Debates of June 11th, 2007

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

Mr. Speaker, that is indeed what the Prime Minister did last week. He ensured that Canada was on the right path to meeting its commitments to Africa for development. The Prime Minister also joined his G-8 colleagues in making an announcement concerning the future of Africa.

Mark Eyking Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister was questioned in Germany about his failing record in Africa, he said that “in the case of Canada, we have a different neighbourhood than Europe”.

What an embarrassment. The Prime Minister is implying that because Africa is not in our neighbourhood we should neglect its plight. This is a disgrace.

Canada was once a leader in aid to Africa. Why is the government letting the Africans down?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is quite the contrary. The Prime Minister said that Canada would be committed to Africa. He also said that developing countries in our neighbourhood need help too and that Canada was prepared to help them as well.

Karen Redman Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the community safety and crime prevention program focuses on the root causes of gang violence in communities. The Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre was devastated after passing three levels for approval in its project and then last Friday finding out that no money was coming. This is a program that works in my community.

Because of the indifference of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, its good work of integrating and empowering new Canadians is now at risk, but the minister thinks everything is just great. How many crime prevention groups does the minister plan to victimize this year?

Bev Oda Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, we as a government are working toward improving communities and making them safer. We have just heard from the Minister of Public Safety about all the initiatives we have undertaken in the 16 months that we have been in office.

We are looking at it multilaterally, with multi-aspects of all the responsibilities of all the ministers. We will continue to do so because Canadians want their communities to be safer and stronger.

Karen Redman Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, these are agencies with proven track records and partnerships in a Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council that has been working in Waterloo region for years.

Unfortunately, nobody can believe what the Minister of Canadian Heritage is saying, so now, when the Minister of Public Safety announces his so-called focused approach to crime prevention funding, alarm bells go off.

If that is true, when can Kitchener Waterloo Counselling Services, the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre and the multicultural program in my riding expect to hear about their funding? Are these crime prevention groups being “refocused” right into the Conservative garbage can?

Stockwell Day Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, in the last few months my colleagues and I have been involved in announcing crime prevention programs right across the country. We do not think it is the part of the federal government to impose a certain type of program. We want to know what works. We want to see groups with proven records. They are coming forward in a very positive way.

I will tell the House what we are wondering about. We are wondering why the Liberals will not support us in other areas also, in terms of legislation, for instance, legislation that would require mandatory jail time for those who commit crimes with firearms. Why will the Liberals not support us on that?

Monte Solberg Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important that the member has asked this question. As the member may know, Canada has established an agreement with the government of Quebec regarding a targeted initiative for older workers. A number of discussions are under way right now with various companies and sectors around the province of Quebec regarding this issue. I will be happy to say a little more about this in the days ahead.

Pierre Paquette Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Labour whether, as we have been informed, he plans on tabling a notice of ways and means to amend the Bankruptcy Act, with the changes requested by the National Assembly.

I would also like to seek the unanimous consent of this House to fast-track the adoption of this bill.

Jean-Pierre Blackburn Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

Mr. Speaker, there comes a point when we must settle an impasse, and that time has come. We must think of the workers who risk losing their income if a company goes bankrupt.

Yes, we will table a new notice of ways and means which will take into account the desired changes and which will also ask the Senate to look at the old content and the new wording.

Diane Marleau Sudbury, ON

Mr. Speaker, smaller museums that contribute to a community's vitality are being completely neglected. The government throws out big numbers, but those are for national museums. What about local museums? They are being starved by meanspirited Conservative cuts.

Funding for the museums assistance program is at its lowest level ever. Will the Minister of Canadian Heritage commit to reinstate and then increase funding for the museums assistance program?

Bev Oda Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, we have been very consistent. We do support our museums. We recognize our responsibility not only to our national museums but to museums right across the country. As I have indicated, there are 2,500 of those museums and we are providing the help where it is most needed.

In fact, under the previous government, less than 30% of the requests for summer student help were met. This is why we increased that amount by $10 million over the next two years. That is going to help the museums where they need it.

Patrick Brown Barrie, ON

Mr. Speaker, budget 2007 was a great budget for the people of Ontario. In fact, countless prominent Ontario provincial Liberals have praised it. Premier Dalton McGuinty said it “represents real progress for Ontarians”. The finance minister said there were “real positives for Ontario”. The intergovernmental affairs minister said it delivered “real results for the people of Ontario”.

The federal Liberals do not agree and are delaying the budget implementation bill. Can the Minister of Finance reveal to Ontarians what these silly Liberal political games will cost our province of Ontario?