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Results: 201 - 300 of 851
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—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, we are very proud of the wage subsidy program and proud of the role it is playing to keep Canadian businesses going and, crucially, to keep Canadian workers connected to their jobs, but I have a question for the member opposite.
Half of the questions we hear from the Conservatives in question period are concerns that we're spending too much money, that the deficit is too high. The other half of the time they complain about specific companies not getting access to our programs.
We know which side we're on as a government. I'd like the Conservatives to let Canadians know what they believe in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I'm really grateful for that question because it allows me to set the record straight for Canadians.
Canadians need to know that our country has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We had that before the crisis began, and we still do. Canada has the fiscal firepower to support Canadians during this unprecedented crisis, and that is what we are going to continue to do.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for the question. I want to point out that, as the hon. member said, the wage subsidy was really put in place to protect workers across Canada. We are proud of that. More than 2 million Canadians have benefited from this—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I thank the hon. member for her question.
I would like to point out again that the purpose of the Canada emergency wage subsidy is to support workers across Canada and Quebec, to help them keep their jobs and allow them to stay connected to their workplace.
That is what we've done. More than 2 million Canadians are benefiting from this important and truly essential program for our country. We are proud of it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Our programs do not discriminate. They are there to help all workers. The hon. member talked about businesses and sectors that need more help. We agree. There is still a lot to do, but we want to work with all the—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I thank the hon. member for her question.
I agree that there is still a lot to do. We are ready, and we are taking action. However, it's important to point out that our government has already done a lot to support Canadians. We've spent $152 billion in direct support measures to Canadians. More than eight million people are benefiting from the CERB, and more than two million—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I want to point out that our programs do not discriminate. They are there to help all workers across the country, and I want to point out to what extent our programs do that.
Eight million people are currently benefiting from the CERB, and two million are supported by the emergency wage subsidy. Our programs are also helping 380,000 students and 639,000 businesses—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would like to start by thanking the member opposite for his very important question and the very important work he has done throughout his career in drawing attention to racism in Canada and in fighting against it. Thank you.
I agree strongly with the member opposite that we, as Canadians, must be the opposite of complacent. We have to acknowledge that anti-black racism is real in our country, that unconscious bias is real in our country and that systemic discrimination is real. It happens here. We have to commit today to working hard to fight it.
I have more to say about disaggregated data and the coronavirus, and I hope I'll have a chance to do that in my next answer.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you again for that very important question.
First of all, on coronavirus, our government believes that disaggregated data, including when it comes to race, is extremely important. We're working with our provincial partners on that.
On policing, racial profiling is unacceptable and unlawful. We will always work to uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to ensure the human rights of everyone in Canada are protected. At the federal level, RCMP members are guided by bias-free policing based on equality and non-discrimination.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, at this moment I can only speak for myself, and I have not met with any such lobbyists during that period or at other times.
I share the member opposite's concerns about long-term care facilities in Canada. We have to do better, and we will.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me very clear about one thing, speaking on behalf of our government and on behalf of the Prime Minister. Our government sees as a matter of utmost concern and utmost urgency what has been happening in long-term care homes in our country, and the reports we have received from the brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces about facilities in Ontario and Quebec need to be treated as historic documents that—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Our government absolutely understands the crucial role municipalities play as the engine of our economy at all times, and particularly today, as in many parts of the country we are looking to restart the economy. That is why the Prime Minister announced just this morning that we will be accelerating payments under the gas tax fund. Municipalities will receive the full amount of their 2020-21 payment on June 10. This will help them with some of their near-term liquidity issues.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, it is absolutely not. In fact, I am pleased to be here in person meeting with members from across the country and pleased that our colleagues who live further away from Ottawa than I do have the opportunity to join us.
Parliament plays an essential role in our democracy, and it's—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, the agricultural sector is critical to our country, and the questions some of us have been asking around food security have reminded us how lucky we are, as Canadians, to be living in an agricultural superpower.
When it comes to the specific technical questions that farmers have, they should turn to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who will be delighted to help.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
What I can say is that we are very mindful of and very grateful for the extremely—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, very many farmers, and certainly many of the farmers of my acquaintance, have worked with accountants for a very long time. Farmers are sophisticated business people who deal in the futures markets every day. They run hugely important businesses—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, what is condescending is to behave as if farmers are not highly sophisticated businessmen. They hire economists. They hire agronomists. They are at the cutting edge. I am proud of the sophistication of Canadian farmers, and I'm proud of the support we offer them.
Some honourable members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I agree with the member opposite about one thing: The energy sector and energy workers are absolutely essential to our economy, and we support them.
One of the things I am most proud of is the $1.7 billion our government has committed to cleaning up orphan wells. That money today has created jobs in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan. People are working because of it, and they are cleaning up their communities thanks to that support.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, the purpose of the wage subsidy is to support workers, help them keep their jobs and keep them connected to their workplace—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, allow me to remind the hon. member opposite what we're doing to support Canadians: more than 8 million Canadians have received the Canada emergency response benefit.
In addition, 635,000 businesses have received loans through the Canada emergency business account.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would like to continue by reminding my colleague opposite what our government is doing today to support Canadians and Quebeckers: 293 applications for the Canada emergency wage subsidy have been approved.
Over 2 million Canadians today have—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our programs don't discriminate. They're there to help all workers, to help all Canadians, to help all Quebeckers.
The hon. member talked about companies and sectors that need more help. We agree with that. We think we all need to work together to continue to help Canadians and Quebeckers—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I want to point out something important when we talk about our work and our economy. The important thing is that we have put in place unprecedented economic measures that are absolutely urgent and necessary.
That's what we'll continue to do.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I am absolutely willing to look into the eyes of the entrepreneurs and workers in my riding because they know that our government is doing a lot to help Canadians in this historic crisis.
Our economic support program is the largest program in Canada's history—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, that's a very important question, and I would like to thank the member for asking it.
I think this is a historic week. All Canadians have seen what is happening in Ontario and Quebec. We—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I want to start by saying one thing, and that is to publicly thank, in this House, Brigadier-General Conrad Mialkowski and his team for compiling the assessment that they did of long-term care homes in Ontario. They acted with courage. They acted with compassion. What they did is historic, and we all need to—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I agree with the member opposite that after what we have learned this week, all options must be on the table when it comes to how care for our elders will be provided in Canada in the future.
I think it is clear to us all that root-and-branch reform is necessary. We need to act with speed but not haste, and work with our provincial partners.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
What we will commit to do—and I hope with the support of all members of this House—is work very carefully and also very urgently in close co-operation with our provincial partners, under whose jurisdiction this falls, to ensure that these heart-wrenching reports mean that as a country we turn the page—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I want to clarify one point in the member's question. Canadian Crown corporations are not Liberal, not Conservative and not partisan.
One of the strengths of Canada is that we have non-partisan government institutions, and they serve us extremely well. Our—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, as I said at the outset, the ownership structure of long-term care facilities needs to be on the table. Everything does.
I also want to emphasize how important it is for us to do what we have been doing, which is to work very closely with the provinces, under whose jurisdiction this falls. In just the past 24 hours, I have spoken with Premier Ford, Premier Horgan and Premier Moe, and our conversation included long-term care facilities.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I'd like to thank the member opposite for her excellent point.
Our government is very committed to removing barriers to interprovincial trade. It's something that we have been working on with the premiers. Obviously the coronavirus has taken precedence in recent weeks, but it's a priority. It's the right thing to do.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, it is absolutely right and appropriate for first ministers, who have been meeting every week for more than two months, to be focusing on the urgent threat posed by the coronavirus.
However, I agree with the member opposite that we need to lift barriers to interprovincial trade. That's something we're committed to doing and to working on with the premiers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
What we do acknowledge is the essential role municipalities play in our country at all times, and the particularly essential role they play today as our country gets ready to restart our economy.
We are working closely with the municipalities to talk about ways we can support them and are working closely with the provinces, in whose jurisdiction the municipalities fall.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me just say again, Mr. Chair, that we are extremely alive to the importance of municipalities in our economy. We are very aware of the difficult financial situation they find themselves in, and we are very aware of how important it is to keep our municipalities functioning, particularly as we move into the restart.
We're working with municipalities and are urging them to work with their provinces, as we are doing too.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, the federal government very much understands and appreciates the importance of municipalities. We are prepared to support them. Provinces need to do their share too.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, we have an excellent assurance of our trade with the United States, which is our new NAFTA trade agreement that we have negotiated, thanks to the unprecedented co-operation across this country. It is very important to the Canadian economy and Canadian producers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, Canada currently has restrictive border measures in place. One of the aspects of our border measures that I think is most valuable to Canadians—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me continue my answer.
One of the most important and trickiest aspects of our travel restrictions has been to ensure that we have restrictions in place with our largest neighbour, most important trading partner, the United States, restrictions which simultaneously protect the health of Canadians but also permit essential travel for businesses, for services. That was a complex balance to achieve. I'm very pleased that we have achieved it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, as I said, getting the balance exactly right, particularly with the United States, with whom we have the longest unmilitarized border in the world and with whom we have essential trade that needs to continue, was very tricky. I'm very pleased that we've managed to do that in a reciprocal and collaborative way.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, we are very closely monitoring the need for various medicines in Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, absolutely not. I would strongly disagree with that assertion. Of course, not every drug that is invented in the world has a manufacturer that seeks approval in Canada, but we always look for ways for Canadians to have access to the medicines they need.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me be very, very clear with Canadians. It is absolutely important for Canadians to have access to the medicines that they need. That is something that our government, working closely with the provinces, is focused on.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government is focused on making the medicines that Canadians need available to them at an affordable price.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me first of all say that our health minister is doing a fantastic job. She, like the rest of our government, is focused on ensuring that all Canadians have access to the medicines they need and that our country doesn't pay more than it needs to for the medicines it needs.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I would like to thank the member for his question.
I would like to emphasize that in my view, as a mother and a member of Parliament, the most important thing is to protect our young people and students. We must all understand that the crisis raises a particular problem for them and that it is a very dangerous time for them and their future. For this reason, I am proud to be able to say that our government has created a $9-billion support program for our students.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I thank the member for his question.
I would like to reply by saying that for our government—and for the Bloc Québécois member, I believe—the priority must be to protect our students.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
The answer is simple too.
We will do everything required to protect and help our young people because we understand that the situation is difficult, and even dangerous, because of the COVID-19 crisis.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
It may be because I am a mother and have many young Canadians in my personal life, but I have an enormous amount of confidence in our young people. I believe that they want to work.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I am well aware that the Bloc Québécois member is not a mother. Fathers also think that students and young people are important.
I have two things to say. First of all, our government recognizes the close cooperation that exists among all members of the opposition, including members of the Bloc Québécois. We are always prepared to speak and work with them. Secondly, I am personally convinced that our young people want to work. They want to gain employment experience because they understand that it is important for their careers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I hope and believe that Canadians and Quebeckers have a high level of confidence in our government. I hope that they know we understand that we have to deal with a crisis that is a major challenge. We are prepared to do everything needed to protect the health of Canadians and our country's economy.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you Mr. Chair
I agree with the leader of the NDP that the priority is to help workers. We must help Canadians because our country is facing a major economic crisis. We believe that it is important to find ways to give money to people.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I agree with the member opposite that our priority needs to be to support Canadian workers in this very difficult time.
What I would say to the member opposite, as the Prime Minister said earlier this week, please name one company that is receiving the wage subsidy support and therefore is able to keep its workers on the payroll who you think should not be getting that support. We'd like to know. We don't want anybody to be cheating either.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
While I'm not sure if the member opposite is suggesting that Loblaws and Cargill are in receipt of wage subsidy support, and if he is, I'd like to hear that, but more broadly, I do want to be clear about our government's position, which I'm very proud of. Our government's position is that our house is burning down, and Canadians right now are facing the toughest economic situation since the Great Depression, and our priority is to support every single Canadian worker we can.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Well, look, when it comes to bonuses, I don't think the member opposite is proposing that our government should put in place across-the-board restrictions on—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
—on the salaries of all CEOs across the country no matter what. That would be rather draconian.
When it comes to our LEEFF program of support for large employers, it is absolutely the case that any company that seeks that support will have to agree to very strict —
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me commit to two things.
First of all, our priority absolutely is to support workers. That's what we're doing.
Second of all, companies getting support through the LEEFF program absolutely will face restrictions on dividends, share buybacks and executive compensation.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
This would absolutely not be an accurate characterization.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I would like to thank my colleague very much for his question.
When I was Minister of Foreign affairs, I worked closely with the Gauthier family. Mr. Martel is right to say that this matter is of considerable concern to our government, and to all Canadians, particularly in Mr. Gauthier's region. We are going to continue to work with the family and our foreign partners to help Mr. Gauthier.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my colleague for his question.
We are very familiar with this project and are working on several issues, including this one, in close collaboration with Quebec. I, like the member, believe that natural resource projects are important for Canada's economy and that they will also be important for helping our economy recover.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I must say that I disagree in the strongest possible terms that our government would ever encourage foreign influence in Canadian democracy, and I have to say that I believe all members of this House have the same view.
Our democracy is precious. Our sovereignty is precious. I think all of us as members of this House are sworn to defend it, and our government certainly has always done that and will continue to do so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, if the member opposite is suggesting that people who believe we need to protect our environment and people who believe we need to fight climate change work in our government, then the member is absolutely right, and I believe that all Canadians understand that we need to fight climate change and we need to support the environment.
Canada, as a proud natural resource producing country, needs to continue the work that is led by many brilliant people in the energy sector to produce our natural resources in a sustainable way to protect our environment. That is something we're doing, and it is something we'll continue to do.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government absolutely understands the need to support workers across our fantastic country, very much including energy workers, and we understand that energy workers are facing a double burden. They are facing the challenges posed by the coronavirus, and they are facing the challenges posed by a historically low price for oil.
That is why our government has stepped up to help them. We have stepped up to help them with the $1.7 billion to clean up orphaned wells, an effort that will put people back to work while supporting our environment. The LEEFF program, which is now open for applications, is going to support large employers across the country, very much including in our energy sector.
I'd like to congratulate the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and B.C. for working with the federal government to agree on methane emissions. This is very good news for the environment. It's very good news for our energy sector. We are making progress together.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, let me thank the member opposite for the question. It's a very important one for Canadians, and I want to start with this assurance to Canadians: The health and safety of Canadians is first and foremost for our government when it comes to reopening the borders. We need to be very careful about the epidemiological situation in Canada and outside our country. We're also working very closely with the premiers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, our government understands the importance of the energy sector to the Canadian economy, and we are committed to supporting energy workers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I'd like to thank the member opposite for his very important question. He raises a very important point that today, at a time when our economy is facing a very difficult situation, Canadian companies are particularly vulnerable. Today is also a time when we have particular reason to pay attention to the sanctity of our supply chains in areas like medical equipment and food security.
Let me assure the honourable member that our government, informed by the work of our excellent intelligence analysts, is very focused on ensuring the safety and sanctity of Canadian companies and on ensuring that they are not acquired inappropriately.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me say that the member points to a very important issue, one that I think should concern all Canadians. It is never right for Canadian companies to be acquired by hostile foreign interests in the world today, where we have more reason than ever to be concerned about our national security. We need to pay particular attention to this concern, and we are.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I would really like to assure the member opposite, and all Canadians, that our government will always stand up for the national interest. We will always stand up for national security, and that definitely means not allowing hostile interests to buy up our companies.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, the government was very clear at the recent general assembly of the WHO that we do support a post-crisis review. That's the right thing to do. Canada is behind it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, our government has been very clear, working together with our allies, co-sponsoring an EU-sponsored resolution, that we do believe a post-crisis review is the right thing to do.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, my answer was also very clear, which is that Canada, working together with our closest allies, such as the EU, has been very clear that we support a post-crisis review.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, our government has been very clear and has been working effectively with our strongest democratic allies in the world, such as the EU. We believe a post-crisis review is absolutely necessary. We will continue pushing for that.
Let me just say that right now we're focusing on fighting the coronavirus in Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me be extremely clear about our government's public position taken just a few days ago, which is that we support an independent and comprehensive review of the WHO response to the pandemic. We're working with our allies to get that done, and we will.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I think that I have been extremely clear about the government's position when it comes to the WHO. Canada is working closely with our democratic partners to ensure there is an independent and comprehensive post-crisis review, and one will happen. We'll make sure it does.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, the work of parliamentary committees is independent, as it ought to be, and we support the work of all of our parliamentary committees, including calling the witnesses whom they would like to interview.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Let me just say this: The government supports the work of our parliamentary committees very much, including the health committee, and the health committee has the right to call witnesses it believes are necessary for its work. When it comes to the WHO, our Minister of International Development has spoken directly with the leader of the WHO and made it clear that a post-crisis review is the right thing, and Canada is calling for it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for his question. It is a very important issue.
I spoke with Mayor Plante on Friday. I agree with her and with the mayors across the country that municipalities continue to play an essential role, especially when it comes to reopening our country. Municipalities, public transit and everything else will be essential for us.
That is why we encourage municipalities to work with the provinces. We are prepared to work with the provinces to support municipalities.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, once again, I fully agree that this is a very important issue for our country. Our government is prepared to work closely with municipalities. The issue of public transit is absolutely essential to the recovery of the economy.
I also want to note that it is very important that municipalities continue to work with the provinces, which have the primary responsibility for municipalities. The federal government will be there as well.
I encourage all members of Parliament to have talks with the provinces.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
The Prime Minister of Canada understands that this is a historic moment for Canada and for the world, and he understands the importance of Canada's voice in this historic moment.
After World War II, Canada did some important work in creating the postwar international order. Canada must and can do similar work now. That is why the Prime Minister is making those calls.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
We agree that municipalities are essential. We are working closely with them and we encourage the provinces to do the same.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, let me start by saying I am aware of Irving Oil's decision and I think this is a very good step in energy self-sufficiency for our country. It's great to see Canadian energy products being refined and used here in Canada.
When it comes to pipelines, let me just point out that our government has actually bought a pipeline and I'm very pleased to report that this pipeline is being built even as we speak.
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