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.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
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Through his mandate letter, the Prime Minister has tasked the Minister to work with his colleagues, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to advance Canada’s Digital Charter and enhanced powers for the Privacy Commissioner, in order to establish a new set of online rights as well as create new regulations for large digital companies to better protect people’s personal data and encourage greater competition in the digital marketplace.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage was tasked, by way of his December 2019 mandate letter, to co-develop a framework to enable the repatriation of Indigenous cultural property and ancestral remains. Work on this initiative was paused in March 2020 as the Department focused on dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.
On May 8, 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced the details of the new COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations. The $500 million Emergency Support Fund provides additional temporary support for cultural, heritage and sport organizations. The sport sector was allocated $72 million to ensure that sport organizations can continue contributing to their sector in the future.
On August 4, 2020, two explosions took place at the Port of Beirut, resulting in more than 175 fatalities, 6,500 hospitalized and many more injured, 40 persons missing and another 300,000 who have suffered damage to their homes. On August 13, 2020, the Government of Canada set up a task force to provide assistance to support the delivery of consular services, and to ensure that questions related to immigration can be quickly addressed.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has been procuring medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE), and is working to increase the participation of Indigenous businesses in federal procurement.
On August 21, 2020, Canada Post reported a $378 million loss before tax for its second quarter. On July 30, 2020, Canada Post announced a new Acting Chair of the Board of Directors.
The mandate letter to the Minister of Canadian Heritage included a directive to work with the National Museums to increase Canadian’s awareness of climate change.
The national museums and the National Battlefields Commission rely heavily on their earned revenues to supplement parliamentary appropriations. Social distancing measures continue to have an adverse affect on visitation to these cultural institutions. On June 18, 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced an emergency investment for the six national museums and the National Battlefields Commission of $25.7 million to help offset impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Memorial to the Victims of Communism—Canada, a Land of Refuge is in its construction and fabrication phase. Work on site is expected to be completed in 2021, at which time the monument will be unveiled.