Debates of May 8th, 2012

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. The hon. member for Sackville--Eastern Shore now has the floor.

Peter Stoffer Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS

--applying the benefit of the doubt clause when it comes to adjudicating--

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. The Minister of Canadian Heritage has to come to order and so does the member for Westmount—Ville-Marie and the member for Saint-Laurent—Cartierville.

The member for Sackville--Eastern Shore has the floor.

Peter Stoffer Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS

Mr. Speaker, now that two veterans ombudsmen have stated clearly that the Veterans Review and Appeal Board is not doing its job by applying the benefit of the doubt clause to veterans who apply before the board for their rightful benefits, how long will it take before we eliminate this useless political entity and allow the front line DVA people to make the decision on peer review of medical evidence? It should be very quick.

When the heroes of our country come to DVA asking for help, they should not be turned away by the politically appointed board.

When will the government eliminate that board--

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The member is out of time. The hon. Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Steven Blaney Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, with the totally irresponsible views of the NDP critic, the 4,000 veterans every year who turn to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board would be abandoned and deprived of their right to appeal.

I will quote the ombudsman who said:

The Veterans Review and Appeal Board has a critical role to play in ensuring that Veterans and other clients of Veterans Affairs Canada receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled....

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The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. The minister is out of time.

The hon. member for Saskatoon--Rosetown--Biggar.

Kelly Block Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK

Mr. Speaker, today the government launched a call for proposals for research projects that will help us understand the mental afflictions regarding the homeless.

Would the hon. Minister of Health share the details of this announcement with members of the House?

Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform members of the House that our government developed, in close collaboration with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, an initiative for projects that will complement its work and is consistent with the mental health strategy for Canada. The initiative was launched today. It will help us understand how we can prevent homelessness in those afflicted with mental health issues.

I am proud that our government created the Mental Health Commission of Canada in the first year of its mandate. It is too bad that opposition members voted against it.

Jean Rousseau Compton—Stanstead, QC

Mr. Speaker, I hope that this government has the interests of Quebeckers at heart. A major energy development project is being proposed across the border from the town of Stanstead, in my riding. There has been no consultation of municipal, provincial or federal authorities.

The people in my riding have reason to be worried about this project. Their health and safety are at risk because of the proximity of the project and its potential scope.

What will the government do to ensure that the interests of the people of Stanstead are heard across the border and that they are consulted when this type of project is developed?

Denis Lebel Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the member referred to a project a number of times but never called it by name. There are many projects in Quebec and we respect the jurisdiction of the provinces, the states and the people that we work with.

Perhaps if we had a bit more information about the project, we could answer the question.