Debates of Nov. 7th, 2012

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

It being Wednesday, we will have the singing of our national anthem, led today by the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Monarchy

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

Mr. Speaker, today the new $20 bill is going into circulation. The $20 is the most commonly used bill. The Queen's image appears on the new bill not just once, but three times.

To make room for that, whoever designed the new bill got rid of a quote from author Gabrielle Roy and an image of a sculpture by Bill Reid that stands in front of the Canadian embassy in Washington. The sculpture depicts the pride and traditions of the Haida people. I have no problem with the image of the Vimy Memorial being added to a banknote, but why get rid of these important cultural references just to add more images of the Queen?

Is there no limit to this government's obsession with the British monarchy? After all the wild spending on the jubilee, the War of 1812, portraits of the Queen, the “royal” designation for the armed forces and the sharing of diplomatic services, what is next—the return of the Union Jack and “God Save the Queen”?

Gabrielle Roy wrote, “Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts?” That is a good question for this Conservative government.

John Cleary

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the riding of Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, the province of Ontario and this wonderful country of Canada recently lost a great citizen. John Cleary was born on a farm in Lunenburg, Ontario, on August 31, 1932. John died on October 7, 2012, while living on a farm located just five miles from the very farm where he was born.

John did not move far from his roots but he sure moved mountains. He was first elected as a councillor in Cornwall township in 1972, became the deputy reeve in 1974 and served as reeve from 1976 to 1987. John was elected to the Ontario legislature in 1987 and served until 2003.

I am only one of many who have benefited from John's advice and wisdom. John, along with his ever-supportive wife Elizabeth and his children, served Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry very well.

The best advice John ever gave me is the principle he lived by as an elected official. He said, “Guy, do not ever forget the people who elected you”.

Rest in peace, John Cleary.

Ralph Earl Scofield

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, sadly, Windsor lost a truly inspirational man in Ralph “Earl” Scofield who passed away peacefully this past Friday.

Earl was a senator with the Métis Nation of Ontario, a well-respected community leader and a lifetime member of the CanAm Indian Friendship Centre. He was a member of the CCF and a founding member of the NDP. He was also a World War II RCAF veteran who enrolled in the reserve army in 1943 at the age of just 16. He then served as an air gunner pilot, completing 17 missions in Germany and achieving the rank of flight sergeant air gunner.

This past August, Earl was recognized by the Métis Nation of Ontario with the Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions of Métis service in the defence of Canada. He was invited to lay a wreath during the 2012 National Remembrance Day ceremony on behalf of the Métis.

He will be deeply missed at our local Remembrance Day service this year, as he was always seated in the front row.

On behalf of the member for Windsor—Tecumseh and I, our thoughts and prayers are with Earl's wife, Mary Rose, and his family.

Earl was a great inspiration to all and a personal hero of mine. His legacy will no doubt inspire future generations.

We thank Earl for his contributions to our country and community. He is already missed but will never be forgotten.

Veterans Week

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the men and women of Canada's armed forces have served this nation with incomparable dedication. Time and time again, they have stepped forward to take a stand against tyranny and to help restore peace in times of conflict.

They left their towns and cities, their farms and fishing communities to make a difference, and they did: people like Ed Carter-Edwards who flew in Bomber Command and survived Buchenwald; men like Arthur Russell who stormed Red Beach at Dieppe; men who braved the North Atlantic.

Today's men and women in uniform are carrying on that tradition. Whether in the South African war, two world wars, Korea, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Libya, many peacekeeping and peace support missions, Canadian men and women have answered the call without fail, more than 2.3 million since Confederation.

Sadly, more than 117,000 have given their lives to preserve the freedoms and values we cherish today.

This Veterans Week, it is our duty to remember the sacrifices and achievements of these brave Canadians. The peace and security we continue to enjoy today is their legacy. It is a debt that can never be repaid but it is a debt that can never be forgotten.

Lest we forget.

Remembrance Day

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

Mr. Speaker, as an honorary Highlander, it gives me great pride to rise in this House today and recognize all Cape Bretoners who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

As most Canadians are aware, Cape Breton has time and time again stepped up to the plate to defend not only our country but free others around the world. Their contribution is well recognized by Cape Breton's 26 local Legions.

In this upcoming weekend, many schools, communities and Legions will pay tribute to our veterans and their sacrifices.

Whether in the army, navy, air force or merchant marines, approximately 50,000 Cape Bretoners put on the uniform to make peace around the world. Many did not come back and those who did come home were wounded both physically and mentally. Thousands are buried in foreign lands, such as Hong Kong, France, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa and Korea.

I, along with many, have visited these grave sites that make us proud to be Canadians.

I ask all members in the House to join me in applauding not only the Cape Bretoners but all Canadian soldiers who have fallen battle.

Canada-U.S. Relations

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last night, our American cousins re-elected President Obama for another four-year term. Canada looks forward to continuing the close co-operation we have had with the Obama administration. In particular, we embrace the opportunity to continue the positive work that has already begun under the beyond the border initiative.

My riding of South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale hosts the busiest border crossings in western Canada and we understand the importance of working together. Making our border more secure, while facilitating the efficient flow of people and goods is critical to the economies of both Canada and the U.S.

Under beyond the border initiative, we have just launched the new shiprider program, allowing for joint maritime border enforcement to crack down on smugglers.

We look forward to closer regulatory co-operation as well, as Canada and the U.S. both work to create jobs and growth in our economies.

Canadians wish the President and the new Congress every success in their next term.

Veterans' Week

[Claude Patry, NDP, Jonquière—Alma, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this Veterans Week, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Jean-Paul Dufour, service number E100677, a resident of the Kénogami district of the City of Saguenay. Mr. Dufour is a World War II veteran and one of the few members of the Fusiliers Mont-Royal regiment to have survived the Normandy landing.

This infantry soldier and prisoner of war deserves our recognition, as do all soldiers who fought to liberate France.

For the sacrifices you made, your courage and bravery, Mr. Dufour, I thank you on behalf of myself, my colleagues, and all Canadians who, to this day, enjoy the freedoms and the democracy that you defended.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, all veterans and the Canadian Forces.

Canada-Poland Youth Internship Program

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Wetaskiwin, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the Canada-Poland youth internship program, CPYIP. This first of a kind bilateral internship exchange allows young Canadians an opportunity to seek an internship in the Polish Sejm and young Poles an opportunity to intern in the Canadian Parliament.

Thanks in large part to the establishment of the Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and Poland in 2009, the Canada-Poland youth internship program is taking full advantage of the opportunity for youth from both countries to experience each other's respective democratic institutions, further enhancing cultural, economic, diplomatic and political ties.

The first group of interns from Poland, Anna Batowska and Arkadiusz Cygan, arrived in Ottawa in September and have been hard at work during this fall session.

I thank the members and executive of the Canada-Poland Youth Internship Society that oversees the Canadians end of the exchange, the Polish Heritage Foundation, the Canadian Polish Congress, the Polish Embassy and all of the generous donors for making this bilateral internship possible.

I think I speak on behalf of all parliamentarians when I say to the interns, “Welcome and enjoy your stay”.

Retail Council of Canada

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Retail Council of Canada and its members have a proud tradition of serving Canadians. That is not just service at the cash register. It is service that retailers deliver through working with the Government of Canada to develop and implement new policies to the benefit all consumers.

The retail sector is Canada's largest employer, providing jobs for more than two million Canadians. It generates sales in excess of $300 billion per year. The sector directly contributed $74.2 billion to Canada's gross domestic product in 2009.

Retailers are also innovators. The sector invests billions of dollars annually in new machinery and equipment, information and communication technologies, and in new infrastructure and enhanced logistics, all with one goal in mind: to better serve Canadians.

I invite members to join me in welcoming representatives of the RCC and Canada's retailers who are in Ottawa today. Let us thank them for helping to build stronger and more prosperous communities across Canada.

Diwali

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

Mr. Speaker, Diwali is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the past year, to look ahead and to plan for the future with renewed optimism.

Many people in my riding of Newton--North Delta and all over the world will gather with family and friends to give thanks, to reflect and to celebrate the victory of goodness in all of us.

Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates hope and inner strength as we welcome the coming new year.

Every Canadian can share in hope for the future. Around the world our multicultural nation is a beacon of hope. We pride ourselves on our openness and we strive to build an inclusive society. However, we are not there yet. We must draw on the good within each of us to increase our understanding of one another. Let us recommit to this goal.

On behalf of my NDP colleagues, happy Diwali, Diwali aur naya saal mubarak.

National Railway Day

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in Craigellachie, British Columbia, a marker reads:

A nebulous dream was a reality; an iron ribbon crossed Canada from sea to sea. Often following the footsteps of early explorers, nearly 3,000 miles of steel rail pushed across vast prairies, cleft lofty mountain passes, twisted through canyons and bridged a thousand streams. Here on November 7, 1885, a plain iron spike welded East to West.

It is my pleasure to stand before the House and celebrate National Railway Day as a way to honour rail's central role in Canada's history and remember those who persevered through Canada's unforgiving climate to build the Canadian Pacific Railway.

While the first crews to work on the CP line were instrumental in uniting Canadians from Atlantic to Pacific, today's rail sector workers are a vital part of making sure that the third largest rail network in the world maintains our access to national and international markets, enabling economic growth and prosperity for all Canadians.

Today we pay tribute to Canada's historic railways and their workforces, which are as much a part of this nation's story and success as the vast steel networks themselves.

Sexual Harassment

[Marie-Claude Morin, NDP, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have here two articles from iPolitics that indicate that there are high levels of harassment in the public service. We are talking here about all types of harassment. Nearly one in three employees claims to be a victim.

These articles make particular reference to cases of sexual harassment reported by female RCMP officers—the allegations that led the Standing Committee on the Status of Women to undertake a study of sexual harassment in federal workplaces. As chair of this committee, I am particularly concerned about the statistics reported by iPolitics.

The mandate of Status of Women Canada is to coordinate policy with respect to the status of women and administer related programs. As part of its role, the agency advises other federal departments and agencies on certain issues in order to achieve change where needed. Given this clear mandate, this study on sexual harassment is of the utmost importance.

Coptic Community

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Tawadros on being chosen last week as the new Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and the successor to St. Mark the Apostle.

The Copts of Egypt, an ancient people still resident in their original homeland, are the largest Christian minority in the Middle East but are subjected to escalating violence and persecution. As patriarch, it will fall on Pope-elect Tawadros to provide global leadership at this difficult time and to continue Pope Shenouda's ecumenical work with other apostolic churches and Christian communities.

Such increasing bonds of unity and charity in the face of hostility strengthen their witness to peace and are a source of hope to communities throughout the Middle East facing anti-religious persecution.

I ask that my hon. colleagues join with me today in extending congratulations to the Coptic community in Canada and throughout the world and in wishing the new patriarch well as he prepares for his heavy responsibilities.

Human Rights

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is the 21st day of the hunger strike of Iranian political prisoner Nasrin Sotoudeh, the face, symbol and embodiment of the human rights struggle in Iran; a leader in the struggle for women's rights amidst the persistent and pervasive assault against women; a leader in the struggle against child executions, while Iran has executed more minors per capita than any other country in the world; and a courageous lawyer for political prisoners, while Iran has imprisoned more than 60 lawyers for their human rights work, until she became a political prisoner herself.

While the international community has focused on the Iranian nuclear threat, the massive state-sanctioned assault on human rights has passed quietly under the international radar screen.

It is our responsibility to stand with the people of Iran, to champion their case and cause, to let them know that the world is watching, that they are not alone, that we stand in solidarity with them, and that their just struggle for human rights and human dignity will prevail.

Canadian 4-H Council

[Earl Dreeshen, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in recognition of Show Your 4-H Colours Day. November is national 4-H month and our government is proud to encourage Canadians to wear green today to show their support for the Canadian 4-H Council.

Since 1933, the council has attracted new farmers to agriculture through national and international conferences, exchanges and scholarships that focus on leadership and personal development in youth. Thousands of Canadians, like me and many of my rural colleagues, were given opportunities through 4-H to grow from personal competition. Through its national youth program, 4-H helps develop responsible citizens and confidence in youth as they learn a wide variety of skills through hands-on project work.

Unfortunately, the NDP's plan to impose a carbon tax on Canadians would have a devastating effect on young farmers across Canada, such as those currently doing agriculture programs through 4-H, as it would raise the price of everything and devastate agricultural production in Canada.

Taxation

[Glenn Thibeault, NDP, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the verdict is in. Life under a Conservative government means more fees and less services. We now know the Minister of Finance's claim that cuts will only be felt by back offices is nothing but a fairy tale. In fact, the PBO states that only 15% of Conservative cuts will come from internal services. The other 85% will come from services Canadians rely on.

On top of these deep cuts, Conservatives collected $8 billion in user fees last year alone. Passport fees are up. New Canadians pay more. Even fishermen are being hit by Conservative user fees. While Canadians are still recovering from a devastating recession, Conservatives are kneecapping them with hidden taxes and service cuts.

An $8 billion money grab and reckless service cuts are two examples of the Conservatives' backward thinking. We will vote against that backward logic every single day.

New Democratic Party of Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, since 2006, our government has taken steps to reduce taxes for hard-working families across the country. We have brought in many tax breaks, lowering the price on almost everything.

Clearly, our government stands up for Canadian families. Unfortunately, the NDP's tax and spend plan does exactly the opposite. On page 4 of the NDP's platform, we see that the party's plan would force Canadians to pay a $21 billion carbon tax that would drive up the cost of everything

The NDP's hidden carbon tax plan would take money straight from the pockets of Canadians and raise the price of everything. Will the NDP leader stand today and admit that his proposed $21 billion carbon tax would hurt Canadian families from coast to coast to coast?

The Economy

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, today in India the Prime Minister said that fear of a “catastrophic event” is holding back the global economy. Just as he did in London a few months ago, the Prime Minister admitted that four years after the 2008 recession, our economy is still in a state of crisis.

Why does the Prime Minister only tell Canadians the truth about our economy when he is travelling abroad? When will Conservatives be straight with Canadians about the challenges facing the economy here at home?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this is the first opportunity that I have had since the election in the United States to stand on behalf of the Government of Canada and on behalf of all Canadians to congratulate President Obama on a successful re-election as president of the United States.

With respect to the economy, this government has never said that we are immune from challenges in other parts of the world. However, when it comes to trade, when it comes to low taxes, when it comes to fiscal responsibility, when it comes to effective government policies, no country in the advanced world can compete with the economic leadership of the Prime Minister and especially of the best finance minister in the world.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, there are still 360,000 more Canadians unemployed today than prior to the recession and that is nothing to brag about.

Last night President Obama was, indeed, re-elected and he receives our full congratulations, but he was elected despite a deeply troubled U.S. economy. As troubled as the American economy is, the IMF is now predicting slower economic growth here in Canada than in the United States. For years, Conservatives have boasted that the Canadian economy was doing not quite as badly as the U.S.

Now that it is clear that the Canadian economy is indeed struggling, even compared to the United States, will Conservatives finally take action?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we are pleased with the 820,000 net new jobs that have been created since the summer of 2009. However, let us look at what the managing director of the IMF said about Canada:

—Canada, a country with one of the strongest financial sectors in the world...can teach the rest of the world about how to build a stronger, safer financial system.

Look at what the secretary general of the OECD said. He said that Canada is well prepared. “You have been better prepared and therefore you’ve weathered the storm a lot better. You are well prepared now. Your fiscal policy, your monetary policy, your financial system [is] in better shape. And therefore, you are doing better in...the world economy.”

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, here is what the International Monetary Fund had to say today. It predicts that next year, with the exception of the European countries saddled with debt, Canada's economic growth will be the slowest of all developed countries. This is not the NDP saying that; it is the IMF.

In 2008, the Conservatives denied that an economic crisis was looming. Did they learn their lesson? Not at all. Will they continue to believe that they are on an island of stability, when in reality, they are on a sinking ship?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, there he goes again talking down the Canadian economy.

Let us look at some other facts. KPMG ranked Canada the most tax-competitive economy among mature markets. Forbes magazine ranks Canada as the best place for business to grow and to create jobs. Exports of goods have grown by over $50 billion since 2009. The IMF and the OECD project Canada to have among the strongest growth in the G7. This is good news for Canada. The job is not done. That is why we remain focused on job creation and economic growth to ensure that every single Canadian has the dignity of a job.

Correctional Service Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to get back to the comments that the Minister of Public Safety made yesterday in response to my question about the troubling case of Ashley Smith. This young woman took her own life while she was detained, because she did not receive proper treatment for her mental illness.

The minister resorted to nonsensical partisan attacks, as though he did not realize that Ashley Smith was herself a victim of a system that cannot properly handle people with mental illness.

Will the minister apologize to the loved ones of Ashley Smith for his inappropriate comments?