Debates of May 14th, 2010

Marcel Proulx Hull—Aylmer, QC

Mr. Speaker, we watched this week as the Conservatives gratuitously attacked Radio-Canada and the FrancoFolies, two respected institutions that are a source of pride for Canadians and a vital part of Quebec culture.

A few weeks ago, they appointed a racist to head Rights & Democracy after slaughtering its board of directors. Women's groups and the gay parades have also been attacked.

Is there any cure for the Prime Minister's authoritarian inclinations?

Dean Del Mastro Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to supporting culture, our Conservative government has done more than any other government in the history of Canada. We are supporting culture more than ever before.

Do members want some examples? I have a couple.

I think the Liberals are acquainted with FrancoFolies in Westmount—Ville-Marie. That was $175,000 for each of two years. The POP Montreal Music Festival received $7,300 in Laurier—Sainte-Marie. FestiVoix received $36,000 in Trois Rivières. I could go on all day. I hope I get more questions.

Marcel Proulx Hull—Aylmer, QC

Mr. Speaker, it would have been interesting if he had given us a list of all the cuts.

The Prime Minister is attacking any form of dissidence, diversity and difference. He wants to see a country made up of yes-men, a Canada like his Quebec caucus. Quebeckers did not go through the Quiet Revolution in Quebec so that the federal government could turn back the clock 50 years in terms of social gains. But the Prime Minister appears indifferent to the future of Quebec.

How much longer will his demolition derby last?

Dean Del Mastro Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting. I indicated I have all kinds of examples. I could read them, but it is apparent the member is not really listening to the examples I am giving.

However, one thing I can say is that when it comes to this party's Conservative Quebec caucus, it stands four-square behind its province and behind its country. They are outstanding members of Parliament.

Scott Brison Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, despite the defence minister's claims, Vice-Admiral McFadden says that the Conservatives are slashing our navy. The fleet of Kingston class coastal vessels will be cut in half. Mission times for frigates will also be cut.

Experts are saying that these cuts will leave the navy with “limited capacity” for many years to come.

At a time when we are asking our navy to do more, why are the Conservatives giving our navy less?

Why are the Conservatives not supporting our troops?

Laurie Hawn Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, the feigned outrage is getting richer and richer coming from that side of the House.

The fact is we will not be tying up any ships. Please understand that.

The fact is the navy is getting $200 million more this year than last year, and it got more last year than the year before. We are embarking on a shipbuilding program that is going to last 30 years, that is going to take $40 billion, and that is going to produce 50 ships.

We do have a great navy. We will continue to promote the navy. We will continue to make the navy stronger, in terms of equipment, in terms of personnel. It would be nice if we got some co-operation from across the floor.

Scott Brison Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary should read his own Treasury Board report that says the Conservatives will be investing less in the Canadian navy next year than they did last year. The Conservatives are cutting our navy. And when it comes to the navy, Canadians can trust Vice-Admiral McFadden more than they can trust these Conservatives.

What the Vice-Admiral said is clear. The navy's reserve capacities are being slashed in half. Combat systems are being limited. Even the missile defences on supply ships will be cut off.

Why are the Conservatives gutting our navy resources? Why are they putting lives at risk?

Laurie Hawn Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, we are not gutting the navy. What is being gutted across the floor is common sense.

We are supporting the navy with more money this year than we did last year, and more than the year before that. We have a long-term program to re-equip the navy. The hon. member knows that. It is going to be huge for the navy. It is going to be huge for jobs for Canadians. We would never jeopardize the lives of our servicemen and servicewomen. We have proven that over the years.

We are going to continue to do a good job for the Canadian Forces and the Canadian people.

Rona Ambrose Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, according to World Vision, 24,000 children under the age of 5 die every day in the developing world. Experts tell us that every year, 9 million women around the world watch their children die in pain from preventable diseases that often cost just a few cents, not dollars, to treat.

We have a responsibility to take action to protect and save these children's lives. It is the right thing to do and we encourage the opposition to support this commendable initiative.

Claude DeBellefeuille Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC

Mr. Speaker, I was talking about the right of women in Canada, not women abroad, to have access to abortion. That was my question.

Now we know what Senator Ruth meant when she told pro-choice women's groups to shut up.

I guess the Conservative government's approach to the abortion issue is this: those who are for abortion, “shut your mouths”, and those who are against it, “keep up the good work”.

Rona Ambrose Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, our government wants to focus on issues that unite us, not divide us, issues that we can all get behind, issues like violence against women. I do not know if the member knows this, but women are 10 times more likely to suffer from a sexual assault than men are. That is why we are focused on ending violence against women, and time after time we are introducing new laws to protect women and children from violent rapists and offenders.

We are trying to introduce laws to make sure that we protect children from sexual predators and that we protect women from sexual slavery. That is the kind of initiative all of us can support, and we ask members to support us on it.

Jean-Yves Laforest Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the Saudi interior minister. They discussed the case of Nathalie Morin, a young Quebecker and her children being held abroad by an abusive spouse.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs refuses to say if he demanded that she be repatriated and would only confirm that it is a “family conflict” that should be resolved according to Saudi laws.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us if he at least asked for the repatriation of Nathalie Morin and her children?

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, in the preamble to his question, my colleague indicated that it is a very complex family matter. I did broach the subject with him as I did with the Saudi foreign affairs minister when I travelled to Saudi Arabia last October.

Like many other people, we are following this case very closely. As we have done in many cases, we will offer all possible consular services to this woman who is presently in Saudi Arabia.