La semaine dernière, le ministre des Ressources naturelles a rencontré ses homologues des États-Unis et du Mexique à Winnipeg. Lors de cette rencontre, ils ont signé un protocole d’entente sur une collaboration en matière d’énergie verte. Le ministre peut-il décrire ce modèle de collaboration et en expliquer les bienfaits en ce qui a trait aux investissements canadiens en matière d’énergie verte, d’efficacité énergétique et d’industries d’énergie verte?

I hosted our United States and Mexican energy counterparts in Winnipeg, where we signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding on climate change and energy collaboration. [T]his MOU builds on the good work done by the previous government. It delivers on our government’s promise to ensure that the energy sector remains a source of jobs, prosperity, and opportunity in a world that values sustainable development.

The Paris Agreement will be open for signing at the United Nations headquarters this spring on Earth Day. Will [the Prime Minister] personally accept the invitation of the Secretary-General to be there to sign the agreement, and more importantly, will he bring with him Canada’s new, more robust target to meet the objectives of the agreement?

I was pleased to be in Paris with premiers and so many Canadians to reach that extraordinary agreement. I am looking forward to meeting with the premiers on March 3 to further build on this framework. Canada will be attending the signing ceremony in April in New York to move forward on this important landmark historic agreement out of Paris.

The U.S. is our greatest ally and our largest customer, but it is also our biggest competitor. Now that the Americans are not moving ahead with a carbon tax, the Prime Minister’s carbon tax has become a liability for Canadian businesses ... Will the Prime Minister back down from his carbon tax?

Our government is proud to have ratified the Paris accord. We are proud that our Minister of Environment and Climate Change is at COP-22 in Morocco now. We also recognize that putting a price on pollution is good for the Canadian economy, that it will create jobs here in Canada, and that is what Canadians expect us to do. We look forward to working with the provinces and international partners to ensure that we have the most robust carbon pricing system in place.

June 17 will be the world day to combat desertification. This is an area where Canada was once extremely helpful. We even hosted the fifth meeting of the treaty to combat desertification, having ratified it in 1995. [Canada withdrew from the treaty] in 2013. [Will] Canada rejoin [it]?

We recognize not just the link between land degradation and climate change, but also the risks that desertification poses to realizing sustainable development goals. We are coordinating with our international partners to implement the 2030 agenda and its ambitious objectives to eradicate poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change. We recognize the important work done by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

[T]he Keystone XL pipeline was rejected with virtually no push-back, no opposition or concern from the Liberals. TransCanada is not taking it lying down; it is challenging the U.S. decision at NAFTA. Will the government support this NAFTA challenge?

We regretted that decision from the government of the United States. We have also said that the decision to appeal it through a NAFTA panel is the business of the proponent and not of the Government of Canada.

One year ago, the Prime Minister claimed that he was disappointed with President Obama’s decision to reject the Keystone pipeline, but now that the new president-elect has expressed his support, will the Prime Minister do the right thing and move quickly to lend his personal and public support to the Keystone XL pipeline?

The government had indicated its support for Keystone XL, and it also said that it was disappointed when President Obama saw it a different way. All of the necessary approvals in Canada are in place. They have not timed out. If the company decides that it wants to introduce it once again, the government will, as it was before, be supportive of the application.

[What has been] Canadian foreign policy [with respect to China]?

We actually need to grow the relationship between Canada and the sixth of humanity, China, which was so damaged by the former government. This is why we need to make progress in every aspect, including human rights, including the rule of law. It is what I said very clearly in the meetings with the minister of foreign affairs of China ... We will continue to improve our relationship with China and to advocate the case for human rights everywhere in the world, including in China.

Lebanon has long claimed to be the only democracy in the Arab world ... The minister just held what were called productive meetings with Lebanon’s president and foreign minister, and he announced $8 million in security and defence assistance for Lebanon. Did Canada’s minister offer this generous aid fully aware that the Lebanese foreign minister is on the record equating what he called ISIS and Israeli terrorism?

The minister’s visit to Lebanon was an important opportunity to reinforce our strong relationship as we continue to work together to achieve peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. Working with the UN and other organizations, we are supporting Lebanon in welcoming refugees who are escaping the brutal conflict in Syria and also helping to provide critical services to meet the needs of all Lebanese people. The minister announced an $8-million commitment to that end. This government will continue to rally the international community to support the victims of the ongoing conflict in Syria.

There is a report today that indicates that when the Prime Minister met with Vladimir Putin in Turkey they both expressed a desire to normalize relations ... Why is the Government of Canada turning its back on the people of Ukraine? Why is the Prime Minister playing footsie with Putin?

Canada will always be there for Ukraine. We do not accept the interference and invasion by Russia in Ukraine. We will find the most effective way to say that to the Government of Russia.

An international investigation into the downing of Malaysian passenger jet MH17 confirms that the missile that hit the plane was brought into Ukraine from Russia and fired from Russian-backed rebel territory. Evidence reveals that the launcher then returned to Russia. Given that two Canadians were among the 298 who died in the attack, will the minister now condemn Russia for its unrepentant military aggression that has taken thousands of lives and displaced almost one million people in eastern Ukraine?

I fully agree ... In fact, there was an official declaration done by the Government of Canada, and we are willing to start reading it in the House. Today, as we consider the interim findings of the independent joint investigation team into the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, we are reminded of the unspeakable suffering caused by this tragic attack. The interim findings made clear that the Russian-made Buk missile was fired from rebel-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine. In a nutshell, the declaration clearly condemns it.

Can the minister assure ... that Canada will not waver in its sanctions against Russia for its invasion and occupation of Crimea and its continuing sponsorship of terrorist activities in eastern Ukraine?

This government is unequivocal about our support for Ukraine and our condemnation of Russian aggression. [T]his government increased sanctions against Russia ... This government has given more support to Ukraine ... Most recently, the minister announced $8.1 million in new funding to support the national police of Ukraine. Canada has stood, and always will stand, steadfast with Ukraine, and we will continue to hold Russia to account.

The sixth meeting of the Somalia High Level Partnership Forum was recently held in Istanbul, Turkey. The meeting was attended by 46 countries, including Canada ... Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs update the House on this ... meeting?

This year will be crucial for Somalia. It will have a constitutional review, the implementation of a federal structure, and national elections. This would be a challenging agenda for any country, including Canada. Canada will be there with Somalia this year and for the long term.

[W]e have just witnessed the annual ritual of some of the world’s worst human rights abusers elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The good news is that Russia has been denied the seat it so long took for granted. However, China, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba will be seated. The vote, as usual, was secret ... Will the minister tell Canadians how Canada voted on these four notorious human rights abusing nations?

I am proud to say that we seek to maximize membership on this council with countries that have strong human rights records at home and abroad, and that this council, as everywhere, will promote universal human rights, as we have done over the last year with the greatest of results. This government asked for clemency in all cases of Canadians facing execution abroad. We will adopt the optional protocol to the convention against torture of the United Nations.

Some weeks ago ... Irwin Cotler, among others, called on the minister to defy the UN’s secretive and hypocritical tradition and make Canada’s vote public. The minister refused, as he did again today. [W]ill the minister, today, reconsider, demonstrate leadership on the human rights file, and tell Canadians how Canada voted on Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba?

We created the office of human rights, freedoms, and inclusion. We are supporting the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with a contribution of $15 million in new base funding. Canada has been elected to the Commission on the Status of Women of the United Nations. Human rights, freedoms and inclusion are now among the fundamental objectives of all Canadian heads of missions. We have tabled new legislation to guarantee and protect the legal rights.

Les États-Unis ont annoncé qu’ils suspendaient certaines de leurs ventes d’armes à l’Arabie saoudite à cause des problèmes systémiques et endémiques venant du fait que ce pays ciblerait les civils au Yémen. Pendant ce temps, il semble que le Canada prévoit l’utilisation des véhicules blindés légers fabriqués au Canada dans le conflit au Yémen. Le ministre peut-il confirmer cette nouvelle?

Le gouvernement n’exporte pas vers l’Arabie saoudite le type d’arme en cause dans le cas des États-Unis, c’est-à-dire des bombes air-sol. Nous condamnons les attaques répétées et insensées au Yémen, y compris l’horrible attaque survenue récemment dans un salon funéraire. Ce sont là des violations inacceptables et tragiques du droit international et du droit humanitaire. Bien sûr, nous avons dénoncé cela à plusieurs reprises, et nous ne faisons pas partie de la coalition saoudienne. Nous voulons que l’Arabie saoudite respecte ses engagements internationaux.

The fifth replenishment conference of the Global Fund was recently held in Montreal. Canada generously pledged $800 million from 2017 to 2019 to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. [What was] the progress made at this conference to eradicate these three terrible diseases that have claimed so many lives?

Our government has once again shown leadership. The Replenishment Conference, hosted in Montreal, raised close to $13 billion in pledges to eradicate HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. We are proud of our pledge of over $800 million. It will help save an additional eight million lives.

Cette semaine, des pays du monde entier se réunissent aux Nations unies pour la session extraordinaire de l’Assemblée générale sur le problème mondial de la drogue. La ministre de la Santé peut-elle informer la Chambre sur la participation du Canada à cette rencontre?

Demain, j’aurai l’occasion de présenter un discours, lors de la session extraordinaire de l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies. Le gouvernement du Canada appuie la réduction des méfaits. Cela comprend un rôle pour les sites de consommation supervisée, le besoin d’avoir une mesure législative sur les bons samaritains et le fait de rendre la naloxone davantage disponible dans les situations d’urgence. Le monde s’attend à ce que le Canada fasse preuve de leadership sur ces enjeux.

Pourquoi la ministre du Développement international conserve-t-elle la politique des conservateurs et refuse-t-elle de financer les services d’avortement à l’étranger là où c’est permis? C’est permis dans plusieurs pays. Pourquoi refuse-t-elle de se lever pour les droits des femmes partout dans le monde?

Nous sommes très fiers d’appuyer toute la gamme des services de santé reproductive. Hier, j’étais encore accompagnée du Dr Babatunde, du Fonds des Nations unies pour la population, et les projets que nous avons annoncés ne visaient pas directement l’avortement. Cela ne veut pas dire que nous sommes contre. Nous répondions à une demande qui visait précisément le planning familial, l’éducation sexuelle, les avortements sécuritaires et la lutte contre les maladies transmises sexuellement.

A search for Zika virus prevention in Canada on the Health Canada website yields nothing. The United States, Brazil, and many other countries have shown their citizens that they have preventive measures in place. Here in Canada, however, we have heard nothing from the minister to explain to Canadians what she is doing to protect against Zika. Why has the minister done nothing to protect Canadians against this virus?

The matter of the Zika virus epidemic is something that we have taken very seriously. My colleagues in the Public Health Agency of Canada have been very active on this file on a daily basis collaborating with our international partners at the World Health Organization. We have advised Canadians every day to make sure they are taking protective measures if it is necessary for them to travel to affected regions. We have also advised, if women are pregnant or considering pregnancy, that they avoid travel to affected countries. All of that information is available at travel.gc.ca.

Last month ... UNESCO’s executive board voted overwhelmingly for an offensive resolution denying Jewish history and Israel’s ties to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Only six states, including the United States and the United Kingdom, voted against. Canada is not a member of UNESCO’s executive board, but [the Government has not] condemn[ed] this outrageous vote. Why not?

Canada strongly supports Israel and strongly fights against anti-Semitism on every front. Canada will never do anything other than that. It is something that we are very committed to doing, in every circumstance.

To strip someone of their Canadian citizenship is a very serious matter ... Bill C-24 took away due process for Canadians, even in the case of an honest mistake. The Liberals promised a full repeal of Bill C-24 ... In fact, the government is aggressively pursuing citizenship revocation for up to 60 Canadians every month. When will the minister fix Bill C-24?

Bill C-6 adheres to our fundamental election commitment that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, and it revokes citizenship revocation for criminal acts applied to dual citizens alone. That was the central focus of the bill. It has now passed through the House of Commons and will be considered in the Senate. Citizenship revocation for misrepresentation is under consideration and we are considering further lines of appeal.

The Liberals said that they would replace the office [of religious freedom] with something else ... Could we actually get a timeline? When will the Liberals do something about international human rights?

The promotion and protection of human [rights], including the freedom of religion, belief and conscience is an integral part of Canada’s constructive engagement in the world ... The minister just announced in Burma Canada’s $44 million investment in a bilateral development assistance program, which will strengthen and promote democracy and fundamental freedoms, including those of religious minorities, for instance, like the Rohingya. We are continuing our important work as we move toward a comprehensive vision of human rights. Dr. Bennett and staff remain with us during this transition.

Recent events in Honduras are of grave concern. Berta Cáceres and Nelson Garcia, two indigenous environmental and human rights activists, have been assassinated. As a result, the Dutch development bank and the Finnish investment fund suspended all activity in Honduras. Will the government condemn these murders and call on the Honduran government to hold an independent international investigation?

We call on the government of Honduras to respect human rights, and in this specific case to do the right thing. It is completely unacceptable what has happened. Canada is there to protect the victims of this unacceptable gesture.

The Minister of Justice has gone from promoting the Declaration [on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples] on the world stage at the UN to saying at home that it is simplistic and unworkable ... Is the confusion being created by the minister deliberate?

Our government has committed and endorsed, without qualification, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to moving forward with a nation-to-nation relationship that is based on recognition and how to operationalize the declaration in Canada. It will be done jointly with indigenous peoples as we develop solutions. We will operationalize the United Nations declaration and its articles, its minimum standards here within our section 35 constitutional framework, which is extremely vast. We will ensure that the full box of rights are recognized.

Indonesia’s supreme court has overturned the acquittal of Canadian teacher Neil Bantleman. [Has] the minister ... spoken to his Indonesian counterpart[?] What assurances was he able to secure that this miscarriage of justice will not continue?

The Government of Canada is deeply concerned and dismayed by the decision of the Supreme Court of Indonesia to overturn the acquittal of Mr. Bantleman. I have personally spoken with the brother of Mr. Bantleman yesterday, and reiterated our commitment to work with him on this case. Late last night, the minister spoke with his counterpart, the Indonesian foreign minister, and reiterated our point of view that this was a miscarriage of justice and that this case will have serious consequences on Indonesia’s reputation for people to live, work, and travel abroad to Indonesia.

Kevin Garratt and his wife have been confined and harassed by Chinese security officials for over a year. Now Kevin is facing phony espionage charges. What is the government doing to secure Kevin and Julia Garratt’s release?

It is a very serious situation. We are horrified by it. We have communicated how much we disagree with the situation of Mr. Garratt and his wife to the Chinese authorities. We will continue to do so. It is something that this government does not accept at all.

There are more than 300 supporters of Canadian Reverend Hyeon Soo Lim on Parliament Hill today, praying and advocating for his release from a North Korean prison camp. [What] measures [are] being taken to secure the release of this beloved pastor and human rights advocate?

Like the family and friends of Pastor Lim, we are very concerned about his well-being and his rights. We continue to be engaged in this case, providing consular service to him and his family. I have met with advocates for Pastor Lim and members of the Canadian-Korean community, including today. [W]e will continue to be engaged in this file until we resolve this case.

Six months ago, my constituent, Alison Azer, experienced one of the worst nightmares a parent can ever face. Her four children were taken by her ex-husband. Alison has reason to believe that her children are now in Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Today she is here in Ottawa, urging the government to do everything it can to help bring her children safely home. [W]hat actions [is] the government taking to ensure the safe and immediate return of her children?

Our government remains committed and deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of the Azer children. We have been in constant and regular contact with Ms. Azer. In fact, I met with her yesterday and spoke with her again today before question period. I want to assure the House that our officials are working closely with government authorities here and abroad, including law enforcement agencies. I want to take a moment to recognize Ms. Azer’s strength and commitment. I want to assure her and the House that we are very committed to the return of her children safely at home.

This morning we learned of allegations that implicate both CSIS and the RCMP in the report of three Canadians being tortured in Syria between 2001 and 2004. Seemingly even the Canadian ambassador was involved. These are very serious allegations against two of our security agencies and the reputation of our country. How does the government explain these troubling allegations, and is it going to investigate?

The allegations, to a very large extent, have been examined by two very important commissions, Iacobucci and O’Connor. Those commissions made important recommendations. Some of those recommendations have been implemented. One key one was not implemented by the previous government, and that was the need for a parliamentary mechanism to provide review and scrutiny of all of the security and police agencies and all of their activities in Canada. We have introduced legislation to do exactly that in Bill C-22, and we look forward to that legislation being passed expeditiously.

La ministre de la Condition féminine a mené une délégation canadienne lors de la 60e session de la Commission de la condition de la femme des Nations unies. [Quels ont été les] accomplissements ... de cette session?

[C’est] l’occasion de travailler avec les autres nations afin d’outiller des femmes et des filles de partout au monde pour qu’elles puissent atteindre leur plein potentiel … [L]e Canada ait été élu membre de la Commission, ce qui va lui permettre de participer plus vigoureusement à la défense et à la promotion des droits des femmes et des filles dans le monde.

Conservatives have tabled the Sergei Magnitsky law in both the House and the Senate. Sergei Magnitsky was wrongfully arrested, tortured, and killed in a Russian prison. Legislation and sanctions on corrupt foreign officials who violate human rights were supported by the three main parties during the last election. Will the Liberal government now stand against abusive foreign officials and support this legislation, Bill C-267?

What happened to Mr. Magnitsky is simply horrible. [W]e are able to stop the perpetrators of this crime with the current Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, because it is checking eligibility at the border. We have this capacity. The committee will have to review, very carefully, the Special Economic Measures Act to address this kind of problem.

The United States, the European Union, and the Vatican have characterized the barbaric actions of ISIS as genocide, but the Liberals refuse to use the term ... Is that because the government’s ... non-combat mission in Syria and Iraq can do nothing to stop genocide under the terms of the UN convention?

Canada strongly condemns the crimes perpetuated by the so-called Islamic State, including those committed against religious and ethnic minorities. However, genocide is not a term to be used lightly, and Canada is a member of the International Criminal Court, which means the use of that term is different than it is for the United States, which is not a member. We are committed to preventing and halting genocide and crimes against humanity. We are committed to holding perpetrators of such serious international crimes to account; and our new, strong, three-year anti-ISIL strategy seeks to address the ongoing crisis in Iraq and the destabilizing impacts on Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

Cette semaine marque le sixième anniversaire du vote unanime de la Chambre des communes pour une Convention sur les Armes Nucléaires. Malheureusement, il y a quelques semaines, le gouvernement ... a changé sa position et voté contre les négociations en vue d’une telle convention. Il va bientôt y avoir un autre vote aux Nations unies. Le gouvernement ... va-t-il travailler avec la communauté internationale et voter «oui» à des négociations pour une convention sur les armes nucléaires?

Our goal is to convince those countries that have nuclear weapons to be at the table as part of disarmament discussions. We did that when we recently led a UN resolution supported by 177 states. Our resolution has a goal to stop the production of materials used to make nuclear weapons and rally nuclear and non-nuclear states alike toward the realization of a fissile material cut-off treaty. This is the realistic, pragmatic approach to nuclear disarmament and a major accomplishment.

Will the Liberals ... commit to keeping Iran designated as a state sponsor of terror?

We have no current plans to remove Iran from the list of state supporters of terrorism under the State Immunity Act. The inclusion or exclusion in the future will be based on the actions of the Iranian government. I am sure it was the purpose to improve human rights to protect the people of Iran, and it is very clear that it needs to make a lot of progress. Its record regarding human rights and the relationship with our allies, including Israel, is a problem.

Despite the Liberals’ claim that Canada’s training of the peshmerga is ongoing, generals have confirmed that the operations have shifted away from training. Our contribution to the battle to retake Mosul was supposed to include a field hospital, but the Liberals could not get it done. Will the Minister of National Defence ... confirm to the House that he has sent our troops to the front line without proper medical support?

The Canadian Forces are engaged in an anti-ISIL coalition. There was a meeting in Europe this week and we are proud partners in that coalition. At this time, the coalition is pursuing its mandate to advise, to assist, and to train and it has not gone beyond that mandate.

[Quelles sont-elles les] mesures récentes prises par le gouvernement du Canada pour répondre aux besoins urgents [des crises humanitaires]?

Effectivement, les besoins en aide humanitaire ont explosé au cours des dernières années, et c’est dans ce contexte que j’ai participé au Sommet humanitaire mondial, en Turquie, la semaine dernière. J’ai profité de l’occasion pour annoncer du financement pour 171 projets d’aide humanitaire dans 32 pays, pour un total de 331 millions de dollars, ainsi que notre contribution au Fonds central d’intervention d’urgence, pour un montant de 274 millions de dollars. Nous procédons actuellement à une consultation dans le pays tout entier. Toutefois, l’aide humanitaire ne peut pas attendre.

Last week, Joe Clark, former ambassadors like Stephen Lewis, former Afghan head of mission, and human rights advocates like Amnesty International called on the Liberals to hold an inquiry into the handling of Afghan detainees. Will they ... launch an inquiry?

We take our obligations to the Geneva Convention international law very seriously. When it comes to any of our missions that our men and women go on and our current missions that we have, there is a considerable amount of pre-deployment training where we emphasize this and human rights. In addition, we emphasize this while we take part in the training with the Kurdish forces and those who are training as well ... Our men and women in uniform, for all our missions, have done extraordinarily well, in particular, in Afghanistan. In terms of our focus being the current missions and the missions that we will go on, we will always have an emphasis on the Geneva Convention[s,] international law and a strong stand on human rights.

The United States Senate is holding a hearing entitled “Canada’s Fast-Track Refugee Plan: Unanswered Questions and Implications for U.S. National Security.” [G]overnment representatives may have received an invitation to participate in the hearing but have in fact declined. [Why]?

We have put in place layers of security activity to ensure that our refugee initiative with respect to Syria can be successful. The program is working well and indeed it will result in something of which Canadians can be very proud ... We have completely briefed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. ambassador to Canada, and there is a very open line of communication directly to the White House. They understand exactly the layers of security screening that are put in place, from the activity with the UNHCR through the personal interviews that are done to the collection of biometrics to the checking against international databases, to ensure this project is done safely and successfully, which is a very strong humanitarian credit to Canada.

The Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya constitutes the world’s largest refugee camp. The Government of Kenya recently announced that it will close this camp ... The United Nations has stated ... that the closure of this camp will be devastating and have asked that the decision be reconsidered. What is Canada’s position on Kenya’s decision to close the Dadaab refugee camp?

Our government is very concerned about the Government of Kenya’s decision to disband its department of refugee affairs and its intention to close the refugee camp at Dadaab. International refugee law and refugees’ rights must be protected. All returns must be voluntary and conducted in accordance with domestic and international laws. Refugees need to be protected.

[What is] this government ... making of the immigration system?

We have let in more than 33,000 Syrian refugees. We have reinstated the principle that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. We have reinstated refugee health care. We have made it much easier for international students to become permanent residents. We have set up a pilot immigration program in Atlantic Canada. We are in the process of making it much faster for spouses to be reunited.

Comment sera le traité de coproduction audiovisuelle bénéfique pour l’industrie audiovisuelle canadienne?

Je suis très fière d’annoncer au nom du gouvernement que nous avons signé hier un premier traité de coproduction audiovisuelle avec l’Irlande. Le tout s’inscrit dans un contexte de bonnes nouvelles. Les films Room et Brooklyn sont présentement en nomination aux Oscars et sont des coproductions canado-irlandaises. Le nouveau traité Canada-Irlande en matière de coproduction audiovisuelle va permettre vraiment de s’adapter aux nouvelles technologies, et à terme, de développer davantage de relations commerciales et culturelles avec l’Irlande.

Le plan, c’était un petit déficit de 10 milliards de dollars. Maintenant, c’est 25 milliards ou 30 milliards de dollars. Où cela va-t-il s’arrêter?

Nous commençons avec un déficit qui était celui des conservateurs. De plus, nous avons une dette qui est de 150 milliards de dollars supplémentaires. Nous commençons comme cela, mais, heureusement, nous avons la capacité d’investir dans notre économie parce que, avec les mesures prises par le gouvernement dans les années 1990, nous avons le niveau de dette par rapport au PIB qui est le plus bas parmi les pays du G7. Nous allons investir et, de cette façon, son niveau de croissance sera plus bas que dans les 10 dernières années.

Expanding access into the Chinese market is incredibly important to boost the bottom line for Canadian farmers and agricultural industries. These industries contribute over $100 billion and two million jobs to our economy. Could the Minister of Agriculture update the House on our government’s recent accomplishments for Canadian farmers and farm families?

Last week was a great week for Canadian agriculture. Our government gained access for the Canadian canola farmers to the Chinese market until at least 2020, worth over $2 billion a year for Canadian farmers. We also gained access for bone-in meat under 30 months. That puts another $10 million in the pockets of farmers and ranchers in our country. These successes will create growth and opportunity, and I intend to build on that growth and opportunity when I lead a trade mission to China.

Last spring our government introduced legislation to change copyright and implement the Marrakesh Treaty in order to make more than a quarter of a million books available to the visually impaired at zero cost to taxpayers. [Would] the government commit today to reintroducing this legislation and working with all parliamentarians to pass it as quickly as possible[?]

We do support the treaty, because we understand that many Canadians live with print disability. For these Canadians, it can be especially difficult to obtain access to the printed material they need to participate in the economy and our society. This government is working to address this challenge by facilitating, for persons with a print disability, published works around areas of audio and large print to provide greater accessibility and opportunities for all Canadians. I will continue to work with the member opposite on this very important matter and will make sure we advance it.

En 2015, plus de 350 000 étudiants internationaux ont dépensé plus de 10 milliards de dollars au Canada et cela a généré 90 000 emplois pour les Canadiens ... La ministre du Commerce international peut-elle informer la Chambre de ses initiatives ayant pour but de maintenir le statut du Canada en tant que destination de choix pour les étudiants internationaux?

Une partie importante de mon mandat est la promotion de la marque canadienne à l’étranger. C’est pourquoi j’étais si fière d’accueillir la nouvelle image de marque du Canada en matière d’éducation, ÉduCanada. Elle a été élaborée de concert avec les provinces et les territoires dans le but d’attirer les étudiants étrangers les plus brillants, qui agiront comme ambassadeurs pour le Canada. Nous continuerons de vanter la qualité de l’éducation canadienne.

Industry has said that investment in Alberta’s oil sands will be down more than $60 billion over the past two years, a 63% decrease since 2014 ... When is the Liberal government finally going to make an investment in Canada’s national energy program?

I have had the pleasure of representing Canada at a number of international meetings and to talk with those who are looking at investments in the energy sector. They all agree that Canada has been and will continue to be a very important international market for energy. It is our goal as the government to develop these energy sources, particularly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, which will make Canada, after these low commodity prices pass, again a major place of investment and confidence internationally.

What is being done to ensure Canadian small businesses are given the necessary support required to take advantage of global export opportunities?

CanExport is a $50 million five-year program that gives small- and medium-size companies the support they need to explore new export opportunities. We unveiled CanExport last month and it was with great pleasure that the hon. Minister of Small Business and I announced just last week that 29 companies have already been approved for funding.

Le gouvernement libéral a approuvé aujourd’hui la vente du fleuron québécois de la rénovation Rona à l’américaine Lowe’s. La chaîne d’approvisionnement des PME, créant des milliers d’emplois, est-elle en danger?

Aujourd’hui, le ministre vient de donner son approbation pour la vente de Rona à Lowe’s. Notre gouvernement est heureux que des entreprises comme Lowe’s continuent à investir dans des entreprises canadiennes. Nous savons très bien que le développement d’un Canada plus novateur ne peut se faire sans la présence d’entreprises canadiennes concurrentielles qui participent à des chaînes de valeur mondiale, qui contribuent à faire croître notre économie ... [N]ous avons obtenu toutes les conditions que nous avions exigées. La première chose est le siège social. [Il] va toujours rester à Boucherville, au Québec. Nous allons maintenir le rôle important des Canadiens au sein de la haute direction de Rona, … un niveau élevé d’emplois dans les entreprises au Canada. Qui plus est, nous allons conserver la bannière Rona et nous allons donner l’occasion à la chaîne d’entreprises de fournir des produits à Rona et à Lowe’s partout au Canada [et] aux États-Unis.

Why have the Liberals chosen to cut 27% of the immigration spots available to caregivers?

In respect to caregivers, the House and the government stands behind the significant contribution that caregivers make to Canadian society. We stand by our campaign commitment, which is to eliminate the LMIA fee of $1,000 that is required to hire a caregiver. We also stand behind our commitment to work with provinces and territories to facilitate the work and the hiring of caregivers. Caregivers represent a significant contribution to our country. We recognize that and we are working on processing their claims expeditiously.

Il a été rapporté que Bombardier tentait de faire des affaires en Iran en dépit du fait que le Canada a des sanctions strictes en place. Ces sanctions existent pour des raisons légitimes, telles que les menaces à l’existence d’Israël et le soutien au terrorisme. Bombardier sait-elle quelque chose que le reste du Canada ne sait pas? Le gouvernement a-t-il déjà levé les sanctions contre l’Iran?

Il est vrai que les Nations unies demandent aux pays concernés de retirer les sanctions liées à l’accord conclu pour s’assurer que l’Iran n’utilise pas le nucléaire pour des raisons militaires. Le Canada retirera donc ces sanctions, mais ce que le Canada maintiendra, c’est une méfiance envers un régime qui ne doit pas retourner à l’armement nucléaire, qui est un danger pour les droits humains et qui n’est pas un ami d’alliés, notamment Israël. C’est donc avec les yeux ouverts que nous allons agir conformément aux Nations unies.

Does the minister really believe he can engage in a meaningful dialogue with a regime that ... calls for the destruction of Israel?

Canada needs to engage on the international stage much more than before. Engagement takes different forms, and in our case, it does not mean that we agree with all of Iran’s policies, by any stretch, but it is a pathway toward economic opportunity and dialogue and possibly regional security, and we are not going to give up.

A WTO arbitrator recently ruled that Canada could levy more than $1 billion in tariffs in retaliation for the discriminatory response [with respect to US country of origin labelling policy and its effects on Canadian business operations]. [Has there been any update] on this recent development?

[O]n December 18, the U.S. Congress repealed this discriminatory legislation.

What is [Canada] doing to promote deeper economic and people-to-people linkages with [the Pacific Alliance] region?

In Mexico City, I was proud to sign a joint declaration making Canada the first country to enter into a strategic partnership with the Pacific Alliance, one of the most important economic blocs in the Americas. This is another example of our government’s progressive approach to promoting trade and investment with fast-growing markets across the world. This initiative will help diversify our trading partners and create good-paying jobs for middle-class Canadians.

On June 21 there was a screening of the documentary Angry Inuk held here on Parliament Hill. Produced by a prominent Inuit filmmaker, this documentary covers the struggles of Inuit seal hunters, who have seen the cost of their seal products crash due to the EU product ban. Pelts now go for half of what they once did. When will the government take action to combat the EU seal ban, which is devastating Inuit hunters?

The sealing industry is critical to our communities and our people. We continue to work hard as a government and we continue to work hard with Inuit people to open new markets around the world. It is a very humane industry. It is one that we take a lot of pride in. It is a long-standing part of our culture. As we speak today, there is a delegation from Nunavut that is in the UK marketing and promoting seal products from Canada.

We learned that the Liberals may lease foreign-built tugboats. Now they are bringing in a foreign consultant. Do they think no Canadian can do the job?

The government hired Mr. Steve Brunton as a shipbuilding expert to provide the government with independent expert advice on multiple facets of the national shipbuilding procurement strategy. Mr. Brunton has extensive experience in overseeing shipbuilding programs and naval acquisitions in the United Kingdom, one of our closest allies. The government will benefit from unbiased expert advice on shipbuilding ... The government remains committed to the national shipbuilding procurement strategy and buying our ships in Canada openly and transparently. No decisions have yet been made with respect to the naval tug requirement. The project is still at an early stage of planning. As part of the national shipbuilding procurement strategy and the defence procurement strategy, the government is committed to ensuring that the replacement of the National Defence large tugboats will result in significant benefits for Canadians and Canadian industry.

L’industrie du bois d’oeuvre est à la veille de traverser une autre crise majeure. [D]e plus en plus de voix s’élèvent pour réclamer un plan de garantie de prêts pour soutenir l’industrie. Des milliers d’emplois sont en jeu dans ce dossier, et un plan B est une pièce importante et manquante du casse-tête. La ministre peut-elle confirmer ... qu’un plan B est prêt?

L’accord sur le bois d’oeuvre a expiré sous l’ancien gouvernement. Nous continuons de collaborer étroitement avec les producteurs, les travailleurs, les provinces et les territoires, et nous continuerons de travailler avec eux. Le Canada est préparé à toute éventualité et notre gouvernement défendra vigoureusement les intérêts des travailleurs et des producteurs canadiens. Nous cherchons un bon accord pour le Canada, pas n’importe lequel.

[What has been done to ensure] the progress of the Canadian Space Agency and the next steps of human space travel?

We are proud of the $379-million commitment in budget 2016 to support the Canadian Space Agency. That is why I was honoured to announce that David Saint-Jacques will be the next Canadian astronaut to go aboard the international space station. This is a proud moment for all Canadians.

Des Américains réclament l’imposition d’urgence d’un tarif de 50 % sur l’aluminium importé. Le Québec produit 66 % de l’aluminium importé aux États-Unis. [Que fait le gouvernement] pour l’industrie de l’aluminium?

Nous soutenons l’industrie canadienne de la première transformation des métaux et nous défendrons les intérêts des entreprises du Canada. Imposer des restrictions aux exportations canadiennes n’aidera pas à résoudre la surcapacité mondiale. Le Canada et les États-Unis doivent résoudre la surcapacité de manière stratégique, ensemble et dans l’intérêt de tous nos travailleuses et travailleurs.

This week the U.S. imposed a fivefold increase in tariffs on Chinese cold-rolled flat steel, due to unfair subsidies and dumping. When will we see real action from the Liberals to stop steel dumping?

I am very seized with the issue, and very much share these concerns about Chinese steel dumping. I have been consulting actively, including most recently in Arequipa, Peru, where I was at the APEC trade ministers meeting. We are working hard, particularly with our EU and US counterparts on this issue. It is an urgent matter for Canadians, and we are working toward a solution.

[Quels] moyens [le gouvernement a-t-il] mis en place pour respecter du régime fiscal canadien, en mettant l’accent sur la lutte contre l’évasion fiscale et l’évitement fiscal international?

J’ai le plaisir d’annoncer que j’ai signé, hier, une déclaration commune avec la Suisse exprimant l’intention de nos deux pays de participer à l’échange automatique de renseignements relatifs aux comptes financiers. Ces renseignements permettront d’améliorer la capacité du Canada à repérer et à traiter les cas d’évasion fiscale, à assurer le respect des règles fiscales et à protéger l’intégrité du régime fiscal canadien.

The Minister of Finance is meeting with his G20 counterparts today. [T]he world is demanding action. France has called for a tax haven blacklist, and the European leaders are calling for an international registry to track owners of shell companies. Will the Minister of Finance support these specific measures to tackle tax havens?

This is the government that is tackling tax evasion. We are investing $444.4 million to tackle tax evasion, which will do three things: provide technology to the Canada Revenue Agency, provide teams to the Canada Revenue Agency, and provide the tools they need to detect, investigate, and prosecute those who are doing tax evasion. [We are] going after tax evasion once and for all.

Canada’s tourism sector is a nearly $90-billion a year industry that employs more than 600,000 hard-working Canadians. At the tourism ministers’ meetings there was nothing new from the government, only a reaffirmation of initiatives that our Conservative government had already undertaken, including investing $30 million for tourism marketing in the United States. Will [the government] make any attempt ... to build on the good work done under the previous ... government?

It is a great time to visit Canada. We are meeting with Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We have been present. On the weekend I was at the Boston Globe Travel Show with provinces so that we could promote the tourism industry. We will be supporting the connecting America program so that Americans know to visit Canada. We will continue to have a presence on the international stage.

Le Traité sur le commerce des armes a été adopté par les Nations unies en 2013. [C]e traité vise à réguler le commerce des armes au-delà des frontières nationales, et notamment à s’assurer que ces armes ne sont pas utilisées à des fins contraires au droit international et aux droits de la personne. Toutefois, le Canada, lui, n’a toujours pas signé le traité. En fait, le Canada est le seul pays de l’OTAN qui ne l’a pas signé. Quand le gouvernement va-t-il respecter sa promesse et signer le traité?

We were not an original signatory to the treaty, but we are more than pleased to be acceding to the treaty in due course.

Why has the government mislead Canadians about the Saudi arms deal?

We will honour the contracts signed by Canada in February 2014. The fact is that there are jobs in London relying on this. Commitments have been made to the world that we will honour our good name when we sign our contracts. [W]e cannot cancel a contract retroactively.

Will [the prime minister], or not, support creating a parliamentary committee to bring transparency to any foreign arms sales before they take place?

Canadians do want greater transparency and accountability in many different areas, but particularly in terms of arms sales. That is why we have committed to demonstrating a higher level of transparency and openness, and why we have agreed to sign on to the arms trade treaty. We will be the last NATO country to sign on to that because the previous government did not want to. We know that it is the right thing to do.