Debates of March 31st, 2010

Afghanistan

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government told us that the 2007 Afghan detainee transfer protocol was solving all the problems created by the previous Liberal protocol. Yet in November 2007, six months after the new agreement came into effect, Colonel Juneau, the Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, said he was unable to guarantee the safety of detainees transferred by Canada to Afghan authorities.

How can the government claim that it corrected the situation in 2007, when the highest ranking Canadian on the ground is saying the opposite?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I can only say what I said to his coalition partner a moment ago, three and a half years ago we recognized there was an issue, but this does not underscore the excellent work of the Canadian Forces. It recognizes that when a credible allegation comes forward, the forces act appropriately.

The same could be said of our diplomats. The same could be said of the ongoing efforts to improve the situation in Afghanistan. When there was credible evidence, Canadian Forces acted. When the issue was brought forward, a suspension of transfers occurred. Those issues were discussed in the House two years ago. I think the hon. member was here then. There is nothing new.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Colonel Juneau's letter, along with the testimony of diplomat Richard Colvin and several other statements, is only further proof of this government's negligence in the matter of the torture of Afghan detainees.

Does this troubling information, which, I might add, is coming to us in dribs and drabs, not clearly show that all original, unredacted documents need to be handed over to the parliamentary committee, so that it can get to the bottom of this matter once and for all?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the government has always said that the officials will provide all legally available documents. In addition, the government has asked Mr. Frank Iacobucci to undertake an independent, comprehensive, and proper review of all the documents. That should have the complete support of the hon. member and his party.

Medical Isotopes

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the government revealed this morning it intends to abandon thousands of Canadian cancer victims. The response to its own expert review panel on isotopes is to ignore the key recommendations. For a year the government has denied this growing medical crisis. A nuclear medicine expert said that in some cases it is a matter of life and death.

The government's response: do the absolute least possible. Why are the Conservatives putting their right-wing ideology ahead of the health of Canadians?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, we promised to right the mistakes made by the past Liberal government and ensure Canadians have access to an affordable and stable supply of medical isotopes.

We carefully considered the panel's advice and have already begun to act on its recommendations by investing $48 million to diversity sources of isotope supplies to enhance the supply chain.

The government is making sure Canada remains a world leader in the area of medical isotopes. Canada has some of the greatest minds in the world, and we are giving them the tools they need to find tomorrow's solutions today.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know the truth. They know that this government has no intention of replacing the Chalk River reactor. They know that this government wants to privatize the production of isotopes. They know that this government ignored the panel of experts, who said yesterday in committee that the reactor needs to be replaced immediately.

If the government cares about the health of Canadians, why is it doing nothing to resolve this escalating crisis?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, my colleague knows very well that we are dealing with a global crisis that requires a global solution.

The government has taken on a leadership role by bringing together a group of leading experts in order to better coordinate the world's supply of isotopes.

This government's priority is to tell AECL to get the reactor up and running again as quickly as possible. Furthermore, we have other sources to diversify the isotope supply and our budget has earmarked generous investments of $48 million.

That is how we will ensure a sustainable future for the supply of isotopes.

Foreign Affairs

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' foreign policy and the stage they are standing on are shrinking every day. Take maternal health. Canadians believe that to make a difference in maternal health, we have to get it right. We have to provide reproductive health choices for women. That means access to safe abortions. Those safe choices have to be provided to save the lives of women and children.

On the Arctic, they do not get it. Multilateralism is gone for these guys. It is a separate club.

Why is it that after four years it is still amateur hour on the other side? When will they stop—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. Minister of State.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)]

Mr. Speaker, I could not disagree more with my hon. colleague. As we have said several times this afternoon, Canadians set Canadian foreign policy whether it is in the Arctic, in Afghanistan, in Haiti or as we lead the discussion on child and maternal health at the G8 conference in June.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the insincerity of the Conservatives' commitment to battling AIDS has reached new depths. We are now hearing that the government is planning to cut $10 million as of today in funding for the international initiative, something former UN AIDS envoy Stephen Lewis has called unconscionable.

After it broke its promise to build an HIV vaccine facility, which many suspect for good reason was the result of political interference, we had hoped it would at least keep its promise to use the money for HIV programs like AIDS vaccine. Will the government restore funding for the AIDS vaccine initiative and—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, the member is getting involved in speculation. There has not been any decision made at this particular point. No decision has been made on this particular program. It would be really valuable if the member were to do her research and wait for the response from the government before attacking the government.

The Economy

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government is working incredibly hard through Canada's economic action plan to fuel jobs and plan economic growth. We are making Canada more competitive by lowering taxes and eliminating job-killing tariffs on the manufacturing sector.

This puts many thousands more Canadians, including those in my city of London, back to work. We are investing in updating Canada's roads, bridges and other infrastructure. I ask the Minister of Finance to update the House on Canada's economic recovery.

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I give my thanks for the question from the member for London West, who is working incredibly hard representing his constituents. We know from this morning that, for the fifth straight month in a row, Canada's economy grew in January with the largest monthly increase in over three years. That is good news. It shows that our economic action plan is working.

However, we are not out of the woods yet. We must stay the course. We need to keep Canada's economy competitive to create jobs. Yesterday, KPMG confirmed that Canada is the most competitive industrialized country for job creators. Unlike the Leader of the Opposition, we are not going to kill jobs by raising taxes.

Aboriginal Healing Foundation

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister had the conviction of the words he just spoke in this chamber today, if he honoured the words of our aboriginal peoples and honoured the words he himself spoke on the floor of the House during the residential schools apology just two years ago, he would not be killing the Aboriginal Healing Foundation today.

Why is it that, time and time again, his actions betray his words?

[Chuck Strahl, Conservative, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, of course, we had a lengthy debate about the Aboriginal Healing Foundation last night in this place. I thought the debate was very respectful. We on this side of the House were able to explain that the Aboriginal Healing Foundation is going to continue its good work over the next two years. It has some $30 million or $40 million left to continue with 12 healing centres, to continue its important research work and so on.

As was confirmed by the parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, every single survivor of the residential schools and their families will receive personalized care, whether it is emotional support, cultural support or other professional support. We are looking after our obligations.

Pensions

[Luc Desnoyers, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pension benefits for more than 20,000 workers and retirees will be cut by about 30% following a Superior Court of Ontario decision to reject an agreement between Nortel and its pension beneficiaries. Solutions exist, but the Conservative government is doing nothing to help these people.

Will the government support the Bloc Québécois' Bill C-290 to help Nortel, Atlas and Jeffrey mine workers whose pension plans have been cut?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, we are certainly open to suggestions on this important issue. We have already taken measures to protect Canadian workers and their pensions.

I can add that the hon. member might want to have regard to the new court decision that has occurred today. I believe there is an agreement to extend the provisions until the end of the year.

Transportation

[Tony Martin, NDP, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Huron Central Railway will grow the northern economy and protect the environment. While linking industry, it will also keep hundreds of transport trucks off the highway.

The current government said it would support the Huron Central Railway if the Ontario government signed the framework agreement and committed funding. Well, it has done that.

The company says it needs a decision by the end of this month. We know that is today.

Will the minister tell us today that he will keep his promise to the communities from Sudbury to the Soo and outline definitively how this will happen?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, as the minister responsible for FedNor, I can indeed repeat the words of the Minister of Transport that, if the Ontario government did come to the table, we would find a way to secure the funding from our end for that rail line.

I can say in this chamber that if it were not for the extensive work, the blood, sweat and tears of the mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, this never would have happened.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a bill concerning matrimonial real property was introduced in the other place today. The bill corrects a clear inequality that exists for those living on reserves by granting basic rights and protections, which all other Canadians enjoy, in the event of a relationship breakdown, .

Would the Minister of Indian Affairs tell this House why it is important that all parties support the passage of this bill?

[Chuck Strahl, Conservative, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, most Canadians do not know that the basic protections they enjoy in the event of a relationship breakdown do not exist on reserves. This bill seeks to correct that clear inequality.

Countless Canadian and international reports are critical of Canada for not taking action to better protect aboriginal women. This bill is an important step forward in addressing this issue. Aboriginal women and children are often cited as Canada's most vulnerable and are, unfortunately, the ones adversely affected when relationships break down.

The time for action on this is long past. I look forward to the support of everyone in the Senate and in the House to get this important bill passed. Let us protect the rights of aboriginal women and children.

Royal Assent

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order, please. I have the honour to inform the House that a communication has been received as follows:

Government House

Ottawa

March 31, 2010

Mr. Speaker,

I have the honour to inform you that the Honourable Thomas Albert Cromwell, Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy of the Governor General, will proceed to the Senate Chamber today, the 31st day of March, 2010, at 4:30 p.m., for the purpose of giving royal assent to certain bills.

Yours sincerely,

Sheila-Marie Cook

Secretary to the Governor General