Debates of Feb. 9th, 2011

Oral Questions

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, earlier in question period the Prime Minister claimed that corporate tax cuts were a priority for the CFIB.

I would like to table two documents. One is a Canadian Press story from today's The Chronicle Herald in which Corinne Pohlmann, the vice-president of national affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, says:

If you look at our website we have our Top 11 in 2011 and corporate tax cuts are not in our top 11.

I would seek unanimous consent to table both that article and the CFIB's website, which clearly say that corporate tax cuts are not a priority for the CFIB, but cutting payroll taxes and investing in learning are priorities for the CFIB.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member is asking for the unanimous consent of the House to table a website, which I do not think can be tabled. I do not know how he could table a website, but there is a document.

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to table the document?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

There is no consent.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, in order to help my hon. colleague, I have an additional quote from the CFIB:

CFIB continues to support proceeding with the planned reductions in the corporate income tax rate and staying on track with current deficit reduction plans.

That quote was directly from CFIB, but I have another quote that comes right down to the point:

—we cannot increase corporate taxes without losing corporate investment. If we lose corporate investment, we have a less productive economy.... That means fewer jobs.

Oh, I am sorry. That one is by the member for Kings—Hants.

It is clear that Catherine Swift will be calling the member for Kings—Hants and encouraging him to go back to his original position, which was not very long ago.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during question period, when I asked the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development my second question, a number of my colleagues on this side heard the following:

“Does that member have an earpiece that actually works?”

I find sarcasm to be extremely inappropriate, and it pains me greatly to see a female colleague in the House make this type of comment to another woman, especially when the issue of social housing is so very important. I am asking the minister for an apology.

[John Baird, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development has always demonstrated great skill and ability in working on her files, and I know she cares a lot about Canadian children. I know that Canadian children demand an apology because for 13 long years the Liberals did not create any of the child care spaces they promised.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I am not sure the comments are out of order. They may have offended the hon. member somewhat, but to question whether a member's earpiece is working, well, sometimes they do and sometimes they do not.

Is the hon. member for Vancouver Kingsway rising on a point of order as well?

Statements by Members

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order arising from a statement made by the member for Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley. The member made allegations that clearly violated my rights and privileges as a member. The statement was almost incomprehensible. However, what was understandable was, first, factually wrong and, second, a violation of the Speaker's own rule against using members' statements to attack other members.

The member said that I “tried to remove all references to victims from crime legislation”.

That is 100% completely false. I defy him to come up with a single piece of evidence where that has ever happened. On the contrary, I have stood up and fought for the rights of victims in every piece of legislation in this House. Besides being untrue, it is absolutely cowardly for that member to raise allegations in a member's statement to which I have no right of reply.

I would ask the member to do the honourable thing and retract his untrue allegation and apologize to this House for misleading this House and the Canadian people.

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I know that the member against whom he is making those accusations is not in the House, but the member for Vancouver Kingsway was in fact instrumental in gutting the bill regarding the International Transfer of Offenders Act, removing the protections that we see as important for victims.

The member says he has not done anything against victims, but I can indicate that it is clearly on the record. If the people of Canada go to that member's record and look at how he voted on criminal justice bills that defend the interests of victims, they will see that the member has consistently voted against the interests of victims.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

It sounds much like a debate to me.

The hon. member for Vancouver Kingsway, I trust this will be a point of order.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, the member pointed out that another member had left the House. That in and of itself is a violation.

However, I would point out that the specific allegation is that I tried to remove references to victims from crime legislation. That is the allegation. That is what is 100% factually incorrect. The minister knows that and he is twisting this to respond to a different allegation. This allegation by this member was incorrect and it should be withdrawn. It is untrue and it is misleading the public and the people of this House. That is a disgrace.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I think there is a dispute as to the facts here, and I sympathize with the hon. member to one extent, which is that Standing Order 31 statements are being used as matters of debate, and in my view that was not the intention of having Standing Order 31 statements. I believe it would be better if members did not make reference to other hon. members in the course of these statements, but I have suggested that several times.

I am sure that the House leaders and whips are looking at the matter from time to time, and the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs could always do it and we could get rid of Standing Order 31 statements if it wishes. The committee can change the rules or restrict the subject matter to specific options. That is for the committee to decide, and for the House to decide when the committee makes a report if, as, and when it does.

We will leave it at that for now.

Declaration on Perimeter Security

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the declaration issued in Washington by the Prime Minister and the President of the United States, entitled “Beyond the Border: a shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness”.

Westbank First Nation Self-Government Agreement

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

Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the Westbank First Nation self-government agreement annual report on implementation 2007-08.

Abolition of Early Parole Act

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-59, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (accelerated parole review) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

International Trade

[Lee Richardson, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on International Trade entitled, “Fact-Finding Mission to the European Union on the Benefits and Challenges of the Possible Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union”.

Procedure and House Affairs

[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 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees in the house.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 25th report later today.

Criminal Code

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-617, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief relating to war memorials).

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to introduce an act to amend the mischief provisions of the Criminal Code relating to war memorials.

The bill seeks to add significant penalties for anyone convicted of mischief against a war memorial, cenotaph or other structure honouring or remembering those who have died as a consequence of war. Respect for those who have given their lives in a sacrifice for Canada is the responsibility of every Canadian. Anyone who wilfully damages or desecrates a war memorial should face stiff consequences. We owe it to our men and women in uniform and especially to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for Canada to protect these honoured places.

I would ask my colleagues to support the bill and to help protect Canada's war memorials and cenotaphs.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Procedure and House Affairs

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House earlier this day be concurred in.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Mr. Speaker, does the member for Elgin—Middlesex—London have the unanimous consent of the House to propose the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

(Motion agreed to)