House of Commons Hansard #69 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.

Topics

Citizenship and ImmigrationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Richmond Hill Ontario

Conservative

Costas Menegakis ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, Canada has welcomed one out of every ten resettled refugees in the world. That is more than almost any other country in the world.

We are world leaders when it comes to protecting refugees. The Government of Canada is determined to help refugees resettle, become part of Canada and succeed in their new home. Our goal is to help them achieve the best results they can.

Citizenship and ImmigrationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

NDP

Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives do not get it. The measure of a good refugee system is not how much claims are dropping; it is whether those in danger get the protection they need.

There is clear evidence that changes to the refugee law have unbalanced our system. Naming countries like Hungary as safe, despite the recent surge in far-right anti-Semitic rhetoric, is alarming. People who face persecution may not find a safe haven in Canada.

Does the government not understand that it is the problem?

Citizenship and ImmigrationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Richmond Hill Ontario

Conservative

Costas Menegakis ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, our government has a balanced and responsible plan for refugee resettlement. Unlike the NDP and the Liberals, we do not make policy on a whim. The opposition is shamefully and purposely misleading Canadians. Our government has a balanced and responsible plan for refugee resettlement, and I would urge the hon. member to support all of our measures. It is incredible that any time we bring measures in the House that support the refugee system, the members of the opposition, and the member, vote against them.

Foreign AffairsOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Mr. Speaker, Canadians believe in democracy at home, in Ukraine, in Iran, and around the world. For instance, in dealing with the government of Iran, our government has consistently supported the democratic aspirations of the people of Iran. The crisis in Ukraine has reminded Canadians that democracy is not a reality for everyone, but Canadians are proud that our Prime Minister's visit to Ukraine was the first of any G7 leader since the crisis began. However, in a recent interview with the Farsi language media, the Liberal Party leader attacked our government's support of democracy around the world.

Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage please affirm our government's foreign policy?

Foreign AffairsOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Saint Boniface Manitoba

Conservative

Shelly Glover ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

Mr. Speaker, the recent comment by the Liberal leader is of great concern to this government. As the Prime Minister stated, Israel is the only country in the Middle East which has long anchored itself in the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Our government will not shy away from supporting the sole liberal democracy in the region. On this side of the House, we have led the world with a clear and principled foreign policy, one that is based on freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Whether it is in Ukraine, Israel, or the situation in Iran, we will do what is right and just, regardless of whether it is popular, convenient, or expedient.

The EnvironmentOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

Mr. Speaker, all week, the Minister of the Environment has avoided questions on the impact of climate change. She has simply read from her pre-approved cue cards. I would like to give her a chance to show that she can think for herself.

What is the minister's response to the new report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

The EnvironmentOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Nunavut Nunavut

Conservative

Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to protecting the environment while keeping Canada economically strongly. Thanks to our actions, carbon emissions will go down by close to 130 megatonnes from what they would have been under the Liberals. This is the equivalent of shutting down 37 coal-fired electricity plants, and we are accomplishing this without introducing the Liberal carbon tax.

Rail TransportationOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

Mr. Speaker, the days are counting down for passenger service on the Algoma Central Railway, yet the minister has not even bothered to respond to three separate requests to meet with the working group who are looking for options to save the service.

Will the government do the right thing and work with stakeholders to find a solution to save ACR passenger service and help protect a unique $20-million a year tourism economy? Will the government finally get on board?

Rail TransportationOral Questions

April 4th, 2014 / 11:55 a.m.

Essex Ontario

Conservative

Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, Transport Canada advised CN that effective March 31, 2014, the Government of Canada will no longer provide CN with funding through the regional and remote passenger rail services class contribution program.

The decision by CN to discontinue the passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst is a business decision made by a private company. The Government of Canada has no direct role in owning or operating railways. Railway companies are private entities that make their own decisions concerning their operations and which services and routes are offered to their customers.

IndustryOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, Sir John A. Macdonald, our first prime minister, had a vision of a railway from coast to coast. Today, as we near Canada's 150th birthday, digital technology is what connects Canadians, bridging the divisions instantaneously. There are few jobs, few sectors, and few aspects of our lives that remain untouched by digital technology.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry please tell the House what our government is doing to promote Canada's digital future?

IndustryOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont Alberta

Conservative

Mike Lake ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, this morning the Minister of Industry announced digital Canada 150, which is focused on five key pillars: connecting Canadians, ensuring that Canadians have access to the latest wireless technologies; protecting Canadians, ensuring that their online privacy is protected; economic opportunities, ensuring Canadians have the skills and opportunities necessary to succeed in a digital economy; digital government, making Canada a global leader in using digital technologies and open data; and, Canadian content, including measures that celebrate our national story and what it means to be Canadian.

As we celebrate our nation's birthday—

IndustryOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

Order, please. The hon. member for Jonquière—Alma.

Forestry IndustryOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Bloc

Claude Patry Bloc Jonquière—Alma, QC

Mr. Speaker, when I asked about the unfair treatment of Quebec, the government answered that the existing softwood lumber agreement does not penalize anyone. How hypocritical. The president of the Québec Forest Industry Council has made it clear that even though Quebec has changed its stumpage system, it is still being penalized, whereas the Atlantic provinces are not. He said, “Ottawa's policy puts the Quebec industry at a serious competitive disadvantage.”

When will the government do its job and protect the interests of the Quebec forestry industry?

Forestry IndustryOral Questions

Noon

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade

Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber agreement continues to enjoy strong support from the industry and provincial governments across the country for the stability it provides. In fact, the industry has thrived under this agreement.

While the NDP, and it seems the Bloc, continue to promote policies that would actually slow growth and kill jobs in this industry, our government is building trade relationships in Europe and Asia that would secure jobs in our lumber and wood product industry.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

Bloc

Claude Patry Bloc Jonquière—Alma, QC

Mr. Speaker, two years ago this week, the government announced its employment insurance reform, without assessing the repercussions it would have on families and the regions.

Now we are seeing the consequences. People are waiting longer to get their benefits. It takes longer and is more complicated to challenge bad decisions, and more importantly, families across Quebec are being financially penalized. Clearly, this reform is bad for workers who have lost their jobs. It is making them and their families poorer.

Now that the consequences are known, will the government cancel this reform, which is bad for workers in Quebec?

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley Nova Scotia

Conservative

Scott Armstrong ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, we are making changes that will connect people with available jobs. Those are the changes that we are making. We are seeing good results from that across the country.

Employment insurance will always be there for anyone who applies and there are no jobs available in their region.

Rail TransportationOral Questions

Noon

Green

Bruce Hyer Green Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON

Mr. Speaker, our passenger trains are dead or dying. Routes from Montreal to Saint John, Toronto to Cochrane, Barrie to Orillia are all dead; Toronto to Sarnia has been cut in half. The route from Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst will die on April 30. The route from Toronto to Niagara is dead. The route from Montreal to Gaspé is suspended. Both the Ocean and Canadian trains are threatened.

Why are we the only country in the G20 that is not investing in passenger rail?

Rail TransportationOral Questions

Noon

Essex Ontario

Conservative

Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. The government has invested over a billion dollars in capital investments for VIA Rail. We invest millions every year in its overall network.

I am reminded, though, that the member over there is the one who continually and consistently votes against that support for VIA Rail. That is a shameful record. We will do our part.

Notice of MotionWays and MeansRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Vancouver Island North B.C.

Conservative

John Duncan ConservativeMinister of State and Chief Government Whip

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1) I have the honour to table a notice of a ways and means motion to introduce an act to give effect to the Tla'amin final agreement and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of this motion.

Tla'amin Final AgreementRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Vancouver Island North B.C.

Conservative

John Duncan ConservativeMinister of State and Chief Government Whip

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Tla'amin final agreement, the Tla'amin final agreement appendices, and the Tla'amin tax treatment agreement.

Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan

Conservative

Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 45 petitions.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern DevelopmentCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon B.C.

Conservative

Mark Strahl ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development in relation to Bill C-25, An Act respecting the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band Order.

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House without amendment.

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements ActRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Corneliu Chisu Conservative Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-585, An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act (period of residence).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table my private members' bill, an act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act (period of residence). This enactment would amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act to adjust the national eligibility standard for social assistance to provide that no minimum period of residence may be required with respect to social assistance for Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as for victims of human trafficking who receive temporary resident permits and certain other protected persons.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Canada PostPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

NDP

Mike Sullivan NDP York South—Weston, ON

Mr. Speaker, residents in my riding have signed a number of petitions protesting the loss of home mail delivery by Canada Post. They call upon the Government of Canada to reject Canada Post's plan to reduce services and to explore other options to update Canada Post's business plan.

Chinese-CanadiansPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Rick Norlock Conservative Northumberland—Quinte West, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a few petitions.

The first one says that during the darkest days of the war in the Pacific, the British special operations executive asked the Canadian government for Chinese-Canadian volunteers to train for a covert mission that would place them behind Japanese enemy lines to seek out Chinese resistance fighters to help train them for the Allies, to defeat the Japanese. Many prisoners of war were saved because of this.