Debates of April 18th, 2013

Taxation

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's fishermen do not deserve another tax. It is wrong.

Budget 2013 will make life more expensive for fishermen and outfitters in Thunder Bay, Rainy River and right across Canada. The Conservatives are quietly increasing tariffs on $50 million worth of fishing gear, including rods, reels and fishing line. “Look, Dad. Look what I caught. It's a Conservative bass tax.”

Why did no one on the government side raise the concerns of fishermen and outfitters about raising taxes on the equipment they count on? Why are the Conservatives casting out fishermen hook, line and sinker?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Minister of State (Finance)]

Mr. Speaker, the real truth is he has it bass-ackwards because actually we are reducing taxes to Canadians.

Let me continue with where I was going in the last answer.

The NDP also voted against the Canada employment credit. It has voted against the public tax credit. The NDP voted against the volunteer firefighters tax credit. Let the member sell that one back home.

Suicide Prevention

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the second suicide in a week, the Neskantaga First Nation has declared a state of emergency. This community of 421 persons has tragically had four suicides this year and 20 attempts. They are not alone. This community, like far too many communities, is in crisis and needs urgent help.

A year and a half ago the Conservatives voted for the Liberal motion to create a national suicide prevention strategy. Where is it?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we welcome the leadership of the Chief of Neskantaga First Nation at this very difficult time.

Health Canada has sent additional nurses as well as counselling staff to assist the community members during this very difficult time.

Our government takes the situation seriously, which is why we provided funding for drug and alcohol abuse programs in the community. It is also why the community received funding to prevent and combat youth solvent abuse.

Pensions

[Gerry Byrne, Liberal, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL]

Mr. Speaker, when the courts ordered Revenue Canada to refund taxes that were inappropriately garnished from commercial fishermen participating in the fisheries licence buyback program, no one told them the impact this decision would have on their future pension eligibility. Service Canada has ruled that the interest on these tax refunds will result in their GIS being denied to these retirees as of July 1 of this year.

Will the minister assure this group of retired fishermen that they will not have their GIS benefits cut in 2013 and 2014? Will she allow the pensioners the ability to option that particular lump sum payment and keep their GIS, yes or no?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, this is a situation involving decisions made under the former Liberal government.

I am happy to report that all the fishermen involved in the initial court case have received their due payments, and our expectation is that reassessments and cheques will continue to be issued going forward.

Each situation is unique. However, our government's absolute expectation is that the CRA administers the Income Tax Act in a manner that is fair and equitable to these fishermen.

Foreign Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, I have had the honour of working with many members of Canada's diplomatic corps, true professionals who defend Canada's interests around the globe with great dignity.

Unfortunately, the Conservatives are about to damage the reputation of Canada's diplomatic corps with a questionable appointment. The head of the Prime Minister's security detail, Bruno Saccomani, does not really seem to have the qualifications required of an ambassador to Jordan, no less.

Why did the Conservatives not entrust this important position to a career diplomat?

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we will not comment on speculation. Bruno Saccomani is a distinguished individual with a strong record as a professional public servant. Our government, this House and all Canadians can be proud of the work he has done and continues to do.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the commercial says, “This is about judgment”.

The minister is well aware that the ambassador's position in Jordan is critical, given the key role this country plays in the Middle East. Canadians are simply left scratching their heads at this appointment. This should be a well-considered appointment to a very sensitive region.

My question is to the minister: is this just another Conservative patronage appointment?

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I just said this is pure speculation at this time.

Mr. Saccomani is a very distinguished individual with a strong record as a professional public servant. Our government, this House and all Canadians can be proud of the work he has done and continues to do.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for over 25 years women and children living on reserves have been without the legal protection they need. Women and children have been victimized and their families deeply affected. Yet for 13 years the Liberals did nothing and the NDP will not even listen to aboriginal women or their Manitoba NDP counterparts.

Will the Minister for Status of Women please update the House on what our government is doing to protect aboriginal women?

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

Mr. Speaker, we have introduced a bill that could protect thousands of aboriginal women and children from violence. The bill responds to calls from victims, from the United Nations and from Amnesty International. It even responds to the Manitoba NDP government, whose legislation unanimously supports the bill, yet last night the Liberals and the NDP shamefully voted against giving aboriginal women rights that are afforded to all other Canadian women.

How can the Liberal and the NDP leader explain this unbelievable paternalism?

Regional Economic Development

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

Mr. Speaker, this week, it was confirmed that Pâtisserie Chevalier, a subsidiary of Canada Bread, will be shutting down. Seventy employees in Shawinigan will be let go. This closure reflects the economic difficulties in the Mauricie region, which needs the federal government's support in finding the investment needed to re-open this type of factory.

Since the minister responsible for Quebec is so concerned about skills training, is he focusing on the regions and the disappearance of this type of—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order. The hon. Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, families are affected every time a company decides to shut down. That is a given. If these companies decide to shut down, it is because, unfortunately, they can no longer afford to be in business. We respect the private sector. We support each and every region, but we will not manage each individual company.

That said, I have had the honour of making a number of announcements in Mauricie, and there are more to come. Take, for example, Premier Aviation in Trois-Rivières, which is doing an exceptional job in aircraft maintenance. Then there is Delastek in Louiseville, which is another success story. We will continue to work with the people in the region and support the economies of all of the regions in Quebec.

Aboriginal Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, when OxyContin was pulled from the shelves last March, the Minister of Health claimed the federal response for first nation communities struggling with addiction was adequate and attacked anyone who disagreed.

Now the Neskantaga first nation is in a state of emergency after a cluster of suicides while rampant addiction to prescription drugs is still a problem.

Will the minister stop playing political games and start working with aboriginal communities? These willing partners need long-term solutions, not Band-Aids.

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to those individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide. Health Canada will work closely with the community and send both additional nurses and counselling staff to assist the community during this time.

We have renewed funding for, and work very closely with, the national aboriginal organizations to develop the framework for the national aboriginal youth suicide prevention strategy. We also continue to fund a number of community-based programs and services for mental health promotions, counselling, addiction prevention treatments and aftercare for first nations. Suicide prevention is also a pillar of the pathways to aboriginal health equity program we announced last year.

Canadian Heritage

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today Rush, one of the most influential rock bands in Canadian history, is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The trio, composed of leader singer and bassist Geddy Lee, guitar player Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart, has sold more than 40 million records worldwide. Their album sales place them third behind The Beatles and the Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums sold by a rock band.

Rush followed Tom Sawyer, Roll the Bones and rode their Red Barchetta into the Limelight of YYZ, a Subdivisions for the Working Man, and their Freewill is now being rewarded.

Could the Minister of Canadian Heritage please expand on how this influential band has impacted and shaped the music scene in Canada?

[James Moore, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages]

Mr. Speaker, formed in 1968 in Toronto and still selling out concerts to this very day, Rush has become one of the most influential bands in Canada's history. Songs like Freewill, Tom Sawyer and Closer to the Heart are known and loved by all Canadians. The band's fame extends well beyond Canada. Rush's international popularity will have indeed been recognized and will be formally recognized today as Rush is inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On behalf of all Canadians and I think all members of the House, we want to wish Rush all the best and congratulations on their success and their recognition today.

Employment

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in January the jobless rate in London was 8.5%. In February, it was 9.1%. By March, it hit 9.6%.

London has long been a manufacturing centre with good value-added jobs. In 2011, the Prime Minister was happy to have a photo op at Electro-Motive Diesel, but when it closed it doors, there was not a Conservative in sight. Their so-called action plan has failed my community.

We need a job plan that brings value-added jobs back to London. Where is it?

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that just through one program, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, we have assisted London in many ways, including putting tens of millions of dollars into its academic community, into the airports and into the colleges.

However, that member voted no. Not only did she vote against that funding, but she showed up when the cheques were delivered and smiled for the cameras.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please.

The hon. member for Thunder Bay—Superior North.

Telecommunications Industry

[Bruce Hyer, Independent, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government's feeble wireless policies are headed for failure—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!