House of Commons Hansard #45 of the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was fishing.

Topics

EmploymentOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

NDP

Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry has just realized that Canada is in a recession. He is asking Vale Inco to explain the temporary closing announced in Sudbury. It is about time.

Why did he not ask for an explanation from Xstrata and why continue to hide the agreement between the company and the government?

Will he explain to Canadian workers and families why they will not have access to employment insurance for the first two weeks of their unemployment?

EmploymentOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Cambridge Ontario

Conservative

Gary Goodyear ConservativeMinister of State (Science and Technology)

Mr. Speaker, we are very concerned about the recent actions of this company. The government knows that the company made conditions when it hired these people and when they came into the country. We fully expect the company to live up to its agreements, and if it chooses not to do that, we will take action to make sure it does.

EmploymentOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

Mr. Speaker, the people of Espanola are worried. The Domtar pulp and paper plant has been in town for generations and is the biggest employer in the region.

However, the U.S. government is about to provide a subsidy for a by-product of the pulp and paper industry called black liquor. If this massive subsidy goes through, it will provide an unfair advantage for U.S. pulp and paper mills and impact gravely on ours.

Will the government finally take a stand for the forestry sector and the people for Espanola and do something about this black liquor subsidy?

EmploymentOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance of the Canadian forest sector as a valuable employer in all areas of Canada and we take this matter very seriously. We are concerned about the impact that this tax credit may have on Canada's forest sector. We are examining this closely and considering our options.

Consumer AffairsOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Conservative

Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canada is becoming more competitive as one of the leading nations in the online economy. The online marketplace represents a major segment of Canada's economy, at about $62.7 billion in sales per year. At the same time, there has been an enormous increase in the vulnerabilities and threats to the Internet and online commerce.

Can the Minister of State for Science and Technology please tell the House what action the government is taking to address this problem?

Consumer AffairsOral Questions

11:50 a.m.

Cambridge Ontario

Conservative

Gary Goodyear ConservativeMinister of State (Science and Technology)

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member. He is absolutely correct.

I want to let the House know that we intend to table legislation today to combat these online threats. Our proposed Electronic Commerce Protection Act aims to boost the confidence in online commerce by protecting privacy and personal information and addressing the security concerns of consumers here in Canada. It will deter the most dangerous forms of spam, and that is our intention.

This kind of positive legislation is exactly what we need right now to help our economy. What we do not need are increased taxes planned by the Liberals, which would kill jobs.

Citizenship and ImmigrationOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism said that his government is working to ensure that graduates with considerable professional experience who come to Canada can work here, but his department refused to renew a work permit for Moulay Lemrini and rejected, on April 20th, his humanitarian grounds application. If he leaves Canada, some 30 people will lose their jobs, and another hundred or so will lose income.

Will the minister take another look at this case so that Mr. Lemrini can keep working in Canada?

Citizenship and ImmigrationOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

St. Catharines Ontario

Conservative

Rick Dykstra ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate the question from the hon. member. If she would like to meet after question period, I would be happy to take her concerns up with the ministry. However, at this point in time, she has not indicated a name or file number or whether she has the authority to speak on behalf of the individual in question.

Science and TechnologyOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Bloc

Nicolas Dufour Bloc Repentigny, QC

Mr. Speaker, $162 million in budget cuts over three years will soon result in job losses in the scientific research sector. The vice-president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Gary Corbett, added that the current government has taken so much away from scientific research that it is dangerously close to a critical point.

Does the Prime Minister realize that these cuts will drive researchers away? This is all the more disturbing given that the Obama administration is about to inject $15 billion into research while our government makes these cuts.

Science and TechnologyOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Cambridge Ontario

Conservative

Gary Goodyear ConservativeMinister of State (Science and Technology)

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. In the last three budgets, this government has increased funding to the granting councils by $205 million.

In the 1990s, when we hit our last recession, the Liberal approach was to gut, cut and gouge the scientific community. They cut $442 million from our scientists and universities. Our approach is different. During this economic downturn, we have increased funding to the scientific community by $5.1 billion.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

NDP

Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, women are returning to work from maternity leave to find their jobs and EI benefits gone. The point of maternity leave is that one's job is protected. The point of EI is that if one loses one's job, it is there for that person.

I want to be clear. We are not asking about an extension of EI. We are asking about access for women returning from maternity leave who find themselves out of work.

Will the minister guarantee that employers fulfill their obligations and expand EI to include new mothers?

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Souris—Moose Mountain Saskatchewan

Conservative

Ed Komarnicki ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour

Mr. Speaker, the EI program as we now know it and as it existed under the previous Liberal government existed with respect to the benefits in the same fashion when the unemployment rate was higher.

That said, there is no question that if anyone is laid off or fired during maternity benefits, the individual is entitled to continue those benefits until those are completed.

If the individual comes back to work and has been laid off or the work is not there, the individual can certainly file a complaint under the Canadian Human Rights Commission or the labour program. There are provisions that the individual can use, because if anyone is doing anything that is not proper, that needs to be addressed.

HealthOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Rodney Weston Conservative Saint John, NB

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I raised an issue in the House that is of serious concern for the province of New Brunswick.

On March 31, 2009, Canadian Blood Services announced its decision to relocate the provincial blood services centre. This centre is in my riding of Saint John and it serves the needs of New Brunswickers.

There has been a lot of confusion created as to the role that the federal government has when it comes to the operations of CBS. Can the Minister of Health please clarify what role the federal government plays with respect to Canadian Blood Services?

HealthOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Nunavut Nunavut

Conservative

Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of Canadians will always be a priority of the Conservative government. Canada has one of the safest blood systems in the world. Health Canada is at arm's length from the corporate and operational decisions of Canadian Blood Services. Decisions on relocations are made by the CBS board of directors and the provincial and territorial governments.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Michelle Simson Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON

Mr. Speaker, a young mother in my riding is struggling to make ends meet due to the Conservatives' refusal to make changes to our EI system. Because she was laid off before returning to work from maternity leave, she does not have the required hours to qualify for EI.

The recession has created problems that were not foreseen by the current EI system. How fair is it when a company closes its doors that some employees will receive EI but new mothers will not?

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

Noon

Souris—Moose Mountain Saskatchewan

Conservative

Ed Komarnicki ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour

Mr. Speaker, we are always concerned, of course, when anyone loses his or her job or gets laid off. We certainly have taken steps to expand the program in a variety of areas.

With respect to those who come back to jobs that are expected to be there, if they are not there, the individuals are entitled to file an unjust dismissal complaint under the labour program or with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

That said, we have added millions of dollars to the program, but one thing we will not do is raise taxes like the other party has promised to do in many of the speeches of the Leader of the Opposition.

Government AssistanceOral Questions

Noon

NDP

Jim Maloway NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer has assured residents north of Winnipeg that they would receive financial aid for damages from the floods. In addition, 300 homes have been damaged in the Peguis First Nation community and the cost of damages may exceed $1 million.

The communities of Manitoba need a federal government that will step in and act now. Can the President of the Treasury Board indicate the level of financial support for Manitoba residents, and more important, when will they see help?

Government AssistanceOral Questions

Noon

Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia Manitoba

Conservative

Steven Fletcher ConservativeMinister of State (Democratic Reform)

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the President of the Treasury Board is on the ground with the public safety minister in Manitoba talking to stakeholders, talking to the victims of the flood. We are on the ground, we are getting the job done.

I think the province and the federal government are working very well together, along with first nations. Thank goodness that we are getting the job done for Manitobans.

Agriculture and Agri-FoodOral Questions

Noon

Bloc

Paule Brunelle Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC

Mr. Speaker, the government recently unveiled a new logo for organic products and a standardized “Canada Organic Regime” designation, but certified products from other countries will be allowed to bear the same logo as Canadian organic products. The Fédération d'agriculture biologique du Québec has condemned this decision on the basis that the criteria for organic certification abroad may be different from ours.

Does the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food intend to go back to the drawing board and come up with a proper policy, ensuring that consumers are no longer misled and that we do justice to Quebec producers?

Agriculture and Agri-FoodOral Questions

Noon

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture

Mr. Speaker, what matters is consumers, and consumers want to know what the content of the products they buy is. We have taken action. When the label says “Made in Canada”, it means made in Canada. We are protecting the interests of Canadians.

Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan

Conservative

Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to one petition.

Intellectual Property RightsRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Pontiac Québec

Conservative

Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, the treaty known as the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, signed in Geneva on December 6, 2005. An explanatory memorandum is included with the treaty.

Youth Mobility AgreementRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Pontiac Québec

Conservative

Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, as well, under Standing Order 32(2), I have the pleasure of tabling an agreement between Canada and Spain on youth mobility programs, signed in Ottawa on March 10, 2009.

Emergency Management Co-operation AgreementRoutine Proceedings

April 24th, 2009 / noon

Pontiac Québec

Conservative

Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of tabling under Standing Order 32(2), in both official languages, an agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America on emergency management co-operation, signed at Washington on December 12, 2008.