SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 75

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 19, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 75 - May/19/22
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:38:03 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, in 2018, we implemented the policy on ethical procurement of apparel. The contract security program provides security screening for personnel and organizations to safeguard protected classified information. PSPC, when contracting, includes—
34 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • May/19/22 8:38:18 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.
9 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:38:20 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, going back to Supermax, the British and American governments both discontinued purchases from Supermax long before the Canadian government did. The government claims that it only became aware of concerns about forced labour at Supermax after the Americans and the British had already discontinued purchases from Supermax. Why was the government not following the policies of our allies in this respect?
63 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:38:42 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, what I will confirm is that as soon as allegations are made clear to us, we respond to those and we take those allegations very seriously.
28 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:38:54 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, if the U.S. and the British governments had discontinued purchases, and the minister says the Government of Canada was not even aware that there were allegations, how is it that we are so far behind our allies in terms of being aware of these concerns?
48 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:39:09 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, again, I will reiterate: when we hear of allegations, we take those allegations very seriously. We have terms in the contract that allow us to terminate the contracts. We act on allegations that we hear.
37 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:39:23 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, it seems that the government should be listening to what our allies are doing and actually paying attention better to what is going on around the world. An independent analysis completed for the government last year by the University of Nottingham Rights Lab found that only five of 48 vendors had appropriate policies in place to mitigate risks around human trafficking and forced labour. Why do so few of our vendors have appropriate policies in place, and yet why have we only discontinued, as far as I am aware, one contract?
93 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:39:50 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, what I would say is that we have implemented a number of measures in this regard to eradicate forced labour. Four ministers have mandate commitments in their mandate letters to move forward with the eradication of forced labour. For me, in PSPC, I am going to do everything I can to prevent forced labour in the supply chains. We have made progress and we are going to continue to move forward.
73 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:40:18 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, the minister notes promises in mandate letters to bring forward future legislation. We do not have a timeline around that legislation, when it comes in, but meanwhile we are purchasing products from companies where our allies have already noticed and said that there is a problem with forced labour in their supply chain. Minister, that simply is not good enough. Does the government purchase any products at all that are produced in Xinjiang?
75 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • May/19/22 8:40:40 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. member has to address questions and comments to the Chair. The hon. minister.
15 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:40:46 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, the member is being selective in repeating the things that I am saying. I am talking about the commitments and the progress that we have made. We have made progress. We have a code of conduct. We have provisions in our contracts that say if forced labour is used, then the contract is terminated. We have extended CUSMA obligations with respect to forced labour. We are moving.
69 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:41:12 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, there are provisions in contracts that allow the termination of contracts, and contracts are simply not being terminated. My last question was this: Does the government purchase any products that are produced in Xinjiang?
36 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:41:25 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, again, when we find out about forced labour issues that are raised to us, we take those seriously. We investigate those, and we will not procure product—
30 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • May/19/22 8:41:38 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. member.
3 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:41:40 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, again, that is not an answer, but on another question, does the government purchase any products produced by Nuctech, and has the government purchased any surveillance cameras or other security equipment made in China?
36 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:41:54 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, with respect to Nuctech, let me say that the safety and security of embassies is important. No contract has been issued. All issues regarding the security will be—
31 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • May/19/22 8:42:08 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. member.
3 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:42:10 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, I want to be very clear, because I am not just asking about embassies. I am asking in general, across government procurement. Has any part of the government purchased products produced by Nuctech or purchased any surveillance cameras or other security equipment made in China?
47 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 8:42:28 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, let me be very clear. There were seven bidders. Three were compliant. Nuctech was one of them, so they are on the standing order but with no call-ups, so there is no contract with Nuctech.
38 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/19/22 8:42:42 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, does that include CBSA?
6 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border