Debates of April 25th, 2013

National Volunteer Week

[Matthew Dubé, NDP, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this being National Volunteer Week, as the NDP's sport critic, I have the honour of recognizing the importance of volunteer work in amateur sport in Canada.

It is undeniable: millions of Canadians give freely of their time in order to ensure that our young people have opportunities to participate in affordable, high-quality sporting activities.

Without them, our sport system would be in bad shape. Volunteer work plays just as big a role in our young people's participation in sports as it does in the incredible performance of our Olympic champions.

From coast to coast to coast, in small towns or big cities, volunteers in sport are making a difference. They not only make our kids stay active and healthy, they teach them the values of respect, equality, friendship and the joy of giving. They are an example for all of us.

A week to underline their importance is not enough. Each day we must celebrate their hard work.

I would like to tell all of the volunteers in my community and across the country that this is their week. I would like to thank them for all that they do for their communities.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the many volunteers who dedicate their time and offer their services for the good of others across Canada. It has been noted that the volunteer hours they contribute are the economic equivalent of more than one million full-time jobs.

It is also my observation that if one wants to witness a group of happy people, go into a room of volunteers.

It has been said that the service we render to others is the rent we pay for living on this great earth. This is so true in my riding of Lambton—Kent—Middlesex where thousands of volunteers give unselfishly of their time, talent and resources, most of which we never see, so lives and our communities are made better.

Once again, I thank all the volunteers in my riding of Lambton—Kent—Middlesex and across Canada as we recognize National Volunteer Week.

Canadian Cancer Society.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, all Canadians have either been or know someone who has been affected by cancer, so we all realize the impact of this disease.

Over the years, diagnosis, treatment and quality of care have vastly improved, but in 2012 there were over 186,000 cases of cancer and of those cases, 75,000 may die, still far too many.

This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Cancer Society, which supports individuals and their families from the time they are diagnosed until the end of their treatment, works with public health agencies to promote health and cancer prevention, funds cutting-edge research, and promotes better health for all Canadians.

The Canadian Cancer Society has delivered over $1.2 billion in funding for research since 1947. I am pleased to salute its ongoing efforts and encourage all Canadians to display their daffodils today to help raise cancer awareness and show those living with cancer that they are not alone in this fight and that we will find a cure together.

Medical Marijuana

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I recently met with a number of families in Chilliwack who are concerned by a large marijuana grow operation that has sprung up in their neighbourhood. Shockingly, this massive grow op is considered a legal grow under the medical marijuana access program regulation set up by a previous Liberal government.

Medical marijuana grow ops have grown out of control in my riding of Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon. Families are concerned that their children, their safety and their standard of living are all put at risk when a grow op is located in their community.

Organized crime has infiltrated the program and there is no ability for city officials or firefighters to even know where these so-called legal grows are located.

Fortunately, our government is making significant changes to the program and will make it illegal to grow medical marijuana in neighbourhoods by March 2014.

Unfortunately, the NDP and Liberals have opposed our efforts to get rid of these grow ops. It is time for them to get onboard with our government, keep families safe and get marijuana grow ops out of our neighbourhoods.

Justice

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that spring has sprung and love is in the air as last night we witnessed the two old-line parties caught in each other's warm embrace once again.

When the final vote for Bill S-7 came up, it was Liberal, Tory, same old story as the Liberals and Conservatives were seen voting hand-in-hand.

Together they voted through a law that allows secret hearings and incarcerations of up to one year without charge and conviction, provisions that have proven unnecessary in the past and provisions that represent a clear violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a piece of paper that some parties in this place should understand better.

We recognize that these springtime smells can be intoxicating, but that is no excuse for shirking one's responsibility to uphold both the letter and spirit of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, even when it takes political courage to do so.

Canadians deserve a party that will fight to protect the sanctity of the charter in all circumstances and they will have a chance to choose that change when they vote NDP in the federal election of 2015.

Hoops 4 Hope

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent of mine from Cloverdale, British Columbia who is serving young people in a unique way.

After a career as a six-foot-seven-inch basketball player, Rick Gill is using his talents to give back to others through his organization, Hoops 4 Hope.

Rick has been taking his inspirational message to young people in Canada's Arctic. This June, as in previous summers, Rick will be in Baker Lake, Nunavut for two weeks running a basketball summer camp for children.

Along with improving their basketball skills, Rick will be challenging them to learn some important life skills by addressing such topics as suicide, drug abuse and peer pressure and helping them make positive and informed choices. As Rick says:

Making jump shots is the easy part, but affecting the behaviour of young people is difficult, as any parent or teacher will tell you.

To learn more about Hoops 4 Hope, see its website, www.hoopsafrica.org.

Canadian Cancer Society

[James Rajotte, Conservative, Edmonton—Leduc, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Cancer Society and give thanks for its work to raise awareness, advocacy and funds in support of cancer research and treatment. Since its founding in 1938, due to the tireless efforts of cancer researchers and treatment by health care professionals, five-year survival rates have gone from 25% to 60%.

As Canadians are all too aware, cancer touches everyone. In 1977, 36 years ago, my dad spent five weeks in a hospital being treated for cancer. I am pleased to say that we celebrated his 78th birthday last Sunday.

Whenever I encounter a friend battling cancer, I am struck by two things: their courage in facing and fighting this disease; and the comfort and care provided by their family, friends and caregivers.

Thanks to them, and the efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society, no one is alone in the journey to beat cancer. The support they provide continues to raise public awareness about this terrible disease and will hopefully lead to one day finding a cure for all cancers.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising to recognize the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Day.

We wear yellow daffodil pins as symbols of hope: hope for new treatments and new breakthroughs; hope for comprehensive care, including psychosocial support for those living with cancer and their families; and hope for a country that has social policies that reduce stress, anxiety and financial barriers for cancer patients seeking treatment.

In honour and in memory of those who cancer has taken away, let us recommit ourselves to make this hope a reality.

Let us take this opportunity to thank the Canadian Cancer Society for 75 years of incredible fight against cancer.

Together, we will find a cure.

Workplace Safety

[Ed Holder, Conservative, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the annual National Day of Mourning, April 28.

This day reminds us of the need to establish safe working conditions in all of Canada's workplaces.

In Canada, nearly 1,000 workers die each year as a result of workplace accidents.

That is correct. One thousand workers die needlessly every year from preventable workplace accidents. This is too sad, and it is wrong. Every one of these people is precious to someone. This government recognizes those workers who have been injured or killed because of on-the-job accidents by improving our standards and by working towards safer workplaces through education, co-operation and action.

This Sunday, the flag on Parliament Hill will fly at half-staff, and Canada will be joined by 80 countries around the world to pay tribute to those who never made it home. Through federal laws and regulations, our government strives to ensure that workplaces are safe and productive for all Canadians.

This Sunday and every day, we must remain vigilant in our commitment to ensuring that people return home safely after each day of work. Their families deserve no less.

[Chris Charlton, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 1991, this House adopted an NDP private member's bill proclaiming April 28 the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job, but for New Democrats, mourning is just one part of our annual recommitment. Yes, first we mourn the dead, but then we fight for the living.

There is no such thing as a workplace accident. Every workplace death and injury is preventable. That is why we have had Criminal Code amendments in effect since 2004 allowing for the criminal prosecution of employers for workplace injuries and fatalities. It should be straightforward: kill a worker, go to jail. Yet only two provinces have ever laid charges. It is time governments take the measures needed to ensure that police and crown attorneys treat the site of a workplace injury or fatality like a crime scene. It is a crime scene. Only by prosecuting to the full extent of the law will we ever achieve the deterrent effect that will lead to safer workplaces.

On this day of mourning, I call on all of us who participate in making laws to also do our part in ensuring that those laws are enforced.

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Bernard Trottier, Conservative, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for the past seven years, our government has continued to work hard in order to keep taxes low for Canadians and their families. Unfortunately, the NDP leader remains true to his socialist roots and would implement irresponsible taxes on hardworking Canadians. Not only would they raise corporate taxes, payroll taxes, income taxes and the GST, but the leader of the NDP and his party would impose a $20-billion job-killing carbon tax to pay for his $56-billion reckless spending plan. Canadians simply cannot afford to have these risky policies the NDP would impose on the backs of hard-working Canadians.

On behalf of Canadians, we demand that the leader of the NDP come clean on the details of his $20-billion job-killing carbon tax and on his $56-billion reckless spending plan.

Workplace Safety

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning for those killed or injured due to workplace accidents or hazards. More than 1,000 Canadians die each year because of work-related injury or illness. That is almost four people every workday, four people who leave for work in the morning, kiss their spouse and children goodbye and never come home.

On May 9, 1992, 26 miners left for work at the Westray mine in Nova Scotia and never came home again because of lax safety protocols, poor oversight and mismanagement, which led to an explosion that took their lives and left an entire province in mourning.

The Westray disaster led directly to Bill C-45, which was brought forward by my former colleague, Andy Scott. It amended the Criminal Code in 2004 to impose criminal negligence liability on employers. There is still more that can be done to identify and predict hazardous work situations before the occur.

On behalf of our leader and the entire caucus, we pay our respects to all Canadians and their families who have lost their lives in the workplace. We honour those who are suffering in illness and injury.

Terrorism

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government takes its responsibility to protect Canadians very seriously. That is why we introduced the anti-terrorism bill.

It is an important bill that gives law enforcement officials the tools they need to protect law-abiding citizens from those who would do them harm.

However, the NDP never misses a chance to oppose common-sense measures that would keep Canadians safe.

In a shocking admission yesterday, the NDP member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca said that we know what happened to Japanese Canadians in the panic of World War II and that the act would risk those same kinds of restrictions on civil liberties for Canadians.

The NDP needs to come clean. Why does it think Canadians should have less protection from terrorists than the Supreme Court allows?

National Day of Mourning

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, April 28, 2013, will mark the 29th National Day of Mourning. Every year, hundreds of workers lose their lives as a result of workplace accidents or occupational diseases. There were 919 work-related deaths in Canada in 2011, including 204 in Quebec. There have been over 12,000 deaths in the past decade.

While we cannot imagine the pain and suffering of the hundreds of families that have lost a loved one, we can keep in mind that these accidents could have been and should have been prevented. Unions have done a great deal to advance this cause, but there is still much to be done to ensure workplace safety.

We must not wait until tragedies like the Westray mine explosion happen again before taking action. The recent assault of a Montreal bus driver reminds us that worker safety is still a valid demand. Workers need to be protected. Let us keep up the fight, remember those who have been unjustly taken from us and know that no one should lose their life while earning a living.

National Volunteer Week

[Lawrence Toet, Conservative, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate National Volunteer Week, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers in my riding of Elmwood—Transcona. From literacy groups, food banks and music programs for at-risk youth to community celebrations like Happy Days and the Hi Neighbour Festival, my constituents are always stepping forward to help make our community better for everyone. The spirit of volunteerism is thriving in Elmwood—Transcona, with some extra help from people like Barb Culbertson, Ken Butchart and Dr. David Marsh. These individuals, and many more, have given their time to help build playgrounds in the riding, plan major community celebrations and work with Rotary to help eradicate polio.

Volunteers are helping improve our communities each day. Whether it is in large or small ways, each are valued and appreciated. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the lives of many are made better. These are just a few of the many examples of people in Elmwood—Transcona who are putting others before themselves. It is why we have much to celebrate and look forward to. It makes me proud, as their representative, to be able to recognize their commitment to community and to each other.

National Day of Mourning

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand that there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence to commemorate the National Day of Mourning and to honour the memory of workers killed or injured at work.

I invite hon. members to rise.

[A moment of silence observed]

The Environment

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, when the Minister of Natural Resources is not quoting fictional climate scientists, he is attacking the real ones. Yesterday in Washington, the Minister of Natural Resources lashed out at a former NASA climate scientist calling his work “nonsense”. He accused scientists who speak out about climate change of “crying wolf”.

Is this why the Minister of Natural Resources was sent to Washington, to insult U.S. government scientists?

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

Mr. Speaker, the reason the Minister of Natural Resources is in Washington is to fight for Canadian jobs and to protect our environment. This is in perfect, clear and stark contrast to the reason New Democrat members of Parliament have gone to Washington, D.C.: to fight against Canadian interests; to fight against the creation of Canadian jobs; and of course, to come back here to Ottawa and offer no plan with regard to climate change.

Our government is very proud of our dual-track record of standing up for Canadian jobs, standing up for Canadian exports, but also protecting Canada's environment.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

That is interesting, Mr. Speaker. Here is a direct quote from the Canadian Press, April 19, 2013, during the visit of the Minister of Finance to Washington. Keystone will be “good for employment in the United States—more than 40,000 well-paying jobs” will be created in the U.S.

We are fighting for jobs in Canada. We have no lessons to take from them.

The Conservative government has destroyed Canada's international reputation when it comes to the environment. First we drop out of Kyoto, then the United Nations convention to combat desertification. Why does the government spend its time insulting scientists instead of taking action?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is sad that the Leader of the Opposition does not understand comparative or competitive economics.

The fact is that the Keystone XL project will create jobs on both sides of the border. This project is projected to create over 140,000 jobs in Canada. Just because it will create jobs in the United States does not mean it does not create jobs in Canada. This is a fallacy left over from NDP economics when those members fought against the FTA and fought against NAFTA, and they continue it again today.

At their convention they said they took socialism out of the preamble of their constitution, but it is clear that it is alive and well in NDP economics.

Employment Insurance

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yet another provincial premier is speaking out against the Prime Minister's cuts to EI. This time it is the Conservative Premier of New Brunswick who is asking the Prime Minister to halt his EI cuts and consult with the provinces, something that he never does.

For years the Prime Minister talked about Atlantic Canada's culture of defeat. The Prime Minister has not shown the slightest understanding of the impact his cuts will have on workers, on seasonal industries and on the regional economy. Will the Prime Minister listen to the Conservative Premier of New Brunswick and stop these cuts until their impact can be studied?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are taking the responsible approach to managing Canada's economy, which includes a robust employment insurance system that is there for Canadians when and where they need it.

The Premier of New Brunswick has raised concerns. We work with him, as we work with premiers across the country, which is also why our government was entrusted from a minority up to a majority government while increasing our representation in the province of New Brunswick. New Brunswickers understand that we understand the balance between creating jobs, ensuring the employment system is there, and ensuring long-term prosperity for the Canadian economy.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Premier of New Brunswick, David Alward, is calling for a moratorium on changes to EI. Over the weekend, Premier Alward will ask his counterparts in Atlantic Canada to join him in this demand. He is accusing the federal Conservative government of not conducting an impact study for these changes.

Everyone in Atlantic Canada and Quebec is against the reform.

When will the Conservatives start listening to people and put an end to this terrible reform?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, EI is there to provide financial assistance to people who lose their jobs. We are even going further than that: we are helping people search for and find a new job.

We will continue to work with the provinces and territories to help them connect people with available jobs in their region and in their field. If there are no jobs, employment insurance will continue to be there, as always.

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

Mr. Speaker, it would be nice if we could connect the federal Conservatives with the provincial Conservatives in New Brunswick.

The minister's terrible reform is not helping anyone. No one has thanked her for cutting EI benefits. No one has thanked her for treating the unemployed like fraudsters. Even the Premier of New Brunswick blames the federal Conservatives for lost byelections. They did not conduct an impact study nor did they hold any consultations.

It is a Conservative premier who is telling them that they are way out to lunch.

Will they listen to the provinces—