House of Commons Hansard #68 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was finance.

Topics

Opposition Motion--The EconomyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

It being 6:15 p.m., it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the supply proceedings now before the House.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Opposition Motion--The EconomyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Opposition Motion--The EconomyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Opposition Motion--The EconomyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Opposition Motion--The EconomyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

All those opposed will please say nay.

Opposition Motion--The EconomyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Opposition Motion--The EconomyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #77

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

I declare the motion carried.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this rare opportunity to follow up on a question I asked the minister recently about an error admitted to by Statistics Canada in calculating the rate of inflation.

As members will recall, I have been raising this issue in the House on behalf of seniors since it first became public in August 2006. I would like to remind members of the House and people who may be watching us tonight on television what is at issue here.

Between July 2001 and March 2006, Statistics Canada underestimated the consumer price index by one-tenth of one percentage point in each of those five years. This means that recipients of the old age security, Canada pension plan and the guaranteed income supplement were shortchanged on their cost of living adjustments for a period of five years.

When the error was discovered, the correctly calculated CPI was implemented but it was not implemented retroactively. Rather, it was implemented effective mid-2006. Seniors were never reimbursed for the intervening five years and therein lies the rub.

When I raised this question on a previous occasion, the parliamentary secretary to the minister acknowledged the mistake but said that the government was obliged to act based on published CPI data, even if those published data were wrong. The member said:

The Department of Human Resources and Social Development is required by law to use the published CPI data in the indexation of the Canada pension plan and old age security benefits. Human Resources and Social Development Canada acted correctly and according to the law.

However, as I and, indeed, seniors and newspapers from around the country have been asking: Where does that leave the seniors who were underpaid for almost five years? Should they not get a retroactive payment? It was not their fault. It was not the fault of the government department concerned. It was Statistics Canada's fault but it does not have that amount of money to pay out.

The government has acknowledged the error and corrected the current rates but so far it has dodged the issue. In fact, the government has continued to dodge the issue in question period, in correspondence and in response to petitions that I have tabled in the House.

The former minister of human resources and social development dodged the issue. The parliamentary secretary to the minister dodged the issue. The Secretary of State for Seniors dodged the issue and the current Minister of Human Resources and Social Development has dodged the issue.

Instead, they all tried to avoid taking responsibility by talking about other issues that have impacted seniors.

Tonight let me put the question as simply as I can with no more opportunities for fudging. Will the government do the right thing and reimburse seniors for the money that is owed to them as a result of Statistics Canada's miscalculation of the CPI between 2001 and 2006, yes or no?

6:50 p.m.

Blackstrap Saskatchewan

Conservative

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for raising the question this evening. It allows me the opportunity to discuss all of the great things that this government has done for seniors in the past and over the past two years.

I know that the hon. member cares deeply about these issues and I want to assure her that this government does as well.

Unfortunately, under the watch of the previous Liberal government, Statistics Canada did make a small error in the calculation of the consumer price index. This is a tool that measures inflation and calculates pension benefits for seniors. Earlier this year, Statistics Canada corrected this error and the consumer price index continues to serve as Canada's best and most accurate tool to measure inflation.

Like all western countries, Canada does not retroactively adjust the consumer price index. Retroactive adjustments to the consumer price index would result in administrative chaos. It would affect private and public pension plans, labour force agreements and many other agreements that use the CPI.

We know that the members of the NDP do not have to worry about the long term effects of their words because they will never form the government. However, we must worry about these effects.

If my hon. friend and her colleagues will not take the word of the government on this issue, perhaps they would like to listen to the International Labour Organization which confirmed that long term ramifications of retroactively changing the CPI would have a devastating effect on countless social programs that Canadians rely on.

I am sure the member knows that when it comes to honouring the contributions that Canadian seniors have made to their communities, the economy and the country, no government in history has done a better job than the one under this Prime Minister. Seniors know that actions speak louder than words. This is why this government acted quickly to support seniors issues. It is why within months of being elected this government introduced Bill C-36 to strengthen the CPP and OAS programs for all seniors.

We have simplified the application process and changed the rules so that seniors do not have to apply year after year for the benefits that they deserve. These are changes which the previous Liberal government never made during its 13 years in power.

We have brought in two separate 3.5% increases to the GIS. These increases will raise the total GIS benefit by more than $2.7 billion over the next five years and will benefit more than 1.6 million guaranteed income supplement recipients, including more than 50,000 seniors who were not eligible for the program under the previous Liberal government.

This is a record of action of which this government is very proud.

6:50 p.m.

NDP

Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, I think at this point members will appreciate my frustration in trying to get a clear answer out of this government. I asked for a simple yes or no in response to a very straightforward question. Yes or no, will seniors be able to expect a refund cheque going back to 2001?

I would be happy to engage in a debate about how little the other initiatives mentioned by the parliamentary secretary will actually do for Canada's neediest seniors, and I have certainly done that on many other occasions in this House, but I do not want to allow the government to sidetrack us yet again from the issue at hand.

Let me be clear what is at stake. According to a briefing note prepared for the Secretary of State for Seniors that I received through an access to information request, the impact of the revision that I am asking about would be “billions of dollars in the public and private sectors”. With that much at stake, hard-working Canadians deserve a straightforward response. One more time, will seniors get what is owed to them retroactively going back from 2001 to 2006?

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

Lynne Yelich Conservative Blackstrap, SK

Mr. Speaker, I did explain to the member exactly what we were doing with the retroactivity, but again, this will allow me to tell Canadians what this government is doing for seniors. We have an impressive record and one worth talking about.

Budget 2008 provides the latest example of this government's support for seniors across the country. We increased the guaranteed income supplement exemption to $3,500 from the previous Liberal level of $500. This will allow GIS recipients to keep more of their hard-earned money without any reduction to the benefits that they deserve. This is exactly what Canadian seniors have been asking for. It is something that this government has delivered, and it is something that that member and her party have voted against.

Budget 2008 also committed $13 million to fund projects that will raise awareness of elder abuse and ensure that those who built this country are not taken advantage of. Again, it is something that the member--

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

The hon. member for Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Raynald Blais Bloc Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am addressing the House today to come back to a very worrisome matter. It so happens that tomorrow is the start of the next shrimp season. Depending on the ice, this can be changed, but the official date is tomorrow, April 1.

When I asked the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans my question in February, I reminded him of the utter lack of an action plan for the fisheries. Allow me to explain. The answer I got was quite vague. It seemed as through the minister was saying that he was dancing the tango with Quebec minister Laurent Lessard, that everything was going well and that there would be good news in the weeks to come. It is now March 31.

As I mentioned, the fishing season begins tomorrow. Unfortunately, we are still at square one, waiting for a concrete action plan that should be in place to help fishers during a season which, each year, is marked by rather difficult conditions. We know that negotiations have taken place between processors and fishers. One might say that, this year, these negotiations seem a little more positive. In any case, it is definitely not because of the cooperation shown by the minister of Fisheries and Oceans, or his department.

In the end, we find ourselves in a situation where it would take very little to provide greater assistance to those hundreds of people who are wondering whether they will be able to work at the processing plant, or go shrimp fishing. An action plan for the whole fisheries sector would have a much broader scope, but let us deal strictly with the shrimp fishery. It is totally abnormal, illogical and irresponsible to wait until just a few hours, or even a few days, before the beginning of a fishing season to tell people about the action that will be taken. Why did the government not do it earlier?

I had the opportunity to raise this question in February, and I also had the opportunity to raise other ones on the same issue as soon as the last shrimp fishing season ended last year, in 2007. That is why it was important to get back to it. A forum on fisheries was held in Quebec, in November 2006, and we are still without an action plan. Such is the current situation: I have no action plan from the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. April 2008 is just around the corner, and there is still no action plan from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding a sector that comes under its responsibility, namely fisheries.

Quebec has been completely abandoned by this minister, or this department, regarding very simple issues such as that of shrimp fishing. We could of course raise other issues because, unfortunately, in the fisheries sector it is just one crisis after the other, and it is extremely difficult to accept the fact that nothing is being done in this case.

In November 2006, the minister came before all the stakeholders in the fisheries sector and said—which was disappointing at the time—that he was there first and foremost to listen, while these people were waiting for very concrete measures regarding the 2007 season. Today, we are getting ready for the 2008 season, and there is still no action plan.

That is why I would say that in—

7 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

7 p.m.

Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission B.C.

Conservative

Randy Kamp ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for raising Quebec's new action plan for commercial fishing and the aquaculture industry.

This plan is another fine example of a provincial initiative covering a wide range of interrelated issues. It contains many options and recommendations developed in partnership with industry. It will help Quebec fishers and aquaculturists ensure the economic viability of their businesses.

I would like to take this opportunity to outline what the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been undertaking that complements and supports Quebec's action plan as well as the economic viability of commercial fishing and aquaculture throughout Atlantic Canada.

Two governments working together cooperatively can accomplish more for fishers and coastal communities certainly than the divisive party to which the member belongs.

The goal of our ocean to plate approach is to build on our cooperative efforts and better coordinate our policies and programs relevant to fish harvesting, aquaculture, processing, distribution and marketing in order to maximize economic value. For us to achieve this goal, it will require the collaboration of government agencies as well as engagement of all participants along the seafood value chain.

This plan will do more than the Bloc has done, or has been able to do, in 17 years, or will ever be able to do. In response to the member, let me focus on the ocean to plate approach we are taking as they pertain to the main themes of Quebec's action plan.

Let me mention three things, which all start with “c”.

The first is competitiveness. In the harvesting sector our government has strengthened and implemented a policy to protect the independence of inshore fishing fleets in Atlantic Canada by phasing out controlling trust agreements.

The department is committed to working with industry to change licensing policies in order to allow fish harvesters to hold more than one licence or to combine enterprises. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also working to give traditional lending institutions more confidence in providing access to capital for fish harvesters.

The minister has also launched a commercial licence fee review to assess the cost on harvesters. In the short term, department officials are reviewing licence fee relief requests for shrimpers in Quebec.

In terms of regional shares, measures are in place for cod and halibut and we are currently working on seals and other species. The department is actively working with its provincial colleagues to develop a sustainable aquaculture industry in Quebec as well as the rest of Atlantic Canada.

The second is commercialization. Building on the ocean to plate approach, we recognize the importance of market awareness as it relates to the Canadian fishing industry. The department has taken on a facilitative role in working with our federal partners such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Foreign Affairs, International Trade Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to ensure the industry remains competitive abroad.

DFO is participating in the federal-provincial-territorial marketing working group, which is chaired by Quebec. DFO has also supported and participated in ocean to plate sessions on lobster, snow crab and cold water shrimp. These meetings involved participants from all along the seafood value chain and identified key market challenges and opportunities.

Critical to market access is the eco-labelling or certification under international standards. DFO is responding to this on a number of fronts, including fisheries sustainability check lists, contributing to marine stewardship council, certification process and a number of ways.

Finally, is consensus building and recognition. We are strongly in support of this priority and Quebec's action plan and will continue to support it. I would encourage the member to take a cooperative approach and we will get the job done.

7:05 p.m.

Bloc

Raynald Blais Bloc Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, I will use my remaining 60 seconds to express great disappointment over what I have just heard. Some people may question our usefulness as an opposition party, but to me, it is like saying that the Conservatives are undemocratic. Besides, it would be contrary to the will of the people, which I think ought to take precedence in a minority government situation. This is not a dictatorship, and will not be one either. Who would want 308 Conservative MPs? Is that what the government wants? Maybe, but that is certainly not what the people want. The people do not want that kind of government.

I would have liked it to act sooner, but it is still time for the department to show that something can be done with respect to—

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Randy Kamp Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is a bit defensive over his inability to actually influence this issue, but the response to the member's question remains the same. The Governments of Canada and Quebec are collaborating and we are delivering results for the residents of Quebec.

This government is committed to workers in traditional industries, which include the fishing sector. DFO is working hard to support the Quebec action plan, particularly in the area of competitiveness. This work did not begin yesterday and it will not be completed tonight, but at least one thing is certain. The government will continue to deliver results for Quebeckers.

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today seeking clarification on an answer I was given a few weeks ago concerning an ethics question that I asked the Prime Minister. As we all know, we do not always get answers. My question had to do with ethics and with what is now known as the Cadman affair.

The situation is most alarming and very serious. Let us review what happened. In 2005, there were a number of crucial votes. Canada had not had a minority government in years. Bills were put to the vote. We all remember the late Chuck Cadman, who was the member for his Vancouver area riding. Despite the fact that he was seriously ill, he decided to come to the House to vote and carry out his duties as a member of Parliament.

However, we later found out that what happened was far less noble, particularly on the part of a government that claims to be transparent and pure as the driven snow. In the last federal election, the Conservatives said that they had never done anything wrong and never would. However, some of the things the government tried to do were certainly disturbing. The people of Canada found it disturbing. I think I will have a hard time getting clear answers, because there is a tape that proves what the Prime Minister said to a reporter not so very long ago.

Clearly, as I said earlier, there is more going on than the Cadman affair. Here are a few examples: the Mulroney-Schreiber affair; the Baird-O'Brien affair; the NAFTAgate affair concerning the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Ian Brodie—not that I am naming names—who commented on certain allegations and uncovered some information. And that's not all. There was also the “in and out” scheme with Elections Canada.

It is clear and plain that we have here a government which refuses to be transparent; it tries to control everything and hide things from the people of Canada. In addition, the allegations made in the Cadman affair about discussions the Prime Minister apparently had concerning a “financial consideration” are alarming. It is very difficult to imagine a Prime Minister attempting to somehow convince a member to give him his vote, when in a recording he finally admits that both he and his party knew that some “financial consideration” was offered to an unfortunate, gravely ill member in order to secure his support in bringing down the Liberal government of the day.

It is clear that this Conservative government has hidden many things from Canadians. I think it is time the Conservative government owned up to its role in the Cadman affair, stop hiding behind interviews given by the late Mr. Cadman and tell the people of Canada the truth, namely that it has indeed—

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

7:10 p.m.

Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam B.C.

Conservative

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

Mr. Speaker, my colleague did not ask a question. If he wants to take his supplementary and actually phrase a question, I will be glad to answer it.

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB

Mr. Speaker, if I understand correctly, I only have one minute left.