Debates of May 24th, 2013

Bertha Tenasco Commanda

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House to pay tribute to an exceptional woman from my riding, an elder from the Algonquin community of Kitigan Zibi, Bertha Tenasco Commanda. Her funeral service was held on May 20.

She was the co-chair of the national Elders Council of the Assembly of First Nations.

She was responsible for opening ceremonies with prayers and traditional offerings. Ms. Commanda was particularly interested in education and the status of aboriginal languages. She served as an intermediary between people and helped foster a better understanding of Algonquin culture, philosophy and traditional medicine.

She was a guardian of traditions, values, language and history, and her words were filled with wisdom and kindness. In January 2013, she offered her support at the meeting between first nations and the Prime Minister.

Ms. Commanda had the qualities of a spiritual leader. Her passing represents a great loss for the people in my riding, as well as a loss of knowledge of the culture and traditions of Kitigan Zibi.

On behalf of all my NDP colleagues, I offer my deepest condolences to the members of her family and community.

Migwech.

Forest Products Association of Canada

[Dick Harris, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this week the Forest Products Association of Canada celebrated its 100th anniversary. Its members have guided the health and well-being of Canada's forest industry through a very challenging period in its life, and they have come out on top through hard work, incredible perseverance and a bold vision to continue to be world leaders through the use of next-generation forest technology. This vision has resulted in a huge leap in the effective use of wood fibre, and the industry has become a star in forest environmental friendliness.

I want to thank our government for its continued funding support for science and technology research. Much of this research has been used to dramatically increase the use of wood fibre and help the forest industry become environment-friendly leaders.

This week the Minister of State (Science and Technology) announced yet another $413 million for discovery researchers. I know that our forest industry will continue to benefit from research such as this.

Korean War Veterans

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday the Oshawa Legion is holding a ceremony in honour of Korean Veterans Appreciation Day.

Korean War veterans deserve our respect and admiration. July 27 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.

The Korean War is often called the “forgotten war”. It is up to us to ensure that this war, the Canadian veterans who fought and those who paid the ultimate price are never forgotten.

Recent events have shown us why the sacrifices of our Korean War veterans were so important. Were it not for them, the entire Korean peninsula would be living under the oppression and tyranny of the North Korean regime. The south is free and prosperous because of the sacrifices of our veterans. We must never forget them.

Oshawa has many Korean War veterans, including Doug Finney of the Oshawa Legion, who is the national vice-president of the Koreans Veterans Association.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Korean War veterans in Oshawa and Canada for the sacrifices they made to ensure the freedom and dignity of South Koreans.

Quebec Tourism Awards Gala

[Jean Rousseau, NDP, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week I joined a delegation from my riding to attend the gala of the Grands Prix du tourisme québécois. I was extremely honoured by the success of the Jacques Robidas equestrian centre in North Hatley, a finalist, Camp Val-Estrie in Waterville, a bronze medal winner, and the Parc national du Mont-Mégantic, the winner in its class. I am very proud of these outstanding representatives of tourism expertise in the Eastern Townships.

There is no question that in the regions, so often neglected by the Conservatives, the hundreds of businesses in the tourism industry provide clear direct and indirect benefits.This remarkable contribution effectively translates into thousands of jobs in Quebec and hundreds of thousands more across the country.

Whether they work at the Mines de Capelton in North Hatley, the Beaulne museum or Coaticook Gorge, the Louis S. St. Laurent museum in Compton or the Eaton Corner museum, the gold mine interpretation centre in Chartierville, the granite exhibit in Stanstead or its model train museum—the only one of its kind in Canada—the people in the tourism industry sustain an economy that is vital for the regions of Quebec and everywhere else in Canada.

Thank you to all who believe in our tourism industry.

Komagata Maru

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Brampton West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 99th anniversary of the arrival of the S.S. Komagata Maru in Vancouver, one of the darkest chapters in Canadian history.

The 376 South Asian passengers who sought to build new lives in Canada were victims of discriminatory policies and denied entry. The ship was forced back to India, where many passengers were shot or imprisoned. This government is determined to never forget what happened. The community historical recognition project earmarked $2.5 million to the Indo-Canadian community for commemoration projects, including the first monument close to where the ship anchored.

In August 2008, our Prime Minister made a historic apology on behalf of the Government of Canada. One year ago, the hon. Minister of State for Democratic Reform tabled the apology here in the House of Commons and read it into the official record.

I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in remembrance.

Ray Guy

[Ryan Cleary, NDP, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay homage to the greatest of Newfoundland and Labrador journalists, columnists and satirists, the fearless Ray Guy.

Joey Smallwood, the province's first premier, ruled like an emperor for more than two decades. Using weapons like political intimidation, Smallwood's influence extended to every nook and cranny and went largely unchecked until Ray Guy.

Ray Guy had a “Mark Twain meets outport Newfoundland and Labrador” genius to his writing. He decided early on that the only course was to perhaps "giggle the bastards to death”. Ray Guy was a fierce Newfoundlander and a bayman in the very best sense of the word. He probably could not put an arse in a cat, but the boy could write.

In the words of Eric Norman, Ray Guy “strips the blinkers from our eyes and says—see, there is something strong and noble and valuable in the Newfoundlander as he was and as he is and in his Country.”

Ray once wrote that the Rock never cries and it does not, but the Rock is drenched with the tears shed over the loss of such greatness as Ray Guy.

New Democratic Party of Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, taxpayers in my riding of Don Valley East believe that all Canadian taxpayers are expected to follow the rules and pay their fair share. The NDP's own revenue critic said, “Hard-working Canadians who are filing their taxes right now deserve a government that stands up against tax evaders”. My constituents would fully support this statement if the NDP was serious about it.

My question to the NDP is if it wants to stand up for law-abiding Canadian taxpayers, will the NDP start by standing up against tax evaders in its own caucus?

Iran

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, next week, we will be holding Iran Accountability Week to sound the alarm on the Iranian threat to international peace and security and, in particular, the massive domestic oppression that is intensifying in the run up to the Iranian presidential elections in June.

Indeed, Iran Accountability Week can not have come at a more propitious time, coinciding with the 5th anniversary of the imprisonment of the Bahá'i leadership; the 25th anniversary of the 1988 massacre of Iranian political dissidents; and the recent report of 2,600 political prisoners in Iran, including imprisoned women, ethnic and religious leaders, journalists, bloggers, artists, students and trade union leaders. Simply put, they are the leaders of Iranian civil society, many under threat of execution.

Accordingly, we will launch Iran Accountability Week on Monday May 27, with the announcement of the Iranian political prisoner global advocacy project. Canadian parliamentarians will be paired with Iranian political prisoners to let them know that they are not alone, we stand in solidarity with them, the whole world is watching and we will be relentless in our advocacy of their case and cause.

I ask all parliamentarians to join us in the pursuit of justice on behalf of the Iranian people.

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the NDP has some serious explaining to do as details about his 17-year secret are coming to light.

Since 1994, the leader of the NDP has been hiding the secret that the former mayor of Laval allegedly offered him help by offering him an envelope full of cash. In 2010, the leader of the NDP even denied the fact that the bribe was even made. It is shameful that the leader of the NDP denied any involvement in 2010 and has only now decided to come clean about the bribe. It is shameful that the leader of the NDP has kept a secret for 17 years. It is shameful that the leader of the NDP is trying to protect the former mayor of Laval, a man who faces numerous criminal charges.

The leader of the NDP needs to come clean with Canadians and offer to appear before the Charbonneau commission to explain what he knows.

Conservative Party of Canada

[Jamie Nicholls, NDP, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we need to keep talking about the Conservative Party's moral bankruptcy. The Conservatives lost track of $3 billion. The Prime Minister's Office is covering up the Senate scandal. The Conservative party is breaking the rules and accepting money from defeated candidates who are then rewarded with patronage appointments. The courts have found that this party did everything it could to slow down the investigation into election fraud, and the party used its lists to commit fraud. The Conservatives have become the very kind of politicians they used to rail against.

What is worse, they seem to have taken up the Liberal approach to ethics.

At first, they said that everything was above board. Then, they said that those involved in the scandal did the right thing. After all, no one was really in the know about what had happened. Yesterday, the Prime Minister said that he did not know about any of it, but that he was very upset. Tomorrow they will likely promise to change.

Canadians deserve better than the Liberal and Conservative scandals. In 2015, they will have a choice. The NDP is that choice.

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Robert Goguen, Conservative, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Mr. Speaker, every day, Canadians are shocked anew by disturbing allegations emerging from the Charbonneau commission.

Recently, we learned that the leader of the NDP waited 17 long years before disclosing the fact that the former mayor of Laval offered him a bribe.

When asked about the matter in 2010, the leader of the NDP flatly denied that he had been offered an envelope. Then he changed his tune when police questioned him.

To top it off, the leader of the NDP now says that he is proud to have helped the police. He has no reason to be proud of what he did or did not do.

His failure to take action sets a bad example when it comes to fighting corruption. The leader of the NDP must offer to appear before the Charbonneau commission.

Canadians deserve better.

Ethics

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, senior Conservative senator David Tkachuk made it clear the PMO was directly involved in the Senate report whitewash. According to the senator, Nigel Wright would “want to know things, like ‘When is it going to be done? When is this thing over with?'”

The PMO had a hand in rewriting the report. Conservatives only owned up to the whitewash after it hit the front pages.

Senators cannot be trusted to investigate themselves, so why do the Conservatives continue to call this committee independent?

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

Mr. Speaker, the member's premise is once again false. The committee consulted widely in the authorship of its report, including with members of the opposition. The committee chair made that clear.

As to the examination of events that happened, that will occur under the auspices of the House of Commons independent Ethics Commissioner and the Senate's independent Ethics Officer. We look forward to the findings.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, let us continue with the story. The senator told The Globe, “...we had a political problem.” He then goes on to confess he consulted Nigel Wright on the rewriting of the report into Senator Duffy's expense claims.

Will the Conservatives now tell us what documents they have given to the RCMP or the ethics officers regarding this arrangement involving Mr. Wright, Mr. Duffy and Mr. Tkachuk?

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

Mr. Speaker, the difference in the report is the result of the reimbursement of Mr. Duffy's expense claims. That is what the chair has said and that is what we have said all along.

Now the question is, “How do we toughen the rules on Senate expense claims to avoid future expense abuses?” We have proposed 11 tough new changes that would eliminate the honour system and require senators to have full documentation for every claim they make.

The only problem is that the leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate has said that he is blocking those tough new changes.

41st General Election

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want the Conservatives to come clean on this whole sordid affair.

We now have another federal judge slamming the behaviour of the Conservatives. In his judgment on electoral fraud, Justice Mosley writes:

Despite the obvious public interest in getting to the bottom of the allegations, the [Conservatives] made little effort to assist with the investigation at the outset despite early requests.

Will the Conservatives continue to claim they fully co-operated when the court has now said the exact opposite is true?

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

Mr. Speaker, the case was brought by a hyper-partisan organization, called the Council of Canadians, which failed to produce a single solitary person who was prevented from voting because of a robocall.

That case by this partisan group was dismissed yesterday by the judge.

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the court decision in relation to the fraudulent calls made during the last election, Justice Mosley said that the Conservative database was quite possibly the source of those calls. He also pointed out that the Conservatives all but refused to co-operate with the Elections Canada investigation.

Why did the Conservatives refuse to co-operate fully with an election fraud investigation?

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

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member misquoted the ruling in question.

I have in front of me words from that ruling that the judge said there was:

....no finding that the Conservative Party of Canada or any CPC candidates...were directly involved in any campaign to mislead voters.

That is why this partisan attempt to overturn the democratic results in those six ridings was rejected by the judge.

Ethics

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, he said “quite possibly”. Let us not leave anything out when quoting the ruling.

Let us get back to the Senate expense scandal. According to Senator Tkachuk, Nigel Wright would “want to know things, like ‘When is [the report] going to be done?’”

Mr. Tkachuk said he spoke to Mr. Wright about the political problem surrounding Mr. Duffy's expenses.

Do the Conservatives think that the chair of the Senate Board of Internal Economy conducted or can still conduct an independent investigation into a scandal that he himself is mixed up in?

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

Mr. Speaker, the chair of the committee said that the committee had consulted many people, including opposition members, in determining the results of this study.

The discrepancies in the report reflect the repayment of Mr. Duffy's expenses.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that the Prime Minister and his cabinet plan to support the report on Mike Duffy even though everyone knows it has been whitewashed.

Asking Senators Tkachuk and Stewart Olsen to go over the report is a joke. The Prime Minister has an ethical choice to make here and now: carry on with a corrupt process or support the open, transparent and legitimate disclosure of the facts.

What choice is he going to make for Canadians?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are choosing to toughen the Senate rules relating to senators' expense accounts.

We have proposed 11 new rules, one of which would require senators to provide proof for every one of their expenses.

The problem is that the Liberal leader in the Senate has already publicly stated that he will block those changes. I encourage the hon. member to ask his leader in the Senate to support these changes.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Senate reports are supposed to be independent. The executive is not allowed, by law, to interfere, but both Senators Tkachuk and Stewart Olsen confirmed that they discussed the whole Duffy audit both with Nigel Wright and the Prime Minister directly.

When did those discussions take place? Who in the Prime Minister's Office saw a copy of the draft Senate report? Has all of this information been provided to the RCMP, and when are we going to get an open, transparent, legitimate airing of the facts?

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

Mr. Speaker, the legitimate, open airing of the facts will come from the reviews of the House of Commons independent Ethics Commissioner and the Senate's independent Ethics Officer, both of whom are free to do their work and are separate from the government.

The question for the Liberal Party is this: Why will the Liberals not tell their leader in the Senate to support the 11 tough new changes that we propose in order to ensure that abuses of Senate expense accounts are not repeated?