Debates of June 7th, 2012

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. member for Dartmouth--Cole Harbour.

Robert Chisholm Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Mr. Speaker, what we do know is that the Conservatives are ignoring the experts, ignoring Canadians and ignoring the facts.

Last weekend, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities lent its overwhelming support to splitting up the Trojan Horse budget bill and removing, among other things, the changes to the Fisheries Act. The message was clear. Yesterday, the minister stood up in the House and misrepresented the FCM's position.

Will the minister stand up here today and apologize to Canada's mayors? Will he finally agree to do the right thing and split the bill?

Keith Ashfield Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway

On the contrary, Mr. Speaker. My comments from the day before yesterday were actually reaffirmed by the federation of cities and municipalities in its documents.

It says,

That the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) request the Government of Canada to ensure that changes to the Fisheries Act continue to protect our fisheries and natural environment while improving administrative efficiency by reducing unnecessary, ineffective and burdensome procedures;

That is exactly what we are doing.

Philip Toone Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservatives are not listening to Canada's mayors.

The Conservative proposals to change the fleet separation policy are destroying the way of life of fishers on the east coast. Yesterday, the parliamentary secretary admitted that there may be no desire for change, but that he could not say whether he agreed or disagreed.

I will explain clearly what the residents of coastal areas think. No. Is that clear enough for the minister?

When is he going to put an end to his battle against fleet separation?

Keith Ashfield Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what box of Cracker Jacks the member is getting his information from. We have said nothing in the budget implementation act about fleet separation. I do not know what the gentleman is talking about.

Peter MacKay Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, I know the hon. member is so bright and so intelligent, so I will give him the answer he is looking for.

This announcement, as the member knows, was intended to inform Canadians. It was an important announcement about a defence procurement. What happened with the costs—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. The hon. Minister of National Defence has the floor. Order.

Peter MacKay Central Nova, NS

Mr. Speaker, as I said, this particular announcement was intended to inform Canadians. It included video conferencing and translation services. Almost half of the cost was to accommodate the media who were there and the employees who were preparing the event. There were accommodation and travel expenses for members of the Canadian Forces who attended, and a range of—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please.

The hon. member for Westmount—Ville-Marie.

Marc Garneau Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, I think I hit a nerve.

I will say it again, in French this time. This minister spent $47,000 getting photographed in an F–35 fighter jet. We know that he likes to be photographed, so I have a proposal for him. I can arrange a trip to Houston so that he can be photographed in a space shuttle. He can even land the shuttle on the condition that he promises to not spend and waste any more taxpayer money. I can even arrange a trip to the space camp on his behalf.

Peter MacKay Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, the joke was very effective the second time round in French. I repeat: I disclosed the cost of this announcement. The purpose of the announcement was to inform Canadians about this extremely important purchase for the Canadian Forces and for Canada as a whole.

The range of broadcasters who were there, and officials in attendance, demonstrate the importance with which we and the Canadian Forces and the government take this procurement.

We will continue to inform Canadians about the important investments we are making in the Canadian Forces.

Françoise Boivin Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, there was a rare moment of unity last night on the Conservatives' side. With the support of one Liberal member, they voted to eliminate the sections on hate speech from the Canadian Human Rights Act, confusing the concept of freedom of expression with that of hateful expression.

By voting in favour of Bill C-304, the Conservatives are creating injustice for women and reducing the level of protection provided to women, visible minorities and LGBT groups.

Now that Bill C-304 has passed, will the minister commit to immediately filling the legal gap that exists in the Criminal Code regarding gender?