Debates of Dec. 5th, 2006

The Environment

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, in fact we are working with the large final emitters right now to look at regulations, so I look forward to working with the committee.

I would suggest to the hon. member that he recognize there are things in Bill C-30 that we would like to also protect, things like making sure that we address air pollution. Right now the bill that is in front of the House from the Liberals and from the NDP does nothing to address air pollution in particular. It also does not address indoor air pollution, which is a real issue in terms of the health of Canadians. I would ask him to do the same thing and work with the government to make sure that those issues are addressed and protected in Bill C-30.

[John Godfrey, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the notice of intent to regulate is another key aspect of the minister's plan. That is where the biggest part of the legislative battle against global warming comes into play.

Will the minister give the committee the latitude to rewrite the notice of intent to regulate, and does she promise to implement the measures recommended by this committee?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I would also ask the hon. member to recognize in Bill C-30 the elements that are necessary to have a biofuels industry. If Bill C-30, Canada's clean air act, does not pass, we will not have the regulatory authority to blend fuels to have a biofuels industry.

I would encourage him to recognize the things that are presently in the bill and to make sure he protects those so that we can have a better environment and also a better economy.

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, at last week's convention, the Liberal Party unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to the Kyoto protocol and the fight against global warming.

In contrast, the Conservative government has slashed programs, abandoned targets and embarrassed Canada on the international stage.

Will the government ever stop attacking the Kyoto protocol, stop ruining Canada's international reputation and finally start fighting global warming?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I will just read what the Leader of the Opposition himself told a reporter from the Globe and Mail. He said, “...he seemed to suggest that, whereas France had to do nothing to meet its Kyoto targets, Canada's were unattainable”. He also added, for good measure, that Jean Chrétien had only proposed these stringent targets to trump the Americans.

That is not good policy. We need to move past this debate. Everyone knows that the present target was put in place by the Liberals in a political manner. We need new targets and a new Kyoto framework. I encourage the members to stop fighting and work with the government.

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians get nothing but empty words from the government when it comes to the environment.

Global warming is an international problem that requires an international solution but the Conservatives have retreated from our international responsibilities and have produced the most embarrassingly inadequate piece of legislation this country has ever seen.

When will the government stop hiding under the bed and join with the rest of the world in its fight against global warming?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, those are empty words. This is after 13 years and our emissions are up by 35%. The environment commissioner said this about the last government's record:

On the whole, the government's response to climate change is not a good story. At a government-wide level, our audits revealed inadequate leadership, planning, and performance.

It has not been effective in leading and deciding on many of the key areas under its control. Change is needed.

Change has arrived and I again encourage the opposition to get past the rhetoric and fighting and work with the government to reduce emissions.

National Defence

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Memorial Cross, more often referred to as the Silver Cross, is awarded to mothers and widows of deceased Canadian Forces members who die on active duty.

Over the past several years, members of the House have led the charge for changes to modernize the Memorial Cross medal.

Could the Minister of National Defence please advise the House as to the status of the Memorial Cross medal?

[Gordon O'Connor, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the rules governing the Memorial Cross have been revised to reflect the personal wishes of each individual member of the Canadian Forces.

As of January 1, 2007, each Canadian Forces member will designate up to three recipients who will be awarded the medal in the event of their death in the service of Canada.

I would like to personally thank the Minister of Veterans Affairs for his help and that of his department in achieving these significant changes. I am very pleased that Canada's new government has found an innovative way to better serve the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces.

Human Resources and Social Development

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, across Canada we are seeing the impact of low wages and inadequate benefits. There is a growing gap between the rich and the poor.

I know families in Toronto where people are working two jobs, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year and still need to choose between food on the table and paying the rent.

The Liberals abolished the federal minimum wage 10 years ago. Will the minister make an immediate difference by reinstating the federal minimum wage and by setting it at $10 an hour?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that unfortunately there are those in our society who do not make enough money to provide themselves with a healthy and safe living, which is why the Minister of Finance in his 2006 budget took so many steps to help both the poor and the working poor, including his workers' incentive tax benefit, including lowering taxes for all Canadians and including taking over 600,000 people completely off the federal tax rolls.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government's failure is visible on every street in Canada. Canada is in desperate need of a real urban agenda that places the needs of Canadian families beyond unnecessary cuts in services, especially for new Canadians, women and the working poor.

Under the Liberals, the richest 10% saw their incomes grow by 14%, while the poorest of the poor saw virtually no increase and the income of many working families actually declined.

Will the minister take a bite out of poverty and introduce a $10 federal minimum wage?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raises an important issue about the fact that many Canadians who want to work or who do go to work and receive social benefits are discouraged by the welfare wall from pursuing gainful employment.

We will fix that in “Advantage Canada”, our economic plan for Canada which was released about 10 days ago. We describe the worker's income tax benefit. The acronym is WITB, which will help the members opposite to remember it. We will introduce that in budget 2007. It will help Canadians get over that welfare wall.

RCMP Commissioner

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that the government wishes to consider due process with respect to Commissioner Zaccardelli. Does this mean that the government has decided to ask for the resignation of Commissioner Zaccardelli and is now proceeding in accordance with appropriate procedures in that regard?

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, as we indicated yesterday, there was the issue in a speech that the commissioner gave related to a contradiction. Today that matter was addressed rather vigorously and appropriately so by the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. Now we are in the process, a couple of hours later, of reviewing the whole matter. We will do that in a professional way.

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, am I and this House to understand that due process will in fact ensue because one presupposes that the resignation of Commissioner Zaccardelli will be asked for?

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague opposite, as a well-known jurist, would certainly understand that one does not make a presumption before looking at all the material. We are looking at all the material right now and then we will move on to a decision. I am sure, of all people, my friend opposite would appreciate that process.

Canadian Wheat Board

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative attack on the Canadian Wheat Board is reprehensible. It is another example of extreme right-wing ideology trampling everything in its path: closed door meetings, a biased task force, a phoney communications plan, peddling of a fraudulent message, gag orders, personal threats and firings.

The government has just said that we cannot go around just firing people, that we need to follow due process. Will that principle also apply to the president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Wheat Board?

[Chuck Strahl, Conservative, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite, of course, would know fully about intimidation. The last time farmers spoke out about choice in marketing and choice in the Wheat Board, they were handcuffed and led off to jail under that minister's watch.

What we are intent on doing is moving toward marketing choice in an open manner. Government appointees, as is the case always, who serve at government pleasure, are expected to follow along with the government's point of view.

We are moving in a transparent way toward marketing choice for western Canadian farmers.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Obviously, Mr. Speaker, the government's definition of due process is highly selective.

The Conservative government is deliberately preventing the Wheat Board from discharging its responsibilities. It savaged the integrity of the board's directors and officers, an attack clearly calculated to inflict great harm.

The chief executive officer of the board is its top salesperson. He is the one who sits down with the buyers to convince them to buy Canadian, and they do so based on their trust in him. How can he do business in markets around the world when the government is kicking the hell out of him back here at home?

[Chuck Strahl, Conservative, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, it is remarkable to me because what we are proposing to do is the same thing that we promised during the campaign. We said that we would move toward marketing choice in the Canadian Wheat Board. We said that we would consult with farmers.

What are we going to do? We will have a plebiscite on whether or not barley will remain under the Wheat Board.

I find it interesting that it is only this side of the House that wants to listen to farmers, is having a plebiscite, is talking to farmers and wants to hear what farmers have to say. What do members on that side of the House have? They have slick lawyers in downtown offices telling farmers what they should be doing.

Canada Volunteerism Initiative

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we recently learned that the Canada volunteerism initiative has been abolished. And yet, some three million seniors in Canada give 5 billion volunteer hours for an annual economic contribution of $60 billion.

How can the minister make cuts to volunteerism, an activity that allows seniors to feel useful and remain active in society?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, this government is proud of the volunteers in Canada. We believe they are the backbone of every community. We want to ensure that the money is spent directly to assist the front line volunteer organizations, the volunteer organizations like Volunteer Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, Canadian Parents for French and the Victorian Order of Nurses.

Our priority, and we have been consistent in this, is to help individuals and families in their communities.

Government Programs

[France Bonsant, Bloc, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on October 19, the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities adopted a report recommending that the government maintain funding for the summer career placements program at the 2005-06 level. Rumour has it that the government will instead reduce this program by cutting more than $50 million from it.

Can the minister tell us whether she intends to maintain the current funding or cut it by $50 million?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, some time ago we committed to Canadians to do a complete review of all of our programs to ensure their tax dollars were being spent wisely. In going through that process, we discovered in a wide range of programs that the previous government had been spending money very unwisely and irresponsibly.

We will be going forward with programs that will provide direct benefits to the people for whom it is intended, such as students and workers, not for our cronies.