Debates of March 4th, 2011

Art from Memory Challenge

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to proudly congratulate a young university student from my riding, Rachel MacGillivray, for honouring our Canadian war veterans with a winning art piece titled “Security Blanket”. The blanket honours the sacrifice and courage of our Canadian war veterans while sharing an important piece of our collective history.

Rachel won first place in the Historica–Dominion Institute's Art from Memory Challenge by drawing inspiration from the memories of relatives who fought in World War II. She further honoured veterans by donating 20% of her prize winnings to the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in Ottawa.

I would also like to acknowledge her parents, Campbell and Elizabeth MacGillivray, who are very proud of Rachel and who have joined me here on Parliament Hill today to celebrate this wonderful achievement.

Bernard Bureau

[France Bonsant, Bloc, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Bernard Bureau has received a prestigious lifetime achievement award. He won the 2010 Homage Award from the Association des camps certifiés du Québec

Mr. Bureau is the director general of Camps Espaces Jeunesse and has been heading up Camp Val-Estrie in Waterville since 1987 and Camp de Portneuf since 1994. Camp Val-Estrie is known throughout Quebec for its hospitality and its fine activities and is a model for all the vacation camps in Quebec. Every year, thousands of people go to Camp Val-Estrie and take part in its wide range of activities.

I want to congratulate Bernard Bureau on everything he has done. Mr. Bureau is contributing to the advancement and development of the tourist industry in the RCM of Coaticook and throughout the Eastern Townships.

A Night with the Riders Fundraiser

[Ray Boughen, Conservative, Palliser, SK]

Mr. Speaker, many of us in this chamber take being able to see and hear for granted but what would we do if this was taken away from us?

This past weekend in February, the Moose Jaw Lions Club hosted its annual A Night with the Riders fundraiser, which helped raise $20,000 for assistance dogs for the disabled in Saskatchewan. Nine members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team took part in this event.

People, like Norman Fedrau of Central Butte, who was injured in an accident and lost his sight, are grateful for the assistance they have received through this program. Through the Lions, Norman received his assistance dog, Austin, who is named after the former head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Kent Austin.

I salute our Rider nation, both for the support that it gives our team during the season and for the support it is giving now to those who need it. I hope all members will join me in supporting the Roughriders and the Lions for the wonderful work they do.

The Economy

[Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, with my former and, let me stress, future Brant MP, Lloyd St. Amand, I toured a dozen-plus abandoned or scaled-back businesses in Brantford. These closures represent hundreds of lost jobs. It was sad.

However, one person said, “Not so. We've taken over one of those plants, so it is a wonderful story”.

I congratulate Brant Screen Craft for the expansion of its company, for making use of the emptied Crane facility, and for creating jobs. That part of the story is indeed excellent.

the purpose of the tour, however, was to highlight the still far greater preponderance of losses. Being able to use the Crane facility is good but the fact that Crane had to close and all those jobs were lost is, I repeat, sad.

I have asked the folks at Brant Screen Craft to give credit where it is due. They said that their corporate tax cuts were responsible for their decision to expand and it was in fact the Liberal government that drastically reduced corporate taxes from 29% to 19%. I am glad that our years of Liberal work in making that competitive helped Brant Screen Craft.

[Andrew Saxton, Conservative, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, as we saw earlier this week, when the President of the Treasury Board tabled the main estimates, our government is committed to keeping taxes low and ensuring that government spending is prudent and affordable. We are avoiding reckless new spending commitments that will lead to higher taxes that kill jobs and hurt Canadian families. Our prudent approach to economic management is clearly the best choice for the Canadian economy.

In contrast, the Liberal leader wants to trigger an unnecessary and opportunistic election over the government's upcoming budget. That is not because of anything in the budget, after all, the Liberal leader has not even seen it yet. He is upset because we will not raise taxes on job creators.

The Liberals have made job killing tax hikes the centrepiece of their vision for Canada. That is a damaging vision, and we call on the Liberal leader to reconsider.

Students at Princeton Secondary School

[Alex Atamanenko, NDP, British Columbia Southern Interior, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I recently received a letter from Miss Desiree Cosman, a grade 12 law student from Princeton Secondary School.

Des is concerned that young people under the age of 18 are not allowed to vote and, thus, do not have a say in their future.

As a follow-up to her letter, I visited her class and had a chance to discuss this with her and other students. I would like to thank her teacher, John Kitts, for allowing me this opportunity. We talked about related issues and decided that Des and her classmates would draft up some notes for a private member's bill that I could research, draft and present on their behalf.

I would like to thank the students, especially Des and Bobby Gibb who contributed to a lively and productive discussion. I look forward to working with them as we draft this piece of legislation.

In talking with these young students I am reassured that the future of our country is in excellent hands.

The Economy

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government's top priority remains the economy. With the economic recovery still fragile, our government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth by keeping taxes low. We all know that reckless new spending will lead to higher taxes and kill jobs and, most important, hurt Canadian families.

So it is with great concern that we note the Liberal leader's plans to hike taxes and increase spending. The Liberal leader wants a higher GST and more taxes on job creators. He even wants to tax iPods, Blackberries and personal computers. It is unbelievable. We cannot tax our way out of a recession. These plans clearly put our fragile economic recovery at risk.

On our side of the House, we urge the Liberal leader to drop his plans for higher taxes on Canadians and support our prudent approach for the good of the Canadian economy, for the good of Canadian families, including the fine people of Peterborough.

Guy Laliberté

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Guy Laliberté, who was already a knight of the Ordre de La Pléiade, was raised to officer status. This order was created in 1976 to recognize distinguished figures who promote the Francophonie.

A specialist in contemporary circus arts, Guy Laliberté created Quebec's internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil. He reinvented the circus in a remarkable way by putting the entire spotlight on the performers, whose talents dazzle crowds around the world.

Guy Laliberté has pushed the circus concept even further by making it a real circus of the people. The company helps to fund organizations in some 20 countries on 5 continents. Mr. Laliberté also created the international Cirque du Monde program to help troubled youth.

My Bloc Québécois colleagues and I are proud to congratulate Guy Laliberté on this honour.

Retirement Congratulations

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in a few days, André Boivin, our Assistant Deputy Sergeant at Arms, who is sitting at the back of the House, will be retiring after 37 years of service, 31 of them here in Parliament.

André began his career as a police officer with the Vanier police department.

He was awarded the medal of bravery for courageously diving into freezing water to save the life of a man who had jumped into the river in an attempt to commit suicide.

Mr. Boivin's most enduring legacy, apart from his extraordinary length of service, is the love and respect that his colleagues have for him. This was earned through his kindness and compassion, his dedication as a public servant and his outstanding leadership.

On behalf of all members in the House of Commons and the people of Canada, I extend our deep gratitude to André for his dedicated service to this institution and to Canada. May he have a long and enjoyable retirement doing stone masonry work and riding his collector T-Bird through the highways and byways of our great country.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Rick Norlock, Conservative, Northumberland—Quinte West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we all know the Liberal leader spends a lot of his time thinking about his country, the United States. Most recently, we learned the Liberal leader's soft on crime spokesman from Ajax—Pickering shares those feelings.

Yesterday, the Liberal public safety critic invited a former U.S. congressman to appear at committee, in a political attempt to advance Liberal beliefs that serious criminals and thugs should not serve their sentences behind bars. It is more of the same from the member who is more concerned with American justice than he is about protecting victims at home.

During his speech opposing our bill to end early parole, he quoted a former U.S. speaker four times, referenced California six times and, shockingly, advocated keeping white collar criminals out of prison ten times. In the same speech, he stood up for victims zero times.

I call on the Liberal Party to finally start put law-abiding Canadians first.

Howard Noble

[Helena Guergis, Independent, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to recognize Howard Noble, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 8, at the age of 92, in my riding of Simcoe—Grey.

The Noble family is one of the first pioneer families in Simcoe county. In the 1800s, Archibald Noble left Ireland and settled in Mulmur township. Over the years, many of Howard's ancestors were buried in the pioneer cemetery. The Noble family established deep roots in the community and those roots are still growing strong.

Howard is survived by three generations, his son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Howard Noble was also one of the area's most respected businessman. In 1945 he founded Howard Noble Insurance. For over 65 years, this family-owned and operated business has successfully met the needs of the residents in the area.

Howard was also a major participant in establishing the community centre in Avening and the medical centre and Station on the Green, in Creemore. He was active in the Masons, the Shiners and the Eastern Star.

Our prayers go out to Howard's family and friends. He will be missed.

Political Financing

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, two senators may be thrown in jail for perpetrating election fraud of more than $1 million in 67 ridings across the country. These two senators were appointed by the Prime Minister himself, and two members of his inner circle are facing the same charges.

Canadians know that if they break the law, they will be punished. However, for those in the Prime Minister's inner circle, there is a double standard. Why is the Prime Minister turning a blind eye to these shenanigans?

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

Mr. Speaker, our party has always followed all the rules, and we will defend our case in the courts.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, let me quote the Prime Minister, “Bend the rules, you will be punished; break the law, you will be charged; abuse the public trust, you will go to prison”. However, he should have added, “Unless you're a close friend of mine”. The Prime Minister's top four advisers not only bent the rules, but outright broke them and the law.

As for the public trust, can there be a stronger abuse of it than trying to subvert the electoral process, the bedrock of our democracy?

Why will the Prime Minister not take action against these four people?

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

Mr. Speaker, I regret that we still do not have any questions from the Liberal Party on jobs, on helping Canadian families save for the future. It says a lot about its priorities, that all it wants to do is smear personalities rather than focusing on building up the country.

The good news is our tax-free savings accounts have allowed five million Canadians to invest for their futures. Three million Canadians have maximized their contributions to these savings accounts in the very first year. That is money that will be set aside, that will grow out of the reach of government taxation, so families can have a prosperous, secure future.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives did not say or disclose anything to Elections Canada. The RCMP had to raid their offices, at the request of Elections Canada, to obtain the information requested. They tried to falsify invoices with all the sophistication of a young child who brings home a bad report card and tries to make the F look like an A.

What kind of Prime Minister lets his lieutenants break the law?

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

Mr. Speaker, Conservative candidates spent Conservative funds on Conservative advertising. The central party transferred funds to local candidates. The reason Elections Canada is aware of all these transactions we are discussing is because we told them. And why not? It is perfectly legal and ethical. All parties do it. We will defend our case in the courts.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' devious in and out scandal has been confirmed now by judges of the Federal Court of Appeal, the Chief Electoral Officer and the Director of Public Prosecutions to have been illegal.

The campaign manager for the member from Simcoe smelled the stench of this scheme and refused to participate. Former Conservative candidate, David Marler, also rejected the Conservative conspiracy to gain power at any cost.

The government's pattern goes from deception and deceit and now to illegality. When will the government finally admit to election fraud, now admitted by its own members and candidates?

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

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative candidates spent Conservative funds on Conservative advertising. It is true that the national party transferred funds to local candidates so they could run their campaigns. The reality is the reason that Elections Canada knows about these transactions is that we told it. Why would we not? We followed all the rules. These transfers are common practice among all parties and they are completely legal. We will continue to defend our case in front of the courts.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, not only did the former Conservative candidate in Quebec, David Marler, know the scheme was illegal and said, “It is gratifying to note that the Federal Court has come to the same opinion”, but former Conservative MP Inky Mark, when asked to participate, told Conservative bagmen, “No thanks.”

The Conservative senators involved in this scheme are guilty of giving the Conservatives a million dollar advantage they should not have had, yet refuse to resign.

Why does the Prime Minister's defiance allow Senator Gerstein, who faces jail time, to continue to raise money for him?

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

Mr. Speaker, despite the dramatic performance the hon. member has rendered in this chamber, I regret to inform him that the Oscars have already been awarded and it is too late for him to be nominated. Nor do I think he would have secured a nomination if that chronological fact were not in the way.

Conservative candidates spent Conservative funds on Conservative advertising. The party transferred funds to local campaigns. The reason Elections Canada knows that is because we told it, and why not? It is legal, ethical and common practice. We will defend our position in court.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism knowingly broke the rules of the House of Commons by using his letterhead to raise money to fund an ad campaign for the Conservative Party. The departure of his assistant does not change the minister's responsibility in all this, especially since the letter clearly indicates that this partisan fundraising was being done at the minister's request.

Does the minister understand that he bears responsibility for this illegal use of House resources and that he must step down?

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

Mr. Speaker, this is truly a very serious matter. This practice is absolutely unacceptable. The minister's assistant tendered his resignation to the minister and the minister did the right thing by accepting it.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of International Cooperation has been telling us for weeks that ministers are the ones who make the decisions. It was his decision, his responsibility, his mistake. The mistake is even more serious considering that as Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, he was asking for money from his Conservative colleagues so that he could then use that money as a Conservative Party organizer to try and attract certain ethnocultural communities.

Are this gender confusion and his voter targeting not further proof that he does not have what it takes to be the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and that he must step down?

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

Mr. Speaker, the case cited in example by the House leader of the Bloc Québécois is totally unacceptable. The minister took responsibility for the actions of his assistant and immediately accepted his resignation. He apologized for the actions of his employees. He did the right thing.

Let me be clear: this Minister of Immigration is one of the best ministers of immigration. He is one of the best ministers in cabinet. He is doing a good job for new Canadians and for all Canadians in every province.