44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 9, 2021 10:00AM
- Dec/9/21 2:41:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there has been a surge of deadly shootings across Montreal, and now we have found out that criminals have been using CERB to purchase these illegal firearms. The irony of this being a government that purports to fight gun crime is overwhelming. What will the minister do to ensure this fraudulent activity ends and, more importantly, to bring these criminals to justice?
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- Dec/9/21 2:42:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think that all members in this chamber agree that we have seen too many lives lost to gun violence. That is why we have taken concrete action by introducing a ban against military-style weapons and additional resources to fight gun trafficking at the border.
The only question I have now is this: When will Conservatives get on side and actually take the action necessary to reduce gun violence? Let us get the guns off of our streets.
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- Dec/9/21 2:42:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing the highest increase in food prices in over a decade. For seniors living on a fixed income, this is a crisis, especially for working seniors who are being punished by this government with the GIS clawback.
The minister keeps saying that she is working on the right solution. Well, where is it? Seniors are calling my office from across this country. They are losing hope. They are scared of homelessness and hunger, and they are talking about taking their own lives. When will this government step up, remove the GIS—
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- Dec/9/21 2:43:31 p.m.
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The hon. Minister of Seniors.
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- Dec/9/21 2:43:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree just how challenging this pandemic has been for seniors, especially those most vulnerable, but our government has been there to support those who are most vulnerable by strengthening their GIS. We moved very quickly to provide immediate and direct financial support for seniors this summer.
I can assure the hon. member that this is an issue we are working extremely closely on to find the right solution to and to support those affected. As always, we will be there for seniors.
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- Dec/9/21 2:44:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 160 professionals at the Office of the Auditor General have been on strike since November 26. Seventy-five per cent of them are women. They have been working without a contract for three years. These employees ensure that the government is accountable to the public. They are essential. What are they asking for? They are asking to be treated the same as every other public servant, nothing more, nothing less. That is called equity and respect, but the Liberals are asleep at the switch.
Will the Treasury Board give the Office of the Auditor General the mandate to negotiate a fair and equitable agreement for these professionals?
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- Dec/9/21 2:44:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to working with all bargaining agents to sign agreements that are equitable for the employees and take the current economic and financial context into account. The Government of Canada is signing collective agreements that cover roughly 99% of public servants for the 2018 bargaining round. Negotiations are also under way with the Public Service Alliance of Canada for the next round of bargaining, and we plan to start negotiating with the other bargaining agents soon. We negotiate at the bargaining table, not in public.
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- Dec/9/21 2:45:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for far too long, many people, especially indigenous, Black and marginalized Canadians, have experienced, and continue to experience, systemic racism rooted within our criminal justice system.
Could the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada inform the House on what steps the government will take to address this systemic discrimination and strengthen the confidence of all Canadians in the justice system?
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- Dec/9/21 2:45:48 p.m.
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- Re: Bill C-5
Mr. Speaker, the numbers speak for themselves. Past failed policies did not protect our communities, but targeted indigenous, Black and marginalized Canadians. This week I introduced Bill C-5, which will help our justice system become fairer and more effective. It shows that our government is committed to building a more equitable and inclusive Canada for everyone.
I encourage members across the aisle to join us in turning the page on failed policies and move forward in this positive fashion.
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- Dec/9/21 2:46:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have been waiting six years for the bill to modernize both official languages. All the consultations have taken place. All the organizations across the country have been consulted, and they are only asking for one thing: that Treasury Board be the central agency for enforcing the law with all the necessary tools.
When the minister introduces the bill, can she confirm that Treasury Board will be that agency, and that it will be fully empowered to enforce the act?
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- Dec/9/21 2:47:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his question.
I was very pleased this week to have a conversation with my colleague about modernizing official languages legislation. As I told him, protecting and promoting the French language is a top priority for this government and for me as minister. I look forward to reintroducing the bill shortly.
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- Dec/9/21 2:47:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the minister is talking about the importance of this bill. However, one figure stands out: Since the commissioner took office, there have been 60,000 complaints across the country, but nothing has changed.
Organizations are asking for Treasury Board to be given the responsibility to legislate and oversee this legislation, to enforce it, and to have all the necessary tools. Organizations across the country that advocate for minority communities have been calling for this.
My question is simple. Will Treasury Board have this role and all the necessary tools, yes or no?
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- Dec/9/21 2:48:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to thank my colleague for his question.
We have always said that both official languages are central to our identity, our culture and the future of our country. We will do all we can to reintroduce this bill as soon as possible.
Once again, as a proud Acadian, I am aware of the importance of protecting and promoting our official languages, and I look forward to reintroducing the bill. I hope that the opposition parties will support it.
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- Dec/9/21 2:48:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I ask members to imagine a member of the Liberal caucus being accused of directing his constituents on how to fraudulently claim the CERB. According to a caller on a talk radio show the day after the election, the member had encouraged numerous people to claim CERB when they did not qualify by splitting self-employment income with family members. In fact, in one area of the member's riding, seven in 10 residents over the age of 15 received the CERB, which is one of the highest concentrations in Canada, according to a Canadian Press report.
If this is true, how seriously would the Prime Minister take claims of advising people to commit fraud against one of his MPs?
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- Dec/9/21 2:49:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I can assure this House that the government has zero tolerance for fraud. We are systematically following up on every active case and every issue that we address through CERB. We said from the beginning we would give Canadians, eight million of them, CERB. At the end, we are enforcing our integrity and compliance measures. We have no tolerance for fraud.
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- Dec/9/21 2:49:47 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am awfully glad to hear the minister say that there is no tolerance for fraud.
The caller also stated that he had, for that savvy advice, given the member of Calgary Skyview his vote, and he was telling everyone to do the same. Asked by the host what he would do if the CRA came knocking, he said that he would send them straight to his office because it was all his idea, and everybody in Skyview did it, everyone 15 years of age and older.
Does the Prime Minister agree that CERB fraud is a serious issue, and that the possibility of a member of the Liberal caucus directing people to commit fraud requires an investigation?
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- Dec/9/21 2:50:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I can assure this House that my office and my department follow up on every allegation of fraud, and this would be no exception.
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- Dec/9/21 2:50:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Émilie Sansfaçon lost her battle to cancer in 2020, but the other battle she started, for an employment insurance system that supports workers with serious illnesses through their treatments, carries on.
Tomorrow will mark two years since Émilie met with the Prime Minister, who promised her that he would increase the number of weeks of benefits. Since then, nothing has changed.
Fifteen weeks is not enough, nor is 26 weeks. When will the government realize that workers who are sick need 50 weeks?
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- Dec/9/21 2:51:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we offer our condolences to Émilie Sansfaçon's family. I was at that meeting with the Prime Minister. That is why, in budget 2021, we committed to expanding benefits from 15 to 26 weeks. We are now engaged in a consultation on modernizing the EI system. Everything is on the table.
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- Dec/9/21 2:51:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Jessica Mimeault is among those who are continuing Émilie Sansfaçon's fight. She is in Ottawa and is in a good position to see whether the government is taking its commitment seriously.
The Prime Minister promised Émilie Sansfaçon that he would extend the benefits. He has a duty to honour that promise for all other sick people like Ms. Mimeault. They need 50 weeks of EI to recover.
Will the government finally meet their needs?
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