Debates of Feb. 4th, 2013

Democratic Reform

[Glenn Thibeault, NDP, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise in the House to lament what one man once called a relic of the 19th century.

So loose are the rules to becoming a senator that even the minimum requirements are not checked against delivery. Signed Senate declarations are now coming into question, based on false residency claims. If proven true, this could be the clerical oversight of the century. One senator, scrambling to prove his residency, even tried to turn the gears on P.E.I. bureaucrats to fast-track a health card. When pressed by a reporter for some answers and accountability, the reply from the alleged Senator was, “I am not speaking to you”.

The Prime Minister promised Canadians Senate reform and after abject failure and seven years, he has passed the buck. He also promised never to appoint senators, yet he has now made more appointments than Brian Mulroney.

At the end of all this hypocrisy, Canadians are asking, what has happened to accountability?

New Democratic Party of Canada

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Canadians from coast to coast to coast tuned in to watch one of the biggest sporting events in the world, the Super Bowl.

Just after halftime, the lights went out. The world's biggest sporting event came to a standstill. It was a clear reminder of how important energy is to our society. This is even more true in a northern country such as Canada.

Unfortunately, the NDP's $20 billion carbon tax plan will cause its own power outages across the country as Canadians struggle to deal with the increased cost of electricity.

On this side of the House, we understand that Canadians cannot afford a massive new NDP carbon tax on electricity. That is why we will continue to oppose the NDP's $20 billion carbon tax on everything.

Pensions

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Friday's Supreme Court ruling on pension protection shows more than ever how outdated this country's bankruptcy laws are. Employees are still being pushed to the back of the line when companies go into bankruptcy protection. A worker could spend their whole career paying into a pension just to see their contributions and dreams of retirement vanish.

When will the government act to protect employee pensions and finally put workers first?

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)]

Mr. Speaker, we sympathize greatly with those affected and facing troubles in this regard.

Our government recognized long ago that the best way to protect pensions was to make changes at the front so that pensions are appropriately regulated, and that is exactly what we have done. We have improved the protection for workers. We have changed the law to ensure regular pension payments owing are paid ahead of other creditors. We have expanded the wage earner protection program.

We are focused on jobs and the economy. We will remain dedicated to Canadians, unlike the NDP.

Employment Insurance

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that does not explain why the government stood up and blocked legislation that we brought in that would have fixed this problem.

The government's attack on workers goes on. Last week, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, who once described EI as “lucrative”, defended her new quota system by describing the unemployed as “the bad guys”.

Law-abiding, out of work Canadians deserve better than to be treated like criminals. Why is the government cutting EI just when people need it the most?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, my friend from the NDP has it all wrong. The minister made no such statements. He is flat-out wrong.

Our goal is to put people into jobs in the areas where jobs are available. If there are no jobs in a particular area, EI will continue to be there for Canadians. We have made some important changes to try to ensure that every Canadian can move from employment insurance into a job with the pride of independence and the dignity of employment. That is why our economic action plan has created 900,000 net new jobs and why we remain focused on economic growth and job creation.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, workers in this country know that it is the NDP they can count on to stand up for their rights and not just mouth the words. We will always support those who depend on part-time work to make ends meet. We will always vote against legislation that cuts EI disproportionately for seasonal workers.

Conservatives are demonizing law-abiding Canadians who have been thrown out of work through no fault of their own. Will the government finally take back the legislation that attacks working people in terms of their rights to EI?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this government has brought forward some common sense changes to employment insurance to ensure that the program will be there for those people who are in genuine need.

HRSDC was able to stop $530 million in ineligible payments last year alone. However, the employment insurance program still lost hundreds of millions of dollars due to fraud. This government will take reasonable measures to ensure no one steals from unemployed Canadians.

Pensions

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday the Supreme Court handed down a ruling that forces parliamentarians to take action: the law on business bankruptcies must be revised to ensure that workers are treated equitably and that they are entitled to the retirement fund that they themselves financed.

People who have worked hard their whole lives should not come last. Pension protection is good for prosperity and economic growth.

Since these are the Conservatives’ top priorities, when will we have legislation to solve this problem?

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)]

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, we are very sympathetic to those people who face troubles in this regard.

Our government has already acted, and we acted long ago. We recognized that the best way to protect pensions was to make changes at the front end so that pensions are appropriately regulated. That is why we have improved protection for workers. It is why we have changed the wage earner protection program to pay severance and termination pay up to about $3,400 and we have changed the law to ensure that regular pension payments owing are paid ahead of other creditors.

We remain focused on jobs and the economy.

Employment Insurance

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday the Minister of Human Resources showed her complete disdain for workers.

When she was asked about the unacceptable quotas imposed on inspectors in her department, she called unemployed workers “bad guys”, to use her words.

Canadians are not “bad guys”, despite what the Conservatives say. The real “bad guys” are the ones who close down factories out of the blue and who make cuts to workers’ pensions.

Will the Minister apologize for her words?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is really the member herself who should apologize to Canadians, because I did not say that.

Last year, Service Canada recovered $530 million in ineligible payments. Unfortunately, there are people who disobey the law. This is not right. This is why we have taken this opportunity to maintain the integrity of the system.

Employment

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says access to skilled workers is its biggest single pre-budget issue this year. It is the biggest limitation on Canadian economic growth.

Yet we have stubborn unemployment above 7%. Youth unemployment is twice that bad; 225,000 fewer young Canadians are working now than before the recession. Canada has far too many workers without jobs and far too many jobs without workers.

Will this year's budget include a specific plan to fix this debilitating mismatch?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this government has taken unprecedented action to improve job creation and economic growth in this country. We have seen over the past two and a half years the creation of more than 900,000 net new jobs.

We recognize that the job is not done. We are consulting widely. I can assure the member opposite that anything we can do to ensure people get the right training to enter this labour force will be done so that we can continue with the economic growth that has made Canada a leader in the G7.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, government spin does not build a successful economy, neither does complacency.

Today's Conference Board report shows just mediocre results. That is not good enough, not for Canada.

Will the budget include a freeze on job-killing Conservative EI payroll taxes; the transfer of 100% of the federal gasoline tax to municipalities for essential community infrastructure; and an upskilling plan, investing in higher education to fix that serious shortage of skilled workers? Will these specific things be in the budget?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder why the hon. member has all sorts of great advice and ideas of what could be in the budget. Imagine what this country would have looked like if the Liberal Party got that fifth term it was looking for.

We feel for the families who are struggling to pay the bills. That is why our government's top priority is the economy and creating jobs. The Conference Board report ranks Canada first in the G7. The report also confirmed that Canada's record on intergenerational income mobility is quite good.

Employment Insurance

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government must stop its job-killing EI reform.

Seasonal employers are saying that the changes to employment insurance jeopardize seasonal jobs, the industries that create these jobs and the related spinoff jobs. Fisheries, forestry, tourism, construction, all these industries need their skilled labour force and the Canadian economy needs these industries.

Perhaps the Conservative ministers should go and work outside when it is -10°C. Maybe then, they will understand.

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

Mr. Speaker, as always, the employment insurance system will continue to protect and support unemployed workers in seasonal industries. Nonetheless, we want these unemployed workers to make a reasonable effort to look for another job. We are there to help them develop their skills and look for other jobs.

If no position is available in their region in their field of expertise, employment insurance will always be there for them.

Arctic Council

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, experts are concerned, and with good reason, about the Arctic Council’s marine oil pollution preparedness and response plan.

As Canada prepares to take the helm of the Arctic Council, our national offshore liability regime is clearly inadequate. The Arctic is more fragile and vulnerable than any other ecosystem.

What position does Canada intend to adopt at this week’s meeting of Arctic Council environment ministers?

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, protecting our environment, including the Arctic, has always been a priority of this government.

Including measures we put in place in budget 2012, specifically to respond to oil spills we have more requirements now for people who do not meet the terms of their environmental assessments and more stringent pipeline inspections, all in the context of our sector-by-sector regulatory reform package for greenhouse gas emissions.

When one is looking at countries that get the job done with regard to Arctic climate change mitigation as well as spill response and spill mitigation, it is Canada.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives talk about protecting the environment, but the only action they take is to gut those very laws that protect our environment. Now when Canada takes over the chair of the Arctic Council it must not become yet another organization, or another body, where the Conservatives stand up for their oil and gas industry buddies.

From the loss of sea ice to the impacts of climate change on traditional ways of life, the environment in the Arctic is at a crossroads. Will the Conservatives allow these concerns to be central to the work of the Arctic Council?

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, when we are talking about climate change mitigation and adaptation, it is under our government that Canada has actually seen a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions while our economy continues to grow.

Some of the serious measures we have taken with regard to climate change adaptation through research and development have included the climate change adaptation resilience program for aboriginals and northerners, the integrating adaptation into code standards for northern infrastructure and the northern adaptation transportation initiative. This is one of many initiatives we have undertaken through our science councils, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada to consult with people and ensure we have these measures in place.

Poverty

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Right, Mr. Speaker, and gutting environmental assessment legislation, we know all about that.

The Conference Board of Canada has just released its assessment of Canada's quality of life, and when it comes to poverty, Canada barely avoided an F. Over the past 20 years poverty has increased for both adults and children, yet Conservatives are cutting services, demonizing EI recipients and sending people onto provincial welfare roles. Inequality is growing and the crisis is obvious. Why can the Conservatives not see it? Why are they turning their backs on these Canadians in need?

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

Mr. Speaker, just the opposite is true. In fact, inequality has not changed. It has maintained its level since 1997. However, low income rates for seniors, children and families in general have declined, in some cases been halved, in the last 15 years.

The report recommends two things to overcome poverty, two things that our government has been very proud to do. That has been to provide support for skills training and upgrading for young people and for grownups, so they can get the jobs in demand these days. Also, we have lowered taxes over 140 times so far to help Canadians.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is sheer fantasy. Let us consider the facts. According to the Conference Board of Canada, a growing share of Canada’s wealth is in the hands of 20% of the wealthiest Canadians. The share held by the middle class is shrinking. Owing to the widening inequality gap, Canada earns a C, which is barely a passing grade.

The Conservatives claim to have a plan to ensure prosperity, except that their plan leaves out the middle class. When will they finally deal with the problem of inequality?