Debates of June 11th, 2010

Chris Charlton Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the House unanimously adopted an NDP motion calling for the government to allow Canadians to increase their CPP contributions. The government finally appears to have gotten the message, but what is missing from its plans is any effort to lift seniors out of poverty by increasing the guaranteed income supplement. The finance minister does not need the provinces to do that.

If the government is willing to throw more than $1 billion at the fake lake summit, then why will it not invest a mere $700 million to lift seniors out of poverty?

Ted Menzies Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, this government has been focused on retirement income for seniors overall. Through the tax reductions that this government has put in place, we have taken almost a million people off the tax rolls. They are no longer paying taxes. That is action.

We have put in place a process, a consultation with our partners throughout the country actually consulting with Canadians on what they think we should do. We are coming together with our partners at the provincial and territorial finance ministers' meeting this coming weekend to talk about where we go--

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. member for Hamilton Mountain.

Chris Charlton Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, tax cuts do not help seniors in poverty. Those seniors are not paying taxes. Canadian workers and failing or bankrupt companies like Nortel and many others need action to protect their pensions. Just last year the underfunded pension plan for CHTV employees in Hamilton wound up with an $8 million shortfall, this, while the executives at CanWest were given $41 million to top up their underfunded pension plan before entering CCAA protection.

New Democrats have legislation before the House to protect employee pensions of companies in trouble. Will the government join us in passing our bill and protect Canadian workers by putting them--

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

Ted Menzies Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we attempted to do in our budget bill but, unfortunately, the changes that we put in there, the NDP members voted against. If they had read the budget they would have seen that we have put in place regulations to ensure those funds are completely paid up, that the employers fully fund those pension plans so that if anything were to happen the pensioners would get their money.

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, once again, I would remind my hon. colleague that a large part of this spending is related to security. Of course some is also being spent on our marketing strategy. I would also add that certain aspects of the G8 and G20 summits allow us to celebrate Canada's achievements, particularly in terms of the Canadian economy as well as job creation and other indicators that show that we are the strongest country in terms—

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. member for Madawaska—Restigouche.

Jean-Claude D'Amours Madawaska—Restigouche, NB

Mr. Speaker, clearly, the Conservatives to not realize that Canadians do not agree with their decisions. The Atlantic innovation fund is essential to the development of knowledge in the Atlantic provinces. So why did they cut that program by nearly 46% this year compared to last year? Canadians understand that 120 minutes of the G8 and G20 summits cost the same as the $32 million cut from that program.

Will the Conservatives treat the people of Atlantic Canada with respect and return those 120 minutes of expenses to them?

Greg Kerr Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I know the member would also want to go on and explain the millions and millions of dollars that have been invested in Atlantic Canada, particularly through Canada's action plan. ACOA has provided a terrific amount.

Wayne Easter Malpeque, PE

A lot of doorknobs.

Greg Kerr West Nova, NS

One does not want to be set aside by the doorknob across.

I just want to point out that I am sure the member meant to preface his question by saying he is very pleased with the money spent by this government in Atlantic Canada.

Carolyn Bennett St. Paul's, ON

Mr. Speaker, cross-country festivals that had their funding stripped by the government can thank the industry minister personally.

Yesterday, the department's top civil servant testified that while the minister found money for a fake lake, a fake lighthouse, and a sunken steamboat, he could not spare a dime for festivals like Les FrancoFolies de Montréal or Toronto's Gay Pride.

The minister said he had limited funding for cultural programs, so how can he defend shovelling millions into his pet political projects?