Debates of June 15th, 2007

Foreign Affairs

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member for Compton--Stanstead.

Canada Summer Jobs

[France Bonsant, Bloc, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, by insisting on politicizing the Canada summer jobs program, the Conservatives are causing irreparable harm to students. The government cut the program budget by 12% by changing the criteria, centralizing the administration and hiding information.

And yet, the government boasts that it is responsible and transparent. In order to avoid repeating this year's disaster, does the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development intend to quickly transfer administration of the program to Quebec, which has the infrastructure and experience to administer such a program?

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition party just cannot seem to accept that we have a new program. It is part of our youth strategy. In fact, it gives students high quality jobs in the professions they might choose.

I cannot get over the member and the opposition always wanting to save a program that talks about—

[An hon. member]

Oh, oh!

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

In fact, the program is indeed successful.

Government Accountability

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government promised transparency and accountability in government. One of the cornerstones of this promise was the creation of a parliamentary budget officer.

Six months after the Federal Accountability Act passed, Canadians are still waiting. In the meantime, we continue to receive financial forecasts that do not reflect accurate budget figures. Canadians demand truth in advertising, whether it is on budget surpluses, foreign aid or climate change. This is more than just a broken promise. This is breaking faith with Canadians. Accountability is important to them.

When will the government right this wrong and announce the appointment of a—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, we are right on track to implement the Federal Accountability Act on schedule.

We have implemented whistleblower protection for the thousands of public servants who live in my riding, around the capital region and across the country. Yesterday we confirmed an appointment of an Integrity Commissioner as a watchdog to protect those whistleblower. We have a new Conflict of Interest Commissioner, someone we can all trust, who has credibility. We have limited donations to $1,000 apiece to get big money out of politics.

We are getting the job done, and we will complete the job in the months ahead.

Government Response to Petitions

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary 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 four petitions.

Status of Women

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the government's response to the 12th report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, entitled “Turning Outrage into Action to Address Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation in Canada”.

Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-63, An Act respecting civil liability and compensation for damage in case of a nuclear incident.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Veterans Affairs

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs in relation to the support for veterans and other victims of post-traumatic stress disorder and other operational stress injuries.

Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

[France Bonsant, Bloc, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Public Accounts

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, I will be seeking unanimous consent later for the adoption of a report I am about to table, which is the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. It relates to the protection of parliamentary privilege. I am happy to table a copy of this report in both official language.

Sitting of the House

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties and I would like to put forward the following motion for unanimous consent.

I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing or Special Order, the House shall adjourn today when debate on Bill C-33, an act to amend the Income Tax Act, including amendments in relation to foreign investment entities and non-resident trusts, and to provide for the bijural expression of the provisions of that act and the debate on Motion No. 249 are completed, or 10:00 p.m., whichever comes first; and if the debate on Bill C-33 is completed before private members' business, the House shall proceed forthwith to private members' business.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Does the hon. government House leader have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

(Motion agreed to)

Public Accounts

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, moments ago I presented the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. That report relates to the request by the RCMP to waive parliamentary privilege for the testimony of Barbara George. This is an issue of core importance to our institution as Parliament and it concerns every one of us as members.

The work we do for the country and also for our fellow citizens depends on this important principle. I therefore request unanimous consent that the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be concurred in and that the House agree to a resolution based on the two recommendations contained therein.

I have submitted the report to the Table Officers. I also understand we have unanimous consent from other parties to support the motion.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With respect to this matter, could the parliamentary secretary confirm for the information of members who are not members of the particular committee to which he referred, that the report he tabled earlier today, in which he is now seeking concurrence, in fact safeguards the principle of parliamentary privilege?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, members of the committee unanimously supported a report that safeguarded parliamentary privilege and refused to waive that privilege to an RCMP investigation. The member can rest assured that we are protecting parliamentary privilege. We are not allowing testimony before our parliamentary committee to be used in other proceedings.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Does the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board have the unanimous consent of the House to propose the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.