Debates of Sept. 25th, 2006
House of Commons Hansard #52 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was agreement.
Topics
- Question Period
- Early Learning and Child Care Act
- Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006
- Points of Order
- Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006
- President of Latvia
- Middle River
- Luc Béland
- Liberal Leadership Candidates
- Vern Gessner
- Security Certificate Process
- Rosh Hashanah
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Ramadan
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- British Columbia
- Mackenzie Valley Environment
- Laval Crime Victims Assistance Centre
- The Governor General
- Darfur
- Western Provinces
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Older Workers
- Afghanistan
- Access to Information
- Cultural Diversity
- The Environment
- Political Financing
- Fisheries and Oceans
- Canada-U.S. Border
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Fisheries and Oceans
- Canadian International Development Agency
- Government Programs
- Canada-U.S. Border
- Canadian Wheat Board
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Afghanistan
- Presence in Gallery
- Ways and Means
- Points of Order
- Petitions
- Questions on the Order Paper
- Points of Order
- Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006
The Governor General
Statements By Members
2:10 p.m.
Bloc
Paule Brunelle Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, there were many developments last week following the publication of The Globe and Mail article, but nothing could have prepared us for the surprising statement by the Governor General to mark the first anniversary of her installation. This weekend, Ms. Jean stated, among other things, that it was time for Quebeckers to stop looking for what makes them distinct.
The Bloc Québécois will not stop explaining why Quebeckers form a distinct society in Canada. We will continue to do so because our values, our culture, our way of doing things are distinct. For the Governor General, as the representative of the British monarchy — and not elected for that matter — to preach to Quebec goes well beyond her mandate. If she feels like taking up politics, then she should run for office, get elected and only then will we be interested in having a debate with her.
Darfur
Statements By Members
2:10 p.m.
Liberal
Susan Kadis Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the escalating crisis in Darfur and I call on the government to take immediate action toward stopping the genocide.
More than a quarter of a million civilians have been murdered, thousands of women and young girls raped, and millions forced from their homes. As the United Nations has clearly stated, it is “the worst humanitarian catastrophe in the world today”.
Last month, the Sudanese government rejected the UN resolution to send UN peacekeepers to the region to stop this carnage. It is clear that Khartoum has absolutely no intention of stopping the continual atrocities. At a rally I recently attended with Senator Roméo Dallaire, he said Darfur will become another Rwanda if action is not taken now.
The government needs to take a leadership role, together with the UN, immediately imposing sanctions against those responsible for the genocide. Canada must deliver on our initiative, the responsibility to protect. Lip service here at home is just not good enough.
Western Provinces
Statements By Members
September 25th, 2006 / 2:15 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Peace River, AB
Mr. Speaker, for years the relationship looked to be nearing an end. With all that cheating, lying and verbal abuse, the western provinces were ready to pack their bags and leave.
Under the leadership of the previous Liberal government, the western provinces had been forced to consider the only option that seemed left: permanent separation. There had been good years, oh yes, and there had been good times, no doubt, but they were only a memory now.
Remaining in a union with such a dishonest and disrespectful partner seemed to be unreasonable, but on January 23 everything changed. Under the leadership of the new Prime Minister, Canada's new Conservative government engaged in a positive relationship with all regions of Canada, including the west. This relationship is characterized by honesty, respect, good communication and trust.
Just eight short months ago, 36% of western residents were ready to pull out and pull the plug. Today, far fewer want to separate.
We know that every damaged relationship takes time to rebuild trust, but we know that this government and this Prime Minister are committed to rebuilding and maintaining a strong, united Canada, one that includes the west.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Toronto Centre
Ontario
Liberal
Bill Graham Leader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, since the Prime Minister took office Canadians have become increasingly concerned about the PMO's obsessive control of government communications. Today we have reached a new low, where that approach is affecting the ability of Canadians to understand an issue of fundamental importance.
The former RCMP commissioner, Norman Inkster, said yesterday that the current commissioner, like so many other ministers and deputy ministers under the Conservative government, has been constrained from speaking to the public. Why is the Prime Minister at this time deliberately muzzling an important official of the government, the RCMP commissioner?
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Calgary Southwest
Alberta
Conservative
Stephen Harper Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the government is obviously doing no such thing. In fact, Commissioner Zaccardelli, I gather, will appear before a Commons committee to answer questions this week.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Toronto Centre
Ontario
Liberal
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
An hon. member
This new government.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Liberal
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Liberal
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Liberal
Bill Graham Toronto Centre, ON
--has a bad case of new muzzlemania.
The former commissioner of the RCMP also said that it displayed a pattern of behaviour by the government of preventing people who have the facts from speaking out on them in public.
Does the Prime Minister not recognize that he is undermining our democracy when he silences officials like the head of the RCMP?
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Calgary Southwest
Alberta
Conservative
Stephen Harper Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, no such silencing has taken place. In fact, I would encourage the hon. member and his colleagues to attend the Commons committee on public security hearings later this week when they can ask Commissioner Zaccardelli any questions they want.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Toronto Centre
Ontario
Liberal
Bill Graham Leader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, in this government, the Prime Minister has silenced his Minister of Public Safety; the Minister of Public Safety has silenced the Commissioner of the RCMP, and so on. This is definitely something new for our system.
When will the government stop muzzling the Commissioner of the RCMP and allow government officials to speak freely to the media?
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Calgary Southwest
Alberta
Conservative
Stephen Harper Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, this is just another example of speculation on the part of the Leader of the Opposition that is equally false in English and French.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Oral Questions
2:15 p.m.
Liberal
Lucienne Robillard Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, this minority Conservative government is engaging in political interference concerning the Commissioner of the RCMP. Police officers, the former Commissioner of the RCMP, and the former chair of the commission for public complaints against the RCMP all agree that the Commissioner is not the kind of man to remain silent.
Will the Prime Minister, who has a habit of controlling information, tell us why he is preventing Commissioner Zaccardelli from speaking and immediately explaining himself to Canadians?