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Results: 661 - 720 of 889
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the period surrounding October 1970 was very difficult for all Quebeckers, but this is an opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come since then.
We can be proud that we live in a country where we choose to express our ideas in a peaceful, non-violent way, and we can be proud that we live in a country where the government allows democratic discussions like the one we are having in the House today.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question.
As our country is in the midst of the second wave of this pandemic, now is really the time to be thinking about our seniors once again. Yes, our women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces stepped up in the spring to protect our seniors. Today, we must continue to work with the provinces and territories to protect our seniors during this difficult second wave.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is right that there have been particular concerns about how our elders have fared in for-profit long-term care facilities. We cannot turn a blind eye to this, and I very much agree that all options need to be on the table when we think about how we run, operate and regulate our long-term care facilities in the future.
The lives of our elders must be a priority. Our country as a whole has not done well enough, and we need to do better going forward.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me start where the member opposite started, which is something that is so important for this government: jobs for Canadians.
Let me point out to everyone in the House that the job recovery in Canada has been stronger than in the United States. TD pointed this out in a report that it issued on October 20. This is what was said:
No matter how you slice the data, the Canadian labour market has been on a steadier road to recovery relative to the U.S. This is true for both full and part-time employment despite similar depths of decline.
We are working hard for Canadians and Canadian jobs.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, what is really important is for Canadians to understand that our work to support Canadian jobs is working. Canada has recovered particularly on employment, which is such an important measure for us all. Canada has recovered much more strongly than the economy with which we are most connected, the United States, and more strongly than economists predicted. That is because Canadians want to work hard. They are working hard, and it is because we have put the economic measures in place to allow that jobs rebound to happen.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the people of Nova Scotia and, I believe, the people of all of Canada strongly agree on one thing, and that is that all of us want a peaceful, constructive solution to the fisheries dispute in Nova Scotia. All of us appreciate the huge priority of honouring the rights of indigenous people and first nations in our country. All of us also understand the importance of conservation. That is the approach our government will take.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to hear the leader of the official opposition talk about the importance of ending boil water advisories. I noted that he spoke about how this problem has been going on for 25 years. That is a time of both Liberal and Conservative governments.
I would say we have a shared responsibility, all members in this House, to address the huge historical injustices against indigenous people. We are working hard to end the boil water advisories, and we will end them.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I do not find it hard to face the facts about authoritarian communist regimes. I have lived in one, and I have reported on them extensively. When it comes to China, let me say a few things.
First and foremost, our government is standing up for the 300,000 Canadians in Hong Kong. Let me say to them that we are with them. They are Canadian and our government will always support them. Let me also say how appalled our government is by the treatment of Uighurs. We are going to speak up for human rights everywhere in the world.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important for all members of the House to be aware of the difference between a democracy and an authoritarian country. Democracies are more transparent.
I want to stress the importance of the 300,000 Canadians in Hong Kong right now. We are with them, and our government will always be with them.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me just say that it is either ignorance or pure partisan insinuation to, in any way, suggest any similarity between a democratic government of Canada and the leadership of a communist regime, between any Canadian Parliament and the authoritarian government of China.
We need to draw these lines very carefully, and we need to use words such as “democracy” and “transparency” with great care. I do. I would urge the members opposite to do the same.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciate the very important question.
I absolutely agree that SMEs need help to cover fixed costs. In the coming days, I will present measures to the House to help businesses. I hope the Bloc Québécois will vote in favour of these important measures.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we have already given a lot of help to SMEs across Canada, including through the emergency wage subsidy and the Canada emergency business account, which goes directly to SMEs. I agree that we need to do more, and we will in the coming days.
I hope all members in the House will support these important measures.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
I have to disagree with the member. True, the lack of clean drinking water in indigenous communities is a tragedy and a Canadian crisis. Our government is working on it. We have made progress, but we still have a lot of work to do, and we will do it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I cannot agree with one of the assertions of the leader of the NDP. I know that he knows that in our government, like his party and I believe like all members of this House, we all understand that the boil water advisories are a national tragedy and a national shame. Our government is working earnestly to get those advisories lifted. Ninety-one long-term advisories have been lifted since 2015, but I would be the first to admit that there is a lot more work to do and we are going to do it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me tell members what our economic policy is right now. Our economic policy is to do what is necessary to fight COVID and support Canadian workers while doing so. Our policy is working. Some 76% of jobs have now been recovered in Canada since the depths of the COVID recession, versus only 52% in the United States. We are going to keep doing what we are doing because it works.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives want to offer Canadians an economic policy of austerity in the face of COVID, they are more than welcome to do so.
Let me mention TD Economics and what it has to say about how our policies are working. It states, “No matter how...[we] slice the data, the Canadian labour market has been on a steadier road to recovery relative to the U.S.” The report concludes that perhaps the old adage, “When the U.S. sneezes, Canada catches a cold,” should be changed to, “When the U.S. sneezes, Canada builds antibodies.”
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, Canada is not at the back of the line.
Let me refresh the memories of the members opposite on the five rapid tests that we have already authorized: the bKIT virus finder from Hyris; the BD Veritor System from Becton, Dickinson and Company; the Abbott ID NOW; the Abbott Panbio; and the Xpert Xpress from Cepheid.
More tests are being looked at by our regulators every single day, and they are arriving in Canada every day.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me again remind the members opposite of the prompt action our government took as this novel coronavirus hit the world.
On January 2, PHAC spoke directly with all provincial health authorities. On January 14, PHAC convened a meeting of all provincial health authorities. On January 27, we had increased screening at major airports. On January 27, we also convened the incident response group. On January 28, we convened the special advisory committee of chief public health officers across the country. I can and will go on.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to address very directly the insinuation at the heart of that question. The suggestion that our government, in those dark days in the spring when we came together as a country to fight this novel global pandemic, was focused on anything other than protecting the health and safety of Canadians, while working closely with the provinces, territories and municipalities, is simply untrue.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me clear up a couple of things. The first is that I always put the health and safety of Canadians first. Let me say something else. I really believe that every single member of the House does the same thing. I know that we disagree on a number of policy issues, but I really believe that we are all here to serve Canadians. We understand that this is a moment of national crisis, and I really hope we can continue to put national interests first, as we did when we voted unanimously for the EI CERB changes.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a very clear and very accurate response regarding Mr. Baylis.
There is no contract between the public service, PSPC, and Baylis Medical. Public Services and Procurement Canada officials awarded that contract following a review and recommendation by a panel of experts.
Public Services and Procurement Canada has no part in the agreements reached between FTI Professional Grade and its other suppliers. That is the reality.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government's position is clear: anti-Black racism is both heinous and illegal.
We can never remain silent in the face of injustice. When these things happen, we must come together and acknowledge the lived experiences of our fellow Canadians and take action.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government and, I believe, all members of the House will obviously defend academic freedom. I am here together with many professors. I have a great deal of respect for universities and academia.
However, we must take stock of the reality. Systemic racism exists in our country and we must take action on this issue.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
Access to clean drinking water for all first nations is a priority for our government. We have worked on this issue and have made a lot of progress. I agree with the NDP member that a lot of work remains to be done, and we will work with first nations chiefs across Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I really believe that we as Canadians understand that it is a national outrage that there are still drinking water advisories for indigenous communities in our country. This problem was not created in a day and it is not going to be resolved in a day, but what I will say is this. Our government has worked hard and has had some success. It is not enough, and I am very happy to recommit today to the effort to ensure that all communities in Canada have water that is fit to drink.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me join the leader of the official opposition, all members of this House and indeed the vast majority of Canadians in condemning the appalling violence that has taken place.
Federal and provincial ministers are working together on solutions to maintain the peace and avoid any further violence. I am sure we all agree on the need for all parties to engage in respectful dialogue aimed at upholding the Marshall decision and the Mi'kmaq treaty right to fish while ensuring conservation and sustainability of the fishery.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we condemn the appalling violence that has taken place. Federal and provincial ministers are working together on solutions to maintain the peace and avoid any further violence. We agree on the need for all parties to engage in respectful dialogue aimed at upholding the Marshall decision and the Mi'kmaq treaty right to fish, while ensuring the conservation and sustainability of the fishery.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our stance on human rights and freedom of expression is very clear. That is why we have been clear on issues like the situation in Hong Kong and the treatment of the Uighurs. Obviously the Minister of Foreign Affairs has taken steps to clarify and officially convey Canada's point of view on the ambassador's comments. I want to emphasize that the government's decisions when it comes to immigration or any other domestic matter are made by Canada and Canada alone.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. Our government is clear and outspoken in our defence of human rights and free speech in Canada and around the world. That is why we have been steadfast in defending the protests in Hong Kong and the 300,000 Canadians who live there, and in protesting the treatment of the Uighurs.
Let me just say that the recent comments by the Chinese ambassador are not in any way in keeping with the spirit of appropriate diplomatic relations between two countries. Let me also add that Canada's decisions will be made by Canadians.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. I am well aware of the character of authoritarian communist regimes. I have lived in one and reported on it. Let me also be clear that when it comes to the treatment of the Uighurs, an ethnic Muslim minority that is being persecuted, Canada will always speak out clearly and without any reservation. Let me assure the 300,000 Canadians in Hong Kong that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, and we will stand with them.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with a global pandemic that has created the most serious economic crisis since the Second World War. We agree that it is appropriate for members to examine government spending. That is why the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons presented a reasonable proposal to his counterparts in order to start this work.
I hope that opposition MPs and the leadership of each party will work together to find a reasonable way forward.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me review the facts for you.
Officials turned over more than 5,000 pages of documents to the Standing Committee on Finance. Today, the Prime Minister released his speaking fees and expenses. The Prime Minister, his chief of staff and other officials appeared before committees to testify about this matter. That is transparency.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his very important question.
Our government strongly condemns the recent acts of violence in Nova Scotia. We have approved a request for assistance from the province to increase the RCMP presence as needed. These acts of violence will be thoroughly investigated, and the perpetrators will be held to account.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I very much agree with the member opposite that Canada has for decades and centuries failed the indigenous people in Canada, and it is time for us to put this right.
We condemn the appalling violence that has taken place, and let me say I believe the vast majority of Canadians feel exactly that way. I think we all also agree on the need for all parties to engage in respectful dialogue in upholding the Marshall decision and the Mi'kmaq treaty right to fish while ensuring the conservation and sustainability of the fishery. Let us work for that.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government is taking the pandemic very seriously. That is why we have been working day and night to procure the necessary supplies to combat the pandemic.
When it comes to ventilators, I must thank all Canadians who have worked very hard to manufacture these ventilators here in Canada and in my riding.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but that is not true.
The reality is that our government has procured a lot of ventilators both domestically and abroad. Now we have enough ventilators across the country to deal with the second wave. We will continue to procure ventilators, drugs and testing kits in order to be ready to help Canadians fight coronavirus.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our nurses, our doctors, our personal support workers are not just preparing to help us, they are helping us. They are fighting the second wave right now. That is why I am so grateful to all the Canadians who have thrown themselves into the manufacture of ventilators, who have thrown themselves into procuring ventilators.
The reality is that we can be confident going into the second wave that we have the ventilators we need. When it comes to other forms of PPE, the reality is that we have been so busy purchasing it that additional warehouse space had to be found.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I take the jobs of energy workers across the country very personally and very seriously. That is why just two weeks ago our government provided $320 million directly to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in order to support its work in supporting energy workers. That is not rhetoric. That is action to support the energy workers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government absolutely understands the importance of the energy sector in providing high-paying jobs across the country and being truly an engine of our economy.
Let me disabuse the members opposite of the notion that somehow our government does not care for Alberta and Albertans in this crisis. During this pandemic, over one million Albertans have received the CERB. In a population of 4.3 million, that is nearly a quarter of Albertans. Over 102,000 Alberta businesses have received the CEBA. The wage subsidy has supported 5.6—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we will never abandon health care, and we will never abandon Quebec or Quebeckers.
The fact is that Quebec has received over $3 billion thanks to the safe restart agreement. In addition, two million Quebeckers have received the CERB. That is nearly one in four Quebeckers. Over 157,000 businesses have used the Canada emergency business account and the wage subsidy.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I agree that the second wave has started and I agree that our country needs to work together to fight this pandemic. That is why we gave the provinces $19 billion for a safe restart, another $2 billion in support for a safe return to school, $500 million at the beginning of the pandemic and, of course, $40 billion every year for health care.
That is real support.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as we said in the Speech from the Throne, we are going to find additional ways to tax extreme wealth inequality, including by limiting the stock option deduction for wealthy individuals at large corporations, and addressing corporate tax avoidance by digital giants. We all need to pay our fair share, especially in times of crisis.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, that is a great question.
I would like to say to Caroline that I agree with her wholeheartedly. One of the great strengths and prides of Canada is that we have universal access to our health care system. Everyone is treated the same.
When it comes to testing, let me say how delighted I am that today Canada has approved its first antigen test, the Abbott Panbio. We have an advance purchase agreement for 20.5 million of these tests. That is in addition to the ID Now tests, which were announced last week.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question.
The Bloc member is well aware that we promised to help SMEs with fixed costs in the throne speech. That is absolutely necessary, and it is even more necessary now because of the second wave.
Our government agrees. This is an essential program. We are working with businesses and the provinces and territories to set up a program.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, once again, I agree with the Bloc member that the program does need to be adjusted to help SMEs. We are currently discussing the matter with the provinces, including Quebec.
I spoke with the Quebec finance minister about this very topic yesterday and I can assure the member that Canada will always be there for Quebec and for Quebeckers. For instance, nearly one in four Quebeckers have received the CERB.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me repeat what I said when the Leader of the Opposition asked about our support for the energy workers of Newfoundland and Labrador. I pointed out that our government was very proud, thanks very much to the hard work of our Minister of Natural Resources, to have supported Newfoundland and Labrador with $320 million. When it comes to Alberta and our energy sector, let me just point out that it was our government that bought TMX and our government will get it built.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, every day, Canada is working hard to get the economy going and to keep Canadians across the country healthy.
With regard to the economic recovery, I would like to quote TD Economics, which said that Canada is ahead of the United States in the race to recover the jobs that were lost because of the pandemic. Canada has recovered approximately two-thirds of the lost jobs, compared to 55% in the United States, so clearly we are doing our job.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by congratulating the member opposite on his election as leader of the official opposition and by saying how pleased I was by his and his wife's recovery from COVID-19.
I share the member opposite's view that rapid testing is absolutely essential to our health. It is absolutely essential to our economic recovery. That is why I am pleased that we bought 7.9 million rapid tests last week.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me say the health minister is a cherished colleague who is doing a fantastic job.
When it comes to provinces and the fight against the coronavirus, this is an effort that we must undertake together. That is why over the summer we agreed, in the safe restart agreement, to $19 billion to the provinces to support their fight against coronavirus and another $2 billion for the safe restart of schools.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the opposition leader concerning the measures that the Province of Quebec has taken. I support these strong measures. That is very important, and we must work with Quebec.
Concerning rapid tests, we bought 7.9 million of them last week. The tests will be in Canada next week.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. The Prime Minister and, indeed, I believe all members of the House take the health of Canadians extremely seriously.
When it comes to rapid testing, I was very pleased that last week we were able to announce the procurement of 7.9 million rapid tests. Those tests will be in Canada next week, and we will have more to announce about rapid tests very soon.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, allow me to make one small correction: Quebeckers are Canadians.
With respect to borders, I have to say that I am very proud of our government's policy, especially regarding the U.S. border. We were able to restrict non-essential travel while allowing trade, which is so vital to our economy, to continue. That is what we will keep doing.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I absolutely agree that the second wave in Quebec and Ontario is very serious. We are taking it seriously. That is why we signed the safe restart agreement, which includes close to $3 billion for Quebec to support a safe restart.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of how serious the health care situation is in Quebec. That is why we gave Quebec nearly $3 billion for the economic recovery and health measures. We also helped seniors in Quebec through our Canadian Armed Forces. We were there when Quebec needed us and we will always be there for Quebeckers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the plan is to continue working closely with the provinces, territories and municipalities.
We purchased 7.9 million rapid tests last week, and we will have more news this week.
As for our approach, the safe restart agreement we reached this summer will provide the provinces and territories with $19 billion in support.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I must agree with the leader of the NDP about one thing: We truly are at a crossroads when it comes to COVID-19. The second wave is here right now, particularly acute in Quebec and Ontario, and each one of us has a responsibility to do everything we can to flatten the curve.
When it comes to fighting the coronavirus, we are committed to continuing to work in close collaboration with the provinces, territories and municipalities. It is the Canadian way and we are going to keep on doing it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question, which is truly important.
In the Speech from the Throne, we promised we would help SMEs pay their fixed costs. This assistance is more important than ever since we are in the second wave and the provinces, including Quebec, have taken strong measures to combat this second wave. We must truly be there for them and we will be.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes. I discussed this issue with Quebec's finance minister, Éric Girard, yesterday evening. He and I are going to be talking again this evening.
I have a question for the Bloc. Once we have completed the technical work, I hope the Bloc will vote with us.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, personally, I love the small businesses of Edmonton Strathcona, in particular.
In the Speech from the Throne, we committed to extending CEBA to support small businesses across the country and to support small businesses with their fixed costs, including rent. That is something that we are working on right now with the provinces and municipalities. Small businesses need our continued support and we are going to be there for them.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Conservatives do not want to admit it, but our economic policy works for workers.
Members do not need to take my word for it. We are told that Canada is ahead of the United States in the race to recover the jobs that were lost because of the pandemic. In August, Canada had recovered approximately two-thirds of the lost jobs, compared to 55% in the United States.
I believe the United States is a G7 country.
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