Debates of March 31st, 2008

Manufacturing and Forestry Industries

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government has access to a $10 billion surplus until midnight. No government in its right mind would hesitate to use a portion of this huge surplus to support a struggling economy and help the manufacturing and forestry industries which are facing a crisis.

To prevent all of this year's surplus from going toward the debt, will the government announce today that $7 billion of this surplus will be put into a trust designed to help these industries which are in serious need of help?

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, if the member had the opportunity to read the budget and our last couple of budgets, he will know that this government has done a vast amount to help the manufacturing and forestry industries.

I would like to start by talking about the $9 billion in corporate tax relief for manufacturers and processors. Also, in the forestry industry from 2006 to 2013 we have $1 billion in incremental tax relief for the accelerated capital cost allowance, which is benefiting people in the manufacturing and forestry industries.

We increased the CCA rate to 30% from 15% for industry. We improved the scientific research. We have done massive amounts for--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member for Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup.

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the Conservative government chose to abandon the regions and let them face the crisis in the manufacturing and forestry industries on their own. It will pay the political price for that in the next election. Since the Conservatives took office, more than 78,000 jobs have been lost in the manufacturing sector in Quebec, including some 44,000 in 2007 alone. None of the previous budgets or this year's budget will address that problem.

Faced with such devastation, will the government discontinue its irresponsible policy of putting all extra money toward the debt and announce today the establishment of a $7 billion trust to support the economy? That is what the citizens in the affected regions are asking: stop taking the money to pay down the debt—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, given that the Bloc Québécois will never manage any public money, it is in no position to lecture us about regional economic development. The Bloc's record of achievements for the regions of Quebec will always be a big zero.

In 1991, the Bloc said that the shorter their time in this place, the more successful their mission would be. Today, Bloc members figure that the longer their time in this place, the better their pension will be.

Seal Hunters

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Speaker, we are deeply saddened by the tragic death, last Saturday, of seal hunters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We still do not know for sure what made their boat capsize and why these hunters were still on board.

In light of this tragic event, what is the government now doing to ensure that it can never happen again?

[Loyola Hearn, Conservative, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, this morning I spoke at length with the minister responsible for public security and the minister of fisheries from the Quebec government. I informed them and worked with them, actually, to make sure that three studies are already under way: one by the Transportation Safety Board, one by the RCMP, and one by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard study, by the way, will be led by an independent individual.

We will make sure that we get to the bottom of whatever happened. All of it will be made public and we will learn from it if any mistakes were made.

Afghanistan

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief issued a report last week that outlined some of the concerns it has regarding delivery of aid in Afghanistan. This report noted concerns over the commitment of donor countries to reconstruction efforts. While the agency's report stated that a great deal of progress has been made, it was critical of the level of funding actually received in the country.

Can the Minister of International Cooperation tell the House how Canada is doing in terms of its commitment to Afghanistan?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, the government is firmly committed to Afghanistan and its reconstruction. We are making a difference in the lives of Afghan people and we will increase and improve on the effectiveness of our aid.

In fact, Afghans have said that Canada has performed very well. The report itself recognizes that of the 60 countries Canada has delivered 90% of its aid commitment to date.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the media analysts at the RCMP went into override in the run-up to a crucial committee hearing that led to the subsequent resignation of the former RCMP Commissioner. Then RCMP Commissioner Zacardelli ordered in depth and highly detailed accountings of public opinion on the sordid Arar affair.

Can the minister tell us if he got copies of this opinion analysis and did he make decisions during the Arar affair based on these reports?

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know if my hon. friend is caught in a time warp here. The Arar investigation and situation, which took place under the federal Liberals, was something that we followed up on with the O'Connor reports. Every single one of those recommendations has been dutifully followed.

Just two weeks ago, I announced the new implementation council. That is a group of people who will oversee the very significant reforms that we are looking forward to in the RCMP over the next year and a half.

[Penny Priddy, NDP, Surrey North, BC]

What is emerging, Mr. Speaker, is a picture of an RCMP commissioner who cared more about his personal reputation than the reputation of a man that Canada helped send to torture in Syria or even of the very force he was supposed to lead. We also know that former Commissioner Zacardelli handed over $25,000 to an expert media manipulator to help massage his answers to the committee.

Is it not time for real RCMP change? We have had the report for four months. Nothing has happened. Will the minister call a public inquiry into this dark period for our national police force?

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Really, Mr. Speaker, I am trying to be understanding of the member, who is living in the past on things that have been corrected. I might add, along with what I already have indicated on the things that have been implemented and the changes we are looking for, that the former commissioner resigned. I do not know if the hon. member is aware of that, but that took place some time ago.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Honourable Andrew Swan, Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade for Manitoba.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Honourable Rick Doucet, Minister of Fisheries for New Brunswick.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Canadian Human Rights Commission

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I have the honour to lay upon the table the 2007 annual report of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), this document is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I have the honour to lay upon the table the 2007 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal annual report.

Chief Electoral Officer

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I have the honour to lay upon the table the report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the administration of the Outremont, Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot byelections of September 17, 2007.

This document is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Main estimates, 2008-09

[Vic Toews, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table on behalf of my colleagues part III of the estimates consisting of 93 departmental reports on plans and priorities. These documents will be distributed to members of the standing committees to assist them in their deliberations and in consideration of the spending authorities already sought in part II of the estimates.

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 68 petitions.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2006-07 annual report of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police pension plan.

Parliament and, by extension, Canadians can have full confidence in the integrity and the accuracy of the 2006-07 annual report of the RCMP pension plan. This is the sixth year in which this report is based upon audited financial statements. These have been verified by the Auditor General. The Auditor General has issued, without qualification, a clean audit opinion report on the financial statements contained in this year's annual report on the RCMP pension plan.

Procedure and House Affairs

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Pursuant to Standing Order No. 91.1(2), this report contains the list of items added to the order of precedence, as a result of the replenishment that took place on Monday, March 3, 2008, under private members' business, that should not be designated non-votable.