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Results: 61 - 90 of 147
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our agricultural sector has never been more important for Canada and Canadians than it is today. It is quite appropriate for us, at a time of a global pandemic and at a time when borders are facing greater questions and restrictions than ever before, to really be concerned about food security here at home. That is why we are very focused on supporting agricultural workers, supporting farmers and definitely supporting the food processing sector.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government absolutely believes in science. We believe that information and knowledge is power and we believe that sharing what we know with Canadians helps all of us respond effectively to the threat posed by the coronavirus. We have a daily press conference by the Prime Minister and daily briefings by health authorities and ministers. In all of those formats, we share information and we will continue to do so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for that very important question.
Last week, the Minister of Indigenous Services and I had a conversation with leaders from across the country and from first nations.
Our government recognizes that people in first nations, Inuit and Métis communities are among the most vulnerable Canadians. We have provided immediate support through the community support fund to address public health issues, which includes providing PPE, testing and health care personnel. That is just a first step. We know that further support is absolutely required.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, that is a very important question. Our government absolutely recognizes that indigenous people in first nations, Inuit and Métis communities are among the most vulnerable Canadians and need particular support when it comes to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Last week, together with the Minister of Indigenous Services, we had a call with Chief Bellegarde and all the regional chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations. We are providing immediate support through the community support fund to address public health issues. This includes providing PPE, testing and health care personnel.
We know this is just the beginning, and we are prepared to provide, and are working on providing, further support.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, that is another important question. Certainly for indigenous communities, and indeed for all Canadians, the combination of flood season and forest-fire season with COVID-19 is going to pose a particular set of challenges. The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is very seized with this issue and has been working on it in close collaboration with provincial partners, indigenous partners and communities, the Minister of Indigenous Services and the Minister of Northern Affairs. We know we will have to pay particular attention to how we work on these issues.
As for the on-the-land program, if that is a way that indigenous communities wish to address the issue, of course they will have our support, but that cannot be the only answer.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government was focused on the threat posed by the novel coronavirus from the end of last year. We have been very aware of it and have been following it closely, both through our own officials and in close collaboration with our friends and allies around the world.
When it comes to specific intelligence to which I or other ministers have been privy, of course we cannot share that.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, absolutely, but I do want to clarify one assumption embedded in the hon. member's question, and that is this notion that there will be an immediate and visible end to the pandemic.
We will be fully safe and fully past this only once either a vaccine has been developed or we have a very high level of herd immunity within Canada. Prior to that, what experts are saying is likely to happen, and as was shown in our data forecast on Friday, is that there will be a peak, and we will get past that peak, and then we need to prepare for some wavelets coming after. We need to have a calibration of social distancing efforts that go on and off, allowing our economy to restart to some extent.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I hope the member can tolerate an answer from the Deputy Prime Minister.
It is a very important question. It is an issue that we are very focused on. The Minister of Fisheries is very aware of this. This is an area where the global economic slowdown caused by the response to the coronavirus has had a particularly sharp and striking effect. The Minister of Fisheries is very seized with the issue and is working on it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands has spoken about the really unprecedented collaboration among all members of this House in addressing the challenge that all Canadians face. I want to take this opportunity to thank her colleague, the member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, for his support in our work with the United States. He pointed out directly to me the essential role that a pulp mill in his riding plays in supplying the U.S. medical equipment supply chain. Thanks to him, I got in touch with the CEO of that pulp mill, Levi Sampson, and that conversation proved to be very helpful in our conversations with our American neighbours.
I thank the Greens, and particularly the member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith for being so involved and so helpful.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by addressing all Canadians at this anxious time. As Canadians, we are fortunate to have an outstanding health care system and fantastic medical professionals. We need to continue to listen to our medical experts. They are telling us that the situation will get worse before it gets better. They also say that Canada is well prepared.
Our government will do whatever it takes to keep Canadians healthy and safe, and I know that is the commitment of all members of this House.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our absolute priority is the health and safety of Canadians. The federal government is providing, and will continue to provide, leadership in partnership with the provinces, territories and all Canadians. We are already leading a bulk national procurement effort to ensure Canadians have the necessary medical equipment. I want to be clear: This is not a time for us to quibble about federal and provincial responsibilities. This is a time for Canadians to work together, and that is what we are doing.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me start by assuring Canadians that Canada's public health system is outstanding and our public health officials are doing a terrific job on the ground. The health and safety of Canadians is our number one priority and our government is guided in all of its decisions by advice from medical professionals and by scientists. Enhanced screening and detection processes are in place at all international airports, at land crossings and at ports. We are constantly evaluating the measures in place and the developing international situation.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I want to address all Canadians.
We are fortunate to have an outstanding health care system and fantastic health care professionals. We need to continue to listen to medical experts, who are telling us that the situation will get worse before it gets better. They also say that Canada is well prepared.
Our government will do whatever it takes.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government is aware that the coronavirus is having a significant economic impact around the world and in Canada. We know that we must support Canadians who may not be able to work because of illness or quarantine. We reduced the two-week EI waiting period so that there is no waiting period. We are committed to extending EI benefits. We will continue to monitor the economic situation, and we are poised to take more steps.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, allow me to speak directly to the situation of the Prime Minister and Ms. Grégoire Trudeau. The doctor's advice to the Prime Minister is to continue daily activities while self-monitoring, given he is exhibiting no symptoms himself. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Prime Minister is opting to self-isolate and work from home until receiving Ms. Grégoire Trudeau's results. I thank hon. members for their kind wishes.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of Canadians is our top priority. We are following all of the evidence-based public health advice. We have stepped up screening activities, and detection processes have been introduced at all international airports, land crossings and points of entry. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we are very aware that the coronavirus is having a significant economic impact around the world and in Canada. We know that we must support Canadians who may not be able to work because of illness or quarantine.
That is why our government announced this week a $1-billion coronavirus response package. That package does include significant measures to support workers who need to miss work because they are ill or are in quarantine.
Now, of course, as the situation develops, our government will be monitoring it and is poised to take more steps.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government is absolutely aware of the economic impact of the coronavirus. We are also aware of how important it is to ensure there are no economic barriers to Canadians doing the right thing, which is staying home if they are unwell. I want to thank all Canadians who are doing that.
This week our government announced a $1 billion coronavirus response package. That is just a first economic step. It does include measures to support workers who need to stay at home. We are monitoring the situation and we will continue to act with alacrity.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the members of the international trade committee from all parties and their outstanding chair for their hard work in reviewing the new NAFTA.
This agreement safeguards more than $2 billion a day in cross-border trade and tariff-free access for 99.9% of our U.S.-bound exports.
At a time when our economy and the global economy are facing significant challenges from the coronavirus, one thing that we can all do together that is entirely within our power is to support our economy's—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the coronavirus is having a serious impact on the global economy and on the Canadian economy. Canada's strong fiscal position means we have the firepower to support our economy, and we will.
Measures we take will include, but not be limited to, supporting workers and parents who have to miss work in order to prevent the spread of the virus and supporting our excellent health care system. We are prepared to act and we are.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we are very aware of the GNL Québec project, and let me say very clearly our government believes in the natural resources sector and we are working hard to support workers in this sector and investment. Over 400 major resource projects are planned or under construction in Canada. This is up from the previous year, and it includes the largest private sector investment in Canadian history: LNG Canada, which is strongly supported by this government.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite has cited some sectors that are indeed facing difficulties as a direct result of the impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and on the Canadian economy. Let me be very clear. As—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. As Canada faces this serious challenge to public health and also to our economy, our government will be focused on working together with all Canadians to respond to this challenge, and not on taking cheap partisan shots.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government believes that working with the resource sector to create good jobs and attract investment is a priority. Canada has over 400 major resource projects in the planning stages or under way. That is more than last year and includes the largest private sector investment in Canadian history, the LNG Canada project, which our government strongly supports.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I want to note once again that the natural resources sector is a priority for our government. We understand that this sector supports many good jobs across the country. We are working with major investors. I also want to note that the largest private sector project in Canadian history is the LNG Canada project, which our government strongly supports.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we know that the blockades had some very real consequences for Canadians, including Quebeckers.
We needed to find a peaceful and lasting resolution. I want to point out that by engaging in dialogue, we have reached a tentative agreement with the Wet'suwet'en. This is a good thing for all Canadians. All blockades have been removed and rail service has resumed. This is also a good thing.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for this important question. I will begin by describing the whole-of-government approach we are taking.
Experts are saying that this situation is likely to get worse before it gets better, in Canada and around the world. Our government will do whatever it takes to keep Canadians safe and keep our economy strong.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Yes, Mr. Speaker, we will. We know that we must support Canadians who may not be able to work because of illness or quarantine. We have already reduced the EI waiting period from two weeks to one week, and we are committing to extending EI benefits to 26 weeks. We are planning for worst-case scenarios, as is prudent and correct for our government to do, and we are preparing further measures to support Canadian workers and our economy.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I was at Sunnybrook hospital on Friday and I must say I was so impressed by the hard work, intelligence and dedication of the health care professionals I met there. Our federal government will not hesitate to support Canada's health care system as necessary during this situation. We are already engaged in bulk procurement efforts. This is not a time to quibble about federal and provincial responsibilities. This is a time to work together, as we are doing.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we know that we must support Canadians who may not be able to work because of illness or quarantine. People should not be penalized for acting to support their own health and the health of their neighbours. We have already reduced the EI waiting period from two weeks to one week. We are committed to extending EI benefits to 26 weeks. We are planning for worst-case scenarios and, as the finance minister said last week, we will support Canadian workers in our economy.
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