Debates of April 8th, 2008

Juno Awards

[Lee Richardson, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last week, Calgary's renowned hospitality and vibrant spirit were once again on display as our city hosted the 37th annual Juno Awards.

Writers, artists, musicians and fans from across the country gathered to celebrate and recognize the abundance of musical talent that Canada has produced.

True to form, Calgary stepped up to the plate and put on the biggest and best Juno weekend ever. Highlighted by Calgarian Leslie Feist winning five awards, including album of the year, the Calgary Junos demonstrated the true heart of the new west.

As Juno winner and proud Calgarian Paul Brandt said:

This city has an incredible spirit, and even as the city of Calgary continues to grow, there's something about the heart and soul of Calgary that's small town and warm. Even though it's cosmopolitan and progressive, there's still a feel that we all care about each other and that was really obvious during the show....

On behalf of my colleagues who joined me in Calgary for the Junos, I want to thank and congratulate the organizing committee and volunteers, CARAS and the artists, and CTV for making this year's Junos the best ever.

Vince Ryan Memorial Tournament

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the organizers of the 19th annual Vince Ryan oldtimers hockey tournament held recently in my riding.

This year's event saw 160 teams compete in over 280 games. Teams from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia were treated to an incredible weekend of hockey and fellowship.

An army of over 200 volunteers kept score, cleaned rooms, shuttled teams and made meals for the over 3,000 participants.

The Vince Ryan tournament has grown to be recognized as one of the premier oldtimers hockey tournaments in this country. It brings a tremendous social and economic benefit to our community. All profits go toward the Glace Bay High School scholarship fund.

To the Ryan family, who remain proud to celebrate Vince's memory through this tournament, and to the chairman, the incomparable Richie Warren, and his organizing committee, I express thanks on behalf of the people from Cape Breton—Canso for their commitment to this great event and wish them the very best of luck with the 20th anniversary coming up next year.

Competition for Correct French on Signs

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, two of the award winners in the 11th annual J'affiche en français competition sponsored by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste du Centre-du-Québec are from the RCM of Drummond. They are the Centre d'emploi pour femmes Partance in Drummondville and Ameublement Setlakwe in Saint-Germain-de-Grantham. This furniture store won the prize for correct French usage on the sign posting store hours and on price tags. The women's employment centre, Partance, won in the service business category.

Out of the 40 establishments in the Centre-du-Québec region that entered this competition, 18 finalists were chosen. In addition to a certificate congratulating them on their correct French signage, the winners received $250 and a plaque created by artist Suzanne Ricard, from Saint-Pie-de-Guire.

Congratulations to Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste du Centre-du-Québec for this brilliant initiative, as well as to the award recipients.

Access to Information

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court calls access to information laws quasi-constitutional in their weight and import, and the public's right to know what their government is doing is a fundamental cornerstone of democracy, but the access to information system in this country is broken. It is a farce. It is completely dysfunctional. Successive Liberal and Conservative governments have refused to fix it.

It was the culture of secrecy that allowed corruption to flourish in the Liberal years. The Conservative government is even worse. The government is obsessed with secrecy. The Conservatives habitually abuse the use of section 15 exemptions under the act and they virtually deny access through unreasonable delays.

I am holding here one letter from National Defence headquarters that gives itself an extension of 300 days to fill a basic request for information. This is absurd.

The government is obsessed with secrecy. If we do nothing else in this minority Parliament, we must reform the Access to Information Act. The public has a right to know.

Afghanistan

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our Canadian troops deployed in Afghanistan under the authority of NATO and the UN have just received the good news that they will soon receive some backup.

Our Prime Minister, who attended the NATO summit in Bucharest last week, convinced our allies to support Canada's mission to help the Afghan people. French and American soldiers will join the Canadian troops stationed in Kandahar. Furthermore, Poland has agreed to provide helicopters and additional equipment. These latest developments were made possible because of our Prime Minister's leadership. Once again, Canada is playing an important role on the international stage.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the soldiers from Valcartier, and particularly those from the Régiment de la Chaudière and the 6 Field Artillery Regiment based in Lévis who have been deployed in Afghanistan. I want them to know that what they have done every day in Kandahar and the surrounding area, as well as the concrete assistance they have provided to the Afghan people, is noble and important, not only in my eyes, but in the eyes of all Canadians. The people of Lévis, Bellechasse and Les Etchemins are proud of you.

Juno Awards

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to congratulate Fredericton's own Measha Brueggergosman, who received the 2008 Juno award for best vocal or choral performance at Sunday night's ceremonies.

Measha has emerged as one of the pre-eminent classical sopranos in the world. Having performed extensively in North America and internationally, she is critically acclaimed for her extraordinary voice, her remarkable versatility, the depth of her artistic commitment and her pure star quality.

Her recording Surprise, released in 2007, is a testament to her sensational voice and musicianship. I encourage everyone who is a fan of exceptional music to pick up her CD and enjoy it for themselves.

I extend congratulations to Measha Brueggergosman for winning this prestigious award. She makes her family, Fredericton and Canada proud.

Terrorism

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

Mr. Speaker, our government is leading the world in the fight against terrorism. We have frozen aid to the Hamas government, led the fight against the Taliban and supported Israel at the United Nations.

Now Canada must confront Holocaust denier Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is one of the world's top state sponsors of terror.

One way to confront him and other terrorist allies is through Bill S-225. The Conservative bill would allow Canadian terror victims and their families to take civil action in Canadian courts against those who finance terror.

The Liberal-dominated Senate is blocking the bill. With a massive Senate majority, the Liberals have the power to adopt this legislation now.

It is a new tool as we carry out this battle against terrorism. Let us cut off the money that fuels terrorism and bring justice to terrorist victims past, present and future.

Quebec Tourism Awards

[Robert Bouchard, Bloc, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, many organizations from Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean, and particularly from my riding, were honoured on March 28, 2008, at the regional edition of the Grands prix du tourisme québécois.

Among the recipients were the Village-vacances in Petit-Saguenay, Hôtel Chicoutimi, the Festival International des Rythmes du monde in Saguenay, the Nouvelle Fabuleuse ou les Aventures d’un Flo, Hôtel la Saguenéenne and the Auberge des Battures.

I would especially like to commend the tourism personality of the year, Louis Wauthier, who was honoured for his exceptional contribution to the new edition of the Fabuleuse histoire d'un royaume.

I commend the excellence of everyone involved in tourism in the Chicoutimi—Le Fjord riding and all the finalists from the entire region. Your contribution to the tourism industry is invaluable and allows us to carry on the tradition of warm hospitality that is so typical of the people of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal leader once asked, “Do you think it's easy to make priorities?”

It seems that these days the Liberal Party is certainly having trouble doing so. We hear one thing from the leader, another from the deputy leader and other things from the Liberal leader wannabes.

Let us take this recent example from last Friday at Concordia University, where the Liberal Party deputy leader gave a speech in which he discussed the idea of being a global citizen. He said:

I don't think you can be a good global citizen if you're not a good national citizen. The chief problem in the world is that not all people live in strong and capable states.

According to the deputy leader, creating a strong, capable state is a new and more important goal than solving global warming, ending poverty or fixing the north-south divide. He believes Canada's priority should be to assist in strengthening states rather than simply provide aid to poor countries.

Does his Liberal leader agree with these comments? Is this a new Liberal priority? Who is speaking for the Liberal Party? The Liberal Party does not know, Canadians do not know--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member for Madawaska—Restigouche.

Dave Ryan

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

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to acknowledge in this House today Dave Ryan and his family, originally from Edmunston, in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche.

Mr. Ryan, who is 80 years old, served Canada in the Korean War in 1950. His seven brothers served in World War II, a few years earlier.

The Ryan family set what is believed to be a national record in terms of the services of one family in the Canadian armed forces in the second world war and the Korean war.

While words can never adequately express our nation's gratitude, we remember the dedicated service the Ryan family has given to Canada.

Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge this family that served in wartime. We wish to recognize Dave Ryan and his family as well as the family members of his brothers Percy, Thomas, Arthur, Earl, Don, Leo and Joseph. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when Canadians look at the Liberal leader and his party, they see a party with no leadership. When Canadians wonder what the Liberal leader and his party stand for, they see a party with no policies.

When Canadians think of what their future would look like under a Liberal government, they see a party with no vision for our country. When Canadians wonder how the Liberal leader and his party would manage their hard-earned tax dollars, they see a party that, in addition to raising the GST, would put the country $62.5 billion deeper into debt.

When Canadians look at the Conservative government, they see a government with no scandals, yet they see a Liberal leader and his party so desperate, they focus on make believe ones and have stooped so low by their attempt to invent scandals.

No leadership, no vision, no plan, no results, that is the Liberal approach. Leadership, vision, a plan, results, that is the Conservative approach.

Vincent Cormier

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with honour that I rise in this House to draw attention to the performance of an athlete from my riding. Vincent Cormier, of Robertville, won the senior national wrestling championships in the under 55 kg class held last weekend in Guelph, Ontario.

Vincent Cormier is a student at the University of New Brunswick who dreams of being a world champion. He trains with the Club de lutte Chaleur under Michel Côté. He is a strong Canadian contender for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Over the next few months, Vincent will participate in a tournament in Spain, two international tournaments as well as the Pan Am Games in Ecuador.

On behalf of the citizens of Acadie-Bathurst, myself and the NDP, I wish him good luck in his quest for gold. Congratulations, Vincent. We will be behind you cheering you on to reach your goals. We are proud of you. Good luck, Vincent.

Allan Cup Tournament

[Lloyd St. Amand, Liberal, Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the 100th Allan Cup Tournament, featuring teams from across Canada, will be held in Brantford, Ontario from April 14 to 19, hosted by the Brantford Blast.

The Allan Cup has a very distinguished history. It is a much revered championship, contested annually, representing senior hockey at the highest level in Canada. The owners of the Brantford Blast, Peter and Judy Ham, and General Manager Steve Cheeseman have worked long and hard to organize a tournament, which will be memorable for everyone involved.

From a local perspective, 10,000 students are being invited to attend the games and elementary schools will participate in a program entitled “Adopt a Team”. Players from the adopted team will visit area schools to convey to students the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, obviously including hockey and other physical activities.

I welcome all to attend the 100th Allan Cup tournament, and wish to convey the thanks of my constituents to the ownership and management of the Brantford Blast.

Droulers-Tsiionhiakwatha Archeological Site Interpretation Centre

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on March 11, the Droulers-Tsiionhiakwatha Archeological Site Interpretation Centre in Saint Anicet received recognition at the 22nd Grands prix montérégiens du tourisme québécois awards.

The archeological site in the Upper St. Lawrence region recreates a 15th century Iroquois village. It won the Tourism Attraction award for under 100,000 visitors for the Montérégie and will represent the region nationally on May 9.

The interpretation centre has been described as one of the top ten tourist attractions in Canada and received 11,000 visitors in 2007 in just four months of operation. It has had visitors from more than 42 countries since it opened in 2001.

This organization owes its reputation to the quality of its achievements and its client services and richly deserves our congratulations. I want to commend in particular Pascal Perron, Michel Cadieux and their entire team for their passion and their excellent work.

Jim Connors

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Jim Connors passed away last week. This was a man who made the world better, an outstanding lawyer, business executive and public servant, supremely dedicated to his wife, Cathy, and his children.

He was a leader in every aspect of his life, an optimistic, energetic, compassionate and vibrant man who tackled life, and perhaps more remarkably, tackled his own death. He was one of those people who made people happier, stronger and better, just by being Jim.

Knowing the seriousness of his illness, he fought furiously, managed his treatments, celebrated his victories and when appropriate, prepared to die. He fought hard for public coverage of a cancer drug that he could afford but others could not.

Jim's funeral took place yesterday in Dartmouth, a beautiful Nova Scotia April day. The sun seemed to reflect his optimistic outlook about life and death, and the hints of spring renewal serve to remind us of the next generation of Jim's family, his amazing children who will make their own significant contributions to this world.

Jim would be as proud of them as they are, and we all are, of him.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, coming soon to a constituency near you is the embattled Liberal leader, and he is promising billions and billions of dollars of reckless new spending.

While the Liberal leader may not have a vision for the future of Canada, lacks the ability to set priorities and boasts the worst environment record of any environment minister in the history of Canada, he has demonstrated that, if given the chance, he would spend in historic fashion.

In what ways, my colleagues ask. For example he has proposed the following GST increases: 1% for social housing; 1% for reduced corporate taxes; 1% for child tax benefit; 1% for a green tax initiative; 1% for transfers to cities; 1% for debt pay down; and 1% to cut emissions. The result would be a 12% GST.

Perhaps during the next few stops of the Liberal leader's tax hike tour, he might be so kind as to empty his knapsack of secrecy and tell us exactly how he would propose to finance the balance of his close to $70 billion of reckless new Liberal spending pledges. Just how much is Liberal generosity going to cost us on our tax bill?

Memorial Cup

[Louise Thibault, Independent, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the people in my riding are known for their great competence and savoir-faire, to the point that the Canadian Hockey League's host-city selection committee chose Rimouski to host the 2009 Memorial Cup tournament.

There is no question that the legendary hospitality of the people of Rimouski tipped the scales in favour of this Lower St. Lawrence city. Players such as Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Michel Ouellet and the other former Océanic players have also been extraordinary ambassadors for our region.

Congratulations to the bidding committee, to the Océanic team, to all the people of Rimouski and to the people of the Lower St. Lawrence who will come out for the 2009 Memorial Cup tournament.

Rest assured that hockey fans will have a front row seat at this memorable tournament. You will all be very welcome.

Afghanistan

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the motion the House passed on March 13 on the mission in Afghanistan was not a blank cheque. It was a contract between the government and the House. Central to the motion was the creation of a special committee of the House on the mission in Afghanistan.

Will the Prime Minister support the Liberal motion today, including its timeline that compels the government to create, without further delay, this much needed committee?

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

Mr. Speaker, the pouting professor never ceases to surprise me. We worked together to come up with a common, non-partisan position, on which we all agreed, to extend the mission in Afghanistan. We very much appreciate the support of the Liberal Party for that.

We are in accord today on the motion that the committee should be established, which is reflected in the motion. Of course we intend to move forward with it.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, basically, the March 13 motion centred on the government's obligation to be accountable and transparent—an obligation that has been woefully lacking in the past. In this spirit of transparency and accountability, it is high time the Prime Minister began giving us some clear answers to our questions on Afghanistan.

For example, did he unequivocally tell our NATO allies that Canada's military mission in Kandahar will end in 2011?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the House of Commons have been very clear. Our military mission will end in 2011.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we still do not know if they clearly told NATO as much.

The Prime Minister and his Minister of National Defence like to talk about all the conditions being met, but we do not know the specifics.

When will the U.S. troops show up? How long is their commitment? How much will the Polish helicopters cost? How long will we have them? What about those UAVs we have been promised? When will they arrive?

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the pouting professor has time coming to positions. I know it took a long—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!