Debates of Sept. 26th, 2012

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of our national anthem, led today by the hon. member for Westmount—Ville-Marie.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Cable Public Affairs Channel

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel, on its 20th anniversary.

Twenty years ago, several cable broadcasters joined forces to continue providing Quebeckers and Canadians with full coverage of the debates in the House of Commons in both French and English. I was a member of the House back then, and I remember how skeptical people were about the usefulness of such a station and the project's chances for success, but those skeptics were proven wrong.

While continuing to provide this essential service, the station has expanded its offerings and now broadcasts a wide range of political events and public affairs that are happening in all of the regions and that have to do with important issues that matter to people.

Congratulations to the founders, hosts, technical and support staff, and all those who, directly or indirectly, have helped keep people informed about the workings of our democracy and the men and women who play a role in it. Long live CPAC, and once again, congratulations on 20 years of broadcasting.

Lifesaving Award

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that all miners at Rocanville have been rescued and are now safe and sound and at home.

Also, I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, Mr. Darcy Gunnlaugson, who will be presented with a Lifesaving Award by the Canadian Electricity Association. The CEA Lifesaving Award is presented to those who have assisted in a lifesaving effort within the context of their everyday work.

Using the first aid training that he had learned from his employer, Darcy applied the Heimlich manoeuvre for the first time in his life and was able to dislodge an obstruction and prevent his daughter from choking. Darcy's experience highlights the importance of first aid training both in the workplace and in everyday life. As member of Parliament for Souris—Moose Mountain, I would like to commend Darcy for his quick thinking and action in a high-stress situation.

I congratulate him on being named a recipient of the CEA Lifesaving Award, and say, “Way to go, Darcy. We all stand behind you”.

Violence against Women

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Speaker, recently in downtown Toronto there have been 12 sexual assaults. That is 12 sexual assaults on women, and the women of Toronto are fighting back. One woman, Anni, gathered hundreds of people at Christie Pits to reclaim our space. Deb from Toronto Rape Crisis Centre brought together thousands of women to take back the night. Stephanie, Heather and Kasia organized “take back the block” parties to raise awareness. I want to thank all their efforts.

Together we have a message. A woman has the power to say no to sexual violence. Women have the power to dress and walk in any way we want and anywhere we want. A woman has the power to decide when and if she will have a child and does not need state control. A woman has the power to live without fear in her heart.

All of us must look out for each other and work together to stop men's violence against women. Let us start now.

Endowment Incentive Program

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it was my pleasure to hear the extraordinarily talented musicians of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at its opening concert last Friday. I was delighted to hear the executive director commend the federal government for its endowment incentive program, which encourages private sector donors to leverage funding from the federal government for the orchestra's endowment fund.

I was also pleased to hear that the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is making such good use of this generous program, which is a component of the Canada cultural investment fund. This useful program not only encourages private donations to endowment funds for arts groups but allows those organizations to better maintain their long-term financial stability.

As chair of the all party arts caucus, I want to ensure that all arts organizations all across Canada are aware and take full advantage of this excellent program opportunity.

Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, September 30 will be the Canadian police and peace officers' 35th annual memorial service on Parliament Hill. I take this opportunity to congratulate, thank and celebrate all those who wear the uniform in the daily service of protecting the safety and security of our communities.

This memorial day came about following the tragic death of a new Ottawa Police Service recruit. Officer David Kirkwood was killed in the line of duty on July 11, 1977. A year later, on September 24, 1978, a monument was erected on Parliament Hill to commemorate his life and his work for the city.

On September 24, 1988, the Government of Canada officially proclaimed the last Sunday in September as Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day.

I ask that all my colleagues join me in saluting the members of the RCMP and our provincial and municipal police forces across this country, whose dedicated public service ensures orderly communities where we can truly live in harmony and enjoy the freedoms and rights we hold dear.

Firearms Registry

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honour a hero, someone who has championed a cause for almost 20 years and someone who wants to target real criminals. He submitted hundreds of access to information requests to pinpoint government waste. This person is a whistleblower who exposed billions of taxpayer dollars gone awry.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the member of Parliament for Yorkton—Melville. Albertans are going to celebrate this Oktoberfest at Calgary's premier shooting centre, the Shooting Edge. On Friday, October 12, much bratwurst and sauerkraut will be consumed in his honour.

I invite all members to come celebrate the man who tracked, hunted down and took out the long gun registry, our very own Conservative member of Parliament for Yorkton—Melville.

Cable Public Affairs Channel

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to congratulate CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary today.

Twenty years ago, several Canadian broadcasters joined forces to provide Canadians with easy, direct access to the parliamentary debates of their democratically elected representatives.

From this humble start, CPAC has continued to expand its coverage and gives Canadians unprecedented access to a diversity of political and public affairs events. CPAC has also brought Canadians closer to what happens in their Parliament.

For the past 20 years, all CPAC staff have been doing a wonderful job providing a unique and much-appreciated perspective that is helping more and more Canadians become interested in politics.

On behalf of the official opposition and the New Democratic Party, I offer my sincere congratulations. May its next 20 years be as productive, informative and as invaluable to our democracy as the last two decades.

[James Rajotte, Conservative, Edmonton—Leduc, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am also very pleased to congratulate the Cable Public Affairs Channel, CPAC, as it celebrates 20 years of providing Canadians gavel-to-gavel coverage of parliamentary proceedings in this House, as well as all televised House and Senate committees.

It has been 20 years since a group of Canadian cable companies took over the operation of the channel and expanded it to become the country's only bilingual, commercial-free public affairs television station. The partnership between CPAC and the House ensures Canadians from coast to coast to coast have live and complete access to their representatives in the House.

On behalf of the Conservative caucus and all parliamentarians, I would like to congratulate everyone at CPAC, and express our best wishes for their continued success and for their 20th anniversary.

Human Rights

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we are deeply disappointed by the decision of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court to convict and sentence to lengthy prison terms Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Ms. Ta Phong Tan and Mr. Phan Thanh Hai for peacefully exercising their democratic rights. All three are prominent bloggers and are members of the Free Journalists Club.

Canada urges the Vietnamese authorities to respect all of its international obligations, including freedom of expression, and to release these three bloggers and the many others imprisoned for peacefully expressing their opinions.

Yesterday at the United Nations, I made an announcement of $500,000 to the Lifeline initiative to assist NGO activities that promote freedom of expression, among others, as this is one of the objectives of our foreign policy.

Franco-Ontarian Day

[Claude Gravelle, NDP, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, September 25, was a symbolic day for Franco-Ontarians and a day of celebration for many people in Nickel Belt.

This year marked the 37th anniversary of Franco-Ontarian Day. We are also celebrating the 37th anniversary of the creation of our beautiful white and green flag. This flag remains an important symbol of solidarity among our communities.

The origins of Franco-Ontarians date back over 400 years and, at present, 44 municipalities remain officially bilingual in Ontario.

It is important to remember that, while the flag unites us, it is action that defines us. We are the agents of and driving force behind social, cultural, artistic and economic development.

Thus, I wish to celebrate the vibrant and exceptional francophone population of Nickel Belt, and indeed all Franco-Ontarians.

Child Pornography

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, Delta—Richmond East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 10th anniversary of Cybertip.ca, a website operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

On behalf of the government, I offer congratulations and personally thank it for all the work it is doing to protect children from online sexual exploitation. We are proud to have the centre as a partner in ensuring the ongoing safety of our children.

We have brought forward a number of measures to better protect children, such as increased penalties for sexual offences against children and two new offences aimed at conduct that could facilitate or enable a sexual offence against a child. We have also passed legislation to make the reporting of child pornography mandatory for Internet service providers.

Cybertip.ca has been designated as a service responsible for receiving such tips. We must offer programs and services to both children and parents to reduce and prevent child victimization. That is exactly what the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and Cybertip.ca have done.

I congratulate the centre on its 10 years of Cybertip.ca.

Women's Support Centre in Ste-Julie

[Sana Hassainia, NDP, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House today to draw attention to the 20th anniversary of an organization in my riding. Entre Ailes Ste-Julie was established on October 7, 1992, and has been helping women in the region ever since. Its goal is to help women improve their living conditions. It also organizes meetings to help women feel less isolated.

A non-profit since 1998, Entre Ailes Ste-Julie is an independent organization with its own organizational structure. It has 181 members and more than 80 volunteers. It offers three programs per year, training, workshops, courses, speakers, special events, group outings and much more. Volunteers regularly conduct home visits for women with reduced mobility who experience isolation. Support sessions for the bereaved are also available.

On November 3, a special evening will be held at the Maurice-Savaria hall in Sainte-Julie to celebrate the organization's 20th anniversary. Congratulations to the vice-president, Christiane Pelletier, and the executive director, Marie-Chantal Paquette, and all the volunteers. Your contributions and efforts on behalf of women in the region are invaluable.

National Forest Week

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is National Forest Week, a time when all Canadians are encouraged to learn more about the importance of this renewable resource.

Our forestry industry is a major contributor to the economy, particularly in rural areas, where it provides direct employment for 234,000 workers. Our government is helping forestry companies to expand their market and invest in research and environmental improvements.

The crash of the United States housing market shows us that we must diversify markets. That is why our government is helping companies tap emerging markets. And our strategy is working, showing dramatic results. Since 2007, there has been a 1,000% increase of Canadian softwood lumber exports to Asia. In British Columbia, the equivalent of 20 mills is now producing forest products for the Chinese market alone.

Our government will continue to support Canada's forestry sector to create jobs and economic growth right across the country.

20th Anniversary of CPAC

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the entire team at CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary today.

Twenty years ago CPAC was created to provide all Canadians with access to their democratic process. Informing the public about Parliament, politics and public affairs through programming focused exclusively on the people and the processes that shape our great country has been the main objective of CPAC.

It has always been CPAC's mission to go beyond the headlines to provide Canadians with full coverage of what is happening in Canada's Parliament and an analysis of the positions of the various parties in order to allow Canadians to fully participate through weekly interactive programs.

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary and on behalf of the Liberal Party, I congratulate CPAC.

The Environment

[Bryan Hayes, Conservative, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to share with all members of the House comments made recently by the NDP member for Burnaby—New Westminster. Just weeks ago the NDP member said, “the federal government seems to completely reject the policy of cap-and-trade, which allows us to put a price on carbon”.

Our Conservative government completely rejects the NDP policy of putting a price on carbon. The NDP policy is a job-killing carbon tax that would increase the price of everything, including gas, groceries and electricity.

What is really dangerous about the comments from the NDP member is, despite the fact that our natural resource sector would suffer catastrophic job losses with an NDP carbon tax, the NDP member advancing a carbon tax is the NDP's natural resource critic.

The NDP might not care about the 1.6 million Canadian jobs dependent on the resource sector, but we do. That is why we will continue to fight the NDP's job-killing carbon tax.

Pork Industry

[Malcolm Allen, NDP, Welland, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there is a looming crisis in Canada's pork industry. Drought conditions across North America have increased the price of feed. Some of Canada's largest pork producers have filed for creditor protection.

It is estimated that pork prices in the summer of 2013 will be the highest in Canadian history. However, all the government can do is hem and haw about plans it may or may not have to deal with this crisis.

When the NDP raised the issue of drought conditions last week, the government was entirely dismissive. It did not see a crisis. It did not see a need for action.

However, in a letter to the NDP leader from the Alberta Pork board of directors it says, “Without significant support...the pig industry in Canada will most definitely begin to collapse within the next few months”.

We, in the NDP, stand with producers and, like them, demand action from the government, not just words, to address this devastating crisis. When will it act?

The Environment

[Ryan Leef, Conservative, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, as winter approaches and temperatures begin to drop, Canadians in my riding up north and across the country are thankful that they are not subject to the NDP's massive carbon tax.

The NDP's carbon tax scheme would drastically raise the price of electricity, causing families to use more of their hard-earned money to heat their homes. The NDP's regressive $21 billion carbon tax is reckless and unfair to hard-working families that simply want to keep their homes warm and comfortable during the fall and winter months.

I am proud that our government has continually lowered taxes for Canadian families and has created important initiatives that help Canadians save money, like the home renovation tax credit, which saves Canadians tax dollars and decreases their home heating costs.

The NDP should be ashamed of its sneaky carbon tax, call it a carbon budget, that would take money directly from the pockets of hard-working Canadians.

The Economy

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, with 300,000 more Canadians unemployed today than before the crash of 2008, a record $50 billion trade deficit and the highest household debt in Canadian history, the Conservatives' solution is to send the Minister of Finance to lecture business leaders, but Canadian business leaders are voting with their wallets and holding off on new investment. They are sitting on over half a trillion dollars in dead money.

When will the Conservatives stop lecturing Canadians on the economy and start listening?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said repeatedly, we all know there are great challenges in the world economy that affect our country.

With that said, Canada's economic performance continues to be far superior to that of most other developed countries. The number of jobs is up by more than three-quarters of a million, investment is up, exports are up and growth is up.

We will ensure that we resist any ideas for carbon taxes, for tax increases, for shutting down industries and for blocking trade. This government is committed to the growth and prosperity of our country.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, our priority is jobs. The Conservatives' priority is making up stuff about the NDP.

Since 2006, the Conservatives have wasted $55 billion in gifts to big corporations through tax cuts. The Prime Minister swore that this would create jobs, but what is really happening is that Canadian businesses are letting half a billion dollars sit in their coffers.

Since even his Minister of Finance has admitted that these corporate tax cuts have not had the expected results in terms of investments in job creation, what will the Prime Minister do to get all of this money circulating?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, again today, an international organization said that Canada was one of the best places in the world to invest in. That is why investments are going up, job creation is going up and economic growth is going up.

Obviously, there is more to do, but we are moving in the right direction.

I do not have to make up anything about the NDP. I have here, in black and white, its platform from the last election. There is a little table at the end, which says, “Cap and Trade Revenues By Year”, $21 billion, “Be a part of it”.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after seven years of Conservative corporate tax cuts, the Conservatives have nothing better to offer than more lectures to Canadian businesses. However, despite their finger wagging, Canadian businesses are sitting on over half a trillion dollars in dead money. Even the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has said that Conservative corporate tax cuts have had “little observable impact on new investment in Canada”.

What will it take for the Conservative government to finally change course?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, under our government, our record of growth continues to be superior. Taxes are down not just for business, they are down for individuals, they are down for families. In every case, the NDP voted against those tax cuts. We have voted for them.

The manufacturing sector can speak for itself. Let me read what the president of Patriot Forge, a manufacturing company in southwestern Ontario, just said, “The higher taxes proposed by the NDP will make it much more difficult for our Canadian plants to compete”.

Foreign Investment

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, because of the Conservatives' improvised and uncertain economic framework, oil company executives are asking the government to put in place clear rules regarding ownership of the oil sands, which the Conservatives are not doing. Instead, they are holding discussions behind closed doors about Nexen.

Will the Conservatives listen to the concerns of Canadians and business owners instead of ignoring them?