Debates of Dec. 6th, 2013

Employment Insurance

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Minister of State (Social Development)]

Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong. The modest changes we have made have not affected the availability for individuals who are on EI. Whether it is persons with disabilities, whether it is youth who are looking for jobs, or whether it is aboriginal people, we are creating more jobs and more opportunity so that people can work. However, if they cannot, EI is there. It is there for those who have paid in. That is what the changes have attempted to do so that, as well, employers who are looking for workers have people available who want to work. Eighty per cent of those who are disqualified are outside of the country on holidays. We are not--

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

Order, please.

The hon. member for Burnaby—New Westminster.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister of tourism went out of his way to call seasonal workers lazy and implied that they spend more time in the Caribbean than looking for work. How out of touch can he be with reality? It is his government that has pushed seasonal workers out of work, and it is its regressive cuts to employment insurance that have negatively impacted seasonal industries and have hurt so many Canadians. Seasonal workers are not on a beach somewhere. They are trying to put food on a table for their families. Will the minister stand up and apologize for these incredibly insulting comments?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Minister of State (Social Development)]

Mr. Speaker, is the opposition suggesting that EI benefits should be paid to people who are not in the country looking for work? We absolutely do not believe that. Those people who are paying into EI benefits—employers and employees—do not believe that. We want to make sure that EI remains there for Canadians who, by no fault of their own, find themselves out of work. We do not believe in the 45-day work year. We do not believe in paying EI benefits to people who are outside of the country. We believe in integrity in the EI system so that it is there for Canadians who have paid into it.

Nelson Mandela

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada and the world is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nelson Mandela yesterday. The son of a tribal chief, Nelson Mandela sought an education, went on to actively participate in politics, and became a leading symbol in the fight against apartheid. Even after retirement, he remained committed to peace and stability. He accomplished so much in his long, inspirational life.

Could the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs please remind the House of some of Nelson Mandela's most impressive accomplishments?

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Chatham—Kent Essex for this question.

Nelson Mandela's fight to end apartheid had a tremendous impact on me when I was growing up in Tanzania, when apartheid dominated southern Africa.

Canadians were touched deeply by his life and his active pursuit of equality, justice, and freedom for all people. Nelson Mandela was also a passionate crusader against AIDS. He received the Nobel Peace Prize, became an honorary Canadian citizen, and was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Canada joins South Africa and the world in mourning and celebrating a unique and special leader. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Employment

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the hemorrhaging of jobs for young people in this country is troubling. There are now 70,000 fewer youth employed in this country than when the Conservative government took power eight years ago.

As the minister indicated, the Canada summer jobs program opens today. That program funds fewer jobs now than it did in 2005. Today's job numbers show that we have lost an additional 26,000 youth jobs in the last month. Does the minister even recognize this? Young Canadians do. Does the minister recognize this troubling trend?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Minister of State (Social Development)]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that our economic action plan is delivering results for young Canadians. This year alone, over 70,000 jobs were created for youth. What our strategy does goes beyond anything that has been done before. We are training young people for jobs that are available, whether it is skilled trades, whether it is apprenticeships, or whether it is some of the skills they need to even get into school. We are providing that kind of training.

The results are there. Canada remains strong. In fact, under our action plan, we will continue to have one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in the G7. We know the youth unemployment rate is still high. We--

Health

[Djaouida Sellah, NDP, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, drug shortages are a serious public health problem.

Unlike the United States, the European Union and New Zealand, Canada does not have a mandatory drug shortage registry. This situation is unacceptable. We cannot leave it to companies to decide whether to disclose, or not disclose, shortages. A voluntary approach is not a solution.

Will the government work with the NDP to pass my bill in order to ensure that a mandatory registry is created, yes or no?

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately the bill brought forward by the member for Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert fails to recognize the progress that we have been making. It is unenforceable and amends the wrong act.

Companies are posting about shortages online because, with our approach, it gives doctors the information they need. We will continue to monitor whether companies make information on shortages available to doctors and patients voluntarily. If they do not, we are open to considering a mandatory approach.

Employment

[Rick Norlock, Conservative, Northumberland—Quinte West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while Canada's economy is showing signs of improvement, the global economy remains fragile. Business owners in my riding of Northumberland—Quinte West tell me that during these challenging global economic times, the last thing they need is higher taxes that will kill job creation. Remarkably, just last week the leader of the NDP said he would raise taxes on Canadian job creators.

Unlike the NDP, our government understands that a low-tax environment is just what job creators need to expand their operations and hire more workers. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance please update this House on Canada's job market?

[Andrew Saxton, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Northumberland—Quinte West for that excellent question.

After announcing just last week that Canada's economy grew for a ninth consecutive quarter, Statistics Canada today announced that 21,600 net new jobs were created in November, with solid gains in the manufacturing sector. The unemployment rate remains at the lowest level since 2008.

While our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians, that being growing the economy and helping create jobs, the Liberal leader still has not produced a single economic policy. While he demonstrates poor judgment and inexperience, we continue our prudent, responsible economic action plan—

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

Order, please. The hon. member for Jonquière—Alma.

Intergovernmental Relations

[Claude Patry, Bloc, Jonquière—Alma, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it took only two weeks for the federal government to give $280 million to Newfoundland and Labrador fishers affected by the agreement with the EU, but the Minister of State for Agriculture is saying that Quebec cheese producers will have to wait up to two years to be compensated.

Worse yet, the minister has refused to recognize the negative impact of the employment insurance reform, which is harshly penalizing agricultural producers.

Will the minister acknowledge that this is a double standard when it comes to Quebec?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask the member to consider the pork and beef farmers in the province of Quebec, who will benefit greatly from the Canada-Europe trade agreement.

As far as supply management is concerned, our government has always defended Canada's supply management system and maintains that position in this agreement.

The three main pillars of our internal supply management system remain untouched, and we will monitor how the Canada-Europe free trade agreement affects milk producers' income. If production levels suffer, we will help the producers financially.

Nelson Mandela

[Maria Mourani, Independent, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleagues' eloquent tributes to Nelson Mandela.

I believe that we all agree that future generations should always remember the profound friendship and the ideals that united and continue to unite Canada and this great man.

Would the government consider instituting a national Nelson Mandela day?

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights]

Mr. Speaker, I would join the member in giving tribute to a great statesman and a great leader, Nelson Mandela, who passed away yesterday. He was an honorary citizen of Canada.

In answer to that question, Mr. Mandela was honoured by Canada for his fight against apartheid by being appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Telecommunications

[Brent Rathgeber, Independent, Edmonton—St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as offensive as the $548 million spent on blatant partisan advertising by the government was, much of it for policies that do not exist, such as the Canada job grant, a new limbo bar has been lowered. That is the $9 million spent on TV and print ads targeting and, might I say, attacking Canadian cellphone companies. These ads offer no real information and mention no policy whatsoever.

How does the government defend attacking a Canadian industry that employs 300,000 Canadians? Is this really a good use of taxpayer dollars?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is the responsibility of the government to communicate on important programs and services available to Canadians.

Advertising is a key way for the government to inform Canadians about such important issues as time-limited stimulus measures, tax credits, public health issues, the importance of competition and fair pricing in the wireless sector, and what the government is doing to make that happen for Canadians.

For important context, advertising expenses for 2011 were almost 30% below the last full year under the former Liberal government.

Government Response to Petitions

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board]

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

Foreign Affairs

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the following treaties: the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, done in Vienna on September 12, 1997; the Agreement Between the Government Of Canada and the Government Of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, done in Astana on November 13, 2013; and the Amendment to Annex IX of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, adopted at the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention held in Geneva from April 28 to May 10, 2013. An explanatory memorandum is included with each treaty.

Food and Drugs Act

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Divorce Act

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-560, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (equal parenting) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Mr. Speaker, I am quite honoured in these few moments to be introducing a private member's bill that would direct the courts in regard to divorce to make equal shared parenting the presumptive arrangement in the best interest of the child, except in proven cases of abuse or neglect.

Fifteen years ago, a joint House-Senate committee presented to Parliament a report entitled “For the Sake of the Children”. That report urged Parliament to amend the Divorce Act to make equal shared parenting the normative determination by courts dealing with situations of divorce involving children. This non-partisan recommendation from that joint House-Senate report was based on compelling research made available to the committee members.

Over the past 15 years, the best research has continued to demonstrate far superior outcomes for children in general when both parents, mom and dad, are actively involved in their children's lives, even if the parents divorce or separate.

Polling from the past several years demonstrates overwhelming support from Canadians for this equal shared parenting. There is in fact slightly more support among women than men for equal parenting. This strong support from almost 80% of Canadians exists across the country, with the strongest regional support coming from Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

Canadians claiming to be Liberal and Bloc supporters expressed the strongest endorsement for equal shared parenting, at 80.6% among Liberals and 82.9% among Bloc Québécois supporters, with the NDP and Conservatives just slightly under 80%.

A variety of countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Australia, and various U.S. states have implemented equal parenting, joint custody, or shared parenting presumptive legislation, which has resulted in lower court costs, less conflict, and improved social outcomes for the children of divorce.

This bill is one of the most apolitical, non-partisan pieces of legislation introduced in this current Parliament.

I look forward to strong support for this important piece of legislation from all members of Parliament who are committed to the best interests of our children.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Criminal Code

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-561, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts).

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to introduce legislation to address one of the most heinous practices in the modern world, namely organ harvesting.

This legislation, if adopted, would create penal sanctions for persons who in Canada or outside Canada are knowingly involved in the medical transplant of human organs or other body parts obtained or acquired as a consequence of a direct or indirect financial transaction, or without the donor's consent.

Beyond new criminal sanctions, it would also amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prevent entry into Canada of those who would engage in or otherwise facilitate such practices. Evidence points to organ harvesting in China where Falun Gong practitioners suffer unspeakable horrors. Yet there are cases as well, such as this summer in the U.K. of a child being trafficked for her organs.

We must combat human and organ trafficking in all forms, and I hope this legislation will add to Canada's abilities to prosecute and prevent any involvement with this abhorrent practice.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

International Trade

[John Duncan, Conservative, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip]

Mr. Speaker, I have some motions for which I seek unanimous consent. These are consolidated travel motions for two different committees.

I move:

That, in relation to its studies on the benefits for Canada in joining the Pacific Alliance as a full member and on the benefits for Canada of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), six members of the Standing Committee on International Trade be authorized to travel to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru, in the Winter-Spring of 2014, and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee.

(Motion agreed to)

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That, in relation to its studies on the benefits for Canada in joining the Pacific Alliance as a full member and on the benefits for Canada of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), six members of the Standing Committee on International Trade be authorized to travel to Bogota, Colombia and Mexico City, Mexico, in the Winter-Spring of 2014, and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee.

(Motion agreed to)