Debates of March 8th, 2013

Poet Mike Puhallo

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow evening it is with great pleasure that I will be attending the Kamloops Cowboy Festival at the Calvary Community Church. This will be the 17th anniversary of the Cowboy Festival, and it has gained the reputation of being the biggest and best of its kind in North America.

One of the highlights of the Cowboy Festival is the poetry, and one of the best poets was Mike Puhallo. Tonight he will be posthumously inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame for artistic achievements. In honour of Mike, this year's festival and our cowboy heritage, I would like to share a short poem entitled “Back in the Saddle”.

I've been ten days in the saddle,
Trying to make up for lost time.
Hunting strays, cold trailing cows,
Starting out six weeks behind.
From spring range to the alpine,
They scattered far and wide.
It's a cowboy's kind of therapy,
Just saddle up and ride!
With a knee brace and hockey tape.
I am fine once I'm astride.
I'm still pretty gimpy on the ground,
But I don't limp when I ride.

We miss Mike, and his words and legacy will live on.

Violence Against Women

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the clarion call of the Vienna conference on human rights in 1993 was that “women's rights are human rights” and that there are no human rights without the rights of women. Sadly, on this International Women's Day 20 years later, violence against women remains an overriding global problem.

Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry, condemning millions of women and girls to exploitation and servitude. Gendercide, the systematic abandonment and killing of baby girls, is responsible for 200 million missing women and girls, and 140 million women and girls live with the consequences of female genital mutilation. Women suffer extreme violence and sexual abuse in armed conflict. Forty thousand women in Canada were subjected to domestic violence in 2009 alone, and over 600 aboriginal women have gone missing or have been murdered in Canada in recent decades.

Countries will only succeed when women's voices are heard, when their fundamental rights are affirmed, when their dignity is respected and when their lives are secure.

Divorce Act

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this past Tuesday, I presented four Canadians with Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals: journalist Barbara Kay, Professor Edward Kruk, Glenn Cheriton and George Piskor. A fifth recipient, Kristin Titus, could not be in Ottawa for the event.

All these people are much deserving recipients for their work to advance the best interests of children through family law and Divorce Act reforms built on the premise of equal, shared parenting. Equal parenting was the focus of a private member's bill I introduced in the last Parliament based on the joint House/Senate report, “For the Sake of the Children”. That bill will be reintroduced in this Parliament. Conservative Party policy supports such changes.

Professor Kruk's academic research confirms other studies that show that, aside from cases of abuse or neglect, in the event of marriage breakdown, access to both mom and dad through equal, shared parenting is in the best interests of children. The time is long overdue for Canadian law and public policy to fall in line with this evidence, for the sake of the children.

International Women's Day

[Tyrone Benskin, NDP, Jeanne-Le Ber, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1663, Canada welcomed the first 36 “Filles du Roy”.

Three hundred and fifty years later, I must point out the important role they played in building the city of Montreal, and also the import role of women in Canada's history.

On this International Women's Day, I would like to pay tribute to all the women working in my riding: Madeleine Juneau, who promotes Maison Saint-Gabriel; Anne-Marie and Johanne of Auberge communautaire du Sud-Ouest who have been supporting homeless youth for 25 years; and all those working at Madame prend congé, which I will be visiting this evening.

The first “Filles du Roy” arrived 350 years ago. It was just the beginning of a long, great and moving story for all Quebeckers and Canadians.

Retiring Senator

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful, dedicated senator who is now retiring after two decades of service to Canadians and Manitobans. Senator Stratton has been a personal friend and an invaluable mentor to me. We share many of the same interests and passions.

This includes the French language.

Senator Stratton spent the early years of his career as an architect, and after working many years in that field, he became an instructor at Red River College. His commitment to our community evolved and he served on many boards, including the University of Winnipeg and the United Way of Winnipeg, and in March 1993, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada.

For the last 20 years, Senator Stratton has worked tirelessly toward the betterment of Canada, often sacrificing personal and family time in his service to this country. He has done us all very proud, and I am sure I speak for all of my colleagues in this House when I say that he will be greatly missed. I ask the House to join me in thanking Senator Terry Stratton for his years of service and in wishing him all the best in retirement.

Stompin' Tom Connors

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week, Canada lost a legend and at the same time lost a part of its soul. Stompin' Tom Connors, a Canadian icon, died too soon. I wish to pay tribute to a man who loved our country, as only he could, and made us better Canadians for knowing him, because he was:

Bud the Spud, from the bright red mud, a trucker and a miner
A tobacco picker from Tillsonburg, a hockey fan no finer
From Sudbury in the nickel mines to Hockey Night tonight
to Big Joe Mufferaw from Ottawa, and he sure enjoyed the fight.
He was everyman, he was you and me, he always dressed in black
So you'd focus on his words, and not his stetson hat
And what he said, we understood, because he was so clear
That Canada is number one, and for that we'll always cheer
From east to west, from coast to coast, we know you loved the game
To us, you've won the Stanley Cup, you'll be in the hall of fame
So Stompin' Tom or Bud the Spud by any other name
You're rolling down the highway smiling to the good old hockey game.

Thanks Stompin' Tom. We will see him around.

Women in Politics

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

In a country where just 25% of city councillors are women, I am proud to represent Newton—North Delta, where 50%, seven out of fourteen, of our councillors are women. In a country where just 16% of all mayors are women, I am proud that in my riding, we beat those odds. Both of our two mayors are female.

I am proud to sit in a Parliament that, since the last election, has more chairs occupied by women than in all of its history. Currently 77 members in this House are female. I am proud to stand with a party to which most of those seats belong; 39% of the NDP caucus is represented by women.

On International Women's Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate Canada's female politicians at every level of government and the contributions they make each day toward more inclusive discussions, more representative decisions and ultimately, a fairer and better Canada.

Violence Against Women

[Lois Brown, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action to eliminate gender-based violence. Gender-based violence is not just a women's issue; it is an issue that affects all Canadians.

That is why Canada's International Women's Day theme this year is, “Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women”.

That is why we are supporting the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia and the BC Lions Football Club in their efforts to reduce violence against women and girls by encouraging men and boys to be more than bystanders.

This project engages football teams and coaches to help provide youth with the practical tools required to break the silence on violence against women and girls. It is through projects like this that our government will continue to make women and girls safer.

Marie-Dupuis Women's Centre

[Francine Raynault, NDP, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, I had the privilege of participating in an International Women's Day celebration at the Centre de femmes Marie-Dupuis in Notre-Dame-des-Prairies.

For 21 years now, this organization has offered a place where all women in my region can go for training, legal assistance, support and information. Its focus is on collective action, and it goes without saying that people at the centre are very upset about the Conservative government's attacks on employment insurance.

On this International Women's Day, I want to pay tribute to all of the women working together to create the world of tomorrow, the fair and egalitarian world that all Canadians want.

Women in Politics

[Joan Crockatt, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in honour of International Women's Day, I would like to show just how far Canada has come in terms of women in politics. Not only do we have talented women in leading portfolios in our cabinet, but Canada has 77 female MPs, which is over 25%. This is a historic high for our country.

In my riding of Calgary Centre, I am proud to say that in 1917, Hannah Gale was elected to city council, the first woman elected to any political office in Canada. We now have women making up 30% of our Senate, and 89% of Canadians are served by female premiers in six of 13 provinces and territories. From coast to coast to coast, women are working with our Conservative government to help make our country better.

Women are standing strong for all Canadians, in our Parliament, legislatures, councils and school boards. Let us thank women who step up to make our communities, provinces and country a better place for every one of us.

International Women's Day

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

Mr. Speaker, International Women's Day begins like any other. The sun rises on all those places where women have no voice. Morning after morning, some are victims of anger, others are victims of violence. They are sometimes locked up, beaten or even killed.

We see those women as we go about our daily tasks, morning, noon and night. Our time is our own; we have freedom and we have our lives. What is missing most this Women's Day are the voices of those who have no voice.

Today, tomorrow and the day after, I hope we can be that voice. I hope that every woman can experience days filled with freedom and peace. Above all, I hope they are loved and respected.

Unions

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, according to this morning's Journal de Montréal:

Éric Duhaime's book Libérez-nous des syndicats was launched under police escort Wednesday night in Montreal after threats were made against the author and the owner of the restaurant hosting the event. Peter Sergakis, owner of Rebel, a restaurant on Sainte-Catherine, told the Journal that he had received three threatening phone calls the week prior to the launch of the controversial columnist's book.

Libérez-nous des syndicats, the book in question, attempts to protect the right of workers and taxpayers. No matter what people think of the book, everyone should agree that threats of violence are unacceptable and that freedom of expression should be protected in Canada.

The book coming out coincides with other revelations of union-related extremism. It is time that we take a stand against this intimidation and defend liberty and speech.

National Defence

[Alain Giguère, NDP, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, may we finally be free of the Conservatives in 2015.

We already knew that the Conservatives were completely out to lunch on the F-35 issue. Now they want to replace our CF-18s with a fighter jet that cannot fly through clouds or in temperatures below -15°C. That takes the cake. This proves just how incompetent the Conservatives are when it comes to military procurement.

One can only conclude that the F-35 is like the Senate, but with wings. Both are examples of mismanagement of public funds; both are cumbersome for the government and cost way too much money; and both seem to be the subject of embarrassing new revelations almost daily. The Conservatives, who adore the F-35, decided to give it a second chance by establishing a bogus secretariat.

Much like their Senate reform, their reform of the F-35 procurement process is going nowhere. The only real solution in both cases is to abolish them completely.

Employment

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to focus on creating jobs and economic growth across the country. Today, StatsCan numbers revealed that another 50,000 net new jobs were created in February. That is more than 950,000 net new jobs created since the depths of the recession. This is a positive sign that our government's economic action plan is working and that Canada's economy is on the right track. In fact, Canada has the best job growth record of all G7 countries. We will continue to focus on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

Unlike the opposition, we have a low-tax plan for Canadians. The NDP continues to push risky spending schemes and a $20 billion job-killing carbon tax. This new tax would kill Canadian jobs and stall the Canadian economy. Canadians can see through the NDP leader's plans and will reject his risky schemes.

Our government will stand up against the NDP leader's job-killing carbon tax and for Canadian jobs and economic growth.

Parliamentary Budget Officer

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when the NDP called on the government to extend Mr. Page's term until a new Parliamentary Budget Officer was chosen, the President of the Treasury Board's office attacked the NDP and said it would be against the law to make an interim appointment. Imagine our surprise when late yesterday Conservatives appointed an interim PBO.

Did Conservatives break the law with this appointment, or did the President of the Treasury Board mislead Canadians?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, of course we want a Parliamentary Budget Officer who is non-partisan and a credible source of opinion for us on fiscal matters. We are very pleased that the office of the Library of Parliament and Ms. L'Heureux have agreed to take on that responsibility on an interim basis. They are, of course, carrying out a search for a new officer.

When it comes to fiscal matters, Canadians know there is really no reason to listen to the NDP. Our government has been delivering. While it talks about higher spending and higher taxes, we have been delivering on a plan to get the fiscal house in order. That is why the deficit has been cut in half and we are on our way to a balanced budget.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that is not the problem. The President of the Treasury Board's comments were clear. Appointing a Parliamentary Budget Officer on an interim basis is against the law.

There are only two possibilities: either the Conservatives broke the law or the President of the Treasury Board has once again been spouting nonsense and misleading the House. So, did they break the law or fail to tell the truth?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as I already said, we want a Parliamentary Budget Officer that is non-partisan and a credible source of opinion for us on fiscal matters.

The Library of Parliament is carrying out a search for a new PBO. I am pleased, and we thank Ms. L'Heureux for accepting this interim appointment.

When it comes to fiscal responsibilities, our leadership is clear. We have reduced the deficit and we are on our way to a balanced budget, unlike the NDP, which wants higher taxes and a huge deficit.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Ms. L'Heureux is well respected, but her role involves supervising the management of the Library of Parliament, which, frankly, is quite different from the role of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. What is more, in her current role, she cannot fulfill the duties of the Parliamentary Budget Officer on a full-time basis. In fact, she does not meet the criteria that she herself set for this position. Does anyone meet these criteria? Yes: Kevin Page.

Rather than appointing someone to the position on an interim basis, why did the Conservatives not extend the mandate of the most qualified employee?

Parliamentary budget office

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I beg to differ. Actually, the parliamentary budget office is part of the Library of Parliament. That is how it is structured. We are pleased that Ms. L'Heureux is actually quite qualified to carry out this responsibility on an interim basis. I am surprised that New Democrats lack confidence in her. She is a very capable individual.

However, I will say this. Today, we have some more news, proving that this government is on the right track when it comes to economic matters, and that is the breaking news of today's job numbers: 50,000 net new jobs and 950,000 jobs since the economic downturn. When it comes to following the right path of job creation and economic growth, it is this government that is doing it.

National Defence

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, one of the great moments in Canadian history was when the Prime Minister said that the F-35 was the only fighter jet to meet the needs of the air force.

Can the Conservatives confirm that they believe the best plane for our troops does not have to fly through clouds or when the temperature is -15^o?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the government has not made a decision on any purchase of a replacement for the aging CF-18s. At this point, our expert panel and the National Fighter Procurement Secretariat are going through a full options analysis to see what options are out there to replace the aging CF-18s.

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of mismanagement Conservatives are having a tough time explaining. They are still pushing the F-35, a plane U.S. test pilots said cannot fly through clouds and cannot operate below 15°. Pilots reported, “Aft visibility will get the pilot gunned every time”. This plane just does not work.

Will that be taken into account before the government rolls ahead with another sole-source contract?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, of course, the expert panel that has been put together to work with the National Fighter Procurement Secretariat is examining all options to replace the aging CF-18s. All information will obviously be taken into account.

Status of women

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

Mr. Speaker, will the next budget correct part of the damage that the Conservatives have done to the women of this country: like when the Conservatives eliminated the funding agreements that had been negotiated with provinces and territories to provide $5 billion for child care and early learning programs; like when the Conservatives took the pay equity regime for federal public servants off the human rights table?

Why would the budget not reverse the closing of 12 of the 16 Status of Women offices?

I have other suggestions as well.