Debates of April 15th, 2013

International Co-operation

[Julian Fantino, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, our government is making Canada's assistance more effective and efficient so that we can get resources to those who need it most around the world. We are supporting concrete measures to help developing countries deal with drought instead of paying for conferences and salaries of UN bureaucrats.

Only 18% of the UN convention budget went to programs to deal with drought, compared to nearly 75% on salaries, consultants, conferences and internal office expenses, which is something that the NDP would obviously support.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, walking away from this treaty in the middle of a 10-year strategy is just short-sighted and irresponsible.

What would it cost? It would cost about the same as Pamela Wallin's travel budget. That is how much it would cost. The result is that we are isolating ourselves even more from the international world.

We pulled out of Kyoto. We have lost our seat at the Security Council. We have cut our aid to Africa. Now we are isolating ourselves. From what we just heard from the minister, I guess it is okay to actually do less with the poorest regions in the world.

Will the Conservatives reverse their decision and start acting responsibly?

[Julian Fantino, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Canadians, I believe that it is the responsible thing to do with hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Canadians can be proud of the results that their hard-earned tax dollars are achieving, not on talk shops but on real measures to help those in greater need.

Health

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the international embarrassment is now spreading from the environment to health issues. In 2011, the Conservatives abandoned the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being. This is a critical international forum tackling major health issues in the north. Now we learn the Conservatives are refusing to pay their outstanding dues.

Why are the Conservatives ignoring the health needs of northern Canadians and why are they further isolating Canada on the world stage?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, our government is pleased to have contributed to the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being. In 2011, I informed the organization that Canada would no longer work with the partnership as an official member. We are always looking at ways to make sure hard-earned tax dollars achieve results for Canadians. Our government will continue to focus and prioritize its efforts to address northern health issues through other existing networks like the Arctic Council.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to turn a blind eye to the challenges facing northern communities. It is incredible.

By backing out of the partnership in public health and social well-being, which consists of 11 countries, the Conservatives are denying northern communities an important resource to fight the spread of tuberculosis, alcohol and drug addiction, high rates of diabetes, and malnutrition.

Why are the Conservatives refusing to co-operate with the other governments so that we can work together to tackle the health problems facing northern communities?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the previous governments that have made cuts, we have made significant investments in northern health care, northern infrastructure, research like TB, pathways to health equity research, Nutrition North Canada. We have made a number of investments in Canada's north and that party continues to vote against those investments.

Ethics

[Scott Andrews, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Mr. Speaker, disgraced former MP Peter Penashue claims he held up funding projects for Newfoundland. That is very interesting, because Premier Dunderdale and a senior Conservative MP were asked about the claim, and neither had any idea what Peter was talking about.

My question is for the Prime Minister. Could he help poor old Peter out and inform the House exactly what projects were held up or was Peter just making it up?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, Peter Penashue has delivered for Labrador. He helped deliver funding for the Trans-Labrador Highway, the thousands of jobs that will result for the entire area as a result of the Muskrat Falls project. He has helped scrap the long gun registry, defended the seal hunt. This is a solid track record of delivering for his constituents and now he will have an opportunity to defend that record of achievement in front of them.

National Defence

[Judy Foote, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

Mr. Speaker, funny how a byelection in Labrador can bring out the imaginary Conservative promises. In 2005, the member for Central Nova promised a rapid reaction battalion and UAV squadron for Goose Bay if his party won. Eight years, three elections and a defence plan and there is still nothing. The words “Goose” and “Bay” do not even appear in the Conservative government's defence strategy.

Where are the promised jobs for Goose Bay? Why would anyone in Labrador believe the Conservatives this time?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the member has been if she has missed the investments that have been made in Goose Bay. In fact, we have invested $22.5 million in infrastructure and remediation at the base. We have committed another $29 million to similar projects taking place. We have extended the runway at Goose Bay. We have Canadian Forces members there who are serving their country proudly.

What we do know, what we can count on consistently from that member and her party is to oppose all of these improvements for the men and women in uniform.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' disregard for fisheries science, in fact many people would call it their contempt for fisheries science, has reached new heights. They have gutted fish habitat protection. They have slashed funding to departments. Now they are cutting access to scientific resources by closing seven world-class fisheries libraries across the country. Experts are calling the move a disaster and a national tragedy.

Will the minister stop this reckless plan to continue dismantling fisheries science in the country?

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and for the Asia-Pacific Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, we continue to spend about $200 million a year on fisheries science. Since 2006, we have added an additional about $150 million for specific projects.

With respect to the libraries, our government is committed to reducing waste and duplication. The fact is that most people want to get the resources by digital means, and that is what we are doing.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, not only is the minister cutting fisheries science resources, he is withholding reports with crucial information on the status of Fraser River salmon. Without it, the department cannot implement wild salmon policy to protect B.C. sockeye, even though reports show that some salmon populations are threatened with extinction.

Will the minister immediately commit to releasing these reports and implementing the wild salmon policy, and when will the Conservatives finally act on Justice Cohen's recommendations?

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and for the Asia-Pacific Gateway]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member and all members of the House that our government recognizes the cultural and economic importance of salmon to British Columbia. That is why we commissioned the Cohen inquiry in 2009 and we have made a number of significant investments to support the development of Canadian fisheries, including in B.C.

In fact, I thought he would rise and thank our government for the measures announced in economic action plan 2013 to dedicate all funds collected through the sale of the salmon conservation stamp to the Pacific Salmon Foundation. I know British Columbians are very pleased.

Veterans Affairs

[Bryan Hayes, Conservative, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while the New Democrats are busy trying to rewrite Canadian military history, our government remains focused on highlighting and celebrating the incredible achievements made by Canadian veterans. I am sure many Canadians recognize images of the Lancaster bomber and recall stories of great Canadian pilots who flew so bravely during impossible missions over Germany throughout the Second World War.

With the 75th anniversary of World War II just a few years from now, would the Minister of Veterans Affairs please update the House on any new efforts to recognize and pay respects to our great pilots?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Sault Ste. Marie for his question as well as for his work on the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Today, the Minister of National Defence and I announced a new Canadian Bomber Command honour, which pays tribute to those Canadians who fought for peace, freedom and democracy through their service in Bomber Command. Over 50,000 Canadians served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Bomber Command operations, and close to 10,000 made the ultimate sacrifice. I invite all members to pay tribute and to never forget.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if the health and safety of Canadians is truly a priority for the government, we could not tell from the cuts being experienced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Food safety is a life and death matter, yet a 15% cut in spending and a 14% cut in staffing will affect programs that focus on food safety and the front line.

After two major food safety crises, will the minister finally stop cutting the CFIA, or is he waiting for a third catastrophe to complete his major outbreak hat trick?

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, of course food safety for Canadians is the top priority of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. As a government, since 2006, we have increased its budgetary capacity by some 20% and we continue to add to its capacity in the front line of food inspection. We continue to do that, despite the opposition members constantly voting down those budgetary proposals. That is unfortunate.

Official Languages

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

Mr. Speaker, in his preliminary report, the official languages commissioner said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs' business cards violate the Official Languages Act. At the same time, the Minister of International Cooperation is telling his employees to write in English only. What is more, he is accusing his employees of doctoring the emails they received.

When will the Prime Minister of Canada tell his ministers, once and for all, that they need to respect the Official Languages Act? Canada has had an Official Languages Act for 43 years, yet they are not even—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. Minister of International Cooperation.

[Julian Fantino, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, those assertions are absurd indeed. We value and appreciate full well and we communicate in both official languages. This is the reality. We do that.

The hon. member opposite should realize full well that we are respectful of the duality of languages and we in fact also encourage the hon. member to stick to the facts and not the rumours or false innuendoes.

Canada Revenue Agency

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

Mr. Speaker, recent media coverage has shed light on potential abuse of tax havens by some who try to cheat the Canadian tax system. Those who seek to avoid paying their fair share of taxes are taking money away from programs and services on which hard-working Canadians depend.

Would the Minister of National Revenue update the House on the government's proposal and efforts to combat tax evasion?

[Gail Shea, Conservative, Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, our government has long recognized that this is a serious issue. Since 2006, the number of audit positions in the CRA's international audit program has increased by almost 40% and nearly doubled in the CRA's aggressive tax planning program. This increase, along with the new measures announced in the economic action plan 2013, will give CRA an unprecedented ability to combat tax cheats and improve the integrity of Canada's tax system.

Health

[Raymond Côté, NDP, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we just learned from a press conference that nickel dust in Limoilou has been coming from a single source: the port of Quebec City.

Since last November, I have been asking the Minister of Transport about this, but he refuses to take it seriously. More importantly, he is shirking his responsibilities in this matter. To justify his failure to act, he said that we were simply fearmongering. Meanwhile, people were being affected by nickel dust contamination. He should apologize.

When did the minister learn that it was his responsibility?