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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 75

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 19, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 75 - May/19/22
Mr. Gord Johns
  • May/19/22 10:48:46 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the government created an expert task force on substance use. It included police chiefs, top medical health professionals, people who work on the front lines, people who use drugs, family members who have lost loved ones and experts on substance use. The minister has not even read the executive summary of its report, which she admitted earlier. My question is this. Will the minister do the right thing and at least read the report? It does include a safer supply. Will she support my bill, and at least getting it to committee, to listen to the experts and to see if there is a way that her cabinet post and her department can contribute to saving lives?
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Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 10:49:31 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I appreciate the impact that this is having. I am, as a part of this government, always willing to work to address this crisis. However, we have made investments and taken measures, and these investments are making a significant difference. There is more that is going to be done, and I know that the minister responsible is taking strong action. I look forward to the future steps we are going to take, but significant investments have been made, with $800 million since 2015 in this regard.
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Mr. Gord Johns
  • May/19/22 10:50:17 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, does the minister think that her government is doing a good job in responding to the toxic drug supply crisis?
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Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 10:50:23 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I think that our government is seized with this, and we are going to continue to implement further measures in addition to the $800 million that we have committed. I know that the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions is working very hard on this matter.
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Mr. Gord Johns
  • May/19/22 10:50:40 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, Canada's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires substantial carbon reductions across all economic sectors. Changing how we look at public infrastructure can unlock previously overlooked pollution-reduction opportunities while supporting Canadian manufacturers and creating the conditions for them to thrive in the low-carbon global marketplace. This government committed to buy clean in the last election, and creating a buy clean strategy was identified as a priority in the mandate letters of three ministers. However, creating a buy clean strategy is not mentioned in the minister's departmental plan for 2022-23. Can she speak to that?
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Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 10:51:19 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, as I have said, we have taken significant steps in procurement. We know that there is work that we can do, and we are undertaking that work. The work has led to a 57.6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 19% reduction in the remaining emissions expected by 2025 with our national clean electricity initiative, and an additional decrease of 40% by 2025 by modernizing the heating and cooling systems of buildings in the national capital region through the energy services acquisition program.
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Mr. Gord Johns
  • May/19/22 10:51:57 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, when can we see buy clean policies that build climate considerations into public infrastructure and spending that rewards Canadian climate leaders and supports the transition of Canada's industries? I am not talking about TMX here.
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Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 10:52:15 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, to develop a buy clean strategy for Canada's infrastructure projects, PSPC is working with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's centre for greening government; National Resources Canada; Infrastructure Canada; Innovation, Science and Economic Development; and the National Research Council.
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Mr. Gord Johns
  • May/19/22 10:52:36 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I have been fortunate to sit on the OGGO committee, and we have heard that, right now, the federal government does not have a program for airplane recycling or for shipbreaking here in Canada. There are regulations that the EU has when it comes to shipbreaking, for example, and also standards in the Basel Convention. Would the member work with me on getting the government to commit to the EU ship recycling regulation program on all procurement for all federal military vessels?
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Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 10:53:08 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I think the member knows that I am a person with a very collaborative spirit. This place functions best when we work collaboratively and work together. I am always open to discuss ideas and so, of course, I will move forward and have conversations with the member about that topic and any other topic related to my file.
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Mr. Gord Johns
  • May/19/22 10:53:33 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the minister. It has been four hours, and I want to commend her for standing here and taking very difficult questions. I think we all look forward to working with the minister on the difficult issues facing our country, and I look forward to that collaboration as well.
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Hon. Filomena Tassi
  • May/19/22 10:53:55 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I want to express my gratitude to everyone in the House, the workers at the table, the pages and everyone who has spent time here this evening. I appreciate that support and their efforts. I hope that everyone has a really happy and enjoyable long weekend.
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The Chair
  • May/19/22 10:54:12 p.m.
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I, too, want to thank everyone for their participation tonight, including the members, the minister, the minister's staff and, of course, all of our colleagues who participated in this debate this evening. It being 10:54 p.m., pursuant to an order made earlier today in Standing Order 81(4), all votes are deemed reported. The committee will now rise, and I will leave the chair.
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The Deputy Speaker
  • May/19/22 10:54:52 p.m.
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The House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). (The House adjourned at 10:54 p.m.)
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