Debates of May 18th, 2006

Aboriginal Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the important role that the friendship centres play for our aboriginal community in our cities.

That is why I am pleased to announce today that we have made a four year commitment for $77 million to the National Association of Friendship Centres. This will provide the centres with the long term stability that they need, which was previously lacking with the former government. In fact the executive director has said, “It represents a significant commitment.... We are also encouraged that the minister has agreed to work with us on addressing the long term sustainability of friendship centres”.

The Environment

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

Mr. Speaker, this past winter, hundreds of trucks bound for Victor Diamond Mine could not reach the site because there was no ice on the James Bay. Twenty years ago that would have been unimaginable. That is now a fact of life.

All across the Nishnawbe Aski Nation we are facing the economic impacts of global warming. We want action. We want commitments. We want stewardship. Instead we have a cheerleader for big oil and gas.

Since the environment minister is so clearly unwilling to stand up and fight for the environment, will her government at least pick up the economic tab for the cost that is impacting our northern regions?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that our plan will make sure that it is sensible and that we do not spend the good taxpayers' dollars that could be spent in the north on international emissions credits that will see no reductions in greenhouse gases here at home. We will invest in Canadian communities, including northern communities.

Just to highlight some of the comments by some of the Liberal members, it was the member for Etobicoke North, when faced with needing to vote for Kyoto, who said, “If I had my druthers, I would not, but the reality is the Prime Minister needs the votes”. Then he said, “I am just concerned that the Kyoto accord may not be the vehicle--”

[The Deputy Speaker, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

The hon. member for Timmins--James Bay.

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

Mr. Speaker, before there were five priorities, there was one priority, and that was to build a firewall around Alberta's oil and gas industry. That firewall is the minister. Ask her about the environment and we get these ramblings about the Liberals or about economic ruin. Ask her to take a role on the international stage and she will cut and run.

I am asking her to be honest with Canadians and tell Canada that she has no plan other than something that was cooked up in a Calgary boardroom.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, in regard to our international commitments, I am proud to tell the House that yesterday Japan endorsed our position, as did Norway and New Zealand. When the hon. member insults my position, the Prime Minister's position and this government's position, I want to remind him that he is also insulting some of our key international partners.

Human Resources and Social Development

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

Mr. Speaker, millions of Canadians make invaluable contributions to our society every day by helping to care for their elderly, ill or disabled friends or relatives. The previous Liberal government created an EI compassionate care benefit, a caregiver tax credit, and committed to invest $5 billion over five years to develop a national caregiver agenda.

The current government has been completely silent on this issue. Would the human resources minister tell this House why the government is abandoning unpaid caregivers?

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

Mr. Speaker, we have in no way abandoned the program for compassionate care. I cannot understand why the hon. member would want to mislead Canadians into believing that.

Access to Information

[Rob Merrifield, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, under the proposed federal accountability act, Canada's new government wants to bring the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation under the Access to Information Act. This is an important move toward implementing more accountability.

Would the President of the Treasury Board tell the House how he is planning to balance accountability, while ensuring the freedom of the press?

[John Baird, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, the government wants more accountability. The government wants more transparency.

What the Information Commissioner wants CBC journalists and reporters to do is to turn over all their notes on journalistic sources and interviews to him for him to decide if they should be made public.

The government wants more accountability, but it will not support this attack on the independence of journalistic integrity.

[The Deputy Speaker, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

Order please. May I remind hon. members that the order adopted last week calls for us to adjourn the House at noon today until tomorrow at 10 a.m. Therefore, I would invite all hon. members to hold on to their points of order and questions of privilege until tomorrow.

I thank all hon. members for their collaboration in this regard.

It being 12 noon, pursuant to order made on Friday, May 5 the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 12 p.m.)