House of Commons Hansard #28 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was economy.
Denis Lebel ConservativeMinister of Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, that hon. member just said that they voted against money for maintaining the current bridge because there was no money for the new bridge. I am not sure if he realizes that.
That hon. member represents the people of Brossard—La Prairie, near the bridge, but the current bridge is not important to him. We should be investing in the new bridge instead.
Before building a new bridge, we are going to maintain the one we have and do the necessary work.
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
Mr. Speaker, people should not have to pray before they cross the Champlain Bridge.
The minister has been responsible for the bridge for two and a half years, yet not a single dime was in the last two budgets for the new bridge, not a single dime.
Could the minister tell the House where the money is for a new bridge. Show us the money.
Denis Lebel ConservativeMinister of Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, first, the Champlain Bridge is still serving the population and will for many years to come. We have to ensure we keep the bridge functioning and safe and keep the traffic moving.
We considered it was more important for the moment to keep the bridge safe and we have done so with the JCCBI Corporation, which is doing a great job in keeping the bridge in good shape.
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Lac-Mégantic tragedy happened when companies were allowed to cut their staff and regulate themselves. Under the Conservatives, the same thing is happening in the airline industry: fewer flight attendants to serve and protect the passengers. Canadians do not want a Lac-Mégantic tragedy in the sky. How can the Conservatives justify fewer flight attendants to lead people to safety in the event of an accident?
Could the minister report to the House the result of the test to give Sunwing the approval to cut flight attendants?
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the standard of one flight attendant for 50 seats is actually used in the United States and Europe and that is what is carried every day. In fact, it is a ratio that is endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
However, in this case, there is outstanding litigation and as such we cannot comment any further.
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are saddened to learn of the passing of a great Canadian.
Cliff Chadderton passed away on Saturday at the age of 94, leaving behind family and a grieving veterans community. Would the minister please remind the House why Cliff Chadderton was such a remarkable veteran and Canadian?
Julian Fantino ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, Cliff Chadderton was the long-serving chief executive officer of The War Amps, chairman of the National Council of Veteran Associations and a D-Day veteran.
Being severely injured in World War II, he returned to Canada, not with defeat in his eyes, but with inspiration that he could make things better for others.
We all send our deepest condolences to the Chadderton family and thank Cliff for his remarkable contribution to our great country.
Rosane Doré Lefebvre NDP Alfred-Pellan, QC
Mr. Speaker, the recent revelations that the NSA carried out spy operations in Canada during the G8 and G20 summits are disturbing.
We have the right to know what the Conservative government knew about this. It is illegal for CSEC to spy on Canadians. That is why we want to know what kind of agreement the Canadian and American authorities had.
Did someone from Communications Security Establishment Canada or the government give the authorization to participate in these operations?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I cannot comment on specific foreign intelligence activities or capabilities. That being said, as I pointed out before, this organization is prohibited from targeting Canadians. Furthermore, it cannot ask our international partners to act in a way that circumvents Canadian laws. I am sure that will satisfy the hon. member.
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, the only thing the Conservatives seem clear on is that it is illegal for CSEC to spy on Canadians. However, they continue to duck the question of whether they actually allowed the Americans to do the spying for them.
This agency, the Communications Security Establishment, costs taxpayers millions every year. Why are the Conservatives refusing to ensure that it answers to the public. Why are they afraid of greater public oversight over CSEC's operations?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, there is oversight of CSEC. There is an independent commissioner. I would point out for the hon. member that for the last 16 years the commissioner has indicated that CSEC has complied with Canadian laws. I hope that satisfies the hon. member.
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, he also said that there was a need for an oversight body.
Canadians also have good reason to be concerned about what the government is doing when it comes to their personal information.
Let us take the story of Ellen Richardson. She was flying down to the states for a 10-day Caribbean vacation, but never made it. She was denied entry into the United States. The agent said that it was because of her previous hospitalization for depression, information that should have been private. She was stunned.
Could the minister explain to the House how a U.S. border agent would know about a Canadian's private medical history?
Eve Adams ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, our government is obviously committed to ensuring the privacy of all Canadians' health files. I will take this issue under advisement and provide some further information.
I want to assure all Canadians that our government takes very seriously the privacy and confidentiality of all Canadians' health information.
Mike Sullivan NDP York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Speaker, that answer does not actually help Mrs. Richardson. She did not tell anyone about her hospitalization in 2012. She thought it was a private matter, so how did this information end up in a U.S. security database? Canadians hearing Mrs. Richardson's story are beginning to wonder how much of their own private medical information is being shared with foreign governments.
How is it possible a Canadian citizen's medical information would have been shared with U.S. authorities? What is the minister doing to get to the bottom of it?
Eve Adams ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, I do not have information on this specific case. I can say, though, that health information obviously is a provincial responsibility and our government does very much respect the privacy and confidentiality of Canadians' health records.
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Speaker, last week we had three members of the military who committed suicide. Clearly, we are not looking after our military. Nine veterans affairs centres will be closed by the end of January and 17,000 veterans will be deprived of their case managers.
The minister is letting one case manager per centre move into the local Service Canada office. With veterans already being told that there is no one to talk to them, how does the minister expect veterans to get the services they need, the services we owe them and they deserve?
Julian Fantino ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, among the variety of options available to veterans, Veterans Affairs Canada case workers and nurses do personalized home visits for those who need them. While the member opposite engages in scare tactics, we will continue to deliver services and support our veterans no matter where they live and will do that ongoing. If they need assistance among many services, we will cut their grass, shovel their snow and clean their homes. That is our commitment to veterans and that good work continues.
Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, the British Columbia government funds the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS' highly active antiretroviral therapy as treatment and prevention because it decreases the transmission of HIV. The World Health Organization endorses it. The U.S., the U.K., France and Brazil have begun national programs.
B.C. is the only region in North America where HIV rates are decreasing. Why does the Minister of Health still refuse to meet with the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS or promote treatment as prevention for the rest of Canada?
Eve Adams ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, it was World AIDS Day this past weekend. As members will recall, last week we made a $10-million announcement to invest in a cure for AIDS.
Our government is also supporting the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate the development of a safe, effective and affordable HIV vaccine.
Our government's commitment to assisting those who are suffering with AIDS is very clear.
Charmaine Borg NDP Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, we recently learned that the Conservatives planned on spying on Canadians' Facebook and Twitter accounts 24/7.
These are the same Conservatives who refuse to give information on their budget spending, the same ones who refuse to answer our questions on the Senate scandal. We cannot know what they know, but they want to know what people are tweeting.
Is monitoring Facebook and Twitter accounts truly the best use of taxpayers' money?
Tony Clement ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member is not a rookie when it comes to social media, so she would know anything posted on Facebook or Twitter is public information. In fact, most people are on Facebook or Twitter to be read, to be seen, to be part of the dialogue. We want to be there too.
Dan Harris NDP Scarborough Southwest, ON
Mr. Speaker, that is all fine and good to make a joke out of it, but Canadians posted on social media—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. The hon. member for Scarborough Southwest still has the floor.
The hon. member.
Dan Harris NDP Scarborough Southwest, ON
Mr. Speaker, they seem to have caught something over there. I wonder if it is contagious.
Canadians posting on social media do not expect to be monitored by their government. They imagine that perhaps the Conservatives might have better things to do than follow their tweets and Facebook posts. Social media monitoring is a problematic use of government resources.
We know the Conservatives like to keep lists, so thanks to the new Twitter monitoring program, how many more Canadians are going to wind up on the Conservatives' enemies list?