Debates of March 8th, 2012

Stella Ambler Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, in developing nations strong and healthy women are often the key drivers of economic growth. They grow crops, they run businesses, they care for children and they perform the majority of domestic chores.

On this International Women's Day 2012, could the Minister of International Cooperation please update the House on how the government is taking action and delivering real results for women's economic empowerment around the world?

Bev Oda Minister of International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question is an important question every day of the year, not just on International Women's Day.

Forty per cent of the world's labour force is women but they still earn much less. Forty-three per cent of agricultural workers in the world are women but they only own 10% of the land.

By being targeted, we are ensuring that Canada's development money will be used effectively and will get results. The government is doing that. We are focusing on women entrepreneurs in developing countries, women farmers, as well as the rights and--

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. member for Toronto Centre.

Bob Rae Toronto Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources.

When she talks about how people in their forties and fifties can start planning for the great day of cut off with respect to old age security, what she needs to understand is that that is affecting low income women, and I say this on International Women's Day, more than it is affecting any other group of people in the country.

I challenge her to come down to Regent Park in my riding or come down to any other low income area and lecture people about their financial planning and how they are getting room for their financial planning in the future.

The government should be ashamed of cutting the one program, the GIS and--

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. Minister of Human Resources.

Diane Finley Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

Mr. Speaker, the only people I have heard talk about cutting the GIS are the Liberals. He just did it.

What we are talking about is preserving the old age security system, including the GIS, for today's seniors and for future generations. It will take a lot of time to implement a program like this but it is important that we do it to protect our seniors. Anyone who is currently receiving OAS and GIS will not lose a penny. Those who are near retirement will not lose a penny. Those others will have time to adjust their plans so they can have a good future.

Sadia Groguhé Saint-Lambert, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have one of the most dismal records when it comes to reuniting immigrant families. The minister wants to make matters worse by reducing immigration to a strictly economic consideration and allowing companies to choose who can immigrate to Canada. That is the wrong approach.

The NDP believes that the immigration system must be fair, efficient and transparent and that it must expedite the reunification of families.

Will the minister continue to create obstacles for families, or will he accept the NDP suggestions to create an efficient and compassionate immigration system?

Rick Dykstra Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the member has her facts incorrect. This year, in 2012, we will increase from an average of 15,000 parents and grandparents coming to our country to be reunified with their families to 25,000.

We have a backlog to deal with. On this side of the House, whether it is family reunification, refugee responsibility or the foreign skilled worker programs, we are prepared to act. We are prepared to move because the economy depends upon it.

Scott Armstrong Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS

Mr. Speaker, we are all saddened by the tragic death of Burton Winters. Recently, the Minister of National Defence requested that the Chief of Defence Staff conduct a review of Canada's search and rescue protocols in the wake of this tragedy.

As is normal practice for ground search and rescue events in Canada, civilian assets were requested by the province to assist in the search. In this case, the Canadian Forces was contacted 20 hours after the young man went missing.

Could the minister please inform us of the results of this review?

Peter MacKay Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, once again, our condolences go out to the loved ones of Burton Winters.

While the legal authority for ground search and rescue does rest with the provincial and territorial governments, the Canadian Forces, as a partner in the search and rescue network, nevertheless, reviewed the protocol surrounding Canadian Forces participation in this search.

In future, the Canadian Forces will implement a call back protocol to ensure continuous communications on ground searches in order to enhance awareness of changing circumstances and the potential need of Canadian Forces participation. This ongoing dialogue will continue until the file is closed. This new protocol will enhance the capabilities of all partners to our search and rescue network across Canada.

Élaine Michaud Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Speaker, four Quebec ministers have added their names to the long list of people who oppose the airport project in Neuville. The ministers pointed out that this project violates Quebec laws. The Conservatives seem to have forgotten that being a federation means working with the provinces.

Will the Conservatives stop acting unilaterally? Will the Minister of Transport finally listen to the public and intervene to put an end to this project that the residents of Neuville simply do not want?

André Bellavance Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, here are the facts regarding the fraudulent calls.

RackNine employees have admitted to making calls to send voters to the wrong polling stations. An employee of RMG, a company that made calls for 18 Conservative candidates in Quebec, was dismissed because of harassment. Furthermore, in the byelection in Rivière-du-Loup in 2009, voters received calls from someone pretending to be the Bloc Québécois candidate.

If the Prime Minister is serious about his willingness to get to the bottom of this, why will he not give greater powers to Elections Canada within six months, whether for past or future elections, and why does he not launch a public inquiry, as the Bloc Québécois has been calling for since February 27?

Tim Uppal Minister of State (Democratic Reform)

Mr. Speaker, our government's position on the motion before the House is clear. However, the fact remains that the opposition spent millions of dollars on hundreds of thousands of phone calls that it made in the last election.

If the opposition wants to support Elections Canada's work, it should provide all its records relating to the phone calls that it made in the last election.