House of Commons Hansard #39 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was adoption.
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Speaker, the government, which talks so much about industry support, is abandoning the industry completely. That is what is unacceptable.
Why is the government refusing to grant loan guarantees to the forestry industry when that is the solution while we wait for a final agreement to be reached? Is it going to let the companies die with no agreement?
Colin Carrie ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, as I said, we are working on guaranteeing the industry, not guaranteeing loans. As this moves forward, we are very confident that we are going to have a great agreement for the Canadian softwood lumber industry and a great agreement for all Canadians.
Vivian Barbot Bloc Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, regarding the Canadian Forces' lack of compliance with the Official Languages Act, the Minister of National Defence attempted yesterday to justify the Canadian Forces' practices, which have been criticized by the Commissioner of Official Languages.
Does the Minister of National Defence not feel that he is in a very delicate position since, starting in the 1980s, he held senior positions in the Canadian Forces that require bilingualism, when he is clearly not bilingual?
Gordon O'Connor ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I do not understand the purpose of the question from the member opposite.
However, the Canadian Forces will be developing an official languages plan. It will be out within the next two months and will meet all the needs of the Canadian Forces and the language commissioner.
Vivian Barbot Bloc Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister stated, and I quote: “In fact, in the military, francophones are represented in a higher proportion than in the overall population”.
How can the minister say that francophones are represented in a higher proportion in the military and justify that 68% of positions designated as bilingual are held by anglophones who are not bilingual? Does he not realize that his statement makes the situation even worse than what has been criticized?
Gordon O'Connor ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, as I said before, a strategic plan will be coming out to adjust positions and identify bilingual positions in the Canadian Forces. When this adjustment comes out, I think members will find a dramatic improvement in the defence department.
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians from coast to coast are waiting for doctors in emergency rooms, waiting for home care services, waiting for a national pharmaceutical strategy, and waiting for CT scans and MRIs. Meanwhile, the only thing that the minister is waiting for is his next dividend cheque from his drug company. Owning a drug company, when the health minister is responsible for the drug approval process in this country, is a conflict of interest.
Canadians want to know, when will this minister do the right thing, stop waiting, and sell his shares in his drug company?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, that is a nasty comment by the hon. member. She should be ashamed of herself. She should be applauding individuals like this who have effortlessly served Canada. She should withdraw her question.
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, the person who should be ashamed is the minister, who is letting his mouthpiece do the talking.
In the last five months the minister has put forward no plan to ensure that wait times are reduced in this country. He has taken no action to ensure that Canadians receive safe and affordable access to medications.
Why can the minister not stand and admit that his ownership in a drug company is compromising his ability to do his job? Let the minister plan to get to work and introduce a national pharmaceutical strategy.
Rob Nicholson ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health's ethical commitment to this province, to this country, and to the Crown is second to none. Any members who question that should be ashamed of themselves.
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage is responsible for the Canadian Television Fund to which the government and Canadian companies allocate funding to television producers to develop original programming. One such content producer, which has in the past benefited from the Canadian Television Fund grant, is Alliance Productions Limited.
According to documents filed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage with the Ethics Commissioner, she holds a financial interest in Alliance Productions Limited.
Is the minister not in a conflict of interest?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker--
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order. Despite the popularity enjoyed by the government House leader in the House, we must have some order so that we can hear his response to the question that was asked.
Rob Nicholson Conservative Niagara Falls, ON
Mr. Speaker, nothing could make me more proud than to stand with my colleagues on this side on the question of ethical behaviour. We have nothing to learn from the Liberal Party.
I suggest the Liberals look at themselves in the mirror and be ashamed of the way they conducted government in this country. We have nothing to apologize for.
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, he is absolutely correct, the Conservatives have learned nothing.
There is a reoccuring theme when it comes to conflict of interest. The Minister of Canadian Heritage is responsible for the Canadian Television Fund. Does the minister recognize that every time Alliance Productions Limited obtains funding from the government, it appears as though she is using taxpayers dollars to enrich herself?
My question is simple. Does the minister plan to disqualify Alliance Productions Limited from receiving any government funding as long as she remains the Minister of Canadian Heritage?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker--
Rob Nicholson Conservative Niagara Falls, ON
Mr. Speaker, my colleague has made a complete disclosure to the Ethics Commissioner and has followed all the rules. But if the hon. member wants to get upset about it, why does he not talk to one of his colleagues who has been hitting up kids for donations down in Toronto? Why does he not talk to him?
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, for years the previous Liberal governments refused to do the right thing by apologizing for the Chinese head tax. In the Speech from the Throne, Canada's new government committed to an act in Parliament to offer an apology for the Chinese head tax.
Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage inform the House when this historic apology will take place?
Bev Oda ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign, the Prime Minister committed to working with the entire Chinese Canadian community to establish consensus for reconciliation and redress.
We have kept our word by holding an unprecedented series of grassroots national consultations on redress. I want to thank all of those who participated.
I am pleased to announce that the Prime Minister will keep his word by righting this historical wrong when he makes the formal apology in this House on Thursday, June 22.
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians demand nothing less than a totally safe transportation system. Yesterday, four Air Canada Jazz mechanics were suspended for daring to reveal the fact that roughly once a week a Jazz plane flies with serious mechanical irregularities. In the meantime, the minister wants to eliminate all transparency and give the airlines carte blanche. It is unbelievable.
Will the minister change his policy and withdraw Bill C-6?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague mentioned, I was indeed informed of this situation this morning. Transport Canada officials are verifying whether these allegations are founded. If so, we will see to taking the appropriate action.
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
It is clear, Mr. Speaker, with that minister, it is safety last.
We learned last week that more than 80,000 Canadians have been put at risk over the last five years due to near misses. Fatal aircraft accidents have increased almost 50% in Canada. What is the response from the minister? More secrecy, less responsibility and fewer flight attendants to evacuate passengers in an emergency. It is unbelievable.
Canadians want to see better flight standards, not this foolish attempt to push lower American standards.
Will the minister commit today to reject this irresponsible plan to reduce flight attendants and the margin of safety on Canadian flights?