House of Commons Hansard #112 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was consultants.
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Speaker, the decision to eliminate the long form census will have a major effect on crucial issues for women. We are hearing from all over Canada that these changes will negatively affect the ability of the government and civil society to make good decisions. There will no longer be reliable data on family care, low-income families, single-parent families, women in need, or the number of women managing small businesses.
Does the government realize what harm this idiotic decision will do?
Tony Clement ConservativeMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, as I already said, we have a reasonable, balanced position that will both protect the rights of Canadians and create a process for collecting useful information for our agency and the private sector.
That is our position. The hon. member should again stand in her place and describe to Canadians why she is in favour of having another system where they are threatened with jail time or fines to deliver this—
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, an important EI pilot project for the people in areas of high unemployment ended Saturday. Reducing the hours needed to qualify for benefits can be the difference between going to the food bank and going to the grocery store. The economy is stalling. The private sector is cutting jobs. Most new jobs are part-time, leaving people short of hours if they lose their jobs.
Will the government acknowledge that many regions in Canada are still facing a job crisis and extend the important EI pilot project?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Mr. Speaker, this was a pilot project, an idea we decided to try out. That is why we try pilot projects, to see if they work or if they do not. This one did not. It did not achieve its goals and it was extremely expensive, not in the best interests of taxpayers' dollars.
We are focusing on helping people get back to work. That is our goal because we believe that people, when they get the training they need for the jobs of tomorrow, will get the jobs of tomorrow so they can look after their families.
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, it is disgraceful. What an answer.
Recent employment figures show that the private sector is cutting thousands of jobs while it is mainly part-time jobs that are being created. Under these circumstances, it is essential to extend the pilot project that enables people living in regions with high unemployment to qualify with 840 hours instead of 910.
Does the government realize that this project is needed by communities that depend on manufacturing, the fishery or major industrial sectors that are experiencing difficulties, or does the government just not care?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Mr. Speaker, we want to help people find jobs so that they can support their families. The best way to do that is to provide training so that they can develop the skills they need. What I find disappointing is that the NDP will not support our efforts to provide training for people. That is the disgrace.
Tilly O'Neill-Gordon Conservative Miramichi, NB
Mr. Speaker, the House of Commons tonight will vote on third reading of an important part of Canada's economic action plan, the strengthening Canada's economic recovery act. Tonight all parties will have an opportunity to support jobs, growth and opportunity in Canada.
Could the Minister of Finance tell the House why it is so critical that we pass this important legislation?
Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, Canada's economic recovery remains our government's number one priority. We must stay the course and pass Bill C-47 in order to ensure that we sustain Canada's economic recovery.
This is a recovery that has been the envy of the world, with over 440,000 jobs created and five continuous quarters of economic growth. What is the opposition's plan? Higher taxes and to kill 400,000 jobs.
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, first the Prime Minister broke his promise that he would compensate every Agent Orange victim. Then he arbitrarily denied compensation to the families of victims who died before 2006.
For the third time I will ask the same question: Will every cent of the promised $96 million go to the victims and their families?
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, insofar as agent orange is concerned, I want to remind the House that while people suffered, the government that preceded us never did anything to help them. When we took power, we decided to provide a $20,000 ex gratia payment to some 3,137 people. That being said, yes, the program has ended now, but we are busy looking at various things to see whether we could do more for these people.
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Mr. Speaker, copyright expert and president of the Association littéraire et artistique internationale, Ysolde Gendreau, told members of the legislative committee that Bill C-32 violates the international treaties signed by Canada. According to this leading academic, the bill introduces three exceptions that do not comply with the treaties: the education exemption, the YouTube exception and the reproduction for private purposes exception.
Does the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages understand that those are three more good reasons to significantly amend Bill C-32 so that creators are not only protected, but also compensated?
CopyrightOral Questions
Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam B.C.
Conservative
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, the government's primary responsibility with respect to copyright is to ensure that piracy is illegal here in Canada. That is what we are proposing with Bill C-32. On the one hand, we have an obligation to protect our creative communities, and on the other hand, we have an obligation to protect the interests of consumers. That is why we are saying no to a new tax on consumers, a new tax on iPods, a new tax that affects everyone: creators and consumers. Our Bill C-32 is responsible and fair and it meets the needs of all Canadians.
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives cannot get their stories straight on travel and hospitality expenses.
Since 2006, officials at INAC have spent an astounding $67 million on overseas travel. Under the Conservatives, staff have visited exotic destinations such as the Falkland Islands, Senegal and Taiwan.
Before the minister recklessly freezes capital budgets, cuts services to communities or sunsets much-needed programs, will he first take some responsibility for his department's spending on overseas junkets?
Shelly Glover ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, we have to get the facts straight here.
Departmental employees are required to travel for a variety of reasons, including appearances before international bodies such as the United Nations, circumpolar meetings and international meetings on indigenous and northern issues. All employees travelling on government business are required to follow the Treasury Board directives.
Terence Young Conservative Oakville, ON
Mr. Speaker, the bombing of Air India flight 182 is a stark reminder that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism.
One of the first acts of our Conservative government was to commission an inquiry into the Air India bombing. Would the minister please update the House as to what actions were announced today to respond further to Justice Major's report?
Vic Toews ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, today we are delivering on our response to that report with the Air India inquiry action plan.
We thank the families of the victims, who have worked and consulted on this action plan, and we commit to their continued involvement and consultation throughout our ongoing action.
The plan responds to the Major report with six key areas of action to help prevent such a horrific terrorist attack from happening again.
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is the third time and still no answer.
Some victims were refused an Agent Orange ex gratia payment because their spouse died before 2006. Others were refused because they were diagnosed with an ailment too late.
The government claims it cares about veterans and their families. Why, then, does it fight them on Agent Orange? Why does it nickel and dime those who have served our country?
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, 3,137 people received an ex gratia payment to help them with the difficulties they encountered after the spraying of agent orange near Gagetown.
When the government creates a program like that one, it eventually comes to an end. And when it does, it is time to do an assessment and look at what problems still need to be addressed. That is what I am working on.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
That will conclude question period for today.
The hon. member for Joliette on a point of order.
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, in response to a question from the hon. member for Québec the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages referred to the hon. member for Lévis—Bellechasse by name, which is against the rules of the House.
Furthermore, he got the name of the city wrong: he talked about Quebec City instead of Lévis. I would point out that he is not the only one who does not know his geography. The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities seems to think the current conference is being held in Copenhagen, not Cancun.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Does the hon. Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages also have a point of order?
Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions
Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam B.C.
Conservative
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, it is awful, I know, but I simply wanted to take this opportunity to emphasize the fact that it is because of the excellent work done by the hon. member for Lévis—Bellechasse that they will receive new funding to pay for next year's celebrations.
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that the minister understands that he must not repeat the mistake. Furthermore, we understand very well that if Lévis does not receive its fair share, the member for Lévis—Bellechasse is to blame.