pervades our institutions was brought to light. As we know, tragedies such as the experience of Joyce Echaquan are not isolated incidents. Indigenous people across the country are fearful and reluctant to seek health services because they are afraid of encountering discrimination that can sometimes turn deadly. The minister was frank about the need for change. Could he tell us more about the work that the government is doing to address systemic racism in health care? How is the government ensuring that indigenous people, in particular indigenous women, have equitable access to health care?
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Hon. Marc Miller (Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Lib.)
  • Dec/8/21 11:14:21 p.m.
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Madam Chair, as we know, with the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan, indigenous peoples dread having to use health care services across the country. We know that the federal government has a moral duty to outline the state of affairs. Systemic racism exists right across the country, from British Columbia to Quebec. It is everywhere. I am forced to acknowledge it so we can make the necessary investments to ensure that people get the first-class service they deserve. In the 2020-21 budget, our government invested $133 million to provide funding for indigenous people to bring along an advocate to ensure they receive high-quality care. The federal government's role is to approach provincial governments and to work with the territories to ensure that this serious problem is eradicated once and for all.
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Mrs. Élisabeth Brière
  • Dec/8/21 11:15:24 p.m.
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Madam Chair, while COVID-19 was raging, another pandemic was occurring across Canada. Although it was somewhat overshadowed, it was just as significant. The opioid crisis has affected the entire country, especially the province of British Columbia. What is our government doing to help key organizations that are working on the ground during this crisis that is occurring at the same time as COVID-19?
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Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos
  • Dec/8/21 11:16:03 p.m.
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Madam Chair, my colleague is right to bring it up. For some time now, an average of about 20 people a day have died due to the opioid crisis across the country. That is almost the same number of people who are dying from COVID-19 at present. The crisis has been growing for years. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with this crisis and to treat people, including through supervised injection sites. Approximately 700,000 people use these sites every year. Thus, thousands of Canadians are protected. Naturally, there are protocols in place to ensure that the drugs that these people temporarily need are provided in a safe, regulated manner, and to ensure that appropriate services are provided in safe facilities. Community services are offered so they can have the best possible life and make a complete recovery.
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Mr. Kelly McCauley (Edmonton West, CPC)
  • Dec/8/21 11:17:08 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I congratulate my colleague on her appointment as President of the Treasury Board Six hundred billion dollars was spent, with little or no oversight from the government. The Public Accounts should have been released in October, but still nothing from the government. When will the Public Accounts be tabled?
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Hon. Mona Fortier (President of the Treasury Board, Lib.)
  • Dec/8/21 11:17:30 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I want to thank my hon. colleague and my critic for his great words. I have said that our government has been committed to financial transparency, including for COVID-19 spending response—
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The Assistant Deputy Chair
  • Dec/8/21 11:17:47 p.m.
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The hon. member for Edmonton West.
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Mr. Kelly McCauley
  • Dec/8/21 11:17:49 p.m.
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Madam Chair, have the comptroller general, deputy receiver general and the Auditor General signed off on the public accounts yet?
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Hon. Mona Fortier
  • Dec/8/21 11:17:59 p.m.
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Madam Chair, as we have short answers tonight, I will say that our annual audited financial statements in the public accounts will be tabled this month within normal legislated timelines.
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Mr. Kelly McCauley
  • Dec/8/21 11:18:16 p.m.
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Madam Chair, have the public accounts been signed off yet by the comptroller general, deputy receiver general and the Auditor General?
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Hon. Mona Fortier
  • Dec/8/21 11:18:26 p.m.
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Madam Chair, again, as members know, the process is for the government to table the annual public accounts, and it will be done this month within normal legislated timelines.
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Mr. Kelly McCauley
  • Dec/8/21 11:18:41 p.m.
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Madam Chair, is it true that the government has reopened the public accounts to make changes to them for political gain?
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Hon. Mona Fortier
  • Dec/8/21 11:18:50 p.m.
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Madam Chair, accountability, transparency and openness are the values that I and our government work towards.
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Mr. Kelly McCauley
  • Dec/8/21 11:18:59 p.m.
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Madam Chair, this is a very straightforward question and can be answered very simply with a yes or no. Is it true that the government has reopened the public accounts to make changes to them for political gain?
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Hon. Mona Fortier
  • Dec/8/21 11:19:12 p.m.
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Madam Chair, as I said, our annual public financial reports will be tabled this month within normal legislated timelines.
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Mr. Kelly McCauley
  • Dec/8/21 11:19:23 p.m.
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Madam Chair, is it true that the public accounts were signed off on by the comptroller general, deputy receiver general and the Auditor General in the fall and then reopened to backload costs in order to make next year's budget numbers show a smaller deficit and a reduced debt-to-GDP ratio?
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Hon. Mona Fortier
  • Dec/8/21 11:19:42 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we must follow the budget process and, as I said, the monthly financial results are reported throughout the year and the “Fiscal Monitor” will be issued as planned this month.
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Mr. Kelly McCauley
  • Dec/8/21 11:19:58 p.m.
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Madam Chair, this is frightening. There is $600 billion in spending and the Liberals will not answer the simple question if the public accounts have been signed off on. Have the public accounts been reopened to have more money put in by this government?
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