Debates of May 8th, 2014

Safeguarding Canada's Seas and Skies Act

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

Order, please. The time for government orders has expired. Consequently, the hon. member for Surrey North will have his five minutes for questions and comments when this matter returns before the House.

Farley Mowat

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend Farley McGill Mowat.

Born May 12, 1921, he was, as we all know, one of Canada's most outstanding talents, an author whose more than 40 works were translated into 52 languages and sold more than 17 million copies. Repeating the accomplishments of his literary career, we risk losing out on the other things he contributed to this country: his war record in the Second World War serving with the Hasty Ps in the dreadful Sicily campaign, going behind enemy lines to organize food distribution for starving Dutch civilians.

He was, more than anything else, a voice for the wild. He was a voice for the environment and, more than that, he was a voice against the recklessness, greed, and indifference of humanity as we destroy our only planet: home. Let his epitaph be “the cry of the loon, the wolves howl, and the human voices raised in the public square that we stop the squander of our natural world”.

God bless you, Farley.

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to also pay tribute to one of Canada's most widely read and well known authors, who passed away recently at the age of 92.

Farley Mowat lived a full life, which began in Belleville, Ontario, nearly 93 years ago. He went on to become an honoured Second World War veteran and an accomplished author. Many Canadians may remember reading as children, Lost in the Barrens, or, as I recall, Two Against the North, a book in my youth that I must have read at least 30 times, or Owls in the Family. Undoubtedly, Mr. Mowat's unique storytelling will be remembered for generations to come.

His contributions to arts and culture in Canada have been honoured with various awards and distinctions, including being made an Officer of the Order of Canada and receiving the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.

I wish to extend on behalf of my party sincere condolences to Mr. Mowat's family and friends. He will be remembered as a passionate Canadian, and his legacy will live on through the iconic Canadian literature that he left for all of us. It is quite a history.

Health

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, every year I hold extensive consultations across my riding to find out what issues constituents are most concerned about. This year, once again, the top priority identified was health care. I heard many ideas and changes that were needed to improve health care and ensure better use of public dollars.

Quality accessible public health care is a proud part of our Canadian identity. After eight years in power, the Conservatives have failed to strengthen health care. Instead, they have allowed the health accord to expire and will cut $36 billion in funding, including $5 billion less in health care transfers to British Columbia over the next 10 years. This is unacceptable, and Canadians deserve better.

I would like to thank my constituents who attended my town hall meetings and provided feedback. I heard concerns loud and clear. An NDP government would work with the provinces and territories to improve long-term health care, home care, palliative care, expand coverage for prescription drugs, and focus on preventive care and the importance of mental health care.

An NDP government would listen to Canadians and make health care a priority for all.

Thailand

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on May 7, the Constitutional Court of Thailand convicted democratically elected prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra of abuse of power. The decision made by Thailand's Constitutional Court has resulted in the removal of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine members of the caretaker government.

Canada, as a friend of Thailand, wants to see a free, peaceful, and democratic Thailand. We therefore call upon all parties to show restraint. As our foreign affairs minister stated, we urge all Thais to work together to resolve their differences. Our government is calling for the forthcoming election to take place peacefully, with the broadest possible participation, in accordance with the Thai constitution and in keeping with democratic principles and the rule of law.

We wish the people of Thailand our best wishes.

Iraq

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, a scan of history reveals many examples of inaction leading to human rights abuses or even genocide, but, sadly, not all examples are in the past.

The president of the EU delegation to Iraq recently requested that the UN move to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe at Camp Liberty, a refugee encampment in Baghdad that now houses thousands of MEK members, Iran's primary opposition. These people are fighting for democracy in the face of one of the most oppressive regimes known yet, and they are being systematically killed as the world watches.

If we are to help foster democracy in places like Iran, we need measures that guarantee the basic security of Camp Liberty residents. The Canadian Friends of a Democratic Iran want the UN to send peacekeepers to Camp Liberty, and today I want to add my voice to that chorus.

Canada has always stood for what is right, and I am asking this government to step up. Inaction should not be a death sentence for those fighting for peace.

Health

[James Lunney, Conservative, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Motion No. 501 is about refining a strategy for sustainable health care through innovation and targeted initiatives that demonstrate both effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

There are low-cost options to deliver healthier people and save billions of dollars in the process. In the past few weeks, I have drawn attention to a regulatory failure at Health Canada that has contributed to thousands of deaths and hundreds of millions in unnecessary expenditures in each of the past 10 years. We can do better.

On Monday, scientists who are experts on vitamin D gathered in Ottawa, urging Health Canada to increase the upper level of D recommended to Canadians. They argue for billions in savings through reduced diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and infectious disease management costs.

Motion No. 501 is patient-centred. It combines wellness promotion and disease prevention. There is more information and petitions on my website.

Sustainable health care is everyone's concern. Let us work together with the provinces and territories to make Canada a leader in first-class sustainable health care.

Folklore Festival

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I was pleased to attend Thunder Bay's 41st annual Folklore Festival. This world tour of nations highlights our multicultural diversity and showcases the wonderful, tolerant, and supportive residents of Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario.

There were two days of fabulous entertainment, including traditional dance groups from Bangladeshi, Chinese, Japanese, Scottish, Irish, Portuguese, Indian, Caribbean, first nations, and Filipino communities.

There was the Community Arts and Heritage Education Project, the ever popular Macgillivray Pipe Band, and of course the Zorya and Chaban Ukrainian dance groups.

Special thanks to Walid Chahal, president of the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, and to Folklore Festival chair Jim Squier, and to the volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and artists who have done Thunder Bay proud yet again.

Sanofi Pasteur Canada

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, vaccines have revolutionized our world. Millions of lives have been saved and extended through the dedicated efforts of vaccine researchers and manufacturers.

Sanofi Pasteur Canada, formerly Connaught Laboratories, has been a leader in the Canadian and global vaccine field over the past century, and today plays a key role in improving the health of people around the world through the production of life-saving medicines.

This world-class company, located in York Centre, is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary in Canada.

Sanofi Pasteur Canada owes its foundation to the pioneering vision of Dr. John FitzGerald, a graduate of the University of Toronto medical school. FitzGerald's goal was to provide life-saving public health products in Canada at a price that was affordable to all.

From working with Banting and Best to produce the first supply of insulin and penicillin, to playing a key role in the introduction of the Salk polio vaccine, to the eradication of small pox, to developing the first five-component pertussis vaccine, this world-class company now employs over 1,000 people at its complex at Dufferin and Steeles in the heart of York Centre. It is one of the largest suppliers of vaccines in the world.

On behalf of all residents of York Centre, and all Canadians, I wish Sanofi Pasteur Canada congratulations and the greatest of success as it enters its second century.

Fundraiser in Whitehorse

[Ryan Leef, Conservative, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to recognize an amazing young Yukoner.

Toddler Marek Stehelin has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and this past weekend the amazing community of Whitehorse hosted a fundraiser at the Robert Service Campground to support Marek's marathon to recovery.

In true Yukoner fashion, our community rallied and raised $28,000 to help alleviate the costs for his family as they travel back and forth from Vancouver for treatment.

In the words of Marek's father Bernard, “The Yukon is a truly amazing place, and we are lucky to live here”.

Soon after the community gathering, Marek, who was not available to attend the event, saw the pictures and said, “Wow, I love that feel me better party”.

I want to say to Marek, Bernard, Amanda, and Marek's siblings, who are waiting anxiously for him to get home healthy, that I hope they understand that the wishes of Yukoners, and indeed the House of Commons, has a “feel me better message” today. We are behind Marek. The best of luck in his recovery. We hope he gets home soon; the Yukon misses him.

Norm Bisaillon and Marc Methe

[Claude Gravelle, NDP, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour Norm Bisaillon, 49, and Marc Methe, 34, two experienced drilling contractors who were killed Tuesday at First Nickel mine, in Greater Sudbury.

On behalf of all members here, I offer our thoughts and prayers for these men, their families, and colleagues.

As a former mining company worker, I know what these days are like back home. I had friends killed in the mining industry. Now my daughter and her generation mourn a friend who was killed. Generation to generation, it can be a dangerous job.

We are tough in the north. We persevere. Despite a splendid diversification of our region and economy, mining continues to define us.

One death is one too many. Sudbury has had three mining deaths in four weeks, and six deaths in less than three years. This is a call to action.

The local paper said it well this week:

It is understood that at a time like this, grieving and reflection takes precedence over all else.

And so it should.

But we surely must turn to why these tragedies keep occurring in our community and find ways—not words—to deal with them.

Mother's Day

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay special tribute to all the mothers who will be celebrated by their families on Sunday. Is there anything more beautiful, anything greater than giving life?

We take one day each year to recognize all they do for us and how they are always there for us, day in and day out, through joys and challenges.

Caring, warm-hearted women, protective and welcoming souls filled with good intentions, mothers know how to offer warmth and comfort and make each moment a happy memory.

A mother is often the only one who can find the right words to soothe a wounded heart.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank my mother, Rita, who is 89 now, for her positive influence on my life and her steadfast devotion. She is a very wise woman.

To conclude, I would invite each and every person to find a special way to say, “I love you, Mom”.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

That is a high bar to set for us sons here.

The hon. member for Saint-Jean.

Champlain Bridge

[Tarik Brahmi, NDP, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Prime Minister stated that the government is going to build a new local bridge. That nonsense is an insult to the thousands of people in my riding who are stuck in traffic jams on a daily basis.

In reality, the new bridge will be a replacement for the Champlain Bridge, and the local bridge will be the busiest not just in Montérégie, not just in Quebec, but in all of Canada.

The residents of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and the surrounding area overwhelmingly rejected the idea of having to pay a toll on a bridge they use every day to go to work in Montreal, which amounts to keeping Canada's second-largest city running.

The residents of Saint-Jean have asked me to send the Minister of Infrastructure a clear message. We just want to keep what we already have. Since the minister likes short phrases: a bridge, but no toll.

Ukraine

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, Canada has stood proudly and firmly beside the people of Ukraine, taking concrete actions to help them along the path toward freedom, democracy, and stability. Our government remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine, and we will not stand idly by while its sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened.

Yesterday, the Minister of International Trade was at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, at the ministerial meeting. The minister called for enhanced OECD co-operation with Ukraine to help support reform of its economy.

The minister also made it clear that the illegal actions of Putin's regime have become a real threat to global peace and security. Consequently, the minister made it clear that Canada will not support Russia's accession to the OECD.

National Day of Honour

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, across the years, when the call went out, Canadians answered, and were willing to lay their lives on the line for what we know to be right and just.

Beginning in the fall of 2001, and until the final Canadian soldiers returned from Afghanistan in March of this year, some 40,000 men and women went halfway around the world, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and 158 did.

We celebrate those who returned. We mourn for those who did not, and their families.

Tomorrow, across the country, we will mark this solemn occasion and commemorate these men and women with the National Day of Honour, a fitting tribute to pause and rightly recognize each and every person who showed such courage and endured such terrible trials in service of their country.

I leave it to those more adept than I to find the proper words to lend poetry to the potent mix of admiration, gratitude, sorrow, and pride that we feel this day, and every day, for our Canadian Forces and veterans. I will simply offer my thanks and lest we forget.

National Mining Week

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize National Mining Week, which begins on Monday. Our government is proud to support the mining sector, which is a vital part of Canada's economy. Mining and mineral processing contribute $60 billion to our GDP, and provide good paying jobs for over 400,000 hard-working Canadians.

In economic action plan 2014, our government extended the 15% mineral exploration tax credit. We have heard that this is instrumental in helping junior mining companies finance exploration activities. Through our responsible resource development plan, we are ensuring Canada's regulatory regime is among the most efficient, effective and competitive in the world.

Given the importance of this industry, I ask all hon. members to join me in recognizing the vital role mining plays in the Canadian economy and in the lives of all Canadians.

17th Annual Pages versus MPs Soccer Match

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Parliament would not be able to function without the contribution of essential employees such as those who protect visitors' and MPs' safety on Parliament Hill, those who prepare and serve meals and those who help House debates run smoothly.

I also want to mention the important role that the House of Commons pages play. Yesterday, at the height of an evening filled with emotion and excitement, the pages came back from a 4 to 1 deficit in the last seven minutes of our 17th annual pages versus MPs soccer match to win in a shootout.

MPs from all parties joined forces to defeat the formidable team of pages, but they were too strong for us.

Canadians deserve better. They deserve a team of better-trained MPs who can win the match against the pages. In the meantime, our hats are off to them. We congratulate them and thank them for their excellent work. Thank you, pages.

Veterans

[Ted Opitz, Conservative, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Leader of the Opposition accused the Prime Minister of making a 91-year-old veteran, Arthur Haché, pay for his airfare in order to attend the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy. This accusation was false.

Today's Acadie Nouvelle makes clear that the federal government would have covered this venerable veteran's travel costs, however the reason he cannot attend the ceremony in Normandy is due to personal health reasons. It is unacceptable that the Leader of the Opposition, without knowing the facts, would publicly use this veteran and his case as an opportunity to attack the Prime Minister.

I ask that the Leader of the Opposition apologize to Mr. Arthur Haché and his family, and to set the record straight for the House. I also encourage him, if he wants to actually help veterans, to raise their case files privately so he can ascertain all the facts rather than opportunistically use veterans to score political points.

Privacy

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, in a letter to the President of the Treasury Board, the Privacy Commissioner criticized the government for using social media to gather Canadians' personal information, without linking the practice to a program of any kind. Instead of consulting the provinces and Canadians before implementing their policies, the Conservatives would rather spy on Canadians' Facebook and Twitter accounts.

What are the parameters for this data collection?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, this government is always ready to listen to Canadians who want to be heard, whether it be through a letter, a petition, a tweet or a shout in the street.

Of course, we must, and will, operate within the law, within the confines of the Privacy Act. We are always willing to engage with the Privacy Commissioner to ensure our oversight, our laws, the oversight of government is modern for the 21st century.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the government scrapped the long form census because it was too intrusive, but it is fine with private companies intruding on the personal lives of millions of Canadians.

Conservatives cut Statistics Canada, they scrapped the long form census and they killed research funding, so when they actually run out of credible data they turn to Facebook, Twitter and Kijiji. The new study shows that data collected flows freely between public and private sectors.

Will the Prime Minister admit that his government has failed to protect the privacy of Canadians?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, this line of questioning is very curious. In a day and age when Canadians willingly put information about their opinions, their beliefs and want to engage with government, the NDP wants to shut it down. We think that is antediluvian. We do not think it is the way that we go about modern ways of communicating with Canadians.

We will continue to communicate with Canadians who want to communicate with us.

Justice

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, private companies are allowed unprecedented spying on Canadians and government privacy breaches have topped one million. Conservatives should be hanging their heads in shame, not patting themselves on the back.

The media is reporting on new problems with Marc Nadon's appointment. It is saying that Conservatives warned Justice Nadon about potential problems and even suggested he resign and join the Quebec bar.

Could the Prime Minister confirm that this suggestion was made to Justice Nadon? Does he not agree that telling a judge how to circumvent the Supreme Court Act is inappropriate?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, those members are really going out on a limb now. I suggest she loosen the chinstrap on her tinfoil hat.

Clearly, we followed a process that is inclusive, that reached out to provincial attorneys general. That involved, of course, members of her party and a committee that was tasked with vetting numerous names.

The reality is that we had the backing of former Supreme Court judges, the expert advice that allowed us to move forward, to move in a direction that we felt was appropriate. The Supreme Court, in its wisdom, saw otherwise.