Debates of May 27th, 2013

Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

[Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour, CPC]

Mr. Speaker, the immigration minister has indicated it would be good for the skilled people who are able to come here to have a job waiting for them when they do come. However, would the member agree with me that there are many foreign credentialling agencies involved? There are well over 400, many with provincial association or jurisdiction. The government has taken significant steps like ensuring there is pre-arrival information. Would she agree that is good? There is pre-assessment before they come to the country.

Then, of course, the government invested over $50 million over two years through the economic action plan 2009 and further contributes $25 million annually to improve the recognition of foreign qualifications. Some 14 priority occupations have been identified and there is continuing work to include further occupations that have assured newcomers they can have their credentials assessed within one year. Does she agree with that process, that it must be an ongoing process and that funds that have been committed need to be ongoing?

Furthermore, I recall being in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where a pilot was announced where internationally trained professionals were helped to bridge any shortcomings to ensure they could enter the workforce quickly and that this financing was provided.

Is she aware of all of these steps and would she agree that all of these need to happen, including having more people going through high school and skills training after high school, and that the government has approached every level and every facet of this to ensure we can bring Canadians to jobs as quickly as possible, including those who internationally are coming into our country?

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the member is the chair of HUMA. When I started my speech, I indicated that by and large the New Democrats did agree with the report that came out of the Standing Committee on Human Resources and Skills Development, but we had some suggestions on how to improve that.

One of them was around continuing to financially support the bridging programs. These bridging programs are very important in helping people make that adjustment to the way a profession is practised in Canada. Some of those bridging programs are very successful. However, we heard from some of the witnesses that the funding was not regularized. Projects would be up and running, they would be successful and then they would end. That consistency in funding is very important with regard to bridging.

We also said that the pre-qualifying internationally trained individuals for certain occupations needed to continue and that the federal government needed to approach provincial and territorial regulatory authorities to discuss this possibility and to expand it in certain occupations. I believe there are now 16, but there are many other occupations that should be included in that pre-qualification. We encourage the federal government to act as a model employer and include more internships.

Finally, the funding for the pan-Canadian framework for the assessments needs to be at least maintained at its previous levels.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings on the motion at this time.

Pursuant to an order made Wednesday, May 22, 2013, the debate is deemed adjourned. Accordingly, the debate on the motion will be rescheduled for another sitting.

Canada Post

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition submitted by hundreds of constituents from my riding. The petitioners are concerned about the changes at Canada Post outlets in Cape Breton.

Following the downsizing of our customer service counter in North Sydney, the removal of our sorting centre and the relocating of overnight services to Halifax centre, the petitioners call on the government to reverse this decision and consult with the public before implementing any changes to Canada postal services.

Lyme Disease

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from citizens who are concerned about the problem of Lyme disease.

Among other things, the petitioners are concerned that numerous field review scientific studies have warned that a warming climate will expand the geographic range of Lyme disease carrying tics further into Canada, including a 2012 paper by Leighton et al, which states that over 80% of the population in eastern and central Canada could be living in areas at risk of Lyme disease by 2020.

The petitioners ask that the government convene a national conference with provincial and territorial health ministers, representatives of the medical community and patients groups for the purpose of developing a national strategy that works toward ensuring the recognition, timely diagnosis and effective treatment of Lyme disease in Canada.

Canadian International Development Agency

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present several petitions from my city, Edmonton, and from Leduc, Beaumont, St. Paul, Sherwood Park, Sturgeon County, Calgary and Saskatoon.

The petitioners call on the Minister of International Cooperation to reconsider CIDA's new priorities. They want the federal government to heed the pleas of southern countries concerning the activities of Canadian companies on their soil and to focus Canada's international aid priorities on poverty reduction and human rights.

Falun Gong

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today on behalf of the constituents of Fleetwood—Port Kells to present a petition signed by dozens of people from my riding. The petition urges the Government of Canada to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China and to criticize the Chinese Communist party for purportedly allowing the harvesting of organs from Falun Gong practitioners.

Abortion

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have another petition to present, signed by hundreds of residents of my riding. The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to join other western nations and speedily enact legislation that restricts abortion to the greatest extent possible.

Sex Selection

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a third petition signed by nearly 1,000 people from my riding. Petitioners call upon the House of Commons to condemn discrimination against girls through sex-selective abortion and to do all it can to prevent sex-selective abortions from being carried out in Canada.

Rights of the Unborn

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the fourth petition I have to be presented is signed by residents from my riding. The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to confirm that every human being is recognized by Canadian law as human by amending Section 223 of the Criminal Code in such a way as to reflect 21st century medical evidence.

Vietnamese Freedom Flag

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity today to stand and present a petition on behalf of many of Toronto's Vietnamese community who organize a formal flag raising ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square every year. The ceremony is intended to commemorate and remember those who have given so much in the name of national service by both highlighting the differences that make us unique, and more importantly, by paying tribute to the qualities that cause us to work co-operatively for a better tomorrow.

Despite these laudable objectives, each year a true symbol of these ideas, also known as the flag of South Vietnam, or the freedom flag, is denied the status it rightfully deserves. Thousands of people have signed these petitions asking for some level of recognition of the freedom flag by the Government of Canada that would demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of those who have fought to uphold and protect the virtues of democracy.

Genetically Modified Alfalfa

[James Lunney, Conservative, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions today.

The first is from about 140 citizens in my riding of Nanaimo—Alberni. They are communities such as Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs, Errington and Bowser. They wish to draw the attention of the House to concerns about genetically modified alfalfa. They note that it requires variety registration before it can be legally sold as seed in Canada, but it has already been approved for human consumption and environmental release and is currently planted in test plots in Canada. They are concerned about unwanted contamination by GM alfalfa and the impact that would have on organic farming.

Therefore, the petitioners are calling on Parliament to impose a moratorium on the release of genetically modified alfalfa.

Sodium Reduction Strategy

[James Lunney, Conservative, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition concerns Bill C-460, the Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada Act and has about 25 signatures from the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area.

Genetically Modified Alfalfa

[Alex Atamanenko, NDP, British Columbia Southern Interior, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions.

The first one is also on a moratorium on GM alfalfa, from residents of Nelson, Slocan Valley, Kaslo, Castlegar, Rossland, Salmo, Ymir and Ainsworth, in my riding. They are saying that organic farming prohibits the use of genetic modification. They are concerned that contamination by genetically modified alfalfa will destroy the organic industry.

They are calling on Parliament to impose a moratorium on the release of genetically modified alfalfa to allow proper review on the impact on farmers.

Animal Welfare

[Alex Atamanenko, NDP, British Columbia Southern Interior, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition, from the Chilliwack area, has about 200 names. The petitioners are calling upon the House of Commons to work with the provinces to ensure that federal and provincial laws are constructed and enforced that would ensure that those responsible for abusing, neglecting, torturing or otherwise harming animals are held accountable.

Genetically Modified Foods

[Alex Atamanenko, NDP, British Columbia Southern Interior, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my last petition is from the Toronto area. It calls on Parliament to enact Bill C-257 to require mandatory labelling of all food in which the presence of genetically modified ingredients can be detected.

Abortion

[Leon Benoit, Conservative, Vegreville—Wainwright, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today on behalf of constituents. In the first, constituents note that Canada is one of the very few countries in the western world that has no law on abortion. They call on Parliament to do as the Supreme Court has suggested on a couple of occasions and put in place a law on abortion that would restrict abortion in some fashion.

Sex Selection

[Leon Benoit, Conservative, Vegreville—Wainwright, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition refers to the CBC program on sex-selective abortion. The petitioners call upon Parliament to make a strong statement against infanticide of females in this country and to end the practice of sex-selective abortion in Canada.

Search and Rescue

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present two petitions signed by thousands of Canadians.

The first calls to save the Kitsilano Coast Guard station. The petitioners say that the recent decision by the federal government to close Kitsilano Coast Guard station is a grave mistake that will undoubtedly cost the lives of those in peril on the shores and waters near Vancouver harbour. They call on the Government of Canada to rescind this decision and reinstate full funding to maintain the Kitsilano Coast Guard station.

Shark Finning

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

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to present a petition on banning the importation of shark fins to Canada. The petitioners say that measures must be taken to stop the global practice of shark finning and to ensure the responsible conservation and management of sharks. They call on the Government of Canada to immediately ban the importation of shark fins to Canada.

Experimental Lakes Area

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

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that petitions continue to roll in concerning the Experimental Lakes Area. People all across Canada, but in this case from Winnipeg, really hope that the government will reverse its decision and fund the Experimental Lakes Area for the important work it does in science.

Canada Post

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I am presenting a petition on behalf of hundreds of people in my riding who are opposed to the potential closure of the only public post office in the riding of Gatineau, at 139 Racine Street.

I am not surprised to see the number of people who continue to write to me or sign this petition and oppose this closure, given how important this post office is to the riding and the impact it has.

Peace

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I am presenting today is from people who are extremely concerned about peace around the world.

They have signed a petition urging Parliament to create a department of peace, headed by a minister for peace who would play a prominent role in cabinet. This concern is shared by people in a number of ridings.

Lyme Disease

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today, and I wish to thank other hon. members who presented petitions today, as well, on the subject of Lyme disease and my private member's bill, Bill C-442. This bill would call for a national Lyme disease strategy to improve the sharing of best practices, federally and provincially, for diagnosis, cure and prevention of what is an extremely debilitating disease that is often misunderstood.

Foreign Investment

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition today is from residents of Richmond, Comox, Vancouver and Victoria. It calls on the government to refuse to ratify the Canada–China investment treaty as it will compromise Canadian sovereignty and allow Chinese state-owned enterprises to bring arbitration cases against Canada for laws passed municipally, provincially or federally, or even for court judgments.