44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 20, 2023 10:00AM
- Oct/20/23 11:59:17 a.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the government will always stand up for human rights. This is why we created the CORE to maintain social responsibility of businesses around the world. This is why we will continue always to ensure that when Canadians and others are doing business around the world, particularly mining companies, we will always stand up for human rights everywhere, all the time.
62 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 11:59:46 a.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, CORE, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, does not even have the authority to call witnesses.
I went to Colombia in 2021 as part of a human rights mission. I can confirm that there are some disturbing accounts there. Ottawa has no idea what is happening with the mining companies abroad. Export Development Canada has no checks and balances or credible monitoring.
Ottawa needs to tighten the accountability and transparency requirements of the companies it funds in countries where human rights are being violated.
In the immediate term, will it listen to Amnesty International and restrict EDC investments in Canadian mining companies in Colombia?
106 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:00:27 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we have very strong export control mechanisms. We always stand up for human rights. The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise was created specifically so that we can work together with businesses.
We know that there are ways in which that can be strengthened. This is exactly why we are listening. It is why, when the Subcommittee on International Human Rights did a study, the government accepted those recommendations regarding CORE.
We will work together with every member of the House to ensure that Canada and Canadians, when we are abroad, stand for human rights.
96 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:01:10 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the current government and the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister, it is no surprise that the Liberals' billion-dollar green slush fund is lining the pockets of Liberal insiders and is now under investigation. Annette Verschuren is a good friend of the Prime Minister and chair of the board that is doling out taxpayer cash. However, it turns out that her own company received millions from that same fund. The Prime Minister simply is not worth the cost.
How many other Liberal insiders got rich with this green slush fund?
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:01:52 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I know that Canadians are wising up to the fact that the Conservatives are just not worth the risk, but let me answer the member's question by saying this: When the minister became aware of the allegations of mismanagement at SDTC, he immediately acted and commissioned a review. The review resulted in an action plan that the executive will now implement by December, and we expect the highest standards of excellence in governance from all of our federal agencies.
82 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:02:28 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, this is the same scandal that has whistle-blowers pleading for legal and career protection after exposing the latest scandal in this billion-dollar boondoggle. We know that everyone from the board chair to the CEO is in a conflict of interest. They all protect each other and they all make money, and it is all on the backs of Canadians. The Prime Minister simply is not worth the cost.
Will the Prime Minister guarantee these whistle-blowers the same protection afforded to whistle-blowers in Canada's public service?
92 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:03:12 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, when the minister became aware of the allegations of mismanagement in this particular case, he immediately acted to commission a third party independent review of SDTC. That review produced an action plan that, now, SDTC will implement by December. That will make a substantive difference to addressing the mismanagement. The highest standards of governance are the expectations that Canadians should have, and that is exactly what our government is doing.
76 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:04:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, what Canadians expect is that whistle-blowers, when they bring to light corruption within the Liberal government, will be afforded protection, but we have seen before how the government treats the rule of law. The Prime Minister blocked the RCMP from pursuing a criminal investigation into Liberal corruption by hiding documents from them. If anyone else hid documents from the RCMP, they would end up in handcuffs, but with the Liberals, what we see is the continuation of that cover-up. After eight years, he is a Prime Minister who is not worth the cost to our democratic institutions.
What evidence is the Prime Minister so desperate to hide from the RCMP, and why does he think he is above the law?
124 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:04:59 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is no surprise that what the member falsely claims is something that we take issue with. Earlier this year when the minister became aware of the allegations of mismanagement, he acted immediately and decided to conduct a fact-finding exercise through an impartial third party review. That third party produced a report, and that report has now resulted in an action plan that is being implemented. That is going to make a substantial difference in addressing the issues that have been identified.
Let us make one thing clear: We expect the highest standards of governance from all federal agencies, and that is exactly what we are standing up for.
112 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:05:40 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the well-being of veterans and their families will always be a priority for our government. We know that Canadians across the country also want to help those who have given so much to our country. Whether through organizations that provide housing, mental health services or assistance for the transition to civilian life, Canadians are stepping up to support our heroes.
Can the Minister of Veterans Affairs tell the House how our government is helping those who support our veterans?
82 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:06:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for his question. He is absolutely right. Canadians and other veterans are stepping up to help those who have served our country. Through the veteran and family well-being fund, we have been able to invest in innovative projects, such as the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, which will support mental health among veterans.
This fund is helping veterans and their families from coast to coast to coast, with supports in areas ranging from mental health to housing, and we will not stop there.
96 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:06:51 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court has affirmed every argument regarding the overreach of the government's disastrous Impact Assessment Act. Its effect has been over $100 billion of projects cancelled. No major projects have proceeded, and 42 projects are in limbo. First nations cannot get roads built to their communities. This bullheaded ideology has broken Canada's regulatory system.
After eight years, will the NDP-Liberal government finally take a lesson, abide by the Constitution and stay in its lane?
80 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:07:28 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, after a decade of the Harper government, the Conservatives gutted environmental regulation and still got nothing built.
The government is continuing to review the ruling and will have more information to share soon about aligning existing legislation with the Supreme Court's ruling. We have previously said that the current system will remain in place. We will have more to share soon, including any changes or guidance on the project.
The Conservatives have zero credibility on the environment. They are just not worth the risk.
87 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:07:59 p.m.
- Watch
Once again, before we continue with questions, I will ask members to please limit their comments to the people who have the floor.
The hon. member for Calgary Centre.
29 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:08:08 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I would advise the member across the way that the last project, which was built was in 2016, was under the previous government's environmental assessment regime, LNG Canada.
The chief justice is clear in his statement. He says, very clearly, that the federal government cannot overstep its boundaries into provincial jurisdiction. Who else has said that this bill was an immense overreach? Every province, over 100 first nations, industry groups across the country, the Conservative Party and anyone who can read the Constitution has said this.
Will the NDP-Liberal government finally accept the decision, respect provinces and stay in its lane?
105 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:08:50 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as stated earlier, when the Conservatives were in office, they gutted environmental protection, eroded public trust, discouraged investment and made it harder, not easier, to build projects. This is why we delivered better rules for environmental assessments to help move projects forward. While we are making amendments to the act, the Supreme Court was clear: “Parliament can enact legislation to protect the environment”.
The Conservative Party's plan to eliminate environmental protections and disregard indigenous rights is reckless and unacceptable. The Leader of the Opposition is not worth the risk.
94 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:09:31 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, this week, the Netherlands agreed to buy liquefied natural gas from the Middle Eastern dictatorship of Qatar for the next 27 years. Last week, France agreed to buy LNG from Qatar for the same amount of time. This is in addition to similar LNG deals that Germany recently signed with Middle Eastern dictatorships.
After eight years, does the Liberal-NDP government still believe that there is no business case for Canadian LNG exports?
75 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:10:11 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is really shameful that the Conservative Party would use this humanitarian situation to peddle conspiracy theories.
We need to work with our allies to deliver the clean energy they are asking for, whether it is hydrogen or reactors. If the member of the opposition actually cared about supporting Canadian energy and allies, they would not have voted against Bill C-49, which has created good jobs, improved global security and helped our allies.
76 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:10:48 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we know that some Canadians are really struggling with the cost of living, and I recognize the outstanding support of our Muslim Food Bank, the Surrey Food Bank and the Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Fleetwood—Port Kells, all stepping up to provide relief in Surrey and the South of Fraser area. Their efforts complement steps our government has also taken to help with the community and help them cope.
For those looking to us for help through these tough times, can the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development tell us what Canadians should expect next?
100 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/20/23 12:11:24 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I have great news. Today, 3.5 million Canadians and over six million children will receive the Canada child benefit.
I know that raising children is expensive, especially now, when the cost of necessities is high. Since 2016, this benefit has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. This is just one more way that the government is supporting Canadian families.
65 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
