Debates of June 10th, 2013

Radio-Canada

[James Moore, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the principle behind the question from my colleague from Ottawa—Vanier.

One of CBC/Radio-Canada's purposes is to be present in every region of the country in French as well. However, the member should communicate his idea directly to Hubert Lacroix and to the board of directors of Radio-Canada.

I know that Radio-Canada will be having a meeting this Tuesday or next. The opposition's suggestion is one that Radio-Canada should hear. He should talk to them about it. I want to be clear: this is a national Canadian broadcasting corporation.

Privacy

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are not denying having access to PRISM, or being in possession of a secret $90,000 cheque, or that the PMO-controlled funds were used in this process. While Canadians deserve answers, the Minister of National Defence repeatedly failed to answer the three questions today about snooping.

Did the Canadian government have access to PRISM, yes or no?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I have been crystal clear. This program does not target Canadians. Mega-data is collected only on international, not domestic, communications. It is only targeting foreign threats, unless, of course, there is a request from an accompanying department under warrant, so the answer is no.

Taxation

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to announce that today is Tax Freedom Day, the day Canadians can finally keep their hard-earned dollars. While I am sure that the NDP and the Liberals are disappointed, since they stand in the House day after day calling for higher taxes, our government believes that Canadians deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money. That is why, since taking office in 2006, we have reduced the federal tax burden to its lowest level in 50 years.

Could the Minister of State for Finance please inform Canadians how much earlier Tax Freedom Day is today compared to when our Conservative government took office?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Minister of State (Finance)]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Fundy Royal has it exactly right. It was on June 26 in 2005 that we reached Tax Freedom Day, but since then, our government has reduced over 150 different taxes. We have lowered the GST. We reduced personal taxes. We reduced business taxes. We introduced the tax-free savings account. In fact, now Tax Freedom Day is over two weeks earlier than under the former Liberal government.

Another interesting fact is that Canadians, because of our tax reductions, have $3,200 more, every year, of their own money in their pockets.

Seniors

[François Pilon, NDP, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in March I introduced a bill to help seniors who need to pay for funeral arrangements in advance. My bill allowed them to withdraw up to $2,500 without affecting the calculation of their guaranteed income supplement benefits.

Instead of increasing the retirement age, will the Conservatives help the NDP find tangible solutions to help pensioners living in difficult circumstances? Will the Conservatives work with the NDP to pass Bill C-480 and reduce poverty among seniors?

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, seniors helped build the country. This is why this government has done more to help them than any other government.

We have been focused on making sure that Canadian seniors are well supported. Whether that be the most substantive increase in 25 years in the GIS or the creation of a Minister of State for Seniors, we are focused on making sure seniors are well supported. We encourage the opposition to get on board and support us.

Public Safety

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since 1993 the Maison d'Haïti program “Jeunes patrouilleurs de rue” has received a federal grant to help young people leave street gangs and avoid their grasp. On May 21, 2013, a decision from the office of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development informed Maison d'Haïti that its application had been rejected, although it had been recommended by departmental staff.

Why did the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development reject the application from a leading player in crime prevention in Saint-Michel and Montreal?

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I will not comment with respect to the very specific application. We encourage all individuals, all organizations that have worthwhile social programs, to apply to our programming at HRSDC.

We are focused on making sure that we support youth across the country. That is why we have seen increases in youth employment, in fact over 54,000 new youth with opportunities for employment, in the last month.

Rail Transportation

[Bruce Hyer, Independent, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, VIA Rail's latest annual report reveals that VIA is in big trouble. The VIA board clearly intends to shrink our national dream down to just the Quebec-southern Ontario corridor, and the Conservative government has no rail strategy. This week in Ottawa, Toronto and Thunder Bay, I am releasing my own independent MP's 90-page report on how to restore VIA Rail.

When and how will the Conservatives put VIA Rail back on track?

[Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Minister of State (Transport)]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, this government has invested over $1 billion in passenger rail. We have renovated stations, upgraded trains and improved accessibility, while creating jobs for Canadians. This government is committed to quality rail service that is not a burden on the taxpayer.

Interestingly, all the investments we made, the opposition parties and the member voted against.

Oral Questions

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to be very brief. I am going to read from House of Commons Procedure and Practice, which says:

Remarks directed specifically at another Member, which question that Member's integrity, honesty or character are not in order. A Member will be requested to withdraw offensive remarks, allegations or accusations of impropriety directed towards another Member.

Having said that, I was quite shocked during question period when the NDP member for Alfred-Pellan directly attacked the Minister of Public Safety.

I would offer you, Mr. Speaker, the opportunity to follow the rules and ask the member to withdraw her remarks with regard to the mental capacity of the minister.

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

Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague, whom I respect a great deal, with a great deal of interest. I will review what was being said. I think the direct quote is important in applying the rules.

She might not know—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please.

The hon. member for Saint Boniface has raised a point of order, and the hon. member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley is responding to it. With all these interruptions, the Chair is having difficulty hearing. I would appreciate members coming to order and allowing the member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley to conclude.

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

Mr. Speaker, to my friend from St. Boniface, her particular orientation, where she sits in the House, bears some mentioning at this time.

We will endeavour to look at the blues and what was said in the House. However, it bears commenting that the particular member she is seeking to defend right now, as you would know, Mr. Speaker, is one of the more constant contributors to the House in terms of comments and remarks that are demeaning, and I would cite some of those very same procedures she cites.

If the members wish to hold themselves to a higher bar and account, we would most welcome that effort.

[The Speaker, Andrew Scheer]

I will certainly look at the point the hon. member for St. Boniface has raised about the hon. member.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on a different point of order, but on the same general idea, earlier in question period, the member for Malpeque said, “You're lying”, to one of the ministers. I am sure he will want to withdraw that comment.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I, in fact, did use those words, and I will withdraw them.

The House resumed from June 6 consideration of the motion that Bill S-8, An Act respecting the safety of drinking water on First Nation lands, be read the third time and passed.

Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act

[The Speaker, Andrew Scheer]

I think it best if we move on to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at the third reading stage of Bill S-8.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #742

[The Speaker, Andrew Scheer]

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I can appreciate the leader of the official opposition on the front bench was a little confused. My understanding of the rules is that a person can only vote once. We saw members of the NDP from the front bench initially support the bill. I believe they should have to withdraw their original vote.

If we think of the ramifications of allowing members to stand and not denounce their first vote, it could lead us into further complications going forward.

[The Speaker, Andrew Scheer]

Perhaps the hon. opposition whip can clarify this.