Debates of Oct. 15th, 2012

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. I do not want to have to ask hon. members once again to hold off on their applause. I hope the hon. member for Davenport will get to his question.

Andrew Cash Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, the reaction underlines the fact that the Conservatives are relentlessly re-branding everything in their image and Canadian taxpayers are footing the bill for this.

What exactly is it about civilization that scares the government?

James Moore Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on finally making it through a question.

We believe in our national institutions. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is a fantastic museum that has served Canadians incredibly well. We believe in our national museums. We will build upon the success of all of our museums going forward.

If we have any changes in mind, I will make sure that he is among the very first to know. If the member has any ideas, we are open to hearing them as well.

David Sweet Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, this week marks national science and technology week with events being held across the country.

As a member of Parliament representing a riding with two university campuses, I have seen first-hand how important it is to lay the groundwork for future careers in science and to engage Canada's youth so that we can continue to be an international science leader.

The week celebrates the significance of Canada's science and technology sector, demonstrating how science affects the daily lives of Canadians.

Could the Minister of State for Science and Technology please update the House on our government's ongoing commitment to science and technology?

Gary Goodyear Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale and our country-wide support for science and technology--

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. The hon. minister of state has the floor.

Gary Goodyear Cambridge, ON

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his support and the people across Canada for their support of the science and technology week initiatives. These events do inspire youth to pursue careers in science, enabling our country to remain an international leader.

The Conservative government's historic investments in science, including $8 billion new dollars in investment, have led to Canada being ranked fourth in the world.

While those members may oppose it, we will continue to support it.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. We are almost through the list. The hon. member for Vancouver--Quadra still has a few seconds and I would like to hear the question.

Joyce Murray Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, their constituents in small businesses are not laughing at these policies.

When will the government make sure that its policies support rather than undermine small business?

Gary Goodyear Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth.

This Conservative government has lowered every tax we can imagine, including taxes for small businesses across the country. This government supports small and medium-sized businesses, as well as multinational organizations. If anybody here wants to raise taxes, it would be, first, the Liberals, who have a history of it, and second, the NDP that is promising to do it should it ever be government.

Laurin Liu Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, about 15 beluga whales were recently found dead on the shores of the St. Lawrence, and another appeared to be lost in the Port of Montreal. No one knows why.

This mystery will likely never be solved, since the Conservatives have cut funding for the ecotoxicology labs at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute. Marine species are threatened, and the government is laying off scientists who are responsible for protecting them.

When will the Conservatives stop making budget cuts that are detrimental to the health of the St. Lawrence and its residents?