Debates of Nov. 28th, 2011

Aboriginal Affairs

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in question period on Friday, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs responded to a question on the crisis in Attawapiskat by actually blaming the community. October 27, Chief Theresa Spence declared a state of emergency. A month later, the minister says he will send some of his officials to investigate. What will they investigate--that people are living in tents, that winter is coming, that the Red Cross has already decided to move in?

When will the minister act immediately to work with the community and fix the situation?

[John Duncan, Conservative, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, we are deeply concerned about this situation. We have had officials in that community at least once a month, because we are building a school in the community. Since coming to government, we have invested very significantly in the community. My officials are in the community today to investigate why the first nation is facing so many challenges, given the significant funding for housing, infrastructure, education and administration.

I spoke with my officials today, and they are making sure--

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order. The hon. member for Burnaby—Douglas.

Infrastructure

[Kennedy Stewart, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the City of Calgary negotiated in good faith with the federal government for three years to build badly needed recreation centres in fast-growing parts of the city. The city spent millions as part of the application process. Mayor Nenshi has pointed to the Conservative government's bad faith on this issue. Why did the Conservatives pull the plug, and why are they taking Calgary for granted?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Minister of State (Finance)]

Mr. Speaker, PPP Canada Inc. is a great arm's-length organization that analyzes all sorts of projects all across this country. We are looking forward to some of these investments that will help municipalities with their water and their sewers and their major infrastructure projects.

The projects in Calgary actually did not qualify for P3 funding at this time.

[Kennedy Stewart, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately that answer will not help Calgary families. If they were not going to receive funding, why were they not told three years ago?

The City of Calgary was told the project only needed political approval. If recreation centres were not eligible for funding, why did the government's website say they were? Why was this information mysteriously removed from the website just hours after the mayor's press conference?

Calgary families are waiting for an answer. When will the Conservatives come clean?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Minister of State (Finance)]

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that the opposition stands up and asks questions about PPP Canada Inc. when, if we go back in history, those members actually voted against putting PPP Canada Inc. in place as an arm's-length organization that would analyze infrastructure requirements across this country and look at a new concept of partnering with other levels of government and the private sector to fulfill the infrastructure requirements of these communities.

I would encourage those members to support some of these investments, rather than criticizing them.

Firearms Registry

[Bryan Hayes, Conservative, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today the NDP unveiled a new ad campaign targeting our government's commitment to end the wasteful and ineffective long gun registry once and for all. The ad claims that there are “no more safeguards” for dangerous firearms--

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Once again I will ask hon. members to hold off on their applause until either the end of the question or maybe until the end of the minister's answer.

The hon. member for Sault Ste. Marie has the floor.

[Bryan Hayes, Conservative, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the ad claims there are “no more safeguards” for dangerous firearms.This is a laughably preposterous and illogical statement, as firearms licensing remains unchanged.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety please comment on these misleading advertisements?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Sault Ste. Marie for his good work on this file.

The NDP clearly does not understand the Canadian firearms program or does not understand classification. The firearm in the ad that was leaked to the media this weekend is clearly a restricted firearm.

Why is the NDP misleading Canadians instead of speaking the truth? It is because there is no valid argument in support of the long gun registry, so those members resort to half-truths and misinformation.

Refugee Status

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the excellent work done by our armed forces in Afghanistan would not have been possible without the help of the Afghan interpreters who put their lives and those of their families at risk in order to help Canada. Although they were promised refugee status in Canada, two-thirds of the interpreters who have applied have had their applications refused.

Why are the Conservatives abandoning those who helped Canada at a very difficult time and who put their lives and those of their families at risk to help our armed forces?

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that our government recognizes these brave and courageous Afghans. They made a significant contribution to our mission and saved Canadian lives.

That is why we introduced the special visa program: to help former translators facing exceptional risk or serious injuries to bring their families to Canada. That program allowed for 450 interpreters and their families, but we have expanded it by almost 20%. Now 550 Afghan interpreters and their families are able to come to this country to find safety, security and a new life in our country.

Motor Vehicle Safety

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Speaker, The families of cyclists and pedestrians killed in truck collisions joined me this morning to call on the minister to mandate side guards.

Karen Hartmann talked about her pain in losing her husband when he was crushed, and her daughter described life without her father. Four different studies from the EU, Germany and the UK showed side guards reduce fatalities by up to 50%.

How many more preventable deaths will it take for the government to act?

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and support go out to all those who have been involved in tragic bicycle and pedestrian accidents.

We are always looking at ways to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety in the presence of motor vehicles.

Foreign Affairs

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, the Egyptian people have had the chance to experience democracy for the first time in more than 30 years, in multi-party elections. Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are principles that our government stands firmly behind and are something that was not an option under the former Mubarak regime.

As many of my constituents are watching closely, could the Minister of Foreign Affairs please update the House on the democratic transition that is taking place in North Africa?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the courage and the determination of the Egyptian people are a real example for the world. Our hearts and minds are with them today as they undertake a democratic transition. We want to wish them well in exercising the legitimate right to represent those who govern themselves.

This morning I met with the Egyptian ambassador and underlined Canada's wish that the transition to democracy continue without delay and that the basic rights of Egyptians would be respected. We stand with the people of Egypt and look forward to working with them in this democratic transition.

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in a disturbing pattern, the government continues to abandon Canadians detained abroad. Henk Tepper, a New Brunswick potato farmer, has been in prison for eight months in Beirut, even though he has not been charged with any crime. His health is deteriorating, yet our officials have visited him only once. This man remains jailed, without any charges.

Why does the government refuse to protect Canadian citizens abroad and will the minister intervene and ensure his safe return before Christmas?

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)]

Mr. Speaker, the government remains concerned about and I assure the House is very active in Mr. Tepper's case. We know that this is a very difficult time for Mr. Tepper and his family. However, based on information we have received, public profile would not be in Mr. Tepper's best interests at this point.

The Environment

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a new round of climate change negotiations is starting today, and the Conservatives' position is contradictory to say the least.

On the one hand, the minister claims that he will be “tough” on developing countries that are not doing their part, but on the other hand, he plans on abandoning our formal Kyoto commitments. As the environment commissioner said, the only thing that the government has managed to lower is its own greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Who is the minister trying to kid by saying that he will urge developing countries to do their part, when Canada itself is an environmental delinquent?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.

Canada is working to create a single new international climate change regime, which includes commitments made by all the major emitters.

We are working with our international colleagues to create a new international climate change agreement which will include all major emitters.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Bob Bjornerud, Minister of Agriculture for Saskatchewan.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Evan Berger, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for Alberta.