Debates of Oct. 24th, 2007

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Wetaskiwin.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Member for Saskatoon--Rosetown--Biggar

[Carol Skelton, Conservative, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, from helping mobilizing “Hay West” for Saskatchewan farmers experiencing drought, to introducing a taxpayers' bill of rights and an ombudsman, it has been my greatest honour to represent the people of Saskatoon--Rosetown--Biggar in Parliament. They placed their trust in me for three successive terms and I thank them for their confidence.

Although I announced this summer that I will not seek re-election, I will remain involved with my home province of Saskatchewan.

I thank the Prime Minister for his leadership and for entrusting me to serve our great country in cabinet.

For me, politics is public service, serving people and laying a firm foundation on which to build an even greater nation for future generations. The many fond memories of the people I have met and that I have had the privilege of working with will remain with me always.

I thank my husband, Noel, for his support. I thank Terri, Gord, Wendy, Tenille, Mark, Nadeen, Victoria, Ted, Shelby and Shea, and my beloved 91-year-old mother, Irene. I could not have done this without them.

Words and Deeds Leadership Award

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Words and Deeds Leadership Award dinner will be held tomorrow evening in Winnipeg. This is the first time it will be held in Winnipeg. Sponsored by the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy and the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, the dinner will honour the Richardson family of Winnipeg, which is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary in Canadian business.

The award will pay tribute to the contributions of five generations of this remarkable family who have contributed so much to the economic, social and cultural life of Winnipeg, and indeed all Canada.

Originally in the grain business, the family moved into new areas of investment, aviation, real estate and oil and gas. The Richardsons were also active in the political life of this country.

On behalf of the members of this House, I want to congratulate the Richardsons for all that they have done and continue to do to enhance and enrich the fabric of our community and our country. I salute and acknowledge those in CIJA and the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg for recognizing them.

ASTROLab at Mont-Mégantic

[France Bonsant, Bloc, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, astronomy enthusiasts are no doubt familiar with ASTROLab at Mont-Mégantic, the most powerful astronomical observatory on North America's east coast.

In order to continue research in astronomy and astrophysics, the darkness around the observatory needed to be maintained. Chloé Legris and the ASTROLab team spent several long years working to reduce light pollution in the area.

Their hard work paid off on September 20, 2007, when the sky over ASTROLab became known as the first International Dark Sky Reserve. Thanks to the cooperation of local RCMs and the City of Sherbrooke, which filtered the light from their street lamps, this world heritage site will become the only place in the world to rediscover the stars.

Congratulations on this feat.

Housing

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

Mr. Speaker, this week the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Miloon Kothari, reported on the national housing and homelessness emergency in Canada. His major recommendation was that Canada needs to once again embark on a large scale building of social housing units across the country.

Groups forced to the margins, including women and aboriginal people, require funding specific to their needs.

For women, inadequate housing means they often stay with violent partners, or their children are apprehended by social welfare agencies.

In consultation with women, Canada should implement measures to address the urgent, short and long term housing needs of women.

He said that the housing and homelessness conditions facing aboriginal people both on and off reserve are shocking.

Mr. Kothari called on Canada to provide specific, flexible and culturally adequate housing solutions for aboriginal populations.

He clearly said that access to secure housing is not an afterthought but a human right. Inadequate housing is a national emergency and it is time to act.

Special Olympics

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, all of us have a tremendous respect for Special Olympians and the people involved with them. From October 2 to October 11, Special Olympics Canada sent a team of 83 athletes from across Canada to Shanghai, China to compete in the 2007 Special Olympics. The Canadian team did great, getting 112 medals.

One of the coaches for the team was from Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Jackie Powell has been involved in Special Olympics for 11 years. She has coached at different levels, coaching in the Saskatchewan Summer Games and participating as a coach in various regional, provincial and national games.

The trip to Shanghai was her first trip internationally. Jackie was one of three Canadian associate swim coaches with the Canadian team and was the only associate coach from Saskatchewan.

The swim team brought home 35 medals: 9 gold, 19 silver and 8 bronze. I thank Jackie for her dedication and enthusiasm.

Jeff Francis

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of the Canadian Rockies, actually just one particular Canadian Rocky, one who will unite us all from coast to coast to coast, and he is Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies. He will be the first Canadian ever to start a game one of the World Series. Tonight this talented North Deltan will be only the second starting Canadian pitcher in a World Series. I will be cheering him on tonight, as will my constituents of Newton—North Delta.

The former North Delta Blue Jay is the pride of our community. He is an inspiration to us all, particularly young Canadians.

I urge all our young athletes to watch tonight to witness North Delta and Canadian sports history in the making.

I ask all members in this house to join me in giving congratulations and wishing good luck to Jeff Francis of North Delta, our Canadian Rocky.

United Nations

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, since 1945 the UN has been an important forum for promoting international peace and security, human rights and applying the rule of law, the fundamental principles upon which global stability is based. However, Canada is also at the forefront of support for reforming the UN to meet the challenges of the new global reality.

It is precisely for these reasons that Canada is a proud contributor to the UN sanctioned missions in Afghanistan, Haiti and Sudan. In order to ensure long-standing peace in these regions, Canada is committed to promoting security and democratic governance, as well as advancing development in these countries.

The United Nations offers a unique and crucial arena for global cooperation. Canada continues to support the work of the United Nations and remains committed to reforming this institution, because it is only through collective action that the world can hope for a safer and more secure future.

Award for Dedication to Volunteering

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to congratulate Francine Ferland, a farmer in the Bellechasse region, who received the Bénévole fortement engagée award for dedication to volunteering presented by the Réseau des femmes d'affaires du Québec.

Francine Ferland is co-owner of Clauric inc., a dairy farm with 90 Holstein cattle and 200 acres of farmland and woodland, in Saint-Anselme.

In 1998, she became the first woman elected to the board of directors of La Coop fédérée, a position she held until 2006. She was also the first and only female director of Unicoop, from 1990 to 2004. She is currently president of the Coopérative de développement régional de Québec-Appalaches and vice-president of the Fédération des coopératives de développement régional du Québec.

The category for dedication to volunteering highlights the work of women who combine their professional careers with activities that help the community. Congratulations, Ms. Ferland.

Housing

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

Mr. Speaker, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, I wish to inform the House that October is Renovation Month. The Canadian Home Builders' Association celebrates Renovation Month by showcasing the building industry's professionals, products and services.

This year's theme, “Living Your Dreams,” reflects the valuable services provided by home builders and by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

CMHC programs also provide funding for renovations, emergency repairs and home adaptations to preserve the supply of low cost housing and benefit low income Canadians.

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable homes, homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

Jamaica

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

Mr. Speaker, 2007 marks 45 years since Canada established diplomatic ties with the then newly independent country of Jamaica.

On behalf of the Canada-Caribbean Parliamentary Friendship Group, members of the official opposition and all Canadians, I welcome the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Her Excellency, the High Commissioner for Jamaica who are visiting with us today.

I also want to extend our thanks for their country's ongoing commitment to sustaining effective relationships with Canada, for upholding the ideals of democracy and good governance, and for helping to build Canada's economic, political and social prosperity through the many individuals and families of Jamaican descent who now make Canada their home.

May our diplomatic, trading, economic and other relationships continue to nurture our mutual growth and strength in the 21st century and beyond.

The Environment

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Peace River believe that the environment is one of the top challenges facing our country.

Thanks to the leadership of our government, Canada now has a tough and realistic plan to clean up the environment after 13 years of failure by the Liberal leader and his party.

On climate change, we have demonstrated leadership at home, with our turning the corner plan to achieve an absolute reduction in greenhouse gases of 20% by 2020. We have demonstrated leadership in the world at the G-8, at the United Nations and at APEC.

As far as conservation is concerned, we have invested $375 million in conservation programs and in protecting our heritage in places like Nahanni National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest.

On clean water, we have invested $93 million and are taking action on cleaning up our rivers, streams and lakes with tough new regulations for sewage.

The fact is that the Liberals did nothing but talk about the environment for 13 years. The reality is that this government is taking action. They talked. We are acting.

Speech from the Throne

[Dawn Black, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, when I chat with folks in my community they tell me they are struggling to get by.

New Westminster, Coquitlam and Port Moody are wonderful cities where families can put down roots and build their lives. It is where I chose to raise my family and where I enjoy seeing my children in turn raise their kids.

However, middle class families in my riding are barely scraping by. Over and over again, I hear that people are working harder and harder for less reward. They simply cannot afford what they need for their families.

Families in my riding want fairness. They see corporate profits soar, yet they cannot access basic child care. They want a decent minimum wage and employment insurance that supports them when the worst happens. They need affordable housing and lower tuition fees. They are asking for quality health care for everyone.

These are the issues that Canadians care about. Sadly, none were addressed in the Conservative government's recent throne speech. The government has turned its back on working families.

Festival of Nations

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on July 14, I attended the first ever Festival of Nations in René Goupil Park in Saint-Michel. The event was organized by Mon Resto Saint-Michel, an organization active in my riding, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel.

I would like to congratulate the organizers of this wonderful initiative, which helps people make connections and brings communities closer together.

I would also like to thank the artists from various ethnic backgrounds who put on an excellent musical and dance performance.

Canada is known throughout the world as a paragon of multiculturalism. Now, with events like this one, Saint-Michel will serve as a model of multiculturalism to the rest of Canada.

This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that regardless of our backgrounds, together, we are creating a magnificent multi-ethnic country.

Anti-violence Organization

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the events at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, an organization known as TROP was formed to promote peace on the airwaves by raising awareness among youth and encouraging them to think about issues surrounding violence on television, in video games and on the Internet.

With the support of the Terrebonne Optimist Club, Claude Pagé, a committed volunteer, brought together a number of stakeholders to bring this program to the Saint-Louis-de-Terrebonne school. The program engages young people in conversations about important issues, such as violence, intimidation, bullying, chatting and the Internet.

Together with my Bloc Québécois colleagues, I am very proud to congratulate and thank Claude Pagé and the Terrebonne Optimist Club for their ongoing work with young people.

United Nations Day

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is United Nations Day. Sixty-two years ago, the nations of the world founded an organization whose goal was as simple as it was ambitious: to prevent war, to reaffirm human rights, and to promote social progress and freedom for all peoples.

Canada's history in the UN has been a proud one. We are a founding member. A Canadian, John Humphrey, was the principal drafter of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Another Canadian, Lester Pearson, revolutionized the United Nation's role in peacekeeping, and Canadian soldiers have for decades proudly served in the blue beret of the United Nations.

The UN is not a perfect institution, but it is better for Canada's participation in it, and the world is a better place for the existence of the United Nations.

I encourage all members and all Canadians to celebrate United Nations Day.

The Environment

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell you about a Prime Minister and a government who care about the fate of our planet and that of future generations.

While the Bloc Québécois does the only thing it is able to do, that is talk and criticize, our government is taking action, with $350 million for Quebec's green plan; regulations and mandatory targets for all major manufacturing sectors to stabilize and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the ecoenergy initiative and a $2.4 billion investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources; and leadership in support of the Montreal protocol to stop the ozone layer from being depleted 10 years earlier than anticipated and, as a bonus, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.5% worldwide.

In the 20 months they have been in power, the Conservatives have done more to counter climate change than the Bloc did in 17 years. While Bloc members bicker as usual, the Conservatives are taking meaningful steps toward a greener Quebec and a greener Canada.

Elections Canada

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister challenged me to repeat comments I made in the House outside the House. I did.

It is now the Prime Minister's turn. I challenge him to tell Canadians what role he played in the Conservative electoral scheme. What did he know? When did he know it?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order. I am sure the government House leader appreciates all the help with the answer, but he has risen to speak for himself and we will now hear from him. The government House leader has the floor.

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

Mr. Speaker, Walter Mitty over there is having some delusions of grandeur.

What he said outside the House fell far short of the kinds of accusations that have been made inside the House by his party. The reality is that he was given an opportunity to repeat those kinds of personal attacks and he just could not get it done.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what happened is serious. The Conservatives allegedly went $1.2 million over their legal limit. This information has come from Elections Canada. Consequently, the Prime Minister has to promise two things: one, not to cheat again during the next election campaign and two, to clarify the role he played in this scheme.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order. We are wasting a great deal of time. The hon. government House leader has the floor to give an answer to the question that was asked.

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

Again, Mr. Speaker, what the Leader of the Opposition has said is entirely false. Our election financing activities are entirely legal and we know that they are because they follow the law. We will continue to do that in the future.