Debates of April 7th, 2006

Airports

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the financial situation of small airports, such as those at Charlo and Saint-Léonard, is disastrous. During the last election campaign, Conservative party candidates promised to find the necessary funds—about $300,000 per year in federal money—to subsidize small airport operations. But now the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities has indicated that he does not want to help these airports.

Why has the government decided not to keep its promises to Canada's rural regions?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, as this is also my first speech in the House of Commons, I would like to thank the member for his question. I would also like to thank my constituents for giving me the opportunity to represent them here.

The member is referring to a program that was introduced by the former government. He has provided another example of the consequences of that government's failure to act. The old program was not designed to address the issues he raised, so it is currently under review. Once we have made a decision, we will announce it.

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Speaker, how can the Conservative Party claim to be responsible and accountable while breaking the promises it made only a few months ago?

Furthermore, the Conservative Party promised to create a federal policy for small airports. Can the minister guarantee that he will establish such a federal government policy?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, it is very interesting that the hon. member speaks of accountability and transparency. As we all know—it has been repeated here over and over in the past few days—for many years, the Liberals did nothing. We intend to do something about it.

Francophone and Acadian Communities

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on January 16, 2006, the Prime Minister said that he intended to continue the federal government's support for francophone and Acadian communities. Yet, such communities have long been asking for an increase in the funding they receive through the Canada-communities agreement.

When will the Conservative government put its words into action? Will it increase the budget of the Canada-communities agreement from $24 million to $42 million, as the francophone and Acadian communities have repeatedly requested?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages]

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Louis-Saint-Laurent for electing me on January 23.

I was very proud to accept the official languages portfolio, entrusted to me by the Prime Minister. Francophone communities outside Quebec can count on the Conservative government's support. I am here to listen to them, cooperate with them and contribute to their development.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Christian Ouellet, Bloc, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in its electoral platform, the Conservative Party promised to reopen the nine detachments that the RCMP closed in Quebec in 2005.

Now that the Conservative Party is in power, can the Minister of Public Safety tell us when the government will make good on its promise?

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, we will begin right away to increase the number of police officers from coast to coast, especially in Quebec. We will add 1,000 RCMP officers and 2,500 municipal police officers, starting immediately and continuing for the next five years.

Multiculturalism

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 1971 Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy affirming the value and dignity of all Canadian citizens.

Since 1972 Canada has always had a minister responsible for multiculturalism, always that is, until now.

Is it the Prime Minister's intention to abandon Canada's multiculturalism policy and if not, why did he decide that it no longer required representation at the cabinet table?

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

Mr. Speaker, the member's question gives me the opportunity to express on behalf of the government its commitment to multiculturalism.

We are reviewing the programs. We know a review is called for after 12 years of perpetuating a program that is ineffective and needs to be re-addressed.

We will commit to every ethnic community across Canada so they can participate equally and fully in all aspects of Canadian society.

Fisheries

[Gerald Keddy, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS]

Mr. Speaker, after 13 years of neglect, Atlantic salmon are threatened or extinct on most east coast rivers. The Inner Bay of Fundy salmon in particular are an endangered species.

The Atlantic salmon endowment fund was promised $30 million but the Atlantic Salmon Federation has not seen a penny of that money.

Will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans finally deliver that funding?

[Loyola Hearn, Conservative, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, let me say, as those on the former standing committee will admit, that nobody worked harder to get such an endowment fund than the member who has just asked the question.

The fund has to be delivered through an independent body, which has now been set up, after two years, by the way. My officials will be meeting with them very soon to get this moving forward.

Education

[Denise Savoie, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, for 13 long years, ordinary Canadians and young people were left off the Liberal government's political agenda. The Speech from the Throne was once again silent on post-secondary education.

Will the current government also remain silent? We need stable, long-term funding for education to increase Canada's competitiveness in the global economy.

Will the government boost our investment in education?

[Michael Chong, Conservative, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to working with the provinces, with the territories, and with business and labour partners to ensure that post-secondary education in Canada continues to be an important priority.

We also welcome the Council of the Federation's initiatives in this regard and we look forward to working with the Council of the Federation as we go forward to make sure that post-secondary education and training remain an integral part of the government's priorities.

[Denise Savoie, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, students and working families have waited long enough for relief from soaring tuition fees. We need an immediate comprehensive strategy, accompanied by a pan-Canadian lifelong learning and training plan, to address the skills shortage. What exactly is the government planning to do to address this issue now?

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

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government has several initiatives it will be bringing forward to encourage skills development for people of all ages, whether it is through our trades program, with incentives for apprentices and for employers to hire more apprentices into those skilled jobs, or whether it is assistance for university students, not through tuition credits but through relief on their student bursaries and scholarships. We will be developing programs that will help all students continue lifelong learning.

Taxation

[Blair Wilson, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saying that I am humbled by and thankful to the voters of my riding of West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country for electing me.

I must say that in recent days a shocking and bizarre alliance has been forming between Parliament's newest chums, the Conservatives and the NDP. We all know that NDP members have never seen a tax they did not want to hike, and we know they are not going to join us in our partnership for a tax campaign, but we would not expect that the Conservatives would not join us.

When will the government end this marriage of convenience with the NDP and join our campaign against tax hikes?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Multiculturalism)]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. This government is committed to lower taxes and we will deliver that in our first budget for 100% of Canadian families.

Day of Remembrance of Victims of Rwandan Genocide

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order, please. Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand there is an agreement to commemorate the Rwandan genocide.

I invite hon. members to rise for a moment of silence.

[A moment of silence observed]

Income Tax Act

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-216, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (capital gains exemption on disposition of fishing property).

Mr. Speaker, the Income Tax Act allows an individual to claim a $500,000 cumulative lifetime exemption for capital gains that arise from the disposition of qualified farm properties. This enactment would amend the act so that an individual may claim this exemption in respect of qualified fishing property.

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

Citizenship and Immigration

[Mario Silva, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition that is signed by many citizens across this country. It states that many undocumented workers have built homes and lives with their families in Canada, including many who have Canadian-born children who would be unfairly burdened by the deportation of their parents. Therefore, the petitioners call upon Parliament to immediately halt the deportation of undocumented workers and to find a humane and logical solution for their situation.

Child Care

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present a petition signed by a number of people who are concerned about the government's plan, or what the petitioners consider to be no plan, for child care. The petitioners state, among other things, that 70% of women with children under the age of six are employed, that a taxable $100 a month allowance amounts to a child benefit and will not establish new child care spaces, and that child care is an everyday necessity in the country. The petitioners are calling upon the Prime Minister and the government to honour the early learning and child care agreement.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.