Debates of Feb. 25th, 2013

100th Birthday Congratulations

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, it is not every day that one not only gets to meet a 100-year-old citizen of Canada but also a 100-year-old World War II veteran who helped liberate my parents in the liberation of the Netherlands. Not only that, but Mr. Jim Broomfield, of Galt, Ontario, spent eight months as a prisoner of war, sacrificing his time in his youth for the liberation of the Netherlands and the free world by serving Canada in his country.

Mr. Broomfield will be honoured later on this year in the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame for being an 80-year member of the Galt Curling Club. He is an outstanding human being. At 100 years old, he gets around a lot better than all of us.

I have to say, on behalf of my late father, my mother and all the Dutch people in Canada and the world that he and the veterans liberated, it is an honour, once again, to see him here. We greatly appreciate his tremendous efforts. He is a fantastic veteran, but most of all, he is a great Canadian.

He says that the secret to longevity is Dr. Jim Gowing and good scotch. God bless him.

Office of Religious Freedom

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud our government regarding the announcement made last week to establish an office of religious freedom within the Department of Foreign Affairs. The new office will have the responsibility to enshrine and promote the freedom of religion or belief as a Canadian foreign policy priority.

Many of my constituents in Mississauga are excited to see the launch of this new office, as it shows our government's continued dedication to promoting this fundamental freedom and to addressing the concerns of its citizens.

The office will be an important vehicle through which Canada can advance fundamental Canadian values, including freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law worldwide.

At the same event, the Prime Minister announced that Dr. Andrew Bennett will be heading up this new office. I had the pleasure to sit down with Dr. Bennett last week. It was apparent to me that he is a man of principle and deep conviction. I would encourage all members of this House to support the work of Dr. Bennett as he heads up Canada's new office of religious freedom.

Tanning Salons

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, my wife is a melanoma skin cancer survivor. She and I were both customers of tanning salons.

In 2009, the World Health Organization designated tanning beds category 1 carcinogenic to humans. This is at the same danger level as tobacco, asbestos, mustard gas and plutonium.

Since 2010, I have pushed for tougher action on indoor tanning and tabled Bill C-497 and Bill C-386. Yesterday the Minister of Health and I announced that new warning labels will be introduced that would strengthen the warnings about the dangers of using tanning beds. I want to thank the minister for taking this bold initiative.The new warnings state that “Tanning Equipment Can Cause Cancer” and that they are “Not recommended for use by those under 18 year of age”.

Skin cancer is one of the most common yet most preventable cancers, especially for our youth. We have come a long way. Eight provinces have already implemented or indicated their intention to enforce age restrictions on tanning beds. I call on all provinces to follow the lead of British Columbia, Quebec and Nova Scotia and ban our youth from using tanning beds.

Miss Ally

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the official opposition to express our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Katlin Nickerson, Steven Cole Nickerson, Joel Hopkins, Billy Hatfield and Tyson Townsend. These young men lost their lives last week when their boat, the Miss Ally, of Woods Harbour, Nova Scotia, capsized during a storm.

The sea can be an unforgiving master. Those who work by it are by no means faint of heart. The men who lost their lives leave behind loved ones who will remember their courage, their faith, their love of life and their determination to make a living in one of the most dangerous industries.

We are a seafaring country that has seen many such tragedies, but it does not make them any easier. Our prayers go out to the families of these lost ones.

Young Scientist Award

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Adam Noble is a young award-winning scientist from Peterborough. His research won gold at the Intel Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh last May. Adam is one of Canada's brightest minds. He spoke to journalists after meeting with the Prime Minister last week and said:

Canada is one of the only countries right now increasing the amount of funding going into primary research.... I've really changed my view on how research is in Canada.

Adam is now in the early stages of starting his own company. After meeting with the Prime Minister, he has chosen to do so right here in Canada.

Our government has made science and technology a priority, and we are getting results. We are creating jobs, strengthening the economy, and attracting the world's brightest to study and research here in Canada. We have invested an unprecedented $8 billion in new funding since 2006, and we will continue to support science and technology, even if others vote against it.

On behalf of all parliamentarians, we send congratulations Adam Noble and congratulations to the Minister of State (Science and Technology).

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Police

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

Mr. Speaker, last month, a young woman committed suicide in the back of a police car at Kasabonika Lake First Nation. The police had been using the vehicle as a temporary holding cell, because the jail was so run down that she would have frozen if they had kept her inside.

These unbelievable conditions are the day-to-day reality faced by the brave men and women of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation police as they attempt to service the communities across northern Ontario. They are working without backup, in cars without central radios, in third world housing conditions and with increasingly high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The government promised to provide safe streets, but it has left NAP so underfunded that lives are being put at risk. Worse still, the government is set to cut the PORF funding, which will mean more layoffs to an already badly overstretched force.

Why the double standard? It is time we had safe communities all across Nishnawbe-Aski territory and all across northern Canada, for that matter, as well.

New Democratic Party of Canada

[Joan Crockatt, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands that Canadians work very hard for their money, which is why the last thing Canadian families want is to pay more for gas, food and electricity. Unfortunately, the NDP's proposed $20-billion carbon tax would be economically devastating for families and would raise the price of everything. Families need to know about the NDP's dangerous economic policies.

Thankfully our government understands what Canadians want, and that is a government that is focused on growing the economy. That is why, thanks to our government, Canada has the lowest debt burden in the G7, by far, and the best job creation record, with over 900,000 net new jobs since July 2009. That is why Canada is a leader in a troubled global economy. Our government will continue to fight the NDP's $20-billion job-killing carbon tax to protect Canadian families.

Hon. Eugene Whelan

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada lost one of its most remarkable political citizens with the passing last week of the Honourable Eugene Whelan.

A distinguished and hard-working member of this House as the member for Essex, Gene Whelan was an outstanding minister of agriculture for many years. His sense of dedication and his sense of humour were equally legendary. With his trademark stetson hat, Gene could be seen in meetings not only around Canada but around the world. He cared deeply about the success and prosperity of individual farmers and the industry as a whole.

Quite rightly, last month, the House paid tribute to John Wise, of nearby Elgin County, another minister of agriculture who deeply respected Gene Whelan's work and dedication. The respect was mutual. We should all pause to reflect on these two men, what they did, what they gave and what they stood for.

Our hearts go out to their families and friends. For our part, we remember what they gave, and while we grieve, we also celebrate lives well lived.

Conservative Party of Canada

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, since Conservatives have come to office, there have been over 27,000 jobs lost in Ontario's forestry sector. Across the land, we are witnessing a slow erosion of seasonal industries.

Instead of respect or sympathy for those thrown out of work, Conservatives attack. They give quotas to Service Canada staff, while sending out EI inspectors to the homes of out-of-work Canadians. They should stop treating EI recipients like criminals and start catching Conservatives who break the rules.

They do not even need inspectors. All they need to do is ask at the next Conservative caucus meeting, “Will all those who have collected $40,000 in housing allowances they were not entitled to please raise their hand?” or “Who actually lives in the province they represent?” It will be like everybody has to go to the bathroom at the same time.

Thankfully, Canadians have the NDP. While Conservatives stand to defend Senate entitlements, the NDP will continue to proudly stand up, day after day, to defend Canadian taxpayers.

Miss Ally

[Gerald Keddy, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the seas of the North Atlantic have always been inherently dangerous for those who work upon them. Every south shore fishing community knows this first-hand, and all have experienced the sorrow and heartache of losing loved ones. However, that did not make the burden of grief any lighter when on Sunday, February 17, the halibut fishing boat Miss Ally and all hands were lost.

Captain Katlin Nickerson, Tyson Townsend, Billy Jack Hatfield, Cole Nickerson and Joel Hopkins were young men with young families and experienced and able fishermen.

I would take a moment to recognize the tremendous efforts of the local volunteers who assisted in the recovery attempt and the men and women of the joint rescue coordination centre in Halifax, the Canadian armed forces, the Coast Guard, search and rescue, and the RCMP, all of whom have been moved by this tragic loss.

To the immediate and extended families of the lost fishermen and their communities, on behalf of all members of this House, we extend our prayers and our deepest condolences.

Ethics

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Conservative Senator Mike Duffy has now admitted he mistakenly collected, maybe, about $100,000 in Senate housing allowances. How does one accidentally claim $100,000 in living expenses? He says the form was too complicated.

We also have Senator Pamela Wallin, who has an Ontario health card while claiming to be a resident of Saskatchewan. She told the federal government that she lived in one province but told the provincial government that she lived in another.

This would be unacceptable for any other Canadian. Why does the Prime Minister seem to think it is acceptable for his Conservative senators?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, we have committed to ensure that all expenses are appropriate, that the rules governing expenses are appropriate, and to report back to the public on these matters.

Senators Patterson, Wallin and Duffy all own property in the provinces and territory they represent. They maintain deep continuing ties to those regions. In fact, all three senators spend considerable time in their home provinces and territory, and in the case of Senator Wallin, who was mentioned, 168 days last year.

The reality is that if we want to see real change in the Senate, real change toward an accountable Senate, we need to embrace the Conservative proposal to actually let Canadians have a say on who represents them in the Senate. The NDP simply will not do that.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister dismissed the allegations against Senator Wallin before the audit of her travel expenses was even complete.

The Prime Minister dismissed the allegations against Senator Duffy before the investigation of his housing expenses was even complete.

The Conservatives are not shy about making unfounded accusations of fraud against employment insurance claimants, but they are not doing anything to prevent the real fraud that is being committed in the Senate. This is a double standard.

Why are the Conservatives refusing to launch a real investigation of fraud in the Senate?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, we have committed to ensuring that all expenses and the rules governing them are appropriate. We have also committed to reporting back to the public on these matters.

The senators own property in the provinces they represent and maintain deep, continuing ties with those regions. They spend considerable time in their home provinces and territories.

Employment Insurance

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that is the thing: Conservative senators are presumed innocent, while unemployed people are presumed guilty.

Three weeks ago, the Minister of Human Resources told the House there are no quotas to exclude Canadians from the employment insurance program. Le Devoir reveals that this is completely false and there are indeed quotas.

The Minister calls the victims of these quotas “the bad guys”. In the Conservatives’ eyes, they are all cheats and fraud artists.

Will the Conservative government apologize to the thousands of honest working Canadians it is treating like criminals?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. If there are no jobs in an unemployed worker’s field and region, employment insurance will be available, as always.

Service Canada has confirmed that it does not set quotas that result in negative consequences for employees who do not meet them. What there are, in fact, are performance objectives that help to protect benefits meant for unemployed people from fraudsters.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that is false.

In the House, she denied that there are quotas. Le Devoir revealed that this is false and there are indeed quotas. She can call it what she wants, but the truth will out.

When she was found out, she misled the House. Now, the Conservatives are sending inspectors to the homes of honest unemployed people, Canadians of good faith who are entitled to a little help when they are looking for work.

Can the Conservatives stop siccing their secret EI reform police on unemployed people?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, last year the employment insurance program lost hundreds of millions of dollars due to fraud and ineligible payments, and that despite nearly half a billion dollars of ineligible payments that were detected and stopped by Service Canada.

The only people who lose if the opposition stops us from rooting out employment insurance fraud are Canadians who follow the rules, but EI will be there for those who are eligible for it if they cannot find a job in their area, just as it always has been.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, telling investigators that they are each required to find half a million dollars in fraud presumes that there is widespread fraud and that they are all a bunch of cheaters and criminals. That is false.

The minister is sending investigators into the homes of randomly selected seasonal workers in Atlantic Canada. They cannot send them to inspect senators, of course, because we do not know where they actually live. We know what the Prime Minister thinks about workers in Atlantic Canada. He calls them losers, and says that they have a “culture of defeat”. Does that explain the reaction and the attitude of the minister? Does she think they are a bunch of losers as well?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely a load of nonsense. We are supporting Canadians in their efforts to get back to work. That is why we have expanded the job alerts program and we have expanded the job banks, so Canadians get the information about the jobs that are available for them.

EI is there as a temporary income support to help Canadians while they are transitioning to another job. However, if the jobs are not available, then EI will be there for Canadians as it always has been.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development said on the weekend that in fact there was no issue of resources with respect to the aboriginal issue in Canada, that it was all a matter of accountability.

Does this then mean that the payments per student are going to continue to be lower on reserve than they are off reserve? Does this continue to mean that police forces are going to be forced to live hand to mouth, from day to day, in comparison to what is going on in the provinces around them? Does this mean, in fact, that those who are on welfare are going to receive substantially less and that children are going to receive substantially less because of the discrimination—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please.

The hon. government House leader.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, simply put, we do not accept the premise of the leader of the third party's question. Indeed, it is certainly the case that the education funding provided by the government is comparable to that provided for off-reserve Canadians by most of the provinces. We actually believe that the best way to ensure that first nations children and families get the support they need is by working together with first nations, provinces and territories. We are doing that to ensure, most of all, that we benefit first nations Canadians by having a strong economy and by creating the educational and economic opportunities for them to succeed and advance, as all Canadians hope to do quite legitimately. That is our priority and that is what we are looking to deliver.

[Bob Rae, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the facts are clear: federal government payments for education, social assistance, welfare, family wellness and police management are lower in northern Canada and discriminate against northern Canadians. It is clear that the federal government does not provide the same level of funding or the same support on reserves for costs associated with police services and prisons, in all circumstances.

So why are we not talking about resources when we talk about—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please. The hon. government House leader has the floor.