House of Commons Hansard #9 of the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was international.
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing the images of what is going on in Sri Lanka. Like all Canadians, I am concerned about the heavy cost to civilians. I know that those with loved ones in Sri Lanka, like many in my riding of Mississauga—Erindale, are especially concerned.
Could the Minister of International Cooperation inform us how Canada is reacting?
Bev Oda ConservativeMinister of International Cooperation
Mr. Speaker, I, too, have seen the images and, obviously, we are very concerned with what is happening in Sri Lanka. My colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called for an immediate ceasefire and called on the Sri Lankan government to exercise caution. We need a ceasefire to allow the evacuation of the sick and wounded and to allow safe, unhindered access to humanitarian needs for civilians.
Yesterday, I announced that Canada will commit up to $3 million in humanitarian aid.
We continue to call on both parties to stop the fighting so that a durable political solution can benefit--
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, the government's betrayal of women's equality is now an international issue. In November, the UN was scathing in its condemnation of Canada's record. Now it is the UN periodic peer review which cited serious concerns about Canada: failure to address violence against aboriginal women; failure to uphold the CEDAW obligations; and no strategy to eliminate poverty and homelessness.
When will the government take action on these recommendations or will it again choose to ignore them?
Chuck Strahl ConservativeMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Mr. Speaker, we are taking action. We always are very concerned about human rights issues, which is why, for instance, last year we passed Bill C-21 which, for the first time ever, brought the Canadian Human Rights Act to bear on the conditions on first nation reserves across the country.
I would invite the member to study the statements by someone from her own home town, David Matas, an international human rights lawyer from Winnipeg, who viewed Canada's presentation and called it exemplary. He went on to say that it is better than any other country in the whole world.
We made good progress. There is always more to do but we are happy to work on human rights issues here in this House of Commons.
Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Speaker, Norway has just put the Canadian mining company Barrick Gold on its government investment fund blacklist because of that company's risky environmental practices.
In light of this, will the government act quickly to follow up on the National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Industry in Developing Countries Advisory Group Report?
Gerald Keddy ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, our social responsibility for our international extractive sector is the highest in the world. Our companies are the best in the world and they continue to be that. We work closely with them and we will continue to work closely with them. Corporate social responsibility is alive and well in the extractive sector in Canada and overseas.
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Mr. Speaker, on September 9, 2008, the Prime Minister told a bunch of Polish veterans that if the Conservatives were re-elected, they would have their veterans war allowance for allied and commonwealth veterans reinstated. However, that promise was not in the economic statement. It was not in the budget.
I would ask the right hon. Prime Minister when that promise will be met. I remind him that these veterans are 86 years old. Since that promise, some of them have already passed away. They do not have much time left. When will the government honour that commitment or will this be just another example of a long line of broken promises to our veterans and their families?
Greg Thompson ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue. The member is referencing benefits that were taken away by a previous government, a Liberal government.
We are committed to that and we have told the veterans community that we will honour that commitment.
The interesting thing is that for all we have done for veterans, and I think the list is pretty long for the three years that we have been here, the NDP members have stood in their place and voted against every one of those measures that we brought in for veterans and our men and women in uniform. They should be ashamed of themselves.
My advice for the member is for him to leave his seat and have a chat with Jack and see if they will support our veterans.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
I am not sure who the hon. member was referring to but I hope it was not another hon. member. He knows that is out of order.
The hon. member for Newmarket—Aurora.
Lois Brown Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, I read today that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is moving forward with implementing a new policy for poultry inspection.
I know that the government considers the safety of Canadians' food a matter of great importance.
Could the minister inform the House about the state of this program?
Gerry Ritz ConservativeMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member for Newmarket—Aurora that the health and safety of Canadians is paramount for this government.
This pilot program was developed by the Liberals in 2004. I can assure the member that this government will not introduce any program that does not meet due diligence and sound scientific facts. We will ensure that the veterinarians on the line have all the tools they require to get the job done.
Todd Russell Liberal Labrador, NL
Mr. Speaker, a lot of Canadians feel left out of the budget but none more so than the Métis.
There were more than 5,000 words in the budget speech but “Métis” was not one of them, and yet the Métis people are among some of the most vulnerable in society.
Why was the minister responsible so ineffective or uncaring to allow this glaring omission and injustice, and why was there nothing specific in the budget for the Métis people of Canada?
Chuck Strahl ConservativeMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Mr. Speaker, that is simply not true. There are provisions in the budget for aboriginals who live on reserve and off reserve. There are things that are very important to the Métis National Council, such as the ARDA funding, which it helps to administer, as well as many other things.
We signed a protocol arrangement with the Métis nation just this last fall, something it had asked for from the Liberal Party for 10 years. We were able to sign that because we believe the Métis nation deserves a government-to-government relationship and it has it on this side of the House.
Ralph Goodale Liberal Wascana, SK
Mr. Speaker, this being Thursday, I would like to ask the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to indicate the business for tomorrow and next week.
In particular, when will the budget bill be formally introduced and on which days does the minister propose to have it debated.
Second, will there be another allotted day next week?
Jay Hill ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, we will continue with the opposition motion today concerning the possibility of growing trade protectionism in the United States.
Tomorrow we will carry on with the remaining legislation that the government scheduled for this week, Bill C-4, An Act respecting not-for-profit corporations and certain other corporations, and Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act.
Next week we shall begin and, hopefully, conclude debate at second reading of the budget bill. Following the budget bill, we will call Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, and any legislation that is not completed this week.
Thursday, February 12, a week from now, shall be an allotted day.
Before I conclude my remarks, I would like to take a moment to thank all the opposition House leaders, whips and leaders for their patience, flexibility and cooperation while dealing with the budget bill. Although we do not see eye to eye on all of its contents, I appreciate the cooperation when dealing with the somewhat complicated process to bring such a measure before the House.
It does not benefit anyone to get bogged down on process but there is a benefit to the public when we can get to the substantive policy debate that the budget bill will offer and, ultimately, to ensure the timely disbursements of the benefits it intends to provide Canadians during these difficult times.
Despite the daily partisanship of questions period, this is clear evidence that if all of us work with the best interests of Canadians in mind, Parliament can work the way that Canadians deserve and expect it to.
Correction to Official RecordPoints of OrderOral Questions
Ottawa West—Nepean Ontario
Conservative
John Baird ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I wish to correct the record.
In response to the question by the member for Vancouver Quadra, I noted the hard work of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of International Trade on important projects in Vancouver. I also should have mentioned the excellent, hard-working commitment of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance
moved that consideration of a ways and means motion to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures, be concurred in.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order, please. It being 3:05 p.m., pursuant to order made Wednesday, February 4, 2009, the House will now proceed to the putting of the question on Ways and Means Motion No. 6. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
In my opinion the yeas have it.
And five or more members having risen:
Call in the members.
And the bells having rung: