Debates of March 1st, 2007

Opposition Motion—Aerospace Industry

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order. The hon. member for Saint Boniface sits rather close to the Chair and I had some difficulty hearing him as he responded. There is a lot of noise coming from the far end of the chamber. I would ask for some order, please.

The hon. member for Thunder Bay—Rainy River.

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to the motion. My comments today will focus on the heart of the issue, ensuring that the government uses our taxpayer dollars to support Canadian industry.

It seems like a very simple concept, and it is one that most countries already wholeheartedly follow. Yet in Canada we are continually missing the mark. The concept is one I like to call “apply Canada policy”. The basic principle is this. When public dollars are being used to purchase any number of assets, the government should implement a policy that ensures that Canadian business and labour are given preference for the contract.

Most other countries have policies that encourage local content when awarding a government contract. These countries employ policies requiring certain levels of local content in projects that use public funding. These policies encourage the use of domestic based suppliers that in turn create jobs, tax revenues and other economic benefits in local communities.

The objective of these policies is to ensure that domestic businesses and communities experience some positive impact from public expenditures on infrastructure projects. Polices of this nature often provide in-country suppliers with a distinct competitive advantage over qualified suppliers from other nations.

Canadian manufacturers do not benefit from similar policies in force by their own government. There are no minimal requirements for Canadian content in publicly funded projects. This means Canadian manufacturers are at a distinct disadvantage pursuing contracts in other nations and they also have no particular advantage at home.

The reality is there is very little preventing foreign suppliers from winning Canadian government contracts and then taking the work offshore to benefit labour, business and regions in other nations. Canadian suppliers and manufacturers deserve to compete on an equal footing in the global marketplace. Our businesses, communities,and citizens deserve to enjoy some economic benefit from the projects funded from their own tax dollars.

Many countries around the world employ government policies encouraging or dictating local content levels. This is particularly true for transportation projects. For example, in the United States, which represents 90% of the North American passenger rail market, the buy America act imposes strict regulations for local content. In the area of rail rolling stock, for example, 60% of the components used to manufacture vehicles must come from the United States. Final assembly must also be performed there. In addition, state governments can impose their own local content requirements as well.

New York, one of the biggest rail markets in the world, imposes strict requirements for state based content. Requirements like these limit the ability of Canadian suppliers to access the largest rail market in North America. They also keep suppliers from using Canadian sub-suppliers on any contracts they win. There are no government policies, however, requiring local content when U.S. enterprises compete for contracts in Canada.

Most other countries have employed similar policies. Most of these policies provide for local content regulations for a mix of incentives and regulatory requirements. The Government of Canada currently has no incentives for local content. That is why I put forward a private member's motion for consideration by the House. The motion reads:

That, in the opinion of the House, the government should implement a policy, which is consistent with North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization policies and guidelines, to mandate Canadian content levels for public transportation projects, and to ensure that public funds are used to provide the best value to Canadians by supporting domestic supplier and labour markets.

I look forward to discussing this issue further when my private member's business comes forward for consideration.

With regard to the motion before the House today, I am very pleased to participate in this discussion, as it relates to the aircraft industry.

In my riding of Thunder Bay—Rainy River, we are privileged to have Confederation College's Aviation Centre of Excellence. Conveniently located at Thunder Bay International Airport, the 59,000 square foot ACE building brings together the programs of Confederation's School of Aviation all under one roof. The Aviation Centre of Excellence offers programs in aerospace manufacturing engineering, aircraft maintenance and aviation flight maintenance and will soon commence a program in avionics.

This centre of excellence makes Thunder Bay ideally suited as a potential candidate to take advantage of regional benefits and economic spinoffs from contracts for aircraft manufacturing and repair services on defence contracts. The Thunder Bay International Airports Authority has also been actively pursuing a variety of aircraft manufacturing opportunities to help diversify the economy of northwestern Ontario.

January 2007 statistics show that northwestern Ontario has already one of the highest unemployment rates in the province. The recent announcement of 500 further job losses in the forest industry will continue to drive those numbers higher.

Whenever possible, Thunder Bay and area needs have to be included in industrial regional benefits on future large contracts to ensure that our highly skilled workforce can continue to find meaningful employment within the community. My region, and regions similar to it, can ill afford the loss of further residents in search of well-paying jobs in the west.

Regretfully, not only are 40-somethings losing their jobs in the forest sector, but this government, a government that has a $13 billion surplus, is also cutting jobs and funding for jobs across the country. It is closing federal offices. The Status of Women was just closed in Thunder Bay. It has cut funding for economic development programs, such as the social economy program and FedNor, and now ACOA. It has eliminated the visitor GST rebate program, a cut that will not only hurt our struggling tourist industry in northwestern Ontario, but all across the country, which will cost us more jobs. It slashed $55 million from the youth employment strategy, which means for small communities in regions of high unemployment it will be an extremely difficult summer for our young people.

All these cuts are hurting our regions and costing jobs for our citizens when there is no need to make the cuts. The money jar is full and overflowing, yet the Harper government continues in the heartless and shameful penny pinching.

[An hon. member]

You can't say “Harper”.

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Did I say that? I apologize immediately.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please. The member should refer to colleagues by their riding names or by their titles.

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

When I do something wrong, I appreciate the chastisement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I will take a moment to expand further on the effects of the youth employment service cut for my riding.

Launched in 1997, the youth employment program has been instrumental in developing Canada's workforce of the future by providing young Canadians access to programs and services that help them gain the skills, knowledge, career information and work experience they need to find and maintain employment. In the Thunder Bay—Rainy River riding, the program has provided assistance to over 250 youths each year.

In just a few months, youths across the riding will start looking for a summer job. Little do they know the extra challenge they will now face in this search. By cutting the summer work experience program in half, the government has eliminated funding for over 125 student jobs across my riding. Many of the businesses that participate in the funding program cannot afford to a hire summer student without this assistance. Because of this heartless funding cut, students will have an even tougher time finding a job this summer.

However, the bad news does not stop there. What if our youth are unable to find summer jobs? Will they be forced to take out additional student loans to pay for post-secondary education or, worse, will they need to postpone their education plans in order to save enough to cover the costs?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to my colleague's speech. I was interested in his comments on youth employment, but I am more interested in the whole notion of regional sourcing and the role we can play to ensure that Canadian contracts are given to Canadian companies. I think people would notice the work that was done with the city of Toronto to ensure the streetcar contract went to Thunder Bay. That was a very good and wise move economically.

The question we are debating today, however, is that members of one party can throw a political hissy fit when they do not get the arbitrary numbers they throw out to a private Canadian company. They are insisting on 60% of a contract. What kind of role will we play when every contract that comes forward will have to go to our colleagues across the way for them to set the arbitrary standard of jobs? If the rest of the country gets it own little pittance, that is not so bad, but they want to ensure they can set the arbitrary numbers.

Does my hon. colleague accept the principle that has been put forth by members of the party opposite; that they want to be the ones who decide how industrial strategy in Canada will be developed, how job quotas will be set and who will be at the trough first before anybody—

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Thunder Bay—Rainy River.

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if that was a question, then I am certain I do not accept the premise.

When we talk about what government can do, which is the rational I have tried to use in to make my argument, if there is public money for infrastructure funding, particularly in public transportation, we have an opportunity to encourage and embellish Canadian technology, job training and the labour market. Indeed, by developing a public transportation buy Canada policy, it would allow everybody in the House to benefit. This would be something that we could export to the world. It would create manufacturing jobs not only in my riding of Thunder Bay—Rainy River, but for people throughout the country in other regions.

[Louise Thibault, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question to the member for Thunder Bay—Rainy River will be very short.

First of all, what does he think about the fact that the Boeing contract was given without tenders, a decision that was taken by a government that brags about having almost invented the concept of transparency and accountability?

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I hope the concern is shared by everyone in the House, that this is an export of Canadian technology. When we know it could be done in Canada, it hurts us even more. I agree with the questioner. Her case is very valid and I would certainly support her.

Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Georgetown is a real Canadian hockey town. It is the home of the Little National Hockey League and Canada's second oldest continuously operating arena. Since 1978, the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Council has honoured people who have contributed to Georgetown's hockey heritage.

On Monday, March 5, Bob Hooper will receive the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award. Bob began playing hockey on the Credit River in Glen Williams, Halton county, a quintessential Canadian experience. He has coached and served on many local and provincial hockey organizations and is currently the commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, the largest junior hockey league in the world. As commissioner, Bob sits on Hockey Canada's Provincial Junior Board of Governors.

I ask all members to please join me in congratulating Bob Hooper for his commitment to hockey heritage, not only in Georgetown but across this great country of Canada. I salute this very worthy recipient of the 2007 Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award.

Varley Art Gallery

[Susan Kadis, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, recently I had the honour of attending the opening of an unique art exhibition titled “Canadian Artists Without Borders” at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. The multimedia display features the work of artists who have been living in Canada for 10 years or less. This special exhibition launches the Varley Art Gallery's 10 year anniversary celebration.

I am very proud to support my constituent, Shamsi Sharokhi, as a featured artist in this exhibit. Shamsi has pioneered an award winning painting technique called heat drawing, where she creates images and shapes on thermal papers by applying heat to their surfaces. Her beautiful artwork as well as the creations of 22 other artists from 15 different nations are displayed in the show.

Art enhances the quality of our lives. I encourage everyone in the House to visit the exhibit which is on until May 13. Together we can support and appreciate the significant contributions new Canadians are making to our country in all areas, including art.

I applaud the participating artists who are sharing their remarkable talents and therefore are helping to strengthen the cultural fabric of our nation.

Summer Career Placements Program

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

Mr. Speaker, this government decided to make cuts to the summer career placements program that enabled our young students to become familiar with the workplace and made it possible for community organizations to offer their range of services during the summer months.

Every year, students and organizations count on this support program. They are now experiencing doubt and insecurity because they do not know if this support will be available next summer.

Since last December, the Service Canada website has said that the request form will be available in early 2007. It is still not available. Many organizations have contacted us to find out if the program has been cut or abolished by this government, which has sown seeds of doubt concerning the survival of this program.

Community organizations and students have the right to know. The Bloc Québécois condemns the current government's attitude.

National Water Policy

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a motion that seeks to establish a national water policy for our country.

First and foremost, the motion calls on the government to recognize that access to water is a fundamental right. The issue of air quality has rightly jumped to the top of the political agenda recently but we must not forget about the importance of clean, safe water.

The motion also calls for a ban on the bulk export of water and strict restrictions on new diversions. It also opposes any move toward the privatization of water services. This would recognize that access to water is a basic human right and not a commodity.

As parliamentarians, it is our duty to ensure that water is protected for all Canadians. It is the government's responsibility to implement a national investment strategy that enables municipalities and aboriginal communities to upgrade desperately needed infrastructure.

The government must recognize the UN Economic and Social Council findings and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that access to clean water is a human right.

Human Rights

[James Rajotte, Conservative, Edmonton—Leduc, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in October 1998, the House gave unanimous consent to a motion that called upon the government of Iran to end its oppression of the Iranian Baha'i community.

The government of Iran has not done so. Instead, it is increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against the Baha'is. Not only are the 300,000 members of the Iranian Baha'i community prevented from practising their faith, but its government continues to imprison Baha'is on the basis of their religious beliefs.

One hundred and twenty-five people have been detained since 2005, many of them young people who have been denied the basic right to post-secondary education unless they recant their faith, and the Iranian government is also stepping up its efforts to identify and monitor the Baha'is.

In December, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran that was sponsored by Canada. I encourage our government to continue working with the international community to denounce human rights abuses against the Iranian Baha'is and to encourage the government of Iran to respect its human rights obligations.

Acknowledgment, Commemoration, and Education Program

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

Mr. Speaker, in 2005, the Liberal government signed agreements in principle worth several millions of dollars with various cultural communities as part of its acknowledgment, commemoration and education program, the ACE program.

The program was designed to repair the damage caused in the past to members of communities that had experienced injustices. For example, some Italians were imprisoned and labelled enemy aliens during the second world war. Without warning, the Conservatives decided not to respect these commitments.

This agreement was signed in good faith with representatives of the Italian and Ukrainian communities. This government does not have the right to not honour it. Once again, these mean-spirited withdrawals are just one more example of this government's extreme arrogance.

I would also like to know why it thinks it can intimidate and betray these communities that have given so much to Canada, and sully the memory of victims of past injustices.

Legion of Honour Recipient

[Joy Smith, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the House today to pay special tribute to my constituent and local hero, Fred Marriott.

Mr. Marriott is a World War II veteran and a member of the West Kildonan Legion. He served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Infantry Regiment. During his time of service in Europe, Mr. Marriott was wounded three times and received several medals and decorations, including the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Bar.

For the exemplary and outstanding service that he demonstrated during the fierce battles of the liberation of France and Europe, the President of the French Republic will be awarding Mr. Marriott with the Legion of Honour.

The Legion of Honour is France's highest civilian honour. Mr. Marriott is one of only 50 veterans in Canada who will be bestowed this most prestigious award.

I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Mr. Marriott for his service and dedication to our country.

Shawinigan Volunteer Centre

[Jean-Yves Laforest, Bloc, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Saturday inSaint-Maurice—Champlain, a highly anticipated and important annual dinner was held. More than 440 people from various community organizations in the area attended the Shawinigan volunteer centre appreciation night. I would like to point out that this event, which acknowledges the exceptional contribution of volunteers in our community, was very well attended . The volunteer centre took this opportunity to circulate the Bloc Québécois petition denouncing the cuts to the summer career placements program.

Representatives of non-profit organizations attending the event are among the most affected by the unwarranted cuts by the Conservative government. More than 360 signatures were collected. This carries even more weight because these people work in this sector. These individuals are shocked by the 50% reduction in funding to a program that is vital to the training of youth in their communities. I am submitting this petition on their behalf.

International Human Rights

[James Lunney, Conservative, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this week, Canada was named as a top defender of human rights in the international arena.

UN Watch, a respected NGO, released its assessment entitled, “Human Rights Scorecard: Canada at the UN 2006-2007”. This is an assessment of Canada's record on human rights and democratic values at the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.

Canada was singled out for taking a leadership role in the new 47 member Human Rights Council founded in June to replace its dysfunctional predecessor, the human rights commission.

Spokesman, Hillel Neuer, told MPs that “Canada led the resolution that holds Iran to account for its policies of torture, arbitrary arrest and suppression”. Canada spoke out about abuses in Belarus, Burma, North Korea and Uzbekistan but we were missing in action when it came to China's violation of civil, political and religious rights.

As a middle power, Canada can play a significant role as a voice for the suffering people of the world. We are making a difference but the continuing violence, hatred and suppression of political and religious expression remains a huge challenge to all nations and governments that value freedom, peace and democratic empowerment.

Africa

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the 1950s and 1960s brought about significant changes to Africa when many countries established their independence.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the first of these events started in the early months of 1957. As the result of a UN-sponsored plebiscite, a new country was formed in West Africa by the merger of the British colony Gold Coast and the British Togoland trust territory. On March 6, 1957, this territory became Ghana, and this month, March 2007, marks the 50th anniversary of its independence.

With a vibrant population of approximately 21 million, Ghana is a country known for its effervescence and is a model for political and economic reform in Africa.

On behalf of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, I wish Ghana and its population peace and prosperity. I also take this opportunity to convey my best wishes to Canadians of Ghanaian origin who add, by their very presence, to Canada's socio-economic fabric.

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

[Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to ask all my colleagues in the House to give special recognition to a colleague in the other place, Senator Dr. Wilbert Keon.

Senator Keon, who is also a cardiologist, is among five outstanding individuals for 2007 chosen to be inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. These inductees have forever changed the world's health care landscape.

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is the only national organization dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of Canada's medical and health science heroes.

Senator Keon was instrumental in the founding of the University of Ottawa's Heart Institute. Senator Keon, who continues his selfless efforts in the medical field and freely provides his expertise to many worthwhile health causes, is well-deserving of this special recognition.

I urge all parliamentarians to offer Senator Dr. Wilbert Keon sincere congratulations.

Asbestos

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, we would need to be crazy to put asbestos in children's toys. We may as well put razor blades in Halloween apples.

However, the new Conservative government thinks it is okay. Its new asbestos regulations say that it is okay to put asbestos in children's toys, drywall mud and spray-on fireproofing. This is stupidity beyond belief. Asbestos is the greatest industrial killer the world has ever known. More people die from asbestos every year than all other industrial causes combined.

The rest of the developed world is actively banning asbestos in all its forms and yet Canada is still one of the largest producers and exporters of asbestos in the world. The government is spending millions subsidizing and promoting asbestos. We call it corporate welfare for corporate serial killers.

Putting asbestos in children's toys is a spectacularly bad idea. We should ban asbestos in all its forms and shame on the government for promoting a killer and exploiting human misery.

Ukrainian Canadians

[Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on November 25, 2005, under the previous Liberal government, an act to acknowledge that persons of Ukrainian origin were interned in Canada during the first world war and to provide for recognition of this event received royal assent.

The objectives of the statute include promoting a better public understanding of the consequences of ethnic, religious or racial intolerance and the important role of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The statute provides for negotiations to take place between the Government of Canada and Ukrainian Canadian organizations in respect of measures that may be taken to recognize the internment.

It has been well over a year since this important bill became law and the government has not lived up to its commitments. It is high time the government takes action and ensures that Canadians never forget what happened to Ukrainian Canadians.

Special Olympics

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, from March 9 to 11, 2007, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield will be hosting the Special Olympics Provincial Winter Games under the theme “My sport, my passion, my victories”.

This major sports event will bring together 370 athletes with an intellectual disability and over 350 coaches and volunteers.

In Quebec, more than 3,600 athletes with an intellectual disability train and participate regularly in one or more of the 14 sports. For the Bloc Québécois, the Special Olympics are more than just a sports competition. This organization helps athletes realize their potential and gain the confidence needed to integrate into society.

It is with joy that I welcome the families, trainers, attendants, and particularly the athletes. I hope as many people as possible will attend and that everyone really enjoys the Games.