House of Commons Hansard #26 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was resp.
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I asked a very specific question. Where is the money for the new UN mission? There is none. There is none on the books. The government is not giving any new money. We are asking for it. Canadians are asking for it. The world is asking for it.
Could the minister tell the House and Canadians why the government is not going to provide support for the new UN mission? That is the question. What is the answer?
Maxime Bernier ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, we support the current activities in Africa. We are there with the other UN countries. We have a presence among the UN forces and we are working with the African Union forces to help that country find the path to democracy. That is what we are doing and we are proud of our work.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
That will bring to a conclusion the question period for today.
I remind all hon. members of the reception being hosted in room 216 if they wish to attend, the PH reception that the hon. member for North Vancouver and I are hosting and all are invited.
Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. During statements by members, immediately before question period, I rose to speak on a very serious issue, and that is the issue of violence against women. I was interrupted by a total uproar in the House of Commons.
Mr. Speaker, we rely on you to keep order in both the House and in the gallery. I would like to know how this uproar was allowed to happen and I would also like to receive assurances that this kind of uproar will not be allowed to happen again.
I was talking about the horrendous issue of the so-called comfort women and the motion which will be before us momentarily. If we ever needed a graphic example of why these issues are ignored in our country and across the world, this House just gave a graphic example of that.
Twenty-five years ago, Margaret Mitchell, the past member for Vancouver East, stood in this House and raised the issue of wife assault, and she was laughed at.
The same experience happened in this House 25 years later and I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to ensure it never happens again.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
The hon. member for New Westminster—Coquitlam did get up. There was a round of applause in the House following the member's statement that had been made before, so I stood up and waited until it had subsided and then called on her. Thus, she got her full 60 seconds.
The hon. member says she wants me to stop uproars in the House. I do my best, but all we have to do is sit here through a Wednesday question period, as we have just done, and I think there were numerous uproars in the House throughout the time, despite my efforts to quell these disturbances.
I would appreciate the hon. member's assistance, and that of all her colleagues, in maintaining order in the House. I agree with her that maintaining order is important and I try to do it every time we are sitting, throughout the sitting, as do the Deputy Speakers, whose support I appreciate immensely on this.
The hon. NDP whip, on a point of order as well?
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, I would like you to check the “blues” to see why all members stood up for somebody in the gallery.
Last week we had the same experience when the Minister of the Environment referred to somebody in the gallery. This is what it creates. It takes away the privilege of members of Parliament in this House of Commons who get paid to do a job here.
Mr. Speaker, it is your responsibility to keep order in the House. I want you to check the “blues”.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
I am happy to check the “blues”, but my impression as to what happened is that the member who gave the statement made no reference to the presence of someone in the gallery. It is just that members apparently recognized someone in the gallery and the applause followed.
I do not know how the Chair can be responsible for that kind of thing, despite efforts. I will check the “blues” in case there was some reference, but I did not hear one. I thought the member had avoided that quite properly.
Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions.
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Judges Act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Foreign Affairs and International DevelopmentCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Kevin Sorenson Conservative Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
In accordance with its order of reference of Tuesday, October 30, 2007, your committee has considered the supplementary estimates 2007-08, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, 20a, 25a, L40a, 45a and 50a under Foreign Affairs and International Trade and agreed on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 to report them without amendment.
Mr. Speaker, I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
In accordance with its order of reference of Monday, October 29, 2007, your committee has considered Bill C-9, An Act to implement the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (ICSID Convention), and agreed on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 to report it without amendment.
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-487, An Act to prevent psychological harassment in the workplace and to amend the Canada Labour Code.
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to introduce this important bill regarding psychological harassment in the workplace. This bill would fill a gap in terms of harassment, in that operations and procedures would be put in place to protect workers from psychological harassment.
We have seen a number of cases across this country where workers have been intimidated. This bill would correct that by providing the proper justice and making sure there are penalties for those who perpetrate this type of crime on individuals.
This is the first attempt at tabling this bill. I would also note that the provincial NDP is tabling similar legislation in the province of Ontario. As well, the former Saskatchewan NDP government actually passed a bill on psychological harassment.
This is an important issue for workers across our country.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-488, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment Insurance Regulations (excluding pension from earnings when calculating employment insurance benefits).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise this afternoon to introduce my private member's bill.
Currently, Canadians who receive pension income and wish to continue to work or go back to work are forced to pay employment insurance premiums, but they would most likely not benefit from the insurance plan if they were laid off. The reason is that their pension income is currently considered as revenue and offsets the insurance benefits. My bill plans to change that so that their pension income would not be in that calculation.
I am bringing this bill forward for two basic reasons. First is the issue of fairness. I do not believe that any Canadian should be paying into an insurance plan when he or she could never benefit from the plan. Second, given the current labour shortage in this country, it is a total disincentive for people to go back to work or to continue working once they are receiving a pension.
This is a correction.
This is good for Canadian seniors and Canada's economy. I thank my colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche for his support. I plan to convince my other colleagues in this House to support this bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations with all parties and I believe that if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move, seconded by the hon. members for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, Scarborough—Rouge River and Vaudreuil-Soulanges:
That, in the opinion of this House:
i. During its wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands, from the 1930s through the duration of World War II, the Imperial Armed Forces of Japan officially commissioned the acquisition of young women for the sole purpose of sexual servitude, who became known as 'comfort women'; and
ii. That some Japanese public officials have recently expressed a regrettable desire to dilute or rescind the 1993 statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the 'comfort women', which expressed the Government's sincere apologies and remorse for their ordeal; and
iii. That Japan has made progress since 1945 in recognizing and atoning for its past actions, and for many decades has been a major contributor to international peace, security, and development, including through the United Nations; and
iv. That the Canada-Japan alliance continues to be based on shared vital interests and values in the Asia-Pacific region, including the preservation and promotion of political and economic freedoms, support for human rights and democratic institutions, and the securing of prosperity for the people of both countries and the international community; and
v. That the Government of Canada should therefore encourage the Government of Japan to abandon any statement which devalues the expression of regret from the Kono Statement of 1993; to clearly and publicly refute any claims that the sexual enslavement and trafficking of the 'comfort women' for the Japanese Imperial Forces never occurred; to take full responsibility for the involvement of the Japanese Imperial Forces in the system of forced prostitution, including through a formal and sincere apology expressed in the Diet to all of those who were victims; and to continue to address those affected in a spirit of reconciliation.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Does the hon. member for Trinity—Spadina have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table this petition signed by hundreds of people in Laval—Les Îles and the surrounding area. It is addressed to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
The signatories are being seriously bothered by the noise from airplanes taking off from Montreal-Trudeau airport between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. every day, as a result of a route change authorized by the advisory committee on sound management, which did not include representatives of the City of Laval. The petition asks the minister to restore the flight paths out of Montreal-Trudeau airport that were in effect before the advisory committee made the change.
Starred QuestionsRoutine Proceedings
November 28th, 2007 / 3:20 p.m.
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Question No. 73. Due to the length of the answer, I ask that the answer to Starred Question No. 73 be printed in Hansard as if read.
Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
With regards to private contracting for food services on Canadian Forces Wings, Bases or Stations: (a) were requests for proposals (RFPs) issued for private companies to create franchise services for food services on military bases at any time over the last two years; (b) if RFPs were issued, was Public Works and Government Services Canada involved during the tendering process and were the tenders administered in accordance with the Financial Administration Act; (c) what directorate, group or principal of the Department of National Defence (DND) administered or managed the tendering process; (d) if, and when, contracts were awarded, what were the agreements for utility costs such as water, electricity, heat, and sewage with the winning bidders; (e) for government-owned infrastructure occupied by private sector franchises or companies, are there lease or rental agreements in place; (f) who are the owners of freestanding buildings on military wings and bases, and if the sole occupant and owner is a franchise or company, how are the property taxes assessed and paid, including all utilities for these buildings; (g) for government-owned facilities that are occupied either partially or solely by private sector franchises or companies, how are maintenance costs to building repairs or preventive maintenance schedules handled for the private sector occupants, and who performs the work; (h) are private sector franchises required to carry and show proof of insurance for personal liability, personal and property damages for these facilities; (i) are there service level agreements set up for emergency services such as police, fire and paramedics between franchises, companies and DND; (j) who are the contract managers for any contracts let for private franchises; (k) what is the length of each contract for all aspects of utility costs, leasing, and rental agreements; (l) has there been any loss in income to any base commander’s budget because of these franchises; (m) if there has been a loss, how are bases sustaining a loss of revenue; (n) are there profit-sharing agreements in place between DND and any franchises or companies; and (o) are there reciprocal financial arrangements with franchises and companies?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, the response is as follows:
a) All resale food services on Canadian Forces wings, bases and stations are administered and operated by Canadian Forces Exchange System, CANEX. There have been no RFPs issued to create franchise services.
b) No RFPs were issued to create franchise services.
c) Any tendering processes for resale activities are managed by CANEX, subject to the direction of the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.
d) Any resale activities are administered in accordance with Canadian Forces policy governing operation of personnel support programs. This policy can be found at: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/messes/docs/APS110001AG002_19840525_CW_CH001_VIEW_PT01[1].pdf.
e) Any third party providing resale service is governed by a concession agreement in accordance with Canadian Forces policy governing operation of personnel support programs. This policy can be found at: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/messes/docs/APS110001AG002_19840525_CW_CH001_VIEW_PT01[1].pdf.
f) The Government of Canada owns all structures on military wings and bases, and is responsible for paying property taxes.
g) Any resale services provided by third parties are governed in accordance with Canadian Forces policy governing operation of personnel support programs. This policy can be found at: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/messes/docs/APS110001AG002_19840525_CW_CH001_VIEW_PT01[1].pdf.
h) Any third party resale activities are required to carry insurance as outlined in the applicable concession agreement in accordance with Canadian Forces policy governing operation of personnel support programs. This policy can be found at: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/messes/docs/APS110001AG002_19840525_CW_CH001_VIEW_PT01[1].pdf.
i) Emergency services are provided to any resale activity provided by third parties in accordance with Canadian Forces policy governing operation of personnel support programs. This policy can be found at: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/messes/docs/APS110001AG002_19840525_CW_CH001_VIEW_PT01[1].pdf.
j) CANEX concession agreements for resale activities are managed within the CANEX national office for business development and services.
k) Terms of concession agreements for any resale activity provided by a third party vary from 1 to 5 years.
l) Not applicable.
m) Not applicable.
n) No. Concession agreements for any resale activity are at market value with funds used to support delivery of Canadian Forces morale and welfare programs.
o) Concession agreements are at market value with revenues used to support delivery of Canadian Forces morale and welfare programs.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 57, 85 and 89 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled immediately.