Debates of June 27th, 2005

Fisheries and Oceans

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last week the David Suzuki Foundation released a critical report questioning DFOs ability to fulfill its conservation mandate in the Pacific region. The report states that:

Lack of properly funded, trained and located staff has led to a “selective or targeted enforcement” approach. Violators, aware of this attitude, become more willing to take risks.

Will the minister finally admit that DFO's model of selective enforcement has not worked in the Pacific region and that he needs a different approach to ensure a better result in 2005?

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague should be aware that I recently announced an additional $5.2 million in funding for the Pacific region. This will help in terms of enforcement and compliance on the Fraser River and in terms of the science, habitat and fisheries management.

On Friday I had the pleasure of announcing the wild salmon policy, the purpose of which is to protect habitat and biodiversity. We have provided an additional $1.1 million for this year to support science, habitat and fisheries management. This will go a long way to conserve salmon on the west coast.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it only took DFO 14 years to come up with the wild salmon policy that commits a mere $1.1 million and has no implementation plan.

The so-called improvements announced by the minister amount to temporarily shuffling enforcement officers from other parts of B.C. to the lower Fraser River at peak periods apparently. That will just result in new enforcement problems elsewhere in the province.

Why will the minister not accept the recommendations in all the reports that are currently on his desk and permanently assign more enforcement officers to the Fraser River?

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend apparently failed to understand when I spoke to the fisheries committee. The additional money we have put into our program on the west coast will allow us to have the officers we have do more overtime, more patrols and more overflights in helicopters. In short, there will be much more enforcement.

Justice

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a newly published book reports that in 2003 more than half of all federal judicial appointees were likely Liberal supporters. The study found that the political affiliation of the candidates is still a significant consideration in the choice of the committee responsible for appointing judges, which was created in 1988.

In light of these revelations, which confirm our worst fears on the lack of neutrality in the process, does the Minister of Justice intend to cooperate fully in overhauling the judicial appointment process started by this House?

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

Mr. Speaker, I have said that the current judicial appointment process is excellent. However, I have initiated a review process. I had a meeting with all the chairs of all the advisory committees, and we will continue to have such meetings.

Transport

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the Minister of Transport about the request for proposal issue between the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and the Airport Taxi Cab Association.

Last week a protest caused disruptions for the airport users at Pearson International Airport. The airport and highways surrounding the greater Toronto area are vital for the local economy, especially tourism, at this time of the year. Is the minister aware of the issue and what is being done to help resolve this situation?

[Jean Lapierre, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his continuing interest in this file. Obviously we are not responsible for the daily administration of the airport. The GTA is responsible. We are following this file very closely because we want the airport to function normally and we want it to see the free flow of traffic.

We are in touch daily with the GTA to ensure that this deal comes to an end. Frankly, we want it to be amicable. We want it to work between the taxis, limos and the airport authority.

Telecommunications

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1999, Telus and BC Tel merged. In 2000, renegotiation of the collective agreement began between the new entity and the telecommunications workers union. Since then, Telus has refused to bargain in good faith, leading the Canada Industrial Relations Board to conclude that Telus was guilty of unfair labour practices and in violation of federal law.

Will the Minister of Labour and Housing, who has the authority, appoint an arbitrator to resolve the impasse?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would agree with the member and others who have brought this matter to my attention. Four years is much too long for any two groups to come together.

The parties met on June 22 to June 24. Unfortunately, they did not come to an agreement. I urge both parties to continue to meet. The mediators are ready, willing and able to assist in this. It is absolutely necessary that we do it. There are certain matters before the CIRB and the Federal Court that also have to be taken into account, but we are urging all parties to get to the table and negotiate so we can finally have an adjudication--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Churchill.

International Aid

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Liberal members of the foreign affairs committee seemed to think they had a plan for Canada to reach its decades old goal of 0.7% of GDP to go to developmental assistance. It soon became clear that either the Liberals do not have a plan to reach the 0.7% or they do and they have not told the finance minister.

The Prime Minister said that he would not make a commitment even though he believed in 0.7% and would very much like to see Canada get there. However, the finance minister signed on to the Commission for Africa report, which called on developed countries to reach 0.7% by 2015.

Does anyone in the cabinet know if there is a plan to reach 0.7% by 2015?

[Aileen Carroll, Liberal, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has made it eminently clear, as I have, as has the finance minister, that we recognize how important the 0.7% is as a benchmark. It is a benchmark that Canada wishes to attain and is committed to do so.

Until we can in a very responsible and fiscal manner lay out exactly how we will do so and give that plan, we will not commit to something until we can accompany that commitment with exactly what Canadians would expect of us.

Certificates of Nomination

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour pursuant to Standing Order 110(2) to table a certificate of nomination with respect to the National Gallery of Canada. This certificate would stand referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

Government Response to Petitions

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) to table, in both official languages, the government's response to eight petitions.

Committees of the House

[Andrew Telegdi, Liberal, Kitchener—Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 11th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on an extension of 30 days to consider Bill C-283, an act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Immigration and Refugee Regulations.

Income Tax Act

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-418, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (vitamins).

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the bill is to expand the list of allowable medical expense deductions in the Income Tax Act to include expenses incurred for vitamins, supplements, vitamin supplements, mineral supplements, dietary vitamin supplements and dietary mineral supplements.

We are trying to do what we can to increase the ability for Canadians to access natural health products. Also, if these health products are preventive in the workings of our medical system, if they help to reduce the overall costs of our health care system, then we should encourage that.

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

Breast Implant Registry Act

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-419, An Act to establish and maintain a national Breast Implant Registry.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to reintroduce a bill that would establish a national breast implant registry. I am pleased the bill is being seconded by my colleague from Nanaimo—Cowichan because of her work on the Status of Women standing committee pertaining to this very serious issue.

The legislation seeks to establish a registry to monitor implant procedures and to further scientific research. It may not be the whole answer to the problems facing women who undergo breast implants, but it will fill a critical gap in women's health protection by collecting currently unavailable data about implant procedures and data that is needed as a base for informed health-based decisions by women and physicians. It would protect individual privacy while providing an effective means of notifying women of threats to their health.

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

Petitions

[Betty Hinton, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present a petition on behalf of my constituents calling on Parliament to withdraw Bill C-17 and any legislation designed to decriminalize the possession and use of marijuana. They want to provide increased funding for the RCMP and Canadian police forces and to eliminate grow operations in Canada.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to present a petition from citizens from Ottawa, Hamilton, Pickering, Kingston, and the wonderful community of Timmins, Ontario asking for changes to the Canada Health Act so that we can bring in therapy treatment for children who are suffering from autism spectrum disorder.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I would like to present a petition signed by individuals in my riding of Pierrefonds—Dollard on Bill C-38. The petitioners are calling on the Parliament of Canada to ensure that the definition of marriage remains the union of one man and one woman.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I would like to present a petition signed by people from the island of Montreal on respect for the human rights of the Palestinians.

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present on behalf of my riding of Cambridge a petition that does not look like it will go very far and will fall on the deaf ears of the Liberal government. It calls on the government to support and uphold the current definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present two petitions today. One is from the good folks of Davidson, Saskatchewan which is in my riding. The petitioners wish Parliament to defend the current definition of marriage.

The second petition also wishes Parliament to defend the current definition of marriage. This is signed by petitioners from across Canada, from not only Saskatchewan, but also Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

[Bradley Trost, Conservative, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a petition on behalf of constituents from Saskatoon, Muenster, Bruno, Humboldt and also people outside of my constituency, particular the towns of Estevan, Weyburn and Vanscoy in the province of Saskatchewan.

They petition the House of Commons that whereas marriage is a sacred institution that forms the basis of the family union and whereas Parliament overwhelmingly affirmed its understanding that marriage is the union between a single man and a single woman to the exclusion of all others in 1999, therefore the petitioners humbly call upon Parliament to pass legislation that will protect the traditional definition of marriage as it has before affirmed.