House of Commons Hansard #205 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was pope.

Topics

2 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Trois-Rivières.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Tamil Heritage MonthStatements by Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Alexander Conservative Ajax—Pickering, ON

Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks I had the great pleasure of attending several Thai Pongal celebrations, including in my home riding of Ajax—Pickering where the Durham Tamil Association and the Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham did a great job showcasing the talents of many Canadians of Tamil heritage.

With Canada now home to the largest Tamil diaspora outside South Asia, I was proud that Tamil Heritage Month was officially launched throughout the GTA on January 9. This great initiative began in my home region of Durham with declarations by the City of Pickering, Town of Ajax, Town of Whitby, City of Oshawa and the cities of Toronto, Brampton and Markham soon afterward.

At Thai Pongal, Tamil Canadians give thanks for a bountiful harvest and abundant blessings. They leave the past behind and open themselves to the new. Unfortunately, for four long years since the end of a protracted conflict, the government of Sri Lanka has failed to live up to this spirit. There has been no serious reconciliation and no accountability for alleged war crimes and mass killings. Even basic rights continue to be denied to Sri Lankan Tamils. With the recent impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the Sri Lankan government has shown a gross disregard for the rule of law.

I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing all Tamil Canadians a great Tamil Heritage Month and a happy Thai Pongal.

Chinese New YearStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Speaker, Chinese New Year is soon approaching and I would like to take this opportunity to wish the constituents of Scarborough—Rouge River and Canadians across the country a very happy and prosperous lunar new year.

I also wish to thank the organizations in my riding for their tremendous efforts in cherishing their traditions and making this month of celebration one where all Canadians can explore the Chinese heritage, language and culture. I, for one, always look forward to the dragon dance, the delicious food and meeting with constituents.

During the next couple of weeks, I look forward to celebrating the year of the snake with local residents and community organizations such as Yee Hong, the ACCE, CCC and the Confederation of Greater Toronto Chinese Business Association. The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto is a pivotal member of the Scarborough community. As one of North America's most technologically advanced centres, it provides recreational, cultural and art facilities for all community members.

Today, I want to thank all community organizations in my riding for the work they do and once again wish the residents of Scarborough—Rouge River a happy and prosperous year of the snake.

Xin nian kuai le--gong xi fa cai. Sun nin fai lok--gong hey fat choy.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee MedalStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, in the beautiful riding of Mississauga South stands an unassuming red brick building, all that is left of Small Arms Ltd., a crown company that produced close to two million rifles, pistols and machine guns during the Second World War. At its peak, it produced 1,250 of the famous Lee-Enfield rifles per day and employed 5,500 people, most of whom were women.

These women stand as examples of all those Canadians who sacrificed and contributed to the war effort here at home during those difficult times. Today they are known affectionately as the “bomb girls”. One of these women is Patricia Brookes, who worked at the Small Arms building and to whom I recently had the privilege of awarding the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her service.

In 2009, the Small Arms building was officially designated a heritage building. The plan is for it to be developed as a centre for arts, culture, heritage and environmental science. I thank the Mississauga South bomb girls for their contribution to the war effort and to Canada.

Child CareStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Lise St-Denis Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC

Mr. Speaker, seven years ago, the Prime Minister of Canada tore up bilateral agreements with the provinces to create daycare spaces for our country's children. Instead, the government chose to create a tax credit program that has cost taxpayers over $15 billion. What is more, daycare fees did not drop by a single penny.

The government also failed to deliver on its promise to create more spaces in regulated daycares. Only 20% of children have access to regulated daycare despite the fact that the number of children under the age of four has increased by at least 11% since this government came to power.

Canadian families are in desperate need of new child care spaces to deal with the challenges of raising our country's children and keeping them healthy.

Not only has this government turned its back on Canada's children, but it has also failed the women and families that have to cope with this disgraceful situation.

School ClosuresStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS

Mr. Speaker, last night the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board, at the request of the Nova Scotia provincial department of education, voted to put five small rural schools on the path to closure.

When you close a small rural school and it is the only school in that community, it makes it very difficult for a small rural community to grow. It makes it difficult to attract new, young families to rebuild the rural economy. I call upon the minister of education and the school board to work with those communities and do what they can to keep at least one school open in each of those small rural communities.

Closing a small rural school when it is the only school in the town has the same effect on that community as closing every school in the city would have on Halifax. It would be devastating to the city of Halifax, but the same thing happens to a small rural community when all of its schools are closed.

Horseshoe TavernStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, one of Canada's landmark cultural icons, the Horseshoe Tavern, recently celebrated its 65th anniversary. This is a huge accomplishment.

Often when we think of the arts in Canada, the opera, the ballet and the symphony come to mind. However, it is in the ramshackle clubs, the backrooms, the storefronts and the church basements of the nation where most of the artists that Canada is so rightly proud of first learned their craft.

The Horseshoe has always been a leader in this tradition, providing a valuable training ground for at the time unknowns from Stompin' Tom to Nickelback, k.d. lang to The Tragically Hip, and even a couple of future MPs. No one does this kind of thing because it makes a lot of money. People do it because they love music. They want to share that music and they believe in the great talent that we have here in Canada.

Today I want to pay tribute to one of the longest-running live music venues in North America by wishing a happy 65th anniversary to the Horseshoe Tavern. Thanks for helping put Canadian music on the map.

Community InfrastructureStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, last year I proudly voted for economic action plan 2012, which provided funding for the community infrastructure improvement fund. Our goal was to strengthen and improve existing facilities in communities across Canada.

Last Friday, I announced $44,500 in funding under this program for a replacement evaporator condenser for the hockey rink at River Heights Community Centre, a club integral to my community. Thanks to our investments in infrastructure we are creating jobs and keeping ice rink revenues coming in to the community club with reliable, environmentally responsible ice-making equipment.

Skating with my friends and neighbours last Friday night and seeing them teaching their children how to skate where I taught mine how to skate and where I learned, I was delighted to see that our government's investment in economic action plan 2012 is already making a difference for the residents of my community of Winnipeg South Centre.

Hockey Day in CanadaStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, the riding and region that I represent, the electric city region of Peterborough, Ontario, is famous and renowned for many things. It was the first city in North America where electric street lights went on, the city that built the generators for the Hoover Dam and Churchill Falls, the home of the world's tallest hydraulic lift lock and the historic Trent-Severn Waterway. It is a place where we grow the grain and then produce Quaker oatmeal, granola bars and cereals for the nation. It is a place where we take our sports seriously.

Peterborough is a hockey town and not just any hockey town. Indeed no major junior hockey franchise has produced more NHL players than the Peterborough Petes, boasting names such as Yzerman, Larmer, Gainey, Staal, Ricci, Murphy, Pronger, Redman and even Gretzky. We have sent a few coaches as well, lesser known of course, such as Scotty Bowman, Mike Keenan, Roger Neilson, Dick Todd and Gary Green.

This Saturday CBC will be broadcasting live and celebrating Hockey Day in Canada from the base of the Peterborough lift lock along the Trent-Severn canal. I invite all Canadians to tune in and join one of Canada's greatest hockey cities, Peterborough, Ontario, to celebrate all that our game means to Canada and how it unites us as Canadians.

Rehabilitation ResidenceStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Élaine Michaud NDP Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Speaker, today the people of Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier received some very sad news: after six years in the Quebec City region, La Colombière residence, a place for social and educational rehabilitation, will have to close its doors for good for lack of funding.

La Colombière, located in the town of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, is a non-profit organization that helped young mothers who were experiencing difficulties get their lives back on track, finish their studies and learn how to be a good mother. A team of professionals welcomed these young women to the residence, a safe place for them to build a new life with their child.

Over the years, the team at La Colombière helped over 175 mothers and children, thereby meeting a real need in the community.

I would like to congratulate and thank Claire Ménard, the founder and executive director of the organization, for her incredible commitment, her perseverance and her extraordinary compassion, as well as her entire team for all their hard work.

The unfortunate closure of La Colombière residence reminds us just how important it is for this government to do something to ensure stable, predictable funding for organizations that work tirelessly to help those who need it most.

Canada-India TradeStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Devinder Shory Conservative Calgary Northeast, AB

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to building on our strong ties with India to create a partnership that will lead to jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

A Canada-India trade agreement is a key part of our government's ambitious pro-trade plan, and we are pleased that a seventh round of negotiations toward this goal is concluding today in New Delhi. An agreement would be great news for Canadian workers and exporters. The Canada-India joint study concluded that free trade would boost Canada's economy by at least $6 billion a year. That means almost 40,000 new jobs across the country.

However, I was disappointed to see the NDP member for Vancouver Kingsway stating in a recent news article that there was nothing pressing about these negotiations and that other topics are of “far larger significance”. Unlike the NDP, our government values the Canada-India partnership and recognizes that both business and people-to-people ties are helping us to deepen this important relationship.

I ask that the—

Canada-India TradeStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The hon. member for Hamilton Mountain.

Child CareStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, seven years ago today, the Prime Minister cancelled the child care agreements with the provinces. The result is that the OECD ranks Canada 24th out of 25 countries when it comes to early childhood services. Only 20% of children have access to regulated child care and very few new spaces are being created, leaving parents with difficult choices. Child care should not be an afterthought or a luxury. In fact, a federal court ruled just this week that employers have to accommodate reasonable child care requests.

When European countries invested in child care, they found that each dollar spent returned two more to the economy. However, here in Canada, the Liberals and Conservatives just do not get it. Three straight prime ministers have now broken their promises to create high quality regulated child care, instead squandering billions of dollars on corporate tax giveaways.

Only New Democrats are steadfast in their support for universal, accessible, affordable and licensed child care. For us, early childhood services are an investment, not an expense.

IranStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the notorious Saeed Mortazavi, a man once known as the Butcher of Tehran, briefly found himself inside the same Iranian prison where he ordered the torture of Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi. That torture ultimately proved fatal, and Ms. Kazemi's last days were dark, lonely and agonizing.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has called for those responsible for Ms. Kazemi's murder to be brought to justice. Sadly, today we learned Mortazavi has been released from custody. Ms. Kazemi's family's 10-year wait for justice continues.

I ask all hon. members to join me in supporting our foreign minister's calls for justice for Ms. Kazemi, and all victims of the barbaric Iranian regime. We call on Iran to uphold its international obligations with respect to human rights and the rule of law and for there to finally be a social contract between the regime and the Iranian people that affords them the basic rights they are currently denied.

Child CareStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON

Mr. Speaker, seven years ago today, the Prime Minister, as his mean-spirited first act in office, tore up signed agreements that would have created high quality and low cost child care options for Canadian families. With the help of their co-conspirators in the NDP, the Conservatives tried to pass off their taxable benefit program, a program that has cost taxpayers $15 billion, as a replacement. Fifteen billion dollars has been squandered and there has been no decrease in child care fees; $15 billion squandered and no new regulated child care spaces for families; $15 billion squandered and precious little to show.

As a result of the government's failure, there are licensed child care spaces for fewer than 20% of Canadian children, while the zero to 4-year-old cohort has increased by 11%.

There can be no question that Canadian families deserve a break and a chance to provide every child with the best possible start in life. It is appalling how the Conservatives have failed our children and Canadian families.

The EconomyStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Jacques Gourde Conservative Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC

Mr. Speaker, seven years ago Canadians gave our government a vote of confidence, and we will continue to focus on what matters most to Canadians—the economy.

Our Prime Minister and our government will continue to focus on our economic action plan to create jobs, stimulate growth and ensure long-term prosperity.

In the words of the Prime Minister, our government will never forget that the key to the hopes and dreams of Canadians is the prosperity of our country. For them, for him, for all of us, the economy remains the priority.

Unfortunately, while our side of the House continues to focus on the economy, the leader of the NDP and his party remain determined to impose a $20 billion carbon tax that will hurt Canadians and the economy.

We urge the opposition and its leaders to get behind our government and help Canadians.

Employment InsuranceStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

François Lapointe NDP Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC

Mr. Speaker, the NDP is not alone in being disgusted by the Conservatives' gutting of employment insurance.

Across the country, Conservatives have been critical of their own party's actions. Even Conservative candidates in the last election are disgusted by what the Conservative government is doing to the employment insurance program. They are saying:

...it makes no sense...a step backwards for the regions...With this reform, entire towns and cities will disappear!

The former Conservative member of Parliament for Gaspé, Charles-Eugène Marin, said, “This is bullshit!”

The Conservatives are turning their backs on the regions. Their most loyal supporters have acknowledged this publicly. The Conservatives' 2011 slogan, “Our region in power”, served only to disguise their contempt for the regions.

This reform can destroy the human resources our seasonal industries rely on.

Members of the NDP, reeves, industries, chambers of commerce and Conservatives in eastern Quebec all agree: this reform must be cancelled.

People in the regions, in Atlantic Canada and across the country can count on the NDP to stand up for them against a government that will clearly never respect them.

Conservative Party of CanadaStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Patrick Brown Conservative Barrie, ON

Mr. Speaker, seven years ago today, with the faith and trust of Canadians, we took our spot as the Government of Canada. We promised to stand up for Canada, to cut taxes, crack down on crime and offer families support. That is exactly what we have done. We have cut the GST, not once but twice, introduced measures to keep Canada's streets and communities safe and created a national child care benefit. We have also put an end to the wasteful and ineffective long gun registry and brought marketing freedom to farmers.

Our government took swift action to protect the economy through one of the worst recessions the world has ever seen. With the creation of over 900,000 net new jobs, countries now look to Canada as a strong economic model.

We will strive to make Canada the strongest, most prosperous and united nation by focusing on priorities Canadians care most about, family, safety, pride in their citizenship and the economy.

Our government will continue to stand up for Canada.

Electoral BoundariesOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. They orchestrated fraudulent calls and tried to manipulate the non-partisan work of an electoral commission.

To make matters worse, Conservative Party officials lied repeatedly until irrefutable evidence was presented. They finally admitted that they were responsible for the calls, but now they are saying that the situation resulted from an “internal miscommunication”.

We also learned this morning that the company involved in this situation is the same one involved in the Pierre Poutine incident.

When was the Prime Minister informed of the fact that his party was behind these fraudulent calls?

Electoral BoundariesOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, first of all let me say it is good to see the leader of the NDP here today and on his feet and none the worse for wear.

The party has already explained what happened with these calls. The party obeyed the rules set out in the act.

Our public position on the commissions is very clear. Obviously, parliamentarians and the party try to influence the placement of the new electoral boundaries. These efforts will continue, as encouraged by the law.

Electoral BoundariesOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve a straight answer. Did the Prime Minister know his party was behind these fraudulent calls, yes or no?

The independence of the Canadian electoral boundaries commission is fundamental to our democracy. Conservatives paid for fraudulent robocalls using a fake company name to misinform voters and manipulate an important part of our democratic system. Worse yet, Conservative Party officials lied to Canadians to try to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. Who will the Prime Minister hold accountable for this fraud?

Electoral BoundariesOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, clearly I reject the accusations in that question. I think the party has explained this particular matter. As I think the Speaker knows very well, there are electoral commissions in effect to redraw boundaries. Those commissions accept and expect input from parliamentarians, from political parties and from the general public. In Saskatchewan, there has been overwhelming opposition to the particular proposals, but we are simply operating within the process as it exists, and the way indeed it encourages all actors to do.

The BudgetOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, fraudulent robocalls become input in our democratic process.

Last year, the Conservatives presented a budget that slashed all essential services for Canadians, including those related to retirement, health and employment insurance.

Since then, they have introduced two mammoth bills that gut environmental protections and destroy accountability measures.

The Conservatives know that Canadians disagree with them on all these issues.

With the budget just around the corner, can the Prime Minister assure us that Canadians will not have to go through the same thing again and that he will not make the same mistakes?

The BudgetOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the objective for our upcoming budget is the same as previous budgets: to ensure economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity.

We are the first government to reduce the deficit without making cuts that affect unemployed workers, retirees and children's education.

We intend to maintain these key programs. We are creating the jobs the economy needs.

The BudgetOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, in the last budget the Conservatives chose to cut services to Canadians, who are now paying the price.

The other Conservative priority was to wreak havoc on environmental protection. The budget should not be a catch-all; it should focus on the economic priorities of Canadians.

For five years the NDP has been calling for a permanent infrastructure program to deal with the current deficit.

Will the Conservatives agree to our request?