Debates of Nov. 1st, 2007

Sitting Resumed

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I hope you will be kind enough to let me know when it is almost 2 o'clock. I see that there are roughly two minutes left.

I will start by commending the hon. member for Laval for making such a strong argument. I am absolutely honoured to speak today during this opposition day to debate the Liberal Party motion on a strategy to improve the economic security of all women.

I want to remind everyone in this House and everyone watching us today what the Conservative Party said during the January 2006 election. It said this about women toward the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006.

Did you know that in the Conservative Party election platform, the word “women” was mentioned just twice? Does that make any sense? No, it makes no sense.

The first time was to talk about women as victims when they were talking about tougher sentences for offenders. Half the time, the Conservatives see women as victims. The other half of the time, they see women as immigrants and mothers. The election platform said that female immigrants seek better opportunities for themselves and for their families. Then the Conservatives talk about families 24 times in their election platform. Half the time the Conservative Party—it is a shame the hon. member for Louis-Hébert is not listening to me—sees women as victims and the other half of the time as mothers.

Women are not just victims or mothers. They are also workers and, as such, often need a bit of extra help. Historically, as everyone knows, women have been denied their rights far too often.

The Bloc Québécois focused on female workers in its 2005-06 platform. In Quebec, there is legislation to correct the lack of pay equity.

Mr. Speaker, I see that you are telling me my time is up.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert will have eight minutes after oral question period to finish her comments.

Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased and honoured to recognize the Lord Dufferin Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire of Orangeville, Ontario on its 100th anniversary.

This outstanding organization has successfully improved the quality of life for children, youth and those in need in our community during its long history. The organization brought Orangeville its first hospital in 1907.

Throughout the years the Lord Dufferin Chapter of the IODE has also undertaken a long list of projects in our community including English instruction for immigrants as well as making significant contribution to the Headwaters Health Care Centre, Family Transition Place and the Orangeville Public Library, and has raised money for cancer research and other important local causes.

On behalf of the residents of Dufferin—Caledon, I would like to sincerely congratulate the Lord Dufferin Chapter of the IODE for 100 years of community service excellence and I wish the chapter many more years of success.

Canadian Coast Guard

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

Mr. Speaker, the decision to move two Coast Guard vessels from Dartmouth to Conservative held ridings continues to raise eyebrows. This week David Parkes, secretary of the Canadian Coast Guard alumni raises new questions about this unfortunate decision. His concerns have been echoed by experts including existing Coast Guard employees such as the commanding officer of one of the vessels.

It is typical of the government that it tries to divide regions and pit province against province. That is not a productive approach. If there is a strong business case for moving the vessels, let us see it. Thus far we have not

In fact, the five year business plan for the Canadian Coast Guard which came out just a month before the decision was announced made no reference whatsoever to this move. Moving well over 100 employees and their families has serious repercussions for them and for the community as a whole. It is not acceptable.

A decision such as this should not be taken so lightly or politically. Consultations should have carried out most particularly with the employees who would be affected. People deserve better than to be political pawns of the government.

Women of Congo

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for more than 10 years, amid general indifference, millions of women in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been living a veritable nightmare.

Despite the efforts of the international community and the general election in 2006, rape, murder, sexual assault, kidnaping and sexual slavery are a daily reality for millions of Congolese women.

This humanitarian crisis recently emerged from oblivion thanks to a report released on September 6, 2007, by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes. Yesterday, during testimony before NGO representatives, Julienne Lusenge said that Canada had promised $15 million over four years to help victims of sexual violence in the Congo. After two years, her NGO, like all the others, has not seen one red cent.

The Bloc Québécois is calling on this government to take concrete, proactive action to stop the sexual assaults being committed against our African sisters.

Housing

[Wayne Marston, NDP, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, housing is becoming more and more inaccessible for many working families in Canada.

This January housing costs were up 7% in my community of Hamilton where the average cost of a house is over $265,000. The Conservatives' GST cut will not even amount to an average of $100 in savings and that just does not get it done.

Local not for profit groups like the Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-profit Homes in my riding struggle with the flawed funding formulas and inaction of current and past governments. Flawed funding formulas that mean decreasing subsidies while maintenance and capital costs, and property taxes all increase.

The throne speech reminded Canadians they should be worried about housing and homelessness issues, but it did not commit to doing anything about it. This week's fiscal update only talked about rebates for people who own homes, nothing for affordable, quality housing for those who need it.

The NDP is committed to reducing the prosperity gap between Canadians. We are committed to fighting for a national housing strategy that helps not for profit groups meet housing needs in our communities.

Governor General's Awards

[Ron Cannan, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise and inform the House that my constituent, Glenmore Elementary School teacher, Rhonda Draper, who joins us today on Parliament Hill, is the recipient of the 2007 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History.

Established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society, the award recognizes teachers from elementary and secondary schools who have inspired and challenged students to learn about our heritage.

Ms. Draper created a CD called Canada: On the Wings of Our Song, which teaches history through music. When I visited her class, it was clear to see from the smiles on the faces of students that singing their way through the events of our past was a great way to learn.

On behalf of the constituents of Kelowna—Lake Country, I wish to congratulate and thank Rhonda Draper for her commitment to teaching. She has given our children an appreciation for our country's history while imparting a love of learning.

Remembrance Day

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as we approach Remembrance Day, we remember Canadian veterans and soldiers, and honour all those who gave their lives in sacrifice for this nation.

Let us also commit to doing all we can to truly fulfill and respect the promises made to Canada's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, you might remember that the Prime Minister unequivocally promised, in a letter to Mrs. Joyce Carter, that he would:

--immediately extend the Veterans Independence Program services to widows of all Second World War and Korean War veterans regardless of when the veteran passed away or how long they had been receiving the benefit prior to passing away.

So far these are just empty words. Perhaps the government will take the opportunity of this Remembrance Day and truly honour the wishes of Canada's veterans, fulfill the promise to all widows of our brave veterans.

Lest we forget.

Sir Robin Vanderfelt

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I inform the House of the recent death of Sir Robin Vanderfelt, who served as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for 25 years until his retirement in 1986.

His passing marks the end of an era within the CPA. Sir Robin Vanderfelt led the association through a period of extensive expansion, and the size and influence of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association today is due in no small part to his vision and leadership.

Sir Robin attended the University of Cambridge and in World War II served in India and Burma. He was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1954 and granted a knighthood in 1973.

He was held in high regard by those who knew him. He will be remembered for his patience, integrity and kindness, and for the distinction with which he served his country and the Commonwealth.

CBC Radio-Canada North Shore Programming

[Gérard Asselin, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, November 1, marks the 25th anniversary of Radio-Canada Côte-Nord. It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I join the entire organization and the employees of Radio-Canada Côte-Nord as they proudly celebrate their silver anniversary.

For all North Shore dwellers, Radio-Canada Côte-Nord is an essential and indispensable tool for the development of our beautiful region.

I hope Radio-Canada Côte-Nord will continue to fulfill its information and entertainment role, and that the federal government will invest more money to ensure the perpetuity and prosperity of Radio-Canada Côte-Nord.

Bravo and congratulations to the entire team that, for the past 25 years, has taken up the challenge of keeping our citizens better informed.

Remembrance Day

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when we leave the House this Friday, we return home for veterans week. Recently I participated in an event honouring veterans from my riding.

Hosted by the Billy Bishop Museum, guests including Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Kearney helped to honour: William “Bill” Corbett, Barry C. Jackson, John G. Newton, Clarence “Clancy” Wark, John Patten “Jock” Fleming, Gordon Jackson, Doris A. Pedwell, Clifford Iles, Thomas McClelland and William Avery Tiner.

On Remembrance Day, I urge all of us to take the time to attend a service honouring our soldiers past and present.

We pray for those who are serving our country today, like the brave men and women in Afghanistan, as well as for their families, such as the family of Owen Sound native Corporal Robert Thomas James Mitchell, who we lost just one year ago.

We must honour our veterans all year long, but Remembrance Day gives us a special chance to reflect, to respect and most importantly, to remember.

Lest we forget.

Sikh Canadians

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

Mr. Speaker, today is a significant day for Sikhs across Canada and around the world.

It is today that we remember the pogrom of November 1984: the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in New Delhi and throughout India. After 23 years the victims have not received justice. They will be remembered at 6 p.m. with one minute of silence.

I congratulate the Sikh nation for honouring these victims by holding its annual blood drive. Since 1999, the Sikh nation drive has saved an estimated 30,000 Canadian lives and for the last four years Canadian Blood Services recognized it as its top donor.

I am proud how each year this campaign continues to grow. This year, many communities throughout Canada will join those in British Columbia to donate blood during the first week of November.

I urge Canada's Sikhs and all Canadians to join the Sikh nation blood drive in remembrance of those tragic events of 1984. Please make this small sacrifice of time and save a life.

Conservative Party

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this November 1, I remember the tabling of the Gomery report two years ago.

I also remember the powerlessness of the Bloc with its 444 questions on the subject.

We are still looking for the missing $40 million in taxpayers' money. The Liberals, and now the Bloc, are attempting to curtail the initiatives of our government with their desire to backtrack.

However, no one except the Bloc wants to go back to the days when scandal was synonymous with squabbling. Quebeckers want an honest government that will keep its promise to strengthen the federation, provide economic leadership and ensure the security of Canadians.

Fortunately, on January 23, 2006, Quebeckers gave themselves real power and Quebec became a winner by voting for the Conservative Party, a party that has the means to take action. We have delivered the goods by tabling the toughest anti-corruption legislation in Canadian history.

Brian McKenna

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to congratulate the recipient of the 2007 Pierre Berton award, Mr. Brian McKenna, a resident of the riding of Outremont.

In April 2006, Brian McKenna's latest production, The Great War, first aired on CBC-TV signalling a groundbreaking approach to historical documentary television.

Mr. McKenna calls his approach “observational history” and believes that involving families in the telling of social history provides a greater chance that this next generation of Canadians will retain and share the lessons of our past.

Over the course of his 37-year career, Mr. McKenna has gained an international reputation for his documentaries on Canadian history, in the realms of film, television and print media. His award-winning and controversial movies and televised documentaries have helped us to better understand key Canadian cultural and historic events.

I hope we can all join in congratulating Mr. Brian McKenna, this year's recipient of the Pierre Berton Award in Canadian History.

Marguerite Centre

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Marguerite Centre for the tremendous help it provides to women in Nova Scotia.

The centre is a 12 bed, long term, residential facility for women in recovery from addiction and abuse. It is staffed 24 hours a day and is the only facility of its kind in my province.

The philosophy of the Marguerite Centre is that women have the right to be looked after in a safe establishment where their individual needs will be met and their problems solved and where they will be listened to.

I recently attended its fifth anniversary celebration at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Timberlea and left with a much deeper appreciation of the impact this centre has on the lives of so many women.

It is fitting that we congratulate the Marguerite Centre on the day when the House is debating a motion asking the government to develop a strategy to improve the economic security of all Canadian women.

René Lévesque

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, November 1, Quebec remembers René Lévesque, who died before his time.

A remarkable journalist, Mr. Lévesque kept Quebeckers riveted as he explained world events on his television show Point de mire. As Minister of Natural Resources, he was instrumental in making the nationalization of hydro-electricity an election issue. For the first time, young Quebec engineers built one of the largest dams in the world.

His first government, elected in 1976, was the most modern, with legislation on political party financing and agricultural zoning, as well as Bill 101. But the 1980 referendum broke his heart.

After being re-elected in 1981, he fought Pierre Elliott Trudeau and the Supreme Court on the unilateral patriation of the Constitution. He was then faced with a profound economic, financial and union crisis, and ultimately resigned. He died in 1987, before seeing that in 1995 all the work he had done could have given rise to a country. He is still waiting. Thank you, Mr. Lévesque. Until next time.

Manufacturing Industry

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's manufacturing industry is in crisis and our auto industry is being hit hard. Just this morning Chrysler Canada announced it will eliminate approximately 1,000 jobs in Brampton as part of its second restructuring in only eight months.

Since one job in the auto industry results in up to seven spinoff jobs, we are looking at approximately 7,000 jobs being lost in Ontario. Yet the government continues to negotiate a flawed free trade deal with South Korea that is bad for the auto industry and is bad for Canada.

This minority Conservative government is selling out the auto industry in its free trade agreement negotiations with South Korea. This agreement is dangerous as it does not provide fair access to the lucrative South Korean market for Canadians.

Our responsibility as parliamentarians is to protect Canadian jobs. I call upon the Prime Minister to allow a full parliamentary debate before signing any free trade agreement with South Korea.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, two years ago Justice Gomery delivered his ad scam verdict and still the Liberal Party owes Canadians $40 million.

Liberal strategist Warren Kinsella called on the current so-called Leader of the Opposition to order a forensic review of the Liberal Party's books. It did not happen.

The Liberal member for York Centre insisted he would ensure missing ad scam cash was returned to the government treasury. Maybe he is still searching for suitcases full of cash or brown envelopes in restaurants, but he will not find it. It has already been spent on Liberal election campaigns.

The current Liberal deputy leader, and some Liberals call him the real leader, was in favour of a full accounting of lost ad scam money. I guess he has lost interest in finding it, like he lost the Liberal leadership race.

The Liberal Party should open its books to a full forensic audit, unless it has something to hide from Canadians, like $40 million, or which Liberal candidates benefited.

I call on the Liberal Party to finally come clean and pay back Canadians the $40 million it stole.

Airbus

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, new and disturbing information has come to light about a former prime minister of this country. This information damages the integrity of the office of the prime minister, a key component of our democracy.

The current Prime Minister must do everything he can to get to the bottom of this issue. Will the Prime Minister take every step necessary regarding this disturbing information about Mr. Mulroney to get to the bottom of this matter?

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberal member for West Nova rose in the House to make certain accusations, and he was of course invited to make those outside the House where he would be exposed to the consequences of a lawsuit.

Outside the House he told journalists that he had “no evidence of any wrongdoing”. I think that settles the question.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it is bad enough that one person's reputation has been ruined, but this reflects badly on the very office of the prime minister. The current Prime Minister owes it to the institution he represents to shed some light on this issue.

Will he shed light on this issue? Will he call for a public inquiry?

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

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat in French what I just said. Yesterday, the member for West Nova was invited to repeat his accusations outside of the House and to face the consequences. Outside the House, he said that he had, and I quote, “no evidence of any wrongdoing”.

I think that settles the issue.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in no other democracy in the world would it work this way.

When we have serious allegations of this kind, we get to the bottom of the issue. The Prime Minister owes that to the office he now holds. He owes it to Canadians to get to the bottom of the issue, because it is a matter of democracy.

Faced with this information about Mr. Mulroney, will the Prime Minister call a public inquiry?

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

Mr. Speaker, in no democracy in this world does a prime minister and a party use their power to conduct political vendettas against their political enemies.

That Liberal leader was part of the cabinet that had to pay $2 million of taxpayers' money for falsely pursuing allegations in exactly this case.

Now the Liberals want this government to carry out their political vendettas. They can make those accusations themselves and pay the price, instead of Canadian taxpayers paying it.

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the government House leader would be interested to know that after that interview, I went home to watch The Fifth Estate.

In February of this year the justice department launched an investigation into Mr. Mulroney, but when the Prime Minister shuffled his cabinet, his new Minister of Justice apparently had one top priority: To protect his former boss, he shut down the investigation.

Now that the people of Canada know what he knew, that Mulroney received $300,000 in cash from Schreiber, will he now change his mind, recover the $2 million and launch a full public inquiry?