Debates of June 14th, 2006

Employment Insurance

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

Mr. Speaker, there was never any doubt that we were going to move forward with this program. We said we would do it and we delivered on it: promise made, promise kept.

National Defence

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is defending the decision by his defence minister to override military experts and spend multi-billions of dollars on C-17s that our military does not want, and are of no benefit to Canadian industry. Furthermore, he has no problem with a former military lobbyist making this decision for an estimated $20 billion in total military purchases, even though during the last election the Prime Minister said himself that it would represent a clear conflict.

Which is it? Is the Prime Minister selling out Canadian interests and ignoring military advice for his lobbyist friend, or does he think that shafting Canadian industry will win him more Republican friends?

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

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where to start with that outrageous question.

The government has not made any decision with respect to equipment. When the government makes a decision, it will be announced to the public.

With respect to the second issue, it is like that member is on some kind of closed loop. The answer to the question is this. I followed all the rules in the past, I am following all the rules now and I will be following all the rules in the future.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think the minister should start by resigning. I do not know how stupid those members think Canadians are, but they made a military lobbyist a defence minister, allowed him to award contracts to his previous employers and then had the audacity to call it accountability.

Let me remind the House what the Prime Minister said on CBC Newsworld during the last election. He said, “--to correct [the Minister of National Defence]...we won't be making the selection ourself...of the actual equipment. And as you know, for all kinds of conflict of interest reasons, we'll want to stay out of those kinds of things”.

Will the Prime Minister for once do as he says and remove that conflict laden lobbyist from his portfolio?

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

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to refer to who is actually stupid here.

The previous government allowed the military to decay year after year for 13 years. It acquired three major pieces of equipment. We are now picking up the pieces. We are going to provide the military with what it needs so it can get on with protecting our sovereignty and our security.

[Jean Lapierre, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Minister of National Defence.

We know that the Boeing C-17 planes are not the military personnel's choice or priority. We know that this does not serve the interest of Canadians, since it is the Americans who will build and service the planes.

What is the hidden agenda? Is this another gift from the Prime Minister to President Bush in order to buy his friendship?

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

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite obviously does not know much. The government has not decided on any equipment. When it decides on the equipment, it will be announced to the public.

I will also remind the member that, during our campaign, we promised to acquire strategic and tactical airlift.

[Jean Lapierre, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since the Americans would have full control over servicing these planes, what would happen if, for example, we wanted to take on a mission in Cuba or Venezuela? Could the Americans then decide not to service our equipment because they do not like the destination?

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

Mr. Speaker, that is downright silly. Whatever equipment the Canadian Forces acquires will be owned by the Canadian Forces, managed by the Canadian Forces and employed by the Canadian Forces. The hypothetical situation that the member opposite has created is just pure bafflegab.

Health

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the question of nitric oxide treatment, the Minister of Health said yesterday that it was impossible for him to raise the question with the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. I read him section 90 of the Patent Act: “The Board shall inquire into any matter that the Minister refers to the Board for inquiry and shall report to the Minister at the time and in accordance with the terms of reference established by the Minister.”

The minister really cannot pretend that this section does not exist. Can he at least acknowledge that he may raise the question with the board?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I will give the same answer as yesterday. I would like to tell this House that the board is an independent body with quasi-judicial powers. In this House, I cannot get involved.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to have the section translated and send it to him. Then he may be able to understand this better.

Yesterday, the minister claimed that the board has the power to determine whether the price of a drug is excessive. In such case, it is within the power of the board to require that the price be reduced.

Does the minister not think that a 400% increase in the price of nitric oxide in the space of a few months is excessive? Why is he refusing to use the provisions of section 90 to request an inquiry?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear, on reading section 90, that the minister does not have the power to demand an answer to a regulatory question or to demand an opinion regarding drug prices.

It is a quasi-judicial agency. It is an independent body. From this side of the House, it is impossible for me to raise this question with the board.

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

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

Mr. Speaker, the part-time minister for ACOA is once again talking nonsense. He recently stated that in future, opposition members who approached him for investments in their ridings would have to register as lobbyists. I have never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. The members of this House are elected by their constituents primarily to promote the interests of those constituents.

When will the Prime Minister tell his minister that no member of this House will have to register as a lobbyist to do the work he or she was elected to do?

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

Mr. Speaker, when we are talking about foolish questions, certainly that is one. The member knows full well that members do not have to register to ask for money from ACOA.

Just this morning I announced a grant of $243,000 for a Newfoundland riding, the riding held by the member for Random—Burin—St. George's. I do not hear anyone complaining about that.

Taxation

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the candidates for the leadership of the Liberal Party take opposing views on taxation. Our government promised to reduce the GST. The opposition members supported that measure by voting for the budget. However, the member for Saint-Laurent—Cartierville is now proposing to raise the GST. It is unbelievable.

Can the Minister of Finance explain to the member why this is a wrong-headed move and why reducing the GST benefits Canadians?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, finally a good question about a happy subject for Canadians, reducing taxes for all Canadians by reducing the GST by a full percentage point.

I know the members opposite are probably the last members in Canada of the save the GST club. They are hanging on. They only have another week or so until we get to that great day, July 1, Canada Day, when the GST will be reduced by a full percentage point for all Canadians, including the one-third of Canadians who do not pay income tax. It is truly a tax reduction for every Canadian.

We are keeping our commitment to Canadians.

Health

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a study released today reveals that fast foods sold in Canada contain some of the highest trans fat content in the world. In a media survey published today, one cardiologist from Denmark said, “I was surprised to find so many foods in Canada with such high levels of trans fats”.

So was I, considering that over a year and a half ago in this House an NDP motion was adopted that would see trans fats eliminated in Canada.

The government talks about upholding the will of the House. When it comes to trans fats, when will the government do just that?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge what happened a couple of years ago in this place. I understand at the time the member for Winnipeg Centre forged a coalition in the House to put a resolution forward. Since that time there has been a multi-stakeholder task force that has been reviewing the issue and reviewing the science. When the review is complete and the science is before us, then we can make a decision.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP motion to ban trans fats was adopted with all party support, including 18 members of the now governing party.

The studies have been done. The consumption of just five grams of trans fats a day increases the risk of heart disease by almost 20%. Labelling does not work. Voluntary measures, as we have seen under the Liberals for 13 years, do not work.

Will the government commit to take action on the motion adopted by the House and ban trans fats for the health of our nation?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her advice. It is important to us but we also require the advice of scientists. We are also reviewing best practices in other jurisdictions. When we have a strategy that we think will protect the health and safety of Canadians we will table it in the House.

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Mr. Speaker, my question concerns ACOA and I guess my question will be for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. I think we are on our fourth minister of ACOA at this point.

The minister wants to stop MPs from representing our constituents. I will again cite the article that suggests we here in opposition must register as lobbyists just to get a chance to talk to him.

The Conservatives can muzzle their own members and attempt to muzzle the media but they will not muzzle us in this situation.

Will the part time minister apologize to all members of the House that their access will not be eliminated in ACOA?

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

Mr. Speaker, with the representation the member has given his riding on the main issues, the people of his riding will be the ones to muzzle him in the next election.

The member does not have to worry about that. He just heard the announcement I made on behalf of his friend and colleague in Random—Burin—St. George's and maybe he should line up like the others and ask what more funding they are getting. He will find out that we treat everybody fairly. Just because some members do not sit on this side of the House does not mean they do not get their fair share.

National Revenue

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of meeting with representatives of the New Brunswick Teachers' Federation a few weeks ago. We discussed the refund of the GST overpayment that the federation had made. The federation has asked that these funds be reimbursed.

I agree with the federation that this matter needs to be settled immediately.

Could the Minister of National Revenue tell us if she has made a decision about reimbursing these funds?

[Carol Skelton, Conservative, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, the New Brunswick Teachers' Federation paid GST in error to the government. The issue remained unresolved for over two years under the Liberals.

I am proud to say that it was addressed immediately by this government. A remission order has been approved by cabinet in this case and, after careful review, the government will be returning over $273,000 to the New Brunswick teachers.