Debates of Sept. 17th, 2012

Fisheries and Oceans

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

Mr. Speaker, the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard station will put lives in danger, and the Conservatives know it.

A leaked email from maritime workers to DFO management says that the closure of the Kitsilano station was done without any consultation with them on safety. They say that the closure will lead to increased casualties.

The minister continues to say that there is no danger even when his own officials say that there is.

Why will the minister not listen to the people of British Columbia and his own staff and reverse this reckless decision?

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

Mr. Speaker, the first and foremost goal of the Canadian Coast Guard is the safety of mariners.

We can say that the Coast Guard is confident that once changes to the search and rescue network in Vancouver have been completed there will be no negative impact on its ability to respond quickly and effectively to distress incidents in the water.

International Trade

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth all across Canada.

A key part of our plan is deepening and strengthening our relationships with the fast-growing economies of the Asia-Pacific. Our ongoing efforts in the region will bring tremendous benefits to Canada's exporters, including our energy sector.

Could the Minister of International Trade please update this House on how our government's ambitious pro-trade plan is creating new opportunities for workers and businesses in Canada's energy sector?

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Natural Resources is actually in Japan and Korea this week where he is promoting and diversifying our energy economy as the dynamic markets of the Asia Pacific create new opportunities for Canada's natural gas sector.

On the other hand, the NDP would impose a $20 billion job-killing carbon tax that would raise prices on everything, including gas, groceries and hydro. Our government opposes these reckless plans and will continue to stand up for hard-working Canadians.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for centuries, lighthouses have been guiding the sailors along Canada's shores. Now, tourists are drawn to these national symbols, driving economies in communities across the country.

However, the Conservatives are allowing these heritage sites to crumble and fall, like the Mississagi Lighthouse that is in need of a new roof. Instead, their plan is to throw up a second tarp in as many years.

Will the Conservatives reconsider their temporary patch-up and truly commit to protecting our heritage lighthouses?

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

Mr. Speaker, the government recognizes the important role that lighthouses have played in our history and the important part they have played in local communities. We have been working closely with Parks Canada for the last two years in the implementation of the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act and in the transfer of lighthouses to third party interests. That petitioning period is now closed and our focus will be on working with petitioning groups to facilitate transfers of surplus lighthouses.

Firearms Registry

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a week ago today, the Superior Court of Quebec sided with the Government of Quebec, which is calling for firearms registry data to be saved and transferred. Yet, in spite of repeated unanimous resolutions by the Quebec National Assembly, in addition to a harsh lecture from the court, which condemned the government's attitude, the Minister of Public Safety is still vague about Ottawa's intentions.

Will the minister stop dithering and announce that he will not appeal this case?

[Maxime Bernier, Conservative, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce today, on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of Public Safety, that the Government of Canada will appeal this decision.

Information Commissioner

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I have the honour, pursuant to section 38 of the Access to Information Act, to lay upon the table the report of the Information Commissioner for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), this report is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.

Notice of Motion

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I wish to table a notice of a ways and means motion to amend the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations.

This motion would enable the introduction of legislation to create a federal income support measure for parents of murdered or missing children. This new grant would provide income support to parents who must take time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of a child as a result of criminal act.

I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.

Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

[Tony Clement, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 109 and 32(1), I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the government's response to the third report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, entitled “Statutory Review of the Lobbying Act: Its First Five Years”.

Veterans

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs entitled “Improving Services to Improve Quality of Life for Veterans and their Families”.

Government Response to Petitions

[Gerald Keddy, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 139 petitions.

Co-operatives

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Special Committee on Co-operatives in relation to its study on the status of co-operatives in Canada.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

[Hélène LeBlanc, NDP, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP is proud to present its dissenting report, “Building Canada with Co-operatives”. We took into account the recommendations made by the witnesses who eloquently demonstrated the vitality of the co-operative movement in Canada. The Conservative government has abandoned the co-operative movement by abolishing the co-operative development initiative and dismantling the Co-operatives Secretariat.

The concrete recommendations made in our report demonstrate the NDP's commitment to contribute to the development and growth of co-operatives.

Contrary to the Conservatives, the NDP firmly believes in the co-operative sector and is proud to table six concrete recommendations that will support and ensure the development of this important sector of our economy because we know that building co-operatives is building a sustainable economy for Canada.

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

Mr. Speaker, in the report tabled here today, the Liberal Party also tabled a supplementary report, but not a dissenting report. I invite anyone who reads the report to note the 16 recommendations we have made.

Appointment of Chair

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Following the vacancy that has occurred in the position of Deputy Speaker and chair of committee of the whole, I have consulted with the leaders of the recognized parties regarding the nomination to this position. I am now prepared to propose for the ratification of the House a candidate for the position of Deputy Speaker and chair of committee of the whole.

Pursuant to Standing Order 7, I propose Mr. Joe Comartin for the position of Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

(Motion agreed to)

Business of Supply

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to designate Thursday, September 20 as an opposition day.

Olympic and Paralympic Athletes

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

Mr. Speaker, I would advise that there have been consultations and I believe you would find unanimous consent of the House for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, the House resolve itself into committee of the whole in order to welcome the Olympic and Paralympics Athletes; that the Speaker be permitted to preside over the committee of the whole and make welcoming remarks on behalf of the House; and, when the proceedings of the committee have concluded, or at approximately 3:15 p.m., the committee shall rise and the House shall resume its business as though it were 3 p.m.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Does the hon. minister have the unanimous consent of the House to propose the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.