Debates of Jan. 28th, 2008

Infrastructure

[Susan Kadis, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our urban communities are overcome with gridlock. The amount of people who drive everywhere by car has risen by 6% over the last decade. The provinces understand this problem. Both B.C. and Ontario have recently announced substantial investments to get citizens out of their cars and into public transit, yet the government looks the other way and throws roadblocks toward delivering funding.

The residents of my riding of Thornhill are eager for transit initiatives. Residents are facing longer commutes, widening roads, an increased population. Meanwhile the government evades its responsibility to deliver new funding for critical initiatives like the Spadina and Yonge Street subway extensions.

We need serious investments in mass public transportation to meet the needs of our expanding urban population. We need a transit plan now to get more people out of their cars. It is time the government got onboard.

We need a national transit strategy that includes new, permanent funding. We need a federal government that supports, not obstructs, funding public national transit.

Bill C-12

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Bloc Québécois, Bill C-12 was amended to protect one of the fundamental differences that sets the Quebec nation apart: its civil code. As a result, the bill protects Quebeckers' RRSPs from seizure.

The Conservative government's Bill C-12, previously known as Bill C-55, would have undermined Quebec legislation in defiance of a motion passed unanimously by Quebec's National Assembly.

The Bloc Québécois can say “mission accomplished” because Bill C-12, as amended by the Bloc Québécois, received royal assent on December 14. The act also covers the wage earner protection program, which the Conservative government must immediately implement so that workers whose employers declare bankruptcy can recover lost wages.

Given the current economic climate, the government has been inexplicably slow to implement the wage earner protection program. The Bloc Québécois will put pressure on the Conservative government until it implements this program, which should be as soon as possible.

Longest Skating Rink

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is a bright, sunny day in Ottawa and I am sure thousands will be out skating on the Rideau Canal, the world's second longest skating rink. That is right, the second longest, because the longest is in my fair city of Winnipeg.

Thanks to Paul Jordan and a group of dedicated Winnipeggers, thousands of families are now able to lace on the blades and enjoy a skate on an 8.54 kilometre stretch of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. Last year Ottawa scoffed at Paul's efforts, but Winnipeg has just skated right by it into the record book. And, no, we are not skating in single file.

Maybe it is my Dutch heritage where skating on canals is a way of life, but being in the Guinness book of world records does matter and Winnipeg has just done that with the longest skating rink in the world. The 8.54 kilometres exceed Ottawa's 7.8 kilometre skating rink.

All of us from Winnipeg challenge Ottawa to beat that record or else come to Winnipeg and enjoy a wonderful skate on the longest skating rink in the world.

Human Rights

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the world honoured the 63rd anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by marking the annual day of commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

Sadly, six decades after the world declared “Never again”, genocide, ethnic cleansing and racism still exist and, indeed, are born anew. Therefore, Canada must lead the world in combating bigotry in all its forms.

It is for this reason that the Canadian government will not participate in the Durban review conference. We have no intention of lending Canada's good name or its resources to a conference which promotes hatred or anti-Semitism. It is for the same reason that the Canadian government is taking steps to become a full member of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research.

“Never again” must mean never again failing to take an active role in condemning anti-Semitism or any of the other forms of bigotry that continue to pollute our world.

Academy Awards

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, January 22 saw a record seven Oscar nominations for Canadian artists or related to Canadian film productions.

The film Juno features Haligonian Ellen Page who is nominated for best actress, and Canadian Jason Reitman who is nominated for best director. Torontonian Sarah Polley received a nomination for best adapted screenplay for Away from Her and for the same film Julie Christie is nominated for best actress.

Not to be outdone, Canadian David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises has its lead, Viggo Mortensen, up for best actor.

In addition to these five nominations, two short films have been given the nod. They are the NFB's Madame Tutli-Putli by Montrealers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, and I Met the Walrus by Torontonian Josh Raskin.

On behalf of all of my colleagues, I would like to wish these fantastic nominees the very best, and I hope that Telefilm Canada will work hard promoting these films to members of the Academy.

The envelope, please.

Conservative Party of Canada

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it has been two years since Canadians chose change and elected a Conservative government. We can take pride that we have kept our word and delivered the goods.

We made it a priority to clean up government. That is why we delivered the strongest clean government law in history.

We made it a priority to help parents. We are providing families with $100 a month for every child under six years.

We have cut the GST from 7% to 5%, reduced income taxes, slashed the right of the landing fee in half, helped seniors with pension income splitting and gotten tough on crime.

We made it a priority to improve infrastructure, which is why we have increased funding for the Asia-Pacific gateway, and we have introduced responsible environmental policies.

As a result of these priorities, Canada is getting stronger and the government is more accountable. The economy's fundamentals have been strengthened and the country is more united.

Our government is going to continue to deliver real results to Canadians in the months ahead.

Quebec Nation

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week we learned that Canada Post made a decision that was insulting to Quebeckers, and showed to what extent the place of the Quebec nation means nothing.

Canada Post printed a calendar with no reference to Quebec's national holiday, June 24, and issued a series of stamps portraying only anglophone artists, completely ignoring the international and national stature of many Quebec artists.This is what the place of the Quebec nation means.

This incident shows the Conservative-inspired corporate culture found in crown corporations. The government deceived Quebeckers when it voted to recognize Quebec as a nation, but had no intention of granting it the associated privileges.

The Economy

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, real leadership on the economy is what Canadians are looking for. What is the Liberal Party offering? Nothing, other than increased taxes and deficit spending.

The Liberal leader sees tax cuts, like the GST, as “a serious mistake”. The Liberal finance critic openly muses about raising the GST. All this while making promise after costly promise that would send Canada spiralling into deficit. What do people expect from a Liberal leader who owes nearly a whopping $900,000 in leadership campaign debt? That is not leadership.

Leadership is precisely what is required at this time. We said we would allow Canadians to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and we did.

We said we would cut the GST from 7% to 6% to 5% and we did. We said we would lower the lowest income tax rate to 15% and we did.

We provided $190 billion in tax relief for individuals, families and businesses while at the same time making record payments to reduce Canada's debt.

More money in their pockets and fewer Liberals in their wallets is the kind of leadership Canadians want and this Conservative government is delivering.

Human Rights

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the government announced last Wednesday that Canada will not be participating in the 2009 Durban review conference. Despite mixed messages sent by our General Assembly votes in the fall, I am pleased that the government is now doing the right thing. This is an important first step.

The Durban review conference is set to be an exercise in racism and discrimination, in complete opposition to its stated objectives.

I believe the government should further demonstrate the strength of its convictions by halting federal funding to non-governmental organizations that will attend this charade, and by calling on our friends and allies to boycott this conference as well.

In addition, I propose that Canada consider hosting a parallel conference to combat racism and discrimination to facilitate global dialogue and action on this important issue, and what better place to hold it than in Winnipeg in the shadow of the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Forestry and Manufacturing Sectors

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the electioneering hypocrisy of the Bloc Québécois is very cynical and must be denounced. These elected members are rejecting the government's offer to help manage the forestry and manufacturing crises by repeating that the fate of the workers cannot be dependent on the upcoming economic statement.

However, what Quebeckers are not hearing is that this $1 billion measure, which includes $217 million for Quebec, is not the only measure being taken. It comes in addition to the $127.5 million for the long term competitiveness initiative for the forest industry.

Furthermore, our government transferred $406 million to the Government of Quebec in unbudgeted equalization, which could, in the very short term, help the workers in the forestry and manufacturing sectors.

Spouting rhetoric while offering nothing is the worst form of politics. The Bloc's powerlessness to achieve real, concrete results for the forestry industry today, tomorrow and forevermore will be judged harshly by the workers.

I will continue to take action within our government in the interest of these workers and I have full confidence in the leadership of our Prime Minister.

Nora Bernard

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Canada experienced a deep loss in late December with the death of renowned Mi'kmaq activist Nora Bernard at her home near Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia.

Nora Bernard was a trusted leader in her community. She was highly respected by everyone who knew her and deeply loved by her family and friends.

She became a champion for her people when she launched a class action lawsuit on behalf of survivors of abuse at residential schools. Her efforts were instrumental in getting a national settlement for an estimated 79,000 survivors.

Survivors of the horrors of residential schools will never forget this courageous woman, and all of us will remember her determination and dedication to her community.

Mi'kmaq spiritual leader Noel Knockwood said that she made a tremendous contribution to Canada as a whole by standing up for liberty, justice and freedom.

All Canadians should be proud of her tremendous achievements in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Alzheimer's Disease

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. In Quebec, 105,600 people have Alzheimer's disease. At present, the cause of neurodegenerative disease is unknown, and there is no effective treatment to keep it from progressing. Unless a cure is found, it is estimated that 750,000 people will have Alzheimer's by 2031.

Researchers are optimistic, however, about cellular therapy, early diagnosis and especially the possibility that a vaccine could be available within four or five years. These encouraging developments represent hope for relief for the families and the million natural caregivers in Quebec whose lives are turned upside down and who are too often worn out by this disease.

The Bloc Québécois pays tribute to all the volunteers who do such a remarkable job caring for people with Alzheimer's and continues to call for adequate support measures on their behalf.

Acadians

[Shawn Murphy, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment today to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the deportation of the Acadians from Prince Edward Island.

In the mid-1700s, Île St-Jean, as Prince Edward Island was then known, was home to several thousand Acadian residents. When the British gained control of the island in 1758, they deported at least 3,000 Acadians. Two ships, the Duke William and the Violet, which were carrying deported Acadians, sunk off the coast of France. Seven hundred lives were lost. To avoid deportation, approximately 1,000 to 1,500 Acadians escaped to the province of Quebec, the province of New Brunswick or hid in more remote parts of Prince Edward Island.

The Acadians showed remarkable resilience in the face of these hardships and some eventually returned or stayed in Prince Edward Island. Now up to 25% of Prince Edward Island residents are extremely proud of their Acadian heritage.

Please join with me in remembering the expulsion of the Acadians from Prince Edward Island and from across the Maritime provinces. I hope that by reflecting on this regrettable chapter in Canadian history we can ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.

Justice

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the soft on crime Liberals are again fighting with each other. Our Conservative government's Bill C-2 imposes tough new mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related crimes. Even the Liberal Premier of Ontario has demanded that the Liberal dominated Senate finally pass the bill to make our streets and communities safer.

Yet, after almost two years of obstruction and delay, what is the response from the Liberal opposition leader? He says he will not help. Shameful, Mr. Speaker.

For years Canadians of many different backgrounds have demanded action on gun crime. Bill C-2 delivers that action. Yet, the Leader of the Opposition and his cronies in the Senate continue to play political games while the violent crime rate continues to rise.

Liberal stonewalling is becoming a national disgrace. Canadians want action and they want it now. Why will the Liberal leader not listen to Dalton McGuinty? Why will he not listen to Canadians?

New Brunswick Highway Accident

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Speaker, just over two weeks ago seven students from the Bathurst High School and a teacher from the Terry Fox Elementary School in Bathurst, New Brunswick, lost their lives in a tragic accident. They were on their way home from a basketball game when their van collided with a large truck.

Parents, friends and loved ones experienced a terrible tragedy that made news around the world. The Bathurst community and people from all across Canada gathered in a gesture of solidarity. They have all, in their own way, shown their support for the grieving families.

To the families and individuals affected by this tragedy, I wish much courage and love.

The Boys in Red: Javier Acevedo, Codey Branch, Nathan Cleland, Justin Cormier, Daniel Hains, Nicholas Kelly, Nickolas Quinn; and beloved teacher, Elizabeth Lord, will always remain in our hearts.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

An agreement has been reached with representatives of all parties.

I invite hon. members to rise and observe a moment of silence.

[A moment of silence observed.]

Afghanistan

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the government was fully aware of the military's decision to stop detainee transfers back in early November because of evidence of torture. The Minister of National Defence was actually in Afghanistan the very day the transfers stopped, and yet the Prime Minister and his ministers misled the House and Canadians for three months.

Why did the Prime Minister hide the truth from Canadians?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, that allegation is completely false. The truth of the matter is that what the government revealed in November was the fact that there was credible evidence of a particular case of abuse. That is what the government revealed.

The government does not reveal the cases where there is no abuse because those are simply matters of military operations. The Leader of the Opposition had that information himself and understood it was not to be revealed.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, then why did he reveal it?

If, for reasons of “operational security”, the Prime Minister and his government did not wish to reveal to Canadians that detainee transfers had been suspended, why then did he do so in the course of court proceedings?

How does he explain this obvious contradiction?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the lawyers decided to disclose this information to the court to clearly demonstrate that Canadian forces and government officials, no matter their level, always respect their international and humanitarian obligations.

In this case, all the evidence clearly proves the contrary of what the opposition has claimed.

Our military forces in Afghanistan are doing a very good job while fully respecting their international obligations. We should congratulate them for their work.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, information that is good to be disclosed in court should be good to be disclosed in the House.

I will repeat my question. Why did the Prime Minister hide this information from the House and from Canadians for three months?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for their own legal reasons the lawyers in that case chose to disclose this information principally to once again demonstrate that Canadian troops and Canadian government officials at all levels always respect their international obligations. All the evidence presented to the court indicates that clearly.

We have to repeat what was said in court, that is, that the transfer agreement with the Afghan government remains in force, and when those responsible for transfers in military operations choose to transfer, they continue to have the option to do so when they deem it appropriate.

[Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on November 22 the Minister of National Defence stood in the House and claimed there had “not been one single, solitary proven allegation of abuse of detainees” in Afghanistan. We now know that a whip was found in an interrogation cell on November 5. Abuse occurred. The detainee transfer was stopped on November 6, while that very minister was in Kandahar.

Was the minister asleep, out of the loop, or did he knowingly withhold information from Canadians and from this House?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, what I said at that time was absolutely true. In fact, on November 14 there was a disclosure made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to that very effect.

The important part of all of this, and I am surprised that it is lost on a learned legal scholar like the member opposite, is that the policy remains unchanged. The agreement, which was enhanced--that flawed agreement left in place by the previous government--improved our ability to discover these types of issues by increased monitoring. That is what happened. That is why we have improved our ability to do such things. A proactive disclosure was made.

Surely the member is not suggesting that we simply accept every allegation without--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore.