Debates of May 31st, 2013

International Co-operation

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, about eight weeks ago, I travelled to Ramallah and met with President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. I met with my counterpart, Mr. al-Malki, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I am pleased to tell the member opposite that our aid for the Palestinian authority has not lapsed. In fact, there have been some construction delays, issues that are no fault of Canada, or frankly, of the Palestinian Authority. Aid has been extended to complete the commitments we have made. It was $300 million over five years, and we will take the sixth year to get the job done.

I did consult about what their priorities are. They identified economic development, health, education and security. We are currently reviewing what we heard in Ramallah.

Foreign Affairs

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians continue to have grave concerns about Iran's nuclear program, the Iranian regime's appalling human rights record, and the regime's continued support for acts of international terrorism

Canada's government has spoken out against these actions of the regime. We have, number one, implemented over a dozen rounds of sanctions. Number two, we have listed Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, and number three, we have listed the Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah as terrorist entitles.

Given Canadians' ongoing concerns regarding the Iranian regime, would the Minister of Foreign Affairs update this House as to how the government continues to bear pressure on the Iranian regime while at the same time supporting the people of Iran in their pursuit of freedom?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member. He has been a leading advocate for the freedom of the Iranian people, and his work on the human rights committee is to be commended.

Just two days ago, we strengthened our actions against Iran by adding another 30 people and 82 entities to our sanction list. We have never had any confidence that the regime will act in good faith when it comes to the people of Iran.

On May 10, I took part in the Global Dialogue on the Future of Iran. It was an opportunity to speak to those behind the regime's firewalls. To date, I am pleased to say that more than 360,000 users inside Iran have accessed content from the event we hosted at the Munk School at the University of Toronto. We stand with the courageous activists who are working for freedom in Iran.

[Ted Hsu, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this Monday, June 3, the landmark arms trade treaty will be open for signature. This treaty will help prevent the sale of conventional weapons to conflict zones and outlaw states, such as Syria. Canada voted in favour of the treaty at the UN, despite drawing criticism from other countries for being an obstacle to a robust treaty. However, the rumour is that Canada now will not sign or ratify the treaty.

Will the government now state clearly that it will sign the arms trade treaty and stand up for those victimized by violence in conflict zones?

[John Baird, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, Canada already has some of the highest global standards for the export and control of munitions. We believe that any treaty regarding the sale of munitions helps move the international community closer to a world with leading standards. That is why we joined 154 countries in voting in favour of the resolution.

We have always been very clear, though, on two points. We do not want to detract from legitimate sportspeople and the legitimate civilian use of firearms. We do not want to detract from the cultural practices of hunting and fishing in the country. That is why we will review the treaty closely and consult with Canadians, as we always do before we act.

Public Safety

[Pierre Jacob, NDP, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives want to replace customs officers at Morses Line border crossing in Saint-Armand with a remote monitoring centre based in Ontario.

It is about time the government realized that a border crossing open only from eight to four is not good for the economy. Still, I am worried about the implications for public safety.

What if a vehicle needs to be searched? What if somebody manages to cross the border illegally? Why does the minister want to subcontract public safety to robots instead of humans?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that our government has increased front-line officers at the border by 26%. We want to make sure that the border is open for legitimate trade and travel but closed to illegitimate and criminal activity.

Every time we try to bring forward measures, whether they are initiatives at the border to cut red tape and redundancy or to cut union money taxpayers' dollars are going toward and putting it instead toward front-line border officers, the opposition votes against it. We are actually bringing forward measures that have an effect in stopping criminal activity at the border.

Veterans Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, our government is standing up for veterans. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, our government has implemented double funding for funerals and burials and has expanded eligibility for the war veterans allowance in economic action plan 2013.

Unfortunately, members of the leader of the NDP's own caucus have disdainful remarks for our own veterans. Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs please update the House on the NDP's stance on World War I?

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, it has been 50 long days since the leader of the NDP has failed to retract the shameful and hurtful comments of his socialist party members that denigrated and attacked the incredible contributions of Canada's World War I veterans. It is clear by the NDP leader's silence that he simply cannot control the communist supporters in his party and would impose risky social policies on all Canadians.

It is time for the NDP leader to retract these hurtful statements. The question is whether he has the guts to stand up for Canada's veterans.

International Trade

[Dan Harris, NDP, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador said "no" to Nigel Wright, her province was cut out of CETA negotiations, while at the same time, the federal government cut deals with other provinces. It gets worse. The confidential negotiating position she provided to the minister has now been leaked to a lobby group set up to undermine her position.

Why are Conservatives taking such an extreme and heavy-handed approach to these important trade negotiations?

[Gerald Keddy, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I disagree with the member opposite. We continue to work collaboratively with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to protect and create jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador for the benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Ethics

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, never has a culture of control been such a defining feature of a government. It is refusing to answer reporters' questions, muzzling scientists and interfering in access to information requests and private members' bills.

Now Public Safety Canada officials, just like their Environment Canada colleagues, will have to notify the minister before they make public statements. The Prime Minister and his ministers have to know absolutely everything.

As the driving force behind this obsessive need for control, how can the Prime Minister claim that, until the media broke the story, he knew nothing about the $90,000 cheque his chief of staff wrote to keep the Duffy scandal quiet?

Is the Prime Minister suggesting that he controls everything except what goes on in his office?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has made his position clear.

Mr. Wright has taken full responsibility for what happened. He tendered his resignation, and the Prime Minister accepted it.

Government Accountability

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's Office in this country has way more power than the White House does in the United States. However, the White House is part of the U.S. Constitution. The PMO is an invention. It is a partisan fortress. It is the least accountable place to where taxpayer dollars go. About $10 million a year disappears into the PMO, with zero accountability.

The guys in short pants who run around bullying MPs, muzzling scientists and harassing civil servants report to one boss. Is it not time to have accountability out of the PMO?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister does take responsibility for leading this country, and the results speak for themselves.

Just today we saw a 2.5% economic growth, much bigger than expectations. Exports are up by 6%. We have had seven consecutive quarters of economic growth; 900,000 net new jobs, 75% in the private sector, and 90% of them full-time jobs. We have cut the deficit in half. We have the lowest debt in the G7.

Mr. Speaker, I could go on, but you would cut me off. Why do you not let me speak a bit longer about this incredible record?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I have to rise and respond to the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands who made comments with respect to young boys in short pants. We have a lot of young talented women also working in the Prime Minister's Office. I would ask her to withdraw her sexist comments.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I am not sure that is a point of order.

I see the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands rising, so I will allow her to respond.

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

Mr. Speaker, I used the term in some degree of levity. I know it is the term that backbenchers use for those who harass them.

I accept that there are then also women employed for the purpose of harassing scientists, bullying MPs, and muzzling civil servants.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I am glad that we have sorted that out.

Government Response to Petitions

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 99 petitions

Industry Canada

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the document entitled “Canadian Industrial Participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program”, which is from Industry Canada, for spring 2013.

Ways and Means Motion No. 22

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, there have been a lot of discussions among the parties and I do anticipate that if you seek it, you would find unanimous consent for the motion following:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, Ways and Means Motion number 22 to introduce An Act to give effect to the Yale First Nation Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be deemed adopted.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Does the hon. government House leader have the unanimous consent of the House to propose the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?