In Question Period today, the Liberal government was being questioned about the Syrian Refugee program.
Conservative MP John Brassard criticized Immigration Minister John McCallum about the cost.
“He said it’ll come under budget, but there is no budget,” says Brassard. “The Minister also admitted that 13% of refugees, or 3,400 people are still in hotels.”
McCallum clarified the numbers.
“Talk about a glass half empty, or half full Mr. Speaker,” says McCallum. “87% of the refugees have now found permanent housing, that is a very large number and we should be pleased with it.”
McCallum adds the remaining 13% will be housed permanently very soon.
Also coming to light in today’s Question Period Canada has fewer doctors specializing in palliative care as compared to the United States and Australia.
That’s from Conservative MP Harold Albrecht who criticized the Liberals for not announcing funding for palliative care in their first budget.
Albercht questioned the Health Minister asking “How can the Liberal government in good conscience open up physician assisted suicide when palliative care is not available to the large majority of Canadians who need it?”
Health Minister Jane Philpott agreed with the criticism, saying Canadians do not have access to high quality palliative care in a manner that is acceptable.
She adds they are working to increase access.
“I will be working with my colleagues the Ministers of Health across the country to invest in homecare, to invest in palliative care to make sure people have the care they need at the end of their lives,” says Philpott.
She says at the moment some records suggest only 15 – 30% of Canadians have access to palliative care.
A third piece of criticism was leveled at the governing Liberals today as well, this time from the NDP.
MP Sheri Benson criticized the Liberals for not supporting anti scab legislation saying any progressive, pro worker government would support this law.
“This is a simple but important first step to modernizing our labour code,” says Benson. “It is good for workers, it is good for our economy.”
Minister of Labour MaryAnn Mihychuk says 95% of collective bargaining agreements are reached without a work stoppage.
“215 out of 227 agreements, this is a process that works, and a process that will continue to work,” says Mihychuk.
She says the government respects both unions and businesses and their ability to come to a deal together.
Mihychuk says most agreements are settled at the negotiating table as long as they are fair and balanced.
Question Period can be viewed live, or after the fact HERE
