Debates of Feb. 2nd, 2007

The Speaker Peter Milliken

The hon. member for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques.

Louise Thibault Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, the Minister of Public Works, whom the Prime Minister had to appoint as a senator so that the Montreal area would be well represented in cabinet, will sign a contract that is detrimental to Quebec's aerospace industry, a high-tech industry crucial to economic development in Montreal and Quebec.

Is that how this minister represents Montreal in cabinet, by ignoring Montreal's and Quebec's interests and blithely agreeing to irretrievably damage the Quebec industry?

Colin Carrie Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, Industry Canada has been dealing with this policy on Canadian benefits for over 20 years now. The department has always allowed companies make investments in Canada based on the best business practices and what makes the most sense to them. We will continue with that policy to ensure that it is fair across this entire country.

Louise Thibault Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Public Works is washing his hands of this whole affair and claiming that his colleague, the industry minister, is responsible for regional benefits. But he also bears some responsibility as a signatory to the contract. He is also implicated in the damage to Quebec's aerospace industry and the loss of jobs in Quebec.

How can the Minister of Public Works dare claim to represent Quebec when he is nothing but the Prime Minister's fawning follower?

James Moore Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics

Mr. Speaker, as usual, the Bloc Québécois is talking out of both sides of its mouth. The Minister of Public Works does his own homework and his own work for Quebec and Montreal. He will prove it this afternoon when he signs the contract. Quebec has a presence in our government and in our cabinet, with Michael Fortier.

This contract will benefit Quebec. Our system of government works well for Quebec and Montreal, with Michael Fortier at the helm in Montreal.

Marlene Jennings Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC

Mr. Speaker, there has been another backward justice announcement from the Conservative government showing that it has absolutely no interest in effective smart justice policy. The Youth Criminal Justice Act has been in force for three years and it is effective. Juvenile crime rates are falling across the country.

Why does the minister think he is more qualified to determine what penalties should be imposed on our youth offenders rather than our judges?

Rob Moore Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows better than to think that we would comment on speculation, rumours or leaks. The government listens to Canadians. We have heard what they have said and we are committed to our commitments on strengthening the Youth Criminal Justice Act to promote fairness and effectiveness, and restore justice to our system.

Marlene Jennings Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives will never let facts get ahead of good scare tactics.

Canadians trust their judges far more than they do the Conservatives. Youth justice requires more appropriate measures designed to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents and help them re-enter the community.

The minister will accomplish nothing by creating lifelong criminals. When will he stop his unwarranted attacks on our judges and our justice system? When?

Rob Moore Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

What Canadians have said loud and clear, Mr. Speaker, is that they have no faith whatsoever in the Liberal revolving door justice system. They want us to add deterrents and denunciation to the system. That is exactly what we are doing. I ask her to work with us to make our communities and our streets safer for all Canadians.

Ruby Dhalla Brampton—Springdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to child care, the Prime Minister never got the job done. Out of the 125,000 spaces that he promised Canadian families, he has not delivered one. He is zero for 125,000.

We all know that the Prime Minister has plagiarized the Liberal climate change initiatives. The Conservatives have plagiarized Liberal homelessness initiatives. When will the Prime Minister get to work and start delivering child care spaces that Canadian families and parents so desperately need?

Lynne Yelich Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

One thing, Mr. Speaker, that we will not plagiarize is their universal child care because our universal child care is exactly that. It is universal. It has provided dollars for each and every child under the age of six.

It should not be forgotten that the Liberals promised a national day care system. The kids who would benefit had kids of their own before the Liberals ever even got around to it.

Ruby Dhalla Brampton—Springdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, the member needs to check her facts because what the Conservatives have put forward is certainly not a universal day care plan. They cannot continue to check off child care as an accomplishment because the bottom line is that they never got the job done. They, rather, abandoned Canadian families with their taxable $25-a-week allowance.

They continue to ignore the advice of child care advocacy associations and provinces. Capital funding will not create new spaces.

On behalf of all Canadian parents and families, when will the government get to work and start creating child care spaces?

Lynne Yelich Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, the member knows quite well that we are working on that and it will be delivered in the spring.