Debates of Feb. 7th, 2013

Ducks Unlimited

[Robert Sopuck, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 75th anniversary of one of North America's premier conservation organizations, Ducks Unlimited. Over the last three-quarters of a century, Ducks Unlimited has conserved 6.3 million acres of critical wetlands and completed over 9,000 conservation projects. In fact, DU's very first wetland conservation project was at Big Grass Marsh, located in the great constituency of Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette.

True conservationists, such as Ducks Unlimited, understand the stewardship values of those who work and use the land: Canada's hunters, anglers and farmers. Waterfowl hunters, more than any other group, have a deep and abiding commitment to waterfowl and wetland conservation. Waterfowl hunters form the backbone of all waterfowl conservation initiatives.

DU was instrumental in creating the North American waterfowl management plan, regarded by many as the most successful conservation program in history. I congratulate Ducks Unlimited on their conservation achievements and wish them continued success.

Science and Technology

[Kennedy Stewart, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, every time the NDP confronts Conservatives about their devastating cuts to science funding, the government refuses to give Canadians the straight goods about its war on science.

However, the truth is that this year the Conservative government has cut almost $700 million in funding for science. This 6% cut has blown a massive hole in the budgets of key federal agencies and is having a real impact on the front lines of scientific research. Labs are powering down. Research groups are being disbanded. Students are dropping out of graduate programs. With each closure, each cut, each cancelled scholarship, and despite the best efforts of our country's greatest minds, science in Canada loses ground.

However, scientists are fighting back. They are mobilizing across the country to keep their labs open, ensure their students will have the same opportunities to succeed and help restore Canada's once sterling international reputation.

New Democrats value our scientific community and pledge to support scientists in any way we can to help end this war on science.

Community centennials

[Earl Dreeshen, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, when the Reverend Dr. Leonard Gaetz chose his homestead on the Red Deer River and became the local land agent for the area, it was not long before rail lines were built to cross the river and other settlers were discovering the rich, fertile soil of central Alberta.

From this beginning, we now have a year of celebration in my riding, as Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and Delburne are all marking centennials. The hard work and vision of Leonard Gaetz laid down the foundation for the incorporation of these three municipalities.

Red Deer is an extraordinary place. It has a vibrant economy, beautiful landscape and great people. There are many centennial events taking place throughout the year. Delburne will be celebrating its centennial in June. Red Deer will be hosting a homecoming festival in June and an old-fashioned fall fair on September 21. Sylvan Lake will kick it up with the Dance of the Century on June 15.

I encourage all Canadians to visit our great region and take in the celebration. Happy 100th birthday to the city of Red Deer, the town of Sylvan Lake and the village of Delburne.

Lunar New Year

[John Carmichael, Conservative, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a happy lunar new year, the year of the snake, to all those in the Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese communities.

Lunar new year is a beautiful, centuries old tradition, a festive time to be with family and friends and to celebrate a new year of possibilities. I am honoured that in my riding of Don Valley West, such a rich diversity of communities mark this special time and show that deep values of kinship and friendship are truly universal.

Don Valley West is home to the Korean Canadian Cultural Centre. I send a special greeting to all in the Korean community. With this being the year of Korea and Korean War veterans, I am certain that this lunar new year has special significance in celebrating not only a new year but also 50 years of diplomacy and shared history between Canada and Korea.

I hope that all enjoy time with their loved ones in celebrating the coming year of the snake. I wish everyone a prosperous and joyous year ahead.

Nortel

[Hélène LeBlanc, NDP, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I had a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Poulain at my riding office.

Mrs. Poulain is a Nortel retiree. Her pension was cut in half, and she is worried about the future. We recently learned that Justice Winkler failed to get the various parties to reach an agreement on how to divide over $9 billion in Nortel assets.

Three former executives were recently acquitted of fraud charges. Over $750 million in fees have already been racked up since the beginning of the Nortel saga.

How is it possible that, in a society like ours, vultures are allowed to devour the pensions of the workers who helped make Nortel an industry leader? Why is the Conservative government doing absolutely nothing to help Nortel retirees?

Lunar New Year

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our government, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Canadians a happy lunar new year.

This week we say goodbye to the year of the dragon as we welcome the year of the snake. During lunar new year Canadians, particularly those of Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean heritage, will be celebrating with family and friends, sharing lisee, which are like lucky pockets, attending cultural events and enjoying many delicious special foods and meals.

On Sunday, February 17, the 40th annual Chinatown Spring Festival will be celebrated in my hometown of Vancouver. This annual festival includes a popular parade, spectacular performances and a community dinner. Thousands of people participate throughout the day.

I encourage all of my colleagues in the House and Canadians across the country to find an event in their community and join in celebrating the year of the snake.

Gong hey fat choy. Xie nien kwai le. Happy new year.

Mikael Kingsbury

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

Mr. Speaker, with the Sochi Olympic Games just 12 months away, Mikael Kingsbury, a young athlete from Deux-Montagnes, has never been closer to seeing his dreams come true, having won the first three events at the freestyle skiing World Cup.

As members may recall, he had a historic season last year when he reached the podium in all 13 moguls competitions in which he took part. He took the top spot on the podium eight times, thereby becoming the youngest Crystal Globe winner in the history of freestyle skiing.

His consistency, attention to detail and perseverance are an inspiration to his thousands of fans. We hope that this 20-year-old athlete who has already achieved 25 World Cup podium finishes will reach his full potential and have the best performance of his career in Sochi. What more could we wish him?

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Joan Crockatt, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as the member for Calgary Centre, I know a thing or two about blizzards, and I sympathize with Canadians from Quebec and Ontario who are facing a record snowfall and blizzard tomorrow.

When we face this type of winter weather, Canadians show their resilience by coming together, staying warm and beating the elements. Of course to keep their homes warm, they need electricity and gas. If the NDP leader gets his way, it will cost Canadians more to heat their homes and stock up on groceries. The NDP leader's $20 billion job-killing carbon tax would make it more expensive to beat the cold.

While the leader of the NDP is on the side of old man winter, our Conservative government will stand against and defend Canadians from the $20 billion job-killing carbon tax.

McGill Law Students Association

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to commemorate and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the McGill Law Students Association.

The history of the Law Students Association is a most distinguished and storied one. When it was formed in 1912, there were but 62 law students at McGill, and the inaugural executive was comprised of four members, two of whom were later wounded in World War I.

Today, McGill is home to some 600 law students, all of whom benefit from the services provided by the LSA, be they student clubs, athletics, lectures, clinics or the traditional Thursday coffee house. Indeed, its centennial coffee house is scheduled for next Thursday with all former executives invited, a group which includes members of the bench and bar, justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, professors and legal scholars, and even the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Eglinton—Lawrence.

Indeed, I recall warmly the time I spent on the LSA executive in the 1960s, serving as its president from 1963 to 1964. It is hard to believe that is some 50 years ago. I congratulate all the students of McGill on this milestone anniversary, and I wish the LSA 100 more years. Félicitations!

International Trade

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government is engaged in the most ambitious pro-trade plan in Canadian history. Unfortunately, the NDP has consistently tried to sabotage these new opportunities for Canada's exporters.

In fact, last year the NDP's Canada-U.S. border critic supported calls to end negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union. This week, joining a coalition of activists speaking out against free trade with the European Union is the union representing the writers of the questions for the NDP leader in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, the OLO. The NDP staffers union joining such a campaign is further proof of the NDP's ideological anti-trade agenda, an agenda that not long ago sent an anti-trade mission to Washington to lobby against Canadian jobs.

On the positive side, since forming government, we have concluded a number of trade agreements that are opening new markets for Canadians and creating jobs. We will continue our pro-jobs and economic growth trade agenda for Canada.

Electoral Boundaries

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party now admits it blanketed the good people of Saskatchewan with robocalls.

The intent of the call was to illegitimately influence the work of the non-partisan federal electoral boundaries commission. One Saskatchewan Conservative MP correctly called this practice deceptive. Yet the Prime Minister stood in the Houses to defend this despicable practice. He also stated, “These efforts will continue”.

As a Star Phoenix editorial pointed out, this practice is a “prelude to gerrymandering, and it's intolerable”. The not-so-mysterious voice in the robocall suggested that the commission's work was betraying Saskatchewan's values. However, what is a betrayal of Saskatchewan's values and Canadian values are the actions of the Conservative Party, shamelessly supported by the Prime Minister.

Conservative Party of Canada

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it has been seven years since Canadians placed their confidence, trust and unwavering support in this Conservative government. Since then we have kept our promises. We have delivered results. We will continue to work hard for this great nation. Our government remains focused on the economy, on families, safe communities and pride in being a Canadian citizen.

Unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition and his party have a different agenda that will hurt Canada and hurt Canadians. Listed on page 4 of the NDP's party platform, in black and white, is a $20 billion carbon tax. In fact, the Leader of the Opposition even said that of course he has a cap-and-trade program that “will produce billions”.

Our government will continue to fight this job-killing, $20 billion carbon tax, stand up for Canada and make sure that we make all Canadian citizens proud of what we do as a government.

Electoral Boundaries

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister stated in this House that there were no problems concerning any fraudulent calls from Conservatives in Saskatchewan.

By refusing to identify themselves and using a partisan script, they violated CRTC rules. The Prime Minister should apologize for the calls that his own deputy House leader described as deceptive.

What will the government do to ensure that the Conservative Party respects the commission's non-partisan process?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the rules were followed, in the same way the NDP followed them when they did the same thing.

The commission's process involves getting input from the public, including political parties and parliamentarians. The members of our party will continue to express their concerns over these changes.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is ignoring the fact that his own MPs, including his deputy House leader, are calling this a deception.

This is not about the normal work of MPs just trying to have their voices heard by the commission. It is about the use of a shell company to carry out anonymous robocalls designed to deceive people.

Can the Prime Minister confirm for the House when he became aware of this deception, and can he explain whether the Government of Canada approves of the Conservative Party's use of deceptive and fraudulent methods?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, obviously I regret that categorization. In fact not only have the rules here been followed, but in the very same way as the NDP, which has done exactly the same thing.

The party's position on the boundary changes in Saskatchewan is public. It is extremely well known. It is not a matter of any mystery to people. We continue to urge the commission to look at changes, as do a large percentage of the people of Saskatchewan.

That is part of the process to get this kind of political input, and we will continue to make our voices heard.

Ethics

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Senate ethics reached a new low this week with Senator Mike Duffy ducking out of the kitchen to avoid accountability, and reports of Senator Brazeau using a false address to avoid paying income tax and now news of his arrest.

Will the Prime Minister confirm that he has kicked Senator Brazeau out of the Conservative caucus? Will the Prime Minister tell Canadians what the government will be doing to recoup any and all money ripped off of taxpayers by his Conservative senators?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is known that in light of the serious events that have been reported today, I have removed Senator Brazeau from the Conservative caucus.

Obviously, I think our understanding is that these are matters of a personal nature rather than of Senate business, but they are very serious and we expect they will be dealt with through the courts.

Parliamentary Budget Officer

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

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' repeated attacks on the Parliamentary Budget Officer are proof positive that this office should be completely independent so that no government can ever hinder its work. That is why we are asking that the PBO be recognized as a full, independent officer of Parliament, like the Auditor General.

Will they support this reasonable request?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, of course we want an impartial parliamentary budget office that is a credible source of opinions on fiscal matters.

The Library of Parliament has hired a headhunting firm, as it should. We are respect this process and we want the opposition to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, there must be something in this year's budget that the Conservatives do not want anyone to find.

What else would explain their refusal to extend the PBO's mandate, a mandate they created to supposedly bring fiscal transparency and accountability? The government has done everything it can to ignore and block the PBO.

If the Conservatives are not hiding anything, why will the Minister of Finance not extend the current Parliamentary Budget Officer's mandate until a successor is in place?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I want to again assure the House that we want to see a parliamentary budget office that is non-partisan and a credible source of opinion on fiscal matters. We understand that the parliamentary library, an institution with over a hundred years of service to this chamber, is retaining a search firm. We respect that process.

I would direct the hon. member, if she is worried about what the budget will say, to listen to the budget speech, whenever that is delivered, and to the public accounts and the estimates of the Government of Canada.

Electoral Boundaries

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said yesterday that he followed the rules when he interfered in a quasi-judicial process with anonymous robocalls.

However, the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader says exactly the opposite. He says that failing to identify the party as the culprit is wrong. He says it is deceptive. He says that making these calls, anonymous or not, is something he would never do.

Now that he is so bluntly contradicted by the parliamentary secretary, would the Prime Minister join in asking the CRTC to investigate this matter?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, there is no violation of CRTC rules in this case, unlike what the Liberal Party did in a very different case.

The fact of the matter is that the party has said there was a mistake made here and has clarified that.

What the Liberal members says about the process is just completely false. In fact, there were actually parliamentary hearings on this very subject of electoral boundaries. So, obviously, the process is to garner opinion—and, by the way, not just his opinion, but the opinion of all members of Parliament.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, representing 80% of where Saskatchewan people live, has strongly supported the new map. So have dozens of other Saskatchewan people.

And about the legislation back in the 1990s, the now Prime Minister—