Debates of Dec. 4th, 2006

Josée Verner Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages

Allow me, Mr. Speaker, to refer to the comment made by the co-chair of the conference in Toronto, Dr. Mark Wainberg, to the effect that the government announcement ought to be applauded and that he was convinced it would be helpful, in light of the current situation in developing countries.

Raynald Blais Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, on November 24, I attended the Forum québécois des partenaires des pêches held in our national capital, Quebec City, as an observer. I thought that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans would take advantage of the opportunity to propose some solutions and make some interesting suggestions for the Quebec industry, but he came empty-handed.

Can the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans explain why he showed up at the forum with no solutions, no new ideas and no plan to support the fragile industry?

Loyola Hearn Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, I went to the forum at the invitation of the minister of fisheries from Quebec because he wanted to bring together the total Quebec industry so we could concentrate on putting the industry on a sustainable footing. We went there to listen to people.

I hoped I would hear some good things from the hon. member, but I did not.

Raynald Blais Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans stop hiding behind his bureaucrats' reports and explain to the Quebec nation why, just hours before the Quebec fisheries forum, he unilaterally reassigned one of Quebec's fishing zones off the Magdalen Islands to Prince Edward Island?

Loyola Hearn Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, what the hon. member is talking about is a dispute that has gone on for a number of years about fishing grounds between Quebec and Prince Edward Island and the area fished for years by fishermen from Prince Edward Island.

We had an independent study done by an arbitrator, agreed to by both sides. He came in with a report recommending that P.E.I. be allowed to fish on the grounds. We accepted that report because it was the right thing to do.

Chuck Strahl Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, what we are doing is following through on our campaign promise to have marketing choice for western Canadian farmers, the same choice that they have in the rest of the country on other products from coast to coast.

We also expect that the Wheat Board shall continue to market grain in an orderly way. That is its mandate and it should get at it. The prices are up. The volumes are there. Farmers expect it to sell that product and make some money for them. That is what it should do instead of engaging in this silly kind of politics over there.

Gord Brown Leeds—Grenville, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians, including my constituents in Leeds—Grenville, are concerned about whether subsidized tattoo parlours in federal prisons are a good use of tax dollars. These concerns are echoed by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the Canadian Crime Victim Foundation that called the program introduced by the previous Liberal government lunacy.

The pilot project has been completed. Could the Minister of Public Safety update the House on whether subsidized tattooing in federal prisons will continue?

Stockwell Day Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, the former Liberal government put in place a pilot program for prison tattoo parlours in six federal institutions at a cost of about $1 million a year. To extend that to our other institutions would be about $8 million a year.

The new Government of Canada funds programs that will reduce crimes and high risk behaviour. There is no evidence of that in this program. We will continue funding educational and health initiatives for the benefit of our inmate population, but we are announcing today that the new Government of Canada will not continue funding the Liberal program of prison tattoo parlours for convicted criminals.

Denise Savoie Victoria, BC

Mr. Speaker, the heritage minister should be ashamed of herself. She has ripped away funding from the most vulnerable women in our society: groups that support sexual assault victims and help refugee women build new lives. In the most real terms, these cuts mean that if a woman is beaten by her husband in Victoria she may have no one to call for support.

Women across this country know exactly who to blame. Why the brutal cuts? Why shut down the whole department? Why pick on the most vulnerable?

Bev Oda Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I think it is unfortunate for women in Canada when we have a member of the NDP who exaggerates beyond belief. We have not made any changes to our social services. We are working with the provinces and municipalities. We ensure that the resources that are needed are going to be there.

What we have done is that we have said we will save $5 million in administration. That is paying phone bills so that some organizations that work on the ground can help women directly

Paul Dewar Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the decision for the location of the portrait gallery has been treated like a state secret by the government. A recent ATI request from my office produced a 40 page memo with all but two sentences blacked out.

Now I hear that a decision has been made to locate the gallery in Calgary. Will the Prime Minister confirm, yes or no, if the portrait gallery is moving to Calgary, his hometown? Will it be paid for by big oil, yes or no?

Bev Oda Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, once again we want to make sure we have accuracy. As I have told the House before, we are looking at the options before the government to make sure that our portrait gallery is accessible to as many Canadians as possible. We will also make sure that federal funds are used responsibly and accountably.

Wayne Easter Malpeque, PE

Mr. Speaker, the government continues its unprecedented, unethical and undemocratic moves against the Canadian Wheat Board.

The minister's letter, a prelude to the firing of the CEO of the board, is in essence a hostile takeover of the farmers' marketing agency by the Government of Canada. As one editorial stated, this is “an action one” would “expect...of a dictatorial or socialist regime”. I would compare it to a Stalinist purge.

Will the minister cease his intimidation tactics and rescind his disgraceful letter?