Debates of June 14th, 2006

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. members for Battlefords—Lloydminster, Edmonton Centre, and Souris—Moose Mountain, in trio.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Pancreatic Cancer Research

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in June 2004, former Argonaut Dick Aldridge suddenly passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 63. His wife, Betty Aldridge, a constituent and local councillor in my riding of Simcoe--Grey, created the Dick Aldridge Pancreatic Cancer Foundation to further the awareness of funding for pancreatic cancer research. On July 25, Betty will host the second annual Dick Aldridge golf classic and hopes to surpass the $50,000 raised in last year's tournament.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of death related to cancer, both for men and for women, in Canada and the U.S.A. The disease is not only common but extremely difficult to treat. For these and other reasons, cancer of the pancreas has been called the challenge of the 21st century.

That is why it is important we raise awareness of this deadly disease. In commemoration of Dick Aldridge, I would like to designate the month of November as national pancreatic cancer awareness month. Through prevention and research, we will find a cure.

Government Policies

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

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives say Canadians voted for change. Then why are so many of their initiatives based on successful Liberal ideas?

In this spirit, I would like to thank the Conservatives for endorsing the following Liberal achievements:

By re-announcing the $755 million package for grains and oilseeds producers.

By re-introducing Liberal amendments to the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act.

By supporting the Liberal municipal rural infrastructure fund.

By implementing the Liberal residential schools agreement and accepting the Liberal government's good faith agreement to fast track payments to elderly survivors.

By implementing the Liberal campaign pledge to increase the $1,000 refundable medical expense supplement.

And by implementing the Liberal campaign pledge to raise the child disability benefit to $2,300.

Seven Liberal policies adopted by the Conservatives and not one word of thanks.

Lac Saint-Pierre

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week I tabled in this chamber a petition signed by people from many regions of Quebec. They are asking the federal government to assume its responsibilities and take action to remove the 300,000 shells, 8,000 of them unexploded, that have been abandoned by National Defence in Lac Saint-Pierre, which UNESCO has designated a world biosphere reserve.

The federal government must correct its errors, especially since the local communities wish to take charge of sustainable development of the UNESCO world biosphere reserve. However, in recent years the Department of National Defence has adopted a piecemeal, often improvised approach.

The Bloc Québécois urges the Minister of National Defence to table without delay a specific plan with a detailed timetable that will result in the full recovery of these shells.

Elder Abuse

[Chris Charlton, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge this House to join governments around the world in combating the hidden crime of elder abuse. It can come in the form of neglect and physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse. It can take place at home, in an institutional setting or in the community.

It affects our parents and grandparents, yet it often goes unreported. It is for this reason that awareness-raising is a crucial component of preventing the abuse and neglect of older persons. I contacted the Minister of Canadian Heritage asking her to support the commitment made under the United Nations international plan of action by proclaiming June 15 elder abuse awareness day here in Canada. She declined. I was absolutely shocked.

During the last election, the Conservative Party promised to protect seniors against elder abuse in all of its forms. I had hoped the government would now walk the walk.

In other parts of the world, Elder Abuse Awareness Day is tomorrow. It is not too late for us to do the right thing here. I have placed the appropriate proclamation motion on the order paper. I would urge my colleagues on all sides of the House to put partisanship aside and join me in supporting this vital first step in protecting our seniors.

Alberta Arts and Culture

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, more than a million Americans, along with U.S. politicians, senior government officials and industry leaders, will get a close-up look at Alberta's beauty, diversity and opportunity this summer when Alberta is featured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.

This marks the first time that a Canadian province has been featured in the 40 year history of this festival. From June 30 to July 11, more than 150 Albertans will bring Alberta to life at the National Mall.

I am pleased that four people I know of from the riding of Macleod will be participating. I wish Hal Eagletail, Ian Tyson, Jenny Burke and Doris Daley the best of luck. I know they will be great ambassadors for the people of Macleod and for Alberta.

Government Policies

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are so enamoured with what the Liberal Party proposes that they are hastening to adopt our ideas. Here are some other examples.

They have created an earned income tax benefit to encourage low-income citizens to re-enter the labour market: this was a Liberal commitment.

They have restored the tax credit for mineral exploration: that was another of our ideas.

They have implemented the deduction for depreciation applicable to renewable energy generation equipment or enhanced performance of fossil fuels. Guess where that came from.

They have picked up the lifetime capital gains tax exemption for small businesses and fishers: another of our ideas.

They have permitted the tax-free intergenerational rollover of fishing businesses: an excellent Liberal idea.

In the 2006 budget, they were inspired by our announcement to double the lifetime capital gains exemption for fishers.

These are six Liberal initiatives adopted by the Conservatives. They might at least thank us for them.

Volunteerism

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on May 27, six students turned the sod in front of community supporters of the Thousand Islands Secondary School community track project in Brockville in my riding of Leeds--Grenville. The track will be a one-of-a-kind venue. It will enable TISS to host high level meets and major competitions.

The fundraising committee surpassed its original goal to raise a million dollars by better than 20%. To be thanked especially are David and Ann Beatty, Don and Shirley Green, DLK Insurance Brokers, Jan Shroy of Procter & Gamble, Burnbrae Farms, and the Upper Canada District School Board.

This project has been a terrific example of a community coming together to deliver a project that is both worthwhile and needed. I salute the group of volunteers, led by co-chairs Mary Jean McFall and Steve Clark, as well as principal Arlie Kirkland, who worked tirelessly to bring this project together.

Firearms' Registry

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in a letter to the Prime Minister, the Maison des femmes de Drummondville women's centre expressed support for registering any and all firearms. In its opinion, because of the efficiency of the gun registry and the Firearms Act, the number of women killed with guns has dropped by 67% from 1991 to 2002. On average, the gun registry database receives 6,500 hits a day from police.

It is more than ever essential that the government toss aside its dogmatic attitude and work together with the various organizations and individuals concerned with greater safety for women and the public in general.

Like millions of people across Quebec and Canada, the Maison des femmes de Drummondville is calling on the Prime Minister to commit to combat violence and, to that end, maintain the requirement to register all firearms.

Volunteerism

[David Sweet, Conservative, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in December 2004 the world witnessed the devastating effects of an earthquake under the Indian Ocean and its subsequent fury unleashed in a tsunami. Many countries felt the devastation of this tsunami. In Sri Lanka, tens of thousands lost their lives and millions were displaced.

The ray of hope and good that came out of this devastation is that so many valiant, humanitarian-minded Canadians helped victims financially and in the rebuilding. This includes a dedicated group from McMaster University in the riding I represent, which set up a voluntary organization called Relief Aid International. Faculty and students got involved with fundraising and purchasing property in Sri Lanka. Their development and building includes a new village for those most vulnerable who find it difficult to obtain care: women and children.

Today we are fortunate to have some of the leaders of Relief Aid International here with us. I invite my fellow members to join us at a reception later this afternoon to hear more about the work Relief Aid International continues to do for those less fortunate.

Government Policies

[Yasmin Ratansi, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, here is a list of additional Liberal ideas that the Conservatives have endorsed:

Tabling Bill C-14, an act to amend the Citizenship Act with respect to adoption, a Liberal bill.

Launching the off campus work permit program for foreign students, based on the successful Liberal pilot project originally launched in April 2005.

Introducing Bill C-12, the Liberal emergency management act.

Introducing a Liberal bill to amend the National Defence Act.

Introducing Bill C-6, which builds on three years of Liberal consultations.

And integrating Liberal whistleblower legislation into Bill C-2, which makes up the bulk of this new legislation.

These are six more Liberal policies adopted by the Conservatives and not a word of thanks.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after years of waste, corruption and mismanagement, the opposition has the nerve to attack Conservative cabinet ministers who have followed the rules.

The previous Liberal leader raised serious questions about his involvement in files that directly affected his own company, Canada Steamship Lines. The Liberals had no problem with the $160 million they handed over to the member for LaSalle—Émard's multi-million dollar company. They saw no problem with the former member for Vancouver South and his direct involvement in the negotiations for a transit line, despite the fact that he owned his own transportation company. They saw no problem with the member for Newmarket—Aurora's involvement with her own company despite possible conflicts of interest when she joined cabinet.

The Liberals' current leader said just yesterday, “I can't be expected to know what every single person in the House of Commons did in terms of the Ethics Commissioner”. Before launching baseless attacks against the government, maybe the Liberal leader should check in with his own caucus.

Nova Scotia Politicians

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the federal New Democratic Party, I wish to extend our condolences to the family and friends and to the Conservative Party on the passing of the great Senator Mike Forrestall.

Senator Mike Forrestall served this country, this House and the other place, and the province of Nova Scotia with great distinction.

I would also like to congratulate Premier Rodney MacDonald and Francis MacKenzie on their elections yesterday in Nova Scotia. But the night truly belonged to Darrell Dexter and the NDP. The NDP won 20 seats, seats in Queens, Shelburne, in the capital district, in the Pictou area and in Cape Breton, with people of diversity and more women in the NDP caucus than in the other caucuses.

This is a party in Nova Scotia that is on the move. In fact, the Chronical-Herald said that we are the government in waiting. When that day comes, it will be a glorious day in Nova Scotia.

Government Policies

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, here are more Liberal initiatives that have been lifted by the Conservatives.

The Conservatives have acted as if the ten-year plan to strengthen health care developed by the Liberals was part of their program.

They have introduced Bill C-5, to establish the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is a carbon copy of former Bill C-75 introduced by the Liberals.

In budget 2006, they earmarked the $5.5 billion the Liberals planned to allocate to reducing wait times in hospitals.

They have announced an investment of $10 million in the Terry Fox Foundation, which the Liberals had previously offered to the mother and brother of Terry Fox.

They have credited their party with the successful implementation of the Canadian pandemic influenza plan launched by the Liberals in 2005.

These are five Liberal initiatives that the Conservatives have made their own without a word of thanks.

Claude Saint-Jean

[Carole Freeman, Bloc, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we are saddened to learn of the death of Claude Saint-Jean, the founder of the Canadian Association for Friedreich's Ataxia, now known as the Canadian Association for Familial Ataxias.

In 1972, Mr. Saint-Jean learned that he suffered from this progressive genetic disorder. He created the Fondation Claude-Saint-Jean, which collected millions of dollars to fund scientific research and thus discover that there were different forms of ataxia.

Together, science and the tenacity of Claude Saint-Jean led to the discovery that ataxia is a symptom, and not a specific disease; it is characterized by impaired coordination among the parts of the human body. This physical condition progresses inexorably and cannot be arrested.

Claude Saint-Jean put a face on Friedreich's ataxia. He exhibited uncommon courage and phenomenal perseverance in his efforts to relieve the suffering of people with ataxia.

Claude Saint-Jean is gone, but his work will continue. The Bloc Québécois offers its deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Government Policies

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

Mr. Speaker, I too would like to thank the Conservatives for endorsing Liberal ideas by promising to honour the Liberal funding for the human rights museum in Winnipeg; by renewing the Norad agreement which builds on Liberal legwork; by continuing the Liberal commitment on funding for the new deal for cities and communities; by accepting the Liberals' national target of 5% renewable biofuel content in Canadian gas and diesel fuel; by using a Liberal government guide to propose a national security committee of parliamentarians; by using a Liberal bill which received royal assent in 1998 as the building block for Bill C-7.

Last but certainly not least, I thank the Conservatives for taking eight consecutive Liberal balanced budgets and introducing the first Conservative balanced budget in 80 years.

There has not been a word of thanks from the Conservatives.

Decorum

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday some members raised a concern about some gestures that they alleged I had made in the House of Commons at that time. I wish to say, as I am a gentleman of this House, that if any of my gestures have offended them or any member in this House, I wish to apologize and withdraw.

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Precisely, Mr. Speaker, it was regrettable that last night all of us in the House witnessed members of the Conservative caucus acting in a totally unacceptable manner. We raise the matter today because these actions were not simply insulting to Parliament, but showed contempt and disrespect for all Canadians in this institution.

The obscene gestures made in the House by the parliamentary secretaries for agriculture and the Treasury Board reveal an attitude that is an insult to our democracy and to the Canadian people who sent us here to do serious work.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I would call upon the Prime Minister to either direct his colleagues to apologize unequivocally, or does he condone these actions?

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question. Both members did apologize. It is true that from time to time members on both sides of this place do get carried away, and it is appropriate when they do so to apologize.

I find it strange that there is nothing else for the Leader of the Opposition to ask questions about than gestures that have already been apologized for. Perhaps that is because he does not want to ask a question about a government that is keeping its promise and that has already delivered the lowest unemployment rate in Canada in 32 years.

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that is all well and good, but a picture is worth a thousand words. The image of the parliamentary secretary giving farmers the finger speaks volumes about this government’s contempt for farming and its attitude toward this House.

I therefore again ask the Prime Minister to denounce this insult to our farmers and direct the parliamentary secretary to apologize for what he did yesterday, which was unworthy of this House.

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

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat it in French: both members have apologized for this, and that is the end of the matter. The Speaker accepted the parliamentary secretary’s apology last night.

I would like to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question: when will he apologize for voting against mandatory minimum sentences for criminals who use firearms?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, since the hon. members opposite seem to believe that what they said is acceptable to the Canadian public, perhaps you might ask that your dignities and privileges as the Speaker of the House be protected, because the Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board last night was making ridiculous comments in your respect and mocking you, Mr. Speaker, and with you, the dignity of the members of the House and every Canadian citizen that sent us here to respect our democracy.

When you are doing that, Mr. Speaker, you might speak up on behalf of the dignity of the House, since the members opposite will not do that.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The Chair appreciates the concern of the Leader of the Opposition. I stress question period is for opposition to government, not either party or anybody to the Speaker.

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.

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

Mr. Speaker, we have enough confidence in you. We know that you do not need the government to stand up for you. You do a very good job in the Chair and we support you fully.

As it relates to decorum, those two members have apologized for their gestures. We are still waiting for an apology from the member for Bourassa for waving a box of chocolates around the House.

The reality is that all members should work together to improve decorum in a fashion that we are not seeing from the opposition right now.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. The member for Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière did not apologize. He said that we had misinterpreted his vulgar, crass and uncouth gesture.

As well, he is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food and he voted against the measures that protect Canada’s dairy farmers. When he voted, he gave the finger to all members, to all Canadian dairy farmers, and to supply management. This is disgraceful. He should apologize. The Prime Minister should dismiss him immediately.