Debates of Dec. 7th, 2009

Museums

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

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to ignore the labour dispute between the war and civilization museum workers and their employer. If the dispute drags on, planning for summer camps, which allow our school children to discover our rich heritage, will not be completed.

How will the Conservatives explain to those children and their parents that their summer camp has been cancelled?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, we were working with both parties even before the strike began. It is always difficult for workers to choose to go on strike. It is a legal strike. We could appoint an arbitrator but both sides must agree. In this case, one side did not and therefore arbitration cannot be considered.

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

Mr. Speaker, we understand the labour minister cannot impose binding arbitration unless both parties agree to it. However, the museum's management is accountable to the heritage minister.

When will he finally direct the museum's director to start negotiating in good faith with its employees so that an honourable accord can be reached?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, we have been working with both parties since before the strike began. It is always a very difficult decision for workers to make when they do go on strike, but this is a legal strike.

As the member knows, we could appoint an arbitrator, but we do need both sides to agree to that, and at this point we do not have agreement from both parties. Recently the union overwhelmingly rejected the employer's offer.

We continue to ask both parties to return to the table as soon as possible.

Tax Harmonization

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, implementing the HST is a bad idea for consumers, who will have to pay more taxes on everyday goods.

The HST is also bad for citizens of northern Ontario, who must travel great distances by car and who will be paying more taxes on gasoline. What is very worrisome is that the aboriginal peoples of Ontario will lose basic rights with the HST.

Why is this government intent on attacking consumers' wallets and violating aboriginal rights?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the government has framework legislation before Parliament now because we respect the autonomy of the provinces and their areas of exclusive jurisdiction, like provincial sales tax. As it was for New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia ten years or so ago, so it is now for two other provinces.

We on this side of the House do not think we ought to discriminate between provinces and their areas of jurisdiction, nor do we, unlike the NDP, think Parliament ought to.

[Bill Siksay, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the HST is hugely unpopular in B.C., but that political problem should not be an excuse for the Conservatives to ram the HST through the House at all costs. They are denying British Columbians a chance to be heard. There will be no committee hearings, no public consultation, no debate, none in B.C. The Conservatives have become the distant, uncaring, tax-hiking government they used to rail against.

What is the hurry? Why are the Conservatives in such a mad rush to deny British Columbians a say on the HST?

[James Moore, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages]

Mr. Speaker, British Columbians have had their say when it comes to taxes and they voted for a government that believes in lowering taxes.

The NDP in the province of British Columbia stepped forward twice in a row and Carole James, the provincial NDP leader, was rejected twice in a row by the people of British Columbia.

British Columbians know that it is Conservatives who believe in lower taxes and it is members of the NDP who believe in higher taxes. That is the simple fact of the matter. We have lowered the GST and income taxes. We have lowered taxes across the board for Canadians.

British Columbians understand that if they want high taxes they will vote for the NDP. If they want low taxes, they will vote for the Conservatives.

Infrastructure

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to invest in vital infrastructure across Canada in order to stimulate the economy and create jobs for Canadians.

I agree with the Prime Minister that we need to increase trade and not protectionism during these tough economic times, especially in my region, which was hit hard by the recent downturn.

Could the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities tell the House about the new developments with respect to the Detroit River international crossing and its significance to Canadians?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the member for Essex for all his work on infrastructure in both Essex and in the City of Windsor.

Last week the Detroit River international crossing project received the necessary federal environmental assessment approval. This is a huge step forward to a new bridge that would be a bridge for trade, a bridge for jobs, and a bridge for southwestern Ontario. This is another example of this government stepping up with billions of dollars of support, even when projects are not in a Conservative riding.

When this project goes ahead, it will create literally thousands of jobs in Windsor and Essex, and they are in this country, which really needs a shot in the arm.

United States Steel Corporation

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Mr. Speaker, in 2007, U.S. Steel took over Stelco, a company which has Canadian roots going back over 200 years.

As a condition of its purchase, U.S. Steel committed to maintaining 3,000 jobs. Unfortunately, U.S. Steel has not kept that commitment. It has closed its production in Nanticoke, laying off hundreds.

Where is the government? Why has it failed to maintain these jobs? Why is the government absent on this file?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, that is a curious question, because this government is in court against U.S. Steel. For the first time in the history of the legislation, we are suing its butt off.

Firearms Registry

[Serge Ménard, Bloc, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Suzanne Laplante-Edward, mother of Anne-Marie Edward, who was killed when just 21 years old in the École Polytechnique massacre, deplores the fact that the Conservative government is perversely dismantling the firearms registry. By relaxing firearms controls, the Conservatives are attacking, and I quote, “the monument erected in memory of our young women.”

When will this government acknowledge that the firearms registry helps prevent violence against women?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Minister of State (Status of Women)]

Mr. Speaker, any suggestion that any member in this House would not want to see an end to violence against women is not only wrong, it is hateful. The ineffective Liberal gun registry has done absolutely nothing to protect Canadians and it has done nothing to make Canadian women safer. The hon. member will know this if he looks deep inside himself.

International Aid

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in the last few days the government announced it is cutting funding for renowned faith-based Canadian foreign aid group KAIROS and for Alternatives. These groups advocate for human rights, clean drinking water, democratic governance and social justice in developing countries that have been ripped apart by decades of war and corruption. Canada used to have a history of fighting world poverty. Now that is not a government priority.

Why is the government cutting funding to KAIROS and Alternatives instead of applauding and supporting their good international work just when it is needed the most?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, I want to be very clear. This government supports and will continue to support the good work of religious and church-based organizations. In fact we work with the Adventists Development and Relief Agency, the Canadian Baptist Ministries, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Evangelical Mission Church of Canada, the Mennonite Central Committee, the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, the Presbyterian World Service and Development, the Anglican Church, the United Church, the Salvation Army, World--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member for Brandon—Souris.

Public Service of Canada

[Merv Tweed, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, our nation has always been proud of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Historically the spouses of those who sacrificed their lives in both world wars as well as Korea were given priority placement in the public service. Can the President of the Treasury Board tell the House how we have updated this practice?

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

Mr. Speaker, military families have always been a priority for our government. That is why I am pleased to tell the House that the Public Service Commission has been working with government departments on some important changes to help military families. These proposed regulations will give priority for externally advertised public service positions to surviving spouses or common-law partners of persons employed in the public service, members of the Canadian Forces and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Any form of assistance that helps these families deal with injury and loss is the least that we can do for our men and women in uniform.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order, please. I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Michael Murphy, Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs for New Brunswick.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Public Safety and National Security

[Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth and fifth reports of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. The fourth report is in relation to Bill C-34, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts, and the fifth report is on the statutory review of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act.

Environment and Sustainable Development

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development in relation to supplementary estimates (B), 2009-10.

Industry, Science and Technology

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology in relation to its study on supplementary estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.

Government Operations and Estimates

[Rob Anders, Conservative, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates with respect to the supplementary estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.