House of Commons Hansard #13 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was environment.
Rob Nicholson Conservative Niagara Falls, ON
I wish he would answer the question. If he is so interested in the affairs of the men and women in uniform, why did he not speak up all those years, during the decade of darkness, when the Liberals did nothing to help these people? Why? Let him get on his feet and answer that.
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Mr. Speaker, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, only $18.4 million of the $65 million in the last budget for the Last Post Fund will ever actually be spent to help veterans with their funeral costs, while the vast majority of veterans do not qualify for help because of the Conservatives.
What is the real reason for putting a fake number in the budget for veterans' funerals? Is it to free up funds for the propaganda budget within the PMO, or is that the Prime Minister could not care less about honouring veterans?
Julian Fantino ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, that is utter rubbish, indeed.
Assuming that the member actually read the budget officer's report, I invite him to take a read of his quote: “In addition to the increased reimbursement for Canadian veterans' families for funeral expenses under the new program rules, additional expenses like ceremonial services and transportation costs are now eligible”.
Truth be known, we have one of the best programs available to veterans and their families. That member and his party have consistently not supported us.
Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the Fisheries Act is to protect fish habitat from destruction. However, after the Conservatives gutted the act, the only species covered are the ones humans eat. Eighty per cent of freshwater fish species are no longer protected.
Why are the Conservatives ignoring Canadians' concerns? Why are they putting our environment at risk for future generations?
Gail Shea ConservativeMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, despite opposition members' claims, our changes to the Fisheries Act actually strengthen protection for fish. We are focusing more of our time and resources on projects that could have an impact on commercial, recreational or aboriginal fisheries, which are so important to so many of our rural communities. Our changes also make penalties tougher, by punishing those people who actually break the law by causing serious harm to fisheries.
Philip Toone NDP Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
Mr. Speaker, talk about bad faith.
With the new Fisheries Act, the Conservatives are proving that they have no interest in protecting marine life. The only protected fish are the ones humans eat; the Conservatives do not care about the rest. I have some news for them: that is not how we safeguard an ecosystem.
Will the Conservatives restore this legislation so that all species of fish will once again be protected?
Gail Shea ConservativeMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, these changes are another step in our government's commitment to cut red tape and to protect Canadian fisheries. Our changes make penalties tougher for those who break the law. We will focus our time and resources on those projects that could have an impact on the fisheries that are important to the rural areas of Canada and those people whose livelihoods depend upon them.
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, with Remembrance Day only a week away, I am sure we have all reflected on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Canada. From the War of 1812 to the present day in Afghanistan, men and women in uniform have stood up to defend the values that, as Canadians, we continue to hold so very dear. I just wish that hon. member agreed.
Would the Minister of Veterans Affairs please update the House on any activities he has planned to remember those who gave their lives so that we may live ours in peace and security?
Julian Fantino ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member not only for his service to Canada but also for being an honourable veteran.
This Remembrance Day, I stand shoulder to shoulder with every member of this place to pay tribute and to remember those who gave their lives in the service of Canada. All members are invited to a parliamentary remembrance ceremony tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. at the National War Memorial, and I hope many of those here will attend.
Canadians know one thing for sure. Canadian veterans helped shape our great country, and those who lost their lives deserve our absolute respect and must always be remembered.
Lest we forget.
Yvonne Jones Liberal Labrador, NL
Mr. Speaker, on the weekend, the Prime Minister said he could not care less what Canadians think of him or his government. Unfortunately, this also applies to Canadian—
Correctional Service of CanadaOral Questions
Yvonne Jones Liberal Labrador, NL
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately this also applies to Canadian correctional officers, who are also being ignored by the Prime Minister, even though the number of violent episodes in our prisons has increased by 33% since 2010, putting the lives of our correctional officers in danger.
Why could the Prime Minister not care less about protecting our correctional officers in this country?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, to begin, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the remarkable work being done by our correctional officers. Their work is important. They keep criminals, people who are a threat to society, behind bars. We will continue to support them.
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Speaker, the current infrastructure investment fund expires at the end of the year. Although the government announced the creation of a new fund in the last budget seven months ago, details on the terms have still not been provided.
When will the minister finalize the framework agreement so that the application process can finally begin?
Denis Lebel ConservativeMinister of Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, in the latest budget we were proud to announce the longest and most significant infrastructure program in the history of Canada.
The parameters remain to be set, but we know that the program will include the gas tax rebate and a transfer to the provinces. We have met with all the provincial and territorial representatives, and in the coming weeks or months we will have the pleasure of working with them to see this plan through.
Rob Clarke Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK
Mr. Speaker, over the past few years head injuries have dominated sports headlines. Concussions suffered by a young athlete or a child's accident while playing hockey can take an emotional toll on families and communities. As a hockey dad to a son named Kobey, who plays goal, I know first-hand that safety is a priority for our children when playing sports.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health please inform the House what our government is doing to prevent and treat these serious injuries for children and youth?
Eve Adams ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hard-working dad and member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River for that important question.
As a mom to a young and active boy who has suffered a serious concussion, I know that head injuries are something that many parents are concerned about. That is why I am pleased to report that today our government announced $4.3 million for 19 new research projects across Canada. These projects will focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating concussions. Also, these research projects will focus on kids.
Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Gasparek family, which is well integrated into the Montreal community, has received a deportation order from Canada effective today.
The Gaspareks' son is gravely ill, and according to their doctor, boarding a plane is out of the question. The boy's life is at risk. Even more appalling is the fact that no doctor at Citizenship and Immigration examined the child before the deportation order was issued.
Has the minister read the file and will he immediately reverse this life-threatening decision?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, I would like to reassure the hon. member.
There are professionals in place to ensure that the immigration system is working properly. That is why we welcome more than 250,000 new immigrants to Canada every year. Obviously, people who come here must obey our laws. No one is above the law. I can assure my colleague that professionals make sure that the people who come here are treated well. Nonetheless, if they do not obey the law, they will be returned to their country of origin.
Jean-François Fortin Bloc Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner of Official Languages has been clear: the closing of the library at the Maurice Lamontagne marine research institute, the only French-language library of its kind in Canada, violates the government's official languages obligations.
Nevertheless, the minister has still not bothered to respond to the written demands for her to confirm that she will abide by the law.
I am asking her here today whether she will respect the Commissioner of Official Languages' decision, put a stop to the moving process, and guarantee that the library at the Maurice Lamontagne marine research institute in Mont-Joli will remain open.
Gail Shea ConservativeMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, library users were asking for digital information, so we are accommodating that demand by expanding our digital access and reducing paper where possible.
Our libraries will continue to deliver services in both official languages. The commissioner has recognized that the model for DFO's scientific libraries will not affect the service to the public, nor the language of work for staff. The commissioner himself says that the new organizational chart proposed by DFO shows that three of the four positions at the BIO library will be bilingual. The national team's four positions will continue to be bilingual.
Jean-François Fortin Bloc Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, I urge the minister to re-read the decision made by the Commissioner of Official Languages.
The Conservatives are once again using employment insurance for partisan purposes. They are helping themselves to billions of dollars from the fund to lower corporate taxes and fund their battle against the deficit, but they are doing nothing to help workers and employers across the regions of Quebec.
In the last mammoth bill, the Conservatives even set out a way to legalize their scheme. They got rid of the Employment Insurance Financing Board, an agency that was responsible for ensuring that EI contributions were being used for the EI program.
When will the government stop siphoning money from workers and employers?
Jason Kenney ConservativeMinister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure I heard a question. If the member wants to reformulate his question and ask something a little more coherent, I will be able to respond.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, a week from today, the 19th Conference of the Parties on climate will open in Warsaw. Two months ago I wrote the Minister of the Environment to inquire if she intended to return to the traditional practice of having our delegation represent Canada and not just the Conservative Party. This close to the opening day, I assume the answer to that question is no. Therefore, I want to ask her this. Will Canada remain committed to the targets the Prime Minister adopted in 2009 in Copenhagen? Will we still remain committed to 607 megatonnes by 2020, and financing for mitigation and adaptation to developing countries?
