House of Commons Hansard #7 of the 40th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was riding.

Topics

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem, led by the Chief Opposition Whip, the hon. member for Cape Breton—Canso.

[Members sang the national anthem]

West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky CountryStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the citizens of my riding for putting their trust in me as their member of Parliament.

My thanks go as well to my wife Donna and my children Shane, Jake and Mei Mei for their loyal support.

I thank my colleagues here, in this noble House, for their warm welcome. I hope to make many new friends here, on both sides of this House.

The riding I represent is the fourth largest in Canada in land size, is one of the most spectacular places on earth, and has one of the longest names to match.

One can find productive pulp mills in Powell River and Gibsons; highly sensitive environmental areas in Sechelt and Bowen Island; majestic scenery in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler; and, throughout our riding, business people, scholars and athletes of international acclaim.

Speaking of athletes, I would like to point out that the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring the world to our doorstep.

I invite my fellow hon. members to come visit us in Canada's Olympic riding.

Eglinton—LawrenceStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

Mr. Speaker, I want to voice a most sincere expression of thanks to the electors of Eglinton--Lawrence, who have given me the privilege of representing them for a seventh consecutive mandate in the Parliament of Canada.

I did not get their vote of confidence on my own. Since 1988, I have enjoyed the support of my immediate family, including my wife, children, in-laws, and now even grandchildren. As well, friends and volunteers have contributed to my electoral success. Along the way these friends and volunteers have become more than a team. As my wife Mirella puts it, “Our family is growing”. Of this I am certain: without them, I could not have the opportunity to serve the country we love.

I want to live up to their standards and expectations, because they will share my successes and live my accomplishments. To them I say, “grazie infinite”.

Municipality of L'AssomptionStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Nicolas Dufour Bloc Repentigny, QC

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the voters of the riding of Repentigny, who put their trust in me in the October 14 election. It is an honour to serve them here.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the 25th anniversary of the RCM of L'Assomption. This municipality has been inhabited since the 1640s. The colonists who arrived there were among the first to settle along the banks of the St. Lawrence. Today, the municipality has a population of over 112,000 people, and is growing every year. The municipality has a very diverse and vibrant population.

I would like to honour the commitment of everyone who has helped make this one of the most thriving RCMs in Quebec, and in particular, the commitment of the reeve of the RCM and mayor of Repentigny, Chantal Deschamps. Her hard work has greatly contributed to the development of the Lanaudière region.

Status of WomenStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

Mr. Speaker, on November 7, 2008, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women issued a report that was extremely critical of the Canadian government's record on women's rights.

The UN committee was so concerned about the failure of the government to investigate the cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women and the low rates of social assistance that it wants Canada to report back within one year.

The committee was also concerned about women's insufficient access to legal aid, affordable housing, child care spaces, and shelters. The committee was concerned as well about the poor representation of women in public life, inequality in the labour market for visible minorities, mistreatment of women prisoners, the cancellation of the court challenges program, and the elimination of funding for advocacy for women's organizations.

Canada has an international obligation to address women's human rights in Canada, as well as an obligation to women in Canada to address the concerns of the committee.

The government needs to take immediate action to advance women's rights in Canada.

IcebreakerStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK

Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House today to thank the voters of Prince Albert for the honour of representing them.

I would also like to thank my wife Jerri, my two children Alysia and Brock, and my dad Ivar for their love and unconditional support.

I would like to commend the Prime Minister for his commitment to construct a new icebreaker named in honour of our late prime minister and my late member of Parliament, the Right Hon. John Diefenbaker.

This is a great honour for the riding of Prince Albert. Mr. Diefenbaker clearly understood that Canadians could only fulfill their national dream by accepting the challenges and seizing the opportunities presented by our north. I am sure Prince Albert's proud designation as Saskatchewan's gateway to the north helped him to forge this understanding.

Rest assured that as the Prime Minister and the Conservative government pursue the challenges of the north, Prince Albert's residents, businesses and first nations will be there with their knowledge and expertise, just as Mr. Diefenbaker was during his tenure as my member of Parliament and as prime minister.

John Graham MacInnesStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month Cape Breton and Canada lost a pillar of our community when John Graham MacInnes was taken away from us all too soon.

A retired school teacher from River Bennet, Victoria County, John Graham served as municipal councillor for 23 years. John Graham loved politics. He was a strong Liberal supporter and he was probably the biggest Montreal Canadien fan in Victoria County.

John Graham was involved in every aspect of his community, including his hard work for St. Ann's Bay United Church. He loved animals and was an avid gardener, an amateur actor and a dedicated volunteer.

John Graham MacInnes had a great Gaelic sense of humour and he was always there to help.

We will miss John, as will his wife Joan and his sons Chris and Ken. If ever there was a great example of how to live this all too brief life, John Graham MacInnes, a teacher, provided us with this one: live life to its fullest, and help others as we go through it.

Natural Areas ConservationStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am please to pay tribute today to one of British Columbia's oldest ranching families, the Froleks. After 100 years and four generations, the Frolek family joined together last Friday with the Government of Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect almost 8,000 acres of threatened grassland habitat in the Thompson-Nicola Valley.

I am proud to say that this project can be credited to our Prime Minister, who made conservation a clear priority for action with support for the natural areas conservation program.

Since the program began last year, it has helped to acquire 84 new properties, resulting in the protection of 80 species at risk. This is a significant conservation achievement that will benefit all Canadians. I offer my special thanks to the Nature Conservancy and the Frolek family.

This outstanding achievement is an inspiration for all Canadians who care about the land legacy we are leaving our children.

Karine SergerieStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Carole Freeman Bloc Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to an outstanding athlete from my riding, Karine Sergerie. Karine lives in Sainte-Catherine and is an Olympic tae kwon do champion who has had an exceptional journey. The people in my area and throughout Quebec are proud of her.

Karine won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics this past summer. She placed first at the 2006 Pan American championships as well as at the 2007 Pan American Games and world championships.

Recipient of the 2005 National Championships most valuable player and the Taekwondo Spirit awards; 2006 most valuable player at the Pan American championships; 2008 Athlete of the Year by Gala Sports-Québec, Karine Sergerie's courage and determination in sports deserves our admiration.

I wish her the best of luck in her future competitions.

Karine, you are a source of inspiration for us all and we are very proud of you.

Violence against womenStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

Mr. Speaker, December 6 will be the 19th anniversary of the massacre at the École polytechnique in Montreal, one of the worst acts of violence against women in the history of Canada.

The issue of violence against women is important to me as a Métis woman and a mother of five. I was a police officer for almost 19 years and I have seen first-hand the devastation that it renders.

It was my desire to do more to help victims that inspired me to run, and I am proud to be part of a Conservative government that has a plan to address violence against women, including ensuring justice for victims.

Yesterday marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the start of 16 days of activism against violence to women.

Let us, during the next 15 days, have a thought for victims of violence all over the world. Let us not settle for merely reaffirming our commitment to put an end to violence against women, but let us also take steps to eradicate it from the lives of women and girls.

Kapyong BarracksStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, on May 17, 2007, I questioned the then minister of national defence in the House on the status of the vacant houses on the decommissioned Kapyong Barracks in my riding of Winnipeg South Centre.

The minister did not have the answers then, and we still do not have any. The Treasury Board process for the transfer of the houses to the Canada Lands Company is apparently stalled. Department regulations are in place that allow only members of the military or the RCMP, governmental employees, or the families of governmental employees to live in these houses.

It costs taxpayers $250,000 to maintain these empty houses. Many Winnipeggers live in either substandard or overpriced housing, and 1,500 people in Winnipeg are homeless. The rental vacancy rate is 1.3%.

We talk about prudent government spending. How can the Conservative government justify billing the taxpayer for keeping these houses empty when there is a real community need?

The government should make these houses available to the community and at the same time move forward with the transfer of the land and houses to the Canada Lands Company.

Forestry IndustryStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Speaker, these are difficult times for forest workers and their families: rising energy costs, the damage done by the softwood dispute and the previous government's failure to act and the mountain pine beetle infestation.

Our government understands that when a mill closes, the whole community is affected. We have acted decisively to help the forest sector, protecting forestry jobs by getting the softwood deal signed, the community development trust, helping forest-dependent communities, funding to mitigate the mountain pine beetle disaster, the target initiative for older workers in tough economic times, investing in innovation, creating new markets and cutting corporate taxes to keep mills competitive.

We have delivered support in the short term and solutions in the long term. This Conservative government is delivering for the forest industry. We are getting the job done for forestry.

SeniorsStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

Mr. Speaker, as I proudly rise in the House today, I want to thank the electors of Hamilton East--Stoney Creek for voting to once again honour me with their trust to represent them in this place.

Members will know that many seniors have only their government pensions to sustain them. Earlier this summer, my staff received numerous complaints from seniors who began receiving letters from the government announcing their pensions were increasing by 42¢ a month. Members heard it correctly, a mere 42¢ a month. How insulting.

Now with this huge economic downturn facing Canada, we hear that Canadians must bail out this bank or that corporation. What can seniors expect from the government? History shows us that in hard economic times, the poor and the seniors on fixed incomes suffer the most, prices go up and their buying power goes down and they slip farther and farther behind.

The government needs to put a strategy forward for seniors, and I will fight to ensure that it does.

Laval University's Rouge et OrStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles Québec

Conservative

Daniel Petit ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, on November 22 in Hamilton, the Laval University Rouge et Or won its 5th Vanier Cup in 13 years, defeating the University of Western Ontario Mustangs by a score of 44 to 21.

Tomorrow, the residents of Quebec City are invited to assemble at Place Laurier to meet all of the Rouge et Or team members. The people of the Quebec City area are so proud of you and tomorrow they will take advantage of the opportunity to show their love for you and their pride at sharing this amazing season with you, and of course also to celebrate last Saturday's win.

Thanks to the talents and strengths of each player, the Rouge et Or made it known from the start of the season that it was the team to beat. Your hard work, dedication and team spirit are what made you the best.

May I take the opportunity to add the congratulations of my Conservative colleagues from the Quebec City area and the rest of Quebec to my own. Once again, hooray for this win, and we expect great things from you again next season.

Employment InsuranceStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development closed the door to the possibility of eliminating the waiting period for employment insurance.

She said that “with any insurance, there is always a wait period”. Yet employment insurance is a kind of social insurance, and comparing the employment insurance waiting period to that for private insurance is unacceptable.

As a result of their ultra-conservative ideology, the Conservatives are consigning families to a life of poverty. Workers are being punished for losing their jobs. Workers have to be able to count on receiving employment insurance the moment they lose their source of income.

In this period of economic instability, the government has once again shown utter disregard for people who are in danger of losing their jobs. That is why the Bloc Québécois will soon be introducing a bill to eliminate the waiting period. I urge all members of the House to support this bill.

Fighting PovertyStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government's shameful policy, which consists of leaving Canadians to fend for themselves, is having a devastating effect.

Feed Nova Scotia reports an increasing number of working poor are turning to food banks. They are employed or recently unemployed.

We are talking about some 704,000 people in just one month, and more than a third of them were children. These are real people who are having serious difficulties, but the current government does not care.

How else do they explain the fact that the Speech from the Throne said nothing about fighting poverty or helping our seniors?

It is time for the Prime Minister to stop talking about a “technical recession” and realize that these families need help, not empty rhetoric.

Member for Markham—UnionvilleStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Merv Tweed Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is committed to providing our brave men and women fighting in Afghanistan the support they need to do the important work we ask of them. Supplementary estimates tabled this week will provide funding to enhance their safety by continuing vital support such as tanks, engineering support, counter-mortar capability and UAVs.

Unbelievably, the member for Markham—Unionville is questioning this expenditure, yet just a short few years ago, the same hon. member for Markham—Unionville was singing a different tune. He said that when we put men and women in harm's way, we must equip them so as to minimize the risk of injury or death. He said that if we put people in harm's way, we had to give them the proper equipment. He was even prepared to resign his post as minister of defence if it were found that any Canadian died as a result of a lack of preparation or equipment.

Our government is not only talking the talk, but walking the walk. Is the member for Markham—Unionville prepared to live up to his public statements and vote to provide our soldiers in Afghanistan with equipment to minimize injury or death? Will he support our estimates?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Laurent—Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Stéphane Dion LiberalLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow will be a sad day for Canadians because the Conservative government will be delivering its economic update. We are going to go back in time to the days of Mulroney. Taxpayers' efforts and sacrifices will be cancelled out by the new Conservative deficit.

Does the Prime Minister regret declaring, just a few weeks ago, that it was foolish, even ridiculous, to talk about a deficit in Canada? Does the Prime Minister regret misleading Canadians?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Macleod Alberta

Conservative

Ted Menzies ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, it is great to be cheered on by the Liberals, the Liberals who in the last election were going increase taxes to Canadians. Now the Liberals are back in the House saying that the Conservatives are spending too much money, that the Conservatives are not worried about Canadians.

Thank goodness the Conservatives won the election so they did not have to face the higher taxes that the Liberals wanted to force on them.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Laurent—Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Stéphane Dion LiberalLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, therefore, no regret from the Prime Minister to have misled Canadians in this way.

The new Conservative deficit has weakened the ability of the government to protect jobs and to get our economy back on track. Is the reason that the government has offered no plan for struggling sectors of our economy, for auto workers, for forestry workers, because his budget is out of control, because his cabinet is bloated, or is it simply that he does not care?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Macleod Alberta

Conservative

Ted Menzies ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the answer would be none of the above. In fact, the Prime Minister cares dearly.

The Prime Minister is doing everything possible to ensure that Canadians will not feel the impact of the economic crisis that other countries are. That is why the Prime Minister is consulting on a regular basis with other leaders around the world, which are facing worse economic times than we are here. It is why our finance minister is consulting with ministers across the provinces to ensure that whatever we do is well coordinated.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Laurent—Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Stéphane Dion LiberalLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, we know the Conservatives have allowed 45,000 auto sector jobs to be lost. Yesterday a Conference Board report said that Canada would lose 15,000 auto assembly jobs next year. That means 100,000 more auto sector jobs lost across the country.

Why will the Prime Minister not offer Canadians a real plan to help the auto sector? Where is the plan to get our economy back on track?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario

Conservative

Tony Clement ConservativeMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, a year ago almost, in budget 2008, we started a process of investing in innovation, in science and technology and in our sectoral industries. We added an automotive innovation fund as part of our work to protect the innovation in that sector.

We continue to work with the auto sector and with our provincial counterparts, the Ontario Liberals, in favour of an auto sector that is innovative and competitive for decades to come.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's propaganda machine was out in full force last night trying to divert attention away from his responsibility for the deficit. The Prime Minister expanded cabinet from an original 26 to a new 37 four weeks ago, full ministers, inflated salaries, personal cars and drivers, bloated staffs, bigger and more offices and millions in contingency funds.

Will the Prime Minister reduce his cabinet to a sensible level, cut the 37 limo service and cut the bloated staffing, show leadership and cut cabinet excess?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Prince George—Peace River B.C.

Conservative

Jay Hill ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, that is pretty rich coming from the Liberals.

The facts are that the size—