Debates of Oct. 19th, 2012

Foreign Affairs

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the government's record at the UN is a disaster. It claims that we failed to win a seat at the Security Council because of a principled foreign policy.

We have found out, now, that Rwanda has won a seat. Rwanda's government has been accused of supporting and arming rebels in eastern Congo.

How did Canada vote at the General Assembly? Did it use its principled foreign policy to register Canada's disapproval? Did Canada vote for Rwanda, yes or no?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, Rwanda was acclaimed. No one was running against it.

Human Resources

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a new report suggests unscrupulous agencies are charging thousands of dollars to recruit lower wage, temporary foreign workers to work in B.C. coal mines. It is no wonder companies are turning to foreign workers when the Conservatives allow them to pay them 15% less than Canadian workers.

Why is the government undermining Canadian workers? Will the minister stop this abuse of temporary foreign workers and start focusing on creating jobs for Canadians?

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

Mr. Speaker, we believe that Canadians should always have first crack at every job opportunity. In fact, there is a requirement that if a company is bringing in workers from offshore, the company must first prove that it has done extensive advertising and attempts to recruit Canadian workers unsuccessfully.

We are concerned that Canadians do get first crack at every job. We have enhanced the employment insurance system in order to provide them with information about new jobs and we have ensured that any wages paid must be competitive with what--

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Yellowhead.

Infrastructure

[Rob Merrifield, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to focus on what is really important for Canadians and that is creating jobs and ensuring that we grow our economies and have long-term prosperity right across the country.

To help with that, our government recently launched the community infrastructure improvement fund. Our communities and the communities in my riding are ecstatic about that. In fact, they really appreciate the support they are getting for community spaces and buildings.

Would the Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification update the House on this important program and just how it is in such contrast to the high-tax NDP?

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Yellowhead, a member of our team, the Conservative team, remaining committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

I am proud to say that we are moving full steam ahead on the community infrastructure improvement fund. Our government will provide funding for dozens of projects that will help strengthen communities while creating jobs and growth.

Yes, this is a sharp contrast to the high-tax NDP that voted against this program. The NDP's 2011 election platform planned to raise over $21 billion in tax revenue from carbon tax, a job-killing carbon tax, increasing the price of everything from gas, groceries--

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Montcalm.

Official Languages

[Manon Perreault, NDP, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in addition to refusing to set up the committees that they said they would, the Conservatives are not setting up the committees required by law. According to the Act to Amend the Criminal Code, a committee should have been created already to review the provisions of the Criminal Code pertaining to the language of the accused.

Why is the government still dragging its feet when it comes to official languages?

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, we are working on Canada's linguistic duality. We are promoting it, and we will continue to do so.

CRTC

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the CRTC refused to authorize Bell's purchase of Astral Media. The organization based its decision in part on the Bloc Québécois's arguments that such a transaction would not be good for consumers, creators or the diversity of voices needed to promote Quebec's cultural vitality. The takeover would also have meant the loss of a large Quebec company to a Toronto telecommunications giant.

Despite this legitimate refusal, Bell directors have indicated that they disagree with the decision and that they are going to appeal to the minister.

We want a clear answer. Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage assure us here in this House that he will not intervene to overturn the CRTC's decision?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said on two occasions already, this is a decision made by the CRTC, an independent agency of the government, and therefore there is no legal opportunity for cabinet to overturn this decision.

Foreign Investment

[Bruce Hyer, Independent, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, giving away control of our key strategic resources to foreign state-controlled multinationals is reckless. Oil and gas and other Canadian energy resources should be controlled by Canada and Canadian companies. Communist China must not be allowed to control Canadian oil production.

Malaysia has one of the worst environmental records worldwide. Will the minister say no today to the Petronas natural gas bid and stand up for Canadian energy security?

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, of course, our government will always act in the best interests of Canadians in this regard and these transactions will be scrutinized very closely.

My question for the hon. member is that in 2009 when we introduced changes to the Investment Canada Act and added provisions to protect national security, why did he vote against them?

Interparliamentary Delegations

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing 34(1), I have the honour to present to this House, in both official languages, the following report of the Canadian delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly respecting its participation at the time of the 21st annual session.

The Environment

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to rise in the House today to present three petitions. The first concerns the proposed Enbridge northern gateway pipeline that would bring more than 225 supertankers to the pristine north coast of B.C. each year. The petitioners point out that the current government has refused to acknowledge the 1972 moratorium on oil tanker traffic off the B.C. coast and calls on the Government of Canada to immediately legislate the moratorium on offshore drilling and oil tanker traffic off B.C.'s cost.

The second petition brings to our attention the fact that tens of thousands of chemicals, many of which are cancer causing, have been used in industrial processes in the production of consumer goods. The petitioners call upon the government to appoint a royal commission on the environment and health with a mandate to examine and make recommendations, using the precautionary principle.

Animal Welfare

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have yet again more petitions to add to the many petitions I have presented in the House on this issue from people who are very concerned about the fact that every year hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered for their fur in a number of Asian regions and that these animals live in deplorable conditions. The petitioners say that we should join the U.S.A., Australia and the EU in banning the import of cat and dog fur. They call on the Government of Canada to support Bill C-296.

Pensions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I table a petition from my constituents in Winnipeg North, indicating very clearly that they believe that OAS, GIS and CPP make up a critical part of Canada's social safety net, in providing for the basic needs of hundreds of thousands of residents of Canada every year. The petitioners are calling upon the government to reinforce the importance of these programs and, in particular, with regard to the old age supplement, that we allow people the ability to retire at age 65, not age 67 as proposed by the government.

Rights of the Unborn

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition by Saskatoon constituents, the majority of them women with names like Muriel, Maria, Suzanne, Celine and Madeleine. They are asking for a review of the 400-year-old definition of a human being, which says that a child does not become a human being until complete birth. Being that it is Parliament's solemn duty, the petitioners are asking that we look at that to confirm that every human being is recognized by Canadian law as human, by amending section 223 of the Criminal Code in such a way as to reflect 21st century medical evidence.

I have a second petition, again mostly from women, some 475 who are also mostly from Saskatoon. Along that same line, they are asking for a review of Canada's 400-year-old definition of a human being.

As well, I have one from another 50 constituents from Saskatoon, the majority again being women, on the same topic.

Last, I have from the communities of Warman, Canwood and Sherbrooke, et cetera, petitioners with names like Susan, Shirley, Linda, Christine, Susan, Nora, Myrna, Jacqueline, Ruth and so on. They are also asking for a review of that 400-year-old law and suggesting that it should be changed so that every human being is recognized by Canadian law as a human, by amending section 223 of our Criminal Code to reflect 21st century medical evidence.

Experimental Lakes Area

[Rosane Doré Lefebvre, NDP, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to present a petition that calls on the Government of Canada to save Canada's Experimental Lakes Area and to recognize the importance of the ELA to the Government of Canada's mandate to study, preserve and protect the aquatic system, reverse the decision to close the ELA research station and continue to staff and provide financial resources to the ELA at the current or a higher level of commitment.

Canada Shipping Act

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present. The first is on Bill C-231, An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (derelict vessels and wreck).

The petitioners are pointing out that derelict and abandoned vessels pose an environmental risk and a navigation hazard, and that regulations must be made to establish measures to be taken for their removal, disposition or destruction by the appropriate authority. The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-231, An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (derelict vessels and wreck).

Pensions

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is one to protect old age security. The petitioners call for maintained funding for old age security and for making requisite investments in the guaranteed income supplement to lift every senior out of poverty.

Food and Drugs Act

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the final petition calls for an amendment to the Food and Drugs Act. The petitioners point out that Canadians have a right to make informed choices about the food they eat by having adequate information provided on food labels. The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-257, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (mandatory labelling for genetically modified foods).

Poverty

[Glenn Thibeault, NDP, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to introduce two petitions. The first is on behalf of many residents from my great riding of Sudbury and the surrounding ridings of Nickel Belt and Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing. The petitioners call on the government to ensure swift passage of Bill C-233, An Act to eliminate poverty in Canada. The petitioners want to draw to the attention of the House of Commons the fact that poverty affects over 10% of Canadians and disproportionately affects aboriginal peoples, recent immigrants, people with disabilities and youth and children.

Animal Welfare

[Glenn Thibeault, NDP, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on the House to strengthen the Criminal Code provisions to prevent animal cruelty. The petitioners from my riding of Sudbury believe that the current laws are inadequate to prevent animal cruelty and that the Criminal Code provisions on animal cruelty have not changed since 1892.