House of Commons Hansard #27 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was disabled.

Topics

Kyoto ProtocolOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, the principal initiative in this area led by the Government of Canada is called the federal buildings initiative. To date my department has: signed 29 contracts under this initiative, representing about $40 million in energy efficiency investments; partnered with the private sector, creating 672 jobs; generated over $6.5 million in annual energy savings; and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 50 kilotonnes per year.

I refer the House to our brand new building at 401 Burrard Street in Vancouver, the greenest in the country.

Age of ConsentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Vic Toews Canadian Alliance Provencher, MB

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice said that cultural considerations prevent the minister from raising the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16 years of age.

Can the minister tell the House which culture he is referring to? Which culture in Canada says it is okay for an adult to sexually abuse a child?

Age of ConsentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Martin Cauchon LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows very well that it is not exactly what was said by the parliamentary secretary. He knows as well that we just had a meeting with my colleagues from across Canada. We have been discussing the question of the age of consent and there is obviously no consensus around the table.

The main goal of all that is to ensure that we will keep offering our children good protection. I guess that by using the Criminal Code differently there are other ways we can achieve that.

Age of ConsentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Vic Toews Canadian Alliance Provencher, MB

Mr. Speaker, the comments of the parliamentary secretary are an insult to all cultural groups in Canada. Canadians of all ethnic origins know that culture is never an excuse for the sexual abuse of children by adult sexual predators.

Why does the minister prefer to insult Canadians instead of taking important steps to protect children?

Age of ConsentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Martin Cauchon LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe what he said. What is important in our society is to ensure that we will offer good protection to our children within our society instead of trying to score cheap political points for something which has not been said in the House.

Regarding the question of the age of consent, as I said, there is no consensus, but the aim and goal of the government is to offer children good protection. We will do that by tabling legislation before Christmas.

Regional Economic DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Jocelyne Girard-Bujold Bloc Jonquière, QC

Mr. Speaker, during the Rendez-vous national des régions, which took place in Quebec City last week, the participants recognized the importance of regional investment funds for the economic development of regions and the Government of Quebec announced its intention to contribute to such funds.

Will the Government of Canada follow the Government of Quebec's lead and commit to financing the regional investment fund for the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean?

Regional Economic DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Beauce Québec

Liberal

Claude Drouin LiberalSecretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)

Mr. Speaker, first, it would have been nice if the Government of Quebec had invited the federal government to its regional summit, given that we too care about regional development.

You can be sure that since 1985, we have already contributed to regional development by way of the CFDCs, the CDECs, and the Business Development Centres, and we will continue to do so.

I can see that Quebec is basing its approach on what we at the federal level have done.

International AidOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Beth Phinney Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister pledged at the G-8 summit in Kananaskis to increase Canada's investment in basic education in Africa. The international community also pledged to achieve by 2015 the six objectives of Education for All agreed to in Dakar in 2000. The Minister for International Cooperation is currently participating in the high level group meeting on Education for All in Abuja, Nigeria.

What concrete measures is Canada taking to support education in developing countries?

International AidOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine Québec

Liberal

Marlene Jennings LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, there is no greater guarantee of a country's future than to invest in the education of its children. That is why today the Minister for International Cooperation announced that Canada, through CIDA, will provide $10 million per year over the next five years to both Mozambique and Tanzania. This is over and above our regular support for education to both these countries.

The minister also announced the funding of $5 million over the next five years to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics to help monitor the international community's work in meeting the objectives of Education for All.

Official LanguagesOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Bloc

Benoît Sauvageau Bloc Repentigny, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

After a seven month delay, the Minister of National Defence has finally released his annual report on official languages in his department.

Does the Minister of National Defence not find it indefensible that, again this year, the situation is far from having improved, since close to 60% of military personnel in bilingual positions are still unilingual anglophones?

When will this government respect francophones?

Official LanguagesOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Markham Ontario

Liberal

John McCallum LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, as a Quebecker, I recognize, as does this government, the vital importance of bilingualism. I also recognize that there are problems in terms of achieving this objective and we will do our utmost to improve the situation.

Canada Pension PlanOral Question Period

3 p.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—St. Clair, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.

In the last six months we lost $4 billion in the equity markets through the Canada pension plan. Despite this loss the CEO of the pension board says he still believes stocks will yield the best returns.

Will the government come to its senses, amend the CPP act to direct the investment board to get out of the private equity markets, and begin investing in security instruments in the municipal sector?

Canada Pension PlanOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, we expect the CPP Investment Board to operate on the basis upon which it was created, that is to make prudent investments, to do so on the basis that we need to see the fund meet the requirements of Canadians for their pension incomes in decades ahead. We know from experience that long term investments such as those that it has been making will pay those dividends.

PrivilegeOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

The Chair has notice of a question of privilege, arising from statements earlier today, from the hon. member for Acadie--Bathurst.

PrivilegeOral Question Period

3 p.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Mr. Speaker, during statements by members the member for Saskatoon--Humboldt accused members of the House of hiding behind a white sheet and being the equivalent of modern day Klansmen.

I believe this is not in order in the House of Commons. The member has attacked bilingualism, francophones and minorities on many occasions. I believe very strongly this is going overboard.

Mr. Speaker, I am asking you to review his statement. I believe it is not parliamentary.

On November 7, the same member asked a question in the House. He said, and I quote:

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are ramming through bilingualism enforcement measures. The Canadian Alliance is demanding expanded bilingual services in the nation's capital. However bilingualism is a divisive affirmative action program for francophones that discriminates against anglophones. Francophones hold 78% of all civil service jobs designated as bilingual. Last year francophones got 71% of all bilingual jobs and 68% of promotions.

Why is the minister refusing to end systemic discrimination against anglophones in civil service hiring and promotion?

The minister's answer was the following:

Mr. Speaker, this is the second amazing question from the same member. The last one was about visible minorities in the public service. This time it is about linguistic duality in the public service. The member should perhaps look at the values of Canadians and for what Canadians are ready to fight. Diversity and bilingualism in the public service are among them.

It is well known in this House that each time this member rises in the House, it is always to make offensive remarks, either about minorities or about the language used by our fellow Canadian citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I call on you to enlighten us as to whether it is acceptable to make in the House the kind of remarks he has made again today. If not, he will have to withdraw the ones he made today. These are offensive to all members of this House.

PrivilegeOral Question Period

3:05 p.m.

The Speaker

The Chair has heard what the hon. member had to say on this matter. I will need to review what the hon. member for Saskatoon—Humboldt said in his statement. Then, I will get back to the House, if necessary.

The House resumed consideration of the motion.

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:05 p.m.

The Speaker

When the House broke for question period the hon. member for Souris--Moose Mountain had the floor for questions and comments on his speech.

Questions and comments, the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence.

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:05 p.m.

Haliburton—Victoria—Brock Ontario

Liberal

John O'Reilly LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, before Ernie Eves turned the lights out on us we were dealing with a good speech by the member. He touched on how well the staff of the department actually operate. Certainly the two staff in my office find that they have a system that is such that we can get to the bottom of some of the problems in that department very quickly because of the promptness and professionalism of the people we deal with.

As former chair of the subcommittee on health dealing with AIDS and the poverty and discrimination that results from that, and the families that are affected by that, I agree with the member that most certainly his comments ring home true that there are other people affected and their lives are changed because of that. I would like the member to expand on that a little.

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:05 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Roy H. Bailey Canadian Alliance Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Mr. Speaker, disability is something that could be short term or life term. The department should take great concern. With all the mechanisms we have today, it should be able to tell without having the dreadful experience of last month of calling in people who have severe difficulties in answering the questionnaire or getting to a doctor to get confirmation and who are paying out of their own pockets.

In response to the cooperation, for the most part I do not take back what I said because on the field level they do an excellent job.

However, let me put something into perspective for the hon. member. In my province right now, the CCRA of the government is attempting to undermine to a phoney collection system and destroy a junior hockey club. While that is happening, it is forcing people to come in and prove that they are disabled.

The government has a responsibility to ensure that they are disabled. However, once they are disabled for life, why are they called back in to report this terrible disability all over again?

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:10 p.m.

Vancouver Kingsway B.C.

Liberal

Sophia Leung LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have a chance to join the debate. I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the member for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot.

The disability tax credit is an important program administered by the CCRA to ensure that eligible Canadians with disabilities receive the tax credits to which they are entitled under the Income Tax Act. Today I want to clear up any confusion about how the CCRA administers this credit and address the concerns that have been raised by members of the House during the debate.

It is important that hon. members understand that the CCRA administers the disability tax credit program according to the very specific legislative criteria of the Income Tax Act. In administering the criteria carefully and professionally, the CCRA ensures these tax credits are provided in an equitable and fair manner. In other words, those who are eligible for the credits will receive them. They are not provided to those who do not qualify.

Let me add that the CCRA, acting on behalf of the Government of Canada in administering this program, makes every attempt at all times to be fair and equitable to all Canadians. That means that we cannot allow DTC claims that do not meet the specific requirements of the Income Tax Act. Our intention is to ensure that there is an even playing field for all Canadians.

An unfortunate common misconception, possibly caused by the credit's name, is that everyone who has a disability qualifies for the disability tax credit. This is manifestly not true.

The Income Act is clear on this matter: to be eligible for the disability tax credit an individual must have a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment. Furthermore, that mental or physical impairment must have the effect of markedly restricting the individual's ability to perform a basic activity of daily living.

The benefits provided by the government to persons with disabilities has increased by 70% since 1996.

For 2001, the basic non-refundable amount of the disability tax credit has been increased from $4,293 to $6,000, while the supplement has been increased from $2,941 to $3,500. For 2001, the credit can reduce the federal tax of those who qualify by up to $960. For individuals under the age of 18, the maximum federal reduction can increase to $1,520. There is also a corresponding reduction in the provincial tax payable.

There have been questions asked in the House about how the CCRA administers this important benefit. Let me emphasize that the CCRA administers this credit to ensure that it is available for those who need it most. This is not always easy, but the CCRA should be commended for the way it performs this sensitive work. Let me outline some of the processes.

The cost of having form T2201, the disability tax credit certificate, filled out by a medical practitioner is deductible as a medical expense.

Once a client has filed for T2201, the disability tax credit unit at the local tax centre will examine it to determine if the person with the disability meets the eligibility criteria under the Income Tax Act. If the claim is for a dependant, CCRA will also establish whether the claimant meets the support requirements. If a claim is extremely complex and requires medical expertise beyond that at the local tax centre, it is forwarded to a team of medical experts at the national headquarters for review.

Anyone denied a claim for the disability tax credit is entitled to request a review and to appeal the decision in court.

Finally, I want to talk about what the CCRA has done in response to concerns raised about the administration of the disability tax credit and especially the form T2201.

In March 2002 the Subcommittee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities released its report on the disability tax credit. Let me commend the subcommittee and its chair, the hon. member for St. Paul's, on behalf of the Minister of National Revenue, today in the House for the hard work put into preparing this report.

The report expressed concern about the T2201 form used to determine eligibility for this benefit. In response, extensive consultations on administrative matters were initiated by CCRA with organizations representing persons with disabilities and medical practitioners.

As part of those consultations, a new T2201 form for the disability tax credit has been drafted and distributed to all participants and to the subcommittee.

Some members of the opposition have suggested during this debate today that those consultations were a sham. I am dismayed by their willingness to cast aspersion on the very fine public servants conducting the consultations. It is fair to criticize some work the government has done, but not to question the intentions of the officials in conducting broad consultations on their administrative practices.

In fact the CCRA has recognized that it has not quite got it right yet and, in response to concerns expressed by the community, has agreed that it will continue to consult until it gets the form right. The door is still open for consultation.

I am also pleased to inform the House that the Minister of National Revenue has agreed to establish a permanent advisory committee on administrative matters related to disability benefits at CCRA. The minister has also instructed CCRA officials that no new administrative reviews are to take place until these consultations and changes are completed.

In conclusion, let me say that the government recognizes the difficult challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The disability tax credit, as mentioned by my colleague the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, is one aspect of the support network offered by the Government of Canada and the provincial governments for Canadians with disabilities.

This credit is aimed specifically at Canadians who suffer from severe and prolonged impairments. It is always difficult when someone is refused a benefit by the government because he or she does not meet the criteria established in the legislation. However CCRA is doing its best to administer this and other programs with as much fairness and transparency as possible and the minister has personally committed to improving the administration of the program.

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:20 p.m.

NDP

Wendy Lill NDP Dartmouth, NS

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for her comments about our opposition day motion. I also want to let her know something that is exciting to us. The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly also has just passed a motion calling on the federal government to restore the previously existing criteria for the disability tax credit. Last week, the Nova Scotia legislature also passed a motion denouncing the changes to the DTC.

The member is probably aware that the chair of the disabilities subcommittee spoke eloquently earlier about her concern regarding amendments passed by the finance department, which will cut off a whole class of people from the disability tax credit. She also spoke of her concern that the Federal Court's recommendations about compassion and fairness be dealt with.

Will the member be following the chair of the disabilities subcommittee, who said that she would be voting in support of the opposition day motion, and give her support to persons with disabilities in this country?

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Sophia Leung Liberal Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for raising this aspect. Yes, we will support that. In the meantime, we will follow up on further discussions. Any consultations will be welcome.

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, I believe I am unable to make a 10 minute speech, so I want to use this opportunity to comment.

This summer I read the subcommittee report being discussed here and I support it wholeheartedly. I wrote to various ministers at the time to indicate such support, so I must admit that it would be rather untoward for me at this point to vote against the motion put forward by the New Democratic Party today. I want to thank the New Democratic Party for bringing this up in an opposition day setting, because I think the work of the subcommittee is to be applauded. We must make sure as a country that we are taking care of those who need some assistance and some help.

Having said that, I think we have to be careful that things are not open ended. If and when the matter of the court decision is addressed, I believe that there have to be some consultations and some measures taken to make sure that any tax measure is not open ended, thus subjecting the rest of Canadians to an incredible tax burden without us having made the decision that it be so. I believe that there is enough wherewithal in the House and in the government to mix those two positions together so that we would end up with a very valid disability tax credit system but one that at the same time respects fiscal integrity.

I will follow the rest of this debate with great care because I believe it is an important one. Again, I am happy that it has been introduced today by the NDP as an opposition day motion and I look forward to tomorrow's vote.

SupplyGovernment Orders

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Sophia Leung Liberal Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate what my colleague has mentioned, the same as in my report already mentioned. I think that the contribution of the subcommittee is recognized. We are happy that the House has had a chance to look at the report very carefully and reassess what is best for Canadians.