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.
Tony Clement ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, the whole point of social media is to have dialogue on public policy issues. That is why it is important to understand what people are thinking or saying about certain issues on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. My handle is @TonyclementCPC, if anyone wants notes. It is not a state secret.
The whole point of social media is to engage in a dialogue with citizens, and that means better public policies in the end.
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs made an important announcement for the greater Montreal area.
Could the minister share this good news with us?
Denis Lebel ConservativeMinister of Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, since we announced construction of the new bridge, I have always maintained that we are working on reducing the time required to build it, and we have already reduced it by six months. Then yesterday, we announced that the bridge will be ready three years in advance, and will open in 2018 for the well-being of the many people living in the Montreal area.
Naturally, I would like to congratulate The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated and all workers who worked on the weekend to install the superbeam to strengthen the bridge. I want to thank everyone for their patience.
Together with our partners, we will deliver a new bridge over the St. Lawrence.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, the latest Snowden releases raise serious concerns about Canadian involvement in spying at the G20 meetings. The documents clearly show NSA support planning has been closely coordinated with its Canadian partner. That is with its Canadian partner. Either someone in the government authorized the illegal spying, or we have a rogue spy agency operating without any oversight.
Will the minister now support the establishment of a national oversight committee of parliamentarians so that this rogue spying does not continue?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure this individual that there already is an independent watchdog, the commissioner of the Communications Security Establishment, who has access to all the documents related to the operations of the agency and its personnel.
As a former solicitor general, the individual will be very pleased to confirm and recognize that for 16 years the commissioner has reported that CSEC continues to act lawfully in the conduct of its activities. That should give him some confidence and help.
Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, last week, my colleague asked a serious question about the state of the Quebec bridge. The member for Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière would only say that it is not his responsibility. The bridge is CN property, and CN is regulated by Transport Canada. Safety of this bridge is therefore a federal responsibility. Transport Canada has a report indicating that the bridge's deterioration is accelerating.
Will the Conservatives stop hiding behind their legal battle with CN and give us the most recent information on the state of the bridge?
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is absolutely correct. The owner of the bridge is Canadian National. That is who is responsible for the maintenance and safety.
However, to ensure that this commitment of Canadian National is backed up, the government has initiated litigation. That litigation is currently under way, and we are demanding that CN fully restore this bridge.
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, while the NDP continues to oppose our government's responsible plan to support job creation and economic growth, its only suggestion is to raise taxes.
As if imposing a job-killing carbon tax was not enough, just last week, the NDP leader confirmed his intention to impose a multi-billion-dollar tax hike on job creators. What is more, he wants to do this while we continue to cope with the challenging global economy.
Could the Minister of State for finance please update this House on the state of Canada's economy and what our government is doing to support job creation?
Kevin Sorenson ConservativeMinister of State (Finance)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Wild Rose for that great question. It is a tough question, but fair.
It is also good to see that there is one party in this House that does care about the economy. Indeed, last week Statistics Canada released a report saying that for the ninth consecutive quarter, the Canadian economy has shown growth, this time by 2.7%.
Although this is very encouraging, the global economy remains fragile. That is why our government is taking the needed action of implementing measures such as the hiring tax credit for small business as well as freezing EI rates.
This government will continue to bring forward programs that will help create jobs and build this economy.
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, here is yet another minor amendment by the Conservative government: the Conservatives' Bill C-4 will eliminate the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board.
The board's main mission was to guarantee that EI contributions were used solely for the purposes of the program. The decision to kill this institution is therefore worrisome, but I admit, not very surprising, coming from the Conservatives.
With the demise of this institution, is the minister telling us that the EI funding surplus will now be administered by his office, with no accountability?
Jason Kenney ConservativeMinister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism
Mr. Speaker, frankly that question makes no sense at all.
Contributions to the employment insurance fund are intended to provide benefits and training for workers.
My office is in no way involved in the administration of the fund, which is independently conducted by public servants. This works very well for the unemployed. It provides assistance when they are out of a job.
As everyone knows, the government froze EI contributions so that it can continue creating jobs in the Canadian economy.
Louis Plamondon Bloc Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC
Mr. Speaker, when a developer wants to build an airport in Alberta, federal ministers worry about the consequences for Albertans, the environment and even birds.
However, when a developer wants to build an airport in Neuville, Quebec, the situation is radically different. Conservative ministers in Quebec refuse to seriously consider the consequences for Quebeckers and close their eyes to the significant safety problems.
Will Quebec ministers finally stand up for the people of Quebec and demand that the Minister of Transport make the same provisions for Neuville as she would for Alberta?
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, in both of these cases the exact same process and procedure was followed, and that was to consult with the local municipality or the local government with respect to the proposed aerodrome.
In the case of Alberta, we heard very clearly from the municipality and from the county that they had concerns about it.
In the case of Neuville, in fact a memorandum of understanding was signed with the operator of the aerodrome, accepting this aerodrome in the area.
Louis Plamondon Bloc Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC
Mr. Speaker, in just 110 days, Ottawa will impose its housing-first approach to homelessness, which will force Quebec to sacrifice its expertise and programs tailored to its needs.
In front of the Parliament buildings tomorrow, at the request of Réseau Solidarité itinérance du Québec, representatives from related organizations will be calling for a Quebec-specific approach to homelessness, which has the full support of the National Assembly.
Will the minister take advantage of the fact that these experts on homelessness will be here tomorrow to announce that Quebec and its agencies will be given the freedom to use their expertise and do as they see fit?
Jason Kenney ConservativeMinister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism
Mr. Speaker, the housing-first approach is a successful, evidence-based model. It will deliver the best results for society's most vulnerable.
For example, 80% of the people placed in the Montreal pilot project still have housing two years later. Those results match the results in France and Finland.
The opposition keep saying that we need evidence-based policies. That is the case with the housing-first approach, which works well for the homeless.
Bruce Hyer Independent Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have increased taxes on small businesses and the middle class while giving huge tax breaks to large multinational corporations at less than half the rate in the U.S.A. In 2014, for the first time ever, more than half of federal revenue will come from personal income taxes.
When will the Minister of Finance stop increasing taxes on small business and the middle class and put Canadians ahead of oil companies?
Kevin Sorenson ConservativeMinister of State (Finance)
Mr. Speaker, we certainly recognize the vital role of small business in the economy and job creation. That is why, since 2006, we have lowered the average small business tax bill by over $28,000, or over 30%. That includes such tax cuts as reducing the small business tax rate from 12% to 11%.
We are going to continue to do what we need to do to bring forward jobs and help build this economy.
TaxationOral Questions
The Speaker Andrew Scheer
That concludes question period for today.
I see the hon. member rising on a point of order, but before I hear him, I understand there have been consultations among the parties and I would therefore invite all hon. members to rise for a minute of silence to commemorate the passing, on Saturday, November 30, of World War II veteran and former War Amps of Canada CEO Cliff Chadderton.
[A moment of silence observed]
Presence in GalleryOral Questions
The Speaker Andrew Scheer
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Honourable Robin Campbell, Minister of Aboriginal Relations for the Province of Alberta.
Presence in GalleryOral Questions
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Speaker, in conversation and consultation with the member for Sackville—Eastern Shore and the Minister of Veterans Affairs, I believe you will find unanimous consent that the House holds a one minute silence in commemoration of the three service personnel who died last week.
Presence in GalleryOral Questions
Presence in GalleryOral Questions