Debates of May 16th, 2007

Canadian Heritage--Main Estimates, 2007-08

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

Mr. Chair, I would like to talk with the minister about her expenses. Treasury Board guidelines indicate:

Ministers are required to post on their respective departmental Web sites all travel expenses incurred on program-related business. All travel expenses must be posted on a quarterly basis within 30 days....

Did the minister file a disclosure statement for the first quarter of 2007?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, to the best of my knowledge we have followed all the rules and the necessary information has been posted.

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

Mr. Chair, according to the website, the minister filed a disclosure statement for January 1 to March 1, which is two months, but not quite a quarter, which is three months.

In those two months, her speeches included speeches in Montreal, North York and Richmond Hill, but no expenses are filed. Did she walk to those places?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, I find it ironic that the member opposite is questioning this when there are no charges being placed upon the Canadian public. Because I have great supporters in my riding, they provided transportation for me to those events.

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

Mr. Chair, that is an interesting answer. Let me ask her this. These are supposed to be quarterly reports, so that would include March. In March she went to the Junos in Saskatchewan. Did she get a drive with a supporter to the Junos too?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, the information will be posted as required. I find it interesting that the member opposite is questioning when we do not take the extent of the full quarter. We post the information as we find that we can make it available.

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

Mr. Chair, I think the regulations say quarterly reports, but two months are reported and there are no expenses for the trips she made. The third month included a trip to Saskatchewan. Who took her there? The question is, if she did not pay for it, who are the friends who are taking her? That is a valid question.

I want to ask her a quick question about the Junos last year, when she racked up $5,500 in limo bills and reimbursed $2,200, leaving a net cost to the taxpayer of $3,500, while staying at a hotel that was one-tenth of a kilometre from the site of the Junos.

Did she ever think about walking? Halifax is a wonderful place to visit. Did she ever think about walking instead of taking limos and having stretch limos on standby, in some cases for six and seven hours at a time?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, the member opposite fails to mention the 10 other meetings that I had during my visit to Halifax. In fact, I have nothing to hide here.

The former minister, the minister for the Liberal Party, racked up in the same period of time over $100,000 more than I have racked up for transportation.

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

Mr. Chair, if the minister has evidence of former ministers having stretch limos on standby from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., I would like to know why that was. I would also like to ask her why it took two limos to get from the airport to Halifax.

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, it was because I have family. I paid for those transportation costs personally with a personal cheque. I find it appalling that this member would question anybody's demonstration of affection for family members. I would also say that he does not understand. I fulfilled the requirements. I paid personally for those which were not related to my position.

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

Mr. Chair, the problem is that one of those limos did not carry anybody. One of the limos was at the airport and was sent away because it was not good enough for the minister to travel in, so I ask her again: why did it take two limos to get from the airport to Halifax and why did she have to bill $5,500, of which she reimbursed only $2,200 to the taxpayers of Canada?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, this is an opportunity given to the House to have meaningful discussions on issues that are important to Canadians. I find that questioning limo costs, et cetera, is a terrible disservice to Canadians and is taking advantage of this opportunity.

That is the party that has not yet accounted for $40 million of taxpayers' dollars going directly to the Liberal--

[The Chair, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

The hon. member for Dartmouth--Cole Harbour.

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

Mr. Chair, the last question that I would ask is on the proactive disclosure. Last year she incurred the expense at the Junos on April 1. That expense was not put on the website until February of this year, after we raised it in the House of Commons. Will it take a year to find out about those expenses in January, February and March on the website too?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, my expenses are fully disclosed. My expenses are because I am doing a job, and I am doing a respectable and dedicated job in the position that I hold. It is important that we have a government that recognizes the importance of arts and culture, heritage and museums, and all of those sectors that I am responsible for.

I do it diligently and I do it with efficiency, but I know that my first job is to make sure that taxpayers' dollars are going to serve the people they are intended to serve in every sector, in every arts community, and that is why I will continue to do this job responsibly. I will ensure that the programs we create are going to help those in the arts, culture, museums--

[The Chair, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

Order. We will now proceed to the next 15 minute round, the government round, with the Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages]

Mr. Chair, dear colleagues, I am pleased to take part in this debate on the main estimates of the Department of Canadian Heritage for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

As my colleague, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, pointed out, the Department of Canadian Heritage plays an essential role in the cultural and community life of Canadians. I am proud to cooperate with her, and with all the other ministers, to promote the cultural vitality of Canadian society, particularly in the area of official languages. All of us here are well aware of the stakes involved in the promotion of official languages in Canada, and I am pleased to be here to discuss this issue.

Today, I would like to explain how we are taking firm and concrete action in the area of official languages. We get all partners and stakeholders involved. We listen to official language minority communities, and we invest new money to help promote our two official languages throughout the country.

Let me first explain my role as Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages. I have two distinct responsibilities that complement each other. First, I am responsible for the Department of Canadian Heritage programs that support official languages. In that capacity, I ensure that the new Government of Canada helps promote official language minority communities, and the full recognition and use of both official languages.

I am also responsible for coordinating the activities of the new Government of Canada that relate to official languages. In that sense, my work takes me beyond the activities of the Department of Canadian Heritage, and involves cooperating with all my cabinet colleagues. I work with them to help official language minority communities, promote linguistic duality, support the linguistic rights of federal employees, and encourage the use of official languages in serving the public.

This double mandate in the area of official languages is in addition to my duties as Minister for la Francophonie. As hon. members know, it is the first time that all these responsibilities are grouped together under a single minister. This is concrete evidence that the new Government of Canada is living up to its commitments when it comes to official languages, and is strengthening the country's linguistic duality, both inside and outside the government.

From the beginning of our mandate, we have taken decisive and concrete action. Since my appointment, I have signed bilateral education agreements with every province and territory totalling $1 billion over four years. We have entered into important agreements for minority language services totalling $64 million over four years. For example, the Governments of Canada and British Columbia signed a multi-year agreement for French-language services. In addition, the Governments of Canada and Manitoba signed a multi-year agreement for minority language and second language education. Thanks to these agreements, minority communities are able to implement programs in keeping with their reality.

In addition to signing these agreements, I announced support for the construction and expansion of two school-community centres in New Brunswick, two centres in Saskatchewan and one centre in the Northwest Territories. I announced new funding for promising educational projects such as the École au coeur de la communauté project in New Brunswick. By providing better programs and services in French minority day cares, schools and universities, our goal is to allow young Canadians to start, continue and complete their studies in their language. In this way we will ensure that their community continues to thrive and that they live their lives in their language, in their region.

In addition, the Department of Canadian Heritage allocates $80 million annually to second-language learning programs, which makes it possible for 12,000 youths to participate in activities and work terms throughout the country. They benefit from experiences and gain knowledge enabling them to be versatile, mobile and in touch with today's reality. Canadian society as a whole shares in this success.

To get results such as these, we involve all partners and stakeholders in the process. Last October, I co-chaired the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie. I can attest to the spirit of cooperation that was present in the various levels of government. We examined future courses of action and all ministers agreed on the report that was prepared.

I am convinced that, through this cooperation, our governments will be able to exercise their leadership on priority issues. I am thinking about issues such as the recruitment and retention of minority students or the revival of immersion programs and the development of innovative second language teaching methods.

In fact, I am very pleased, as a minister, as a francophone and as a Quebecker, that Quebec has become once again a full partner in our efforts concerning the francophonie. Quebec is the main centre of Canadian francophonie, and the support of Quebec partners is essential to ensuring that the French language flourishes across the country.

As I said earlier, I am working with my cabinet colleagues on francophonie and linguistic duality issues. Among other things, I announced, along with the former citizenship and immigration minister, a plan to promote the establishment of French-speaking immigrants in minority communities, and I will continue this work with the new Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. This is critical for the future of communities.

Finally, I attach considerable importance to the contribution of all francophones and francophiles who believe that linguistic duality is a major asset for all of Canada.

Canada's new government will continue to provide direct support to non-profit organizations that represent official language minority communities. I will continue to listen to their needs, their concerns, their ideas and their vision of the future.

When I was appointed to this portfolio, I conducted a series of consultations with representatives of official language communities and members of the second language education community. This enabled me to better understand the various realities that minority community members face and the opportunities available to them.

Our dialogue is ongoing. In two weeks, I will have an opportunity to meet a large number of representatives and stakeholders during the first summit of francophone and Acadian communities here in Ottawa. During the summit, we will have an opportunity to see where we are and find out how people responsible for the vitality of Canada's francophonie can make a difference.

We have a number of tools to achieve that goal. One of the most important tools is funding for official languages programs. In its latest budget, Canada's new government increased funding for linguistic duality and official language minority communities by $30 million for the next two years.

This kind of support makes promising projects, like the ones I mentioned, possible. Once again, this proves that Canada's new government is taking real action to ensure that Canadians can benefit fully from their two official languages.

Our linguistic duality makes Canada and Canadians richer. It is part of our cultural identity. It ensures economic success. It is a priceless, indispensable tool on the world stage. We have come to a point in our history where Canadians believe that bilingualism is becoming more important.

We are ready to take advantage of the vast potential of our linguistic duality both individually and collectively, and Canada's new government is planning to make a real difference in that regard.

It is our responsibility to focus on the enthusiasm of Canadian youth—indeed, of all Canadians—and to seize this unique opportunity to create a country that is proud of its two official languages and stronger because of them.

Our government is committed to official languages, and we have proven that many times over. We will continue to support official language minority communities.

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

Mr. Chair, everyone knows that Canada's two official languages are sources of pride for this country. Canadians can be proud of living in a country where French and English coexist.

I would like to remind everyone that Canada's new government is committed to collaborating further with each provincial and territorial government and to holding constructive talks with official language minority communities in order to encourage and promote the use of French and English in Canadian society.

As proof, I will give the various agreements or accords with the provincial governments, as well as with a number of community organizations throughout the country since 2006.

Also, Canada's new government is counting on young people, among others, to further promote bilingualism here in Canada. Young Canadians, who are increasingly bilingual, will be able to make a difference and show that mastering both official languages is a major asset that enables them to participate fully in the economic and cultural development of this country.

Dialogue among cultures is important to Canada's new government, as evidenced by its strong support at the last Rendez-vous de la Francophonie. As we know, these meetings encourage the country's francophone minorities to develop and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of life in Canada.

Obviously Canada's new government completely supports the Official Languages Act, which shows our commitment to fully recognizing the country's linguistic duality.

I would like to know what the government will do to advance education in official languages, and how it is supporting minority communities.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, in fact, we have concluded agreements with all 13 provinces and territories. The agreements provide for federal investments of over $1 billion over four years. Of course, these agreements also generate provincial and territorial investments equal to or greater than our investment.

Both levels of government agreed on the following priority areas to address minority education challenges: French school promotion, student recruitment and retention, teaching resources development, distance training, and improved access to post-secondary education.

We also agreed to work together to improve second language teaching. More specifically, measures will be brought in to support relaunching immersion, to develop innovative teaching methods and to encourage second official-language learning at the post-secondary level.

Additionally, budget 2007 sets aside $15 million a year for the next two years for official language minority communities. This money will give these communities greater opportunities to live their lives in their mother tongue.

Targeted activities include supporting community centres, cultural and extracurricular activities, and other activities related to the promotion of linguistic duality, with a particular focus on youth.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Before I give the floor to the hon. member for Laval, I would like to inform her that she will have 15 minutes. Does the hon. member intend to split her time?

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Laurentides—Labelle.

In 2007, the women of Quebec and Canada have to continue fighting for their causes, but this government has done nothing but roll back the clock on women's equality. Already, with barely 14 female members elected, the Conservatives have set back parity in this House further than ever.

How can the minister turn her back on her own sex and embrace the outdated thinking of her party, whose sole aim is to silence the voices of those who have a different vision? Is it because the minister feels that the fight for equality between men and women is really over?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, this government does not believe in a pink book. It does not believe in a women's caucus. We believe that we stand equally with all of our colleagues, male or female.

We have a contribution to make. We have the skills, we have the talent and we have the determination to play our role. We welcome any woman who will step forward and do public service as we have done.

The women's program is also supporting organizations that are increasing the participation of young women and women into the political life. We have a member who is actually starting an initiative right here in this caucus.

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

Mr. Chair, this government has little regard for equality between men and women. The example of pay equity springs to mind, because the Conservative government is refusing to introduce proactive legislation comparable to what is in place in Quebec.

Does she, like the Bloc Québécois, recognize that Quebec's pay equity legislation is good legislation and a model for the federal government?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, we have a pay equity law. For over a decade the previous government did not ensure that the law was enforced. That is why we believe that reinforcing the existing law and then doing an assessment of that law are the proper steps to take. We want to make sure that legislation is implemented and enforced as well.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Chair, the Prime Minister promised to encourage more women to get involved in politics.

Does the minister feel that by eliminating rights groups' access to the women's program, she is helping more women take part in the important debates under way in Canada and Quebec?