44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 10, 2021 10:00AM
- Dec/10/21 11:56:58 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, our government will do whatever it takes to protect our borders and keep Canadians safe. Over the past year, ArriveCAN has played an important role in reducing the introduction and transmission of COVID‑19, and it is mandatory.
Last week, I instructed the Canada Border Services Agency to be a bit more flexible with Canadians returning to Canada.
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- Dec/10/21 11:57:30 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Christmas is coming and because of ArriveCAN's bureaucratic red tape, fully vaccinated Canadians who are at home for a two-week isolation have a tough choice to make ahead of the holidays: one, do not buy presents; two, turn off the heat in the middle of winter; or three, take out a payday loan. None of these options is acceptable.
Will the government do the right thing and release these fully vaccinated Canadians from quarantine?
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- Dec/10/21 11:58:03 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, as I just said, we have always taken the steps that are necessary to protect the health and safety of Canadians throughout the pandemic, and especially now as we continue to study the new variant of concern omicron. It is essential that we continue to use tools, like ArriveCAN, that protect the health and safety of Canadians.
My hon. colleague is worried about the holiday season. This government will always have the backs of Canadians to protect them and provide them with the supports they need so they can provide the gifts they want to their loved ones as we head into the holiday season.
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- Dec/10/21 11:58:36 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, in October 2020, the government stated that it does not directly or indirectly provide funds to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, an NGO linked to the Canadian-designated terrorist organization the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. This past October, Israel declared the UAWC a terrorist organization. In November, NGO Monitor reported that the UAWC is, in fact, receiving Canadian tax dollars.
I have a very serious question. Why are the Liberals funding terrorists?
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- Dec/10/21 11:59:32 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Canada is a steadfast ally of Israel and a friend of the Palestinian people. We are committed to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel. Our position remains that this can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties.
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- Dec/10/21 12:00:09 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, one year ago, our government launched the 50-30 challenge to encourage Canadian organizations to increase diversity and inclusion on corporate boards and in senior management.
The challenge has two goals: gender parity, meaning 50% women, on Canadian boards and senior management; and 30% representation of under-represented groups.
On this, the first anniversary of the 50-30 challenge, could the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry give us an update on what has been accomplished so far?
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- Dec/10/21 12:01:02 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my excellent colleague for his excellent question.
Since this initiative was launched, nearly 1,400 Canadian organizations have stepped up and taken on the 50-30 challenge. Just this morning, we also announced more than $28 million in funding to help organizations participating in the 50-30 challenge meet their diversity and inclusion objectives.
When members of corporate boards reflect the diversity of our communities across the country, we all benefit as Canadians.
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- Dec/10/21 12:01:44 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the average Canadian small business is now carrying $170,000 in new debt due to the pandemic. With business payroll taxes set to increase on January 1, this will be yet another hit to their ability to hang on. When I asked the government to freeze this tax hike, the associate finance minister shockingly said businesses “can afford” this.
Is the Liberal tax policy on small business that there is no problem or issue here, and that small businesses can afford this?
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- Dec/10/21 12:02:25 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, let us be clear. The CPP enhancement represents a major step in improving retirement outcomes for workers and reducing the uncertainty that many Canadians feel about being able to save for retirement. It addresses important challenges faced by young Canadians who are saving for retirement, such as declining workplace pension plans and prolonged periods of low interest rates. It strengthens one of the most successful social programs we have as Canadians.
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- Dec/10/21 12:02:53 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the Liberals plan to limit the amount of fertilizer that farmers can use. Any plan to reduce emissions must not reduce maximum crop potential. Canadian farmers are among the most efficient users of fertilizers in the world, but instead of working with them the current government is threatening the future of our agriculture industry. The bigger the crop, the bigger the paycheque.
Does the agriculture minister know how much her cap on fertilizers will cost farm families and rural communities?
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- Dec/10/21 12:03:30 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, farm families are absolutely at the very heart of all of our communities across the country. Supporting them, particularly through this very difficult time of the pandemic, has been a top priority for the government. We are going to continue to support farm families all across this country.
I thank my hon. colleague for raising this very important issue.
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- Dec/10/21 12:03:55 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, many seniors in my riding are frustrated. The CERB was supposed to help those who were in financial need. Instead, after collecting the CERB, many seniors received a letter to pay it back and lost their guaranteed income supplement. Now, through no fault of their own, they are strapped for cash, because the current government poorly explained how the CERB would affect their pensions.
When will the government stand up for our seniors instead of the fraudsters of the CERB? Is this because of the member for Calgary Skyview?
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- Dec/10/21 12:04:30 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, since the beginning of the pandemic we have told Canadians, particularly seniors, that we would be there for them as long as they needed, and that is exactly what we are doing. We have always prioritized the most vulnerable seniors by strengthening their GIS. We provided immediate and direct support to seniors this summer.
When it comes to the issue the member raised with respect to the CERB and the GIS, we are aware of it and are working to find the best solution for those affected. As always, we will be there for seniors.
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- Dec/10/21 12:05:00 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, many Canadians are struggling to find affordable housing, especially in my riding of Niagara Centre. Yesterday, the Conservatives decided to play political games while bringing their motion that did not even mention affordable housing. It proposed no constructive ideas, showing just how out of touch they are on this issue.
Can the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion please tell the House about our government's real, concrete plan to address this issue?
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- Dec/10/21 12:05:42 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Niagara Centre for his advocacy on this important issue.
Since coming into office, we have invested over $27 billion in affordable housing and have helped over a million families find the housing that they need. Despite the petty political games from the Conservative Party, we have a real housing plan that includes a new $4-billion housing accelerator fund, a more flexible first-time homebuyers program and a rent-to-own program.
We will not rest until every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home.
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- Dec/10/21 12:06:15 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is clear the RCMP is in need of serious reform. The RCMP has often taken concerning approaches that endanger Canadians rather than keeping them safe.
In the previous Parliament, the public safety committee released a report on systemic racism in policing in Canada. The report called for an overhaul of the RCMP, including better civilian oversight and a transition away from a paramilitary force.
Will the Minister of Public Safety implement these recommendations so that the RCMP can better serve all communities?
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- Dec/10/21 12:06:53 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleague and all members in the chamber on this important issue.
Throughout the election as well as now, we were and are committed to ensuring that there is an appropriate degree of oversight, transparency, equity and representation within the RCMP. I have already had a number of important discussions with the commissioner as well as with other senior members of her executive team.
We are going to continue to work with the RCMP to ensure that we provide top, world-class law enforcement right across the country so that we can have public safety for all Canadians.
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- Dec/10/21 12:07:43 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, on a point of order. I think all members in the House ought to have respect for the rules and traditions of this place. What we just saw was the member for Niagara Centre ask a question during question period as a parliamentary secretary. Precedence in this places states that parliamentary secretaries cannot ask questions of their own government.
I would draw the Speaker's attention to Hansard, page 3,103, February 4, 2005, when the Speaker ruled, “Order, please. I am afraid this is my mistake, but of course a parliamentary secretary cannot ask a question of his own cabinet.”
I expect that the Liberal government will have more respect for this place in the future.
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- Dec/10/21 12:08:26 p.m.
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Excuse me, but the hon. member had an opportunity to put his point forward, and I hope that side of the House will allow the hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader to speak.
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- Dec/10/21 12:08:52 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opposition bringing this to our attention, and we will do our best to make sure it does not happen in the future.
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