Debates of April 27th, 2012

Michelle Rempel Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, our government recently published our country's 2010 inventory of greenhouse gas emissions. While our economy grew by a rate of 3.2% in 2009-10, our greenhouse gas emissions held steady.

In spite of the rhetoric we hear from the NDP and the unfettered growth of greenhouse gas emissions that we saw under the previous Liberal government, our government's balanced approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through our sector by sector regulatory approach that does not shut down wholesale sectors of the economy, as the NDP would have, we are seeing real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Our plan is working.

Laurin Liu Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, cutting the Internet community access program will leave disadvantaged groups without access to information and government programs.

Just 54% of low-income households have access to the Internet. The Conservatives can afford to pay for $700-a-night hotel rooms, but not all families can afford to pay $50 a month for Internet service.

Does the minister really believe that funding Internet access in libraries and community centres is not necessary?

Mike Lake Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, the community access program was launched in 1995 and has successfully met its objectives.

Free computers will still be made available, however, through the federal government's computers for schools program, which collects, repairs and refurbishes donated surplus computers from government and private-sector sources and distributes them to schools, public libraries and not-for-profit learning organizations throughout Canada.

For Canadians who have been using a CAP site to access federal government services and are seeking alternatives to these sites, Service Canada offers single-window access to a wide range of Government of Canada programs and services for citizens through more than 600 points of service located across the country.

Elizabeth May Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I note that it is outrageous for the parliamentary secretary to attempt to claim credit for her government's actions for reduced greenhouse gases. It is entirely due to Ontario shutting its coal plants.

Meanwhile, let us compare and contrast. Bill C-36, which we are debating today, is three paragraphs. Bill C-38 is 420 pages of omnibus abuse of parliamentary process, pushing changes to environmental laws which will never go before an environment committee and never go before a fisheries committee.

I ask the Prime Minister to separate out bills that matter to the environment so the appropriate committees can deal with them.

Michelle Rempel Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, I would remind my colleague opposite that what is included in the budget implementation act is reviewed through the finance committee. As we said earlier, this will be reviewed through a subcommittee at finance.

Robert Goguen Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human rights regarding Bill C-304, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (protecting freedom).

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House.

Gordon O'Connor Minister of State and Chief Government Whip

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations on the following travel motion. I move:

That, in relation to its study on the pre-budget consultations 2012, twelve members of the Standing Committee on Finance be authorized to travel to Washington, D.C., United States of America, and New York, New York, United States of America, in the spring of 2012, and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Does the hon. government whip have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

(Motion agreed to)

Stephen Woodworth Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour today to present a petition from the people of Kitchener Centre.

The petitioners point out that Canada's 400-year-old definition of a human being that says a child does not become human being until the moment of complete birth is contrary to 21st century medical evidence. They say that Parliament has a solemn duty to reject any law that says some human beings are not human.

They therefore call upon the House of Commons and Parliament to amend section 223 of the Criminal Code in such a way as to reflect 21st century medical evidence