House of Commons Hansard #147 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was crown.
John Maloney Liberal Welland, ON
Mr. Speaker, the government created anger and upset when it scrapped the Liberal GST tourism rebate program. Now we have confusion and continued worry in the Canadian tourism industry with the government's weak imitation that applies to registered tour groups only. The program used to be available to all visitors to Canada.
Why does the government insist on nickel and diming our tourism industry to death and putting thousands of jobs at risk?
Diane Ablonczy ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I guess it would be too much to ask to expect the Liberals to stop overstating the case.
In fact, we are introducing a new and more effective foreign convention and tour incentive program. This focuses on the most competitive and price-sensitive segments of the market.
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada said that this measure demonstrates that the government “takes tourism's concerns seriously and is willing to work together” with the industry. The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia said, “We are really pleased. This is big for us”. Maybe the member should listen to his own people.
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Mr. Speaker, in Quebec today, the price of gas has reached $1.16 a litre. Quebeckers are worried and want gas prices to stop climbing.
Can the Minister of the Environment tell this House what will happen to the price of gas if the Liberal plan for the environment, Bill C-288, which is also supported by the NDP and the Bloc Québécois, indeed passes?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question. Canadians have good reason to be concerned about the price of gas.
Under the Liberal plan for the environment, which is supported by the Bloc and the NDP, Canadians will pay up to $160 a litre for gas. The leader of the NDP wants the federal government to force oil companies to ration gas. According to economists and under Bill C-288, proposed by the Liberals and supported by the NDP and the Bloc, the price of gas would go up by 60%.
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
Mr. Speaker, one in 10 children are getting poorer, according to the new Statistics Canada report. We are talking about 788,000 children. These kids cannot get the Conservatives' newest tax cut of $310, but millionaires' families can. If mom cannot work because she cannot afford or find child care, she does not get the Conservatives' newest workers' tax credit either, and that is plainly unfair.
No wonder the prosperity gap between the rich and poor is getting wider. How does the Prime Minister sleep at night knowing that kids--
Monte Solberg ConservativeMinister of Human Resources and Social Development
Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue. That is why the government has acted. It is providing a balanced approach in support of parents, the provinces and child care providers. Right now we contribute $5.6 billion a year in support of child care and of parents who provide this care, three times as much as the previous government provided.
The real question, and I am sure the hon. member would like to know the answer too, is why are the Liberals threatening to take away part of that, the universal child care benefit—
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
Mr. Speaker, that is a pretty rich answer for poor kids.
Ireland's president is to visit Canada in June. Ireland has a national strategy with goals and a timetable to reduce poverty. Ireland took leadership and pumped a lot of money into training, child care and affordable housing. The result is that 90% of their young people graduate from high school. That is over 15% higher than in Canada. Canada does not even have a strategy.
When will the government take action, introduce a national anti-poverty strategy and close the prosperity gap?
Monte Solberg ConservativeMinister of Human Resources and Social Development
Mr. Speaker, it sounds like the member is actually intent on creating poverty. She is the one in the government operations committee who moved a motion to take away the universal child care benefit that goes to two million families and provides them with $2.4 billion in benefits every year. That goes to every family in the country, including those who need it the most. The member should be ashamed.
Colleen Beaumier Liberal Brampton West, ON
Mr. Speaker, for years the Prime Minister has called for the elimination of Canada's multicultural policy and program.
In the past few months, community leaders have expressed their deep concern about the government's plans for this vital program. However, they are afraid to speak out publicly for fear their budgets will be slashed.
Once and for all, does the government truly believe the multicultural program deserves federal funding?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely outrageous. I had the good fortune to attend yesterday's launch of Asian heritage month here on Parliament Hill. I was joined by the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity.
The Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity spoke very profoundly. He spoke very proudly of our commitment to multiculturalism and the great benefits and values that new Canadians bring to Canada.
There were also a number of people in the crowd who wondered why the Liberals brought in a $1,000 head tax on new immigrants.
Bradley Trost Conservative Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK
Mr. Speaker, in the 2007 budget our government committed an unprecedented $33 billion to infrastructure. The funding will be available under the infrastructure plan, which is currently being developed.
Could the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities tell the House what the government is doing right now to help communities meet their immediate infrastructure needs?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the government recognizes the importance of building strong communities. While we are looking at ways of going forward and designing our new programs, I am happy to announce that we have an agreement with the provinces to top up the MRIF program to the tune of an additional $200 million. This will generate roughly $600 million in programs and projects that we will see over the coming months.
The government is getting the job done.
Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions
Ottawa West—Nepean Ontario
Conservative
John Baird ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct the record. I meant to say $1.60 not $160.
It is a great thing in the country that we have so many people learning second languages.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
The Chair would like to take a moment to provide some information to the House regarding the management of private member's business.
The Chair has developed the practice of reviewing bills after the replenishment of the order of precedence so the House can be alerted to bills which, at first glance, appear to involve spending and interested members can be invited to intervene in a timely fashion to present their views about the need for a royal recommendation.
In keeping with that practice, following the April 19 replenishment of the Order of Precedence with 15 new items, I can inform the House that two bills give the Chair concern as to the spending provisions they contemplate. They are: Bill C-357, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Account and premium rate setting) and another Act in consequence, standing in the name of the hon. member for Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
The other is Bill C-362, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (residency requirement), standing in the name of the member for Brampton West.
I would encourage hon. members who would like to present arguments regarding the need for a royal recommendation for these bills, or any of the other bills now standing in the order of precedence, to do so at an early opportunity.
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 20 petitions.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-439, An Act to prohibit the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in certain products and to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce this very important bill, the purpose of which is to ban the use of bisphenol A.
Bisphenol A is a highly toxic chemical found in many products made of hard, translucent plastic, such as water bottles and baby bottles. This chemical acts like the hormone estrogen and numerous studies have linked it notably to an increased risk of infertility, breast and prostate cancer and obesity.
It is imperative that the government act to regulate this toxic substance.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Public Safety and National SecurityCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Prince George—Peace River B.C.
Conservative
Jay Hill ConservativeSecretary of State and Chief Government Whip
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among all the parties and I think you would find there is unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:
That twelve members of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security be authorized to travel to the Institut national de recherche scientifique, University of Quebec in Laval, Quebec, on Thursday, May 10, and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee.
Public Safety and National SecurityCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
Agreed.
Public Safety and National SecurityCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Prince George—Peace River B.C.
Conservative
(Bill C-22. On the Order: Government Orders:)
May 4, 2007—Minister of Justice—Third reading of Bill C-22, an act to amend the Criminal Code (age of protection) and to make consequential amendments to the Criminal Records Act.
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the various parties and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following. I move:
That, notwithstanding any order or usual practices of the House, Bill C-22, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (age of protection) and to make consequential amendments to the Criminal Records Act, be deemed adopted at third reading on division.