Debates of June 1st, 2012

Shelly Glover Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, today's change to the travellers' exemption will ease congestion at our borders to help boost trade and allow our border agents to better focus on keeping Canada secure.

This measure will expedite customs clearance for returning Canadian consumers, making business and personal travel more convenient for Canadians. Consumer groups, like the Consumers' Association of Canada, have long asked for this change as well.

However, it is important to note that this will only impact limits for trips over 24 hours, making the exemption amounts for Canadians exactly the same as what Americans can spend here in Canada.

Anne Minh-Thu Quach Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC

Mr. Speaker, half of all children get only three hours of exercise a week. Childhood obesity rates are rising and putting undue pressure on our health and education systems.

When we asked the Minister of State for Sport whether he was worried about the situation, the only thing he could think to say was, and I quote, “keeping our kids active and involved in sports leads to healthier, happier lifestyles”. Honestly.

Is the Minister of State for Sport aware of the extent of the problem and can he tell us exactly what he plans to do to help our children be more active?

Bal Gosal Minister of State (Sport)

Mr. Speaker, keeping our kids active and involved in sports leads to healthier and happier lifestyles. That is why our government is working hard to provide families and children with opportunities to take part in physical activity. We have created the children's fitness tax credit and continue to work with Participaction, Le Grand défi, and the provinces and territories to make sure young Canadians stay active and healthy.

Participaction was revived by our government after being let go by the previous government.

Anne Minh-Thu Quach Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC

Mr. Speaker, again we get the same ridiculous and meaningless answer.

Are the Conservatives aware of the extent of the situation? They keep telling us that more and more children are getting physical exercise, but a report released this week shows that that is absolutely not true. Our young people are increasingly sedentary and need more guidance before the situation gets worse.

The minister needs to be honest and admit that he has dropped the ball on this.

Can he do his homework and cut the vapid talking points, which do nothing to help children become more active?

Bal Gosal Minister of State (Sport)

Mr. Speaker, we have created a children's fitness tax credit and the NDP voted against it.

Also, working together with Canadian Tire Jumpstart, we have helped nearly 400,000 kids get involved in sports. That is what we are doing for our kids. We want all kids healthy, active and happy. That is what we are doing for children.

Dan Harris Scarborough Southwest, ON

Mr. Speaker, the minister seems to forget that the tax credit does absolutely nothing to help poor kids get active.

The minister keeps fouling out on this issue. Children's health is vital to a healthy future and a healthy Canada. The organization, Active Healthy Kids Canada, gave our kids an F and, just to be clear, that does not stand for fantastic.

In the active play category, something is wrong. The Minister of State for Sport keeps fumbling his portfolio when he cannot even be bothered to read the report. It is not exactly heavy lifting.

Could the minister quote one recommendation from the report?

Bal Gosal Minister of State (Sport)

Mr. Speaker, as I said before, keeping our kids active and involved in sports leads to healthier, happier lifestyles, and that is what we are doing.

Working with the provinces, we have created the children's fitness tax credit. Participaction is another program that was revived by the Conservative government and it is helping a lot of kids around the country get involved in physical activity and sports.

Also, with the help of Canadian Tire Jumpstart, we have helped nearly 400,000 kids get involved in sports, in which they were not involved before. That is what we are doing for all Canadian kids.

Dan Harris Scarborough Southwest, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the minister knows his talking points quite well, and so does everyone else at this point.

The minister is unable to stand and answer the most basic questions about the report. Why is that? It is because the report contradicts his PMO-sponsored talking points. The minister could not even say if he thinks it is acceptable that half of Canadian children get less than three hours of physical activity a week—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, order, please. The hon. member for Scarborough Southwest has the floor.

Dan Harris Scarborough Southwest, ON

Mr. Speaker, if the minister would actually read the report maybe he would have something to add to the discussion.

Let us be good sports and give him a mulligan. Does the minister think that three hours a week is enough?

Bal Gosal Minister of State (Sport)

Mr. Speaker, keeping our kids active and involved in sports leads to healthier, happier lifestyles. That is what we are doing for our kids.

We have created the children's fitness tax credit. We have invested money in Participaction and Le Grand défi. We are working with the provinces and territories to help Canadians stay healthy and active. That is what we are doing.