House of Commons Hansard #230 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.
2:05 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 Ottawa—Orléans.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Right to Education in French in SaskatchewanStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Mr. Speaker, the teaching situation for students at École Boréale in Saskatchewan is deplorable. Although the school is a priority of the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises, the Government of Saskatchewan is refusing to provide the infrastructure required for the students' education.
However, this French-language secondary school could potentially have over 400 students, but today only three students have agreed to put up with this contempt. The other students and their families have resigned themselves to attending English-language schools. In Quebec, we treat the historic anglophone minority with respect and dignity. Why this double standard?
Samantha, Ryan and Jonathan are true heroes. These young people have persisted over time, come hell or high water, to assert their right to education in French. They are proof that Canada does not treat all its children the same way.
I salute their courage, their determination and especially the strength of their commitment to a cause that transcends boundaries, the cause of dignity and the right to live in one's own language.
To these young people and to all francophones outside Quebec, I say, “Your fight is our fight, brothers and sisters.”
Leader of the New Democratic Party of CanadaStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Speaker, after days of widespread criticism against the opposition's attack on Canada's national interests, senior NDP officials have finally begun to speak out.
In his first week on the job, Saskatchewan's NDP leader, Cam Broten, stood up against the Leader of the Opposition when he publicly stated:
I support the Keystone XL pipeline because of a triple bottom line assessment looking at environmental, economic and social reasons....
However, we all know the Leader of the Opposition is not listening to his provincial counterparts. He is too busy taking his marching orders from big union bosses who do not support high-paying unionized jobs in Saskatchewan's natural resource sector.
The Saskatchewan people will never support his policy of paying for massive increases in government spending through carbon taxing the Saskatchewan economic boom, nor will they ever endorse an NDP leader who has trashed high-paying unionized natural resource jobs during his meetings with U.S. congressional leaders in Washington.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has it right. The Leader of the Opposition has betrayed Canada's national interests.
The BudgetStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
NDP
Alain Giguère NDP Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Mr. Speaker, in the riding of Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, as in the rest of Canada, people are crippled by unemployment. People who lose their jobs often find themselves with no future.
It would have been useful to have a plan to create jobs and measures to modernize our waste water treatment infrastructure and increase public transit in the suburbs, but there is nothing, no effort whatsoever.
What is worse, this budget attacks measures that were helping in combatting the economic downturn. It reduces credit unions' ability to support small business. The Conservatives are also attacking labour-sponsored funds, which support venture capital, and stunting regional economic growth.
Changes to job training will once again force the provinces to do more with less—more austerity and more of the load to carry. Why sabotage something that is working?
If you cannot help, at least do no harm. We needed this ideology-driven budget like we needed a hole in the head.
Franco-Ontarian NewspaperStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, the future belongs to those who fight. A century ago today, the first issue of the daily newspaper Le Droit rolled off the presses.
Created by laymen and Oblates in reaction to the hated Regulation 17, the purpose of this newspaper was to support continued education in French in Ontario.
Since then, Le Droit has become a unifying force for Canada's francophones in minority situations.
My grandmother learned to read by perusing its pages, and so did I. I was their paper boy from 1959 to 1964 and served as a summer correspondent in 1967.
Le Droit enabled Ontario's francophones to get quality information on both world wars, on linguistic minority struggles and on the decisions of the last 30 federal parliaments.
To the people who put this newspaper together, congratulations and thank you for contributing to the French fact in Ontario.
Certantibus Futura.
AutismStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, April 2, 2013, will be the first official World Autism Awareness Day in Canada.
Last October, the House passed Liberal senator Jim Munson's bill to mark the day. In 2007, the United Nations declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in order to bring world attention to autism, which affects tens of millions globally.
Persons with autism have told me of the discrimination they face in society. Many of them function well but are often misunderstood. We must understand the nature of autism in its full spectrum. Those with autism always find it difficult to get jobs. They are seen as mentally challenged, when many of them have extraordinarily high IQs.
Awareness and understanding are key to providing the necessary supports that persons with autism need, so they can, wherever possible, function autonomously in society.
Today will be “Light It Up Blue” when landmarks will be lit up in blue, just as BC Place, Rogers Arena and Science World were last year in Vancouver Centre.
Here is to removing the stigma of autism.
Georgetown Citizen of the YearStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be able to represent the good people of Halton Region and Wellington County in the House of Commons.
Yesterday, the Georgetown Lions Club named Mr. Graeme Goebelle citizen of the year. For 45 years, Graeme has served his community by volunteering with countless organizations and charities. Through his professional and philanthropic endeavours, including the Georgetown Hospital, the Cancer Society, YMCA and many more, Graeme has contributed to making Georgetown the strong community it is today.
It is people like Graeme and his wife Roslyn that make Wellington—Halton Hills one of the best places to live, and why Halton Region and Wellington County have consistently had the lowest crime rates in Canada. In fact, for the last several years Maclean's magazine has named Halton Region and Wellington County two of the three safest communities in Canada. Recently, MoneySense magazine named Halton Hills the fifth-best small community in Canada.
It is people like Graeme Goebelle who make all the difference. Congratulations to Graeme and his wife Roslyn.
B.C. FisheriesStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, constituents in Nanaimo—Cowichan expected to see support for fisheries in this latest budget or, at the very least, some action on the 75 recommendations from the Cohen commission on salmon. Instead, the Conservatives turned their back on B.C. fisheries and fish habitat once again.
After devastating cuts in previous budgets that reduced habitat protection and the number of enforcement officers on the water, the new cuts would reduce front-line services even more. B.C. has seen the Kitsilano Coast Guard station close and regional fisheries offices close in many communities, leaving B.C. with only five offices and the fewest staff since 1983. As well, the consolidation of marine communication traffic services raises concerns that the B.C. coast will not be adequately served.
DFO is the federal department responsible for tsunami debris, especially large pieces that are a hazard to navigation. With the many large resource projects planned in B.C. that need input from DFO staff before proceeding, we need investments in staff, not reductions. Cutting fisheries and habitat protection is the wrong priority for British Columbians.
Pleasantdale SchoolStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate teacher Sarah Driscoll and the team of grade seven and eight students at Pleasantdale School in Estevan for winning a day with the infamous Rick Mercer on Monday, March 25, and for helping spare children from the ravages of malaria by raising $5,439 in the Spread the Net student challenge.
They did this through bake sales, penny and bottle drives and a grade seven and eight school dance. As Mercer noted, “Every now and then a school comes along and they punch way above their weight. They raise more money than anyone could ever imagine and Pleasantdale is one of those schools”. He said, and I agreed, “You...are amazing, you raised over $5,000 and that is over 500 bed nets. That is saving 500 lives, that is twice as many people that are in this school and you...did that for children on the other side of the world”.
For those who wish to watch the program, it will be aired on April 2.
Indeed, congratulations to Pleasantdale School in Estevan and everyone who was involved.
Aboriginal Women's RightsStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Mr. Speaker, for more than 25 years, aboriginal women on reserves have been without legal protections that all other women in Canada take for granted, protections they especially need in situations of family violence. When a relationship breaks down, a spouse can ban a woman from her home without her consent.
Aboriginal peoples, international organizations and even the Manitoba NDP have called for this to change. We have introduced matrimonial property rights legislation to protect aboriginal women and give them the same rights as all other women in Canada. This bill would allow judges to enforce emergency protection orders for the safety of the woman and child.
Yet shockingly, the New Democrats and the Liberals are opposing it. This is shameful. First nations women need these rights.
I am proud to say that our Conservative government continues to stand up for aboriginal women.
Franco-Ontarian NewspaperStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
Mr. Speaker, the newspaper Le Droit is celebrating its centennial today. Congratulations.
Le Droit is the leading source of news for francophones in the Outaouais and Ontario. The newspaper was founded when the use of French in Ontario schools was banned, and ever since then it has been involved in all battles to defend the francophone community.
As representatives of the region, the members for Gatineau, Hull—Aylmer and Ottawa Centre join me in thanking the newspaper for always being the standard-bearer for the francophone cause.
Over the years, Le Droit has been able to reinvent itself and remain faithful to its readers without compromising its main mission: providing information. Thanks to the great work of the people who put the newspaper together, it has built a solid reputation for independence and rigour. Its daily coverage of political, economic and cultural news speaks for itself. The best compliment we can pay to Le Droit is to say that it has remained faithful to the people who live here, especially through its extensive coverage of local events.
The entire NDP team joins us in congratulating the artisans, past and present, who have made Le Droit an authoritative news source for 100 years.
Natural ResourcesStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rodney Weston Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is proud to stand in support of Canada's natural resource sector and the thousands of Canadians it employs. Our support is in stark contrast to that of the leader of the NDP, who attacks the growth of this sector as a disease and goes to Washington and claims that Canadians are against pipeline projects.
The fact is that my constituents in Saint John and families right across New Brunswick stand with our Conservative government in support of a west-east pipeline. This pipeline will bring jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity to New Brunswick and all of Canada. Our Conservative government supports this project and, unlike the leader of the NDP, we will be unabashed in our support in New Brunswick, Ottawa and on the world stage.
Women's RightsStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
NDP
Sadia Groguhé NDP Saint-Lambert, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to draw parliamentarians' attention to Amnesty International's “I love my body, my rights” campaign on sexual and reproductive rights.
The purpose of this campaign, which is running throughout 2013, is to raise public awareness of forced marriage and pregnancy. Many activities have been organized in order to prepare for the International Conference on Population and Development, which is scheduled for 2014 and will focus on women's rights.
Even today, 10 million young girls under the age of 18, sometimes even as young as seven or eight, are forced into marriage without their consent, usually to much older men. They are then often forced to get pregnant, which frequently puts their health and life at risk.
As parliamentarians and as citizens first and foremost, we cannot accept this. We must fight these manifest injustices and do everything we can to protect women's rights.
InfrastructureStatements by Members
March 27th, 2013 / 2:15 p.m.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, thanks to our government, the economic action plan has introduced the largest long-term federal commitment to infrastructure in our nation's history: $70 billion over the next 10 years. No wonder the FCM said that our budget delivered significant gains for Canada's cities and communities. Investment in Canada's public infrastructure will create jobs, economic growth and provide a high-quality of life for families across Canada.
Through our investments in infrastructure, the average age of public infrastructure has dropped from 17 to 14 years.
Over the next two years, we will invest close to $10 billion in infrastructure. That is more than the previous Liberal government spent in the 13 long years it was in office.
The municipalities are on board with our infrastructure plan. Will the NDP do the same for Canadians?
Parliamentary Budget OfficerStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Kevin Page, Canada's first parliamentary budget officer. The PBO was created to expand public access to information. Mr. Page was, and remains, perfect for that role. He is a talented economist with a deep understanding of government finances. Canadians knew that they could count on him for the real numbers, whether it was on F-35s, Afghanistan, the sustainability of the OAS or by how much EI rates would actually go up.
As the PBO, Mr. Page consistently defended the right of Canadian taxpayers to know how their money was being spent. He went to court so that the law which would give us that right to information would be enforced. He stood up to protect the vital role of Parliament and its power over the purse, a power that is the foundation of our democracy and our Constitution.
Kevin Page is a public servant in the very best sense of the phrase: always placing the public good before any personal career ambitions. We thank Kevin Page for serving Canadians with such honour and courage.
The EconomyStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Conservative
Corneliu Chisu Conservative Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
Mr. Speaker, our government remains focused on what matters to Canadians, the economy. Last week, the Minister of Finance stood in the House and delivered Canada's economic action plan 2013, a plan for jobs, growth and long-term economic prosperity.
Constituents in my riding were happy to hear of the support for apprentices, expanded support for small businesses, investment in world-class research and innovation and tariff relief on baby clothing and sports and athletic equipment.
Unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition and his party have been busy focusing their priorities elsewhere. Their plan is for $56 billion in reckless spending, a $20 billion job-killing carbon tax, trash talking Canada on the international stage and supporting cop shooters like Gary Freeman.
While we on this side of the House have a real plan for hard-working Canadians, the Leader of the Opposition and his party seem to have their priorities mixed up. We will continue to work hard for Canadians and remain focused on the economy.
Conservative Party of CanadaStatements by Members
2:20 p.m.
NDP
Mylène Freeman NDP Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, although I have received numerous compliments on my tourtière, no one has ever told me it would make me a wonderful wife. Although I must admit that I have never had the opportunity to cook for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, who would fit right in on Mad Men with his view of women.
This vision unfortunately represents the Conservatives' philosophy. They are remaining silent on this issue, and meanwhile, the member for Langley is leading a backbench revolt. He is openly calling for more freedom so that he can attack a woman's right to choose.
Canadians deserve better than a party torn between its old macho men making sexist comments and these young men trying to trample on women's rights.
This saga makes it clear that it is the Prime Minister's Office in Ottawa that decides what will be said in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Yukon.
The NDP is pro-choice. We believe in a woman's right to choose and in an MP's right to freedom of expression.
World Autism Awareness DayStatements by Members
2:20 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
Mr. Speaker, April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and 15 years since my son Jaden was diagnosed. As I have shared many times here, life with autism really is an adventure, unique for every family living with it.
Our world today is one in which our 13-year-old daughter babysits our 17-year-old son, a world in which I often discover my iPad YouTube viewing history filled with Barney episodes and home video clips of airplane takeoffs and landings posted by random strangers from around the globe, a world in which visitors to our home experience odd and memorable moments, like the dinner this past summer when Jaden suddenly decided to guzzle Italian salad dressing straight from the bottle.
From time to time, when I tell someone Jaden has autism, they will mention Rain Man and ask if he has some kind of special power. The answer, of course, is yes. No matter what someone's mood is, he can bring a moment of complete joy without uttering a single word.
I have even seen him bring members from all sides of this crazy place together on occasion, and I cannot think of a more special power than that.
TaxationOral Questions
2:20 p.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, despite the finance minister's claims, there are tax hikes worth billions of dollars in his latest budget.
He should read the second annex to the budget: a tax on credit unions, a tax on safety deposit boxes and a tax on hospital parking.
The Prime Minister promised that there would be no tax hikes.
Why did he let his Minister of Finance contradict him?
TaxationOral Questions
2:20 p.m.
Calgary Southwest Alberta
Conservative
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the exact opposite is true.
I know that the NDP wants to increase the GST for consumers across Canada. It wants to raise taxes for job creators and, more specifically, it advocates a carbon tax of more than $20 billion.
Our commitment, recognized today by the OECD, is to balance the budget while keeping federal taxes low.
TaxationOral Questions
2:20 p.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, with answers like that, it is no wonder Conservative backbenchers are revolting.
New customs tariffs will increase product prices across the board.
The Conservatives are also looking to take $205 million from credit union customers and millions of dollars more from those who are sick and from their families who use hospital parking.
Why did the Prime Minister not keep his promise?
TaxationOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
Calgary Southwest Alberta
Conservative
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I know that the NDP is in favour of raising taxes in order to sink us deeper in debt and increase spending. However, that is not what Canadians want.
Today the OECD indicated that Canada is keeping its taxes low. That is our commitment to the Canadian people.
TaxationOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I understand why the government's backbench is frustrated. Answers like that have been frustrating me for quite some time.
The truth is clearly spelled out in black and white on pages 331 and 332. This is not a make-believe tax, unlike the kind the Conservatives love to accuse us of; these are billions in actual new taxes that will impact real people.
With all these half truths, can the Prime Minister not understand why Canadians are angry and his backbench is frustrated?
TaxationOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
Calgary Southwest Alberta
Conservative
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we will have a vote on the budget tonight, a budget that has been very well-received by Canadians.
I know we will have very strong support on this side of the House. I hope members on that side of the House will finally give up these attempts to convince people they would somehow be better off with higher taxes, somehow be better off at raising tax rates on employers, somehow better off by hiking the GST back up to 7%, somehow better off by making a carbon tax at $20 billion.
The OECD and others have recognized that Canada is on the right track, balancing our budget, keeping our debt low and keeping our taxes down.
EthicsOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is the Prime Minister who has hit Canadians with higher taxes and his caucus is in revolt.
Speaking of rogue Conservatives, we now have yet another Conservative ethics scandal. We have the ministers of trade, aboriginal affairs and industry who all accepted calls from a former colleague. They received insider information about the joint venture between Progress Energy and the Chinese state-owned Petronas.
There are rules around this kind of behaviour. Why did these ministers not immediately convey this information about these calls to the ethics commissioner?