Debates of March 31st, 2010

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Kitchener Centre.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Sylvia Hofhuis

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in Elgin county there is a beautiful place called Port Stanley.

Port Stanley lost Mayor Sylvia Hofhuis on Saturday and the municipality lost a leader. Many community groups lost a mentor and supporter. Dr. John lost a wife and friend.

Sylvia was a teacher, and even after leaving that occupation, she remained true to helping others learn about community and life.

It is said that all politics is local and Sylvia was just that. We all knew her. She was the face of her community. Her goal as mayor was to make central Elgin a better place, and she did. Her love of family was obvious and the drive behind her community caring, leaving a better world for those who would follow.

I am thankful for my time with Sylvia and I am better for it, and so is our community. Having lived in a bit of heaven called Port Stanley, I hope she lives the new heaven where she is now.

Canadian Council on Learning

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the government ended funding for the Canadian Council on Learning. The centre began in 2004 under a Liberal government after reports that Canada ranked last in investment for early childhood education in the OECD, that 55% of Canadians were functionally illiterate and that 42%, nine million Canadians, performed below international standards.

The centre's mandate is to measure and track new learning trends, and to develop new tools to improve learning. The provinces have found the CCL's work to be very important. The Secretary-General of the OECD wrote to the Prime Minister to congratulate him on the organization's work.

At a time when experts and 87% of Canadians agree that a highly skilled and educated workforce is critical to Canada's productivity and competition in the global economy, the work of the CCL will end. It is true that the CCL made us look in the mirror and see our warts but it offered solutions as well.

I guess this is yet another example of a government that does not wish to hear the truth and thinks investments in research on critical issues are useless.

Shell Refinery in Montreal East

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, over 600 of us marched together on Sherbrooke Street on Sunday, carrying signs that read “Save the jobs” at the Shell refinery in Montreal East. Union members, community groups and citizens, the president of the union, Jean-Claude Rocheleau, the secretary of the FTQ, the mayor of Montreal East, Richard Deschamps from the City of Montreal, and almost all federal and provincial political parties, including the Leader of the Bloc Québécois and myself, came out to show our support.

In closing one of the two remaining refineries in Montreal East, Royal Dutch Shell is taking away 800 direct jobs from Montreal and the province of Quebec, jeopardizing our petrochemical industry and threatening Quebec's energy independence. It is even worse that RDS wants to supply its 281 service stations—with more expensive gasoline refined elsewhere—from a terminal supplied by ships with the risk of environmental disaster on the river.

Closing one refinery in East Montreal will not help save the environment; to do that, we must change consumer habits.

Paul Charbonneau

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, sadly, Windsor lost a truly inspirational man in Father Paul Charbonneau, who passed away last week at the age of 87. Approximately 3,000 mourners gathered for the funeral of this well respected community leader.

For many, Father Paul was a visionary of hope as the founder of the Brentwood Recovery Home. He was the driving force behind Brentwood since the founding of the detoxification and recovery home to help alcoholics and substance abusers more than 46 years ago when he was a parish priest in Windsor. Brentwood has helped more than 20,000 people, changing lives from despair to optimism for a better future.

Father Paul was dedicated to his faith and built a home of love for those in need. He has left us with a place that many still call home today.

Father Paul was also a recipient of the Canadian Silver Jubilee Award, a doctorate of law degree, the Order of Ontario, the Queen's Confederation Medal, Windsor Achiever of the Century, the Golden Jubilee Medal and the Ontario Medical Association Award.

For Father Paul's immediate family and the entire Brentwood family, I want to say that Father Paul was a great inspiration to all and will be missed by our entire community. He made life better for so many and his legacy will inspire future generations. I thank Father Paul.

2010 Kraft Hockeyville

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

Mr. Speaker, last week I stated how excited the folks in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia were when their bid for CBC's Kraft Hockeyville made the top 12.

This national competition started with over 500 entries, so making the top 12 was a great accomplishment for Lawrencetown, a wonderful little community of fewer than 700 people. However, that accomplishment has now been topped. I am pleased to say that Lawrencetown is now one of the five finalists competing for the Hockeyville title.

I am encouraging everyone who is not already committed to support Lawrencetown by taking the time to vote through CBC Sports online and by phone. Voting ends tonight at midnight. The winner will be announced this Saturday during Hockey Night in Canada.

As I said before, I wish all the contending communities well but I do look forward to Lawrencetown claiming the Hockeyville title.

2010 Speed Skating Championship

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

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, March 26, the city of Campbellton in my riding welcomed the Canadian Age Class Short Track Speed Skating Championship 2010.

The Canadian Short Track Speed Skating Championship welcomed over 150 young athletes from across the country. This competition enabled each of these athletes to do their very best and to achieve a feeling of pride and self-fulfilment.

I wish to congratulate all athletes who have worked very hard to get to this level of competition.

I would also like to sincerely thank the organizing committee for its dedication and tireless efforts. In particular, I would like to thank Yves Gagnon, Roger Ouellette, Nadine Ross, Jamie Leblanc, Carol Savoie, Rick Hutchinson and John Leblanc.

I want to thank and congratulate everybody who took part in this important event.

Thanks to everyone and congratulations.

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act

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

Mr. Speaker, today the proposed family homes on reserves and matrimonial interests or rights act will be reintroduced in the other place. Our government wants to provide protection to individuals and families on reserve.

In Canada, when people go through a separation or divorce, or even more traumatic, the death of a spouse, they know they have legal protections of matrimonial real property rights. Unfortunately, this is not the case on first nations communities governed by the Indian Act and where provincial laws on this issue do not apply.

Our government believes this issue is important, and not just for the obvious protection that all individuals and families living on reserves deserve. It is also the right thing to do.

We encourage all members in the other place and here in the House of Commons to support on reserve matrimonial real property rights.

Control of Information

[Carole Freeman, Bloc, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have gotten to the point of controlling even the smallest tidbit of information.

Now they are restricting even the most insignificant details, such as the cost of the broadcast advertising campaign aimed at selling their economic action plan during the Olympic Games.

There is no shortage of examples, but the most serious one related to control of information is undoubtedly the issue of Afghan detainees, wherein the Conservative government is accused of violating the Geneva convention.

The Minister of Justice even went so far as to say that his government had made the documents available, which is completely untrue: the documents were censored and even blacked out.

This Conservative government has absolutely no credibility when it comes to transparency. It does not deserve the confidence of Quebeckers, and that is undoubtedly why the Bloc holds the majority of seats in Quebec.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, the Liberals claimed to have found their souls. Did they even know they had lost them?

I have been watching them from here, and it is a pretty sad situation.

I would never want to live in a country governed by a Liberal leader who has no sense of leadership and whose only vision involves raising income and sales taxes to pay for costly programs that could end up ruining my children's future.

Quebec and Canada have made progress thanks to good measures put forward by our government.

Canada's economic action plan is protecting the jobs of today and creating the jobs of tomorrow. There can be no doubt that our Conservative government is providing the kind of leadership that produces tangible results for our country's future.

Eva Markvoort

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, March 27, Eva Markvoort, a 25-year-old friend and young woman passed away, released from her life-long cause: raising awareness of cystic fibrosis.

Over the years, her parents, Janet and Bill, supported Eva's determination to live life fully despite her disease. Queen's Jubilee medal winner, Miss New Westminster Ambassador, university grad., activist, warrior, to so say Eva inspired us is an understatement.

Eva recently received the prestigious Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Doug Summerhayes Award for her campaign against cystic fibrosis. Through her popular blog, to the millions of people across Canada and the world who experienced her audacity first-hand, she was a true hero.

Eva often said that if one person were to become an organ donor as a result of her advocacy, she would be satisfied. After her award-winning documentary 65 Red Roses was broadcast, organ donations increased around the world and tripled in Canada alone.

All of us thank Eva.

The Economy

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Statistics Canada announced today that the GDP grew by 0.6% in January, the biggest monthly increase since December 2006. January's GDP numbers show that our economic action plan is working.

Canada has now benefited from five consecutive months of economic growth. The retail, construction and manufacturing sectors are showing real signs of recovery thanks to our tax cuts for families and businesses as well as our investments in job-creating infrastructure projects. Canada is weathering the current global economic challenges better than nearly every other industrialized country. However, our recovery remains fragile.

That is why our recently announced jobs and growth budget maintains the scheduled tax relief for businesses, reduces tariffs and completes year two of Canada's economic action plan. Our government's top priority remains jobs and economic growth. This is in contrast to the Liberals, who would raise the GST, impose a carbon tax and recklessly hike job-killing businesses taxes--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order. The hon. member for Brant.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal leader has it backwards. He thinks higher taxes and reckless spending is the economic recipe for success. The numbers show the opposite is true.

Today, Statistics Canada reported that for the fifth consecutive month, Canada's economy grew. In five of the last seven months, Canada has seen job gains. Since last July almost 160,000 new jobs have been created.

Clearly, lower taxes are part of the solution and are helping fuel Canada's recovery. Our government has cut taxes for families, businesses and individuals, yet the Liberal leader would throw Canada's advantage away by recklessly hiking job-killing business taxes, raising the GST and imposing a carbon tax.

The Liberal leader's tax and spend agenda will kill jobs, put the brakes on our economic recovery and hurt Canadian families. The Liberal tax and spend agenda is something Canadians just cannot afford.

Prostate Cancer

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today members of all political parties are joining together to support Prostate Cancer Canada's campaign to unite Canadians in the fight against prostate cancer, the most common cancer among Canadian men. This year's campaign has taken on a special significance for many of us in the House because prostate cancer has entered the life of one of our own, my leader, the hon. member for Toronto—Danforth.

The NDP leader has chosen to share his personal battle with us. His decision has raised people's awareness of this disease.

He is making a conscious effort to dispel the myths about this cancer that often prevent men from acting in a timely way to monitor their prostate health. While one in every six Canadian men will develop prostate cancer, early detection and treatment has cut the mortality rate to one in every 27 patients.

The member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier has proven that this disease can be defeated. Tomorrow is the first day of April, which is cancer month. Let us unite to fight prostate cancer.

[Luc Malo, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

Mr. Speaker, nearly 4,600 men in Quebec are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. One in seven men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime. To raise awareness about this disease, the Knights of Columbus of Quebec are inviting families to take part in the fourth annual PROCURE walk of courage to be held on June 20, 2010, on Île Sainte-Hélène.

This festive walk, followed by a sociable picnic, is the ideal gathering to educate people about this type of cancer. It is crucial that all men and their loved ones know that regular screening beginning at the age of 40 is the best way to prevent cancerous tumours from developing.

Also, in support of the multi-party initiative, Bloc Québécois members are wearing the striped blue ties and scarves symbolizing the cause. On behalf of my party, I would like to commend the courage shown by the hon. member for Toronto—Danforth and all men battling this disease. By publicly announcing it, the leader of the New Democratic Party has helped demystify and deal openly with this taboo subject.

Jack's, fight is our fight.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Prostate Cancer Canada does remarkable work raising awareness about the importance of preventing this disease that strikes one Canadian man in six.

Prostate cancer is still the most predominant form of cancer in men. However, 90% of prostate cancer cases are curable if they are detected and treated in the early stages. That is why it is essential to increase and support prevention and research efforts to one day eradicate this disease. I believe we will achieve that goal one day with the efforts being made by Prostate Cancer Canada.

On behalf of all my colleagues in the Liberal caucus, we are proud to pay tribute to all Canadians dealing with this disease, including the ones in this House, by wearing the ties and scarves that symbolize Prostate Cancer Canada. Through their courage and determination, these men are proving that this cancer can be fought.

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Mr. Speaker, over 90% of prostate cancer cases can be cured if physicians diagnose and treat the most common cancer to afflict Canadian men in its earliest stages.

The member for Toronto—Danforth has my admiration for raising the level of awareness about this disease. His public gesture of courage showed Canadian men and their families that they are not alone in their daily fight to combat this illness, but more needs to be done. Prostate Cancer Canada is totally dedicated to eliminating this disease through research, education and awareness.

By uniting this country and this chamber today in the fight against prostate cancer, the organization has made great strides in becoming a world leader in the fight. Government members are proud to wear the ties and scarves that are a symbol of Prostate Cancer Canada to show their support for the member for Toronto—Danforth and all Canadians who have had or are battling this disease.

I suggested to the NDP leader that he looked very good in a blue tie today. He suggested his father would be proud and I agree, because we can all be proud of the unity in the House on this issue.

International Development

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Prime Minister.

What was supposed to be the Canadian signature initiative on maternal health has been described as completely inadequate by the two major allies that could get to a microphone, both the United States and the United Kingdom.

I wonder if the Prime Minister can explain how such a major diplomatic setback could be occurring in the buildup to the G8 summit which Canada is hosting.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, the initiative on maternal and child health is supported throughout the G8.

Of course, G8 countries will have different priorities in terms of the specific things they fund. Particularly on the issue of abortion, a number of G8 countries have a different position.

Whether it comes to our role in Afghanistan, our sovereignty over our Arctic, or ultimately our foreign aid priorities, it is Canada and Canadians who will make Canadian decisions.

The Arctic

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, to the United States and the United Kingdom have now to be added Sweden, Finland, Iceland, all the aboriginal peoples around the Arctic Circle who have complained about their exclusion from a key meeting having to do with the Arctic and the future of the Arctic.

Again, I would like to ask the Prime Minister, how can he explain such a major diplomatic setback for this country on the eve of the G8 summit which we are hosting and supposed to be bringing the countries of the world together? That is supposed to be the position that Canada is taking. That is the leadership we are supposed to show.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, of course, there are two separate meetings. There is an Arctic Council. There is also an Arctic Ocean coastal states forum. That has been held before. That was what was held this week.

In terms of the issue that the hon. member is really asking about, the abortion issue, he is the one who put the question to the House of Commons. He is the one who got the answer he did not want.

Afghanistan

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government's inability to discuss, negotiate and explain to our allies Canada's position on Afghanistan after 2011 has created a vacuum in Canada's policy for a region that has been very important over the past 10 years.

I would like to ask the Prime Minister once again why Canada has taken such a large step backwards in international diplomacy.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the Government of Canada's position is very clear. The military mission will end in 2011.

It is also clear that other countries want something else. However, it is the Government of Canada and the Canadian people who make the decisions for our country.

Rights & Democracy

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday's disturbing testimony from three fired employees of Rights & Democracy and a shocking op-ed written by a current Conservative-appointed board member make it clear that the Conservatives want to turn this once proud institution into a partisan lapdog.

Will the Conservatives admit that the turmoil they have created at Rights & Democracy is deliberate, and when will they fire Marco Navarro-Génie from the board so he can run as a Conservative candidate in the next election?