44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 19, 2022 10:00AM
- May/19/22 11:18:22 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Liberals' management of the borders, I think we can agree that they dragged their feet a lot. They dragged their feet when it came time to close the border, and they are still dragging their feet on implementing an effective reopening plan. I would like to hear what the parliamentary secretary has to say about the government's border management, because the Auditor General issued a number of rather damning reports. They talk about a lack of testing at the borders, a lack of response to the emergence of new variants, a lack of quarantining when waves were at their peak, a lack of service in French from the companies responsible for screening, a lack of coordination with quarantine hotels, delays in providing screening test results, a shortage of staff to ensure compliance with home quarantine orders, and little or no follow-up with travellers who failed to follow quarantine orders.
I would like to hear the parliamentary secretary's comments on that. She could read the notes that her party gave her to tell us how the government is responding to that report from the Auditor General.
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- May/19/22 11:19:21 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for that important question.
As we have said before, since the beginning of the pandemic, our government has focused on the health and safety of Canadians by following the latest science. Canada's border measures will remain flexible and adaptable, guided by science and prudence. We are currently reviewing the Auditor General's report. I have no doubt that Transport Canada and the minister will do the right thing.
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- May/19/22 12:41:43 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, through you, I want to ask the hon. member this. There are countries and allies, such as the U.K., that have entirely removed their border measures and restrictions, yet have witnessed similar scenes at airports that we are witnessing and that the hon. member and many members across the aisle have mentioned today. They have long delays. They have missed flights. Can he explain why that is the case if they have removed those measures? Why is that the situation in the U.K.?
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- May/19/22 12:43:03 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am curious. As the member goes into the summer tourism season, and as we see U.S. border protections being reduced by 20%, and as we see a lack of Canadian customs officials in place at this point in time, and as we see the lineups that keep getting longer at every border as travel increases, how is that going to impact his tourism sector and his riding in general?
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- May/19/22 4:47:08 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity, and I commend my colleague across the way. Just last week, we were both rising in the House to speak on a matter and were in agreement and shared some commonality. It is always a good thing when that happens.
With regard to this matter, the challenge before us is that many people, even in my riding of Tobique—Mactaquac, which is a border riding, are being crushed by the ongoing restrictions and mandates at the federal level. They affect tourism and are even affecting families. Some seniors have difficulty with the ArriveCAN app and the confusion it is causing. It is an unnecessary burden and weight.
When we have asked repeatedly for the Prime Minister to provide the science behind, and rationale for, keeping these restrictions and mandates in place, he has not provided any. We have international precedents from countries all over the EU, our biggest trading partner south of the border and countries all around the world that have dropped restrictions and mandates.
Why is Canada behind the rest of the world and not following the science that has been clearly established everywhere else? I ask that of my hon. colleague.
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- May/19/22 5:03:13 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, what we have is a mess of the government's own making. It is a government that has refused to provide a timeline. It has kept in place these travel restrictions, which are clearly having a negative impact, evidenced by the enormous concern raised by industry leaders.
Given that that member sits on the government's side and represents a riding near the Canada-U.S. border, I would put it to him that perhaps he should focus on addressing these very real issues, issues that are hurting our economy, damaging our reputation and making the lives of everyday Canadians miserable.
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