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

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

11:35 a.m.

Liberal

Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON

Mr. Speaker, yesterday aboriginal organizations were very clear that the government's proposed elections law will have devastating impacts on the democratic rights of indigenous people in Canada.

The law will undermine the important work NAOs and Elections Canada are doing to reach out to first nations, Inuit, and Métis to increase voter participation. The removal of vouching will disenfranchise many aboriginal people in Canada.

How can the minister justify this attack on democracy and its blatant discrimination?

Aboriginal AffairsOral Questions

11:35 a.m.

Nepean—Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeMinister of State (Democratic Reform)

Mr. Speaker, we in the Conservative government do not believe that Canadians necessarily have to bring photo identification or even government-issued identification. There are 39 different options that Canadians can use to present to Elections Canada officials as proof of who they are and where they live. Those things include everything from an Indian status card to correspondence from an aboriginal band. If one is a student, one can get a letter from student housing or bring a student card.

I could go on, but unfortunately there is not enough time to list all the options that are available to Canadians.

Search and RescueOral Questions

11:35 a.m.

NDP

Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Speaker, an internal memo states that the Canadian Forces do not have the equipment required to successfully conduct search and rescue operations. They cannot afford to make mistakes in such operations, which are highly dependent on the equipment available. Lives are at stake. The Conservatives continue to repeat that they have put an end to the Liberals' decade of darkness, but the situation has not improved.

Why have the Conservatives not been able to correct the Liberals' mistakes? Why have they allowed the situation to deteriorate to this extent?

Search and RescueOral Questions

11:35 a.m.

Selkirk—Interlake Manitoba

Conservative

James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, Canadians can be proud that this government has ensured that we have a robust search and rescue system that is always standing on guard and ready to help individuals in need of life-saving assistance.

Since 2006, our government has increased investments into the Canadian Armed Forces by over 27%. The Chief of the Defence Staff said in the same report that the Canadian Armed Forces are currently resourced and able to deliver on their assigned tasks within the federal search and rescue mandate.

That being said, search and rescue remains a top priority for this government. We are always exploring ways to improve our capabilities and equipment to provide the best possible search and rescue services to Canadians in times of need.

Search and RescueOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

NDP

Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the Auditor General delivered a stark warning. Search and rescue services were in dire need of serious work. Now, a year later, a new report confirms that there are still major problems with the availability of planes, proper equipment, and trained and experienced personnel.

This is about saving lives. What is the minister doing to immediately and urgently correct these dangerous deficiencies?

Search and RescueOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Selkirk—Interlake Manitoba

Conservative

James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, first of all, as the report said, we are resourced, we are capable, and we are delivering search and rescue services across this country. We do take this as a responsibility, and it is paramount in the services provided by the Canadian Armed Forces.

I would remind all members that search and rescue is a shared responsibility that includes several federal departments, including the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard. It includes provinces and territories, municipalities, and thousands of volunteers across this country.

We did create a quadrennial review for search and rescue practices to enhance the integration and alignment of our search and rescue partners. We expanded the search and rescue posture shifts to maintain flexibility for seasons.

Veterans AffairsOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

NDP

Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

Mr. Speaker, instead of passing the buck, let us see if we can get a real answer to this question.

Caring for our veterans is a responsibility that we all share, but apparently some Conservative MPs do not agree. Senator Roméo Dallaire said he has heard some of them complaining about money spent on veterans. These comments would be shocking were it not for the fact that the Conservatives have an abysmal record when it comes to veterans' issues.

Why do the Conservatives think that lip service is the only service that our veterans deserve?

Veterans AffairsOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Brampton—Springdale Ontario

Conservative

Parm Gill ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, no other government in the history of our great nation has done more for Canada's veterans than this government under the leadership of our Prime Minister. We have invested almost $5 billion in additional funding since coming to office in 2006.

I would like to ask the opposition parties why they have voted against every single initiative that we have brought forward. It is about time that they should stop playing politics with our veterans and get on board.

Veterans AffairsOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

NDP

Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the late Corporal Leona MacEachern's husband sent a strong message to the Conservatives who would like to turn their backs on veterans.

He revealed that his wife had not received help from any specialist for her post-traumatic stress disorder and that she had to fight with Veterans Affairs to obtain help. This is a tragic story that, unfortunately, is not an isolated case.

When will the minister stop shortchanging veterans and start providing the services they need?

Veterans AffairsOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Selkirk—Interlake Manitoba

Conservative

James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, first, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the MacEachern family, and our government takes this issue of member suicide very seriously.

In fact, no government has done more when it comes to the care of our ill and injured men and women in uniform. We have increased our annual care expenditure by over $100 million, to a total of $420 million each and every year. Today the Canadian Armed Forces have nearly 400 full-time mental health professionals, and we are working to hire even more.

Our men and women can rest assured that this government will continue to make the well-being of our men and women in uniform a priority that I am proud of.

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

Mr. Speaker, my constituents are increasingly concerned about what they see as an imbalance in Canada's justice system. There are far too many examples of offenders receiving light sentences and of victims being ignored.

Yesterday the Prime Minister introduced the Canadian victims bill of rights. This historic legislation came as a result of an extensive consultation process. Could the Minister of Justice please inform this House about who was consulted and what he heard that led to these important and much-needed reforms?

JusticeOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

Central Nova Nova Scotia

Conservative

Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Langley for championing this cause. He is correct that yesterday was a historic day in Canada. For the first time ever, victims of crime will have their own rights entrenched in a single law at the federal level.

We consulted broadly. We consulted every province and territory. We certainly heard directly from many stakeholders, including victims themselves, advocacy organizations, criminal justice professionals, legal experts, and provincial and territorial officials. Many people shared touching stories of revictimization and injustice.

This is why we have informed the country that the drafting of the Canadian victims bill of rights is now complete.

I know members of the opposition parties are struggling to find fault. I encourage them to set their ideology aside and support this important initiative.

Agriculture and Agri-foodOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

NDP

Ruth Ellen Brosseau NDP Berthier—Maskinongé, QC

Mr. Speaker, 20 million tonnes of grain in the west are just sitting there. The inventory at the port of Vancouver is at a historic low. More than $8 billion in potential sales have already been lost, and the situation will only get worse. Every week at least $140 million is lost as a result of this grain transportation crisis.

When will the Conservatives stop letting themselves be bossed around by the rail companies and finally start listening to and defending farmers?

Agriculture and Agri-foodOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture

Mr. Speaker, I would invite this member to follow what is actually happening here in Parliament.

Just last week, our government put forward Bill C-30, which is the fair rail for grain farmers act. It would obligate the rail companies to move one million metric tons of grain a week to help clear the logistic backlog with respect to grain. It would also increase supply chain transparency, strengthen contractual mechanisms between producers and shippers, and help ensure that the entire chain is working at peak capacity.

I invite this member to vote in favour of this legislation.

Agriculture and Agri-foodOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

NDP

Ruth Ellen Brosseau NDP Berthier—Maskinongé, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have been paying attention. I spoke on Bill C-30, and we have been studying it in committee every day.

I want to know when the Conservatives will stop taking these farmers for granted and actually take action.

The minister knows full well that increased interswitching limits do not compensate farmers and that Bill C-30 is not a long-term solution. These changes will cost rail companies more, and these higher costs will be passed on to farmers. While a few grain companies will fight over the profits, it is farmers who are paying more.

Will the minister accept our constructive amendments at committee?

Agriculture and Agri-foodOral Questions

April 4th, 2014 / 11:45 a.m.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture

Mr. Speaker, I listened to that last question and I had hard time determining whether she is on the side of the railroads or she is on the side of the farmers.

This government wants to fix the transportation problems related to grain. That is why the bill is in front of Parliament.

With respect to amendments, I would ask the member to respect the work of committee. Committee members have not even seen the amendments that may have been submitted. The committee will be doing this work next week.

However, one thing I can say is that the committee heard from witnesses this past week, and the vast majority of witnesses who came in front of committee strongly supported the legislation. I ask the member to do the same.

Canada PostOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

NDP

Anne-Marie Day NDP Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Speaker, my constituents do not understand the Conservatives' decision.

They allowed Canada Post to cut thousands of jobs, impose a 58% tax on stamps and put an end to home delivery. The Conservatives are letting Canada Post executives pocket $20 million while they cut services to the public.

Do the Conservatives think that this is a good strategy to revitalize Canada Post?

Canada PostOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

Essex Ontario

Conservative

Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the New Democrats and the Liberals are the only ones in this House who think that Canada Post is not facing a crisis. They have said that on the record, and it cannot be more wrong.

In fact, in 2012, Canada Post delivered one billion fewer addressed letter mail pieces than it did in 2006. That number is plummeting. It is projected to run deficits of nearly $1 billion just six years from now.

They want Canada Post to do nothing. We at least support it.

Canada PostOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

NDP

Sana Hassainia NDP Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC

Mr. Speaker, while Canada Post executives pocket $20 million in salaries, the Conservatives are imposing a 58% tax—a draconian increase that is not in line with regular inflation.

I am worried for the poorest members of our society who do not have Internet access and who are looking for jobs and sending their resumés through the mail.

How can the minister stick the bill to the least fortunate who are looking for jobs?

Canada PostOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Essex Ontario

Conservative

Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the minister is doing no such thing. The member should know that Canada Post is an independent arm's-length crown corporation. It is responsible for its own operational decisions. It has, in response to the plummeting levels of letter mail volumes in this country, responded with a five-point plan. The increase in the cost of a stamp is part of the five-point plan, but that is its decision. We support that Canada Post is doing something about this problem. It is only the opposition that thinks there is no crisis at Canada Post.

Democratic ReformOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

Mr. Speaker, the commissioner of elections has asked for the power to compel witness testimony during an investigation. It is the same power that the director of competitions has in investigating deceptive telemarketing and price fixing.

We believe that rigging an election is more, not less serious than price fixing.

Does the minister agree, and, if so, will he amend the act to give the commissioner the power that he seeks?

Democratic ReformOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Nepean—Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeMinister of State (Democratic Reform)

Mr. Speaker, the CEO of Elections Canada is obviously seeking more powers for his agency. That is not surprising, nor is it new.

However, the reality is that agency already has all the same investigative powers of a police agency. Police forces investigate extremely complex files with unco-operative witnesses and missing evidence, and they manage to come to conclusions, lay charges, and secure convictions all the time.

We would invite Elections Canada to do its work with the powers it has, and after the passage of the fair elections act, the commissioner or the investigator would be independent.

Democratic ReformOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

Mr. Speaker, the minister just indicated that the Commissioner of Elections Canada has the same powers as police who are investigating serious crimes. That is not true. The police have the power to intercept private communications, commonly known as a wiretap.

Will the minister now agree to amend the act to give that power to the commissioner of elections, which would make his answer true, or will he correct his answer?

Democratic ReformOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Nepean—Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeMinister of State (Democratic Reform)

Mr. Speaker, I personally have not seen a recommendation from Elections Canada that it seeks the power to do wiretapping, but what I can tell the member is that the agency currently has all the same powers of a police force to carry out an investigation, and we would invite it to continue to do that.

Citizenship and ImmigrationOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

NDP

Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

Mr. Speaker, people around the world have noticed the measures that the Conservatives have taken to close our doors to refugees.

This week, the UN published a report confirming that in 2013, Canada accepted half as many refugee claims as in 2012. It also described highly divergent trends. Many Canadians feel that Canada is moving away from its role as a country that welcomes victims of persecution.

When will the minister move to counter the adverse effects of this bungled immigration reform?