House of Commons Hansard #71 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was spam.
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, because of a technical problem with the Liberal-era charter, injuries received by veterans before 2006 were not taken into account in determining eligibility for the permanent allowance.
Once the law is proclaimed, both types of injuries will be taken into account in determining eligibility for the permanent allowance. As a result, at least 3,500 people who were not eligible will now be entitled to receive between $536 and $1,609 per month.
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the men and women of our armed forces and peacekeeping missions who put their lives at risk daily deserve a straight answer. Yet, for the fifth straight day, the Conservatives refuse to say whether the new veterans policy is being made retroactive to 2006, so that it will not ignore soldiers wounded in the last four years.
Is he really telling us there will be two classes of veterans?
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, once again, we are fixing the mistake the Liberals made when they adopted the new charter. Injuries received before 2006, which were not counted toward the permanent allowance, will be from now on. Some 3,500 veterans will now receive a monthly allowance of between $536 and $1,609. Some will even receive an additional $1,000. Of course, the law has to be passed first. This measure will be implemented once the law is passed.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, this government is doing absolutely nothing to respond to the need for a Canada-wide electronic health records system. Today, the Health Council of Canada called on the federal government to stop dragging its feet and to take a leadership role. We could save millions of dollars by electronically managing prescriptions and diagnostic imaging services for Canadians.
When will this government finally make health a priority and create a Canada-wide electronic health records system?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to implementing the rollout of the $500 million that we invested in Canada Health Infoway. The economic action plan also provided $500 million.
I would suggest that the member read page 106 of the report released today, which describes how we are rolling out the electronic health records Infoway project.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, those promises were made years ago. The government is delaying the whole process by holding back $500 million. That is not leadership.
We know that the costs for prescriptions and diagnostics are burdening the health system. We know that over-prescribing drugs and diagnostic tests can harm patients' health and compromise their treatment. We know that electronic health records would actually help solve this problem.
When will the Conservative government stop playing games and stop delaying this important health care tool?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, again, this government is supporting the rollout of the Infoway electronic health records across the country, which is why we invested $500 million in the economic action plan. The member really should read page 106 of our report; it will explain how the money is being rolled out across the country.
Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Speaker, when the public safety committee considered the long gun registry, it heard from real front-line police officers who told them that the registry was wasteful, ineffective, and potentially dangerous to officers. Front-line officers at committee said the registry targets millions of law-abiding gun owners and can do nothing to prevent criminals from getting their hands on illegal firearms.
Would the Minister of Public Safety tell the House why the NDP and the Liberals should have listened to their constituents instead of flip-flopping on this issue?
Vic Toews ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank that member for his hard work on this file. I am glad that the member had the courage of his convictions to stand in this place and represent his constituents.
Those 20 opposition MPs who flip-flopped will have to explain their coalition's actions to their constituents.
In our caucus, we have front-line police officers and a former chief of police. They know that the long gun registry is wasteful and ineffective.
We will continue to work to scrap the long gun registry.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, Canada's food safety inspection system is again under suspicion. This time the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's internal audit on imported products showed “deficiencies that represent multiple areas of risk exposure”.
First, why has the minister again failed Canadians, with respect to food safety?
Second, why does the minister not enforce the same standards on foreign production as he expects Canadian producers to meet?
Gerry Ritz ConservativeMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board
Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite would never take our word for it, but the OECD ranks the Canadian food safety system as superior.
Last year we increased the CFIA budget by 13%. Since the Conservative Party formed the government, it has put 538 more inspectors on the front line. And on this matter, I can quote someone here: “I personally believe that our food is safe in Canada”. Who said that? It was the member for Malpeque.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, in a book coming out this week, journalist Gilbert Lavoie recounts the distress of recent veterans of the Bosnia and Afghanistan campaigns who, too often, are left to fend for themselves. It is difficult to understand why this government, which says that it stands up for the military, insists on maintaining an unfair lump sum payment for those who have been injured in foreign conflicts.
When will the government finally amend the veterans charter and restore the lifetime monthly pension for injured soldiers, as the ombudsman has called for?
Jean-Pierre Blackburn ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is right to mention that mistakes were made when the new charter was implemented in 2006. We are addressing that now. Just last week, I announced three new measures to help our modern-day veterans. With regard to the lump-sum payment, I have clearly heard what our soldiers and our veterans have to say. We will be announcing some very attractive measures in that regard very soon.
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, the current government is now considering a plan to allow the shipping of 1,600 tonnes of radioactive waste across the Great Lakes along the St. Lawrence Seaway. This dangerous plan will threaten our environment with the catastrophic nuclear contamination of our largest waterway. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission tried to get this through under the radar with no debate and no consultation. This plan will put more than 50 million people at risk. An accident under this plan could be Canada's Chernobyl.
Will the minister demand a full environmental assessment, including public hearings, into this reckless plan?
Christian Paradis ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has received an application by Bruce Power to ship 16 steam generators to Sweden. A public hearing will be held by the commission on September 28 and 29. The application will be subject to proper review.
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, today the sixth report to Canadians was released, providing an update on the work completed as part of Canada's economic action plan.
From sea to sea, we are building Canada's economy and providing Canadians with work.
We are supporting economic recovery by lowering taxes and funding job-creating projects. According to the report, more than 22,500 projects funded through the economic action plan are under way or have been completed.
Could the Minister of Natural Resources update the House on the progress thus far?
Christian Paradis ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his excellent question. Unlike the opposition that wants to tax and spend, we are committed to growing Canada's economy.
As highlighted in the sixth report to Canadians, our economic action plan is on the right track. The economy has been stimulated. More than 97% of the projects are under way and on track to being completed or have been completed. And although the recovery is still fragile, it seems that our economic action plan is working and is producing tangible results, notably by creating nearly 430,000 new jobs since July 2009, which is no small feat.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
I have the honour, pursuant to section 11 of the Lobbying Act, to lay upon the table the revised report of the Commissioner of Lobbying for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the subcommittee on east-west economic co-operation and convergence held in Sofia, Bulgaria from April 27 to 29, 2010.
Joe Preston Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding membership of committees of the House.
If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 13th report later this day.
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-562, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (Head Smart ski and snowboard facilities).
Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure and honour to present this first piece of legislation that comes out of a contest that we run across northwestern B.C. called “Create Your Canada”, whereby we allow young people from grades 5 through 12 to write bills on any idea that would make Canada a better place. The students have joined us here on the Hill today to see their bills presented into law. We encourage members from all parties to look at this contest and consider taking it up in their own ridings.
This legislation was put forward by a young man named Justin Steenhof who, after watching a life-threatening accident on a ski hill in northwestern B.C., realized that helmets must not simply be a voluntary exercise in this country when people of any age are skiing and snowboarding.
He has also looked into this act which allows some tax incentive to ski hills that make it mandatory to have helmets on at all times when skiing. The Brain Injury Association of Canada and other groups have come onboard with this.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-563, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (payment of individual's refund to registered charity).
This specific bill, presented by Emily McCosker-Hobley, is an excellent piece of legislation. It recognizes our great fortune to live in a prosperous country like Canada which affords us the responsibility to be generous.
The bill would amend the taxation act to allow Canadians to voluntarily donate some of their tax dollars directly to foreign aid through those international government agencies that exist within Canada. Canadians would respond to this.
All parties must consider this excellent piece of legislation seriously because in the trying times in which we live now it is the responsibility and duty of countries like Canada to step up to the plate fully.
I am so glad to have the guiding hand of these young people directing me rather than just me myself.
We can learn from the vision and hope of these young people. They present to us the right course for this country, remove the cynicism and dire vision that we sometimes incorporate in this place and reach for something more inspirational for the great country of Canada.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, during question period, when I asked the hon. Minister of Natural Resources a question, members of the Bloc Québécois amused themselves by shouting that I had voted against Canada's economic action plan.
I would like to make it clear to the House and anyone interested in the matter that I voted in favour of Canada's economic action plan every time and I never miss a vote in this House. Also, I support Canada's economic action plan.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that the member who just spoke was heckling members of the Bloc Québécois constantly while they were asking their questions.
The Conservatives say we voted against government bills, but when they were in opposition, they also voted against government bills. It is only natural that we vote against any program that is not in line with our principles. However, once it is in place, it is up to us to improve it and return it to the House of Commons. When the Conservatives were in opposition, they voted against several Liberal Party bills and programs. That did not stop them from asking the government questions. That is what it means to respect the opposition.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
If the hon. members wish to have a debate on the matter, perhaps they could present a motion to that effect, but it is not a point of order. We can now move on to Routine Proceedings.