Debates of Dec. 5th, 2007

Maxime Bernier Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, we regret Iran's decision to order our ambassador to leave Tehran, which is entirely unjustified. We stand behind our ambassador, who performs his duties with professionalism. Yes, we tried to come to an agreement with Tehran about the exchange of ambassadors for some time, but we did not succeed.

I can assure the House that in the future we will promote human rights, the rule of law, and democracy in Iran and across the globe.

Pat Martin Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, the President of the Treasury Board has never implemented the new regulations to the Lobbyists Registration Act. Why not? Because the head of the organization representing lobbyists, Mulroney-era Manitoba MP Leo Duguay, says it would be too onerous to disclose who they were lobbying and when.

The government said it would clean up government. Why will it not implement the sections of the Federal Accountability Act that would force these big money corporate lobbyists out of the shadows and into the light of day?

Vic Toews President of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of what our government has done in terms of the Federal Accountability Act. It has prevented the type of lobbying and the type of money movement that was very commonplace under the prior government.

The pre-publication under the lobbyist regulation will take place in January. We are hoping to see implementation next year, perhaps in the middle of the year.

Peter Van Loan Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Mr. Speaker, this happened at another time under another government. In fact, I believe that happened in a case under the Liberal government.

Right now we have changed the laws regarding lobbying, toughening them up considerably, and the obligation is of course upon the lobbyists to respect those laws. There are serious consequences if they do not because we wanted to cleanup Ottawa. We wanted to cleanup lobbying. We have acted and we have done that.

Tina Keeper Churchill, MB

Mr. Speaker, women are far more likely than men to experience extended periods of low income and greater depths of poverty. Poverty means isolation and exclusion. It has devastating impacts for women and their children.

When is the government going to respond to the real needs of Canadian women and come up with real action to reduce poverty in Canada?

Monte Solberg Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, as I told the member yesterday, thankfully because the economy is hot, we are seeing decreasing levels of poverty in all kinds of groups, including women.

We want to take advantage of that hot job market, which is why we are investing more in training today than any government ever has. We are putting more into affordable housing than any government ever has. We are providing more support for child care than any government in history.

That is a terrific record. What is shameful is the fact that the Liberal leader wants to take away support for Canadian families, the universal child care benefit, and that will hurt--

The Speaker Peter Milliken

The hon. member for Sarnia—Lambton.

Patricia Davidson Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, today the Liberals continue to demonstrate that they are all talk and no action when it comes to women.

The Liberals claim they listen to women, but the actions of the Liberal leader say otherwise, when he has demoted a number of women in his caucus and replaced them with men. Our government is taking meaningful action on issues that matter to women.

Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women provide some examples of what we are doing?

Josée Verner Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for providing the opportunity to point out the facts.

It was under our government that the budget for the women's program rose by 42% to a record high of $15.3 million.

We are the first government in Canadian history to have appointed a Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women.

We are the party that has provided significant support for women and that is making a difference.

The opposition parties should put more effort into directly helping the most vulnerable women rather than putting all their efforts into unfounded statements—

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Order.

This concludes oral question period for today.

The chief government whip on a point of order.

Jay Hill Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among all parties and with the approval of the sponsor, I think you would find unanimous consent to move immediately to the taking of the deferred recorded division on private members Motion No. 315, standing in the name of the member for Niagara West—Glanbrook, and that the bells summoning members be dispensed with.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Is there unanimous consent to proceed in this fashion?