44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 31, 2022 10:00AM
- May/31/22 2:34:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we all agree that French is at risk all across the country.
We are here to protect French in Quebec, of course, but also in minority communities outside of Quebec. In the interests of consistency, if we are protecting francophone minority communities across Quebec, then we must also be there to protect minority anglophone communities in Quebec. Our approach is consistent. We will always be there to protect minorities across the country.
This is why we have the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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- May/31/22 2:34:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that the government has approved British Columbia's request to decriminalize drugs in small amounts.
It took 27,000 overdose deaths in six years for the government to finally see reason. However, there are also families burying their loved ones in other provinces. My colleague from Courtenay—Alberni has introduced a bill that will be voted on tomorrow and that proposes a federal public health response.
Will the government stop playing with people's lives and support our bill tomorrow? It is a matter of life and death.
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- May/31/22 2:35:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the opioid crisis has severely affected the families and communities of those we have lost to overdoses.
Our approach follows other steps we have taken previously to address the opioid crisis, including investments of more than $800 million in community-led harm reduction, treatment and prevention initiatives. We also just approved British Columbia's request to decriminalize the personal possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs in the province.
We will continue to work with all provinces and jurisdictions to save lives and end this crisis.
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- May/31/22 2:36:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has finally approved British Columbia's request to decriminalize simple possession of controlled substances after dragging its feet for months. This is an important step to stop the harms of failed drug policy, but we are dealing with a national crisis. There are thousands of families burying their loved ones outside of B.C. Provincial and local governments should not have to fill the void of federal leadership. Lives are at stake. A patchwork approach is completely irresponsible.
Will the government save lives by supporting my bill tomorrow for a national health-based approach to substance use?
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- May/31/22 2:36:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that problematic substance use is a public health issue. We are working with partners to advance a multi-faceted health-based strategy to end the overdose and toxic drug supply crisis. That is why we have approved the B.C. proposal to decriminalize personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs within the province.
There is, of course, more to do, and we are taking action with a range of provinces and territories as well as other partners to end this ongoing tragedy. We know that we need to move forward on proper supports and that is what we are doing with B.C. We look forward to talking with other provinces about that as well.
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- May/31/22 2:37:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when the government is asked about inflation and the cost of living, it continually downplays the real struggle that Canadians face while referring to the strength of the economy. However, now reports confirm what Canadians are feeling. In March, the economy grew by just 0.7%, in April the economy nearly stalled and inflation is at 30-year highs.
What does the Minister of Finance have to say to Canadians who are struggling with inflation and who are now facing a slowing economy? Is relief on the way?
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- May/31/22 2:38:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have to urge a bit of economic literacy among the members opposite. The reality is that in data released today, the Canadian economy grew by 3.1% on an annualized basis in the first quarter of this year. That is the highest growth rate in the G7, a very impressive performance. I want to thank Canadians for their hard work, which has led to that strength in our economy.
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- May/31/22 2:38:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, has the minister seen the price of gasoline lately? Of course she has not; she has a chauffeur. However, in Vancouver it is as high as $2.35 per litre. A huge chunk of that cost is GST and the carbon tax. That is a tax on a tax.
The Conservatives have asked the Prime Minister to suspend GST on gasoline purchases. He refused. The only winner is the Liberal government, which is raking in billions in extra taxes but is refusing to share that windfall with Canadian families.
Why have the Prime Minister and the government so badly failed Canadians in their time of need?
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- May/31/22 2:39:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have tremendous respect for the member for Abbotsford, but I must say that his economic analysis here is just off. The reality is that a price on pollution is the most effective way to fight climate change. The IMF, among others, has recognized the Canadian approach as an international model. That money goes back directly to Canadians. In Ontario, where I am an MP, a family of four will get $745 back. In Alberta, it is more than $1,000.
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- May/31/22 2:40:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, with that answer, I suggest that it sounds like the minister is not speaking to Canadians whatsoever.
Gas prices are hitting record levels and Canadians are struggling to fill their tanks. The Prime Minister likes to point the finger elsewhere. The reality is that taxes on fuel are lining his government's pockets on the backs of hard-working Canadians. The latest carbon tax hike could not have come at a worse time and is even more punishing for constituents like mine, who live in rural Canada.
Will the Prime Minister offer Canadians some much-needed relief and finally abandon his failed carbon tax?
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- May/31/22 2:41:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the question because it gives me an opportunity to remind members of the fact that the price on pollution goes back directly to Canadian families. A family of four in Saskatchewan, for example, will get $1,100 back. In Alberta it is $1,079. In Manitoba it is $832. In Ontario, which I represent, it is $745. That is real money going back into the pockets of Canadian families.
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives care about Canadian creators, but the Liberals continue to ignore the negative impacts of Bill C-11. This morning, digital creator and 47-year-old skateboarding mom Oorbee Roy told this to the committee: “not only does this bill not help me; it hurts me and actively undermines my needs.... I literally have never gotten a seat at the table, except now. As a digital creator, I'm getting a seat at the table. Representation matters.... Please don't suppress my voice.”
Will the government do the right thing and fully exempt user-generated content and remove proposed section 4.2 from Bill C-11?
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Mr. Speaker, let us talk about representation. Yesterday, we heard a troubling revelation at committee. An organization dedicated to opposing Bill C-11 admitted that it was paid by YouTube and TikTok, but they claimed to represent exactly that, digital creators, saying they were grassroots. That is called astroturfing. Of course, this was never revealed before, and it raises serious questions. Did the Conservatives know this when they invited that organization?
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Mr. Speaker, what Conservatives know is that we will always stand up for our creative industries and fight on their behalf, so we can see Canadian creators succeed here at home and around the globe.
Yesterday at committee, communications expert Monica Auer said, “gaps in Bill C-11 will make current serious problems with the CRTC's transparency, accountability and timing even worse” and “court challenges of its implementation by the CRTC will create long delays and cost Canada and those working in its creative sectors quite dearly.”
Will the government stand up for new creative industries, admit that its strategy is flawed and fully exempt user-generated content?
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Mr. Speaker, we are standing up for them, as we are standing up for other cultural workers, for producers, for actors, and for our technicians, which is something the Conservatives cannot do. They cannot say they are going to support Bill C-11 because it is important to tell their stories, because it is important for music, or because it is important for television. They never said that, and they never will.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals claim that user-generated content will be exempt from regulation under Bill C-11.
However, the bill states in black and white that the CRTC will have the power to regulate all content that directly or indirectly generates revenues. This means that almost all content will be regulated. Experts are against the idea.
Can the minister categorically assure us that all user-generated content will be exempt, yes or no?
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Mr. Speaker, I have been clear on this since day one: The platforms have obligations, but the users do not.
Platforms are in; users are out.
It has been extremely clear since the beginning.
However, there is one thing I am wondering about. I respect my colleague very much. He comes from Quebec and knows how important Bill C‑11 is, yet he refuses to support the government in its efforts to defend Quebec's culture and the French fact in television production and in music.
I am both surprised at my colleague and disappointed in him.
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Mr. Speaker, Bill C‑21 on gun control is a step forward, and the Bloc Québécois will work with the minister to improve it, but nothing has been resolved today. Assault weapons have not been banned.
To this day, the mandatory buyback program remains nothing but a promise. It is not in the bill. To this day, there is no clear definition of what an assault weapon is, so new models can circumvent the rules. If Bill C‑21 were passed today, assault weapons would remain in circulation.
Does the minister agree that these gaps absolutely must be addressed?
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Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank my colleague for her offer to work together on Bill C‑21. It represents a significant step forward in our work to address gun violence.
With respect to the issues that my colleague pointed out regarding the mandatory buyback, we will begin taking meaningful next steps immediately to ensure that we get these assault weapons out of communities. It is the right thing to do.
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Mr. Speaker, let us not lose sight of the fact that Bill C‑21 does not adequately address the crux of the problem that we have in Quebec right now, which is illegal guns.
Illegal guns are coming across the border, getting into the hands of organized crime and evading oversight. There will not be any freeze or buyback of these guns. It is looking like 2022 will end up being the most violent year in Montreal's recent history.
Can the minister really guarantee that the measures in Bill C‑21 will be enough to stop this trend?
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