Debates of May 30th, 2012

The Environment

[Anne Minh-Thu Quach, NDP, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there are only two possible explanations: either there will be only 20 economic development projects in the country per year, or the vast majority of projects will simply not be assessed.

Because of the Conservatives' changes, aquaculture and bridge projects, not to mention offshore drilling and oil sands projects, will not be assessed because they will be considered “small”. The Conservatives are presenting this as a decision to streamline the process, but people are not buying it.

How many environmental assessments will be carried out under the new regime?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I would correct my hon. friend. She is wrong. The environment commissioner is wrong. In fact, if the—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please. The hon. Minister of the Environment has the floor.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell my hon. colleague that if the NDP were ever, in the unlikely eventuality, to form government, there would not be any assessments--

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please. The hon. minister probably appreciates the applause but I would ask members to hold off until he is finished his response.

The hon. Minister of the Environment has the floor.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in that highly unlikely eventuality, there would be no environmental assessments because the NDP has made it clear that it opposes all responsible resource development and all resource jobs.

Employment

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, not only are the government's employment insurance changes an attack on the seasonal industries in the workforce that depend on those jobs, new rules around foreign workers, especially in the farm sector, would make the government the big boss.

Government officials would in effect determine whom employers may or may not hire. Farmers claim this would impact their productivity and jeopardize their harvest and their businesses.

Why would the minister take Mike Harris's failed and discredited workfare program and impose it on the entire country?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, we do have skills and labour shortages in many sectors across the country. This has been the situation for a very long time in agriculture.

We want to ensure that even though we require that employers check with Canadians first before they go offshore looking, we are just reinforcing that Canadians should have first crack at those jobs. It does not make sense to have 300 people registered as farm labourers on EI and then allow the employer to bring in 200 people from offshore. We want Canadians to have first crack at those jobs and that is what we are going to help them get.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's youth job market has yet to recover from the recession. Four years ago, 60% of young Canadians had jobs. Today, only about half of young Canadians have jobs. Nearly one million youth are out of school and out of work. If we do nothing, we risk losing the talent of an entire generation.

When will the government recognize that Canada has a youth jobs crisis and introduce a real plan to help young Canadians connect to real job opportunities?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, we are doing exactly that. The best way to create jobs for young people is to create jobs for the entire economy. We are very pleased that the economy has grown by over 750,000 net new jobs since the middle of the recession. We are very proud of that. That includes jobs for young people.

However, that is not enough. That is why we made a permanent expansion to Canada's summer jobs program so young people could get the experience they needed for jobs. This budget includes $50 million to help students and young people get the jobs and the experience they need for the jobs today and tomorrow.

Co-operatives

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 2009, in support of the International Year of Co-operatives, the Conservative government said that it intended to use the year “to promote the benefits of the co-operative model, as well as to raise awareness of the contribution of co-operatives to Canada’s socio-economic development.”

The motion that will be debated in the House this afternoon reflects that desire.

Does the government plan on supporting the motion?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture)]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave us a clear mandate to focus on economic growth and job creation. That is the direction we are taking with the 2012 economic action plan. No fewer than 750,000 net new jobs have been created in the private sector. Co-operatives are obviously an important part of the economy. This is an important sector that we have always supported vigorously.

Natural Resources

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives are giving cabinet new power to approve pipeline projects, even if there is evidence the project could cause harm. Now we discover that gutting environmental protections may lead to more delays and greater uncertainty.

First nations have warned that any cabinet interference in the Enbridge northern gateway review will be met with lawsuits. First nations have also pledged to defend their constitutional rights against Conservative attacks.

Will the minister now listen to reason and stop interfering in the northern gateway review process?

[Joe Oliver, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, we will be bringing the National Energy Board in line with other federal regulatory bodies, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. We believe that for major projects, it can have a significant impact on the economy and on the environment and that elected officials responsible to the people, through Parliament, should have the ultimate decision, rather than appointed officials. Canadians have the right to know who is responsible for what and to be held accountable.

Aboriginal Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, as usual, the Conservatives are treating first nations rights as an annoying obstacle.

Last evening in committee, the chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo, criticized the Conservatives for not consulting the first nations before proposing changes to environmental legislation. He predicted that trampling on the rights of aboriginals would lead to more legal battles, more delays in development projects and more economic uncertainty for everyone.

When will the Conservatives start listening to the first nations?

[John Duncan, Conservative, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, we understand the duty to consult and we take this very responsibly and very seriously. We take a whole of government approach to doing this. In fact, in budget 2012, the economic action plan, we have added additional resources to carry out that function.

Search and Rescue

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, at the same time they try to force through their pipeline and projects, the Conservatives are making cuts to marine safety. In spite of mounting public opposition, the Conservatives are sticking to their reckless plan to close the Kits Coast Guard station.

This week the B.C. premier and the Vancouver mayor and council added their voices to those demanding Ottawa reverse this cut.

Will the minister back down from his reckless plan, which would put the lives of British Columbians at risk?

[Keith Ashfield, Conservative, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. Our first priority is always, primarily and foremost, the safety of mariners. Levels of search and rescue service in Vancouver will remain the same. In fact, the Coast Guard will establish a new inshore rescue boat station for the summer season in Vancouver and strengthen partnerships with people like the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue group. Also, a new hovercraft will be in service early next year, which will improve the search and rescue response capability in the Vancouver area.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives had bothered to consult anyone about this decision, they would have found how reckless it was. This cut will increase risks to coastal communities.

It is curious that none of the B.C. Conservatives are standing up for the Coast Guard. The heritage minister claims marine safety will not be compromised. He says that we could just use a hovercraft. The fisheries ministers plans to fill the gap with volunteers.

What will it take for the B.C. Conservatives to stand up to the fisheries minister and demand he back down from this reckless decision?

[Keith Ashfield, Conservative, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, I find it shocking that the member opposite would demonize our volunteers, the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue unit. It is inexcusable to talk in those terms.

In no way would we be jeopardizing the safety of our mariners at any time. We are confident that going forward we will be providing a service. The best way to provide a high level service of search and rescue to Canadians is with a combined contribution of dedicated responders, our SAR volunteers and partners across the country.

Rail Transportation

[Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, last night the House of Commons moved to end the strike at CP Rail by passing Bill C-39. Labour stability in the rail sector is critical to the functioning of a Canadian economy, our continued economic recovery and the confidence of Canadians businesses and the Canadian public.

In my riding of Yorkton—Melville, the exports of grain and potash are essential to the economy. The work stoppage at CP Rail is costing the Canadian economy $540 million each week it continues and will put the jobs of thousands of other Canadians at risk if it is prolonged.

Could the Minister of Labour please give the House an update on the status of Bill C-39?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Yorkton—Melville for all his work.

In an astonishing turn of events, and despite 60 years of parliamentary precedence and tradition, we have learned that the Liberals have decided they will block passage of the bill in the Senate. Let me be clear. This is an $80 million bill that the third party is handing to the Canadian public—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!