Debates of March 6th, 2009

International Women's Day

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

Mr. Speaker, this weekend Canadians will celebrate the 98th annual International Women's Day. This day commemorates the social, political and economic accomplishments of women, both past and present, throughout the globe, but also the barriers that still exist and the progress yet to be made.

This year Canada's chosen theme is, “Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World: Equality”.

In Parliament the presence of women MPs provides the depth, creativity and fortitude necessary for effective and responsible government. Today we have more female members of Parliament than ever before, but there is still a long road ahead. Presently, only 22% of the House of Commons seats are held by women compared to 37% in Norway and 56% in Rwanda.

In her book The Unfinished Revolution, the late Doris Anderson wrote that what women want is simple and real. How can something so sensible take so long to accomplish?

In Rebel Daughter she asks, “Isn't it time that women stopped holding up half the sky and began making at least half the decisions down here on earth?”—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The member for St. Catharines.

Canadian Forces

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the lives of three brave Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan were lost to an improvised explosive device northwest of Kandahar city. One of these men was Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown from the Lincoln and Welland Regiment based in St. Catharines.

Warrant Office Brown spent his life serving his community and his country, first as a constable with the Niagara Regional Police and then with the Canadian Forces. He is described as a loving husband and father whose desire to help others led him to serve in Afghanistan. His wife, Mishelle, described his commitment so well this week.

As parliamentarians, our votes directly affect the lives of our soldiers and we feel the loss of each soldier we send into duty. Soldiers like Warrant Officer Brown, Corporal Dany Olivier Fortin and Corporal Kenneth Chad O'Quinn paid the ultimate price defending our country and helping Afghanistan build a stable democracy.

We in the House, regardless of political stripe, thank and honour them for their courageous service.

International Women's Day

[France Bonsant, Bloc, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on March 8, we will celebrate International Women's Day. Although women represent 52% of the population in the Eastern Townships, we are far from achieving gender parity in any kind of governance.

In the Eastern Townships, women hold only 28.5% of management positions and, on average, 12% of union positions. At the municipal level, only 14% of mayors and 26% of municipal councillors are women.

Last fall, Nicole Robert became the first female reeve of the Haut-Saint-François RCM and the only woman to hold such a position in the Eastern Townships.

Together with the organization Promotion des Estriennes pour initier une nouvelle équité sociale (PEPINES), I encourage more women to take up decision-making positions in my region. Only 22% of members in this House are women; there should be more of us.

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

Mr. Speaker, on March 8, 2009, International Women's Day will mark the end of International Women's Week, with the theme “Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World: Equality”. I am proud to say that our government supports the equality and full participation of Canadian women from all backgrounds in our society.

As we all know, women are active in the labour force, work in managerial positions and even make up the majority of full-time students in most university departments. Furthermore, this government has the highest percentage of women in Canadian history, given that women make up 69% of our cabinet.

On behalf of all women in the Conservative caucus, and those among our supporters and our staff, who work every day to make this country a better place, I would like to wish Canadian women everywhere a happy International Women's Day.

Canadian Co-operative Association

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Co-operative Association, one of this country's largest economic and social movements.

From its beginnings in Hamilton, Ontario, the Co-operative Union of Canada was formed to encourage the sharing of information, mutual self-help and concerted action among Canadian co-operatives. Today there are 8,800 co-operatives and credit unions across the country. Collectively, they have more than 17 million memberships, over $275 billion in assets and employ more than 150,000 people.

They differ from traditional businesses in that they are owned by the members who use their services. Their history, of course, shows they are often formed during difficult economic times, making them as relevant today as they have ever been. Since most co-ops are locally based, they not only provide jobs but also generate wealth which remains in the community. Co-ops are without a doubt one of Canada's greatest single success stories.

On behalf of all members of the House, congratulations to the Canadian Co-operative Association on this its 100th anniversary.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago, Newfoundland voted to democratically join Confederation, and since that time, Newfoundland and Labrador has flourished as a part of Canada. Liberal Senator George Baker apparently does not see that and calls for a separatist party to be established, the Bloc Newfoundland and Labrador. The Liberal leader says that kicking him out of caucus would be ridiculous. I would argue it is more ridiculous to keep him in caucus.

Meanwhile, the Liberal member for Bramalea—Gore—Malton says he has long followed the Sri Lankan conflict, yet he cannot identify the war flag of the Tamil Tigers.

While the Liberal leader is focused on fundraising, he is neglecting his obligation to deal with the irresponsible and divisive views held and promoted by that MP and Senator George Baker.

This is more than just tolerance from the new Liberal leader for intolerant views held by members of his party. It is irresponsible.

Status of Women

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow community members in Ottawa will join the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada to celebrate International Women's Day. The event will mark the completion of the organization's project, “Engaging Immigrant and Visible Minority Women in Leadership Roles”.

This week we celebrate the leadership and achievements of the women's movement in pursuing a just, peaceful and inclusive world. This is particularly poignant at a time when we see attempts to undermine women's equality through regressive legislation on pay equity.

Immigrant and visible minority women face sexism and racism simultaneously, which results in higher rates of discrimination and poverty.

Strengthening the voice of immigrant and visible minority women is one major step in the process of ensuring equality for all Canadians.

I congratulate the organization for the work it has done, and I stand as an ally with these leaders in the continuing struggle for women's equality.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the civil war in Sri Lanka is tragic for both Sinhalese and Tamils, but nothing can condone terrorist actions.

The Tamil Tigers are listed by countries around the world as a terrorist organization and have done little to promote peace in Sri Lanka. Not only did they invent suicide bombing, but they in fact prey upon the very Tamil population they claim to represent.

At a protest yesterday where dozens of Tamil Tiger flags were being flown openly, the Liberal member for Bramalea—Gore—Malton was quoted as saying, “You are here today for a great cause. I am helping you guys because you are fighting for a right cause”.

Canadian foreign policy has always preached dialogue over hatred, peace and politics over violence. This is just another example of the Liberal leader tolerating extremism and intolerance within his caucus.

North Shore Region

[Gérard Asselin, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, these are hard times for economic development in the regions of Quebec.

For example, in the North Shore region, Wabush Mines laid off half its workforce indefinitely in January. We learned this week that Alcoa would cut the hours of employees at its Baie-Comeau plant by 15% in response to the global economic slowdown. The forest industry, which is also in crisis, is important in my region as well.

Even before this economic crisis, employment in the North Shore region was declining significantly each year. Unfortunately, that decline could get worse.

Instead of helping the regions of Quebec, the Conservatives have cut funding for CED and refused to invest heavily in forestry, limiting assistance to $170 million over two years for all of Canada.

What a mess the Conservatives have made.

Ontario Byelection

[Alan Tonks, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday voters in Haliburton--Kawartha Lakes--Brock chose Rick Johnson to be their next MPP. On behalf of this House, I congratulate Mr. Johnson for his hard-fought victory.

Having previously served as a trustee for the Trillium Lakelands District School Board and as president of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, Mr. Johnson brings an impressive record of public service to his new post. I am confident that he will serve his new constituents with distinction in the Ontario legislature.

I also wish to extend the best wishes of the House to Mr. Johnson's opponent, John Tory. In the course of the byelection campaign, Mr. Tory demonstrated his characteristic tenacity and his lifelong commitment to public service. Although he was not the victor, his integrity and devotion to the people of Ontario has never been in doubt.

I am certain that all members of this House join me in wishing John Tory well in all his future endeavours.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Lois Brown, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Tamil Tiger flags were being waved on the lawn of Parliament yesterday. The Liberal member for Bramalea—Gore—Malton called their terrible actions “a great cause”. The Sri Lankan conflict is a great tragedy, not something that should be exploited to draw votes to the Liberal Party.

Just as bad as fanning the flames on conflict abroad, Senator Baker, the Newfoundland Liberal, is calling for a Newfoundland and Labrador separatist party. The Globe and Mail has called for his expulsion, while the Liberal leader says expelling him from a federalist party is ridiculous.

The behaviour of the Liberal Party is ridiculous.

More tolerance for intolerant views in the Liberal Party is not the way to form government. Acting like this, the Liberals are as likely to form government as their coalition allies, the separatist Bloc, sitting next to them.

Government Expenditures

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the government wants $3 billion for spending after April 1. That future stimulus will no doubt be necessary, but Canadians also need help right now. The recession is not just beginning next month. It has been going from bad to worse for the last year.

The government has $4 billion in its coffers right today, already approved by Parliament, available right now, but it refuses to invest it to help, for example, the 1,500 people who lost their jobs this week in both Windsor and Hamilton.

Why will it not use that money now? Why the delay?

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

Mr. Speaker, the member is speaking about two entirely different funds. One deals with the building Canada fund; the other one, vote 35, deals with the broader objectives, the type of objectives that the member is talking about to help the community. Those objectives are outlined in our economic action plan.

The Liberals in the Senate need to get the job done, to get it passed so we can help those people.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is the minister who is muddled.

Thousands of Canadians are worried about their jobs, their family livelihoods, their savings and pensions, and the government could help immediately but it refuses.

It has $4 billion available right now. No other approval, no delay, is necessary.

That money could be invested today to help livestock producers, for example, or forestry workers, but the Conservatives simply want to use it to hide their humongous deficit.

Why will they not help vulnerable Canadians right now?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we have made numerous announcements over the past few weeks, not just in Saskatchewan where dozens of projects have received the federal green light, but the Prime Minister last week was in British Columbia where he announced a significant amount of support for the Evergreen public transit project.

We have announced more than 280 projects to support job creation in the province of Ontario. Step by step, we are getting the job done.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, they are good at announcing but precious poor at delivering.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities confirms that the most cost-effective way to fight the recession, to put shovels in the ground and create jobs quickly, is to transfer federal infrastructure dollars to local governments on a per capita basis without demanding short-term cost sharing.

The money is available: $4 billion pre-approved, ready to go right now.

Why is the government making mayors and municipalities wait until the next fiscal year? Why are the Conservatives delaying the fight against the recession?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, there is always a delay in the actual approval and the cheques being cut. It was not someone in the government but the member for Willowdale who said that yesterday.

We want to work constructively with provinces and municipalities, because instead of having $3 billion being spent on infrastructure and job creation, if we work with our provincial and municipal partners we can have $9 billion. That is three times more jobs, three times more hope, and three times more opportunity for Canadians who are in desperate need of an economic shot in the arm.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are asking Parliament to give them a blank cheque worth $3 billion under the pretext of the immediate need for economic stimulus during this crisis. However, the Conservatives currently have more than $4 billion that is unused but already approved for infrastructure.

Why was this money not used at the first sign of economic troubles last fall? Why the delay?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, in fact we did act last fall. We acted even earlier than that, in the fall economic statement of 2007.

We cut Canadians' taxes, an act that was applauded by many Canadians. We felt then and we still feel now that the best stimulus is to leave money in Canadians' pockets. That is why we cut taxes then, so Canadians could prepare for the economic downturn that we are facing now.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, they pretend they do not understand the question, but the Conservatives know exactly what we are talking about. In last year's budget, this House gave them $4 billion for infrastructure projects that would create jobs. Montreal's Quartier des spectacles is a concrete example. The federal funds that were promised were announced with great pomp and circumstance but still have not been made available. The Conservatives are not currently using this money to create jobs.

What are the Conservatives waiting for?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, step by step, we are committing funds, those $4 billion, to specific projects right across the country. The Premier of Quebec and my federal counterparts, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Minister for Economic Development for the Regions of Quebec, are in Montreal today making another announcement.

Would the member opposite like us to take that money back and send it to municipalities instead?

We are working co-operatively with provinces, with municipalities, getting dozens of projects approved that will lead to cleaner water, less congestion, and support for our environment.

Sports Infrastructure

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when questioned in committee about the terms and conditions of the sports infrastructure program, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities declared that he will be advised by the political ministers of each region when making decisions.

Are we to understand from the remarks of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities that he intends to transform the sports infrastructure program into a slush fund for the benefit of his Conservative friends?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable for that member to make that allegation. I am surprised that such a senior member would do such a thing.

I regularly get advice from my cabinet colleagues. I regularly get advice from my colleagues in the opposition. I saw with great interest the member from Markham was actually making a Government of Canada announcement in his constituency, which was very exciting. We work very co-operatively with all members of the House. I have even received some good advice from the members of the party that the member opposite represents.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the partisan approach proposed by the minister will slow down the distribution of money to this program. The minister should instead give Quebec and the provinces control over the program so that things will not be delayed.

Does the minister realize that he is transforming an economic stimulus program into a Conservative Party promotional tool?