Debates of Dec. 2nd, 2011

Human Rights

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week I participated as a Canadian member of the parliamentary delegation in the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations.

In the session on political accountability, including that of the United Nations itself, I called upon the UN Security Council to invoke its responsibility to protect doctrine to protect against murder, brutality and torture, including the torture of children and hospital patients, forced disappearances and the like in Syria. I called on it to heed the calls of the Arab League for the protection of Syrian civilians, which the Syrian government responded to with more murder and which has since been sanctioned by the Arab League.

In the second session on youth participation, particularly in the Arab Spring, I called upon the United Nations to help secure the immediate release of a young Egyptian blogger, Maikel Nabil, one of the early voices of the Egyptian Arab Spring, who then became the first political prisoner in the post-Mubarak era. Today as we meet, he languishes in prison on the 102nd day of a hunger strike for seeking to do that which the Arab Spring was hoping for. He has emerged as a symbol of the hope yet betrayal of the Arab Spring.

Shipbuilding Industry

[Andrew Saxton, Conservative, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the immense contribution that our government recently made to the future of my city, my province and our country.

After a fair, transparent and competitive process, the shipbuilding secretariat announced an $8 billion contract to North Vancouver's Seaspan Marine Corporation. This announcement was met with jubilation across British Columbia. I applaud our government for its success in implementing a fair and transparent arm's length process.

As we have heard, this decision has been great news for Canadians, for British Columbians and for Vancouverites. By some estimates, our national shipbuilding procurement strategy will create 15,000 good jobs over the next 30 years, revitalizing our Canadian shipbuilding industry.

While the parties in opposition have no plan for growing our economy and creating jobs, our government supports job growth. We are delivering on our promise to create good jobs in high tech industries across Canada and provide much needed ships for the Canadian navy and Coast Guard.

I join the people of North Vancouver in congratulating Vancouver's Seaspan Marine Corporation on its successful bid.

Entrepreneurial Excellence in the Outaouais

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the great pleasure of recognizing entrepreneurial excellence in the Outaouais, particularly in my riding of Gatineau. On November 24, at the Canadian Tourism Awards gala, the Buffet des Continents was awarded this year's Community Service Award for its outstanding contribution to the community.

At the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce gala held on November 26, the following businesses and individuals were recognized for their excellence, innovation and vision: Sporthèque de Hull; PXL MEDIA; Storeimage; Rochef Chocolatier; Patry, Poulin, Trahan & Associés Inc.; Pedayoga; Impression Charles; the Laiterie de l'Outaouais revitalization committee; Eugène Tassé—the most valuable entrepreneur; and Jean Vaillancourt, Rector of the Université du Québec en Outaouais. The Buffet des Continents was honoured once again. Jean-Claude DesRosiers was honoured as person of the year.

Speaking for myself and for the NDP caucus, I wish the dynamic entrepreneurs of Gatineau and the Outaouais much success and prosperity. The New Democratic Party is a proud partner of our business community and will continue to support its development.

Natural Resources

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Keystone pipeline will create tens of thousands of jobs and tens of billions of dollars in economic growth in the United States and in Canada.

This project is the largest shovel-ready project in the United States. It is state of the art and environmentally sound. It is time to deliver Canadian oil to other markets around the world. The northern gateway pipeline to the west coast, is a stable, secure and ethical pipeline to deliver energy to the world from the most socially progressive and environmentally sound oil producers in the world.

I thank and salute Suncor, Syncrude, Albian Sands, Nexen, and Canadian Natural Resources Limited.

We are a trading nation in a global economy. We need to seize these opportunities to create more jobs and a better quality of life for all Canadians.

Violence against Women

[Ted Opitz, Conservative, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada and the world are marking the 16 days of activism against gender violence.

We know that women and girls are more likely than men to experience violence and assault in intimate and family relationships. Over 80% of sexual assault victims are women or girls. Dating violence is a growing problem.

Education and awareness are critical tools. Women and girls should always be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to call for help from families, friends or other support options in the community. They should know about their personal rights and their personal boundaries. This campaign is also an important time to remind men and boys of their role in the solution.

During these 16 days of activism, we can each do our part in preventing violence against women and girls in all its forms.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

[Manon Perreault, NDP, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and we have much to celebrate. Canada is a more accessible, more inclusive and fairer country than ever before; however, there is still a lot of work to be done. Women with disabilities often have a low level of education and live in low-income households.

Even more worrisome, 40% of women with disabilities have been the victims of violence. As we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I invite all the members of the House of Commons to recognize the violence committed against people with disabilities and to support groups such as the Disabled Women's Network and the Council of Canadians with Disabilities in order to combat exclusion and poverty among people with disabilities and keep them safe from violence.

Persons with Disabilities

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House today to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

In March 2007, Canada was one of the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In March 2010, we ratified this convention.

We continue to promote the full inclusion and participation of Canadians with disabilities in all aspects of society and community life.

It was our government that created the historic registered disability savings plan. There are currently over 48,000 savings plans that are assisting in the long-term financial security of children with disabilities. This is not to mention the improvements to the Canada disability savings grant and the Canada disability savings bond from which many of my patients have benefited.

In budget 2010, we extended the enabling accessibility fund by $45 million over three years, a program that has already implemented over 600 projects.

In addition, we have invested in helping individuals find jobs through the opportunities fund and the labour market agreements for people with disabilities, helping over 300,000 people a year.

We are creating a stronger Canada by investing in the full participation of all Canadians.

Pays-d'en-Haut Food Bank

[Marc-André Morin, NDP, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to members of the Pays-d'en-Haut food bank. Every year, this organization ensures that everyone will have a Christmas dinner. This is an old Quebec tradition. A group of volunteers used to go out with a big sled, collect food from people who had a little to offer and then hand it out to those who had nothing. They were able to ensure that everyone had a Christmas dinner. These days, people work very hard to uphold these traditions, because food is very important. If no one made sure that everyone had enough to eat, we would all be in trouble.

La Francophonie

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of State for La Francophonie is currently attending the 27th ministerial conference of la Francophonie in Paris. Our Conservative government cares about la Francophonie and promoting the French language, and our actions speak for themselves.

At the conference, the minister reiterated Canada's priorities, namely, the importance of continuing our efforts to modernize the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, to promote freedom of religion, democracy and human rights, and to examine different ways we can use la Francophonie as an economic lever for its member states.

I would like to congratulate my hon. colleague on his participation at this important ministerial conference and on his ability to demonstrate Canada's leadership within la Francophonie.

Status of Women

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, next week we will recognize one of the most tragic events in Canadian history. On December 6, 1989, out of the blue, while ordinary women were going about their day at École Polytechnique, 14 lives were tragically ended. One can only imagine what these young women would have accomplished if this tragedy had not occurred.

The struggle for women and for equality continues today. Each day, hundreds of thousands of women continue to fight for equal pay, safety from violence and equal representation.

In my province of Prince Edward Island, the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, led by Lisa Murphy and Diane Kays, has been very successful with its purple ribbon campaign. This year, the P.E.I. purple ribbon campaign has focused on access to justice for families and more options for women and children who face violence in their homes.

Without equal access to justice, the very rights put in place to protect them cannot be enforced and reinforces unequal power. The work the Advisory Council on the Status of Women does in Prince Edward Island and across Canada is invaluable. I applaud it for that work.

Natural Resources

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the ineffective NDP is again promoting its ongoing anti-Canada job-killing policies. The NDP's associate natural resources critic for western Canada is attacking projects that will expand Canadian export markets to Asia and create jobs in western Canada.

First a leadership candidate called for a moratorium on oil sands development and the jobs it creates. Then two of his colleagues ran down to Washington to attack good-paying Canadian jobs. Now the member for Burnaby—Douglas feels the need to get in on the act.

Let me be clear: the Canadian regulatory process is very thorough. Consultations and discussions over the northern gateway pipeline have been going on with aboriginal groups and others since 2008.

Natural resources projects like these ones in B.C. create jobs and opportunities for all Canadians, including aboriginals and residents in isolated areas.

We have been clear: Canada needs to open export markets outside the United States and into Asia in particular. Undermining the economy and attacking Canadian jobs demonstrate once again that the ineffective, divided, incompetent NDP--

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Davenport.

Search and Rescue

[Andrew Cash, NDP, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the men and women of the Canadian Forces take pride in their search and rescue operations. All Canadians have respect and admiration for the SAR technicians who put their lives on the line to rescue others. What Canadians do not like, and what lowers the morale of our troops, is when ministers use these precious assets as taxis.

On September 26, the Minister of National Defence told the House, “I took part in a previously planned search and rescue demonstration”. However, the documents from the Department of National Defence show this was not true. There was no previously planned exercise. The Minister of National Defence, at his own request, was picked up in a basket and taken to a waiting Challenger jet.

The minister's excuse was nothing more than “a guise”.

The minister and the Conservatives came here to change Ottawa; instead, Ottawa changed them.

By using Challenger jets and SAR helicopters as personal limos, they have become everything they used to oppose.

Chinese Canadian Community

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Chinese media are reporting that a group called the Animal Liberation Front of Canada has sent a threatening letter to Chinese Canadian restaurants. In the letter, this group threatens to poison all Chinese restaurants and uses several racist and extremely offensive words in describing Canadians of Chinese origin.

The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism will be dining in a Chinese restaurant in Toronto's Chinatown this weekend. He will be there to support Canadian businesses and Chinese culture. He will also be there to stand with our Chinese community to stand up against eco-terrorism.

Canadians of Chinese origin contribute a great deal to our country and to our economy. Our government condemns these letters and threats. I want to say to our constituents of Chinese origin that our government is with them as they stand up to fight these extremists and eco-terrorists.

Employment

[Philip Toone, NDP, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the unemployment rate is on the rise again. For the second month in a row on the Conservatives' watch, Canada has lost jobs. Some 19,000 jobs were lost in November.

Will the government finally accept the fact that its inaction plan is not working?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, while we saw full-time job gains in November, we are of course disappointed that the overall job figures show, because of part-time job losses, a drop in employment of some 19,000. We do sympathize with all Canadians who have lost their jobs.

That said, after we emerged from the recession, we have still seen significant increases in jobs in Canada since the economic downturn took hold. That is in very stark contrast to most of our companion developed economies. That is actually evidence that our economic action plan is working.

[Philip Toone, NDP, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the continuing cost to our economy of this high level of unemployment is in the billions. It is unsustainable, yet the Conservatives stubbornly want to give even more money to non-performing corporations.

There are 1.4 million people unemployed in Canada, and 19,000 jobs were lost in November. When will the Conservatives stop applauding the loss of jobs?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, we are working to implement our low-tax plan for jobs and growth, which is aimed at delivering jobs and opportunities for Canadians.

We recently had votes in this House on the next phase of that economic action plan, seeking to deliver things like a job creation tax credit. That member voted against that job creation tax credit. He is the one who does not care about creating jobs.

We took action by extending the accelerated capital cost allowance that allows Canadian companies to invest in equipment to make them more competitive, to allow them to continue to function, to create jobs, to do better on the world stage, to be able to export more. Again, the NDP voted against that effort to make our workers more competitive.

We are the ones focused on creating jobs. That is why Canada is healthy.

[Philip Toone, NDP, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to see that the Conservatives' economic inaction plan is hurting Quebec the most. In Quebec, 31,000 jobs have been lost, half of which were full time.

Are the Conservatives going to stop pretending that everything is just fine? People are suffering. There is no cause for celebration.

Will the government adjust its focus and come up with a real job creation plan?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers understand that the global economy is currently facing major challenges. Fortunately, Canada has an economic action plan that has created more than half a million jobs since the end of the depression. That is the success of our economic action plan. We intend to focus on the economy and job creation.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, for the last year and a half, first nation chiefs have been asking to meet with the Prime Minister and discuss the housing crisis on first nation reserves. After years of government inaction, it tragically took this crisis in Attawapiskat for him to finally take up the invitation. More than just talk is needed.

Is the government finally prepared to work with first nations and take real action to solve this crisis?

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, the government works with first nations to deliver real results for their priorities. We have invested heavily in first nation schools, including in Attawapiskat, and in water and waste water infrastructure, health and housing, and we have done this all in full partnership with first nations.

We have a plan. We will continue to invest in practical solutions and real results.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, all of a sudden, the Conservatives are waking up and blaming everyone but themselves.

Federal public servants went to Attawapiskat not once, not twice, not three times, but 10 times in the past year. They must have submitted reports on the situation. Has there been any follow-up to these visits or is the department in the habit of leaving reports on shelves to gather dust rather than taking action as required?

Is the conclusion here that the government is completely indifferent to the living conditions of aboriginal people?

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, our first priority is to get residents into warm, dry and safe shelter. Each time we received a request from the community, we took immediate action. Our officials have been working with the community to address substantial renovation for immediate housing needs, and we continue to support implementing their emergency management plan.

At the same time, we will be working with the third party manager to ensure that federal funding directly benefits community members and that the community's long-term needs will be met.

Search and Rescue

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, documentary evidence confirms that the Minister of National Defence is having some trouble with the truth. Military officers say the story about showcasing search and rescue helicopters is “a guise” to hide a minister wrongfully commandeering defence equipment for his own personal use. The definition of “guise” is “pretence, make-believe”, and this one cost tens of thousands of dollars.

When first nations children are living in desperate conditions at Attawapiskat, why does the government defend such waste and dishonesty?