House of Commons Hansard #128 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was parks.
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we did not hear from them why they supported the bill.
I am going to tell this hon. member that I would hope she would at least read the bill. That bill deals with traffickers in every single paragraph. That is completely lost on the Leader of the Opposition. It is lost on this member. The dumbest thing I have heard in this Parliament is the Liberal policy about fighting crime. That is what is dumb.
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, at a time when the issue of rights and democracy is at the heart of politics in Egypt and the Middle East, we now have the spectacle of the government admitting that Rights & Democracy in Canada has spent $1 million on gumshoes connected to the Tory party, on accountants, and on lawyers.
How does the minister justify this gross waste of public money at a time when there is a crisis in world democracy? What is the minister going to do to finally restore credibility to our own approach to rights and democracy?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that Rights & Democracy, of course, is an arm's-length organization. It is a government-funded organization, mandated to promote human rights. If the hon. member had done his homework a bit, he would realize that among the projects that are being supported by Rights & Democracy is a project in Egypt, specifically, to support democracy.
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, the fact remains that we are witnessing a ridiculous spectacle; Rights & Democracy is spending $1 million of a $9 million budget on unjustified private investigations and lawyers' fees. There is no reason for this.
How do you explain the fact that the government reappointed to their positions on the organization's board of directors the two men who were responsible for the witch hunt that so greatly affected this organization?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again remind the hon. member that Rights & Democracy is an arm's-length organization that does work all over the world to promote democracy. In fact, I just reminded the hon. member, since he did not do his homework, that Rights & Democracy is currently involved in supporting democracy in Egypt.
Unfortunately, I have to help remind the hon. member to indulge in a little humility.
Paule Brunelle Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, experts agree that the authorization given to Ontario company Bruce Power to transport a set quantity of nuclear waste on the St. Lawrence could create a dangerous precedent that may encourage others to try.
Does the Minister of Natural Resources realize that this authorization could be the first in a series of others that would eventually transform the St. Lawrence into a highway for the nuclear waste of Ontario and the United States? Is that really what the minister wants?
Christian Paradis ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of Canadians are our top priorities, and that is why we have an independent commission that is examining this issue from a scientific perspective. After having heard from 77 stakeholders, the commission concluded that the use of the St. Lawrence to ship such waste was safe.
I asked the commission to provide a technical briefing to members of Parliament, the media, the Government of Quebec and interested communities, which it has agreed to do. Thus, I encourage all interested parties to attend this briefing.
Paule Brunelle Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, opposition to this idea keeps growing. Over 100 municipalities, including the City of Montreal, those of the Communauté métropolitaine de Québec, the Government of Quebec and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, are all opposed. Now aboriginals, who were not consulted, are calling for a reversal of the decision of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Will these people have to become evangelicals to be heard by this government?
Christian Paradis ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, once again, the health and safety of Canadians are the top priorities of this government. This commission came to an independent, scientific decision.
Once again, I encourage my colleague not to miss the briefing that the commission has offered to give members of Parliament, the media, the Government of Quebec and all interested municipalities. I hope that they will attend this technical briefing so that we can have an intelligent debate here in the House of Commons.
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Quebec and the City of Quebec have announced funding for the construction of a multi-purpose arena. We know the timeline, we know where the complex will be built, we know that the cost will be $400 million, we know that the Government of Quebec will be responsible for up to 50% of the cost, and we know that the private sector will contribute to the project. There is only one unknown: what is the federal government's contribution?
Josée Verner ConservativeMinister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Speaker, what we also know full well is that the Bloc members will not be helping to fund this project. That is for sure.
I have had conversations with Minister Sam Hamad and Mayor Labeaume regarding the announcement made earlier today. Mayor Labeaume promised to send me all the information about the announcement made this morning. We will wait for it.
Having said that, when we receive the document, we can look at how the federal government could provide funding for this project, if it chooses to do so. If it does, the process will be fair and accessible across the country.
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Quebec City area is not looking for charity. We just want some of the taxes paid to Ottawa to be returned. The money will not come out of the minister's pockets.
Rather than creating obstacles for the promoters of this important project, what is the government waiting for to commit to funding the project, instead of just having MPs wear the Nordiques jersey?
Josée Verner ConservativeMinister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Speaker, since they were elected, the members of the Conservative caucus from the Quebec City area have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are able to keep the economy moving in that area. The only thing that the Bloc members have managed to move are the wheels on their office chairs.
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Mr. Speaker, my father-in-law was lost to the sea. Many others have suffered the same fate. The Atlantic waters are treacherous. Seconds count, the Coast Guard and the auxiliary count, helicopters count.
A Conservative MP has said those who make their living from the sea should take more responsibility for their own lives. The government consistently shirks its responsibility. It is every person for themselves.
The Prime Minister has said that Atlantic Canadians have a defeatist attitude.
Is that why Conservatives are telling Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, “You're on your own”?
John Baird ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the member in question has apologized for her comments. A lesson I learned when growing up was if someone recognizes they have made a mistake then sincerely apologize. The honourable thing to do would be to accept that apology and move on. That is certainly in the best traditions of this House.
That said, the issue of improved search and rescue capability is very important, especially in the very dangerous waters of the north Atlantic. We have done a lot and we are committed to doing even more.
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Mr. Speaker, the government should give more than an apology; it should give resources. Search and rescue is a federal responsibility.
It is outrageous that Conservatives will cut corporate taxes and spend billions on fighter jets, but they shirk important lifesaving responsibilities.
The member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke has said to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that they should take responsibility for their own lives. That viewpoint is degrading. It is insulting. It is wrong.
Will the Conservatives commit today to provide adequate Coast Guard services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, just to be clear, no government in decades has invested more in equipment for the Canadian Forces, including search and rescue, than this government.
Each and every year the Canadian Forces and its Coast Guard partners respond to more than 8,000 incidents, tasking military aircraft or ships to over 1,000 cases, saving on average 1,200 lives, and assisting in some 20,000 lives.
This is an issue that this government takes very seriously. We continue to invest in our Coast Guard capabilities as well as our search and rescue capabilities.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, in December, Brian Abrams announced his resignation as Conservative candidate for Kingston and the Islands. What a coincidence. Last Friday, Mr. Abrams was appointed judge. The Conservatives do not want to reveal the cost of their megaprisons, but Canadians know how much this partisan appointment will cost them: $260,000 a year.
Will the Minister of Justice admit that this is a blatant case of cronyism?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Liberal Party does not spend too much time on the justice file, so the member may not be aware of the fact that anyone applying for a judicial appointment in this country goes through a process by which that application is vetted by representatives of the provincial government, the Bar Association, the law association, and members of law enforcement agencies.
All of the appointments that we have made have been of outstanding Canadians who are doing their best to serve this country, and they should have the thanks of the hon. member and every member of the House.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative gravy train became even more crowded Friday as a number of prominent Conservatives took their seats on the bench. Since the last election, they have appointed 39 Conservative insiders to federal courts, but one name stood out this time. Just weeks before Brian Abrams was named a judge, he was still the nominated Conservative candidate in Kingston.
How could a nominated candidate ever get a sign-off from a non-partisan committee, or did the government just ram this appointment through to pave the way for its preferred candidate?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, the member does a disservice to the process that has been in place. This is a process which involves representatives, again, of the Law Society and governments, in this case the Government of Ontario.
I have been very proud as justice minister to make recommendations for over 300 individuals to the bench. These are outstanding Canadians prepared to serve and, again, they should have the support and thanks of everyone in this chamber.
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberals informed Canadians that they had changed their minds on Bill S-10, which would crack down on serious drug crime in this country. Last session, the Leader of the Opposition stood in this very House and supported this very same legislation. As a father of three, I find it unimaginable that the Liberals no longer support, among other things, having those who sell drugs near our children's schools face mandatory jail time.
Can the Minister of Justice please update the House on how the Liberals have once again turned their backs on victims and law-abiding Canadians?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I can understand why people who bring drugs into this country would oppose this bill and I can understand why people who want to get into the grow op business would not be too happy, and I can understand why organized crime and illegal gangs would not support this. What I cannot understand is the Liberal Party's problem when it comes to fighting crime in this country.
That is the difference between our two parties. Canadians know that they can count on this party and this government as the only ones to stand up for law-abiding Canadians, and we are proud of that.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have just reached new heights of irresponsibility by giving the unelected Senate the mandate to review the 2004 health accord. That accord should be reviewed by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health, not by the Senate.
Why do the Conservatives want to prevent elected representatives from reviewing such an important accord for all Canadians?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to a universal and public health care system, and the Canada Health Act. Unlike the previous Liberal government, we will not balance a budget on cutting health care. We continue to work with the provinces, territories, and health care professionals to look for ways to improve the health care system.
Two weeks ago I sent a letter to the Senate committee co-chairs requesting them to undertake a review of the health accord and report back the work accordingly.