Debates of Oct. 13th, 2004

Canadian Heritage

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Clarington—Scugog—Uxbridge, ON]

Mr. Minister, Canadians expect--

[The Speaker]

I appreciate the nomination, but I am sure the hon. member meant Mr. Speaker.

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Clarington—Scugog—Uxbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my apologies.

Canadians expect responsible leadership. In the Banff festival speech the minister said not one word in what the government has done, was doing or is planning to do for the Canadian television industry in Canada. Instead, abuse of her role as the minister was rewarded by a plum appointment as the principal secretary to the Prime Minister.

When will the government stop abusing the trust of Canadians, and admit when it is wrong and pay back the taxpayers?

[Liza Frulla, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, the minister made a speech and said that culture was the vital link that brings Canadians together. Culture also gives us our unique voice in the world. Ensuring the relevance, vitality and excellence of a cultural life must remain one of Canada's priorities. It is beautiful.

Health

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Edmonton—Spruce Grove, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in the pre-election euphoria, the Prime Minister pretended to be the great defender of the public health system, stating that there was no room for a pay as you go health care system. Yesterday, a private clinic opened its doors in the Prime Minister's adopted city. All of a sudden, it is as if pay as you go clinics were not such a bad idea after all.

Could the minister tell us honestly the Liberal policy on private clinics?

[Ujjal Dosanjh, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we are the defenders and protectors of public health care--

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker]

Order, please. The Minister of Health has the floor. We will want to hear his response.

[Ujjal Dosanjh, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is that side that wants private health care in Canada. We are the defenders of public health care in Canada.

I want to tell those on the opposite side that in the upcoming election this is going to be an issue again. They will be on that side again after the next election.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Edmonton—Spruce Grove, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this is another case of say one thing and do another. This is hypocrisy on health care. During the election the Prime Minister said:

To break your promises in terms of health care...is really a terrible thing.

I could not agree more. Breaking promises is a terrible thing. When it comes to private clinics, why do Liberals make promises during the election campaign that they know they will not keep?

[Ujjal Dosanjh, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we have poured $41 billion into health care for the next 10 years. We are going to have national benchmarks. We are going to have comparable indicators. We are going to have reduced wait times. We are defending, enhancing and improving public health care. If there is any violation, we shall enforce the Canada Health Act.

National Defence

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of National Defence gave in to our arguments and at last announced that all of the submarines will remain docked until the inquiry is completed. There are contradictory reports suggesting that another submarine may have experienced a fire as well.

Can the minister set us straight on this?

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the subs were put dockside as a precautionary measure. While we are going through the board of inquiry, the navy thought that it was prudent to keep all the subs in dock. We do not micromanage the navy. The navy makes these operational decisions itself. We leave it up to the professionals.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the very people involved in acquiring and retrofitting the used British subs are now being mandated to investigate themselves. This makes no sense at all.

Why does the minister not order an independent inquiry into the general state of the submarines instead and clear the air once and for all?

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, following the tragedy which occurred with the Chicoutimi , the standard operating procedure is that an inquiry takes place. The people who have the expertise to do that are those who are in the navy. They are the professionals. They are the experts. This government is going to leave that very important investigation to the experts.

Child Pornography

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy, NB]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday when the Minister of Justice reintroduced so-called child protection legislation, he once again failed to address the most fundamental issue. Instead of eliminating the notorious artistic merit defence for possession of child pornography, the minister has simply given it a new name.

Why does the government continue to provide loopholes for the possession of child pornography?

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the government does not continue to provide loopholes. The government has introduced the most comprehensive child protection legislation in the world because we protect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy, NB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian children deserve better. Rather than listening to Canadians, the minister has simply revived old legislation that child advocates and front line police officers have already said will not be effective.

First it was artistic merit, then it was public good. Now it is legitimate purpose. I ask the minister, why will he not close all loopholes for child pornographers?

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, child pornography is child pornography and remains so under this legislation.

The only defence is one that has been set down by the Supreme Court of Canada, which is for legitimate purpose. For example, if police possess materials for the purposes of an investigation, that is a legitimate purpose defence.

Housing

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians still face the challenge of finding safe and affordable housing. In last week's Speech from the Throne the government has rightly pointed to the affordable housing initiative as one of the tools it uses to meet these needs.

Can the minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation inform the House of the status of this program?

[Joe Fontana, Liberal, Minister of Labour and Housing]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member, and most members in the House and the caucus in terms of supporting housing.

As members know, the throne speech indicated that shelter is the foundation upon which healthy communities and individual dignity are built. The $1 billion affordable housing initiative is an important goal toward that commitment. Thousands of units have been built across this country under phase one.

I am in negotiations with the provinces on phase two. I am happy to report that Quebec is the first province to sign on to phase two and will create thousands of units in Quebec.

Foreign Affairs

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the UN is currently facing a serious challenge to its credibility. The Iraqi oil for food scandal investigation is reaching into the highest levels of power in France and Russia, even into the hierarchy of the United Nations itself.

As the Prime Minister meets with these very leaders, is he urging them and their ministers to be totally transparent and co-operative with the UN investigation, so that this dark cloud that is presently hanging over the Security Council may be lifted?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister uses all opportunities that he has with leaders whether in Paris or Moscow. We think the Prime Minister had a very good visit yesterday in Moscow, where he brought certain elements to the attention of President Putin.

On Iraq and the other subjects that the member is raising, we are of course always promoting full support for the work of the United Nations and for transparency on these issues.

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is a serious matter to be suspected of accepting bribes from Saddam Hussein. It is a well known fact that certain Canadian companies invested in French and Russian oil companies. Did anyone take the trouble to inform the Prime Minister of these companies' possible involvement in the scandal the UN has exposed?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, there is an investigation underway at this time. Let us allow it to come to an end before pointing the finger at any Canadian companies. The United Nations is looking into it, and we will keep close tabs on the outcome. At this time, however, it is important not to sully the reputation of the Canadian companies.