Debates of June 13th, 2011

Canada-U.S. Border

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, in the preamble to that question, the member opposite talked about spending taxpayer dollars on infrastructure projects. In fact, his riding is receiving some of the highest amounts for public infrastructure in all of Canada. That is because it deals with the perimeter and trade.

We want to ensure that we have an appropriate arrangement with the United States that will allow the auto worker in southwestern Ontario to continue to have employment so that more jobs and more opportunities are obtained through working constructively with President Obama's administration.

I would think that member would want to join us and support such an important initiative.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the reason my border community is finally getting the justice it deserves is because New Democrats understand the border issue. The government does not understand the border issue. Every time it has been involved in border issues, it ends up thickening the border, costing jobs and putting us in a trade deficit. That is the reality of the government's record.

Why is the government afraid to consult Canadians with regard to how we will change our border practices? Why will it not actually listen to them? Why will we not have a proper dialogue. What is the government afraid of? It does not want to hear the truth from Canadians. They are concerned.

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we certainly welcome the input of members opposite. If the member opposite or his constituents have any ideas on how we can de-thicken the border, we are certainly prepared to do that.

I think there is no other government in Canadian history that has paid more attention and given greater focus to the Windsor-Detroit crossing than this government. We have come forward with a substantial plan. We are waiting for news from the people in Lansing, Michigan and the state capital as to whether they will endorse that vision and get on board with the federal government to ensure that jobs can be created on both sides of the border.

Automotive Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the leader of the official opposition will be travelling to Vancouver for his party's convention where the NDP will be debating a proposal, the NDP policy resolution to nationalize the auto industry, that calls upon the party to effectively campaign for the naturalization of the big three auto companies.

Would the Minister of Industry please inform this House what the Government of Canada's position is on the nationalization of the automotive industry.

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture)]

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on passing the next phase of Canada's economic action plan. We believe that calling on the government to nationalize an industry, especially one that is critical to our nation's economy, is reckless and irresponsible.

I would call upon my hon. colleagues to stand today and denounce such a position.

Veterans Affairs

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I asked the Minister of Veterans Affairs a week ago about the situation of a dedicated veteran, Fabien Melanson, who is on a hunger strike in my riding of Charlottetown.

The minister said, “I have instructed my officials to follow up on this veteran's case”.

Mr. Melanson has not heard from any officials at Veterans Affairs with regard to the specifics of his case and he has now gone 10 days without food.

Did the minister keep his word and instruct his officials to follow up with Mr. Melanson, yes or no?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, our government has apologized for what happened years ago. My two predecessors have presented apologies and I also feel sorry for what happened under the previous government.

However, corrective measures were taken. I have instructed my officials and they are closely monitoring the situation so we take care of the health of this veteran and of all veterans.

Foreign Affairs

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for six years, Nathalie Morin, a 27-year-old Canadian, has been held against her will by her husband in Saudi Arabia. She and her three children are prisoners in their own home, and according to Ms. Morin's mother, their rights and freedoms are violated every day.

In accordance with the motion unanimously adopted by the Quebec National Assembly on Friday, does the federal government commit to taking the measures required to repatriate Ms. Morin and her children?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are aware of this case and have been in close touch with Ms. Morin on this issue. This is a complex family matter and there is no easy solution. Consular officials will continue to work with Ms. Morin and Saudi officials toward a positive resolution to the matter.

I can also advise the House that this case has been raised by ministers in their meetings with Saudi officials.

Public Service of Canada

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the servant of Ottawa—Orléans in this House, it is a great honour to rise today on the first day of the National Public Service Week.

National Public Service Week is a perfect opportunity to reflect upon the many contributions that public servants make to our society every day.

With that in mind, I would like to ask the President of the Treasury Board to update the House on our government's appreciation of the hard work and professionalism of our public service.

[Tony Clement, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Ottawa—Orléans for his timely question and dedication to his constituents.

Indeed, National Public Service Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and contribution of our public servants. Due in part to their hard work across this country, Canada is emerging from the global recession as one of the world's top-performing advanced economies.

Moving forward, public service skill and expertise will be helpful in streamlining government operations and programs to ensure value for taxpayer money. We salute them. We salute all those Canadians who serve in our public service.

Citizenship and Immigration

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week I rose in the House to bring to light the fact that members of the Castillo Olivares family, who fled their country because of death threats, would be kicked out of Canada on June 15. Nothing has happened since I made that speech. If nothing is done, they will be deported to Mexico in two days.

Can the minister stay the removal order for one month in order to allow the children to finish the school year and the family to complete preparations for their deportation?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Minister of Citizenship]

Mr. Speaker, under the Privacy Act, a minister is not authorized to publicly comment on a specific case without permission from those involved. So I encourage any member who has concerns about a specific case to raise them with me in private so that I can provide them with answers.

Foreign Affairs

[Jean-François Fortin, Bloc, Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Nathalie Morin and her three children have been held against their will for over five years now in Saudi Arabia by her husband, the children's father. Unfortunately, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is ignoring the situation. The government's responses to this matter are unacceptable. The minister claims that Saudi laws prevent him from taking any action. Given the department's failure to act, last Friday the National Assembly unanimously passed a motion calling on the federal government to bring Nathalie Morin and her children back to Canada.

Rather than holding more pointless meetings, will the Minister of Foreign Affairs exert the necessary diplomatic pressure to bring Nathalie Morin back—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

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

Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the motion passed by the Government of Quebec.

Consular officials continue, as I said, to support Ms. Morin in resolving the situation. However, I would advise the House that we are bound by both Saudi law and the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, under which the children cannot leave the country without the consent of both parents.

We will continue to work on this case. We do hope for a positive resolution.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), it is my pleasure to table, in both official languages, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service's public report for 2009-10.

Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mega-trials).

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

Procedure and House Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104(1) and 114(1) I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding membership of committees of the House and if the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in this report later today.

Canada Evidence Act

[Daryl Kramp, Conservative, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-207, An Act to amend the Canada Evidence Act (interpretation of numerical dates).

Mr. Speaker, legal documents sometimes state the day, the month and the year, other times the year, the month and the day, and sometimes the month, the day and the year. We need to be consistent and that is why I am honoured to stand in Parliament to reintroduce my private member's bill to amend the Canada Evidence Act. This bill would amend the Canada Evidence Act to direct courts on how to interpret a numeric date that is in dispute.

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

Supreme Court Act

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-208, An Act to amend the Supreme Court Act (understanding the official languages).

I would like to thank the hon. member for Gatineau who has seconded my bill.

This is not the first time I have introduced this bill in the House of Commons. As members know, I am very persistent and I tell myself that one day it will happen. This bill would ensure that future Supreme Court judges will be chosen from among candidates who understand both French and English without the help of an interpreter. I believe that everyone should be equal before the law and should have the right, without distinction, to equal protection in law in both of the country's official languages.

I call upon members from all parties, all senators and the people of Canada to support this bill so that every Canadian is treated more fairly before the Supreme Court.

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

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-209, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Sackville — Eastern Shore.

Mr. Speaker, I have the absolute pleasure of representing one of the most historic communities in Canada, the Preston community, which, for the information of the House, is the largest indigenous black population in all of Canada. These people trace their roots all the way back to Mathieu Da Costa. They are in the geographical centre of my riding and, thus, they have asked if they can change the name of the electoral district to Sackville—Preston—Eastern Shore not only in honour of the community but also the geographical centre they are in.

I look forward to quick passage and support from all members of Parliament on this very important piece of legislation.

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

Parliament of Canada Act

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-210, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (members who cross the floor).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Winnipeg Centre for seconding this bill.

On behalf of all of us here in the House of Commons, I would note that we are elected under a particular banner or as independents. This is not a no-tell motel where we can check in under an assumed name. This carpet between us is very expensive and wears out when people consistently cross the floor.

This particular legislation would restrict members of Parliament from crossing the floor. If members have a falling out with their party, they could easily quit, seek the nomination of the new party they wish to join and go back to their constituents and seek their consent if they wish to fly under a new banner.

That is democracy, and we are hoping for quick passage of this important legislation which, by the way, I have been trying to get through since 1999.

(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 first report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to this House earlier today, be concurred in. This report concerns the membership of committees of the House.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Does the hon. member have unanimous consent of the House for the motion?