House of Commons Hansard #167 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was amendments.
Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General actually has said that he agrees that government finances are sustainable over the long term.
With respect to his recommendations, we accept them. We have acted and will act in response. The Auditor General agrees we have taken action necessary to ensure long-term sustainable finances and jobs and economic growth over the long term.
Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, the minister did not answer the question. It is easy to quote the Auditor General. I can do that too: “...we found that the Government of Canada has not followed through on its 2007 commitment to publish a long-term fiscal sustainability report.”
That is clear. This report said that the Conservatives did not provide all the information on the financial consequences of their reform, even though they agreed to do so and were asked multiple times by parliamentarians.
Why did they hide this information? That is a simple question.
Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, as I have said, with respect to the recommendations of the Auditor General, one to which the hon. member makes reference, we have acted on some and we will act on the others.
The report will be available on the finance website this afternoon.
Rosane Doré Lefebvre NDP Alfred-Pellan, QC
Mr. Speaker, not only do the Conservatives lack transparency, but they are also incompetent. They are incapable of protecting us from cyber attacks. We are talking here about the privacy of Canadians, government systems, banking systems and electrical grids. Seven years after the opening of the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, there are branches of government that do not even know the centre exists.
The minister loves making announcements, but when will he put words into action and take responsibility for managing his department properly?
Vic Toews ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, in fact, the Auditor General has acknowledged the positive steps our government has taken to defend against electronic threats, hacking and cyber espionage through our cyber security strategy.
We are taking action on the Auditor General's recommendations and will continue to enhance cyber security in Canada.
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General's report is quite clear. Canada has had a lost decade when it comes to dealing with cyber security. Today's report concludes, “Monitoring the cyber threat environment has not been complete or timely”.
The minister's recent band-aid announcements have not solved anything. Conservatives need to implement a real long-term plan for cyber security. Our national security depends on it.
Why has that minister failed to produce a comprehensive strategy to combat cyber threats? Why are we still waiting, even after what the AG called a serious intrusion into government systems in January 2011?
Vic Toews ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, in October 2010, when we announced our cyber strategy and funded that with $90 million, members opposite from the NDP said that we were simply engaged in science fiction.
Last week we announced $155 million for additional cyber security, and that member now says that is a pittance. I do not understand.
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Mr. Speaker, today we have learned from the Auditor General that the Conservatives have let down ill and injured Canadian Forces members and veterans trying to receive the services and benefits they deserve.
The process for accessing services is too complex, requires too much paperwork and is lengthy and challenging to navigate. CF members, veterans and even departmental staff find the process complex.
Why will the government not make the delivery of services to our veterans and military a priority?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, there is no higher priority. As Minister of National Defence, we have continually worked to ensure that we are providing more in the way of health care, more in the way of mental health in particular. We have invested in joint personal support units, hired more staff, put more resources into this very important issue.
I met with the Auditor General yesterday, recognizing that there is more to do and there is more in progress. We held a forum yesterday directly to speak to members of the Canadian Forces staff specifically tasked with this issue, and will continue to do more. I would ask for the member's support.
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Mr. Speaker, the government has had plenty of time to make service to our veterans a priority, but it failed, as injured and ill Canadian Forces members are too often falling through the cracks and have to wait too long to get the benefits, services and treatment they deserve.
DND threatening court action against Master Corporal Kevin Clark, a soldier suffering from PTSD, after he missed two days of work six years ago is only one example.
Announcements and photo ops can only take us so far. Why does the government have to be told by the Auditor General to do the right thing?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, all the investments I have mentioned across the board have been opposed by the member opposite when it has come time to actually move those resources where they are needed.
With respect to the issue he raised, I can assure him that this incident was only recently brought to my attention. I found the action that was taken by officials in my department very disturbing. I have asked them to look into this and to report to me immediately.
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Speaker, supporting our troops should not just be about making the headlines. When the department found out that a master corporal was suffering from PTSD, it tried to make him to leave the Canadian Forces just two months before he was eligible to receive his pension. He is now being asked to repay $422.97 for two days of work that he missed. What is even worse is that the department is threatening to take him to court if he does not pay within three weeks.
This is an appalling way to treat one of our soldiers. Is this really how the Conservatives support our troops?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I just answered that question. This matter was very recently brought to my attention. I also find it disturbing and I have asked officials who were responsible for this letter to report back to me immediately.
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are no better at managing troops than they are at managing equipment. Six months after the troubling report from the Auditor General on the F-35s, the Conservatives still have not said whether they are examining any other options.
Yesterday, just before he was contradicted by an employee, the Chief of the Air Staff said that National Defence was not looking at any options other than the F-35s.
The question is simple: are the Conservatives seriously examining other options, and if so, since when?
Rona Ambrose ConservativeMinister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women
Mr. Speaker, the member knows that the National Fighter Procurement Secretariat was set up to ensure there was due diligence in the decision to replace our CF-18s. We are not going to be purchasing any new fighter aircraft for the air force until the seven-point plan, as outlined for the mandate of the secretariat, is completed, including an independent verification of costs. That substantive work has begun. It is ongoing. It is doing very good work and that includes an options analysis, which is a full evaluation of choices to replace the CF-18.
Matthew Kellway NDP Beaches—East York, ON
Mr. Speaker, with all the fairy tales they have been telling, the Conservatives have confused even themselves. Just in the last 48 hours, a senior government official said an “options analysis is almost complete”. However, the Chief of Air Staff contradicts that. He does not know what options the government is looking at. He is even asking our old question, “What is plan B”?
According to a department missive sent yesterday, he misspoke. Now we have learned that the Department of National Defence has established a working group to look for alternatives.
Therefore, are you now looking for alternatives to the F-35, yes or no?
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I would just remind the hon. member to address his question through the Chair, not directly at his colleagues.
The hon. Minister of Public Works.
Rona Ambrose ConservativeMinister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women
Mr. Speaker, my former answer was clear. Part of the mandate that is led by the national Fighter Procurement Secretariat, which is in place to ensure due diligence in the replacement of our CF-18s, is to ensure that all of the steps taken in this acquisition are independently validated. Part of that is the costs, which the Auditor General recommended, but the other is to also look at a full range of options to replace the CF-18. Therefore, the answer is yes.
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Mr. Speaker, for six years, the Conservative government has pretended to drape itself in military colours, but today's Auditor General's report says it all. The AG said that National Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs were incoherent, a failure resulting in 20% of at-risk veterans returning to civilian life having no case management or supervision whatsoever. Shame on everybody over there.
When will the minister stop talking about his newest reactionary plan and tell us about some concrete action he is prepared to take for these brave men and women?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I met with the Auditor General about chapter 4 of the report, which pertains to the transition of military personnel to civilian life.
I took the time to thank him for his report because he provided valuable recommendations to ensure that our veterans are able to smoothly transition to civilian life. That being said, I also informed him that we are going to launch an action plan for the transition of our veterans to civilian life.
We will continue to work closely with the Department of National Defence in order to ensure that our veterans are well taken care of.
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
Mr. Speaker, according to Professor Van Harten, the Canada-China investment treaty could be unconstitutional and could put the provinces at risk of paying significant compensation to Chinese investors because of legislation and practices concerning, for example, mines in Alberta or hydroelectricity in Quebec.
Has the Prime Minister discussed with provincial premiers the constitutionality of this treaty and the serious risks to Canadian taxpayers?
Ed Fast ConservativeMinister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Mr. Speaker, the member is quite wrong. This treaty has been very well received by Canadian businesses and is similar to many other treaties that Canada has signed with many other countries around the world.
It sets out a clear set of rules under which investments—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order. The hon. Minister of International Trade has the floor.
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, this treaty sets out a clear set of rules under which investments take place and under which disputes are resolved. That is progress.
Sadly, the NDP and Liberal strategy is simply to undermine our efforts to grow our economy by expanding new investment opportunities around the world.