Debates of Nov. 18th, 2005

Ed Komarnicki Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Mr. Speaker, farmers, farm groups and the Canadian Wheat Board have asked the minister to raise the initial prices and the minister has failed to do so. He is putting a veto on the Canadian Wheat Board, which is still controlled by the government. It is time that he act and act now.

There is absolutely no reason why this minister cannot make a decision here and now, today. Where I come from, immediately means within 24 hours, same day, not months.

Stephen Owen Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport)

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member can be certain and have confidence in the fact that the President of the Treasury Board, who acts as minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, takes every issue of advice and information into account as he makes the important decisions that are necessary to promote the interests of farmers in our country.

Bernard Bigras Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of the Environment changes his speech according to whether he is talking to the Montreal or Toronto media. He tells the francophone media that rushing into an election will hurt the conference in Montreal and the Canadian press that he will avoid campaigning in order to ensure the success of the conference.

Will the minister admit that if he fails to reach a fair agreement with Quebec, one that respects the efforts that have already been made, he will send a very poor signal on the eve of the Montreal conference?

Geoff Regan Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is honoured to be hosting this very important conference. The Minister of the Environment is doing an excellent job preparing for this event.

Canadians know the impact of climate change. Canadians know what it will be. They want politicians to work together to do something about it. The international community gets it, the government gets it, but that party wants to bring the government down and prevent us from playing a full leadership role at that meeting.

Bernard Bigras Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC

Mr. Speaker, in his negotiations with Quebec, is the minister prepared to make a formal commitment to compensate Quebec fairly for the hydro-electric projects that improve Canada's record, the cost of which was borne exclusively by Quebec?

Lucienne Robillard President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, at the moment, the federal and Quebec departments are involved in intense discussions. We hope to reach a conclusion shortly.

Rick Casson Lethbridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, this week a 30 year old sex predator from Texas who was charged with luring a 14 year old Ottawa boy to a hotel for sex and the production of child pornography was let go with a slap on the wrist. Canada has become a destination for sex tourists who prey on our children by exploiting weak Liberal laws. We repeatedly have warned the minister about the threat to our children.

In light of this alarming reality will the justice minister now commit to protecting our children by raising the age of sexual consent?

Irwin Cotler Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to yet another case of fearmongering at this point. I want to make it clear that there can never be any consent to any sexual assault regardless of age. We have adopted legislation with those members' approval so that no such crime can be committed.

Guy Lauzon Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in response to a question from my colleague from Yorkton—Melville, the public, safety minister said that she had no outstanding formal requests for RCMP officers. The day before the minister told the subcommittee on public safety, “I've received a formal written request from the Minister of Justice in Manitoba for an increase in complement”. She also said, “The Solicitor General in the province of Alberta after the Mayerthorpe tragedy asked for a significant increase in complement”.

Which of the minister's statements is false, the one made in committee or the one made in the House?

Derek Lee Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Speaker, in recent years the Government of Canada has made significant progress in lowering the so-called welfare wall, most notably for families with children through the national child benefit initiative. However, obstacles to work remain in the system, particularly for single parents who take low income jobs.

Could the Minister of Finance explain what the Government of Canada is doing to foster better paid work for low and modest income Canadians?

Ralph Goodale Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman is indeed right. The so-called welfare wall needs to come down before true economic opportunity can go up.

I was therefore very pleased on Monday in the fiscal update to announce our intention to work with provinces and territories to develop a new working income tax benefit that would help people in this situation keep more of the money they earn and encourage them to take those critically important steps toward employment and self-sufficiency.

The Government of Canada is prepared to invest $2.25 billion in this important innovation in social and tax policy.