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Results: 1 - 60 of 147
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:18 [p.2601]
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Mr. Speaker, as Deputy Prime Minister, part of my job is to be accountable to this chamber when the Prime Minister is not here. It is a privilege for me to answer questions on behalf of the government from members on the other side of the House, and I am very happy to answer any questions the opposition has today.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:19 [p.2602]
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
The non-partisan public service recommended this structure as the only way to deliver the program in the required time.
Obviously, the way this unfolded was regrettable, and that is why the charity is no longer administering the project.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:20 [p.2602]
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Mr. Speaker, the non-partisan public service recommended this structure as the only way to deliver the program in the required time. Obviously, the way this unfolded was regrettable, and that is why the charity is no longer administering the project. When it comes to the committee, we are co-operating with it, as we ought to do.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:21 [p.2602]
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Mr. Speaker, as we heard clearly last week at committee, it was the non-partisan public service that recommended this structure as the only way to deliver the program in the required time.
Let me also be clear with Canadians that the way this unfolded was regrettable and the charity will no longer be administering the project.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:23 [p.2602]
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Mr. Speaker, it is neither. Let me simply be clear. As we heard from Canada's excellent public service last week, it was our non-partisan public service that recommended this structure as the only way to deliver the program in the required time. Obviously, the way this unfolded was regrettable, and that is why it is important for me to assure Canadians that the charity is no longer administering the project.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:24 [p.2602]
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question.
I want to acknowledge how important it is for our government to support Canadians at this time of serious economic crisis.
We understand the importance of supporting Canadians. We are doing that now, and I want to assure the House that we will continue to do so.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:25 [p.2603]
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Mr. Speaker, I can assure you and all members of the House and all Canadians that our government understands the importance of supporting all Canadians during this very serious economic crisis. We do understand the importance of supporting people with serious illnesses.
We are working on it, and we will keep doing this important work.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:26 [p.2603]
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Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question.
What our government understands is the importance of helping young Canadians today. Economic history has shown that recessions pose a particular threat to young people, which is why our government is here to support that generation.
That is a promise from our government to all young Canadians.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-20 14:27 [p.2603]
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Mr. Speaker, I will tell you what this government believes in. We understand that economic recessions and depressions pose a particular threat to young people, and that is why we acted swiftly to support young Canadians. I want to say to all young Canadians that we will not allow them to be left behind. We will not allow them to be a lost generation.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-08 13:27 [p.2549]
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Madam Chair, all Albertans should be proud of the contribution that Alberta and Albertans make to Canada's economy. We know that Alberta and the energy sector are an essential part of the strength of our country.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-08 13:28 [p.2549]
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Madam Chair, the question of fiscal stabilization and whether it is something that should be updated and modernized is a very good one. Bev Dahlby has done some excellent academic research on that, and it is something that we are looking into.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-07-08 13:28 [p.2549]
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Madam Chair, as I said, Bev Dahlby has done some great work on this. We are looking carefully into it.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-06-17 16:09 [p.2500]
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Madam Chair, I would like to thank the member for London—Fanshawe for that important question and for pointing out that we are talking about real people. We are talking about Canadians who are really suffering and struggling in what is the deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
Our government is absolutely committed to providing 10 days of paid sick leave to every single Canadian. That will be paid for fully by the federal government, and that is part of the safe restart discussion we are having with the provinces right now.
Clearly, it would be helpful for workers to have a provincial commitment to ensure that they do not lose their jobs as a consequence of taking this sick leave, which we are prepared to provide. Having that effective conversation with the provinces and territories is very much in the interest of the workers, who I think all of us in the House believe we need to support.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-06-17 17:09 [p.2510]
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Mr. Speaker, I am quite certain that Canadians and our allies admire the work that we did as a country in renegotiating the new NAFTA. Canada is today the only G7 country that has a trade agreement with every other G7 country. At a time of rising protectionism, at a time when our economy is going through a crisis created by the coronavirus, the fact that we have secured—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-06-17 17:37 [p.2514]
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Mr. Speaker, as Canadians know, we are going through an unprecedented global pandemic and it has been incredibly important to communicate clearly with Canadians the measures we all need to take to stay safe—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-06-17 17:37 [p.2514]
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Mr. Speaker, the money is being spent to communicate clearly with Canadians the extraordinary measures we all need to be safe and to stay safe and well—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-06-17 18:18 [p.2521]
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Madam Chair, we are in talks with Quebec and the provinces to decide what we must do together to prepare for a second wave and to ensure a safe and healthy recovery for all Canadians and Quebeckers.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-29 15:01 [p.2246]
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Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis. Our government knows that Canadians and businesses are going through very trying times. That is why we acted so fast. We have implemented programs to support all Canadians affected by the pandemic.
This unprecedented crisis demands an unprecedented response. Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan is among the largest in the G7. We have introduced measures for workers, parents, students and for businesses, large and small. We are making sure that no one is left behind. Let me provide a few examples.
The Canada emergency response benefit is a major part of the government's COVID-19 economic response plan. It is meant to help stabilize the economy by supporting Canadians as they pay for essentials, like housing and groceries, and will help businesses across the country to pay their bills and keep their doors open. The emergency response benefit provides $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who have lost their incomes because of COVID-19. More than seven million Canadians have already received money through this essential benefit.
We are also boosting the Canada child benefit by $300 per child for over three million Canadian families. That is an extra $550 per family on average. We are supplementing the GST credit with a special payment for low- and modest-income families, averaging about $400 for single people and $600 for couples. Many people have already received their money.
We are also continuing to work with the provinces and territories to share the cost of a temporary wage top-up for low-income workers deemed essential in the fight against COVID-19. That includes Quebec and British Columbia, where the provincial governments have already implemented direct wage support for those workers.
We are also helping Canadian employers and employees deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the Canada emergency wage subsidy, the government hopes to prevent further job losses and encourage employers to rehire workers previously laid off because of COVID-19. The idea is to ensure that Canadian businesses are well positioned to fully resume their operations after the crisis. The emergency wage subsidy covers 75% of employees' earnings, up to $847 a week, for employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 15% in March, or 30% in April or May.
In addition, the Canada emergency business account provides up to $40,000 in interest-free loans to small businesses, including non-profit organizations. Since the second week of April, small business owners have been able to apply for assistance through the Canada emergency business account at their bank or credit union. Businesses can access this account through their primary lender, with which they already have a business relationship.
Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy and, really, of our society. They give our communities their character, provide good jobs and support families across the country. That is why I am pleased to report that the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance will give eligible small businesses affected by COVID-19 another break. It will lower their rent by 75%. We are able to offer this support thanks to an agreement in principle that our government reached with all provinces and territories last week. That is team Canada at work.
The Government of Canada is taking strong, immediate and effective action to protect Canadians and Canadian businesses from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures I have outlined today will help Canadian employers retain or rehire their employees, as many have done already. This is the key to our response plan. By being able to hold on to their workers, Canadian companies will be in a better position to bounce back quickly after the crisis and many more Canadians will have the security of knowing that they still have a job.
Another aspect of our response that is really important is that we have not and will not hesitate to make adjustments to enhance our programs. We want to make sure that everyone is protected and we are working to ensure that people and businesses do not fall through the cracks. Our response has been guided by the principle that speed trumps perfection and that making useful modifications as we go along is a feature and not a bug.
That is why we are offering assistance to students and recent graduates affected by COVID-19. A few weeks ago, hundreds of thousands of students across the country were getting ready to start a summer job. For some of these young Canadians, this would be their first opportunity to take on challenges and succeed in the workplace. For others, this job would be a bridge to their career.
Today, these same students are having a hard time finding meaningful employment. Many are worried, and they are wondering how they can pay their rent and save for school.
In March, the number of post-secondary students who were employed dropped by 28% compared to February 2020. Some of these students are eligible for the Canada emergency response benefit. These young people are at a pivotal time in their lives, and we must do what we can to give them a promising future. The government intends to do something about that.
We are proposing the new Canada emergency student benefit as part of Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan. This benefit would provide eligible Canadian students with $1,250 a month from May to August. Eligible students with dependants or disabilities will receive a higher amount.
The government also intends to launch the Canada student service grant to encourage students to volunteer. This service grant will provide up to $5,000 to support recipients' post-secondary education costs in the fall.
We also need to look beyond this summer and improve existing financial assistance programs available to students. That is what we intend to do. Our plan includes doubling Canada student grants for all eligible students in 2020-21 to $6,000 for full-time students and up to $3,600 for those studying part time.
The government recognizes that many families will have a tough time setting money aside in 2020 to help their children go to school, and we want to support the next generation of Canadian leaders. We plan to enhance Canada student loan programs by increasing the maximum weekly amount available from $210 to $350.
Overall, the measures I have just described represent nearly $9 billion for post-secondary students and recent graduates.
During these unprecedented times, we will continue to carefully monitor all COVID-19-related developments. Protecting Canadians' health and meeting their immediate needs remain our priorities. Once this crisis is over, we will be ready to work with Canadians and kick-start the economy in order to build an even stronger country.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-29 15:12 [p.2248]
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
I would like to start by sharing a personal experience. As the daughter of a farmer, I worked on the family farm during the summer. Obviously, I worked without pay, because it was the family farm. I am well aware that it is in the interest of farms to hire students, as this benefits both farm owners and students.
We firmly believe, and I think all members would agree, that Canadian students want to work. The problem is that many students will have a hard time finding work because of COVID-19.
That is why this program is so important. We also need to make sure that it does not act as a deterrent to students. We will keep a close eye on that.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-29 15:14 [p.2248]
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his excellent question and observation.
The answer is obviously yes. The government analyzed the structure and the short-term impact of the CESB on students to ensure that the measure meets its objectives while still encouraging students to work. Students are encouraged to work so that they can earn an income, and adjustments will be considered as required.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 14:31 [p.2188]
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Mr. Speaker, the coronavirus is a global pandemic and, as such, poses a profound security threat to Canada. For that reason, Canada's intelligence community has been deeply engaged in informing the government's actions. That is why in January the incident response group was convened by the Prime Minister, where briefings were shared and discussed.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 14:50 [p.2192]
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Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member opposite about how important our forestry sector is. The crisis today reminds us of how essential products of that industry are.
The pulp that is produced by Harmac on Vancouver Island is an essential input into many of the medical goods which are saving lives today. Over the past week, I have had many discussions with leaders in our forestry sector and with the provinces about what we can do to support the industry today.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 14:52 [p.2193]
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Mr. Speaker, our government is far from indifferent to Canada's oil and gas sector. We know how essential the energy sector is to our country and how the energy sector is the source of hundreds of thousands of well-paying, middle-class jobs.
That is why last week our government announced unprecedented support for workers in the energy sector in the form of support for orphan wells. This work is long overdue, and let me point out to the member opposite that it was welcomed by the Premier of Alberta.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 14:57 [p.2193]
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Mr. Speaker, this is a global pandemic. That is why international co-operation and information sharing are absolutely essential. We can all help each other and save lives by gathering and sharing the most accurate information possible. Having said that, decisions about Canada are made by Canadians based on the advice of Canada's world-renowned experts.
Finally, I think everyone in this House appreciates that democracies are transparent in a way authoritarian regimes can never be.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 16:48 [p.2209]
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Madam Chair, as the member knows, this is the largest and most complex repatriation effort that Canada has undertaken in recent history. To date, working with all members of the House, because all of us have constituents who have been touched by this, we have facilitated the repatriation of over 19,000 Canadians, on 144 flights, from 72 countries. We continue to work with our international partners to get as many Canadians home as we can.
I want to emphasize one thing to all those Canadians who are able to come home, which is that everyone is subject to a mandatory quarantine order for 14 days upon the return home. We want those Canadians to come home. As Canadians, we all have a right to return to our country, but we have to be very careful that those returns do not compromise the health of Canadians.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 16:50 [p.2209]
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Madam Chair, I am not going to offer precise numbers of how many people will come back from India. As the member opposite knows, it is a very difficult situation in that country. It is difficult for Canadians; it is difficult for Indians. We are very aware of the situation of Canadians there and are working to safely return the people we can. I want to emphasize how important it is that anyone who comes back must obey quarantine orders.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:04 [p.2212]
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Madam Chair, let me start by pointing out that the coronavirus is a global pandemic which knows no ideology and in order to best fight that pandemic and best protect Canadians, it is essential to work with and share information with all countries where that pandemic exists. Having said that, it is also very important for all of us as members of the international community to share as much information, and information which is as accurate as possible, in order to protect our own people and also in order to protect the rest of the world.
I hope that all members of this House would agree with my next statement. I believe very firmly that it is in the DNA of democracies to be far more transparent than any authoritarian regime can ever be. That is one of the reasons I believe so strongly in democracy, and I think that is why we are here in this House this afternoon.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:10 [p.2213]
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Madam Chair, the long-awaited announcement of $1.7 billion for an active well cleanup and $750 million for methane reduction are very positive steps for the energy sector for Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C. They do not need to take my word for it. I am going to quote Premier Jason Kenney, who said, “Thank you to the Prime Minister...for announcing $1.7 billion to accelerate cleanup of orphaned and abandoned wells in Canada's energy sector. This is critical to getting thousands of people in the energy sector back to work immediately.”
The premier is right, and we are glad to be contributing to that.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:17 [p.2214]
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Madam Chair, the member opposite is quite right. In our conversations with the premiers of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the need for support for small northern airlines has absolutely been emphasized.
As the member opposite knows, some of these communities are fly-in, fly-out communities and are dependent on airlines for their food. Some of the business operations of those airlines are compromised because of travel restrictions, including the very tight and, I would say, very admirable restrictions these northern communities have introduced to protect themselves. For that reason, last week we announced a significant support package for the north, in part specifically to support airlines.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:18 [p.2214]
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Madam Chair, those duties are indeed a real issue for the softwood lumber industry, which is going through a very difficult time. The member is right to point out how much we need that industry for its raw materials for PPE and toilet paper. It is great that Canada produces it.
We are in what I would say is very regular discussion with the U.S. about our trade dispute, and we continue to win cases.
We are also talking with leaders in the industry about ways we can support the industry.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:19 [p.2214]
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Madam Chair, that is another excellent question. One of the things I would say has been happening in recent days and weeks as we have been working with our North American partners on the border relationship has been a heightened appreciation on both sides of the border of the extent to which the security of Canada and the United States is dependent on our working together and our NORAD relationships.
Therefore, I would say that that question is very much on the agenda and is being discussed very positively with our neighbours.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:33 [p.2216]
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Madam Chair, as my colleague has said, the government has been closely tracking the incidents of the novel coronavirus and its spread. The Public Health Agency of Canada alerted all provincial health authorities on January 2, and on January 14 the Public Health Agency convened a meeting of the Canadian Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health.
To the member's point, in January the first meeting of the incident response group was convened by the Prime Minister. That is an emergency incident response group, and of course intelligence information is shared there.
Beyond that, the confidentiality of our intelligence sharing prevents me from going into detail.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:36 [p.2217]
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Madam Chair, I have been very happy with the team Canada approach of all Canadians.
I would like to particularly single out the premiers. First and foremost, health care is a provincial responsibility. The premiers and provincial and territorial governments have had the first-line responsibility of dealing with this crisis. As the member opposite knows, most of the premiers are not members of my party. I think they have worked extremely collaboratively with one another and the federal government, and I commend them for that.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:38 [p.2217]
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Madam Chair, indeed, as all of us are rightly focused on the front-line health care battle against the coronavirus, we do have to remember that this is a time when our information systems are particularly important and vulnerable.
Our government is very focused on that. Both the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Safety are working with the provinces and are very aware of the fact that we need to monitor our cybersecurity. One other security threat I will share with everyone here is scamming, which is a danger. People are afraid and vulnerable, and that is something we are focused on as well.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:39 [p.2217]
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Madam Chair, the issue of federal correctional institutions and the coronavirus is another really important one. We have seen some worrying outbreaks in federal correctional institutions and have been working particularly closely with the Province of B.C. on the institutions there. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Bonnie Henry for the very good advice she has been giving us about those institutions.
When it comes to inmates, let me emphasize that nothing is more important than the safety of Canadians. That is the first and foremost concern the Minister of Public Safety has in mind.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:40 [p.2218]
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Madam Chair, I do aspire to be deputy government House leader to work closely with our House leader on managing questions on this side of the House. He is laughing, and it shows that it is true.
I would ask the member opposite to please share those reports with me and the Minister of Public Safety. The situation with regard to the coronavirus in federal correctional institutions is one we do need to watch closely, as there have been outbreaks there. At the same time, it is absolutely essential to protect the safety of Canadians.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:41 [p.2218]
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Madam Chair, the agreement did not in any way change the original agreement. It simply rolled it over for 30 days. As we approach the end of those 30 days, and indeed every day after, we will continue to have a very friendly, very neighbourly conversation with our American neighbours about what to do next.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:42 [p.2218]
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Madam Chair, today of all days is a day that we should all be very grateful for the service of the RCMP across the country. I will leave it at that.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:56 [p.2220]
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Madam Chair, I thank the member for her question.
Even before the coronavirus crisis, we understood the importance of having high-speed Internet, especially for rural communities. I think that everyone, the members here in particular, is aware that the coronavirus has and will continue to completely change the economy.
As the member pointed out, one of those changes will be the increased importance of telework. For that reason, I completely agree that access to high-speed Internet for all Canadians, including those in rural communities, must be a top priority for our government when we begin to relaunch the economy after the crisis. Obviously, it is too soon to start that work right now because of the measures we have taken to protect public health, but I absolutely agree that this must be a priority.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 17:58 [p.2220]
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Madam Chair, I want to commend the member because people in her region understand that this is a priority for our government. We have already announced an investment of $500 million in this project. The fact that people in the member's region have already submitted an application is a step in the right direction.
I agree that the coronavirus has changed many aspects of our economy and that we need to change how we do things going forward. One thing that will be absolutely crucial will be to further highlight the importance of high-speed Internet access for all Canadians.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 18:06 [p.2222]
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Madam Chair, I was due to speak with the minister about this today but she is understandably very much engaged in her response to the tragedy in Nova Scotia.
I also want to take this opportunity, and was looking forward to a chance, to answer a question from the member for New Brunswick Southwest because I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the remarkable thing that a New Brunswick company, LuminUltra, is doing.
LuminUltra in New Brunswick has taken on, at very short notice, the production of reagent. This reagent had been very hard for us to get and LuminUltra is now, one could say, the engine powering coronavirus testing across the country.
On fisheries, I am happy to answer if the member has another question about that.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 18:12 [p.2222]
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Madam Chair, first of all, I thank the member for paying that moving tribute. All members in the House join him in this sorrow.
Many of the questions I have heard today have been very helpful. I have particularly been grateful for the questions where people have asked about specific issues, either in their ridings or specific issues in the areas in which they are a critic. Please know that ministers have been listening carefully, and we will get back to members on each of those specific things. That is not the only thing that has been helpful, but that is one of them, and I thank everyone who has been drawing attention to these specific areas.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 18:14 [p.2223]
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Madam Chair, perhaps in the bipartisan spirit of the Aileen Carroll tribute we have just heard, I will quote the premier of Ontario, who was rightfully very passionate in denouncing anyone who would seek to price gouge, who would seek to be fraudulent or who would seek to profit off of the pain and suffering of Canadians today. I will begin by denouncing that kind of selfish behaviour in the strongest possible terms, and as a society, we just have to not tolerate anyone behaving that way.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 18:15 [p.2223]
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Madam Chair, as the member opposite knows, policing is done principally by the provinces, although of course the RCMP plays an essential role. We are very aware of the fiscal strain that provinces and municipalities are facing and that is something that we are discussing with our provincial partners.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 18:43 [p.2228]
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Madam Chair, the orphan wells cleanup was specifically focused on workers, because we are so aware of the concerns of energy workers. However, I absolutely share the concern of the member opposite on the particular challenges the energy sector is facing, and that is something the government is focused on.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-20 18:48 [p.2228]
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Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleague for the question.
I completely agree. I think that the coronavirus crisis has highlighted the importance of having high speed Internet across the country and especially in the regions where this service is still not available.
I agree with my colleague that the Internet is important, not just for young people and workers who use it, but also for our seniors. I believe that families celebrated Easter over the Internet with their seniors, and we must improve access to that service. Even before the crisis, this was a priority for our government and we had announced a $500-million investment. However, I now think that we must do more.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 13:50 [p.2116]
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Mr. Chair, Canada, as a member of the Five Eyes, as a member of NATO, as a member of NORAD, is a close intelligence partner with all of those allies, very much including the United States, and is privy to a great deal of intelligence. Of course, the global pandemic is an issue that has concerned our intelligence agencies and those of our partners, so we have been in close communication with them.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 13:50 [p.2116]
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As I have said, Mr. Chair, our intelligence sharing is very important. Our intelligence sharing with our allies during this global pandemic, which poses particular security challenges, has been very energetic, and we continue to work with them.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 13:51 [p.2116]
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Mr. Chair, part of the basis on which we are able to work closely with our partners, including when it comes to sharing intelligence, is sharing with Canadians only what we are able to.
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Lib. (ON)
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2020-04-11 13:51 [p.2117]
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Mr. Chair, when it comes to border control, our government is very aware of the importance of ensuring that people coming into the country today are subject to mandatory quarantine. That quarantine is being enforced. That includes Canadians and non-Canadians. As Canadians know as well, there are strict limits today on anyone who is not Canadian entering the country.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 13:52 [p.2117]
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Mr. Chair, we became aware that the coronavirus was indeed a threat and that there were a number of places around the world from which we were receiving people who could have the contagion of the coronavirus. That is why at the border we were very clear about giving clear instructions about the need for self-isolation.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 13:53 [p.2117]
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Mr. Chair, as I hope the member opposite knows, “quarantine” is a very specific legal term, and the measures of quarantine are currently in place. Prior to that obligatory quarantine being in place, incoming travellers, whether they were Canadian or not, were very clearly told to self-isolate.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:09 [p.2120]
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Mr. Chair, guaranteeing our food supply is absolutely essential, particularly at a time of a global pandemic. In terms of designating what are and are not essential services, it is incredibly important for the federal government to work collaboratively with the provinces, and that is what we are doing.
We have issued federal guidelines, which is important, and the provinces are issuing their own guidelines based on provincial realities. That is the way to work co-operatively.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:12 [p.2120]
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Mr. Chair, we are very aware of the importance of canola exports to the Canadian economy and I think all of us are more aware than ever of the importance of farmers to Canada.
We continue to work on getting Canadian canola accepted around the world. That includes working with China.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:21 [p.2122]
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Mr. Chair, it is absolutely essential that, first and foremost, we do everything we can to protect the health and lives of Canadians as we fight this first wave of the coronavirus. What that means is that we must practise physical distancing and we have to stay at home. We are well aware, of course, of the economic impact. That is why we are here in the House bringing in today's economic measures. Of course, we need to work on an exit plan, but we can only do that once we know that we have hit and moved past our peak.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:22 [p.2122]
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Mr. Chair, we are definitely working on such a plan, as would any prudent government. I will mention some of the things that are going to be necessary as Canada thinks about how we move past the current stage.
We are going to have to work on serological testing. We are going to need to know who has antibodies against this virus and who does not. We are going to need to be aware and realize, as the Prime Minister and our public health officials said in their presentation this week, that it is quite likely there will be one, two or even three additional waves. We are going to need to have a very sophisticated approach.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:41 [p.2125]
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Mr. Chair, we are very aware that there are communities of particularly vulnerable Canadians who need particular support during this crisis. That, of course, includes our veterans, many of whom are also older people and so fall into a category doubly at risk. We are very much focused on them.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the individual Canadians who are making such efforts to reach out to fellow Canadians who are suffering from the necessary isolation.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:42 [p.2125]
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Mr. Chair, that, I am sad to say, is an excellent question.
One of the prices we are all seeing right now through this period of physical distancing is that more Canadians are suffering from mental health problems. We are very much focused on it. Health Canada is definitely putting forward some measures to be sure to help people at this time.
I also want to encourage individual Canadians to keep doing what they have been doing, which is to help their neighbours, friends and family.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:43 [p.2126]
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Mr. Chair, when it comes to our land borders, we have taken unprecedented action to restrict travel between Canada and the United States. We have done this with great care. It has been important to restrict non-essential travel even as we have taken steps to ensure that essential travel, the travel which is necessary for trade, the travel which is necessary to keep food in our grocery stores, the travel which is essential to get medical devices across the borders, continues to happen. That is work that is being done in close collaboration with the United States. It is being done by CBSA, and CBSA works closely with the provinces and with Health Canada.
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Lib. (ON)
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
2020-04-11 14:44 [p.2126]
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Mr. Chair, our government, working closely with the Province of Alberta, has been very engaged in efforts at the G20, in efforts led by the NAFTA energy ministers to ensure that this unacceptable international manipulation of the price of oil comes to an end. The G20 energy ministers meeting yesterday did bring some positive results, and we will continue to be very engaged in this important issue.
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