Debates of Oct. 18th, 2013

Veterans Affairs

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, substantial? Nine district offices are closing. They are laying off case workers across Canada. Veterans are advised to go to the Service Canada office or dial the 1-800 number. In some instances the case workers are a five-hour drive away from the veterans.

Why is the government walking away from our veterans and not giving them the service that they deserve? Why? When are they going to do it?

[Parm Gill, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, there are now 600 additional points of service across the country available to Canadian veterans. A critically injured veteran no longer has to drive to a district office. Our government now sends a registered nurse or case manager to visit them in the comfort of their own homes.

Correctional Service Canada

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this week at the coroner's inquest into the death of Ashley Smith the commissioner of Correctional Service Canada made a very shocking statement. He told the jurors not to bother making costly recommendations to fix the mental health crisis in our prisons because he had no money to implement changes. These are changes that would prevent more suicides and avoid more deaths in our prisons like Ashley Smith's.

Would the minister explain why his department does not view the prevention of deaths in prison as a spending priority?

[Roxanne James, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, first this is a very sad case and our thoughts and prayers do go out to Miss Smith's family.

Our government, as the opposition members know, was directed by Corrections Canada to fully co-operate with the coroner's inquest, and it has done so. Our government takes the issue of mental health in prisons very seriously. That is why we have taken action to improve access to mental health treatment and training for corrections staff in prisons.

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

Mr. Speaker, Don Head, the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada, who testified at the inquest into the death of Ashley Smith, issued a shocking statement. He basically said that costly recommendations should not be made. However, Ashley Smith is dead because there is obviously something wrong with our system.

What is the Conservatives' solution? Is it to stand idly by and allow others like Ashley Smith to inflict harm on themselves and die?

[Roxanne James, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, our government is continuing to take concrete steps on the issue of mental health in prisons. Both access to treatment services for inmates and training for staff have improved as a result of our strong leadership of this Conservative government. In fact, it was our government that ensured faster mental health screening, we created a mental health strategy for prisoners and we extended the mental health psychological counselling. Above all else, we have improved staff training to help in this area.

International Trade

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our government has the most ambitious pro-trade plan in Canadian history. Today in Brussels, the Prime Minister delivered on this plan once again. While the NDP supports no trade and the Liberals support only the drug trade, our Conservative government is pursuing free trade that will benefit hard-working Canadians.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade please inform the House how our government's pro-trade plan is creating jobs and opportunities for all Canadians?

[Erin O'Toole, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, once the Canada–Europe trade agreement is fully implemented, agricultural tariff lines will be 95% reduced or removed. That means 500 million new consumers, hungry consumers, for beef, pork and bison. I know that Soderglen Ranches in Airdrie is excited about the opportunity the European market holds for our beef producers. This is a $1 billion part of a $12 billion net benefit as a result of this deal for Canada.

Search and Rescue

[Yvonne Jones, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, a recent National Defence report acknowledged and revealed glaring inadequacies in search and rescue in Canada's North. Among those many weaknesses was the limited and aging fleet of aircraft and the limited deployment areas of operation for those aircraft. It points out also the limited capability to respond to shipboard scenarios, including oil spills and major communications on weather reporting voids. All of these things point to future tragedy in the north, but we know it can be prevented.

Will the government act now to ensure these things are taken care of?

[James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians can be assured that we have one of the most effective search and rescue systems in the world. Our government directed that a comprehensive analysis of peak periods of seasonal, weekly and daily SAR activity across Canada be conducted to optimize our SAR readiness posture. SAR regional commanders will continue to adjust their SAR postures based on seasonal updated data. Additionally, we have undertaken a quadrennial review of search and rescue systems right across Canada.

Co-operatives

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

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservatives seem to have forgotten about Co-op Week.

Co-operatives are important economic drivers, but they were completely overlooked by the Conservatives in the Speech from the Throne.

This is Co-op Week, but the Conservatives are not doing anything to help this sector of our economy flourish.

When will the Conservatives finally acknowledge just how much co-operatives contribute to the Canadian economy?

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, during National Co-op Week, I would like to recognize the continuing contributions of Canadian co-operatives to our economic prosperity. For over 100 years, co-operatives have been a fundamental part of communities across the country, creating jobs and promoting growth. Our government remains committed to ensuring that the right conditions are in place to support the development, innovation and growth of Canadian co-operatives.

International Trade

[Bryan Hayes, Conservative, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister announced today that Canada and the European Union have reached an agreement on an historic trade deal.

We know the NDP will oppose this agreement. The NDP is anti-trade. My constituents will not be fooled. They understand that free trade creates real benefits for hard-working Canadians.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade please tell me how my constituents will benefit from this deal?

[Erin O'Toole, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, I know my hon. colleague has been watching the Canada-Europe negotiations closely, and we are happy to report that steel and steel products will reduce from a 7% tariff rate to a 0% tariff rate. In Sault Ste. Marie that means Essar Steel Algoma and their workers will benefit tremendously from this deal. It means 80,000 net new jobs across Canada, from coast to coast to Sault Ste. Marie.

Aboriginal Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, this Speech from the Throne is a terrible way to start this session. It contains absolutely nothing of substance for aboriginal peoples. There is nothing about a national inquiry into missing and murdered women, the chronic underfunding of schools on reserve, or the lack of consultation about resource extraction projects.

The UN rapporteur is using the word “crisis“ and saying that the situation in New Brunswick is worsening. Can the government explain why aboriginal peoples' cries are falling on deaf ears?

[Mark Strahl, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, of course we reject the premise of that question. Our government has taken significant steps since taking office in 2006 to advance the cause of aboriginal people across Canada. Whether it is first nations transparency on reserve, safer water on reserve, bringing matrimonial property rights to women on reserve, we are standing in the corner of first nations.

That party and that party down at the other end continually vote against everything we do to improve the lives of first nations in Canada.

International Trade

[Jean-François Fortin, Bloc, Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec milk and cheese producers were shocked to learn that they were betrayed by the federal government, which had promised to protect supply management. These producers are now trying to determine and understand the exact impact on their industry of the free trade deal signed today with the European Union.

They have the right to know what they are going to lose and what the federal government has in store for them. They deserve to have complete transparency and not just vague promises that seem improvised for the sole purpose of stifling protest.

Will the government finally come clean with Quebec cheese and milk producers on what is in store for them?

[Erin O'Toole, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, this Canada-European Union deal is good for Canada and it is good for Quebec. It is a $12 billion addition to our GDP.

We have consistently said that the three pillars of supply management will be maintained and they are. Growth in the cheese sector in particular means that there should not be any impact to our dairy farmers. However, as the Prime Minister said today in Brussels, if there is an impact, they will be given compensation.

I would note that both the governments of Ontario and Quebec have stated they support this approach. I hope all members in the House support this deal.

Regional Development

[Bruce Hyer, Independent, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it looks like the Conservatives have it in for northwestern Ontario.

There is nothing in the throne speech for the north. There is no plan to help forestry. EI staff are being axed. Thunder Bay's Revenue Canada office is closed. People will have to drive hours to process a FAST card application. Now our veterans must travel nine hours to Winnipeg for service.

Do the Conservatives intend to cut our region off completely?

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, FedNor will continue to focus on community economic development, business growth, competitiveness and innovation that creates jobs and long-term prosperity across northern Ontario.

We will continue to ensure that communities and businesses in northern Ontario have the tools they need to have a strong diversified economy. Our government is working with all levels of government, including first nations and other stakeholders, to ensure that we maximize the economic opportunities and long-term sustainability of northern Ontario.

Oral Questions

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, members of all corners of the House are secure in the fact that you keep order in this place. Personally, I thank you.

Earlier today during question period, I heard something while the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade was speaking.

One of the members here claims to be an eminent jurist, a woman with ample experience in this House. She used language that has been considered unparliamentary for over 40 years. I am talking about the member for Gatineau, who used an expression that was banned by Beauchesne and all later works, including O'Brien and Bosc.

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what the member is referring to. I would be curious to know what I said. I say so many things. Of course, I am not one to bite my tongue; I will give him that. However, quite honestly, I am surprised that this has anything to do with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade. I do not know. Perhaps the member could refresh my memory.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would have hoped that the hon. member for Gatineau would not make me repeat the words she used in the House. The expression can be found on page 144 of Beauchesne, near the bottom. In an alphabetical list, it begins with b.

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I know I talked about “BS”.

Is that what my colleague is referring to? If so, I said “BS”. People can fill in the blanks as they wish. Maybe “BS” means “big spender” or “big whatever you like”.

I will have a look at page 140-whatever of Beauchesne. It is an expression that was used frequently on the radio when I used to do call-in shows.

I apologize for having offended the member.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I do not know if there is much to be gained by continuing on in this. All members should be very judicious in the words they use. If their abbreviations may cause some to suspect that they might be unparliamentary, they should shy away from that as well.