CPAC - Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 10:00 a.m. (ET) - Segment #14

as he talked about McGill. McGill is a world class university that draws people from around the world to Montreal not just because of the culture but as an education centre, and yet we see McGill having to go to court to get the right to have students educated and challenge the unconstitutional attack on a world class institution. I want to ask my colleague about what he thinks about a government that attacks an institution that is this respected around the world just for partisan points to please the sovereigntists? >> The Speaker: The Honourable Member for Lac St. Louis. >> The member steps on something I care deeply about. I, myself, and a few others met the principal of McGill, deep Saini, yesterday, and I thought I knew how bad McGill was being treated by the Quebec government. I didn't know half of it until I really saw the facts. It's the 28th best university in the world. Its graduates have gone on to create companies like Intel. What is good for McGill is good for Quebec, it's good for the Quebec economy, and it's good for Quebec culture, it's good for Quebec in many, many ways and I'm quite offended by the fact that the provincial government of Quebec is undermining the province and all citizens, French speakers, English speakers, it doesn't really matter. It's undermining the province by targeting two institutions like Quebec and Concordia and I think it's a shame. >> The Speaker: Resuming debate, the Honourable Member for Nepean. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thanks for the opportunity to take part in today's debate. I'll get straight to the point. Criticizing the Federal Government's interference in provincial and territorial jurisdiction is not only deeply flawed but also quite unfair. It overlooks the collaborative nature of Canada's federal system system. By working together, both levels of the government can address complex issues that transcend regional boundaries forcing a more cohesive and prosperous nation. In reality, Canada's awe NEEK -- unique [Indiscernible] provides a platform to showcase distance on the global stage. This creates a win-win situation, Madam Speaker, enabling Canadians including Quebecers to enjoy numerous social and economic benefits unparalleled elsewhere. Let me briefly touch on Quebec's unique identity within Canada, which is defined by its rich cultural heritage, distinct language, legal system, and historical significance. This element contributes to Quebec's special status and influences its interaction within the Canadian federation. Quebec boasts a vibrant and cultural scene deeply rooted in the French heritage. The province is known for its contributions to literature, music, theatre, cinema and visual arts. Even Montreal international jazz festival and the Quebec winter carnival celebrate Quebecois culture and attract visitors from around the world. The preservation of French culture is central to Quebec's identity and influences its social and political life. Quebec's legal system is based on civil law inherited from the French Napoleonic accord unlike the rest of Canada which follows the common-law system. This distance underscores the unique governance structures affecting everything from property rights to family law. Quebec has a distinct historical trajectory within Canada. Quebec has a strong sense of political autonomy. The province has its own immigration policies and pension plan plan. Quebec's education system reflects its unique identity emphasizing Quebec language and Quebecois culture. Institutions likeare key pillars forcing a strong sense of provincial identity. Quebec plays a vital role in Canada's economy with strengths in sectors like aerospace, information technology, biotechnology and energy. The province's economic policies often reflect its unique priorities including the promotion of French language businesses and industries. Quebec is known for its progressive social policies including affordable child care, generous parental leave, and robust public health care. These policies reflect the

commitment to social welfare and distribute distinct social fabric. Quebec's unique identity is a source of pride. Balancing this within Canada continues to shape Quebec's social, cultural, and political landscape while certain sectors are primarily under provincial jurisdiction in Canada, the federal government can and has played a significant role in supporting these areas through various mechanisms. The federal government provides financial support to provinces to transfer payments such as Canadian health transfer and the Canadian social transfer. These funds help provinces deliver essential services like health care, post-secondary education, and Social Services. Originally, equalization payments ensured that all provinces including Quebec have comparable levels of public services despite differences in revenue-generating capacities. The federal government can establish national standards and guidelines to promote consistency and quality across the country. For example, through the Canada Health Act, the federal government sets principles for health care delivery. The federal government can and has initiated child care funding programs for specific needs. For example, it has invested in infrastructure projects like public highways and transit systems and transportation networks. It has also funded skills, training and research grants to bolster provincial education systems. Federal and provincial governments including Quebec can and have collaborated through intergovernmental agreements. These agreements facilitate joint efforts on shared priorities such as improving health care delivering, addressing climate change and enhancing economic development. The federal government can support provinces including Quebec by conducting research and sharing data through -- that inform policies. Institutions can provide the insights in to best practices and emerging trends helping province design programs. The federal government has complemented provincial including Quebec's efforts ensuring that Canadians have access to high-quality services regardless of where they live. On affordability, Canadians in every region and of all ages [Indiscernible] from the federal government's fiscally responsible and [Indiscernible] economic plan. Canada-wide early learning and child care plan is a great example of collaboration between the federal government and provces provinces. We are strengthening the affordable child care system already in place in Quebec, by helping to create more child care spaces. We are also supporting about 3.5 million families across Canada annually through the tax-free Canada child benefit. We will continue to work with provinces as we launch a national school food program. We increased old age security benefits for seniors age 75 and older by 10%. We also delivered the first enhanced quarterly Canada workers benefit payments to our lowest paid and often more essential workers with the family receiving a total benefit of up to $2616 last year. Our new Canada disability benefit will increase the financial well-being of low-income Canadians with physical disabilities in every region of the country. On the top of the laundry list of [Indiscernible] I just mentioned, we are also working with provinces to deliver improved health care to Canadians. Last year, we committed nearly $200 billion over ten years to strengthen public health care for Canadians including record health transfers and tailored bilateral agreements. This year, we introduced legislation to launch the first phase of national universal pharmacare in Canada, which will provide universal single payor coverage for a number of contraceptives and diabetes medication, and of course, we are making historical investments in affordable dental care for oral health. Thanks to the federal government to work with provinces to build more housing faster across

Canada. We are together on track to build nearly 4 million homes by the end of 2031. Madam Speaker, we have been steadfast in our efforts to collaborate with provinces and territories to build a better and fairer Canada, and these efforts have indeed born fruit. However, it is crucial that we maintain this momentum but continue to work with our partners at all levels of government, we can drive our economy towards inclusive growth and ensure that the promise of Canada remains attainable for everyone. Therefore, I urge the Honourable Members to reject to raise misguided motion. Thank you, Madam Speaker. >> The Speaker: (Voice of Interpreter): Questions and comments, the Honourable Member for Beauport. >> (Voice of Interpreter): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank my colleague for his speech. What I hear is he does not understand and there's a lack of desire to understand Quebec's reality. It may be a society where the need for this respect for just jurisdiction is even greater. My Quebec colleague lives in a multi-cultural society where the federal government really doesn't bother people, but in Quebec, there's a different situation. My colleague doesn't seem to understand or really understand the distinction of the Quebec nation. The problem, for example, in terms of the federal government in health care is that the federal government is not doing its share to transfer funding to Quebec and the provinces for management of their health care system. It creates issues that the Quebec and provinces are seeing right now in their systems. It prevents them from solving these issues and the federal government barges in and says, we are going to get involved and solve your issues. So I would like to hear what my colleague has to say about that, particularly that he re-assures me about his understanding of the specific nature of Quebec and other regions in Canada that are not necessarily as multi-cultural multi-cultural as all Canadian provinces. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I think the p.m. -- the Honourable Member does not seem to understand the regard of the collaborative nature. He talked about the health care, but in the last speech by one of his colleagues, I did not see the member react to the question posed by NDP member on the 600,000 Quebecers who are registered for the Canada dental care plan. It is not just the question of the jurisdiction, Madam Speaker, what is important is that the affordability issues faced by Canadians should be addressed by all levels of the governments working collaboratively. >> The Speaker: Questions and comments. The Honourable Member for Chateauguay-Lacolle. >> Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and I listened with great interest to my colleague and I know that he has a lot of knowledge about economic development, what's happening in the different provinces, and particularly in Quebec around a clean economy, around the kind of innovation that we need to work toward a better future, a carbon free future, and I just want to hear him on what would happen if the federal government did not make -- we know there have been historic investments made in Quebec, Northvolt and in other industries. What would happen if the federal government did not make these investments? >> The Speaker: The Honourable Member for Nepean. >> I thank the Honourable Member for that important observation and questions. Indeed, Canada is at the forefront of many technologies, advanced technologies. Indeed, Quebec is quite strong when it comes to clean economy and the knowledge-based industries, especially in artificial intelligence. Quebec is also good in aerospace and other allied industries. But all these industries are at the global stage because of the active involvement of the federal government over a period of time. We sought federal government investments in the advanced technologies -- without federal government investments in advanced technologies, Quebec would not have the attainment it has. Without the continued investment of federal government, Quebec would not reach the stage where we would like to see Canada and Quebec's technologies at the forefront in global knowledge-based economy. >> The Speaker: (Voice of Interpreter): Resuming debate, the Honourable Member for Drummond. >> (Voice of Interpreter): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I have the honour to warm up the room for my colleague from Terrebonne. It's a great honour. Madam Speaker, I listened to many of my colleagues' speeches

Copyright protected and owned by broadcaster. Your licence is limited to private, internal, non-commercial use. All reproduction, broadcast, transmission or other use of this work is strictly prohibited.

Transcripts