44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 4, 2022 10:00AM
Mr. Speaker, we know that every dollar spent on infrastructure is an investment in our communities and it is an investment to fight climate change. When it comes to the Canada Infrastructure Bank, this bank has received over $6.7 billion in private and institutional investments. Those investments are going to go a long way to ensure that we are building the type of infrastructure that is truly transformational, addresses climate change and creates an economy for the future.
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- Mar/4/22 11:46:42 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Gordie Howe bridge being built in my riding of Windsor West offers huge potential for the creation of good Canadian jobs and a boost to our economy. However, the government is considering using foreign steel for two parts of this project, despite promises that Canadian steel would be the priority.
Instead of creating Canadian jobs, it is unconscionable that the Liberals would consider using sources with poor environmental records, poor human rights records and trade barriers to Canadian steel. Why will the government not keep its promise to use Canadian steel and create jobs for Canadian workers and their families, especially since Canadian taxpayers and families are paying for the entire project?
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- Mar/4/22 11:47:20 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when it comes to infrastructure, of course we are always going to focus on the ability to create good Canadian jobs here at home. As I said previously, every dollar invested in infrastructure in this country is an investment in our economic growth, an investment in our communities and an investment for workers and Canadians right here. That is our focus. That has been our focus since day one and we will continue to do so.
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- Mar/4/22 11:47:51 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, March 8 is International Women's Day, a time to celebrate women's and girls' achievements and crucial contributions to our society. International Women's Day is also a moment to raise awareness of the progress made toward gender equality and to look to the work that remains to be done for the equality of all women in Canada and abroad.
Can the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth comment on the importance of International Women's Day?
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- Mar/4/22 11:48:29 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, next Tuesday, Canada joins the world in celebrating International Women's Day. This year's theme is “Women Inspiring Women”.
Everywhere and in every area of our communities, women inspire us with their leadership and contributions to the fabric of our country, but inequalities abound and impact women the most. It is why International Women's Day is also a call to action, a push for all of us to create real change. That means working to eliminate gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and reducing the cost of child care.
It is also a time to reflect on trailblazers like Michaëlle Jean and Roberta Bondar. We thank them for paving the way and lifting as they rose.
The House will not be in session next week, so I will take the opportunity now to say happy International Women's Day.
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- Mar/4/22 11:49:24 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, last week, I spoke with a local business owner in Bancroft. Just like thousands of others in my riding, he had received his heating bill and was dumbfounded at what he saw. His bill had doubled over the previous month.
Owning and operating a business is 24-7. The government's policy of taxation on top of taxation is gouging rural Canadians. Many business owners and families are mere months away from bankruptcy. When will the government commit to stopping the planned tax increase on April 1?
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- Mar/4/22 11:50:07 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to the success of small businesses. I will remind that member that carbon pricing is revenue neutral federally. I will also remind that member that our government has had business owners' backs throughout the greatest economic shut-off that we have had since the Second World War. That is why there are actually more businesses operating today than there were before the pandemic even started.
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- Mar/4/22 11:50:31 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke with Scaletta Haulage, a small company in Tweed that hauls mostly agricultural products. They are close to a point where they will have to park their trucks because the cost of fuel is hitting them too hard. Last month, it was $12,000 to fuel two trucks. This month, it was $25,000 to fuel those same two trucks.
They wonder: Does the government really not care about the little guys keeping this country moving?
When will the government stop blaming others, take some ownership and present a plan for Canadians?
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- Mar/4/22 11:51:13 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we take supporting small businesses seriously. I would remind the member opposite that it was our government that lowered small business taxes from 11% to 9%. We have listened closely to businesses during the pandemic to make sure we had a suite of measures in place.
In fact, we focused on a health-based recovery. That has actually helped us have an economic-based recovery. Even though we lost three million jobs during the depths of the recession, we have now recovered 101% of that, while the United States has only recovered 87%.
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- Mar/4/22 11:51:44 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my constituents are not second-class citizens. The lack of cell coverage is unfathomable. The gap between rural and urban Canadians continues to widen.
The Prime Minister did not address this issue in his mandate letters for the Minister of Rural Economic Development, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry or even the Minister of Public Safety, which shows just how disconnected the government is from rural Canadians.
This is an issue not only in terms of fairness but also in terms of public safety. When will the government step up and show some real leadership on this issue?
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- Mar/4/22 11:52:20 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government does understand rural Canada. Since I have been appointed minister, I have done 37 round tables all throughout the country. The number one issue I hear is connectivity. We know that connectivity with reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet is the number one thing to build back better in rural Canada. We need it for keeping in touch, for kids doing homework and for our businesses, and, frankly, we are getting it done.
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- Mar/4/22 11:52:49 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my constituent Darren sent me the following message on how inflation is affecting his life. He said, “With payments, registration, repairs and fuel to drive to work there isn't much motivation to keep working. Then the government takes two thirds of my income for income taxes, CPP, EI and carbon tax. I will have to soon borrow money to be able to stay working.”
When will the Liberal government start listening to Canadians and stop these continual tax increases?
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- Mar/4/22 11:53:23 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government has been focused on affordability issues and issues around inflation. Since taking office, in fact, it was our government that implemented a thorough poverty strategy that lifted 1.3 million Canadians out of poverty.
We are investing in programs like child care, which is going to lower the cost of child care in B.C. by 50% by the end of this year. We are investing in the national housing strategy to make sure people can afford a place to live. These are all measures the Conservatives are not supporting, but that we are going to get done.
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- Mar/4/22 11:53:56 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, weir fishing is a precious part of Charlevoix's intangible heritage. Quebec's only two capelin fishers still practise this ancestral skill.
In the St. Lawrence estuary, capelin season starts in early April, but because Ottawa does not make any distinction between our two traditional fishers and those in Newfoundland, 2,000 kilometres to the north, our fishers are prohibited from fishing before the end of May or early June. The problem is that by the end of May, there is no capelin left in the St. Lawrence.
If the season is not moved up for our two fishers, this national tradition will disappear. Will the minister authorize weir fishers to fish for capelin in Charlevoix starting April 1?
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- Mar/4/22 11:54:41 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question and will take her comments into consideration.
We use the best scientific data available, in consultation with the industry, to determine the opening dates for all of our fishing seasons. I know how important the fisheries are to our coastal communities, and I will work with the fishers to ensure they can remain economically sustainable in the long term.
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- Mar/4/22 11:55:22 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there is a world of difference between the Newfoundland fishers, who catch 9,000 tonnes of capelin a year, and our two traditional fishers, who catch less than 50. However, Ottawa puts them all in the same boat.
Our two remaining weir capelin fishers have never been consulted or invited to participate in the scientific consultation about the start of their fishing season. They must be included in the decision-making process. In the meantime, will the minister immediately grant them special authorization to begin fishing on April 1?
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- Mar/4/22 11:55:57 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I already stated, we use the best scientific data. We are holding consultations with the industry all along the east and west coasts and in the Arctic. That is a very clear rule.
We will establish the opening dates based on science and the scientists we will be consulting. Fishing will be equitable—
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- Mar/4/22 11:56:38 a.m.
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Order. The hon. member for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock.
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- Mar/4/22 11:56:44 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, despite some of the highest vaccination rates in the world, the federal government refuses to remove its travel mandates. Canadians returning home from the U.S. at land border crossings without a COVID test result could be fined $5,000.
Yesterday, 15 border mayors called for an end to the testing requirements. Many European countries and Canadian provinces have already ditched their mandates. Canada's chief medical officer of health said that we need to empower people to make the best choices to protect themselves.
Can the health minister tell the House what information he has that other jurisdictions already returning to normal do not?
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- Mar/4/22 11:57:23 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to answer that question.
As the member may know, I come from the wonderful Quebec City. I am very proud of the strong workers, people and partners working for my tourism industry. I understand it is also an important industry for the member. I look forward to further measures, but I would also point out that on Monday, just a few days ago, we announced important measures that are going to protect workers and travellers and invest in our tourism industry.
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