Debates of Sept. 22nd, 2014

Citizenship and Immigration

[Andrew Cash, NDP, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, first the federal government cuts health care to pregnant refugees and sick children. Now it wants to cut income support, that crucial lifeline that helps refugees land on their feet in Canada. Not only is the government downloading services, it is downloading Canadian values.

Will the minister pull his support for this private member's bill, or at least own up to it and table it for what it is, another cruel and callous piece of government legislation?

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, our government fully recognizes that the provinces have responsibility for delivering these programs. What differentiates us from the opposition is that we want to enable the provinces to get value for taxpayers' money, to make sure that those programs go to immigrants, refugees, and those who actually qualify for them, and to close the door to abuse. That is what we have been trying to do for years.

We would like to hear, on this side of the House, both from the NDP and the Liberals, why they will not stand up at this time, of all times, for the revocation of citizenship for dual nationals who commit acts of terrorism and for the revocation of passports? The Liberal leader has been running away from microphones, and the NDP does the same.

Canadian Heritage

[Ryan Leef, Conservative, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago a nearly 200-year-old mystery was solved. The discovery of one of Franklin's ships will help shed some light on one of our great country's key moments. Furthermore, this search for Franklin's lost expedition has greatly advanced our knowledge in Canada's north and strengthened our sovereignty for the Arctic.

Could the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans please update the House on the important work that is being done across Canada's north and Canada's Arctic?

[Gail Shea, Conservative, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the discovery of one of Franklin's ships is truly a historic moment. I want to take this opportunity to thank the commanding officer and the crew of the Canadian Coast Guard ship, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and the Canadian Hydrographic Service, for their valuable logistical and scientific contributions.

I am very proud of the work that our government is doing in the Arctic, from icebreaking to pollution response, to search and rescue, to scientific research. This work is crucial to fostering economic and social development in the north and ensuring environmental protection of this pristine part of our country.

We are committed to strengthening Canada's north, and that is why we continue to make record investments in the Canadian Coast Guard.

Public Safety

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the people of Port-Cartier are worried about the Conservatives' plan to close one of the local penitentiary's three units. As usual, the employees have not been informed about the details of this plan, which will have a devastating impact on families and the regional economy.

Will the government be transparent and show some respect for its employees by telling us about its plans for the Port-Cartier penitentiary?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, we are always very transparent. As I said before, the opposition's apocalyptic predictions about the number of inmates never materialized.

I can guarantee one thing: we on this side of the House will ensure that criminals who are behind bars will stay there so that the public can live freely and safely.

Marine Transportation

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

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the federal government prohibited ships wider than 32 metres from going up the St. Lawrence River any further than Quebec City. Today there is a 44-metre-wide ship docked at Sorel-Tracy to take on tens of thousands of tonnes of crude oil.

In 2010, the auditor general was very critical of the federal government's ability to respond in the event of a marine oil spill.

Can the minister tell us whether the federal government's response capability meets the Auditor General's requirements and prove that it is prepared to respond in the event of a spill, before increasing the frequency of this kind of—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. Minister of Transport.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, our government has acted very decisively when it comes to preventing oil spills. In fact, we have a world-class tanker safety program, which I announced the details of last year.

We had a panel that went out to determine where there were gaps in response, and it said very clearly that we can respond to oil spills in this country. However, we want to make it better. That is exactly why we continue to work on issues of prevention, of being able to respond, and, of course, making sure that in the event of a spill that the liability is there for polluters to pay as well.

The Environment

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

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, through no fault of his own, had the PMO prepare talking points, leading to a statement that was incorrect. He said, by my notes, “greenhouse gas” levels “are falling”, and then “significant reduction in greenhouse gas” levels.

If the PMO had consulted the Environment Canada website, it would know that neither of those statements are correct. Greenhouse gas levels have been rising steadily since the end of the recession and are slated to end at 734 megatonnes by 2020, less than one half of one percent below the 2005 levels, when the Prime Minister committed to 17%.

Can the hon. secretary commit that PMO will be instructed to check Environment Canada's website?

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I beg to differ with my colleague across the way. Since 2005, Canadian greenhouse gas emissions have decreased 5.1%, while the economy has grown by 10.6%. This accomplishment is historic, and actually our per capita carbon emissions have fallen to their lowest levels since tracking began.

That is our record and we are very proud of it.

Democratic Reform

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

Mr. Speaker, the reform act could help to fix Parliament and restore Canadian democracy, but the leaders of the three major parties threaten to kill the bill if it is not watered down. The leaders and the parties love having their MPs under their thumb, and sometimes under their heel.

Will the minister support the current version of the reform act and get MPs working for their constituents once again?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of State (Democratic Reform)]

Mr. Speaker, I think the member is speaking from his experience with the overly controlling leadership of the NDP, which prevents people from speaking out freely. During a two-year period investigated by The Globe and Mail, in fact the NDP did not have a single member of its caucus vote independently from the leadership. In one in four votes on this side of the House of Commons during that same period, there were members who stood up and voted independently.

We do have a bill before the House now, the reform act, that would take away the leader's legal veto over candidates. The Prime Minister has announced his willingness to accept the elimination of that section of the Elections Act, and we will continue to work with the member on the bill.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

That concludes question period for today.

Introduction of private members' bills, the hon. member for Ottawa—Vanier.

National Anthem Act

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-624, An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender).

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to table a bill entitled “An act to amend the National Anthem Act”. It is seconded by my colleague from St. Paul's.

The bill proposes a simple change in the English version only, two words to be precise: “True patriot love” and “all thy sons command” to become “true patriot love in all of us command”.

In due course, I will present the arguments which I hope will convince a majority of my colleagues to support the bill. I also hope the exchange and debate will be respectful and beyond partisanship.

I attended the Famous 5 luncheon today, where the first and thus far only female prime minister, the Right Hon. Kim Campbell, was the guest speaker, and she was a terrific speaker. At the end of her speech, she welcomed this initiative to make our national anthem gender inclusive.

I look forward to engaging with my colleagues as we address this important matter.

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

Removal of Imprisonment in Relation to Mandatory Surveys Act

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-625, An Act to amend the Statistics Act (removal of imprisonment).

Mr. Speaker, this private member's bill would amend the Statistics Act to remove the possibility of imprisonment for the failure to fill out mandatory Statistics Canada surveys and to allow the release of data from the 2011 National Household Survey in the future.

The constituents of Elgin—Middlesex—London have told me that they are happy to volunteer information to Statistics Canada and that no one should ever go to jail for refusing to do so. I hope members of the House would also agree.

I thank the member for Dufferin—Caledon for his help today.

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

Statistics Act

[Ted Hsu, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-626, An Act to amend the Statistics Act (appointment of Chief Statistician and long-form census).

Mr. Speaker, in the game of chess it is said that if one sees a good move, look for an even better one.

After feedback from experts and stakeholders, I am pleased to present a refinement of my Bill C-562, an act to amend the Statistics Act. This amended bill explicitly acknowledges that new sources of data or data collection practices would be available in the future and would not simply reinstate the long form census in its recent form. It would require what was really important, the continuity of data series and the maintenance for improvement of data quality.

The proposed bill will also clarify that not all ministerial orders to the Chief Statistician or to Statistics Canada shall be published in the new Canada Gazette, but only if they fall within the scope of technical or methodological guidelines and ethical standards, which the Chief Statistician is required to post, maintain and archive on the Statistics Canada website.

The amended bill will expand the duties of its Chief Statistician to include keeping the public informed about the importance of gathering accurate statistical information and consulting with stakeholders on matters pertaining to the census.

I hope all members will see fit to support the bill to safeguard the quality of the information used for managing this country.

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

Violence Against Indigenous Women

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, this is not actually a motion, but it is as good a time as any for me to advise the House that pursuant to Standing Order 66(2) I would like to designate Tuesday, September 23, for the continuation of debate on the first report of the Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women presented on Friday, March 7.

House of Commons Calendar

[John Duncan, Conservative, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among all parties and I believe you would find consent for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding Standing Order 28 or any other usual practice of the House, the following proposed calendar for the year 2015 be tabled and that the House adopt this calendar accordingly.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Does the hon. Chief Government Whip have the unanimous consent of the House to propose the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

(Motion agreed to)

Sex Selection

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present two petitions today.

The first petition is from a number of people in Saskatchewan. The petitioners ask that the House condemn the discrimination against females that occurs through sex-selective pregnancy termination.