Debates of May 1st, 2008

Cluster Bombs

[Bonnie Brown, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the minister chose his words very carefully. He said that Canada only wanted to reduce the impact of certain types of cluster bombs. He avoided saying that Canada seeks an international ban on the production and the use of cluster bombs.

Will he now go on the record and say whether his government supports a ban on cluster bombs, yes or no?

[Maxime Bernier, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has never used cluster bombs. We are in the process of destroying any cluster bombs that we might have here in Canada

We are with the international community. In light of the impact of cluster bombs on human beings, it is important to us to reduce the harmful effect of certain types of cluster bombs.

International Aid

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the aid announced by the Conservative government is not nearly enough to deal with a food crisis of this magnitude. The truth is that this crisis is affecting the development of entire countries. Canada is currently far from doing its part because it has allocated just 0.28% of its GDP to international aid.

In the coming days, will the government be tabling its plan to meet the UN's objective of 0.7% of GDP allocated to international aid to fight poverty and hunger in the world?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate, and it has been recognized by the World Food Bank, that Canada, of all the countries in the world, is the second highest donor to the World Food Programme.

I also want to reiterate that, unlike the previous government, when we make commitments we fulfill those commitments.

Our government said that it would double aid to Africa and we will do that. We will also double our international assistance. We will also ensure we fulfill our food aid commitments.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

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

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois presented a motion that would force the government to ensure that if Bill C-33 passes, the implementation of the regulations would not increase the proportion of Canada's corn production currently dedicated to ethanol production.

Will the government act responsibly on the issue of the current food crisis and support this motion?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Secretary of State (Agriculture)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her question. It gives me the opportunity to clarify some things.

When the regulations are followed, that is, 5% ethanol in gasoline and biodiesel, no more than 5% of Canadian farmland will be used for ethanol production. As for the other 95%, that will be more than enough to meet the demand and allow for ample exports around the world.

Human Resources and Social Development

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development was asked to update the House on child care spaces in Manitoba. The minister then proceeded to mislead the House on the government's role in a provincial announcement to create 6,500 child care spaces in that province. The fact is that there was absolutely no federal support.

Minister Mackintosh actually said:

Despite this year’s loss of a strong federal commitment to child care, we must now regain momentum.

Will the minister do the right thing and stand up and apologize for misleading the House?

[Monte Solberg, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that in budget 2007, we announced an increase of $250 million in support for the creation of regulated child care spaces, bringing the total to $1.1 billion a year. Since that time, including the announcement in Manitoba, the provinces and territories, along with the federal government, have their intention to create over 60,000 spaces.

I would remind the member that it was the former deputy leader of the Liberal Party who said that under their regime, their plan created zero new spaces.

TV5

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

Mr. Speaker, a few months ago, the President of France announced proposed changes to TV5. Given the importance of this television network to the francophone community in Canada, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages has gone to great lengths to ensure that our concerns are taken into consideration.

Could the minister tell us what progress she and her international partners have made?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his excellent question.

Naturally, as chair of the conference of ministers responsible for TV5, I am pleased to announced that discussions among senior officials of the governmental partners have led to the development of a draft agreement preserving the multilateral and pluralistic nature of TV5 Monde.

This draft agreement recognizes the independence of TV5 Monde, particularly by separating the roles of president and director general and by giving broadcasting experts from all partner countries the opportunity to apply for key positions in the network. This will make TV5 Monde stronger and—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member for Vancouver Island North.

Forestry Industry

[Catherine Bell, NDP, Vancouver Island North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, hard-working people on Vancouver Island are struggling to get by. Forestry is in crisis. TimberWest is closing the Elk Falls sawmill in Campbell River and putting 275 workers out of jobs. Catalyst is slashing 145 workers from the pulp mill right next door. At Western Forest Products another 800 jobs on the B.C. coast are gone, yet more families without a pay cheque by the end of this week.

Five months ago the government promised that help would be coming for working families. Why is there no direct help from the government in the face of this crisis?

[Gary Lunn, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what the member calls $1 billion. Our Prime Minister announced $1 billion to help affected workers through the community development trust. This was given to the province to deliver these programs. We are working.

We understand what happens when workers lose these jobs.

We are very proud to say that since our government has come into office we have created more than three-quarters of a million net new jobs in this country and our economy is strong. Unlike the Liberals, who, if they were to ever possibly get control, would raise taxes and drive us back into deficit and debt with one promise after another that is unaccountable--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member for Nanaimo--Cowichan.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, under the Prime Minister's watch, 1,000 forestry jobs have disappeared in Nanaimo—Cowichan in just the last six months. Forestry workers who lost their jobs only five short months ago are already running out of EI benefits.

As family income in forestry communities continues to drop on the west coast, the government is offering tax breaks to Canada's largest corporations, even those moving jobs offshore.

Why does the government reward those who ship jobs out of Canada and abandon the workers left behind?

[Gary Lunn, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, we know what happened in British Columbia when the NDP was in power. It went from first place to last place and became a have not province.

The economy is now booming in British Columbia because of the finance policies of this government. Working with our provincial partners, we are bringing in incentives for the forestry workers. We understand they are struggling but we are very proud that the economy in British Columbia is one of the hottest economies in the entire country.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I would like to draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the recipients of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. I will read the list.

For lifetime artistic achievement in the performing arts: Anton Kuerti, Eugene Levy, Brian MacDonald, John Murrell, Alanis Obomsawin and Michel Pagliaro.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for voluntarism in the performing arts: Eric Charman.

The National Arts Centre Award goes to a group from Kingston and the Islands, The Tragically Hip, which includes Rob Baker, Gordon Downie, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I invite all hon. members to meet the recipients at a reception in room 216 following the upcoming vote.

The House resumed consideration of Bill C-33, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, as reported (with amendments) from the committee, and of Motion No. 2.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

It being 3:05 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at report stage of Bill C-33. The question is on Motion No. 2.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on Motion No. 2, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #94

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I declare Motion No. 2 lost.