Debates of Dec. 6th, 2013

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

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

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That in relation to its study on the Northwest Territories Devolution Act, seven members of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development be authorized to travel to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, in the Winter of 2014, that the necessary staff accompany the Committee and that the Committee be authorized to televise its hearings.

(Motion agreed to)

Employment

[Chris Charlton, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as members know, the Conservatives have said for quite some time that they are concerned about regional skills shortages in our country, and yet the government has not done very much to address labour mobility.

In fact, the petitioners point out that many tradespeople can be out of work in one area of the country, while another region suffers from temporary skilled labour shortages simply because the cost of travelling is too high. Out of work tradespeople currently have to finance their own travel and accommodation should they wish to move to another region where jobs are available.

The petitioners therefore support my bill, Bill C-201, and urge everyone in Parliament to do the same because the bill would allow tradespeople and indentured apprentices to deduct travel and accommodation expenses from their taxable income so they could secure and maintain employment at a construction site that would be more than 80 kilometres from their home.

Questions on the Order Paper

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

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 65, 67, 71, 72, 81, 85 and 95.

Question No. 65

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

With regard to government policies on colours used for its websites: (a) when were the most recent policies tabled; (b) were the policies approved by any ministers; (c) what research was used to develop recommended policies; (d) what were the results of this research; (e) was this research contracted out by the government and, if so, to whom; (f) what were the costs for this research and these policies; (g) what was the estimated number of person-hours required to implement the changes in colour; and (h) what were the costs required to implement colour changes?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the Standard on Web Usability came into effect on September 28, 2011, and was updated on March 31, 2013.

With regard to (b), the Standard on Web Usability is issued under the authority of section 7 of the Financial Administration Act by the Secretary of the Treasury Board, pursuant to subsection 6(4) of the Financial Administration Act and section 3.5 of the Policy on Management of Information Technology.

With regard to (c), the Standard on Web Usability was developed through an extensive review of existing studies and reports, including usability studies that had been conducted by various consulting firms on Government of Canada websites from 2002-2010; studies and reports from Wichita State University, Nielsen Norman Group, Usability.gov, A List Apart, Stanford University, and University of Washington; and a review of other jurisdictions’ websites.

With regard to (d), the results of the studies with regard to colour revealed that approximately 75% of them use blue or green as their primary colour.

With regard to (e), research conducted for the development of the Standard on Web Usability was not contracted out.

With regard to (f), the research was conducted using internal resources within existing budgets. The Standard on Web Usability was developed using internal resources within existing budgets.

With regard to (g) and (h), departments are required to implement the changes within existing resources. Departments are encouraged to implement changes at the same time as other updates.

Question No. 67

[Laurin Liu, NDP, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

With regard to Employment Insurance (EI) in Quebec, for the fiscal years 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, what is the proportion of regular claimants who exhausted their weeks of benefits, broken down by EI economic region?

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, employment insurance claims are considered exhausted if claimants use all the regular weeks to which they are entitled. The proportion of regular claimants who exhaust their regular weeks of benefits is referred to as the entitlement exhaustion rate, and is reported in the annual EI Monitoring and Assessment Report, MAR. The MAR can be accessed at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/ei/reports/index.shtml.

Question No. 71

[Laurin Liu, NDP, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

With regard to the budget cuts made in 2013 at the National Research Council of Canada’s Herzberg Institute for Astrophysics: (a) what are the reasons that led to these cuts; (b) what impact and efficiency studies is this decision based on; (c) what groups and individuals were consulted prior to this decision; and (d) which projects will be affected?

[James Moore, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the Department of Industry is taking steps to ensure the National Research Council, the NRC, remains a world-class organization that supports business-led initiatives.

With regard to (b), in order to stay within the defined budget envelope while ensuring a continued focus on priorities, an in-depth review of NRC Herzberg operations and programs was undertaken by NRC Herzberg senior program managers.

With regard to (c), the Long Range Plan for Astronomy and Astrophysics, LRP2010, is a document that balances both regional and disciplinary priorities in the Canadian astronomical community, and is the result of over a year’s worth of consultations between the NRC and relevant parties.

NRC meets on a regular basis with the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy, ACURA, to ensure its activities are aligned with the astronomy community priorities.

With regard to (d), specific reductions were made to two completed projects.

In the first project, the Atacama large millimeter array, ALMA, telescope became operational in 2013. This 10-year project, led by NRC, was successfully completed in 2012. The positions related to the production, delivery, and integration of the relatively large number of deliverable units for this specific project were no longer required for ongoing astronomy technology development activities. The activities of the ALMA telescope will not be affected by this decision.

In the second project, the development work in support of the James Clerk Maxwell telescope, the JCMT, archive was completed in 2012, and the domain expertise of the incumbent position in this area was no longer required. The activities of JCMT will not be affected by this decision.

The visitors facility at NRC Herzberg in Victoria, known as the Center of the Universe, suspended its outreach activities at the end of August 2013. The National Research Council, NRC, has been meeting with the community and exploring options for the future management of the centre. The NRC is working with local stakeholders to find ways to resume some of the activities at the centre in the short term and is continuing to investigate options that would safeguard the long-term sustainability of the Centre of the Universe.

Question No. 72

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC]

With regard to the appointment of Justice Marc Nadon to the Supreme Court, did the government verify whether the Justice: (a) resided in Ontario and, if so, for how long; (b) resided in Quebec and, if so, for how long; and (c) is registered with or was already a member of the Barreau du Québec?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a) and (b), the information requested contains personal information and cannot be disclosed. However, Justice Nadon was born and raised in Quebec and was a member of the Barreau du Québec for almost 20 years prior to his appointment to the Federal Court and later the Federal Court of Appeal. By virtue of the Federal Courts Act, Justice Nadon was required to reside within 40 kilometres of the National Capital Commission.

With regard to (c), Justice Nadon was a member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec for a period of about 20 years, from 1974 to 1993. By virtue of the Loi sur le Barreau, he ceased to be a member of the Barreau when he was first appointed as a judge of the Federal Court in June 1993, as one of the judges on the Federal Court who were required to have been members of the Barreau du Québec, as set out in section 5.4 of the Federal Courts Act.

Question No. 81

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

With respect to the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COARGLBE): (a) what is the current status of approvals with respect to each proposed Annex within each department or agency that is a partner to the Canadian Federal Great Lakes Program (CFGLP); (b) which department or agency is the responsible authority for consulting First Nations on the COARGLBE; (c) what was or is the budget of each department or agency that is a partner to the CFGLP for consulting with First Nations on the COARGLBE; (d) which department is the responsible authority for considering and developing the proposed First Nations Annex (FNA); (e) which departments or agencies have discussed the proposed FNA with First Nations; (f) what is the status of deliberations or discussions with respect to the proposed FNA; (g) which departments or agencies have committed verbally or in writing to creating an FNA; (h) what is the expected timeline for approving the FNA; and (i) what is the expected timeline of approving the COARGLBE?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), a new Canada-Ontario agreement respecting the Great Lakes is currently subject to negotiations between the Governments of Canada and Ontario. Environment Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the negotiations on behalf of the Government of Canada. Negotiations on the draft agreement are not yet complete. Once a draft agreement has been negotiated, all participating departments and agencies will be asked to review and approve prior to posting the draft agreement. A notice will be posted on the Canada Gazette, and the draft agreement will be available on the Canadian Environment Protection Act Registry for a 60-day public comment period.

With regard to (b), as the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the negotiations on behalf of the Government of Canada, Environment Canada is leading the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders and aboriginal groups, including first nations.

With regard to (c), no specific budget has been allocated. Engagement activities are supported through existing budgets for the delivery of federal efforts to protect the Great Lakes.

With regard to (d), Environment Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the negotiations on behalf of the Government of Canada. All proposed federal signatories to the Agreement--Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, and Infrastructure Canada--are involved in considering and developing appropriate content for a new Canada-Ontario agreement, including content of interest to first nations. All stakeholder and aboriginal input, including input from first nations, is being considered in the development of a new Canada-Ontario agreement.

With regard to (e), Environment Canada has met with first nations to ensure their appropriate engagement in a new Canada-Ontario agreement.

With regard to (f) and (g), negotiations for a new Canada-Ontario agreement are ongoing between the Governments of Canada and Ontario. Once a draft Canada-Ontario agreement has been negotiated and all federal approvals to post are in place, a notice will be posted on the Canada Gazette and the draft agreement will be available on the Canadian Environment Protection Act Registry for a 60-day public comment period. After public input has been reviewed, the Governments of Canada and Ontario will negotiate final revisions to the agreement and seek appropriate approvals prior to ministerial signatures.

With regard to (h) and (i), Canada and Ontario are working to negotiate a draft agreement as expeditiously as possible. Once a draft Canada-Ontario agreement has been negotiated and all federal approvals to post are in place, a notice will be posted on the Canada Gazette and the draft agreement will be available on the Canadian Environment Protection Act Registry for a 60-day public comment period. After public input has been reviewed, the Governments of Canada and Ontario will negotiate final revisions to the agreement and seek appropriate approvals prior to ministerial signatures.

Question No. 85

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

With regard to coast guard search and rescue operations in the Vancouver region: (a) how many calls has the Sea Island coast guard received between the dates of March 1, 2013 and October 1, 2013; (b) where were the calls made to; and (c) of the calls responded to how many were answered by (i) coast guard hovercraft, (ii) coast guard vessels excluding hovercraft, (iii) Vancouver Police Department, (iv) Vancouver Fire Department, (v) North Shore Search and Rescue?

[Gail Shea, Conservative, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the Canadian Coast Guard base at Sea Island responded to 225 search and rescue incidents between March 1 and October 1, 2013.

With regard to (b), the general area of search and rescue responsibility of the Sea Island base during this period was north to Departure Bay, south to Boundary Bay, east to New Westminster, and west to Crofton on Vancouver Island.

With regard to (c) of the 225 search and rescue incidents received by Sea Island, with regard to (b)(i), 197 incidents were responded to using an air-cushioned vehicle. With regard to (b)(ii), 28 incidents were responded to using fast rescue craft. With regard to (b)(iii) through (b)(v), the Canadian Coast Guard does not track all of the search and rescue responses of non-federal response agencies, such as the Vancouver police and fire departments and North Shore search and rescue.

Question No. 95

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

With regard to the proposed divestiture of the Agroforestry Development Centre at Indian Head, Saskatchewan: (a) have any studies been conducted, either internally or by external consultants or advisors, to identify the costs or benefits, including any possible continuation of any science or research activity at the existing site or elsewhere; (b) who prepared the studies; (c) when were those studies completed; and (d) what were the detailed results of any such study?

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the answer is yes.

With regard to (b), the study was prepared by SEPW Architecture Inc. through a specific service agreement with Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

With regard to (c), the study was completed December 21, 2012.

With regard to (d), the report presents four options for possible continuation of agroforestry science or research activities. They are to lease back all of the land and facilities at the Agroforestry Development Centre, to lease back a core portion of the Agroforestry Development Centre, to relocate activities to existing Indian Head Research Farm facilities, or to relocate to new facilities on the Indian Head Research Farm.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

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

Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 68, 69, 70, 73, 74, 77, 86 and 98 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled immediately.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Question No. 68

[Sylvain Chicoine, NDP, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

With regard to spending on monuments and commemorative events honouring veterans, what is the total expenditure since fiscal year 2005-2006 and what is the breakdown by (i) year, (ii) year and province, (iii) year and constituency?

(Return tabled)

Question No. 69

[Sylvain Chicoine, NDP, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

With regard to the employability of veterans in departments and agencies and the public service’s priority appointment program for veterans, since the public service’s priority appointment program for veterans came into effect: (a) how many veterans (i) have registered for the priority appointment program, broken down by year, (ii) have found a job in the public service through this program, broken down by year, (iii) have been unable to find a job in the public service within the two-year time limit; and (b) how many employees who identified themselves as veterans (i) have lost their job in the public service following the 2012 Budget cutbacks, (ii) are currently working for the government, broken down by departments and agencies, (iii) have come through the priority appointment program and are currently working for the government, broken down by departments and agencies?

(Return tabled)

Question No. 70

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

With regard to the purchase of televisions for departments, agencies and crown corporations: a) what is the amount spent per year for each department agency and crown corporation on televisions for each of the last seven years; b) what is the proportion of those amounts spent on high definition or 3D televisions respectively; c) what is the amount per year for televisions in the offices of ministers, deputy ministers or CEOs listed by agency and name; d) what are the proportions of the amounts listed in c) for HD or 3D televisions respectively?