Question Period Notes
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In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
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To address the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation, the Government committed to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In response to Call to Action 80, which calls for the creation of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday, the Minister of Canadian Heritage introduced, on September 29, 2020, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation).
On March 27th, Service Canada redirected in person services to an eService channel to continue to support Canadians in accessing critical services. All Service Canada Centres (SCC) were temporarily closed to the public. As jurisdictions across the country began resuming operations, clients also expected SCCs to reopen. A reactivation plan was developed for the gradual resumption of public access to SCCs across the country.
Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all Canadians, while maintaining service to the public.
Allegations of harassment and racism have recently arisen at two national museums, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Canadian Museum of History. At the Canadian Museum for History, there have been complaints of harassment of staff by the museum's top management. The Museum’s Board of Trustees has hired Michelle Flaherty, an experienced mediator and arbitrator, and a former University of Ottawa law professor, to investigate the allegations. At the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, complaints of racism, sexism, discrimination and harassment have been investigated by Laurelle Harris, whose report revealed that racism is pervasive and systemic within the institution, that sexual harassment complaints may not have been addressed adequately, and that LGBTQ content was hidden during certain tours between 2015 and 2017.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the shutdown of film sets in Canada and around the world since mid-March. Consequently, according to data obtained from the various associations representing production companies in Canada, more than $100 million has been disbursed by insurance companies due to the cessation of the filming of audiovisual productions. As a result, insurers have decided to no longer offer pandemic coverage (e.g. key personnel affected by the pandemic or a shooting stoppage due to a second wave of the pandemic). Since obtaining financing (public and private) for audiovisual productions is conditional on projects having insurance, this lack of coverage means that a large part of the sector is on hold, despite the resumption of various economic activities in the country.
With the wind down of the CERB, what income supports are available to workers who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19?
With the wind down of the CERB, what income supports are available to workers who are unable to work because they have to care for a child or family member unable to attend school, day programs, or another facility?
The economic downturn from the global pandemic has resulted in growing calls for countries to adopt ambitious “green recovery” plans. In the recent Speech from the Throne, the government committed to a plan to immediately exceed Canada’s 2030 climate goal and legislate its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Successfully managing the multi-decade transformation of Canada’s energy sector will be key to meeting these climate targets and maintaining a prosperous economy.
The Government of Canada is investing heavily in clean technology in the resources sector to support Canada’s low-carbon future.
The Government of Canada is committed to implementing a hydrogen strategy that will lay the foundation for the country’s path to net-zero, while positioning Canada to be a supplier of choice to the growing global hydrogen market.
The Government of Canada is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, including by putting more low-emission vehicles on the road.