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Results: 1 - 100 of 284
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for his question.
I agree with him that Canada and Canadians are doing an excellent and difficult job in the fight against coronavirus. As for the economy, our government is there for Canadians, for workers and for businesses, and it will continue to be.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, Canadians know that the government is there to support them. Eight—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I'm pleased to explain to hon. members and to Canadians what the government is doing for the economy—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to share with Canadians what our government is doing to support workers, businesses and the economy.
Eight million Canadians have received the CERB, essential support for Canadian workers and their families.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I am delighted to share with the member opposite and with Canadians what we are doing practically that has meaning for Canadians.
Let me talk about what we are doing for Canadian businesses. Nearly 670,000 Canadian businesses have received support—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, Canadian workers and Canadian businesses want to know that our government is here to support them. I have shared with this House our support for Canadian workers through the CERB. I've spoken about the CEBA, and let me point out that more than $26 billion of support has been given through that essential program.
Let me talk about the wage subsidy. More than 2.6 million—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I will continue in French by explaining what our government is doing for Canadians and workers—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, absolutely we are running this country, and we are supporting our economy. In fact, we appreciate that Canada currently is experiencing its greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. That is why we have devoted nearly 11% of GDP to support Canadian workers and Canadian businesses.
I want to assure Canadians—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for her question.
We fully understand the importance of federal support for the provinces, especially in our national fight against the coronavirus.
I agree with the hon. member that we must give financial support to the provinces, including Quebec absolutely. I would also like to point out the importance of the support of the Canadian Armed Forces, who are doing an important and excellent job in Quebec and Ontario today, right now.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, the hon. member said in her first question that the only thing the federal government had to do on health care was to sign the cheques. I can't agree because, today, at this time, at the request of the Premier of Quebec, the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces are in Quebec today; they're there to save the lives of seniors—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I thank the hon. member for her question, Mr. Chair.
I agree with the hon. member that the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces are in Quebec today at the request of the Province of Quebec. That said, I hope that the hon. member will agree with me that being there for Quebec's seniors, that saving the lives of Quebec's seniors, is much more than simply signing cheques.
I am very proud of the work the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces are doing. I think we all should thank these people who are working for Canada, for Quebec, and who are doing an important and excellent job.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would like to point out the extent to which the federal government is there to support the provinces, including Quebec. We have increased funding to the provinces and territories by $500 million to help them prepare for COVID-19 outbreaks. This funding is in addition to the $40 billion that we already provide annually to the provinces and territories. That's a lot of money. It is strong endorsement—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the member opposite for the extremely important question, and I'll take this opportunity to acknowledge the work that he has done for many years fighting racism in Canada.
Our government absolutely acknowledges that systemic racism exists in Canada. It exists in all of our institutions, including the police and the RCMP. I agree with the member opposite that now is the moment to fight this—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, the member quite rightly began his questions by speaking about systemic racism against indigenous people in Canada, and I would like to speak about that for a moment.
I spoke to Perry Bellegarde this morning, because it is such a crucial issue. We can describe it as the original sin of our country. I absolutely agree that we need root and branch reform, including in how policing is done in Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Safety had many conversations last week with the RCMP. We all accept that—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me continue, Mr. Chair.
Systemic racism exists in all of our federal institutions, including the RCMP. It's time to put an end to it. Let me just say—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, sadly, I can't agree that rooting out systemic racism is going to be simple, but I can agree that racial profiling is absolutely inappropriate. It is not something that we should—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me be clear, as I was in my previous answer, that our government clearly is opposed to racial profiling. This is a wrong practice and we're very clear about our position there.
Now when it comes to the CERB, I absolutely share the concern of the member opposite. The Canadian economy is in its direst state since the Great Depression. We know that all the jobs have not yet come back. We know that Canadian workers, Canadian families, continue to need—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am very glad to hear that question, because it allows me to make an offer to the Conservative Party to correct what may well have been an honest mistake they made in the parliamentary hurly-burly yesterday.
Yesterday, a clear opportunity was offered to all members of this House to have a vote specifically and narrowly on the question of whether we would offer Canadians with disabilities up to $600 of additional—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, what is shameful is to allow partisan politics and procedural manoeuvring to stop Canadians with disabilities who are truly facing additional challenges because of coronavirus. What is shameful, and indeed disgusting, is to prevent those Canadians from getting that $600.
Members of other parties were prepared to support that measure and, in good faith, we would be very prepared to have that vote and allow us all to get that money to Canadians and to fight about other issues.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, Minister Champagne disclosed those two mortgages, along with all other liabilities and assets, to the Ethics Commissioner, and they have been placed in the online public registry since the minister entered politics. It has been clearly disclosed. Everyone is aware of it, including all relevant government agencies and our Ethics Commissioner, and Canadians have all the transparency they need and deserve.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, while I of course am extremely familiar with all the positions our government takes on foreign policy, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the details of the personal—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, since the Conservatives have chosen to go into matters of personal finance and property arrangements of members of this House, I might point out that of the two people exchanging ideas right now, one of us lives in government property. When—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I thank the honourable member for his question, which is very important for all Canadians and all Quebeckers.
I can say clearly that Canada, the federal government, will be there for Quebec's seniors. That is absolutely important.
Obviously, we're in the process of—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I thank the honourable member for his question.
I understand how concerned Quebeckers are. I can speak on behalf of the government. I can assure the honourable member and Quebeckers that the federal government and the Canadian Armed Forces will be there.
I should also say that we are in discussions with Quebec as to how to do this. I think everyone agrees—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I've made it extremely clear: Canada will stay there.
I would add that everyone should thank the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who have saved and continue to save—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Is the honourable member asking me until what time they'll be there?
An hon. member: No, he wants to know how long they'll be there.
Hon. Chrystia Freeland: The military are there, and they will be there until their services are no longer needed, obviously.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, as a former journalist, I try to choose very specific words.
What I said, and I'll repeat it, is that Canada will be there.
Canada—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I have a question for the honourable member. Does he speak on behalf of the Government of Quebec? I thought it was the Government of Quebec that spoke for the province.
What I can say—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, what I am pleased to confirm is that when Quebec needed help to save the lives of seniors, Canada—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the honourable member for his question.
I fully agree with the leader of the NDP that Canadians living with disabilities need help. That's why the government yesterday proposed $600 in assistance for each Canadian—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the member opposite for his really important question, because it highlights what, when you set aside the sound and fury of politics and of parliamentary debate, is the most important issue at stake this week: Will we, together, support Canadians with disabilities or not?
Our government wants to do that. We put forward a plan to do it, up to $600—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would like to commit clearly to Canadians, just as we said at the beginning of the coronavirus health and economic crisis, that our government will be there to support Canadians. We have the fiscal—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I'd like to say to Taylor, and to all Canadians who quite rightly, as the member opposite says, are anxious about their situation, that our government will do whatever it takes to support them. And do you know what? Actions do speak louder than words. We have spent $152 billion supporting Canadians. That is nearly 11% of GDP. We have put our money where our mouth is—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government's record in supporting Canadians economically through this crisis speaks for itself. Nearly eight million Canadians supported through the CERB—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
As I said, Mr. Chair, our record speaks for itself. Canadians can have confidence that we intend to continue to support them. We know that this is a profound—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, it is a really important question, and I am glad to be asked it. It gives me an opportunity to assure Canadians that just as our government, from the start of the crisis, has been prepared to put the vast fiscal firepower of the federal government behind supporting Canadians, we are going to continue to do that.
I've given you a few examples. Let me talk about the wage subsidy, which has been particularly valuable to Albertans. More than—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, thank you for that very important question from the leader of the official opposition. I have agonized over this myself, personally, quite a lot.
I think that the leader of the official opposition must be referring to the many—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
The leader of the official opposition has inaccurately quoted the comments that I made last week, but those comments did sincerely reflect what I think is the debate or the struggle all of us have been having about two realities. One is the absolute imperative to honour peaceful protests and for Canadians—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me be clear about something the Leader of the Opposition said in his previous question. I strongly support the action that our Prime Minister took on Friday in joining the anti-black racism protest. The fact that our Prime Minister was there sent an essential message to Canadians and the world. He was also wearing a mask, which is very important.
In my own comments last week—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I think it is essential for us to honour the right of Canadians and, indeed, of people around the world to make their political views known by peacefully protesting. That is an essential element of democracy and of people fighting for equality.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, in my comments last week and in the comments from our chief public health officer last week, clear advice was offered to Canadians who wanted to exercise their right to peaceful protest. The advice was to wear masks. The advice was to bring hand sanitizer. The advice was to be careful. That is very important, so is the—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would like to be extremely clear about our government's position, and I would like to invite the official opposition to be equally clear about its position.
Now is a time in the world when all of us have to state our views. All of us have to be clear on whether we stand against anti-black racism or not. To be silent is to be complicit.
In attending that protest, in being visible for Canadians and the world, the Prime Minister sent an essential message to everyone in our country.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I would like to thank my colleague for her very important question.
I think this crisis has highlighted for all Canadians and all Quebecers the importance of the people doing essential work in our country. That absolutely includes seasonal farm workers.
I absolutely agree that we need to do better to protect them and ensure healthy and clean working conditions. This is obviously the obligation of employers, but it is also the obligation of all Canadians.
I want to thank the seasonal farm workers for their important and hard work.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I have a few answers for that. First, organizations and civil society have a role to play in raising key issues. It is an essential part of our democracy. I also want to thank those who work in civil society.
When it comes to seasonal farm workers, our government is very aware of the importance of the issue. We are working in close cooperation with the provinces and public health authorities across the country—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I must say there are some inconsistencies in the member's question. On the one hand, she says that the poor employers have too much paperwork, and on the other, she says that we need more inspectors to make sure that everything is fine with seasonal workers.
I share her view that it is very—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Absolutely. This is a very important issue for us. We are working hard to ensure that the working conditions are healthy and clean. We are working with the workers themselves, with the provinces, with—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for his important question.
In response to the questions we have heard today in the House, I must say that symbols are also very important. Symbols are very important to our Prime Minister—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I'd like to personally thank the member opposite for the very specific role that he plays in our country today on this issue. It is important. Actions are important. So is standing on the right side and I'm very proud that's what the Prime Minister did on Friday.
The member opposite points to questions we all must have today about policing, including the RCMP.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
The member opposite has asked some important questions about the RCMP and about policing in Canada. Let me be clear about a few things. There can be no tolerance for racism or bias of any kind within police forces in Canada. We absolutely are aware that systemic discrimination, systemic racism, is real in Canada and that unconscious bias—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I absolutely agree with the member opposite that these are tragedies and I agree that we must act and do everything we can to ensure they are not repeated.
Acting includes anti-bias training in all of our police forces, including the RCMP. Acting includes, as the Prime Minister said, body cameras for police, and acting absolutely includes focusing even more on mental health. That has been a focus for our government and I agree so strongly with the member opposite that we must redouble our efforts. These deaths—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, as the member opposite knows, mental health has been a focus of our government from the outset. It was something that we campaigned on in the election in the fall. As all Canadians have been suffering through coronavirus, we have redoubled our efforts there.
But I agree with the member opposite. We have to do more. We have to do better. We are committed to doing that, and I hope we can work with the member opposite, with the NDP—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me start by saying that I welcome the clear and unequivocal statement against anti-black racism by the leader of the official opposition.
I think we in Canada need to understand that we are at a watershed moment for our country and the world. We are at a moment when we all have to take a stand. We have to take a stand either against racism, against anti-black racism...we have to say something that is painful for many of us to admit—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
—which is that systemic discrimination exists in our country.
I do have to say to the member opposite and to members of all parties here, this is such a monumental challenge. It is a challenge that calls on us to transform our society and our country, and I think we need to work together on that challenge and not fall victim, fall prey, not minimize it and belittle it with partisan bickering.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I'd like thank the member opposite for that important question.
As the Prime Minister announced today, we are expanding the understanding of what counts as essential travel into Canada. As the member opposite points out, immediate family members of Canadians and of permanent residents will be allowed to come into Canada provided it is a journey of lasting duration and—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, if I may, I just want to first finish my answer to the first question, because it is very important that all Canadians, all permanent residents and now their immediate family members coming into Canada will be subject to a mandatory quarantine order. I just want to make very clear to them and to all Canadians that it must be followed. It will be enforced. I do want to thank the premiers on their collaboration around these border rules—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Yes, for sure. The border regulations are important. I wanted to be sure there was clarity on that.
When it comes to the ban on military—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for his important question.
We agree that the $14 billion—I'd like to stress that amount—that the Prime Minister talked about last Friday is money. This money that the Prime Minister offered to the provinces is very important because the federal government understands the importance of economic recovery. We understand the importance of having a healthy and successful economic recovery. We also understand, of course, the importance of close co-operation with all the provinces, including Quebec.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I don't think offering $14 billion is being predatory. I think offering $14 billion is co-operation, and we're proud of that.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me start by thanking the member for Pierrefonds—Dollard for his tireless advocacy on these important issues.
We know that indigenous peoples and black Canadians are overrepresented in our criminal justice system, and that needs to change. We are making important investments to support the reintegration of indigenous offenders into their communities and advancing restorative justice approaches while strengthening agreements for healing lodges, which incorporate indigenous values, traditions and beliefs. We are also providing black Canadian offenders with services aimed at supporting their reintegration, including support for career building and mentorship, engaging community members to provide training and funding community organizations.
Furthermore, we will invest an additional $11 million to ensure that all enforcement and security agencies have access to bias-free training we will and implement mandatory training on unconscious bias for all judges in Canada. We know that better, more precise and more consistent tracking, collection and measurement of data are needed and that we have a lot more work to do.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Regardless of where they live, all Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. That very much includes our Inuit community, and it includes all indigenous Canadians.
I am aware of the graphic video that is circulating online. It's shocking and deeply disturbing. Immediately upon review, the officer was removed from the community and an independent investigation was launched.
We all must and will do better.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me truly thank the member opposite for raising this essential issue in this House. He is absolutely right that systemic racism does exist in our country, and that does require a systemic solution.
In order to resolve this, we need to acknowledge the problem. We need to talk about it in this House, which is what we are doing. We are absolutely committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that these behaviours do not happen in the future.
The Prime Minister today spoke about his own commitment to work with the premiers on body cameras. That is one step—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I would like to thank the member opposite for drawing attention to this very important issue. The member said in one of his questions that this is a long-standing issue that indigenous communities, Inuit communities and legal aid lawyers have been pointing to for a very long time.
I am very aware of that, because throughout my childhood my mother was a legal aid lawyer in northern Alberta. I can still remember some of the horrific stories she told us about the abuse of her clients.
It is long past time for us to ensure that all indigenous people in Canada and all Inuit people in Canada do not fear the police, do not fear the RCMP, but see Canada's police as serving them and working for them, which is their job.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I thank the hon. member for his question. I have to say, I absolutely disagree with the question.
I know the Conservatives disagree with us that it's important to control firearms. It's a real political difference.
As a woman, especially, I feel that we have taken the right position.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I'm delighted the hon. member is quoting police chiefs because I also have some quotes from police chiefs.
Mark Saunders, the Toronto police chief, said on Friday, May 1, taking military assault-style rifles off the street contributes to public safety. He said, “I support any step that helps prevent the circulation of these weapons that endanger families and communities.”
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me be very clear. What is illegal and was illegal from the date of the OIC was the sale of these assault-style weapons. I am proud of our government for taking that essential and indeed long-overdue step.
It is also the case that we have not made illegal previously legal conduct, and owners may continue to have these guns provided they are safely stored and are not being used.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me point to what is essential about that action our government took. What is essential about that action is that as of the date of the OIC, we stopped additional weapons whose only purpose is to kill other people from coming into Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me be extremely clear with the member opposite and the party opposite. We have a clear political difference of opinion here, and I do not shy away from underscoring that.
Our government believes military-style assault weapons have no place in—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me be very clear. We disagree about something very directly—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I believe the member opposite is trying to muddy the waters and trying to distract Canadians from the clear question of whether Canadians want military-style assault weapons in our—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I'm very grateful for that question, because it allows me to say what is absolutely essential to our government and to me personally in this historic action, which is that it is long past time to protect Canadians, and may I say particularly to protect Canadian women and girls from these weapons. After the Polytechnique, we all owe—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Again, I in no way shy away from the clear difference between our government and the official opposition. We think that Canada is a safer, healthier place without these military-style assault weapons, and I'm—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, of course illegal weapons have no place in Canada, and illegal weapons should not be moved from the United States to Canada.
You know what else, Madam Chair? We as a government have an obligation to every single Canadian, particularly vulnerable—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I would like to thank the member for that very important question.
Yes, I am outraged. I think all of us are and need to be outraged. Absolutely, systemic discrimination and systemic racism exist everywhere in Canada. I am sad to say it exists in our hearts and in our minds, and we need to now take these tragedies and use them to change.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me again thank the member for her question, and let me start by saying that now is the time. Now is the time for all of us to commit to the incredibly hard work of ending systemic discrimination and systemic racism in all Canadian institutions. That is something we all need to be committed to. It is something our government is committed to.
On the issue of racial profiling specifically, let me be clear that it is entirely unacceptable. It's wrong. Police forces mustn't do it.
Let me also thank the member for connecting in her question the ban on military-style assault weapons and the need for us together to work against systemic—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
We absolutely agree that this very tragic death should have been avoided, and we absolutely agree that it behooves all of us to have root-and-branch reform of how these cases are handled.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, as the PBO knows, we have more than 33,000 itemized projects that we provided to his office. These are projects like the 1,550 solar panels installed in the district of Hudson's Hope, B.C., improvements to the Legacy Trail between Canmore and Banff, the rehabilitation—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, as a reporter, I was always careful not to misquote people, so let me be clear on what I said: There were 33,000 itemized projects that we provided to the PBO. There are also approximately 12,000 municipal projects that have been funded through the gas tax fund.
I encourage the member opposite to speak to mayors across—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me talk about some of those 33,000—actually, 33,049, to be precise—itemized projects—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me help the member opposite with some precision. As I said, 33,049 projects have been itemized. There are also approximately 12,000 municipal projects. I want to—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, the member opposite seems to have a problem hearing precisely what I am saying. I've heard him say 30,000 a few times, but I think I've been quite clear that the number of itemized projects is 33,049. This includes 8,548 projects in my own province of Ontario, 4,594 projects in B.C., 3,502 projects in Saskatchewan, 3,096 projects in Alberta, 2,800—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government is committed to being very precise on what we are doing in infrastructure, so let me be precise. There are 33,049 itemized projects and an additional 12,000 municipal projects funded through the gas tax fund, which is an excellent way for municipalities to build. The mayors are extremely keen on it. Members of this House should talk to them.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for his very important question.
Today more than ever, all Canadians and all Quebeckers understand the importance of health, the importance of what the provinces do for Canadians and Quebeckers.
We all also understand the importance of close federal-provincial co-operation in the fight against the coronavirus. That is exactly what we're doing now. We are supporting the provinces in the fight against the coronavirus. We need to do that, and we are doing it.
I want to talk a little bit about our seniors. We all understand the very serious situation that our seniors are in, and I'm very proud of the women and men—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for his question.
The federal government sees itself as a partner with all the provinces. We are Quebec's partner, and we understand, especially today, in this coronavirus crisis and in this economic crisis, that we have to work closely together.
Of course, we respect provincial jurisdiction. At the same time, the federal government is prepared to do whatever is necessary. The proof of that are the brave women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces who are in Quebec today. They are truly saving the lives of seniors in Quebec. We are all proud—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, today we are working closely with Quebec. I have to say that I very much appreciate the co-operation we've had from Quebec. It's absolutely necessary, today, to save the lives of Quebeckers. For our part—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I thank my colleague for his important question.
As I've already said, the people doing the most important and most appreciated work in Canada today are the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces working in Quebec and Ontario to help our seniors.
Obviously, this can't be a long-term solution. I don't think a single person in Canada thinks that, in the long term, our soldiers should work—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Again, I thank my colleague for his question.
I'm talking about the present. I'm talking about today. Today, the Canadian Armed Forces are there, and I am proud of its members. I want to thank these women and men, and I think all Canadians should thank them.
I think we all agree that this isn't a long-term solution. I want to assure all Canadians and all members of the House that we are now—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would really like to thank the member opposite for that question.
I have to say that, like him, I feel that some of the most chilling sections of those appalling reports were the ones he just cited. To know that people were reluctant to use the physical material that our elders needed to be cared for because of concerns around the cost should be deeply worrying to all Canadians.
When it comes to the future of long-term care in Canada, I think we need to act with speed but not haste. Clearly, a lot has—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me agree that no seniors should ever not have the physical materials needed for their care because the people providing that care are worried those materials cost too much. I think we are all rightly appalled by that.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government will commit to the essential and profound reform of long-term care in Canada, and in that commitment, let me say all options need to be on the table. We need to work collaboratively with the provinces, as we have been doing.
I'd like to thank the provinces—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Absolutely. We understand that municipalities are essential to our country, especially today when we are going through a major crisis because of the coronavirus.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
As the Prime Minister said on Monday, this government has already taken concrete action by advancing money that municipalities—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I realize that, absolutely. It's a good thing, it's important, and it's going to help the municipalities. I also understand that it is not enough. We are going to do more.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I agree that public transit is an essential service for Canadians. Today, we are in talks with the municipalities and the provinces to find ways to support the municipalities. We are going to do that.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the honourable member for his question. We absolutely agree that public transit is essential to our economy and the reopening of our economy.
We will continue to work closely with the provinces to support municipalities and public transit.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I believe that a company with a fantastic Canadian history in the member's riding, Brandt Tractor, which pioneered the manufacturing of augers in Canada, is particularly affected by this. It is very important for us that the wage subsidy be available to as many Canadian companies as possible. It helps to keep employees connected to their businesses. Now, there are always some specific issues that can make it challenging for particular companies. I know that in the case of Brandt Tractor, for example, officials from the Ministry of Finance are directly in touch with the company to work on its issues.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me just point out that the wage subsidy program is working extremely well for many, many Canadian companies and for many, many Canadians who are able to keep their jobs thanks to the program. More than two million Canadian workers are today benefiting from the wage subsidy program. By any measure that is a successful program.
Now, for sure there are always going to be companies which, because of specifics in their history, need specific attention, and that—
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