Debates of Nov. 23rd, 2012

Holodomor

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to mark Holodomor Awareness Week. An essential tool in preventing genocide is education. I am proud that this House gave its unanimous support to create Holodomor Awareness Day, a special day to remember the millions of Ukrainians who died in the horrific famine engineered by Stalin's regime in the 1930s. I have also written to the Ontario minister of education to ask that information about the Holodomor be included in the curriculum for Ontario schools.

I would like to take this opportunity to call on my colleagues, on both sides of the House, to reach out to our provincial and territorial partners in an effort to ensure that school children from coast to coast to coast learn about the Holodomor and other acts of genocide. It is measures like these that can help foster understanding of the atrocities of the past so that we might prevent them in the future.

Member for Papineau

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

Mr. Speaker, when asked if he thought Canada was better served when there were more Quebeckers in charge than other Canadians, the member for Papineau stated, “I'm a Liberal, so of course I think so”. He then went on to say that all the best prime ministers were from Quebec.

Is the member for Papineau actually saying that Nova Scotia-born Prime Minister Borden, who led us through the First World War, was not a great prime minister? Is he saying that Sir Charles Tupper, a founding father of this country, who served as prime minister in his seventies, was unfit to be prime minister because he was born in Amherst not in downtown Chicoutimi? Or is he saying that Robert Lorne Stanfield, the best prime minister this country never had, was unqualified because he was from Nova Scotia not from Montreal?

The member then went on to say, “This country...belongs to us”, referring to the Liberals from his province. On behalf of my constituents, this country belongs to all Canadians, not the Liberal Party and not the member of Parliament for Papineau.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while this week has been a week to forget for the Liberal Party, it has also been a revealing week for Canadians. Canadians got a look at a Liberal Party that refused to condemn the practice of theft, forgery and fraud, in a desperate attempt to protect a Liberal insider. Canadians got a look at a Liberal Party whose chief natural resources spokesperson told Albertans to go home. Canadians got a look at a Liberal Party whose leadership front-runner advances divisive anti-Alberta attitudes. The more that Canadians see the Liberal Party, the more they remember why they parked that party in the far corner of the House over there.

Addiction Prevention

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec’s drug awareness week continues until November 25. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to commend the efforts of those who are struggling with problems of this nature, as well as the families and volunteers who are supporting them on their journey.

The Centre de protection et de réadaptation de la Côte-Nord provides services to teens and adults, as well as free, confidential support services to families. An important clinical issue identified in the centre's latest annual report involves watching for new clienteles to emerge in relation to intensive economic development projects, such as those in the mining and natural resources sectors, which have a significant presence in Manicouagan.

In 2011-12, some 1,351 north shore users sought help from the addictions program. I am proud to support and represent those who are struggling with such problems, as well as the families, employees and volunteers who are supporting and helping them.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Joe Daniel, Conservative, Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party's arrogant anti-Albertan attitude showed itself clearly again this week. From its senior MP from Ottawa telling Alberta MPs who defend their constituents to go back to Alberta, to the soon-to-be acclaimed leader who said that Canada is his country but he does not like it when Albertans have a say in how the country is run, the Liberals have shown that their arrogant anti-Albertan attitude runs deep in their party.

The leader gave in to public outcry and fired the energy critic, but so far he has allowed the amateur sport critic to keep his position in the Liberal Party. This anti-Alberta arrogance is offensive to people in Viking, to people in Wetaskiwin, and to people in Medicine Hat and Red Deer.

I call on the leader of the Liberal Party to be the first Liberal to listen to Albertans and fire his amateur sport critic today.

Chambly Canal

[Tarik Brahmi, NDP, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Chambly Canal is one of the jewels of the historical heritage of the riding of Saint-Jean and the entire Richelieu valley. It is essential to the survival of tourism and especially to the survival of restaurants and businesses in the boating sector, because it makes our beautiful Richelieu River navigable despite its rapids.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the dedication of someone we are very proud of: Lise Payette, general manager of Croisières d'Iberville. Ms. Payette has been working hard for years to promote our river to tourists from all over the world. However, the canal season could be shortened because of cuts to Parks Canada lock operator positions. A significant portion of boating revenue is generated by American tourists.

Does the minister want Canadian companies to lose business because Parks Canada has deprived American tourists of the opportunity to spend their money in Canada?

Therefore, I am asking the Minister of the Environment not to reduce the navigation schedule at the Chambly Canal for the 2013 season.

Member for Papineau

[Earl Dreeshen, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, members know the saying “like father, like son”. Yesterday we learned that the member for Papineau directly attacked the great people of Alberta, by saying:

Canada is in bad shape right now because Albertans are controlling our community and social democratic agenda. That's not working.

This should come as no surprise, as the member's father introduced the devastating national energy program that killed thousands of jobs in Alberta. Liberals always refuse to recognize Alberta as a key part of our federation, and that is why they have been downgraded to third-party status by Canadians.

These comments come days after the member for Ottawa South had to resign as senior spokesman for natural resources for telling us to go back to Alberta if we wanted to defend the interests of Albertans. These comments should come as no surprise. The Liberals have never and will never change their ways.

Adoption

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is national adoption month. One of the most satisfying events in my life has been the adoption of our son Ian. He came into our lives two or three days after his birth, and it was a case of love at first sight.

Early on we had a glimmer that he was going to be one extraordinary human being. He is whip smart, a really nice kid, yet stubborn as stubborn can be. If he did not want to do his homework, wild horses could not make him. Consequently, he never graduated from high school. That was no problem. Ian got a computer job in a jiffy, but came to the realization after a while that being a nerd was boring. To cut to the chase, he graduated at the top of his class at University of Toronto in philosophy and physics and is now completing his doctorate at Cornell.

By now members may have detected that I am an extremely proud father. However, none of our joys would have been possible without the courage of Ian's birth mother. It is hard to imagine the emotional and psychological turmoil of young moms who find themselves with unwanted pregnancies.

I am extremely grateful to Ian's birth mom, a person I have never met, for her courage. I hope that other young mothers will do the same thing. Great sadness and great joy are frequently just a breath away.

Liberal Party of Canada

[LaVar Payne, Conservative, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what a disgraceful week it has been for the Liberal Party of Canada. I do not think they have been this embarrassed since May 2, 2011. Former Liberal MP Joe Fontana is being charged by the RCMP for stealing taxpayers' money to pay for a wedding. Next, we heard from the senior critic on natural resources about the divisive anti-Alberta attitudes of the Liberal Party that have begun seething out.

After these comments, the member for Papineau noted his leadership campaign has been about bringing people together, not pitting regions against regions. Yesterday we heard what the member for Papineau really thought, when he said:

Canada's in bad shape right now because Albertans are controlling our community....

We knew these anti-Alberta attitudes were deeply held in the Liberal Party; we just did not know how close to the surface they were. As a proud Albertan, I am proud to be part of the only party that stands in this House to defend the interests of Alberta and Medicine Hat.

Albertans

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the people of Alberta have contributed to the success of Canada throughout our great nation's history.

From the first nations of Alberta, the Blackfoot, the Cree, the Chippewa, the Dene, the Sarcee and the Stoney, to the many great Albertans who have served our country proudly, Prime Ministers Bennett and Clark, or Premier Lougheed, who passed away this past year and who believed in sustainable development of our natural wealth, Albertans are a people of boundless energy and entrepreneurial spirit. They are people who are dedicated to the preservation of Alberta's great environment.

I am particularly proud of the work done by our great Alberta MP from Edmonton—Strathcona. I look forward to the day when, alongside her, a whole slew of NDP MPs will join her in helping to run this country.

Let us agree to this: that having had our B.C. Lions defeated just recently, I will proudly, if reluctantly, say, Go Stamps go.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am disgusted and baffled by the arrogant comments I have heard from the Liberal Party this week.

Monday, their disgraced senior Liberal spokesperson for natural resources made outrageous comments that once again show the Liberal's anti-energy and anti-Alberta agenda, noting that Albertan MPs should “go back to Alberta” if they want to represent Albertans. As the member of Parliament for the great Kenora riding, I stand shoulder to shoulder with my MP colleagues from Alberta to defend the interests of our constituents here on Parliament Hill. That is what we were sent here to do.

Unfortunately, it does not stop there. The member for Papineau, an aspiring leader of the Liberal Party, has the same explicit anti-Alberta sentiments. These divisive attitudes are not what Canada needs or what Canadians want to see from their elected officials. That is why we are calling on the Leader of the Liberal Party to now fire their critic for amateur sport.

The Economy

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian economy is still showing signs of a slowdown: consumer spending remains stagnant, wholesale purchases are in decline and the family debt-to-income ratio is now at 163%.

As the time for Christmas shopping begins, Canadian companies are counting on consumers to keep the economy alive. What are the Conservatives doing to help Canadian households manage their enormous debt loads?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, as the government of this country, our priorities are job creation and economic growth.

We introduced Canada's economic action plan, which includes a number of job creation measures. Every time we bring in a measure to help the Canadian economy, the NDP votes against it.

Now is the time to recognize that we have created over 800,000 new jobs. The job is not done, and we will continue to work on our economic plan in order to create more jobs for Canadians.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

What the minister is saying does not change the fact that, today, 350,000 more people are unemployed than when the recession hit. That is the reality.

This week, the Prime Minister had the opportunity to take real action to strengthen the economy. Yesterday, Alberta and Quebec once again demonstrated that governments can work together by creating a working group on natural resource development.

If the premiers who are meeting right now in Halifax can work together for Canadians, why is the Prime Minister sitting idly by?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, our government is working closely with all the provinces and territories and creating infrastructure projects and projects that stimulate the economy. Through these projects, we have created many jobs and revitalized economic growth.

Every time we have worked on infrastructure projects, the NDP has voted against these good measures. Canada's economic action plan has created over 800,000 jobs, and we need the NDP's support to create even more.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when the government works with the opposition to create real jobs, we will vote in favour of its measures.

When it comes to meeting with the provincial premiers, the Prime Minister has the worst track record of any prime minister since the invention of commercial air transportation. He has held only one first ministers conference in seven years. Just one.

Is the Prime Minister's vision of Canada so narrow and short-sighted that he does not think it is necessary to meet with his provincial counterparts?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

The Prime Minister has met with the provincial and territorial premiers over 250 times since he was elected.

We are working on good projects with all the premiers and the provincial and territorial governments to create jobs and good measures. That is true leadership, as evidenced by our economic action plan. We are happy with the progress we have made, but the job is not done. That is why we will continue to work hard to promote economic growth and job creation.

Intergovernmental Affairs

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, five-minute phone calls and the odd text message will not replace face-to-face meetings with the premiers. The premiers of Alberta and Quebec showed they could co-operate yesterday. First ministers are gathering to discuss the future of the Canadian economy. The premiers extended a generous offer to the Prime Minister to meet, but he rebuffed them and has only attended one first ministers meeting in six years in office.

Will the Prime Minister put his stubbornness aside and agree now to meet with the premiers of this great country?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and this entire government have worked closely together with the provinces to ensure that the priority of Canadians, which is the economy, receives the attention it needs. We have seen that in the results, which are partly the consequence of the 250-plus meetings and discussions the Prime Minister has had with premiers. In the past year alone, more than 50 of those meetings have taken place. We have had a very positive, constructive relationship.

The result is that Canada has one of the best economies of the major developed countries. We have seen it with over 820,000 net new jobs created. We have seen it with a very strong fiscal position. We will continue to stay focused and continue to work with the provinces on that.

Food Safety

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, late last night news broke of a recall of products from Capital Packers Inc. This is a voluntary recall by the company of food contaminated by listeria. The CFIA has shut down production at the facility and products are under detention and control.

Can the minister tell us when he became aware of the situation and whether any tainted food reached the tables of Canadians?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian consumers are our government's top priority when it comes to food safety. Listeriosis bacteria was detected by the CFIA in products produced by Capital Packers through surface testing introduced by our government.

Capital Packers' licence has been suspended. The plant will only reopen once the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has determined that the plant is safe.

Ethics

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party in the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie carried out a money laundering scheme. Eleven people have confirmed that they did not donate to the party, yet their names are on the donor list. There is something fishy here. We are talking about thousands of dollars in illegal donations that helped get the Minister of Industry elected.

Who is responsible? Where did this money come from? Will the government ask the RCMP to investigate?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, repeated filings were made with Elections Canada on this issue.

What the Liberal Party needs to do is to stand in this place and address this issue. The divisive anti-Alberta comments made by the Liberal member for Papineau are much worse than the arrogant comments made by the Liberal spokesman for natural resources. When will the Liberal Party stand up, do the right thing and announce the firing of the critic for amateur sport?

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie is located in Quebec.

The Conservatives' money laundering scheme has been uncovered. We are talking about thousands of dollars that went into the Conservatives' coffers illegally and hundreds of fake names used to launder the cash.

In light of the revelations that have come out of the Charbonneau commission, can the government assure us that this money was not used to obtain federal government contracts?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants to talk about Quebec. We could talk about London where the mayor is under criminal indictment for stealing money from the taxpayers. However, I will not let him get away from this Alberta issue that easily.

Here is the reality. We knew that the anti-Alberta views in the Liberal Party were deep-rooted. We did not realize they were so close to the surface and so systemic. We want to know when the leader of the Liberal Party will stand in this place and announce that he has fired the critic for amateur sport for his anti-Alberta comments.