House of Commons Hansard #105 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was aboriginal.

Topics

Government PoliciesOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

The hon. member for Markham—Unionville.

Government PoliciesOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Liberal

John McCallum Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Speaker, clearly, the minister tried to change the subject because he does not understand his own budget. On page 23 of the budget, it says there will be cuts totaling $3.6 billion over two years. The minister's press release announced cuts of $1 billion, which means that there is still another $2.6 billion to be announced in the next 50 days. The math is simple.

Who among Canada's most vulnerable citizens will be attacked this time?

Government PoliciesOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that the president of the Liberal best brains club wants to cut spending against Canadians. I do not know why he wants to reduce spending against Canadians.

I can assure the member for Markham—Unionville and all members opposite that spending has been controlled this year. I know that is an objective with respect to which the opposition is unfamiliar, but we believe in controlled spending, and everyone, including the member for Wascana, will see in the budget that spending has been controlled in this fiscal year.

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Bloc

Maka Kotto Bloc Saint-Lambert, QC

Mr. Speaker, the behaviour of the Minister of Canadian Heritage in the Canadian Television Fund file is absolutely outrageous. She is condoning illegal acts that are compromising television production. Her government says it supports the legislation and the order. Well then, it should start by bringing order to the Canadian Television Fund.

What is the minister waiting for to fully enforce the law? It is her responsibility.

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Bev Oda ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the CRTC regulation actually requires the contribution. I am confident that the CRTC will ensure that its regulations are in force.

But we understand that there is a serious situation. That is why this government made an announcement of $200 million over two years, and that production community said that the announcement “sends our industry and all Canadians a clear message that this government believes Canadian production is worthy of...support”.

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

Maka Kotto Bloc Saint-Lambert, QC

Mr. Speaker, does the minister not realize that through her negligence she is condoning nothing short of illegality and that she is complicit in this hostage-taking directed against the television industry?

What is the Prime Minister waiting for to bring his minister into line and demand that she enforce the law?

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Bev Oda ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, we understand. We have an independent organization that has the responsibility of regulating and supervising our broadcasting and production industries. The CRTC knows what its regulations are. The industry knows what regulations it serves under. I am confident the CRTC will act on behalf of all Canadians and for the government.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Mr. Speaker, last September representatives from Canada, the United States and Mexico met behind closed doors in Banff in order to develop a secret strategy to counter the public's resistance towards further integration of the three countries. Ministers, deputy ministers, senior government officials, ambassadors, influential members of the business world and top military personnel were present.

The Minister of Public Safety attended the meeting. I am asking him to tell us what was discussed at this meeting and what strategies he defended.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Okanagan—Coquihalla B.C.

Conservative

Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of Public Safety

Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated to reporters to whom I was returning calls on the very day I was at that particular meeting, I was pleased to be there to discuss a number issues. Principally, I was concerned about the effects on the economy of the WHTI, the western hemisphere travel initiative, that the United States has been imposing.

I wanted to ensure that the Americans got a very clear message that this would have some negative effects on our economy and also on some of the social interaction at the border. I was glad to speak to that audience at that time.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Mr. Speaker, that certainly was not the only issue discussed that day.

Are we to understand that the government intends to avoid public debate and Parliament because it is afraid of the reaction of the public even though it is the one primarily concerned?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Okanagan—Coquihalla B.C.

Conservative

Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, not at all and that is again why I was returning calls to reporters on the very day. I was doing it because I do not think we should be shy about the fact that we put Canada's sovereign interests first.

We speak up for the issues that concern all Canadians and we ensure that Americans and any other country that have a particular policy that may have a negative effect on Canada from coast to coast, we want to be there addressing it; unlike the Bloc Québécois who do not speak for all of Canada.

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Liberal

Lucienne Robillard Liberal Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, we are still wondering when the Minister of Canadian Heritage will enforce the rules respecting the Canadian Television Fund and whether she still consults Shaw and Vidéotron board members such as Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Mazankowski.

Some television series may not be renewed, and many jobs are at risk.

Is the minister aware that her attitude is contributing to the collapse of our television industry and that she is putting Canada's cultural sovereignty at risk?

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Bev Oda ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, the government understands. There is a serious situation. We are working diligently. However, we have created, as a government, an independent agency that looks over a regulatory and supervisory role on behalf of Canadians. The CRTC regulations are outlined and the CRTC has a responsibility. As I said, I am confident that it will exercise its authority as necessary.

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Liberal

Lucienne Robillard Liberal Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the minister's guilty silence is strangely troubling and shows her lack of concern about developing and spreading our culture.

Is she aware that in Quebec, the most successful series are the ones made right in our province? Has she herself ever even seen one? Does she realize that the government has a role to play in promoting culture? Does she know that this is an emergency and that she should immediately repair the damage she herself wrought by giving in?

Canadian Television FundOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Bev Oda ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, the government has demonstrated in many areas that it knows that just words and talking is not enough. That is why we did act. We announced $200 million over two years which is the first time the production industry has ever received a commitment beyond 12 months.

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

February 7th, 2007 / 2:45 p.m.

Liberal

Gary Merasty Liberal Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development told the House that his trip and four night stay at a luxurious hotel in Washington was very valuable.

However, documents we obtained show that his officials beg to differ. Here is what departmental staff said about the trip: “Much of the agenda in Washington is personal/political/non-INAC--”.

If the minister wants to accomplish something very valuable, why does he not turn his attention to my people who are sleeping in shifts in mouldy overcrowded housing and maybe the child welfare crisis at the same time?

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Calgary Centre-North Alberta

Conservative

Jim Prentice ConservativeMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

Mr. Speaker, I would encourage my friend to elevate the debate by speaking about some of the important issues surrounding the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, whether it is the negotiations with the Dehcho, the negotiations with the Dene Tha', or the Conservative $500 million socio-economic fund.

My friend seems to be in a rut. I would remind him that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Liberal

Tina Keeper Liberal Churchill, MB

Mr. Speaker, if the minister was in Washington promoting oil industry business, his department should not have picked up the tab for the trip.

This little non-INAC junket to hobnob with Washington elite was more than $14,000 and INAC footed most of this bill. Why did the oilmen he was lobbying for not offer to pick up the tab?

When will the minister repay his department and turn his attention to the first nations housing, child welfare and water crises that all need his attention?

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

York—Simcoe Ontario

Conservative

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

Mr. Speaker, the member should know that the minister was carrying out his functions at the time. However, let us talk about appropriate travel.

The former minister of the environment had a chief of staff, Daniel Hurley. I am reading this public disclosure. It shows, and listen to the dates closely: December 15, 2005 to December 17, 2005, travel in the amount of $1,547 to Edmonton; purpose: travel with minister for electoral campaign. I am prepared to table this and I would like an explanation from the opposition as to what this is all about.

Agriculture and Agri-foodOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Lévis—Bellechasse, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian dairy industry, in Quebec and in Ontario, was abandoned by the previous Liberal government. Dairy farmers are very worried about the increased use of milk proteins imported to make cheese. This has been a problem for too long and the Liberals did nothing. The Bloc member will never be able to do anything.

I would like to know what the Secretary of State for Agriculture can do for Quebec's dairy farmers in order to solve this problem.

Agriculture and Agri-foodOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Mégantic—L'Érable Québec

Conservative

Christian Paradis ConservativeSecretary of State (Agriculture)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his excellent question.

In fact today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced to Canadian dairy farmers that this government is going to take action on behalf of the industry by invoking GATT Article 28 in order to increase the price schedules for milk protein concentrates.

This action is in response to the concerns of the dairy industry regarding the use of these concentrates. In addition, we will initiate a regulatory process with milk processors to establish standards for cheese ingredients.

After many years of LIberal inaction, this government is again proving that it is a strong supporter of supply management.

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, 21 young people have tried to kill themselves in Kashechewan in a single month; the youngest was nine years old. There is no grade school in that community. There is no community centre. There is no youth support.

This is not a regional shame. This is not a national shame. Kashechewan has become a symbol of the utter hopelessness of our isolated reserves.

I want to know what steps the minister will take to, number one, deal with this immediate crisis and, number two, live up to the signed agreement between the people of Kashechewan and the Government of Canada to move them to a site of their own choosing?

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario

Conservative

Tony Clement ConservativeMinister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. members knows, this is an incredibly serious issue and a dire situation. I can assure this House that Health Canada is on the scene with medical professionals. Indeed, we have additional funds this year alone to, unfortunately, deal with suicide crisis intervention services.

Of course, the previous Liberal government's record in terms of the treatment of first nations was appalling. We are attempting with alacrity to clean up that mess. However, in the meantime, we are going to be there for the citizens of Canada on that particular reserve, as indeed for all reserves.

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, the situation on our isolated reserves is so deplorable that international aide agencies like Save the Children are thinking of setting up an operation in Canada. What an indictment.

The children of Kashechewan do not even have a bloody school to go to. We have the same situation in neighbouring Attawapiskat where, after seven years, we are still dealing with bureaucratic rhetoric. No wonder these children do not believe they have a future.

What steps will the government take to ensure there is adequate educational resources for the Cree children of the northern territories?

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Calgary Centre-North Alberta

Conservative

Jim Prentice ConservativeMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

Mr. Speaker, the situation in Kashechewan has been before this House for the last several years and it is a serious situation. We know that.

There was a Pope report that was commissioned by the government that examined the alternatives for the community. I would point out that the previous government had considered five sites. Four of them in fact flooded in the subsequent year, which tells us how much foresight went into that.

Chief Solomon, whom I have met with several times, has taken the Pope report to his community and we are waiting for the completion of that consultation process by the community.