Debates of Jan. 30th, 2012

Employment

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

Mr. Speaker, first, the dispute between White Birch Paper and its employees is a labour relations problem that has to be settled by the parties involved and we hope it will be settled. The NDP is trying to confuse matters and is opposed to any form of foreign investment. When we presented our economic action plan, in which there were significant investments to enhance Canadian innovation, the NDP voted against it. They have no credibility on that side of the House when it comes to job growth and the economy.

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

Mr. Speaker, the situation is just as bad in Montreal, where appliance manufacturer Mabe Canada has announced the closure of its plant. As a result: 700 high-quality jobs have disappeared. The very day of this sad announcement, the Prime Minister was in Davos to brag about the strength of Canadian economy.

That same region was hit by the closure of the Shell refinery a few years ago. If the Prime Minister thinks the economic situation in Montreal East is so great, then instead of going to Davos, why does he not come to Hochelaga and explain that to the employees of Mabe Canada who have just been laid off?

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

Mr. Speaker, that is incredible. I was talking about the economic action plan in which there were significant amounts of money to enhance innovation across Canada. The NDP is lamenting the closure of the Shell refinery in Montreal, but it opposes energy development.

When it comes time for investing in infrastructure for education, in aerospace or in F-35s, which have colossal spinoffs for Montreal, what does the NDP do? It votes against that investment. Now it is trying to teach us a lesson in the House. It is unbelievable.

Pensions

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, in this time of global economic uncertainty, Canadians are concerned about being able to save for their retirement. If the NDP had its way, it would double CPP contributions, meaning increased payroll taxes on small and medium—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please. I would ask members to hold off on their applause until the member has finished asking her question.

The hon. member for Winnipeg South Centre.

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, this would mean increased payroll taxes on small and medium-sized business.

In this time of global economic uncertainty, imposing a tax on our key job creators is just irresponsible.

Could the Minister of State for Finance please tell the House what the government has done to help Canadians better plan for their retirement?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Minister of State (Finance)]

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleague from Winnipeg South Centre has been communicating with her constituents and helping them with some solutions on preparing for their retirement goals.

Today in the House of Commons we are debating a new piece of legislation, the pooled registered pension plan, a very accessible plan, accessible to all Canadians.

Businesses are looking forward to this because 60% of Canadians today in the workforce do not have access to that pension plan. We are providing that option and I hope the—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for St. Paul's.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Speaker, education is the essential ingredient for success, yet the federal government funds education for first nations children on reserve at two-thirds the national average for children off reserve.

First nations children deserve an equal chance. Will the government commit to ending the unacceptable discrimination in funding for first nations education in the upcoming budget, or will first nations be forced to go to court to sue for equal funding, as Cindy Blackstock has had to do for child welfare?

[John Duncan, Conservative, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to work proactively and collaboratively with first nations, provinces and the private sector to support programs and services to support students' success, access to jobs, and strong, healthy communities.

It is too early to speculate about the budget. That is a decision that will be forthcoming.

Industry

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Electro-Motive Diesel got $5 million in tax breaks from the government through its generous corporate tax plan giveaway. After the photo op, EMD decided to cut workers' salaries in half, slash their benefits, and threatened to ship Canadian jobs overseas.

Why is the government irresponsibly handing out billions in no-strings-attached tax giveaways and turning its back on workers in London, Ontario? EMD is the only producer of locomotives in this country. When will the government step up to the plate in the interests of Canadians and Canadian workers?

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

Mr. Speaker, this is a sad situation, but this is a labour dispute between a private company and a union. We have been briefed by local Conservative MPs on this situation. We are all concerned about workers and their families, but this matter is under the Ontario government's jurisdiction and the federal government cannot interfere in that matter.

Sealing Industry

[Rodney Weston, Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, last week the member for St. John's South—Mount Pearl shocked the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador by once again calling for an end to the sealing industry in Canada. Not only are his comments an insult to the families whose livelihoods depend on the hunt, but they are also an attack on the coastal and northern communities that depend on a sustainable and humane seal hunt. A photo op of the member in a seal vest does not fool anyone.

Would the regional minister for Newfoundland and Labrador please explain to the House what our government is doing to defend Canada's sealing industry?

[Peter Penashue, Conservative, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, last week the member opposite shocked Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with his comments, but I was not shocked. I know the member has been an opponent of the sealing industry for years.

While the NDP plays politics with the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians our government stands up for the sealing industry at home and abroad.

And, yes, Mr. Speaker, I own my vest.

Foreign Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said on more than one occasion that he supports the democratic aspirations of Tunisians, but this government dragged its feet for a year before seizing the assets of members of the Ben Ali clan in Canada. Now we have learned that Canada wants to keep half the profits. That is disgusting.

Does the Prime Minister really want to profit from a corrupt dictatorship? Why not give the money back to the Tunisians to help them build their democracy?

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this government has been very clear in reference to Tunisia. We have stated quite clearly that we would be seizing the assets of those who have stolen from the people. This House has passed very strong regulations to ensure that dictators will not steal from their people. The money will go back to the people as it is rightfully theirs.

This government is working very hard to ensure that those moneys that were stolen from the people of Tunisia will be returned to the Tunisian people.

Pension Plan

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, the Prime Minister announced that major reforms to the pension plan are one of his government's top priorities. Everyone knows that when the Prime Minister says “reform”, he means drastic cuts.

How can this government justify trying to save money on the backs of our most vulnerable seniors, when it has no problem purchasing fighter jets, finding the money to celebrate the Queen of England and giving billions of dollars in tax breaks to large corporations?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, that is not at all true. As I have already said today, our government will ensure that seniors keep all of the benefits they are currently receiving under the existing system. We will not cut a single penny. We are going to maintain today's system for generations to come.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Ted Morton, Minister of Energy for Alberta.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Oral Questions

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I wonder if the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development might want to reconsider her remarks and apologize for attacking EI recipients for being unable to fill out their forms.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

That is not a point of order. If the member wants to bring that up in a future question period, he might have that opportunity.

Government Response to Petitions

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to 142 petitions.

House of Commons

[Gordon O'Connor, Conservative, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask for support for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding the provisions of any Standing Order, for the remainder of 2012, when a recorded division is to be held on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, except recorded divisions deferred to the conclusion of oral questions, the bells to call in the Members shall be sounded for not more than thirty minutes.