Debates of June 9th, 2010

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, once again, we have been very open and transparent about our intention to promote our country. We will create ways to show Canada off to the world, and we will do that in the short time we have. Three thousand media people, a huge number of delegates and TV viewers around the world will see Canada at its best, and our government will make sure that happens.

Michael Savage Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have gone from amazement, to shock, to anger over the Conservatives' billion dollar summits. There is even a contest now to name the fake lake. What would we call it? We have heard the “blue lagoon” or “lake waste” or the “excess pool”.

Given how angry Canadians are, how about we use the phrase coined by a truly great Canadian and call it the “fuddle duddle puddle”, or we could call it exactly what it is. We can call it “lake how in the hell can a country with rising poverty rates squander a billion dollars on a meeting”.

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, once again, as I indicated, a majority of these costs are going to security, the security initiatives, for the purpose of protecting the people who are here. An amount of the money will be provided to promote our country to ensure that those people who come to Canada will be able to see Canada. At the same time, those who are viewers and spectators will be able to see Canada under that light.

I have a suggestion. If he is looking for a name for the lake, why does he not call it “lake Gomery”.

Michael Savage Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Mr. Speaker, it is getting absolutely bizarre. We have learned now that the Conservatives are selling off real lighthouses in Canada, including the famous Peggy's Cove lighthouse, but it is full steam ahead for fake lighthouses to guard the G20 fake lake. Real lighthouses, we do not want that. Fake lighthouses, go to the head of the line. It is like a skit out of Monty Python, except it is not funny.

Governments make choices. How can this one choose to spend billions of dollars on a weekend when child poverty rates are on the rises, people line up at food banks and people are worried about their pensions?

Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, on May 27, DFO published a list of lighthouses deemed surplus to the Coast Guard, as required under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.

We have had a lighthouse divestiture process for many years. However, this is the first step under the new act for long-term strengthened protection for very precious, most beloved lighthouses

Pierre Poilievre Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, the decision has already been made. Our government will continue to respect the tradition that goes back hundreds of years, which states that ministers, and not political assistants, are responsible for explaining and defending the government's agenda.

Michel Guimond Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC

Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question is of utmost importance because it has an impact on all committee work. I will ask it again because if it was the Prime Minister who ordered Dimitri Soudas not to appear before the committee, he, too, is at risk of being found in contempt of Parliament.

Can the Prime Minister confirm whether he personally instructed his director of communications not to testify, despite the committee's order?

Pierre Poilievre Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, the government as a whole made this decision. We will continue the tradition that has been followed for more than three centuries, which holds ministers responsible for explaining the government's position in the House and at committees. This tradition is has lasted a long time because it works well in our democracy. And that is our decision.

Francine Lalonde La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Mr. Speaker, the United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution to impose sanctions on Iran over its refusal to respect the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Does Canada—which is campaigning for a seat on the Security Council—intend to demand that Iran comply with that resolution?

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, yes.

Francine Lalonde La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Mr. Speaker, we are delighted that the government supports the Security Council's decision. However, should it not also support resolutions 1850 and 1860, which call for the regular flow of humanitarian aid and food into Gaza?

We do not understand how the government can support the resolution concerning Iran, yet dodge the issue when the resolutions have to do with to Israel.

Does the Conservative policy consist of supporting the Security Council's resolutions when it suits them and ignoring the others?

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. We fully support the free flow of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, but we also support Israel's right to inspect the ships to ensure that weapons and other military equipment do not reach Gaza.

John McCallum Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Speaker, we are two weeks away from the G20 summit and after more than a year of discussions, the new banking regulations are far from complete.

Instead of working on these regulations, the Conservatives went on a crusade against a global bank tax that never really stood a chance.

What exactly are Canadian families getting out of this billion dollars the Conservatives are spending?