Debates of Feb. 11th, 2009

Infrastructure

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities appeared in committee, he said he would respect Quebec's jurisdictions in the implementation of this program. However, his colleague from Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean is suggesting the opposite and saying that the municipalities will be able to submit requests directly to Economic Development Canada.

Will the Prime Minister rein in his minister of state and tell him to respect Quebec's jurisdictions?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we always respect provincial jurisdictions, across Canada and in Quebec. Furthermore, we are always open and attuned to the needs, goals and ideas expressed by municipalities in all regions of Canada, and in Quebec.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, is the Prime Minister aware that in Quebec, there is a provision in the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif that prohibits municipalities and school boards from concluding agreements directly with the federal government in the context of programs like the infrastructure program?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I have a clear and simple answer: yes, absolutely.

The Environment

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Minister of the Environment is lobbying for the oil industry. He is trying to oppose a campaign launched by environmental groups in the United States justly condemning the unchecked exploitation of the oil sands and the dirty oil that President Obama wants nothing to do with.

Is the Minister of the Environment not ashamed to have turned himself into a lobbyist for big oil?

[Jim Prentice, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, that is not true. To my knowledge, nobody has asked President Obama for special treatment or any exceptions for the Alberta oil sands. That is not the case.

The new president, I think it is fair to say, is very focused on the technological innovations that are needed for renewables and clean coal. Similarly, we are very focused on the technological innovations for renewables and clean oil. Our responsibility is to be a clean energy superpower.

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has defended the oil sands so often, one has to wonder whether his name appears on Canada's list of lobbyists. The minister should try to remember that he was not hired to represent oil companies; he is here to represent the people, and they want a minister who will protect the environment.

Will the minister start behaving like a real environment minister and stop acting like an oil company lobbyist?

[Jim Prentice, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, I have always promoted greener energy and I have stood up for improved conservation. However, the most important thing to consider in our fight against greenhouse gas emissions is the fact that we will be working with President Obama, which is something the Bloc Québécois will never be able to do.

Immigration

[Maurizio Bevilacqua, Liberal, Vaughan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in committee the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism claimed that Canada would stand alone in maintaining its current immigration levels, but moments later he told reporters that might change, leaving new Canadians confused and puzzled by his contradiction.

What is the real story? What is the real agenda behind his intentional flip-flop, and how can new Canadians trust this minister?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Minister of Citizenship]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member on his appointment as immigration critic.

There was no flip-flop. What there is is a remarkable record of bringing new Canadians to this country and successfully integrating them. Last year we welcomed the largest number of newcomers ever to our shores: half a million newcomers and 250,000 permanent residents. We have announced for 2009 a planning level of 245,000 to 260,000, the only developed country in the world to be maintaining immigration levels.

We intend to keep that and we are proud of our record, unlike the Liberals, who in the early 1980s recession cut immigration levels in half.

[Maurizio Bevilacqua, Liberal, Vaughan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we all know how much the Conservative government cares about immigrants. During its term in office, it has allowed 36,000 fewer landed immigrants into Canada, and the word “immigration” was nowhere to be found in the Speech from the Throne.

During an economic recession, immigrants are among the hardest hit. They face higher unemployment, lower pay and higher poverty rates. However, the minister provides no hope and no plan to help those most in need.

Why is his agenda simply to turn his back on immigrants and shut Canada's doors?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Minister of Citizenship]

I am disappointed, Mr. Speaker. I thought that was one Liberal who was above this kind of demagoguery.

The reality is that under this Prime Minister we have seen the highest average levels of permanent residents coming to Canada in its history; the highest total annual number of newcomers to this country in history; a new category of immigration, the Canadian experience class, that will allow students and temporary foreign workers a pathway to permanent residency; and the foreign credential referral office.

This Prime Minister, consequent to the last throne speech in the fall, was the first in history to develop an agreement with the first ministers for a national framework for credential recognition. When it comes to newcomers to Canada, we are delivering.

Afghanistan

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The events that took place in Kabul overnight, the loss of life in the ministry of justice in Kabul, pose a serious security threat. They raise real questions about what is taking place in Afghanistan.

One of the recommendations of the Manley report was not taken seriously by this government, and on our side we believe it very much should be. The Americans have just appointed a senior envoy for Pakistan and for Afghanistan. Why does Canada not do the same? Why do we not have someone senior looking at the overall political situation--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we are of course deeply saddened by the events that took place yesterday in Kabul. I would say to my hon. colleague from the Liberal side of the House that there is a special envoy. There are a number of people who are taking care of it, and they are all under the direction of our ambassador in that country.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I know he is getting his orders from the minister of defence, but before he does that, it was Mr. Manley who made it very clear that we needed to understand not only what is taking place in Afghanistan but also what is taking place in Pakistan, which is where the Taliban are being trained.

Can the minister tell us why we would not be matching what is taking place in other jurisdictions by putting politics, diplomacy and development far ahead, following that direction and recognizing the problem?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I am listening to my hon. colleague's assertions. I can say to him that clearly, on this side of the House, this government stood up. We stood up with a program of six priorities. We stood up and supported our Canadian troops. We stood up and supported a government in Afghanistan to be able to help them rebuild their country, give them democratic institutions and make sure that what was addressed here in this House would be something that we are going to not only meet but be able to deal with. We will get the job done.

National Flag Day

[Gary Schellenberger, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the flag that flies from the top of the Peace Tower is the most recognized symbol of Canada across the country and around the world. It is a symbol of our heritage and a source of our collective pride, and once a year we celebrate the day the maple leaf became our national flag.

Would the Minister of Canadian Heritage please share with the House any plans he may have to celebrate National Flag Day?

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

Mr. Speaker, of course, I would be glad to. First, I congratulate my colleague from Perth—Wellington on being elected chair of the heritage committee.

It was 44 years ago this year that the red and white maple leaf flag was first flown over the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill for all Canadians to see. National Flag Day is an opportunity for all Canadian to take pride in this incredible symbol of our national unity.

Mr. Speaker, I would take this opportunity on your behalf to invite all members of this House to join the Speaker and me in the Speaker's chambers after question period for a celebration of National Flag Day.

Employment

[Claude Gravelle, NDP, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the industry minister stood in the House and tried to take credit for an investment by Xstrata that he claims he brokered over the weekend. He called it “new money”.

However, company financial statements released in January show that the money was committed before the layoffs were announced. Instead of falsely taking credit, why does the minister not stand up for mining families, enforce the legal agreement and tell Xstrata no layoffs?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, I think I was clear that these were discussions or promises that the company made. They are now legal undertakings signed with the Government of Canada. There is a very big difference, as the hon. member should know.

The fact of the matter is that we acted to protect Sudbury jobs and Canadian interests, and we will continue to do so.

[Glenn Thibeault, NDP, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal member is two days behind on this issue, and the minister should get his facts straight. That money was announced months before the layoffs and has nothing to do with this takeover agreement. They do not need a government standing in this House taking credit for something it had nothing to do with. They need a government that will stand up for them and enforce this agreement.

The agreement says no layoffs, but 700 pink slips have been issued. Why is the minister caving in to foreign mining interests instead of standing up for the people of Sudbury?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, in fact nothing could be further from the truth. I know it is easy on their side of the House to pooh-pooh the idea that we can secure an additional investment of $290 million to $390 million for the people of Sudbury. That is what we did. We got the job done.

These are legal undertakings. They were not legal undertakings before. We expect the company to live by its agreements and we did so for the benefit of the people of Sudbury, the people of Ontario and the people of Canada.

The Environment

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government has finally recognized its responsibility in the contamination of Shannon's groundwater by paying $13.3 million to complete construction of the water system.

Now that the government—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!