House of Commons Hansard #27 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was tax.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, we have seen the plan, and the plan is failing. Maybe the minister would prefer to talk about streamlining Environment Canada, or optimizing Arctic sea ice, or perhaps redistributing the hole in the ozone layer. However, the reality is that the government's out-of-touch environmental policies are putting Canadians at risk.
Will the minister get beyond his rhetoric and agree to all of the environment commissioner's recommendations for improvement?
Peter Kent ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, the environment commissioner conceded before the House committee yesterday that his report was fully a year out of date. Unfortunately, my colleague had left the committee room at that point.
Again, I lament the fact that she fails to recognize the positive words the environment commissioner offered, both on our monitoring plans for the water, the air and the biodiversity of the Lower Athabasca and our commitment to the Copenhagen and Cancun accords.
We have a plan. He recognizes it.
Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canada is falling way behind on its international commitment to establish marine-protected areas by 2012. The Pacific north coast integrated management area process brought together first nations, fishermen, environmentalists and industry to make a joint plan for stewardship of our ocean resources. The government invested in this process and then suddenly pulled the plug.
Why has the government walked away from a plan to protect the economic, social and environmental health of our oceans?
Keith Ashfield ConservativeMinister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
Mr. Speaker, this government remains fully committed to developing an integrated management plan for the Pacific north coast by December 2012. Our goal is to develop a plan that is relevant and effective for the specific area, using an approach that is consistent with similar large oceans management areas. It is our intention to continue to work closely with first nations and the province of British Columbia, which have been valuable partners in the planning process.
Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, why does the government have such a hard time co-operating with others? The funding agreement was supported by all levels of government and first nations, but after lobbying from its oil patch buddies, the government suddenly announced it is walking away.
Everyone else wants a strong plan to protect our oceans. When will the government come back to the table and get serious about ocean management?
Keith Ashfield ConservativeMinister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
Mr. Speaker, there is no question that we are responsible about ocean management. We have committed to the plan for the Pacific north coast by December 2012. We will make that commitment and work with our partners in the process.
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Mr. Speaker, this week we witnessed the sorry spectacle of a Lockheed Martin representative on national television saying that the F-35 is only going to cost $65 million, engine included. Lockheed and the minister seem to be the only ones on earth who believe this. The congressional budget office and our own PBO have priced the figure at twice what the Lockheed Martin representative said.
The U.K., Australia, Italy, Holland and Turkey are all considering getting out of this program. Why is the government the only true believer left?
Julian Fantino ConservativeAssociate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, all reasonable people agree that Canada needs aircraft in order to defend Canadian sovereignty. The current CF-18s must be replaced and our budget for the purchase of F-35s remains on track.
Let me be clear--
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order. The Associate Minister of National Defence has the floor.
Julian Fantino Conservative Vaughan, ON
Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. We will ensure that our men and women in uniform have the best equipment to do the job they are required to do safely. As responsible citizens, responsible politicians and responsible government, we owe them no less.
Marc Garneau Liberal Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, we know that Lockheed Martin is not allowed to sell F-35s in Canada at a lower price than in the United States. That is why the $9 billion price tag bothers me so much. I do not see how we are going to buy these planes and all the support equipment. I can see only two possible outcomes: we are going spend far more than $9 billion or we will have to buy less than 65 planes.
Which option will this government choose?
Julian Fantino ConservativeAssociate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of noise made around this particular issue. This is an initiative that goes back to the days of the Liberal government.
We have maintained a constant effort to provide our men and women in uniform the best equipment they need to do the job we have asked them to do and get home safe and sound to their families at the end of their missions.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order. The member asked a question and I think the least all other members could do is allow the minister to answer the question.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order. If we are using up time on this type of disruption, we might not get to the full list of questions. I will give the minister a few seconds to conclude his remarks.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
He had sat down when I stood up, so I am just going to allow him to finish his remarks.
Order. We will have a little bit of order.
The hon. associate minister.
Julian Fantino Conservative Vaughan, ON
Mr. Speaker, I find it incredible that on an item as important as this to our Canadian sovereignty, the need to provide our men and women in uniform the tools they need as they are now engaged in such places as Libya, we hear this rhetoric about something that is so vital.
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' stand on the F-35 purchase continues to take a nosedive. Last night the Associate Minister of National Defence contradicted his own minister and said the more honest and ethical approach would be to admit that the government does not know how much each plane will cost. They are just guessing.
We are talking about contracts worth billions. We know the Prime Minister does not talk to the Minister of National Defence. Is the Prime Minister also ignoring the associate minister?
Julian Fantino ConservativeAssociate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we have been consistent in our efforts. Our budget for the F-35s remains on track. This includes not only the aircraft but also infrastructure, parts, training, simulators, and so forth. It is the only machine that is going to provide us the kind of safety, security and sovereignty in our country that Canada requires at this time and in the future.
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Speaker, the F-35s will cost far more than predicted, but this government refused to admit it.
Six months ago, the government was talking about a $16 billion contract. This week, the government came up with a figure of $9 billion. Last night, the assistant minister for defence contradicted his minister by finally admitting that the Conservatives have no idea what the grand total for the F-35s will be.
Why does the government not tell the public that $9 billion for the F-35s is smoke and mirrors to hide the worst fiasco in military industry history?
Julian Fantino ConservativeAssociate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, the F-35 aircraft is the one item that is absolutely critical and helps to ensure that we will maintain our sovereignty well into the future. It includes not only the aircraft; it includes other components for years to come in the future, enabling Canada to be competitive and coordinated with our partners in NATO and the UN missions.
Bernard Trottier Conservative Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, today the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities made an important announcement for the greater Montreal area, Quebec and the entire country. This morning's announcement is further proof that the Conservatives are delivering the goods throughout the country.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities share the announcement with us?