Debates of April 20th, 2009

Infrastructure

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, we consulted with municipalities right across the country. They said they have long-term plans to develop residential-based infrastructure in their communities to make it possible to build subdivisions. To do that they needed some help, though, because their plans were for the long term. Yesterday we made available the process, the application forms and all the details so that municipalities right across this country, large and small, can access $2 billion in low-cost direct loans to help them advance the infrastructure that will create local jobs and provide long-term benefits for their communities.

Automotive Industry

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government's mixed messages on the auto industry have spawned uncertainty that has thrown the industry into a free fall. General Motors is asking for clarity of expectations, while the minister continues to dance between bankruptcy and simply avoiding the issue entirely.

This crisis in the auto sector will shortly translate into 4,000 more job losses across Canada, 4,000, not including cuts at auto parts manufacturers in Guelph and across Ontario. When will the minister help broker a solution for the auto industry instead of driving wedges between all involved?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago I announced the new warranty program to guarantee that warranties would be in place and we announced additional help for the auto parts sector. We have been moving and acting in the best interests of the country and in the best interests of the auto sector.

What we get on the other side, though, is a plan to hike taxes, and that is just the wrong policy at the wrong time for this country.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with the auto industry on the path to collapse, the government has chosen to drive wedges between the industry and workers. Instead of showing leadership, clarity and transparency, the minister is a mere armchair quarterback. Last week's innovation announcement was nothing more than a rerun of last year's announcement: not new money, not more money.

When will the minister get in the game, bring the parties together and contribute to a viable solution to the auto crisis?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member raised that point because I was very pleased to announce last week the new $145 million fund where the industry is working with the academic world and with the government. That is the kind of planning, co-operation and collaboration that is a hallmark of this government.

What we have on the other side in terms of a dissonance of messages is the leader saying that he does not want to help the auto sector, His only help appears to be raising taxes to Canadians.

Health

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, last week the government released reports attempting to absolve itself of its incompetence in responding to the listeriosis crisis of last summer. These reports only confirmed what Canadians had feared: the federal government failed to respond adequately to the crisis.

The Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health stated that the federal process contributed to the public sense of unease and confusion. He added that had access been given to critical information, they might have been able to reduce possible exposure.

How can the minister describe this as anything but incompetence?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture]

Mr. Speaker, certainly the events of last summer were sad and tragic. There was good co-operation among the different levels of government and between the different agencies, but certainly we can all do better. We saw that in the reports that were tabled and in the lessons learned that were tabled just last week.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, could the minister at least explain the delay in the government acting?

The Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health stated that CFIA was involved in a conference call on July 30 concerning the listeriosis outbreak and yet in documents released Friday by CFIA, the agency acknowledges that it first became aware of the crisis on August 6. That was seven days of inaction, days that could have meant lives.

Where was the minister and CFIA for seven days of potential action?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture]

Mr. Speaker, the truth is that CFIA was advised formally on August 6 and it reacted very quickly. It turned around test samples in record time and, as I mentioned, worked very well with other levels of government.

In fact, I have a letter from Toronto public health stating, “It is our hope that the networking and co-operation that existed during the Maple Leaf investigation will continue, if not improve, in the future. Please convey our gratitude to the members of your team who facilitated the process and provided timely notification, as required”.

Goods and Services Tax

[Jean-Yves Laforest, Bloc, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to GST harmonization, there is no reason Quebec should not be compensated. According to a June 2000 document produced by the Library of Parliament's economics division, “Since 1995, the two taxes have been completely harmonized, i.e., they are applied to the same tax base”.

Instead of using strong-arm tactics in an attempt to arbitrarily change Quebec's prerogatives, will the Minister of Finance finally compensate Quebec, just as it has compensated Ontario and the Maritimes? It would only be fair.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, as we have said, if the harmonization actions go ahead, we will negotiate in good faith.

[Jean-Yves Laforest, Bloc, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we just said that it was already harmonized.

The federal government gave the Maritimes $1 billion and Ontario $4.3 billion for harmonization, but it is making excuses to deprive Quebec of its $2.6 billion.

Does the minister realize that, by refusing to offer compensation, he is not only depriving Quebec of money to which it is entitled, but forcing Quebeckers to pay for compensation given to other provinces?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, we committed to negotiating in good faith, and that is what we will do. That is what we have been saying for weeks. Nothing has changed.

Industry

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while the Obama administration is showing vision by injecting over $15 billion into scientific research to stimulate the American economy, the Conservative government has decided, for purely ideological reasons, to make cuts to scientific research, just as it did with culture.

Given these contrasting visions, will the Minister reverse his decision and make significant increases to investment in research, as over 2,000 academic researchers and the Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec is calling for him to do?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that in the 2009 budget we invested over $5.1 billion more in science and technology research. This is our action plan for the future of our country. That action plan supports research and researchers across Canada.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, how can the Quebec lieutenant justify his reaction on the question of the Mont-Mégantic Observatory, that his government is not responsible, when in fact it is the government’s very narrow ideological pathway that imposes this “strategic review of expenditures” at the expense of scientific advancement?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, that is totally false. In our opinion, the facts are clear. There is more investment in Quebec. The same is true across the country. We support researchers because it is important to innovate in Canada, and researchers are part of that innovation.

Afghanistan

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, Afghan women demonstrated against the oppressive law passed by the Afghan parliament legalizing marital rape. In response to this show of solidarity, these women were stoned. This follows the assassination of a prominent Afghan woman politician. Conditions for women in Afghanistan are worsening.

Where was the government when the legislation passed, when exactly did the government first learn of this odious law and what exactly has it done to get it repealed?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, certainly everyone in this House and, I suspect, everyone in the country shares the outrage when knowledge first was passed that this legislation was before the Afghan parliament.

I know for certain that the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke directly with his counterpart in the United States, as well as his counterpart in Afghanistan and other ministers of the Afghan government. Canada's abhorrence to moving in this direction was relayed directly to them. We continue to press upon the government, as well as President Karzai, that this law cannot come into effect. I expect the entire international community will be sending that exact same message.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the condition of the Afghan people is deteriorating: an Afghan woman politician has been assassinated, the Afghan Parliament has enacted a law that legalizes marital rape, and violence has been committed against Afghan women demonstrators protesting this horrific law.

What do the Conservatives intend to do to defend the rights of Afghan women and to put pressure on the Afghan government, with more than words, to repeal this horrific law?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, it is certainly the Conservative government’s plan to continue to put pressure on the government of Afghanistan and on President Karzai. It is absolutely necessary that the international community work together and send that clear message. It is necessary that this be seen as a step backward. We continue to send this message to the government of Afghanistan on a daily basis

Sri Lanka

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians of Sri Lankan origin are distressed about their friends and family members. Once again, this government lacks the courage to take a stand on respect for human rights.

Will the government ask the Secretary-General of the United Nations to appoint a special representative for Sri Lanka, who will have the support of the international community to protect human life, respect the various communities and put an end to the violence?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs had the opportunity to speak directly to his counterpart from Sri Lanka as well as his counterparts from India and the United States. He also spoke to the United Nations.

On this subject matter, it appears that all high level engagements by our country and others continue to pressure the government of Sri Lanka to address this very serious and deteriorating humanitarian crisis. We continue to take every step possible to engage diplomatically.

I know that members of the House are very concerned and continue to express through any and all means to the government of Sri Lanka the efforts to aid civilians in need.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, has the government taken the necessary steps to increase aid? The government has pledged just $3 million in aid to Sri Lanka while Australia, with two-thirds our population, has tripled that amount. We are providing 10¢ per Canadian. Canada is becoming an embarrassment.

Will the government increase the foreign aid for humanitarian help to a reasonable level and ensure that help is getting to the people who need it?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that we have responded adequately. We are monitoring and are always prepared to give additional support. I announced increased support to Sri Lanka in February that will go directly to the Red Cross and to the human rights commission in Sri Lanka.

We always ensure that the help goes directly to the people in need. We have also been working and supporting the human rights advocacy that is going on there and we have been calling for free access for increased humanitarian work.