Debates of March 13th, 2009

Veterans Affairs

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member pointed out that we have moved on the issue of agent orange and all those poor people who suffered from that terrible incident. In fact, we settled with over 2,000 of those individuals, at $20,000 a person. They are very satisfied with that.

The more discussions we have with them, the more concerned they are about where the economy is going, the more concerned they are that the hon. member's leader is opposed to the very action plan that helps these very important people.

The hon. member knows full well we can never do enough for our veterans. The action plan is all about that.

Millennium Summit

[Jean Dorion, Bloc, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government will not attend the third Millennium Summit, which will take place in Montreal. With the recent cuts to its bilateral aid to Africa, its record continues to lose lustre. Despite all the promises that were made in 2000 to eradicate hunger and poverty, they are still very much present in the world today.

Should we see the government's failure to attend this summit as a reflection of its complete lack of interest in achieving the millennium development goals and another example of its recent pulling away from Africa?

[Jay Hill, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, because our Minister of International Cooperation has clearly said this time after time, day after day, our assistance to African nations has actually increased under our government. It is continuing to increase over what the Liberals did before.

[Jean Dorion, Bloc, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to the United Nations, to achieve tangible development results, countries must allocate 0.7% of their GDP to international aid by 2015. Canada allocates only 0.34% of its GDP, which is nowhere near the target.

Is it not true that the government is not anxious to attend the summit because of its pitiful record?

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague, the House leader, has pointed out, Canada is doing very well in this area. We are doubling the amount of support we are giving to our African programs.

This is well under control. The people of Canada are very proud of the way we take our place in the world.

Public Service of Canada

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 2008, the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada consulted its members, who condemned the “frustrating micromanagement”, the “centralized control in the Privy Council Office and the Prime Minister’s Office” and the “increased paranoia about media”.

Why have the Conservatives created a climate of mistrust within the public service? Why are the Conservatives trying to intimidate our dedicated public servants?

[Vic Toews, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is very proud of our public service. We are committed to a strong, effective and accountable public service for Canadians. We are leaders in terms of recruitment, retention, learning and development issues across the public service.

We understand our public service is a key ingredient to ensuring that our economic action plan is implemented and that Canadians benefit generally from the fine services of our public service.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Association of Justice Counsel, which represents some 2,000 lawyers and notaries, feels betrayed. As allowed by amendments Parliament had made to the Public Service Act, the association tried to negotiate its first collective agreement, but the Conservatives reportedly used delaying tactics to prevent an agreement. These counsel are therefore subject to the salary cap imposed by the Conservatives on a salary base that dates back more than 20 years.

Why have the Conservatives betrayed these public servants?

[Vic Toews, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, we respect our public service. We also understand, as it does, that there is a global economic downturn and that all salaries of public servants need to be capped. We have capped them, essentially at 2.3%, 1.5%, 1.5% and 1.5%.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Are you counting the bonuses? How about the bonuses for the top executives like deputy ministers? Are you capping them?

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

The member for Malpeque is pecking off there, but he will have his chance to ask a question later on.

Government Funding

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the government's internal documents show over $1.7 million was given by the federal government to the World Police and Fire Games in Quebec City. Shortly the games will be held in British Columbia, and there is a big gaping hole where the federal funding should be. What disrespect to British Columbia. Not a single Conservative MP from B.C. has raised this issue.

Why is the government refusing to fund the B.C. games and where is the $1.7 million?

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I find the question really incredible from a member from British Columbia who actually voted against Canada's economic action plan. The economic action plan is going to invest in British Columbia. It is going to extend EI benefits to British Columbians. It is going to invest in infrastructure, roads, bridges, sewers, everything that British Columbians need.

The member voted against it and now he stands up on this issue? I cannot understand it. He votes against British Columbians.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Speaker, incredible. The question was on the $1.7 million for the World Police and Fire Games. The government shows such disrespect that it will not even reply to the question. It is not even disrespecting British Columbians, it is disrespecting police officers and firefighters who lay their lives on the line every day in Canada. What they are asking for is $1.7 million and what the government is giving them is the back of its hand.

It is a very simple question. Where is the $1.7 million? Why will the government not honour their service by providing that funding for the World Police and Fire Games?

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, we honour the service of our police regularly on this side. We stand up for them and provide them support in all the areas the police ask for support, including hiring more officers. That is something this government did and we had no help from the NDP on that.

I point to the more than $500 million of support that this government has provided to the 2010 games, games that are on budget and on track. We are supporting British Columbians through everything we are doing, including the economic action plan. I cannot understand why the member has voted against British Columbia at every opportunity he has had to do so.

The Economy

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country are feeling the pain of the global economic downturn. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, the government put together an economic action plan to lead Canada through these difficult times.

Could the Minister of State for Transport please provide the House with details on how this government is getting money out the door and providing jobs for Canadians?

[Rob Merrifield, Conservative, Minister of State (Transport)]

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely true that opposition members held up our action plan for far too long, and Canadians are hurting because of it. We are not waiting for them. We are investing in Canadians and in infrastructure in every province.

A perfect example is the hon. member was with me to announce a $100 million project in Edmonton ring roads just on Friday. The amazing thing about this project is it will not only help Edmontonians and all the communities around it, but there will be shovels in the ground within 30 days.

Justice

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan have now formed a united front to get the government to listen on gang violence. They want real changes, not photo op announcements, so the police and the courts can do their jobs and get the gangs off the streets.

When will the Conservatives finally listen to the western provinces so they can get the job done on gang violence?

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted that the opposition is finally joining in the fight against violent crime in this country. They should have been supporting us right from the last session. Canadians have spoken: they want their government to implement tough measures to fight crime and that is what we are doing.

A few weeks ago, the Minister of Justice announced a new bill to fight violence caused by gangs and organized crime in this country.

Our bill will deal with serious issues, such as drive-by shootings, as well as crimes against police and peace officers.

Research and development

[Nicolas Dufour, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Louise Dandurand, of CREPUQ, is very clear and I quote:

Investing in areas related to the economy will not guarantee economic spinoffs. On the contrary. The impact of humanities research is far greater than what is evident from the balance sheet.

The government says that it conducted consultations before taking ideological control of university research. If university presidents, professors and students are all opposed and were not consulted, then who was?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, we responded to the situation and we heard the suggestions of this community that wants more investment for science and technology and infrastructure. We listened and we took action.

Atlantic Canada

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Saint John, New Brunswick's Long Wharf has always been an integral part of the city's port but the government is putting it on the chopping block anyway.

The Conservatives are about to approve the sale of the wharf for the rock bottom price of $11 million. This is five times less than what it is worth. This deal would reduce port operations and the jobs of the longshoremen. This untendered, illegal sweetheart deal is not fair to taxpayers.

Will the minister stand in the House today and say that he will block this deal?

[Keith Ashfield, Conservative, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, we are looking at all options in Atlantic Canada to promote the economy of Atlantic Canada so that it grows, thrives and continues to perform at the level it is performing at.

I might also mention that the member and her party voted against every issue that we brought to the fore, including our economic action plan. She certainly has nothing to be proud of in that respect.

The Economy

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to work together with our four western provinces to help create sustainable, innovative and strong communities. However, we all know that the west is not immune to what is happening elsewhere with the global recession.

Would the Minister of State for Economic Diversification tell the House how our government is investing in the western economy?

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar for the question and her ongoing concern about the west.

We are investing in the west. During these economic times, we are investing in trade, technology and commercialization. We are partnering up with the provinces and, as of next week, I will have signed four agreements with four prairie provinces that will be a $200 million investment in the west.

A stronger west is a stronger Canada. I would remind the member from British Columbia, who made the request about the games, that Western Economic Diversification Canada has invested in those games.