Debates of Feb. 10th, 2009

Ajax

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

Madam Speaker, one community in Canada produced more munitions for the allied war effort during World War II than any other in the British Commonwealth. This community is named after a legendary Royal Navy ship, key to the first decisive victory on the seas against Nazi Germany. It is the town of Ajax, the community I am honoured to represent.

The town of Ajax is seeking one other very special distinction, for a Canadian navy ship to be named in the town's honour. Ajax is a community passionate about its links to the navy and its unique role in the defence of liberty.

This October Ajax will hold a 70th anniversary event commemorating the battle of the River Plate. For both Ajacians and surviving war heroes, no honour could be more great than the government announcing that a future Canadian naval ship will bear the name HMCS Ajax.

I recognize the dedicated work of so many Ajacians in this campaign, including Ajax town council and Mayor Parish, and I ask for the full support of the House.

Emergency Services in a Valleyfield Factory

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

Madam Speaker, on September 22, the first responders at the General Dynamics factory in Valleyfield received an emergency call over the radio, stating that a man was lying on the floor. The emergency response team quickly began looking for the victim, which is not easy in a factory of that size. The rescuers, who are employees at the factory as well as volunteer firefighters, found a man who had stopped breathing and was without a pulse. They started CPR and, a short time later, his heart began to beat again.

When the victim, Jean-Louis Benoit, was admitted to the emergency room, the doctor made it clear: without such quick and effective help, Mr. Benoit would not have survived.

Speaking personally and on behalf of my Bloc Québécois colleagues, I would like to commend the heroic acts of the first responders: Serge Fecteau, Guy Guymont, Sach Haineault, Gérard Jodry and Jacques Roy.

Bravo, their vigilance has saved a life.

Tool, Die and Mould Industry

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Speaker, today a group of tool, die and mould shop owners from my community are travelling far and wide to ensure that they are not among the forgotten and forsaken of the Conservative government. This sector, which employs thousands of Canadians across the country and is the backbone of the entire manufacturing industry, has been left to twist in the wind while the government tries to figure out how to support an industry it chose to ignore until the eleventh hour.

This is yet another example of the Conservative government scrambling to make the insufficient and ill-conceived appear constructive. It is unconscionable that these reactive half measures have become business as usual for the government. Even more shameful is the official opposition, which is aware of these shortcomings, has chosen to align itself with the very people who have led us down this tragic path.

Allow me to acknowledge the efforts of these individuals who are only asking for fairness and support, support that the government has so willingly provided to other sectors of the economy. It is outrageous that they are compelled to put so much time and energy into demanding from the government what should have already been provided.

I hope the Minister of Industry will meet with this delegation and start to work them on a solution.

2010 Winter Olympics

[Rick Casson, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Madam Speaker, the countdown is on. With only one year to go before Canada hosts the 2010 Winter Games, communities across the country are being invited to celebrate the countdown to 2010 in their own unique way.

One of the easiest ways to participate is simply by making some noise this Thursday, February 12, one year from the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. At exactly 6 p.m. local time, in time zones across the country, Canadians of all ages are invited to make some noise. Honk car horns, sound foghorns, ring sleigh bells, sing songs or bang drums, anything to show Canada's pride as the games draw near.

On Parliament Hill, the Minister of State for Sport is inviting everyone out at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday to meet with our athletes and ring the Peace Tower bells. Let us build on the huge success of our athletes over this past weekend.

No matter how people plan to celebrate the one-year countdown, let us make some noise Canada and get involved in what will be the greatest Winter Olympics in the history of the games.

Health

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the Mental Health Commission of Canada holds its regional round table in Ottawa today, providing local stakeholders with an opportunity to respond to its draft document, “Toward Recovery and Well-being—A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for Canada”, I remind the House that good health is not possible without good mental health.

Each year, one in five Canadians will encounter mental health issues. Consequently, virtually every family in this country will be directly impacted by mental illness.

Support for mental health is especially pertinent during this economic crisis as Canadian families struggle to pay the bills and cope with job losses.

For far too long, stigma has kept mental health issues off the public agenda. Canada needs a system that puts people living with mental illness at its centre, with a clear focus on their ability to recover.

The Mental Health Commission has a mandate to ensure that mental health issues stay out of the shadows forever and to reduce the stigma of mental illness. We have to do our part too.

Accountability

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we pass through this difficult period of economic uncertainty, Canadians want to be assured their government is accountable and responsible in its actions.

Last week, in the public accounts committee, we heard testimony from representatives from the Auditor General's Office, where they stated:

We commend the government for producing financial statements that are fairly stated in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. In our view, Canada continues to demonstrate leadership in financial reporting by a national government.

The committee chair also stated:

As has been said by colleagues, this is a clean report. It's been 10 consecutive years now where we've had a clean report, unqualified, from the Auditor General, with a high level of transparency, consistency of accuracy, and I think we, and all Canadians, should be very proud of that fact.

I could not agree more. Canadians want an accountable government. The government is delivering.

Marcel Prud'homme

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of friendship and with great respect, I am pleased to pay tribute to our hon. colleague from Montreal, Senator Marcel Prud'homme, who today celebrates 45 years as a parliamentarian, including over 29 years in the House of Commons. Serving his fellow citizens for so long in this Parliament constitutes a rare and commendable achievement.

All his life, Marcel Prud'homme has dedicated himself, body and soul, to politics. He has been and continues to be passionately involved in international affairs. He continually advocates dialogue and reaching out to those whom, he believes, we sometimes mistakenly call our enemies. He is remembered for his participation in numerous parliamentary associations.

Marcel Prud'homme is a man of great vision and a man of peace. Those who have accused him of being biased or impartial over the years understood nothing of his motivations. As he often said, he is not pro-this or pro-that; he is above all pro-justice.

May his commitment serve as an example to us all. Thanks to Senator Prud'homme. We wish him all the very best.

Australia

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are deeply saddened to learn of the many casualties resulting from the bushfires raging in Australia. The stories and images of lost lives, bereaved families and physical destruction of communities are truly horrific and heartbreaking.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I convey to the people of Australia, but particularly to those who have lost loved ones in the devastation, our heartfelt condolences.

Canadians feel a particular solidarity with Australians at this time given our own direct experience with forest fires and the destruction they cause.

During this period of difficulty, I would also like to express our admiration for the firefighters and emergency services personnel, who are bravely putting their lives at risk to save others.

Canadian Junior Men's Curling Championship

[Shawn Murphy, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all residents of Prince Edward Island, I would like to congratulate Brett Gallant and his teammates on winning the Canadian Junior Men's Curling Championship last Sunday in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

Brett and his teammates, third Adam Casey, second Anson Carmody and lead Jamie Danbrook, played an exceptional game, defeating northern Ontario's rink, skipped by Dylan Johnston, in a 7-6 nail-biter by scoring two in an impressive 10th end final.

Coaching the team was Brett's father, Peter Gallant, who himself has a long history in curling as an eight-time Brier participant for Prince Edward Island. The Gallant rink played hard and remained focused right up to the last rock. It proved that hard work and perseverance does pay off.

This team becomes the second Canadian Junior Men's Curling Championship title for Prince Edward Island since the championship began in 1950.

I ask the members to please join me in congratulating Brett, Jamie, Anson and Adam on their new title of Canadian Junior Men's Curling Championship and wish them every success as they represent Canada at the 2009 World Junior Curling Championships held next month in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Bloc Québécois

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we are going through a serious economic crisis, and all Canadians have to work together to help Canada come out of it stronger than ever. Unfortunately, instead of choosing to cooperate in these difficult times, the Bloc members have chosen to be divisive. They want to divide Canadians, divide Quebeckers.

I want to remind the Bloc members that our budget includes major spending for infrastructure renovations in Quebec, helps companies and communities in difficulty, improves employment insurance benefits, stimulates housing construction and reduces Quebeckers' tax burden.

I urge the Bloc members to stop dividing Quebeckers and start working with us to get our economy going again.

New Democratic Party

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise all my colleagues in the House of Commons of a glorious springtime coming to Canada.

In British Columbia, Carole James and the B.C. NDP are on the precipice of victory in the provincial election coming in May.

Better than that, my home province, the great province of Nova Scotia, is on the verge of electing the very first New Democratic government in Atlantic Canada. Under the wise leadership of Darrell Dexter, it is time to take Rodney MacDonald and the Conservatives, throw the bums out of Nova Scotia and replace them with an accountable, progressive, social democratic government in Nova Scotia.

We want to say to all the citizens of British Columbia, as Tommy Douglas once said, “Courage my friends, 'tis not too late to make a better world”. That day will come soon to the great people of British Columbia and especially to the wonderful people of Nova Scotia.

Gary Rosenfeldt

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Government of Canada to pay our respects to the late Gary Rosenfeldt and express our deepest sympathy to his wife, Sharon.

On Sunday, Gary lost his battle with cancer. However, Gary and Sharon have not lost the battle to have victims' voices heard in this country. This heroic couple turned a family nightmare, the murder of their son Daryn at the hands of one of Canada's most notorious killers, Clifford Olson, into a tireless crusade for tougher penalties, stronger parole provisions, and most important, a heightened awareness of victims' rights in a justice system that all too often had ignored them.

The Rosenfeldts founded the advocacy organization Victims of Violence, and as a result of this organization and other similar ones, today we now have the first federal ombudsman for victims of crime.

In remembering him, the justice minister said that Gary Rosenfeldt was one of the great champions for Canadians whose lives have been shattered by violence, and that his death is a great loss to those who take victims' rights seriously.

Omar Khadr

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on February 9, the Amnesty International group at Thérèse-Martin de Joliette secondary school and their teacher, Marcel Lacroix, sent letters to President Obama and the Prime Minister asking for the return to Canada of young Omar Khadr, who has been held in Guantanamo for over six years. This child soldier was only 15 when arrested.

For more than three years, these young people from my riding of Joliette, and many human rights activists, have been constantly calling on the government to bring young Khadr back to Canada. They are urging the Prime Minister to ask President Obama, at their meeting scheduled for February 19, to return Omar Khadr.

This government remains insensitive and refuses to listen to the calls for the return of Omar Khadr by Amnesty International, the Canadian Bar Association, human rights groups and the Bloc Québécois.

I wish to commend Amnesty International for its tireless efforts and I applaud the commitment of the young people in my riding who, unlike this government, show a social conscience.

Marcel Prud'homme

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Montreal senator the hon. Marcel Prud'homme in recognition of his 45 years as a parliamentarian.

Senator Prud'homme was elected to the House of Commons on February 10, 1964, following a byelection in the riding of Saint-Denis to replace the hon. Azellus Denis. He held his seat until May 26, 1993, when he was appointed to the Senate as the representative for the La Salle region.

Ever dedicated and involved, Senator Prud'homme is known for his ability to turn a fine phrase.

A strong advocate for world peace, he is open to others and willing to listen. He has always encouraged dialogue. He once said, “Relationships must be maintained, regardless of the circumstances”.

In November 2007, he was awarded the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation for maintaining dialogue with other nations even when he did not share their ideology.

I would like to thank this great Canadian, my friend, Senator Marcel Prud'homme, for his tremendous contribution to parliamentarianism.

Safer Internet Day

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today the Government of Canada recognizes Safer Internet Day in announcing the renewal of the national strategy for the protection of children from sexual exploitation on the Internet. Today's announcement signals our government's ongoing commitment to help keep our children safe.

On February 28, 2008, Parliament passed Bill C-2, which increased the age of consent for sexual activity from 14 to 16 years of age to better protect youth against adult sexual predators. Our government also invested $6 million per year, provided through budget 2007, to strengthen existing initiatives to combat exploitation and trafficking of children.

We will continue to work with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre to eliminate online child exploitation. This government is committed to raising awareness about the abuse of children and to the investigation and pursuit of those who engage in exploitation--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order, please. Oral questions. The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

The Budget

[Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said last Friday that there would be no new stimulus measures, even if the economy continues to decline; the so-called economic action plan is the plan. However, on the same day the finance minister appeared to say the opposite. He said, “If it's necessary to do more, we'll do more”.

The Prime Minister and his Minister of Finance appear to have some kind of disagreement and Canada needs clarity.

Will there or will there not be further action beyond the budget as the crisis worsens?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, last week the leader of the Liberal Party supported the budget. This week he is criticizing the budget.

I can assure him that both I and the Minister of Finance agree that we do not change budgetary policy once a week.

[Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, can I therefore take it as being the policy of the government that the economic action plan is the plan, and that it is not going to change?

The facts are changing hourly. The government is not going to adapt; it is not going to respond. Is that the meaning of the Prime Minister's answer?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government just put forward a budget, another step in our economic action plan, that involves tens of billions of dollars of stimulus to this economy. Obviously, we will see how things unfold in the months to come.

It is important that we proceed with a plan, that we act on a plan and that we do not change our plan every week.

If the Leader of the Opposition believes there should be changes, I would invite him to do something he never did in the prebudget period, which is to actually provide some economic policy suggestions to Parliament.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order, please. The hon. Leader of the Opposition

[Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I would rather put him in touch with those affected by the crisis, like the mayor of Sudbury. Sudbury has just lost close to 700 jobs through mine closings. Less than three years ago, the government had promised to protect those same jobs through an Investment Canada guarantee.

Why did the government sign an agreement that we now know is worthless?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, obviously, there have been major changes in the mining sector. The Minister of Industry is in negotiations with this company in order to ensure that jobs are preserved in the long term.

We are in a period of unprecedented global economic downturn, and it is our intention to continue to work to ensure Canadian jobs.

Aerospace Industry

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec lost close to 26,000 jobs this past January, in aerospace in particular, a key sector of our Canadian economy. The Minister of Industry and his colleague, the Minister of Public Works , however, see no need to create a program to assist the aerospace industry.

Yet during the last election campaign, the Conservatives were promising a $200 million envelope for the strategic aerospace and defence initiative. That amount is not to be found in the budget, however. Why is that?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian aerospace industry will be affected by the world economic crisis, as will all other sectors, of course.

We have, however, already announced $900 million for the aerospace industry, through the strategic aerospace and defence initiative, or SADI, and the Canada First defence strategy.

Contracts are going to Canadian and Quebec businesses and the economic action plan is also strengthening our support to industry.