House of Commons Hansard #196 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-15.
Motions in amendmentIncreasing Offenders' Accountability for Victims ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton
The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands will have seven minutes remaining for her remarks and the usual five minutes for questions and comments when the House next returns to the motion before it.
Statements by members. The hon. member for Ahuntsic.
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Mr. Speaker, in June 2007, Canada had over 344 street gangs with about 12,000 members in 166 urban and rural centres and aboriginal reserves. Those numbers are not getting any lower.
In Quebec, there are about 50 major street gangs with over 1,250 members. The vast majority of them are in Montreal. The magnitude of the problem has led to the creation of four joint squads in Quebec City, Gatineau, Laval and Longueuil, as well as the establishment in Montreal of the Eclipse squad, which is made up of 46 police officers. This represents a $92 million budget over five years for Quebec, including about $37 million for Montreal, the epicentre of the street gangs phenomenon.
At a time when Montreal's criminal world is in turmoil with the return of the Hells Angels, the Mafia's internal war and the driving ambition of street gangs, this government found a way to eliminate the Eclipse squad.
Ridicule never killed anyone, but it can hurt a lot.
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege that I stand in this place to recognize all those I presented with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals on November 16 in Medicine Hat.
I would like to congratulate Graham Abela, Martha Andrews, Algirdas Arelis, Jimmy Bonora, Kaylin Bradley, Rickie Evans, James Forbes, Christopher Gerbrandt, Don Girling, Doug Heine, Lawrence Henderson, Ryan Jackson, John John, Matt Klimaszewski, Annetta Lozo, Bruce Martin, Keith Martin, Paul Mast, Kenneth Montgomery, Mickey Moore, John Reynolds, David Rozedba, Ted Sherring, Evelyn Stall, Kevin Swanson, Mollie Webster, Frank Wetsch, the late LeRoy Wilson and, last but not least, Joseph Yarrow.
They have made their families, friends and communities very proud.
Jonathan Tremblay NDP Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government keeps increasing the provinces' tax burden. In the past year and a half, we have seen the Prime Minister impose a new formula for health transfers, which means a loss of over $36 billion for the provinces.
The Conservatives also decided to once again impose prison sentences for minor offences thereby increasing the number of inmates who will end up in provincial prisons. Yet there is no financial assistance to accompany their new policy. Once again, the provinces are being left to fend for themselves.
But it does not stop there. As a result of the new regulations that restrict access to employment insurance, many claimants are being forced to turn to social assistance, which places yet another burden on the provinces, since they are responsible for managing this program. And that is not to mention the negative impact this is having on the economy of the regions, which have been hard hit.
I could go on, but my time is short. So let us simply hope that this government will listen to reason in 2013.
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Mr. Speaker, as members from Ontario will know, there is a labour dispute between teachers and the provincial government that is disrupting children's educational experiences.
Two years ago I had the privilege to meet Erica Boer when I presented her with an award for her outstanding leadership. Last week, I received a letter from her expressing her frustration with the current situation. She wrote:
I am appealing to you to do anything in your power to fix this situation and bring a resolution that will return these extremely important extra-curricular activities back to our high schools.... We are the future of this province and deserve to have a voice.... It only takes one person to make a difference.
This issue is outside of federal jurisdiction, but what I can do as an MP is to call attention to it and ask the premier and the unions to stop using children as bargaining chips. I also want to congratulate Erica for taking the initiative to be the change she wants to see. She is correct that it only takes one person to make a difference, but I want her to know that she is not alone.
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Mr. Speaker, this weekend I had the honour to join Grand Chief Ben Silliboy and Chief Rod Googoo for a special ceremony in Waycobah First Nation. A monument and exhibit were unveiled to commemorate those who were forced to leave their community to attend the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School, where many of them suffered unnecessary and unspeakable abuse.
The chair of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Justice Murray Sinclair, travelled to Waycobah for the ceremony. He spoke movingly to the survivors who brought this project to life so that the children of the community could understand and learn from their stories. Justice Sinclair also spoke of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Inscribed on the monument outside Waycobah school are these words by the late revered Mi'kmaq poet Rita Joe:
I lost my talk
The talk you took away....
Let me find my talk
So i can teach you about me.
On behalf of the entire House, I commend the residential school survivors from Waycobah for finding their talk so that they can help teach us, as a nation, the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Kellie Leitch Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional woman, a community advocate, a dedicated volunteer and an outstanding role model for all Canadians: Ms. Susan Wells. A tireless social worker for Collingwood and an ally for those less fortunate, Susan was tragically killed while on her fourth aid mission to Tanzania where she was working to improve the lives of children and youth in extreme poverty.
Susan was a kind and generous spirit. Her commitment to others never wavered. She put others' needs ahead of her own, fighting for mental health resources and education here at home and abroad. Raised in a loving family with a tradition of family service and community service, Susan worked to strengthen other families. She exemplified the best of Canadian values: compassion, empathy and a sense of responsibility.
It was Susan's quiet leadership that brought educational opportunities, health care and sustainable income to third world nations. In Ecuador, she assisted in medical aid. In Tanzania, she created scholarship funds. She helped build orphanages and she worked toward a drop-in centre for street children.
Beyond these admirable traits, Susan was a treasured daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. Let us formally recognize Susan and let her life serve as an inspiration to other Canadians who work courageously to make their communities and our world a better place.
Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, John is the very image of the future of the public service. He is young, vibrant and passionate, and he has a world of opportunities in front of him. Then, out of nowhere, he receives a letter telling him that his job is in jeopardy. Everything is turned upside down. Will he be able to keep the house he just bought with Julie? Will he be able to get married as planned? Just to be careful, he cancels his plans.
He has passed his exam and gone through an interview, but he is still waiting, because all of his colleagues are just as qualified as he is. Will he keep his position? Will an equivalent position open up? Will he have to leave or find a new career?
John does not know. What he does know, however, is that he has lost his drive and his world of opportunities is lost. He is now consumed by doubt.
John is a fictional character, but the hardships I described are very real, because the Conservatives' policy is wreaking havoc. During this holiday season, I want all of us to remember that policy must benefit the people above all.
Happy holidays to everyone.
Rick Norlock Conservative Northumberland—Quinte West, ON
Mr. Speaker, this past Friday marked the completion of the Eastern Ontario regional networks fibre optic backbone. The backbone project involved the installation of a 5,500 kilometre fibre optic cable, which has vastly improved Internet access to Eastern Ontario.
This $170 million initiative was supported through investments from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, along with money from the private sector. The network provides world class, high-speed broadband access to an estimated one million residences and businesses in the region and will stimulate economic growth in Eastern Ontario.
On behalf of the Eastern and Northern Ontario caucus, we extend our thanks to the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus and Jim Pine, CAO of Hastings County, on this great accomplishment, which has come in on budget and on time to meet current and future needs and to further unlock the economic potential of Eastern Ontario.
Eve Adams Conservative Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, today, while dues-paying union members are hard at work doing their jobs, their union dues are paying for people to occupy my constituency office. None of the occupiers live in—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. The hon. member for Mississauga—Brampton South has the floor.
Eve Adams Conservative Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, none of the occupiers live in the great riding of Mississauga—Brampton South. I will not be intimidated. I will be supporting Bill C-377 in order to open up the books of unions to see what they are spending money on.
On that side of the House the NDP is quite cozy with its friends, the big union bosses. On this side of the House, Conservatives will stand with those hard-working, union dues-paying members who are demanding greater accountability from their union bosses.
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
Mr. Speaker, tourism is one of Canada's most important service exports. This industry generates annual international trade revenues of more than $15 billion and must rely on the creativity and innovation of tourism leaders to hold its position in a highly competitive market.
Nordik Spa-Nature, a business located in my riding, Pontiac, epitomizes this desire to innovate. It is with great pleasure that I rise in the House to offer my warmest congratulations to Martin Paquette and Daniel Gingras for winning a 2012 Canadian Tourism Award in the Innovator of the Year category.
Nordik Spa-Nature is considered to be the largest spa in North America and is an important regional and international attraction. With the recent improvements to the spa, I am certain that it will enjoy lasting success.
Congratulations to the entire Nordik Spa-Nature team.
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Mr. Speaker, 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the legendary Mackenzie-Papineau brigade. Nearly 2,000 Canadian volunteers went to defend the democratically elected government of Spain against the fascist forces of Mussolini, Franco and Hitler's Condor Legion.
I am proud to say that the fourth largest contingent came from Timmins—James Bay. They were led by Nilo Makela, who quickly became the battle leader of the Mac-Paps. Makela, along with other Finnish Canadians, formed the legendary Illka-Antikainen machine gun company, and his death in 1938 devastated the Mac-Paps.
Nearly 50% of the Canadians who fought never returned from the battlefields or the firing squads of Franco's Spain. Those who came back were often treated as enemies, but not in Timmins, where they were rightfully recognized as heroes.
On this anniversary we say, from the mines of South Porcupine to the barricades of Barcelona: No pasarán!
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that our Conservative government has eliminated a $1 million slush fund for the Customs and Immigration Union.
It is outrageous that taxpayers were paying big union bosses to tweet about their radical leftist causes de jour, instead of standing up for front-line officers. Shockingly, CIU bosses have taken the government to court today to get their slush fund back. They have also brought forward a laundry list of new spending demands at taxpayers' expense.
Workers in Canada are forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in dues to union bosses, who then spend it on illegal donations to the NDP, violent student protests in Montreal, ritzy hospitality and support for Quebec separatists.
Workers deserve to know how their money is spent. That is why I will support the union transparency bill, and let me say on behalf of workers in my community, I will continue to fight for their free choice and for their rights.
Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, I had the privilege of giving out the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals at a ceremony in my riding that also expressed solidarity with human rights heroes around the world.
These heroes include: Malala Yousafzai, whose advocacy for equal rights has inspired us all; Maria Lourdes Afiuni, Venezuelan judge detained for exercising her judicial independence; Eskinder Nega, Ethiopian journalist imprisoned for critiquing the Ethiopian government; Nasrin Sotoudeh, imprisoned Iranian lawyer who, together with the imprisoned Baha'i, symbolize the struggle for human rights in Iran; Liu Xiaobo, Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate, imprisoned for exercising his free speech; and Sergei Magnitsky, the Russian lawyer tortured and murdered in detention for exposing the culture of corruption in Russia, whose colleague, Bill Browder, is in Ottawa today as part of the mission to bring those responsible to justice.
I ask all members to join in an expression of solidarity with these courageous individuals on the front lines of the struggle for human rights and justice in the world today.
Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian economy is on the right track.
Just yesterday, Standard and Poor's stated that Canadian authorities have a strong track record in managing economic and financial crises and delivering economic growth. Standard & Poor's also stated that Canadian governments have demonstrated an ability and willingness to implement reforms to ensure sustainable public finances over the long term.
Our Conservative government remains squarely focused on what matters to Canadians: jobs, economic growth and our long-term prosperity. On the other hand, the NDP is working to impose a job-killing carbon tax on Canadians that would raise the price of gas, food, electricity and everything else. Such a tax would be devastating for our economy and for Canadian families.
Canadians made the right choice by electing our strong Conservative government.
Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, to say that the Conservatives are bad managers does not do justice to the magnitude of the F-35 fiasco.
In the past, the Prime Minister liked to puff out his chest and say that his government signed the F-35 contract.
On November 3, 2010, the Prime Minister said, and I quote: “It would be a mistake to rip up this contract...”.
In January 2011, he said that he found it “disappointing” and “sad” that some members of Parliament seemed to be “talking openly about cancelling the contract”.
It is funny but, today, with the estimated cost at an astronomical $46 billion, he seems a little less obstinate.
He is now siding with those he once accused of not liking our troops. That is a bit hypocritical.
In order to resolve this matter, the Prime Minister should admit that the Conservatives' management of the F-35 file was disastrous, that the only solution is to start over, and that the Minister of National Defence must finally assume his responsibility.
That is what the NDP is calling for. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is asking one of his members to repeat the same talking points 13 times.
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Mr. Speaker, the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is in full swing. My constituents are hanging lights, putting up their trees and buying gifts for their friends and loved ones.
Sadly, a dark cloud looms over this holiday season. The threat of a $21 billion NDP carbon tax would mean that future holidays would not be so bright. If the NDP leader gets his way, in future it will be more expensive to let those lights shine bright, more expensive to get a tree and higher prices for all Christmas gifts.
I take this opportunity to pledge to my constituents that our Conservative government and I will never let the NDP leader get his Christmas wish of imposing a $21 billion job-killing carbon tax on Canadians.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I have the honour to inform the House that the Clerk of the House has received from the Chief Electoral Officer a certificate of the election and return of Mr. Murray Rankin, member for the electoral district of Victoria.
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
Murray Rankin, member for the electoral district of Victoria, introduced by the Hon. Thomas Mulcair, the Leader of the Opposition.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, last night the Conservatives voted unanimously in favour of an NDP motion to clarify the rules around foreign takeovers, so this question is quite simple.
Will the Prime Minister now follow through on that vote, respect the will of the House and propose amendments to the act?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the government already did just that last Friday in terms of clarification. Markets have reacted very positively to that. I think Canadians understand.
Canadians do not want the position of the former Liberal government, which was to rubber-stamp all foreign investments. They certainly do not want the position of the NDP, which is to be opposed to all such investments. Canadians want a balanced and reasonable approach that protects our country's interest.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, what have the Conservatives done? Their Minister of Natural Resources admits that the Nexen deal would never go through today as it is contrary to the interests of Canada and does not pass the net benefit test for Canada.
How can the Prime Minister look at us today and say that the government has already clarified things, when his Minister of Industry spent yesterday saying that he himself did not even know what "exceptional circumstances" meant? Let us be clear: if amendments need to be made, this is where they are made. They have to take responsibility for their actions!