House of Commons Hansard #72 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was seniors.
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite gave me a break because I was not here.
The science is clear that human beings cause global warming. Our government has shown its support with investments of over $10 billion to support a cleaner environment and fight climate change through innovation.
What I do not believe in is the NDP's ideologically driven, Luddite battle against hundreds of thousands of jobs in Canada. Does the NDP want to deny Canadian families jobs and a secure future, yes or no?
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the minister back so I can continue to ask him questions.
He says that the science is clear but on Tuesday he said that a number of scientists did not believe in climate change.
Let us assume that the minister has done his research and should know his file because he is the minister, could he enlighten us as to who these scientists are, what exactly they are saying and whether he agrees with them?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite will not take yes for an answer so I will now go on to the subject of jobs.
Maybe the NDP will listen to a Canada building trades union that says ”right now the process is being subverted, needlessly delayed at the cost of Canadian jobs”.
We need to reform the system to encourage new investment in Canadian infrastructure. This process needs to be expeditious and not stifle investment and job creation.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, we almost received an answer there.
I am pleased to hear that the minister might believe in the science but the government's actions or inactions clearly demonstrate that it does not believe it is actually a problem.
From withdrawing from Kyoto, cancelling the eco-energy retrofit program and refusing to regulate emissions in the oil sands, it is clear that the government has no track record on environment.
Instead of associating with fringe climate denier groups, when will the Minister of Natural Resources come forward with a national energy strategy to tackle climate change and bring us forward to the green economy of the future?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the NDP tunes out when it comes to job creation in the energy sector and turns its back on workers. Maybe the party should listen to Buzz Hargrove, the former CAW president, who said that we should not stop developing the oil sands because we need those jobs.
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Mr. Speaker, last week, the Prime Minister announced that he would be slashing OAS benefits for low-income seniors and baby boomers.
Despite campaigning on a platform that included promises not to attack seniors, not one Conservative MP has had the guts to speak out about this.
When will the Conservative backbench grow some backbone and start standing up for the seniors in this country?
Come on, Brad, it's your chance.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. I would ask the hon. member not to refer to individuals by their name.
The hon. Minister of Human Resources.
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Mr. Speaker, when will the hon. member stop the fear-mongering and stop misleading Canadians because what she just said was blatantly false?
This is not about trying to conserve jobs. This is about ensuring that our old age security system is here for our current retirees and for future generations. The demographics are such that we need to take action now for the long term. We are protecting, as we have said repeatedly, the pensions of current retirees.
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Mr. Speaker, Fred Rhymes of Centre Burlington, Nova Scotia, retired early because of his health. However, when the markets crashed, so did Fred's savings. Now, Fred is counting on the OAS to help him make ends meet after he turns 65.
There are a lot of seniors like Fred across rural Canada. They have worked hard and saved some money but they are counting on the OAS to help them once they turn 65.
Given rural Canada's older population, does the Prime Minister not realize that any cut to OAS is a direct attack on rural and small town Canada?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Mr. Speaker, coming from rural and small town Canada, I can tell members that what the people do not need is an attack on their own intelligence, which is what the hon. member just indicated.
We just said, and we have said it repeatedly, that we are ensuring there will be no cuts. Anyone who is currently receiving OAS or who will receive OAS will not lose a cent. We have ensured that and we will ensure that. We will also ensure that OAS is around for them and for future generations.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, as we can see, the employment insurance situation continues to get worse. More than 30% of claimants do not receive their benefits and approval of their application within a 28-day deadline. My constituency office in Papineau is full of people like Mrs. Dupré-Roussel, who came because her claim still has not been approved after three months. This government is reducing pensions and the public service.
When will the minister stand up and start using her department to serve the public?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Mr. Speaker, that is precisely what we are trying to do, but from time to time there are special cases that are very complex. I invite hon. members to share the details of those cases with me so that I can help them come up with solutions to these problems.
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, the debate on the death penalty has been closed for decades but, yesterday, Senator Boisvenu brought it back to the fore. When he was given the opportunity to explain himself, it is true that he retracted the word “rope” but he repeated that murderers should have the freedom to choose to commit suicide. I would like to remind the members of the House that it is illegal to encourage a person to commit suicide.
Can the Prime Minister tell us whether the Conservatives and his government share this opinion?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have no intention of reopening that debate. However, if the hon. member wants to get involved with this, why does she not get her colleague, the member for Winnipeg Centre, to apologize for the shameful personal attack he launched yesterday?
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, the best defence is always the offence with the government.
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, that is the Prime Minister's opinion but is that opinion shared by his entire party? That is what Canadians want to know.
Speaking of debates that Canadians do not want to reopen, we know that some backbenchers on the other side want to reopen the debate on abortion and oppose the funding of abortions in developing countries.
Can the Prime Minister clarify whether he is losing control of his caucus or whether he is giving in to the pressure exerted by intransigent members of his caucus?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, the government has been clear that it will not reopen those debates.
However, I would like to get an answer. How about that shameful attack on a victim of crime yesterday? Will the member get up on his feet and apologize and do the right thing for a change?
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, let us speak about victims. Let us speak about victims of crime. The Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime tabled his report this morning. He recommended that victims be treated more fairly because victims still do not have any legal right to attend parole hearings. They are limited to simply reading a statement and are not allowed to add a single word.
This government has been aware of the problem for years. Why has it not done something to help victims instead of sticking provinces with bills that they do not want and simply—
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, it is true that every attempt by this government to stand up and protect victims has been opposed by the NDP. I am proud to be a member of a party that not only stands up for victims but the only party that will do the right thing by victims in this country.
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am so sick and tired of that empty tirade because what we voted--