Debates of Nov. 30th, 2010

John Baird Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, we did win two of three last night. Our friends in the New Democratic Party were not as fortunate.

Our negotiating team is in Cancun and it is working tremendously hard to see a legally binding agreement between all the big polluters. We think it is important to get everyone on board, everyone with an oar in the water, everyone rowing together. That is the kind of constructive role we will play in Cancun.

Nathan Cullen Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, supertanker traffic off the north coast of British Columbia poses a major environmental and economic risk that cannot be simply wished away. Today, representatives from first nations, environment groups, and businesses in B.C. called on the government to legislate a ban on oil supertankers off B.C.'s north coast. Just crossing our fingers will not prevent the next Exxon Valdez.

Will the minister stand with British Columbians today and commit to concrete action by legislating a west coast supertanker moratorium?

Chuck Strahl Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, of course, since 1988 there has been an exclusion zone on tankers travelling between Alaska and Washington State. Under that agreement, which has been in place since 1988, tankers are not allowed to come within somewhere between 50 and 100 kilometres of the B.C. coast. We support that agreement. It has stood Canada in good stead. We have no intention to see it changed.

Scott Armstrong Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister of Health announced the first-year results of the government's cross-country survey of radon concentration in houses. This being lung cancer awareness month, would the hon. minister please inform the House of the results of this important survey?

Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, our government is working hard to keep families safe from the health risks of radon. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. One cannot smell or taste it. The only way to detect it is through testing.

Of the 18,000 homes tested, results show that 7% of Canadian homes have dangerous levels of radon. That is why we are encouraging all Canadians to test their homes for radon. The radon detector is a small device that can be found in most hardware stores but could make a big difference to the health of families.

Mark Eyking Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, for two years the government has known that the number one infrastructure priority for Cape Breton is to dredge Sydney harbour. All we have seen in the last two years is Conservative ministers passing the buck. All the other stakeholders have their money on the table, but not the government. Will the Prime Minister do the right thing and come to Cape Breton and get his share of the money on the table?

Greg Kerr Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, it is certainly a very important topic. Our ministers are engaged in conversation on this top priority in Cape Breton and that will continue.

I do want to commend the member for Saint John for bringing that great news to Saint John in terms of the harbour bridge. It just shows what can happen when a hard-working member gets to work and requests the government to get something done.

Gilles Duceppe Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs finally admitted that Afghan children were transferred to Afghan authorities. He also informed us that they were detained in youth detention facilities. He also said that Canadian authorities have made 280 visits. So he knows exactly how many children were transferred and may have received visits.

I simply want to ask him this: why is he refusing to say how many children were transferred and detained in these youth detention centres?

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. member that there is a procedure in place. We improved this procedure, which was left to us by the former government. When the Canadian Forces intervene—and they intervene because they have been fired upon, because they have been the targets for murder—those people are sometimes transferred. And to date, we have been able to make nearly 280 visits. These visits happen at random times, in compliance with international conventions.

Fin Donnelly New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, according to a recent audit, if an oil spill happened in Canadian waters today, the Coast Guard would not be able to contain it or clean it up. An internal Coast Guard audit revealed a lack of training, outdated equipment and a lack of proper management systems. In short, we are simply not prepared to respond to oil spills.

The Conservatives are hell-bent on risky unconventional oil. Has the BP spill not taught them anything? Where are the resources for the Coast Guard to protect our oceans and our coastline from catastrophic oil spills?

Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, first, let me clarify for the hon. member that if an oil tanker has an oil spill, the oil tanker is required to have a spill response.

With regard to the report, the report does not speak to the Coast Guard's work on the water. It responds to 1,300 environmental incidents every year and it does a remarkable job protecting Canadians and our environment. The problems that have been identified in the report are administrative in nature and steps have already been taken to implement them internally.

Diane Finley Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-31 would put an end to the outrageous practice of paying mass murderers like Clifford Olson old age security. Our government is ensuring that law-abiding taxpayers do not pay criminals twice. Thankfully, all parties in the House supported passage of this bill through the House and over to the Senate, where I am pleased to report it has begun second reading.

I urge the Liberal leader to encourage all of his senators to pass this bill through the Senate just as quickly as possible.

Helena Guergis Simcoe—Grey, ON

Mr. Speaker, the paper version of Publication T4008 Payroll Deductions Supplementary Tables will no longer be available effective January 1, 2011. Many small businesses in Simcoe—Grey and across the country do not use computers nor do they have access to the Internet. When hard-working entrepreneurs contacted the CRA to find a solution, they were told to use their neighbour's computers.

Canadian small businesses in rural communities across the country should have access to this vital information in order to fulfill their obligations. When will the minister reverse this poor decision?