Debates of Oct. 19th, 2007

Aboriginal Education

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, two men went on a hunger fast in Thunder Bay to protest INAC's foot dragging over kids' education. Since the 1980s there has been no per capita increase for on-reserve K to 12 education.

INAC's spending authority to pay for education expires on March 31. The new job opportunities that the Prime Minister promised will not happen if education is not fully funded.

This week First Nations Technical Institute will have its budget cut by 65% forcing the school to shut down most of its programs. There have been over 2,000 graduates from FNTI. The federal government pays 48% of the costs for Ontario universities but it is telling FNTI to find more private sector funding because paying 27% of the costs for first nations students is too high.

The government is going in the wrong direction on lifelong learning for aboriginal people. Tell band councils now if the discrimination against first nations children will continue or will the government fully fund indigenous education? Tell band councils now.

Voter Turnout

[Myron Thompson, Conservative, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Remembrance Day is fast approaching and I would like to honour all members of our armed forces who fought the battles of yesterday and to those currently deployed around the world for protecting the rights and freedoms we enjoy.

One of the most important freedoms is the right to vote. When we say that soldiers have died to give us this right, it is more than just words, it is a fact. This is why I am very disappointed that in recent municipal elections in Alberta voter turnout was approximately 28%. Similar voter turnouts are seen throughout the country. Just last week in the Ontario provincial election only 52% of the people who were eligible voted, thereby setting a record for the lowest voter turnout in Ontario's history.

Many have said that lower voter turnout is the result of growing cynicism of our political process. I say that it is an absolute insult to those who have died and to those who continue to fight to ensure that this freedom is preserved.

If we truly want to honour our veterans of the past and our soldiers of today, we should take the five minutes to mark a ballot on every election day.

Youth Justice

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

Mr. Speaker, I had an open meeting in my riding last Tuesday evening. I invited constituents to come in and tell me what their priorities were for this Parliament. We talked about a lot of things.

At that meeting, two parents whose sons had been severely beaten spoke about their situation. They did so in a very even-handed and personal way. They want changes made to the Youth Criminal Justice Act and they have a right to expect those changes. My community has had more than its share of violent incidents involving youth and I support that changes should be made.

Justice Merlin Nunn last year released a comprehensive report on youth justice. In that report he called for changes to the Youth Criminal Justice Act as it refers to repeat offenders. The government should listen and act accordingly. It should also take into account that Justice Nunn believes that the Youth Criminal Justice Act is, on the whole, a very sound piece of legislation.

We need to invest in community support for child care, mental health services and other pieces of our social infrastructure, and we should not abandon rehabilitation, but I do believe that citizens have a right to feel secure in their homes, on their streets and in their schools.

Youth justice can work. We need to recognize its flaws and get them fixed.

Afghanistan

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is in Afghanistan along with 60 other nations and international organizations as part of a UN sanctioned mission to help build a stable, democratic and self-sustaining society.

Canada has shown leadership by committing development assistance and deploying diplomats, development workers, troops and civilian police to help the Afghan government secure a better future for its people.

Canadians understand that without security there can be no humanitarian aid, no reconstruction and no democratic development.

The Canadian approach focuses on enabling Afghan leadership. Through training, including training of the Afghan national police and army, we are passing on skills that will allow Afghanistan to progressively assume responsibility for defending its sovereignty. This will not be completed by February 2009, but we believe this objective should be achievable by 2011. That is why the government has appointed an independent panel to advise Canadians on how best to proceed, given these considerations.

Pierre Vercheval

[Luc Malo, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on September 14, Pierre Vercheval became the first francophone Quebecker to be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. After retiring from professional sports, he started a prolific career as a commentator, and since 2002, has been a special adviser to Laval University's Rouge et Or sports team.

A well-known fan favourite, Pierre Vercheval is used to setting records. Nearly 20 years ago, he participated in a training camp for an NFL team, a first for a Quebec athlete. At the end of his career, Vercheval had 212 CFL games under his belt, another first for a Quebecker, had won two Grey Cups and had been named all-star offensive lineman.

Pierre Vercheval paved the way for a generation of Quebec football players. Today, there are about 30 of them in the CFL. For them, and for the many football fans in Quebec, he is a true role model. On behalf of my Bloc Québécois colleagues, I would like to congratulate him.

The Arctic

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic is a fundamental part of Canada's history. It is central to our national identity. That is why the Government of Canada is developing an integrated northern strategy that, among other things, strengthens Canada's sovereignty.

To deliver on the international dimensions of the strategy, we will ensure that Canada remains a world leader in the regulation of both shipping and the environment in the Arctic.

This government will also complete a comprehensive mapping of Canada's Arctic seabed extending beyond the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The submission is due in 2013 and is intended to confirm, based on the scientific and technical criteria of UNCLOS, the extent of the area over which Canada has sovereign rights to its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.

By focusing on Canada's Arctic and standing up for our sovereignty, we have sent an important message to the world: Canada is back as a credible player on the international stage.

Status of Women

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate a constituent who has earned the prestigious Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case.

Dr. Wendy Robbins of the University of New Brunswick has been recognized for her contributions toward equality for women. She co-founded the women's studies interdisciplinary program at UNB and was research director of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She also co-founded the Coalition for Pay Equity in New Brunswick.

Dr. Robbins helped cause the Government of Canada to open up the Canada research chairs program for more women, aboriginals, minorities and persons with disabilities.

After receiving the award, Dr. Robbins commented that the women's rights movement is going backwards as a result of the wrong-headed policies of the government.

Dr. Robbins is a dynamic individual who speaks with great credibility. She has demonstrated a great sense of social justice. Canada is blessed to have committed, energetic people like Dr. Wendy Robbins making a difference in Canada.

Andrée Boucher

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when Mayor Boucher passed away in August, the Quebec City region lost a great woman. Today, I would like to pay tribute to her.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, cousin, friend, schoolteacher, city councillor and mayor. She left an indelible mark on the Quebec City region. She went beyond politics to become a model for women who, like her, want to change things. She chose a path that, until recently, has been trodden mostly by men.

Today, we should pay tribute to this woman who was a pioneer in municipal politics. By turns funny and severe, she navigated challenging waters with great dignity. I will remember this captivating woman for her respect for the citizens of Quebec City and for being who she was with integrity and without apology. Farewell, Andrée Boucher.

Homelessness

[Denise Savoie, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to convey the growing chorus of voices in Victoria expressing concern about homelessness during this Homelessness Awareness Week. Obviously Ottawa needs some awareness.

Twelve hundred people in my region are homeless or on the verge of being homeless. Nine hundred and fifty-three families are on wait lists for social housing.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is leading a national charge for a federal housing first approach. Our downtown business association has vocally argued that part of the federal surplus should be invested in a national housing strategy.

The government this week said that its primary duty was the protection of its citizens. Well, it is time for the government to finally act on those words and show real political will to put an end to homelessness in Canada. The government must take action, not just words, but action.

Aung San Suu Kyi

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in granting honorary citizenship to Nobel Peace Laureate and imprisoned Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi, this House has recognized one of the great personifications of liberty, courage and moral authority in our time, indeed in any time. She is someone whom the Nobel Committee characterized as an outstanding example of the power of the powerless; who endured the assassination of Burmese independence leader General Aung San, her father; who herself survived an assassination attempt in which 100 of her supporters were murdered; who, as the democratically elected leader of Burma, has now spent 4,000 days under house arrest; who symbolizes the long march to freedom of our other honorary citizens; who is a metaphor and message of the heroism of the Burmese people and brutality of the Burmese dictatorship.

For what kind of government arrests a Nobel Peace Laureate and murders and tortures peaceful monks and students?

I trust that one day we will be able to honour Aung San Suu Kyi by welcoming our honorary citizen to Canada as the leader of a democratic and free Burma.

Quebec Waste Reduction Week

[Marcel Lussier, Bloc, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, October 14 to 21 is Quebec Waste Reduction Week in all areas of Quebec.

Action RE-buts, the official organizer of the week, is strongly urging the people of Quebec to participate in this major event and to think seriously, both collectively and individually, about how we produce waste and, more importantly, how we can reduce waste.

Basically, this week serves as a good opportunity to assess how we are managing in terms of reducing, reusing, recycling and composting, in an attempt to make small changes to our everyday actions. This could mean taking the time to re-evaluate our consumption needs, our use of packaging, how we dispose of electrical appliances and all products, and encouraging creative recycling.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all Quebeckers to get involved in Quebec Waste Reduction Week.

Conservative Party of Canada

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there is only one party in this House that is currently under three separate investigations for ethical lapses.

Only one party in this House is being investigated by Elections Canada for allegedly spending $1 million over the limit in the last election.

Only one party in this House is being investigated by the Privacy Commissioner for using government resources to build lists of Canadians based on ethnic affiliations.

Only one party is being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police for having its top level party insiders offer plum patronage appointments to entice someone to drop out of an election.

There is only one party that seems to be ready to say or do anything necessary to get elected no matter how many laws it has to break in the process. It is the Conservative Party and Canadian voters know it just cannot be trusted.

Seniors

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are so preoccupied with getting back into power they just do not know, or perhaps they just do not care, what is happening in the real world.

The member for Mississauga South introduced a motion on Wednesday calling for the creation of a secretary of state for seniors. Well the Prime Minister already did that last January.

In addition, the Conservative government delivered over $1 billion in tax relief to seniors, doubled their pension income credits, invested $10 million in the new horizons for seniors program, improved old age security, created a national seniors council, improved compassionate care benefit, and we will introduce identity theft legislation to protect Canadians, especially seniors, from scam artists.

In the throne speech, the Prime Minister made very clear our intentions to tackle elder abuse. Perhaps members of the Liberal Party should stop worrying about themselves just long enough to appreciate all the good this Conservative government has done and will continue to do for seniors.

Elections Canada

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Speaker, Elections Canada has found that the Conservatives cheated during the last election to the tune of $1.2 million. We know that this scandal germinated at Conservative Party headquarters since it was Conservative candidates who said so.

The Conservatives falsely brag about having paid for their publicity campaign with “clean money”, but it was candidates in Quebec who denounced this illegal trick that they had to play along with.

Why does the Prime Minister not have the courage to stand up in this House and explain his role in this scandal?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, it is beyond me what this has to do with the administration of government or government business. I do not know why, Mr. Speaker, you are allowing the question to be in order.

We have answered this a number of times. Everything that we have done in terms of our party financing activities has been legal and in accordance with the law.

I would appeal to you, Mr. Speaker, that you should apply the rules of this House as to what is actually government business and the administration of government.

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Speaker, we know this scheme goes to the very heart of the Conservative Party and of the government. Court documents prove the party's executive director knew about it. The party's chief financial agent knew about it. Tom Flanagan even brags about it.

Are we supposed to believe that Mr. control freak, the Prime Minister himself, was not in the loop? What is he afraid of? Why will he not stand in this House and explain his role and that of his staff in this scandal?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, I will restate my concern about whether this is in order.

I have heard a lot of questions from the other party on this. It appears that professor panic and his gang of divided desperadoes have been so busy trying to find hiding places this week that they have not been able to come up with any new questions. That means I do not have to come up with any new answers.

It is the same answer as we have always had, which is that we have followed the law in this regard and we will continue to do so.

[The Deputy Speaker, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

Just before I recognize the hon. member for Beauséjour, I would say that he is under some obligation to link this to the administration of government in the formulation of his question.

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Speaker, court documents clearly show that Mike Donison, the Director General of the Conservative Party, had a hand in this scandal every step of the way.

Instead of being punished, Mr. Donison was rewarded by being named senior advisor to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

Will the minister clean house in his own cabinet and ask Mr. Donison to apologize, while we wait for the Chief Electoral Officer to decide how he should be punished?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, I believe I stated yesterday that when one makes accusations about an individual that have potential consequences, one should be wary of that.

If the member is prepared to make those same allegations outside the House where he invites the consequences that come with making such an accusation, I would invite him to do so.

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

Mr. Speaker, we know the former executive director and the chief financial officer of the Conservative Party knew of this illicit ad buy scam. We know that 129 candidates and official agents knew because they signed the bogus rebates. They are the ones who tipped off Elections Canada.

The Minister for Democratic Reform should tell us what he knew about this money scam. If he thought it was legal, how come he did not participate in it?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, I will restate the same thing. Everything that we have done in our campaign finance activities has been entirely legal. We followed the law and we will continue to do that.

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

Mr. Speaker, in Quebec, this in and out trick was used with hundreds of thousands of dollars.

I want answers from the Quebec campaign manager, but that was Michael Fortier; he was not elected and he sits in the other place.

The Ontario campaign manager is here. Can the Minister of the Environment confirm that he was aware of this scam? If he thought it was legal, why did he not take part in it?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, all our campaign financing activities are entirely legal. They follow the law and they will continue to do that. It is very different than the other party.

In fact, I observed that there has been a big difference in Canada since our new government was elected. Under the Liberal government Canada fell in Transparency International's clean government index down to 14th spot.

Since this new government was elected we have started climbing back up to ninth spot on the world stage. We are seen as a less corrupt and better government.

Taxation

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, nearly two years after the Prime Minister made a promise in Quebec City during the election campaign, the fiscal imbalance still has not been corrected. Yet the Séguin Commission had identified the solutions to this problem: first, additional funding for the provinces; second, a new sharing of tax room; third, the elimination of federal spending power.

Will the Prime Minister finally stop playing with words, as he has done in the throne speech, and keep the promise he made on December 19, 2005 in response to the Séguin report, which received unanimous support in Quebec's National Assembly?