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Results: 181 - 240 of 851
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—
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—
Results: 181 - 240 of 851 | Page: 4 of 15

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