Debates of March 28th, 2013

Martin-J. Légère

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Speaker, like many Acadians, I was saddened to learn of the death of one of the founding fathers of the Caisses populaires acadiennes and a great builder of modern Acadia, Martin-J. Légère of Caraquet.

We have lost a great man today, but he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to thrive for many years to come.

An advocate for change, Mr. Légère was always willing to fight to make his vision understood. His determination made it possible for Acadians to have their own financial institution, which today has become a vital part of the community. The caisses populaires have made an enormous contribution to the development of the Acadian community, and today they continue to drive economic and social development.

Mr. Légère was very committed to the co-operative movement and many other causes, including the Francophonie. The many honours he received are a testament to his commitment and accomplishments.

Today, I would like to recognize his many contributions to Acadian society. My NDP colleagues and I offer our most sincere condolences to the Légère family. Thank you, Martin.

International Trade

[Joe Daniel, Conservative, Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, one in five Canadian jobs is generated through exports. That is why our government is engaged in the most ambitious pro-trade plan in Canadian history, a plan that includes a trade agreement with the world's largest integrated market, the European Union.

It is unfortunate that the NDP uses every opportunity to scoff at the potential this deal would have for Canadians. I would remind those members that the benefits of such a Canada-EU agreement are expected to be enormous, including a boost of 20% in bilateral trade. Let us put that in perspective. That is the equivalent of creating 80,000 new jobs for hard-working Canadians or adding $1,000 to the pockets of Canadian families.

Try as it might, the NDP cannot hide its anti-trade agenda. While the leader of the NDP travels abroad to attack Canadian interests on the world stage, it is only our government that has a pro-trade plan to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

Retirement Congratulations

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, every morning we receive a comprehensive package of news clippings, known as Quorum, in our offices. Rarely do we think about the work that goes into preparing such quality products, the early hours and the meticulous attention to detail.

In recent years, Quorum was edited by Trina Costantini-Powell. After 35 years of dedicated service to the Library of Parliament, Trina begins her retirement. It is my great honour to rise and congratulate her on her retirement.

Parliament depends upon the professionalism and hard work of people like Trina who are integral to the functioning of our democracy. We will miss Trina on the Hill, but her volunteer work through St. Anthony church, Italian Week, the Dalhousie Food Cupboard and other endeavours will continue to enrich our community.

I urge all members to join me in thanking all the employees of Parliament for their contributions and in wishing Trina a long and wonderful retirement. Thank you, Trina.

Official Languages

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a bilingual country, and our government is determined to ensure that Canadians can communicate in the official language of their choice.

Today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage unveiled our government's official languages plan for the next five years.

The Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2013–2018 allows us to continue our unprecedented commitment with $1.1 billion focused on three pillars: education, immigration and communities.

Our government will continue to support both of our country's official languages so that Canadians from coast to coast can enjoy the economic and social benefits that come from Canada's linguistic duality.

Vaisakhi

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, across Canada, members of the Sikh faith and others will be participating in Vaisakhi, a celebration that highlights the 10th guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh, who laid down the foundation of the Khalsa Panth.

In 1999, as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, I had the privilege of introducing a resolution that recognized the importance of the Khalsa and the five symbols, including the Kesh, the Kanga, the Kachera, the Kara and the Kirpan. That resolution passed unanimously. I am more than happy to provide a copy of the said resolution to interested members.

Vaisakhi is also an important celebration for other religions for both faith reasons and things like the beginning of the new year and what we harvest. The event celebrates our Indo-Canadian heritage, which is characterized by its sense of community, sharing, and of course, great food.

The celebration of Vaisakhi is being celebrated here in Canada by more and more Canadians every year and is becoming a very important part of our Canadian heritage. As we get close to April 13, I would encourage all to participate in some fashion in this year's Vaisakhi celebrations.

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, when the leader of the NDP went to Washington, in between talking down Canada he managed to find time to have dinner with a man convicted of shooting a police officer. This individual shot Terrence Knox, a Chicago police officer, three times, leaving him permanently paralyzed.

The leader of the NDP seems to put a higher priority on bringing this dangerous and violent criminal to Canada than he does on creating high-paying jobs for Canadians. The leader of the NDP has been clear that bringing dangerous criminals to Canada is one of the values that guide him in what he does.

However, the member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca has been somewhat silent on this matter. Does the public safety critic for the NDP agree with his leader that a convicted criminal who shot a front-line officer should be imported to Canada? I would encourage the member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca to stand up for victims by standing up to his leader and condemning this irresponsible NDP decision to support a violent criminal.

Conservative Party of Canada

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative mutineers have finally spoken. The Prime Minister and his cronies have crossed the line with their latest orders. On one side, there is the captain of the Costa Conservative and his staff, who refuse to admit to the slightest mistake even when one of their own reveals that he believes women are only good for one thing: making cookies. On the other side, there is the crew, which is ready to throw their control-freak captain overboard.

Unfortunately, their revolt has nothing to do with the hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes set out in the budget. No. The mutineers want to maintain their rights. The mutineers want choice. They want to have control over their own statements and, at the same time, they want to have control over a woman's right to choose.

While the Conservatives are fighting amongst themselves about whether women should be sent back to the 19th or the 18th century, the NDP is proudly supporting the rights of women, workers and families. Our boat is sailing peacefully towards victory in 2015.

New Democratic Party of Canada

[Wladyslaw Lizon, Conservative, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government has been clear. We remain focused on jobs, growth and long-term economic prosperity. Just last week, the Minister of Finance presented in this House a real plan for Canada and Canadians: economic action plan 2013.

Unfortunately, the only plan the Leader of the Opposition and the NDP are proposing is increased spending and taxation. In fact, listed on page four of their party platform, in black and white, the Leader of the Opposition and his party want to impose a $20 billion job-killing carbon tax on the backs of hard-working Canadians. This sneaky $20 billion job-killing carbon tax would increase the price of everything, including gas, groceries and electricity.

Canadians cannot afford to have the risky policies the NDP propose. I can proudly say that we will continue to fight for Canadians and oppose this $20 billion job-killing carbon tax.

Taxation

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister and the people he controls rose several times to claim that they are not increasing taxes in their budget.

That claim is completely ridiculous and untrue. It is all there in black and white in annex 2. They could simply read their budget and admit the truth, admit that they are imposing billions of dollars in new taxes.

Why are they living in denial?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our approach is clear.

We are balancing the budget without increasing taxes. I know that the NDP wants to increase the GST by more than $10 billion, impose a carbon tax of more than $20 billion and tax job creators to the tune of more than $30 billion. That is obviously the socialist approach.

We have a very different approach on this side of the House, where we encourage job creation by lowering taxes.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the first step in tax denial is admitting that one has a problem.

If the Prime Minister or his cabinet do not get it, they should turn to pages 331 and 332 in their budget. The Minister of Finance said there would be no increases in taxes, and the Minister of State for finance said, “no one will find tax increases in this [budget]”, but there they are, in black and white: billions in tariffs, $205 million from credit unions, and taxes on bicycles and safety deposit boxes.

Can someone over there just get up, be truthful and admit that they are raising taxes?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, this government has lowered taxes by over $3,000 for every Canadian family and household, yet every time we have done that, of course, the NDP votes against it. The NDP wants a $10 billion increase in the GST, $20 billion in carbon taxes, and $30 billion in additional taxes for job creators and employers. What is amazing is, still, all of those taxes would not pay for all of the spending promises made by the NDP.

The reason Canada has such strong job creation and economic performance is we do exactly the opposite of the economic policies--

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Halifax.

Ethics

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, maybe the Conservatives should read their budget before they decide to vote for it.

A Public Service Commission report on the patronage hiring of Kevin MacAdam shows that this former staffer to the Minister of National Defence received preferential treatment. The rules were broken. Kevin MacAdam got ahead of the line because he worked for a minister. Other more qualified people were pushed out of the way.

Will the government admit that this was wrong?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that the Public Service Commission reported on this and found no wrongdoing by any political minister or staff. In fact, the government has followed all the recommendations of the Public Service Commission.

Let me return, for a moment, to taxes. I think what is particularly shameful about the NDP's approach is that the only time it stands up for taxes is when we are trying to close corporate loopholes and are trying to make sure that Canadian companies have a level playing field with producers from China. Only then does the NDP stand up. This high-tax policy is exactly the opposite of what Canada needs.

Elections Canada

[Craig Scott, NDP, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in his report, the Chief Electoral Officer is asking for more investigative powers, additional penalities and fraud prevention tools.

The NDP made the same requests in its motion passed over a year ago and in the bill that I introduced because the Conservatives did not meet their own deadline.

When will the government finally take election fraud seriously and introduce a bill to strengthen the powers of Elections Canada?

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Minister of State (Democratic Reform)]

Mr. Speaker, as I have previously indicated, the government is looking at reforms to its elections laws. We will consider these suggestions put forward by the Chief Electoral Officer, and that comprehensive proposal will be put forward in due course.

[Craig Scott, NDP, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

“Will be put forward in due course”, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, the government has no interest in cracking down on electoral fraud and no interest in explaining their involvement in fraudulent election calls. It has failed to act on giving more powers to Elections Canada.

The minister has a responsibility to Canadians. The commissioner is calling for stiffer penalties for election fraud. Why is the Conservative government suddenly so soft on crime when the suspects are its own campaigners?

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Minister of State (Democratic Reform)]

Mr. Speaker, talking about electoral fraud, it was the NDP that accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal donations from big union bosses. We have committed to looking at our elections laws and that comprehensive proposal will be put forward in due course.

International Co-operation

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Canada participated in the work of the United Nations to fight drought for two reasons: first, to help the poorest on earth avoid starvation; and second, to bolster our own ability to farm the dryland prairie.

Maniacal front-line cuts have killed PFRA, which had world-class Canadian brainpower on soil and water conservation. Conservatives vandalized community pastures, the prairie tree farm and the Experimental Lakes Area. Now Canada is the only country in the world sneaking out the back door on the UN Convention Against Drought.

Why are Conservatives isolating Canada as a global delinquent?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government always wants to ensure that all times our taxpayer money that is used for foreign aid and development is used effectively. In this case, this organization spends less than 20% of the funds that we send on programming. The rest goes to various bureaucratic measures. That is not an effective way to spend taxpayer money. Through fast-start financing and other means, we are making positive contributions to deal with these problems around the world.

Elections Canada

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Elections Canada cannot keep up with Conservatives breaking the law. It started with the in-and-out financing scam for which Conservatives were charged and pled guilty. Then Conservative Pierre Poutine generated robocall election fraud in as many as 200 ridings, still under investigation. Then came the perversions in Peterborough and the chronic cheating by Penashue in Labrador.

Elections Canada wants more investigators, more power to get evidence and stiffer penalties. Will it get what it needs to fight Conservative corruption?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, about robocalls, it is in fact the Liberal Party that is the party actually convicted on this matter. As concerns this, the government—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please. The right hon. Prime Minister still has the floor.