Debates of Nov. 5th, 2010

Agriculture

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that it is illegal to use the phrase “product of Canada” when the product contains foreign ingredients. Canadians wanted to know the content of the food they eat and we have responded to their request. We are continuing to consult industry and consumers to ensure that the guidelines are working. The Liberal member for Malpeque said that the regulations will provide consumers with honest information on the content of the products they buy and that these changes could also end up increasing the consumption of Canadian products.

Status of Women

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the nearly 600 missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls are victims of racialized, sexualized violence, and that demands a public inquiry. Without an inquiry we will never know why the number of missing and murdered first nations, Inuit and Métis women is so shockingly high.

Why can the government call an inquiry into missing salmon, but not when it comes to these 600 missing and murdered women and girls? Why is there no justice for these women?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, it particularly heartens me to hear a man ask about issues concerning women.

We all have a responsibility to protect vulnerable women in our community, which is why last week we made a $10 million investment commitment to create a new RCMP centre for missing persons and improve our law enforcement databases to investigate murdered and missing aboriginal women. We have also created new community and educational aboriginal safety plans and are creating a national website for public tips to help locate missing women.

Most important, we are working with and have the support of the Native Women's Association of Canada.

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, not only is the government not going to call a public inquiry, but now we find out that Sisters in Spirit, the group leading the charge for justice for 600 missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls and their families, is being told by the Conservative government to stop asking questions, to shut up and to shut down. It is a disgrace.

Why is the government attacking the group that is speaking for the 600 missing and murdered women and girls who can no longer speak for themselves?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, that is entirely false. In fact, we have been working with the Native Women's Association of Canada for the last couple of years in order to implement these concrete actions I just spoke about.

We see the association as the leader on this issue. We have used its expertise and research to reach this point today. We expect its leadership and research to carry us in the years ahead through this important new $10 million initiative with justice and safety Canada.

Veterans Affairs

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, everybody in the House and in Canada knows that Canada's first veterans ombudsman, Colonel Pat Stogran, has done an outstanding job for veterans, RCMP members and their families. Unfortunately, his tenure is up on November 10. He has become a beacon of hope and light for countless thousands of those individuals, Canada's heroes.

Why will the government not renew Colonel Pat Stogran's tenure as Canada's veterans ombudsman?

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the member is correct. The ombudsman's job is very careful. Later today we will have an announcement that will make it clear how important it is that we put in place a new individual in that position. We are very happy about that.

Also, later today I will be tabling a report from the ombudsman and that information is available to all members of the House.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, last night on national television, the Minister of Veterans Affairs said publicly to everybody in the country, that any veteran with a problem should just give him a call. The number is 613-947-2744.

Incredulously, why would a minister take all of that work on for himself? He has a department of 4,100 people with a 1-866 number. Is the Minister of Veterans Affairs saying to the House and all Canadians that he has no confidence in his Department of Veterans Affairs?

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of the games the member for Sackville—Eastern Shore likes to play. The close shave he had recently reflects the fact that he has had many flip-flops in recent months. Probably that is indicative of the kind of character he is.

I am very proud that our minister is prepared to meet with all the veterans of Canada, because he cares.

G8 and G20 Summits

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to transparency, accountability and respect for taxpayers.

From introducing the most sweeping anti-corruption legislation in Canadian history, the Federal Accountability Act, to ensuring tax dollars are only spent on priorities of Canadians, we are committed to showing taxpayers the respect they deserve, a respect that was sorely lacking under the previous Liberal government.

Could the Minister of Public Works and Government Services tell the House the latest example of our strong commitment to transparency, accountability and respect for Canadian taxpayers?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to respecting taxpayers and providing transparent and accountable government. That is why today the government will table all costs, down to the penny, of the G8 and G20 summits. In fact, the level of transparency in disclosing all costs involved in hosting summits is unprecedented in Canada and internationally.

As we have said all along, the majority of the costs of these summits are security related. The Canadian taxpayers deserve no less.

In disclosing the full details of the costs to date of these summits is further proof of our government's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Correctional Service Canada

[Brian Murphy, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the tragic story of Ashley Smith, formerly of Moncton, who choked to death in a Kitchener jail is of grave concern to all Canadians. Her death was not only preventable, but the result of conscious neglect and disregard for her life.

Ashley's story sounds an alarm regarding treatment of the mentally ill in correctional facilities all across the country.

We do not ask for the details of her court case, but has the government learned anything from her death? What is being done to prevent another Ashley Smith tragedy?

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, it really is a tragic incident and we do extend our sympathy to the family of Ashley Smith.

As the matter is before the court, it would be inappropriate to speak on specifics. However, in the 2008 federal budget, Correctional Service Canada received permanent funding of $16.6 million annually for institutional mental health services, commencing in the year 2009-10.

Public Safety

[Serge Ménard, Bloc, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, at the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, Toronto's chief of police, Bill Blair, said, “we did not have the appropriate warrants on the day of the arrests”. Which means that the people arrested in the University of Toronto gymnasium during the G20 were arrested illegally.

Will the government set up an independent public inquiry to shed light on these unfortunate affronts to democracy?

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, my friend is totally wrong in what he suggested. What the chief said was the Crown attorney in the case decided not to proceed because of certain issues, one of which was the issue of a warrant. They were legally arrested. He made that point very clear at public safety meetings. I wish my friend had been there to hear the whole story.

Natural Resources

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after leaking millions of barrels of oil into Michigan's rivers, Enbridge is still planning to build a pipeline across northwest B.C. to carry raw bitumen to China.

Last month's resolutions at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities were clear. The mayors of British Columbia say no. First nations from across the province made clear their opposition at the first nations summit. The first nations of British Columbia say no. The Alberta Federation of Labour warns that exporting raw bitumen by pipeline will cost the province thousands of jobs. The workers of Alberta say no.

What part of no does the government find it so difficult to understand?

[David Anderson, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to the safe, responsible and sustainable development of Canada's natural resources.

However, I can say today why the member is not asking a question on forestry. The Forest Products Association of Canada sent out a letter today to his leader, commenting on the comments of Mr. Martin of Winnipeg Centre the other day in committee. It says:

[He] repeatedly showed a complete lack of understanding and appreciation for Canada's forest products...[His] opening comments would indicate that he believed he should be elsewhere performing more important duties than addressing the challenges facing Canada's forest products...

It asks the member opposite's leader to state unequivocally that those views were not shared by the party. Would he stand up and say that?

Tourism Industry

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada was recognized as the number one country brand in the world by the Country Brand Index. “Canada: Keep Exploring” is now the most recognized tourism brand.

Could the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism please tell the House how our government's investments in the tourism industry have helped put Canada in the number one spot?

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Chatham-Kent—Essex for sharing this wonderful news. This is truly an incredible achievement and shows that our government's investments are paying off.

Since we took office in 2006, Canada has leapfrogged from 12th place to 1st place on the Country Brand Index. Our goal is to make Canada a top tourism destination, from hosting the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games to approved destination status with China. This year has been Canada's year and our government is delivering strong results for tourism.

Correctional Service Canada

[Brian Murphy, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the former minister of public safety wrote in April 2009 that his focus was to “undertake effective response” to the Howard Sapers and Bernard Richard reports. Could the current minister act on those words and conduct a full public inquiry?

The public is horrified with the mistreatment of the mentally ill in correctional facilities in Canada. A public inquiry is needed now before the same thing that happened in the Ashley Smith case happens again. We need a public inquiry on the incarceration of the mentally ill in Canada.

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, this incident truly was tragic and we do sympathize with the family.

My colleague across the floor should be aware that the public safety committee has taken this study. We have been involved. The report is not complete yet. I think it will be broad ranging.

As I previously mentioned, this government did put additional funding in the area of mental health in Correctional Service Canada. We have moved a long way.

Health

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today 10 Canadians will die by suicide and tomorrow 10 more Canadians will die by suicide.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for first nations youth and the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24. That is 10 years old. Countries that have a national suicide prevention strategy, like the U.K. and the U.S., have much lower suicide rates in Canada.

It is a national crisis and we need to act now. When will the government establish a national suicide prevention strategy for Canada?

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, suicide is a tragic event and it affects far too many Canadian families. The minister is from the north and she understands how real and very tragic this issue is. Sixty-five million dollars has been spent to date to implement the national aboriginal youth suicide prevention strategy, and there is more. We committed $285 million in budget 2010 to federal aboriginal health programs in the area of suicide prevention, maternal child health, health human resources and the aboriginal health transition fund.

Forestry Industry

[Gérard Asselin, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the president and CEO of the Quebec Forestry Industry Council, Guy Chevrette, says that the industry's main challenge is modernizing its products. He says the problem is “The lack of money. The banks are overly cautious”.

The federal government must help the forestry industry to make the transition by providing loan guarantees.

Will the government decide, once and for all, to help the forestry industry?

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)]

Mr. Speaker, as of October 31, 2010, Export Development Canada had helped Quebec's forestry industry by providing credit support, accounts receivable insurance and loan guarantees totalling $7.6 billion.

We are developing new products and new markets. We are very proud of what our government has done. However, the Bloc Québécois has voted against all the measures that have been put forward in recent years.