House of Commons Hansard #172 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was income.
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Mr. Speaker, since the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec obtained his portfolio, he has come up with no new money, no strategy and no vision for the regions of Quebec. In addition, in his last two budgets, the Minister of Finance has completely ignored regional economic development. We have lost count of all the blows small communities in Quebec have suffered.
Can he name a single tangible measure he plans to take?
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Mr. Speaker, the forest and softwood lumber industry is restructuring. Quebec is in the midst of a serious crisis. As the government, we took real action by settling the softwood lumber dispute, which allowed companies in Quebec to receive $1 billion. That said, stakeholders are discussing stumpage fees and royalties with the Government of Quebec.
We are continuing to support secondary and tertiary processing in this sector. We have introduced six new tools to help the different regions of Quebec.
Blair Wilson Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, the member for Delta—Richmond East has once again come out against treaty rights for aboriginal peoples. The member has spoken out against a potential deal between the B.C. government and a B.C. band, even though the federal government has nothing to do with this proposal.
Why has the Prime Minister stood by in silence while the member for Delta—Richmond East campaigns aggressively against virtually all treaties that have been struck with B.C. first nations?
Rod Bruinooge ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Mr. Speaker, this government has moved forward on land claims throughout Canada. Treaties have been signed in B.C., which is historic. We look back to a process that was initiated early in the nineties, of course suspicious timing relative to the previous government, $1 billion spent and nothing accomplished.
Thankfully, our government has moved forward with the signing of treaties and is looking forward to continuing to do that.
Blair Wilson Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, the member for Delta—Richmond East is not just opposed to land claims. He is also opposed to aboriginal fisheries. The sad fact is that the Prime Minister has not condemned the member because, shamefully, he agrees with it himself.
After more than a year of cutbacks and broken promises from the government, aboriginal people expect more than empty promises on specific claims.
Will the Prime Minister show Canadians that he takes treaty and aboriginal rights seriously and condemn the member for Delta—Richmond East today?
Rod Bruinooge ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to further highlight from earlier this week the fact that the Prime Minister announced a new process which will extend $250 million a year to settle specific claims.
Further to that, right now we have the opportunity to extend human rights to first nations people with Bill C-44. The only thing standing between first nations people and human rights on reserve is the Liberal Party, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party.
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, in the WTO agriculture negotiations, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is trying to place the blame for Canada's appalling inaction on the producers working under the supply management system, because they are calling on him to respect the Bloc Québécois motion passed unanimously on November 22, 2005.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food himself voted in favour the motion, as did his colleague, the Minister of International Trade. How does he explain his accusatory speech today, blaming the producers who work under supply management?
Christian Paradis ConservativeSecretary of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, we have to go beyond words and look at the action being taken here by the Conservative government. I will repeat this again slowly. Just this week, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food said that we would defend supply management and that we would fight for it. We are not touching the tariff quotas and we are not touching tariffs.
What language should I use to make this clear? What we are doing at the WTO is defending supply management. We support it and we will always defend it.
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, it would be nice if the parliamentary secretary read his news summary in his limousine because he is forgetting some things. For example, he forgets that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food described the GO5 coalition position as a stupid tactic. He should maybe be aware of that before he gives us any old answer.
The Bloc Québécois motion that the minister voted in favour of does not in any way stop the government from negotiating.
Norway and Japan are getting satisfactory results for their producers, so what is stopping the government from truly defending the interests of Quebec and Canadian producers who only want two things: protection for the supply management system and better access to the market for exporters?
Christian Paradis ConservativeSecretary of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, for the past 14 months, unprecedented measures have been taken to defend supply management, something that had never been done in the last 13 years: invoking article XXVIII of GATT, the regulations governing cheese composition standards.
Again this week we could not have been any clearer on our intentions that we will defend supply management; we will support it; and we will not touch tariff quotas or the tariffs.
The Bloc can try to create yet another drama to show how useless it is here in Ottawa, but we on this side are taking action in favour of supply management.
Colleen Beaumier Liberal Brampton West, ON
Mr. Speaker, the previous Liberal government budgeted for an action plan to address the injustices suffered by Canadians of Italian and Ukrainian origin. The plan involved three elements: it acknowledged the injustices; it commemorated these regrettable events; and it aimed to educate all Canadians to ensure that these kinds of injustices never occur again.
The government has no such plan. Why is the Conservative government ignoring the concerns of the Italian and Ukrainian communities?
Jason Kenney ConservativeSecretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity)
Mr. Speaker, the government is doing no such thing. It was the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney that began the historic process of redress with Japanese Canadians regarding second world war internment.
It is this government and this Prime Minister who have continued it with the Chinese community, with official apologies in the House a year ago this week, where half the Liberal caucus did not even bother to show up.
It is this government that has continued negotiations in good faith with people in other communities whose ancestors were victims of either immigration restrictions or wartime internment measures.
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Mr. Speaker, Liberal senators continue to ignore their leader and openly admit that they will defy his order to pass the budget without amendment.
This budget contains increased funding for science and technology research, but if this budget is not passed that funding will be lost. The Perimeter Institute for research will lose $50 million if this is not passed. This loss would be devastating to Kitchener—Conestoga, southwestern Ontario and to all of Canada.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry inform the House what other research funding will be lost if he does not get his Liberal senators under control?
Colin Carrie ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the member Kitchener—Conestoga's question about our excellent S and T strategy. I thank him for all his good work on this file.
Canada's new government understands its science and innovation is key to a strong economy. We are committed to turning knowledge into innovation and innovation into greater wealth and well-being for all Canadians.
However, if the budget does not pass the Liberal Senate, the research development sector in Canada stands to lose: $120 million for CANARIE, this is research broadband; $100 million for Genome Canada; and $30 million for the Rick Hansen Foundation. Our government is giving Canada a true competitive advantage that will—
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Speaker, Burnaby Lake is an urban lake, making it subject to incredible pressure from the surrounding city. The city of Burnaby has submitted an infrastructure funding application for the Burnaby Lake rejuvenation project, supported by the B.C. government and the GVRD. Funds have been committed by both the city and the province to dredge the lake, maintaining open water, protecting wildlife and plant habitat and ensuring recreational uses.
Will the Minister of Western Economic Diversification support this important environmental project and, before it is too late, confirm federal funding for Burnaby Lake?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the government has committed to a top up of new funds to help provinces, territories and municipalities across the country to go forward with new programs. These programs are administered in partnership with the provincial governments and the communities. Surely in this whole process, this project will be viewed.
Until such time as we have a new program in place, this is the program that is there. Everybody knows the parameters. When we are able to announce the project, we will look at it and if need be, will do so.
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, my constituency office in Hamilton Centre has been inundated with complaints about changes at Service Canada. In the past my senior and disabled constituents could receive expert help from staff who specialize in CPP, OAS or GIS. Now Conservative changes mean people can only receive general information about these critical and complex programs. It is just not worth the trip, or maybe that was always the plan.
It seems Service Canada was created to cut services, not improve them. When will the Conservatives begin to provide real services to my constituents?
Lynne Yelich ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development
Mr. Speaker, the member speaks contrary to what Service Canada is all about. Service Canada delivers very good service to all seniors and to all Canadians. In fact, it has expanded its services.
I am very surprised he would make that comment in the House. It is simply not true.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, on Monday, North Dakota opened the tap at Devils Lake and water from the lake, which is too polluted even for irrigation, began flowing toward Lake Winnipeg. On May 30, the environment minister had said in the House that everything was under control.
Given the scientific resources available at Environment Canada and given the experts at the U.S. desk at the Department of Foreign Affairs, whose job it is to be on top of what is going on south of the border, the government must have known well in advance that the tap would be opened.
When did the government know the gates would be opened and why did it not raise the issue publicly prior to the event?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, the Premier of Manitoba, Gary Doer, and this government learned about the decision by the government of North Dakota to turn this tap on shortly after it happened. We have been working incredibly closely with Premier Doer. We have raised this at the highest levels, whether it is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, whether it is the Prime Minister, or whether it is me.
We are tremendously concerned about this. We are concerned about the sensitive ecosystem in the Red River and Lake Winnipeg. We will continue to work in partnership with the Manitoba government to try to get this issue turned around.
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, we all want to protect the environment. Canadian farmers wish to do their share. They want their agricultural activity to have a positive impact on the environment.
Can the Secretary of State (Agriculture) tell us what Canada's new government is doing to support Canadian farmers in order to improve the environment?
Christian Paradis ConservativeSecretary of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question.
Canadian farmers want to do their fair share to protect the environment and we want to help them. That is why, on Monday in Quebec City, I announced $1 million in funding for a pilot project that will help farmers develop more effective environmental protection measures. For example, the financial incentives provided to farmers will be used to conserve and improve the quality of our water.
We are forging forward. We continue to help our farmers; we continue to help our regions; and we continue to work on maintaining a healthy environment.
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Kafila Siddiqui, who was a constituent of mine, recently died in Pakistan under questionable circumstances. Her husband contacted my office on March 28 and we immediately contacted the Canadian High Commission, urgently, on three occasions and also the Minister of Foreign Affairs' office, which gave us a 1-800 number.
The High Commissioner in Pakistan has been aware of the situation since early April. The minister has been aware since April 11.
Could the minister tell the House what follow up has been done by his office after he was contacted? What is he doing now to ensure justice is being served?
Deepak Obhrai ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's interest in this file. It is a tragic file and our condolences are extended to the family of Ms. Siddiqui.
As he is aware, I am limited to what can be said under the Privacy Act. However, I can assure the House that upon receiving the initial inquiry, our government took immediate action to locate Ms. Siddiqui, including personal visits by the embassy staff to her last known residence and place of work. In addition, the family was contacted to get other information and advice that included immediately filing a police report with the Pakistani authorities.
I can assure the House that we will work with the—
