House of Commons Hansard #138 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.
Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, we want to get answers as quickly as we can on this awful situation. I do share a concern that the member has just raised. I too am surprised by the continuing testimony of things that appear to have gone wrong, one after the other. One after the other they happened under the Liberal regime.
However, we want to get answers and we want to get them quickly. The RCMP deserves that. Canadians deserve it. That is the plan and the track that we are on right now.
Sue Barnes Liberal London West, ON
Mr. Speaker, this is about money that belongs to the RCMP front line officers and Canadians are wondering why the minister seems to have no interest in actually finding out what really happened.
It appears the government is only interested in investigations when they score political points for the government and simply does not care about ensuring that the cloud hanging over Canada's national police force has to be lifted.
Will the minister stop this investigative charade he started and launch a full public judicial inquiry?
Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, we are very serious about getting answers right away.
I have to correct something I said the other day. I said that the only time Liberals were concerned about front line police officers was when those officers' representatives were on the Hill and that was the only time they showed concern, by meeting with them.
I have to correct part of the record. In fact, the member who just spoke would not even meet with her representatives from the Police Association last week.
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance started off by throwing his weight around with the banks about their ATM fees. Last Thursday, even though the banks were unable to justify their exorbitant fees, the minister gave in and believed everything they told him.
Instead of knuckling under to the banks, will the Minister of Finance tell them that unless they voluntarily reduce their transaction fees, he will have no choice but to bring in legislation?
Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, the issue of ATM fees of the banks was raised in this place some months ago. As a result of that, I approached the banks about it. I asked them to take into consideration that choice for consumers was very important and that some consumers in Canada had less choice because they were older, or they were seniors, or they suffered from disabilities or they were students on campuses that had limited availability of ATM machines.
I am pleased to report to the House that at least five of the banks have responded positively on those issues.
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Speaker, it took no time at all for the minister to give in to the banks' demands. If the minister really intends to take action, he should look to the Bloc Québécois' proposal to amend the Competition Act and force the banks to provide that information.
If the banks continue to refuse, will the minister take action, or will he just close the file and let people continue to pay exorbitant fees?
Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I do not share with the hon. member the view that the Government of Canada should be dictating day to day policies to the banks, the credit unions and the trust companies in Canada. They should be free to compete and create their own choices. In fact, we see that working in Canada. We see the credit unions, for example, in their association, having different policies with respect to ATM charges. This is good. Competition and choice are good for the Canadian economy.
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, the United Church finds it “completely unacceptable”. A Roman Catholic administrator, along with a bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ontario, says it is “totally incomprehensible”. The Anglican Church of Canada expressed its “strong disappointment and sadness”.
They are sorry. When will this meanspirited government, for once, show respect and apologize to aboriginal Canadians for the legacy of the residential schools?
Jim Prentice ConservativeMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. member, for her edification, that it was in fact the Conservative government that concluded the agreement with the Assembly of First Nations relating to residential schools survivors. I am sure she is equally pleased by that.
We continue to work together through the court approval process. We continue to make progress toward the final implementation of the agreement. That is what we will continue to do.
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, farmers want to do their part to help the environment. They want to invest in facilities that will transform their crops into biofuels, but these facilities are expensive and capital is not readily available or accessible.
What are the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of State for Agriculture doing to help farmers help our environment?
Christian Paradis ConservativeSecretary of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, it is a very insightful question. Today we announced a $200 million eco-agricultural biofuels capital initiative that will help farmers build or expand transportation biofuels facilities. We want to help our farmers and our environment.
This $200 million program will encourage farmers to produce renewable fuels. We are determined to ensure a prosperous future for farmers and to leave a clean environment to our children.
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Mr. Speaker, the previous Liberal government concocted the egregious softwood sellout and the Conservatives worked with the Liberals to push it through. The previous Liberal government concocted the even worse security and prosperity partnership, so-called deep integration, and the Conservative government is working to push it through.
On Thursday and Friday in Calgary, there are closed door meetings where members of the government will be sitting down to decide what else they can give away to the Bush administration, our energy resources, our water, Canadians' privacy. Who from the government is participating and what are they giving away?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, there are so many factual mistakes in that question, I do not even know where to start.
There is absolutely no indication whatsoever that we will be giving anything away. These are discussions that we have from time to time, as all previous governments would, on such an important matter.
He should put away his tinfoil hat and his discussions around black helicopters and get back to the facts.
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Mr. Speaker, the facts are that the Conservatives campaigned on standing up for Canada. What Canadians did not know was they were actually campaigning on giving away Canada.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order, please. The hon. member for Burnaby--New Westminster has the floor.
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Mr. Speaker, they are actually giving away Canada. Water is our most precious resource and they want to give it away, just like softwood lumber, just give it right away.
The meetings in Calgary are closed to the public and they are closed to the media, despite the fact that massive water diversions are on the agenda. Will the government stop its reckless and irresponsible push to give away Canada's water?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, I submit to the member from the NDP that there has not been a more transparent government in recent history when it comes to our discussions with the United States and other countries. We have developed a very respectful, businesslike relationship.
There is no intention whatsoever to give away bulk water. In fact, the member would know that we recognize the need to protect bulk water with respect to our natural basins.
He is, however, factually correct when he did state the previous government had left the door open when the member for Kings—Hants said, “It is very important that we do not dismiss at hand the export of water”.
Todd Russell Liberal Labrador, NL
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's image consultant, or door opener--we still have not seen her job description--has an uphill task for her lastest extreme makeover.
Not only is the Prime Minister changing his image, but he keeps changing the story. First she did not exist; then the party paid her, something he castigated the former leader of his party for doing; then they admitted she was on the taxpayers' dime. Now she is on the PMO tour carrying the prime ministerial luggage.
Having slashed funding for literacy programs, student summer jobs and women's groups, how can the Prime Minister justify to Canadians this latest spending priority?
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order. The member for Labrador asked the Prime Minister a question. He has risen to answer the question. All hon. members are going to want to hear the answer. The Prime Minister has the floor. We will have a little order.
Stephen Harper Conservative Calgary Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, of course I knew several days ago this question would be asked.
Obviously here we do not spend money on psychic consulting or image consulting or whatever else, but I have to say that when I watch some of these male reporters who are much older than I am, with the perpetually blonde and red hair, it is an interesting concept.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order. We are on question period at the moment. The hon. member for Leeds--Grenville has the floor now, and we will keep on with questions for a few more minutes.