Debates of May 6th, 2013

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, not only are the Conservatives not doing anything concrete for jobs, but they are doing very concrete things in terms of tax hikes. In fact, there are hundreds of tax hikes on hospital parking, credit unions and safety deposit boxes, and the list goes on and on. I wonder if the member could comment on that.

I know the feedback I get is that people are always pretty outraged at the incredible cost of parking at hospitals. We are kind of a captive audience since there is nothing we can do, yet the bill would permit increased taxes for people who have to go to hospitals and pay for parking. I wonder if the member could comment on that.

[Isabelle Morin, NDP, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, indeed, as I mentioned, the tax increases affect hospital parking, bicycles, strollers and sports equipment.

There have been a lot of questions about that, especially when it comes to hospitals. If I put myself in the shoes of a person visiting her husband, brother, sister or children in the hospital who has to pay more for parking, I think that is very sad.

The hospital in my home town charges for parking. People are already using street parking around the hospital in order to save the $5 charge. In many cases, $5 really eats into their budget and now the government would have them pay even more. I think that is ridiculous and outrageous.

I do not see how the Conservatives can say they are lowering taxes when they use hospital parking lots to increase taxes. It is outrageous.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification)]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in the House to speak to Bill C-60, the budget implementation act, 2013.

I am proud of our government's fiscal record and how well we have come through the worst recession in a generation. Canada continues to be number one among all G7 countries in economic performance and job growth and, under the leadership of our Prime Minister, will continue to focus on what is important to Canadians: creating jobs and economic growth, while keeping taxes low, balancing budgets and balancing the budget by 2015.

The economic action plan for 2013 was well received in my riding of Blackstrap. Saskatoon is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, and this legislation would provide much needed infrastructure support to the city and surrounding rural areas.

Bill C-60, the budget implementation act, proposes to legislate key elements of economic action plan 2013, including indexing the gas tax fund to offer stable, predictable funding for municipal infrastructure. Canada's gas tax fund provides long-term funding for Canadian municipalities that can help build and revitalize their public infrastructure and their assets. Communities choose projects locally and prioritize them according to their needs. The gas tax fund is making a difference in communities, in my riding of Blackstrap and throughout the province of Saskatchewan.

Today, more than 3,600 municipalities have benefited from the financial support of economic growth and provide a high quality of life for families in every city and community across the country. Our government's record on infrastructure investments in economic action plan 2013 exceeds the amount of investment required to cover the cost of federal infrastructure for the next decade.

In fact, our Conservative government has introduced the largest long-term federal commitment to Canadian infrastructure in our nation's history, $70 billion over the next 10 years. In the next two years, we are investing close to $10 billion in infrastructure. That is more than the previous Liberal governments spent during their entire 13 long years in power.

Since 2006, we have invested more than $40 billion, supporting more than 43,000 infrastructure projects from coast to coast to coast. As a result of our investments, we have brought down the average age of Canada's core public infrastructure from a peak of 17 years in 2001 to an estimated 14.4 years in 2011. We can see what a significant contribution that is to our public infrastructure. It is now lower than the historical average age over the last 50 years.

Bill C-60 would also see the introduction of a new first-time donor's super credit for the first-time claimants of the charitable donations tax credit, to encourage all young Canadians to donate to charity. Canadians recognize that the charitable sector plays a vital role in our society and provides valuable services to Canadians, including the most vulnerable.

Canadians also provide generous support to the sector in recognition of its important work. Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that more than 5.7 million Canadians donated almost $8.5 billion to registered charities in 2011. Canada's incentives for charitable donations have been described as the most generous in the world. Registered charities are exempt from tax on their income and may issue official donation receipts for gifts received, which donors may use to reduce their taxes by claiming the charitable donation tax credit.

In 2012, federal tax assistance for charitable donations exceeded $2.9 billion. The standing committee on finance reported that there is a need to foster and to promote a culture of giving and that tax incentives can play a role, both in increasing the number of new donors and encouraging existing donors to give more.

Our government has responded to the committee's report by proposing the new temporary first-time donor's super credit, designed to encourage new donors to give to charity.

The first-time donor super credit supplements the charitable donations tax credit by providing an additional 25% tax credit for a first-time donor on up to $1,000 in monetary donations. An individual would be considered a first-time donor if neither the individual nor the individual's spouse or common-law partner have claimed the CDTC or the FTDSC in any taxation year after 2007. The FTDSC may be claimed only once and may be claimed in any of the 2013 to 2017 taxation years.

I see, Mr. Speaker, that you would like me to sit down.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification will have four and a half minutes remaining for her remarks when the House next resumes debate on this question.

Jack Burrows

[Jay Aspin, Conservative, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week in North Bay we bid farewell to one of our most remarkable and respected citizens, former mayor Jack Burrows.

Jack was a “gentleman's gentleman”. He was active in so many aspects of North Bay life and made the community a better place.

Jack was a successful businessman, an avid sportsman, and a community builder, who knew no bounds in assisting his fellow citizens. He was a devoted family man and took pride in the beautiful family he and his wife Elaine created. Jack was a “father knows best” type of guy who graciously extended that solid judgment for the benefit of all members of the community, always for the greater good.

Jack devoted fifteen years to municipal politics, including nine years as mayor. As a close colleague during that time, I personally witnessed his superb leadership, integrity, honesty and true love for people.

Jack Burrows was a one-of-a-kind type of citizen. He was truly a great Canadian. In North Bay, Jack will always be foremost in our hearts.

God bless Jack Burrows.

Youth Scholarships

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

Mr. Speaker, manufacturing is a vital part of my community. It is not just about jobs; it is also about the quality of life in London. Despite the steady decline of manufacturing jobs in the area, the manufacturers in my region continue to not only provide employment but contribute back to our community.

On May 1, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters of southern Ontario presented its annual scholarships to eight lucky London students. Alex Boothby and Robert Green received scholarships for Western University. Angela Searay and Christopher Billington received scholarships for Fanshawe College. Secondary school students, Josh Percival, Jacob Schembri, Coletyn Thompson and Nicole Williamson received scholarships to assist with their post-secondary education.

My sincere thanks go to the manufacturers in London area for supporting the next generation of skilled trades and the young people of our community.

Sutherland Cup

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after over 60 years, the London Nationals have done it.

This weekend, in front of a capacity crowd at London's Western Fair Sports Centre, the London Nationals defeated the Cambridge Winter Hawks 4 to 2, to win the seventh and deciding game of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Sutherland Cup final.

The Nationals are one of many successful sports teams in Canada's London. All year they battled hard and played their heart out. Their hard work and determination was rightfully rewarded with their first Sutherland Cup championship.

I would like to congratulate the entire London Nationals organization and roster, including owner Ken Eansor, head coach Kelly Thomson and the coaching and training staff, and team captain Scott Lombardi. A special congratulations goes to Paul Hopkins, who scored two goals in game seven.

London is proud of the Nationals. Go Nats Go.

International Day of the Midwife

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, On Sunday, May 5, the world celebrated the International Day of the Midwife.

Midwives and the profession of midwifery are represented nationally by the Canadian Association of Midwives. Their mission is to provide leadership and advocacy for midwifery as a regulated, publicly funded and vital part of the primary maternity care system. Midwives have been identified as key to achieving reductions in maternal and infant mortality.

A recent UNICEF report found that Canada ranked 22 out of 29 developed countries for infant mortality rates. This is mostly attributed to the higher rates among aboriginal communities, where women must leave their community for weeks to give birth in urban centres, away from their families and support systems.

Midwives provide a safe, effective and low-cost solution to Canadian women and are well positioned to address the specific challenges faced by women in rural, remote and aboriginal communities across Canada.

Colleagues, please join me in celebrating the practice of midwifery in Canada and thanking midwives for the health services they provide to Canadians.

Peter Desjardins

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on April 27, Canada lost a proud and loyal officer, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Desjardins, who spent over nine decades in devoted service to his country.

In October 1940, Peter enlisted in the Canadian Grenadier Guards, at the age of 20. During the war, as the 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment, the Guards saw action around Falaise, Belgium, the Netherlands and finally across the Rhine, earning 12 honorary distinctions. After service in France and Holland, Peter was accepted for officer training at the Sandhurst Military Academy in England. While there, he met his wife-to-be, Winnie.

Peter and his new bride came back to Canada and continued to take postings. He saw service, among other places, in Petawawa, Kingston, Germany and Ottawa. Peter served as a financial controller in NATO both in Rome and in Brussels. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of distinguished service.

Peter Desjardins was proud, upright, responsible, principled and clear about what he stood for and what he represented. He was the epitome of the Canadian soldier and officer who did so much to keep Europe and the world safe from World War II onwards. He was devoted to his wife Winnie, his daughters Mary and Geri and his granddaughters Sara, Monica and Leah.

On behalf of the House, I offer condolences to his family and ask that all members join me in remembering this remarkable Canadian.

Animal Welfare

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

Mr. Speaker, volunteer week is important, but the good work of community-minded individuals goes all year-round.

This weekend I took part in the seventh annual radiothon for the Elliot Lake Society for Animals in Distress, hosted by the good people at Moose FM.

The event was a big success, bustling with artists who lent their support, volunteers, and of course donors from all around the region, including Debbie Menard from Wikwemikong, on Manitoulin Island. Debbie's $1,000 donation was the largest of the day and helped the society exceed last year's total.

There are other groups all over northern Ontario that work with animals in distress, for instance, Animal Rescue of Kapuskasing, and Retrouvailles D'Animaux de Hearst, just to name a few. These organizations educate our communities, rehabilitate animals and find them new homes. We have come a long way in how we treat animals, but there is still a long way to go.

I thank and congratulate these groups and encourage people to volunteer or donate to support the good work they do in our communities.

Congratulations to SAD and Moose FM on another successful campaign.

Spinal Cord Injuries

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in this House in support of the sixth annual Chair-Leaders Campaign that runs in the month of May, with the goal to raise awareness for people living with spinal cord injury.

Every day I am inspired by people in my riding and throughout Canada who live with a spinal cord injury. We all believe in promoting inclusion and accessibility because everyone deserves meaningful opportunities to lead a fulfilling life.

Today and every day there will be approximately 11 new spinal cord injuries in Canada. That is over 4,000 new injuries a year, with over 86,000 Canadians affected. Historically the highest incidence of spinal cord injury is in young men between the ages of 18 and 24, but in recent years there has been an increase in the rate of new injury to seniors.

I and about 30 of my parliamentary and Senate colleagues have made the commitment to spend May 22 in wheelchairs to help raise awareness about ability. We need to do everything we can to support treatment and, importantly, research and development.

We have made a lot of progress, but there are many steps left not taken.

Prevention of Skin Cancer

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, summer is finally here and today is Melanoma Monday. My wife Kelly is a melanoma skin cancer survivor. While she was fortunate enough to beat it, not everyone is as lucky. Out of the 5,500 Canadians who are diagnosed with melanoma annually, 950 will die from it.

Melanoma is easy to prevent: avoid getting sunburns, cover up and wear sunscreen, stay in the shade, and stay out of tanning beds. Using tanning beds at a young age increases the risk of skin cancer by 75%. The WHO has ranked tanning beds as a level one carcinogen to humans, making them as dangerous as tobacco, mustard gas and asbestos. Tanning beds are lethal.

In the last two Parliaments I have pressed for tougher regulations for the tanning industry. In February, the Minister of Health and I announced that the government was strengthening the rules for warning labels on tanning beds. Some provinces have banned youth from using artificial tanning equipment. I encourage the remaining provinces to follow suit.

Today the Canadian Dermatology Association is screening parliamentarians for melanoma. I encourage all Canadians to protect the largest organ in their body, their skin.

Aurèle Thériault

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize the accomplishment of Aurèle Thériault from Shippagan.

On March 13, Mr. Thériault made his 117th blood donation. He began giving blood when he was 20 years old. He is now 71 and hopes to continue giving blood in order to reach his goal of 120 donations.

Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. According to a recent poll, 52% of Canadians say that they or someone they know have needed blood or blood products.

I encourage people to follow the example set by Mr. Thériault, who has undoubtedly saved many lives because one single blood donation can save up to three lives on average.

Congratulations, Mr. Thériault, on your generous gift of life. I hope that you will reach your goal of 120 donations, and that your example will make people aware of the importance of donating blood.

Marc Simoneau

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues, I would like to pay tribute to Marc Simoneau, a legendary sportscaster who recently passed away.

Mr. Simoneau ruled the airwaves in Quebec sports and thrilled fans of the Quebec Nordiques. A noble and respectful man, he had a special ability to develop a connection with his audience. He worked countless hours to make sure he was delivering quality programming.

After his career in journalism ended, Mr. Simoneau moved on to municipal politics. He was elected as councillor in the Beauport borough of Quebec City in 2005, and he held that position until his death.

We offer our condolences to his friends and immediate family, who stood by him while he battled cancer. We want to let them know what a profound impact Marc Simoneau had on Quebec and on everyone he encountered.

National Nursing Week

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of Nursing Week.

Nurses are the lifeblood of our health care system, and they play a vital role in promoting and protecting our well-being.

Optimal use of their skills would signal that we acknowledge their professional training and autonomy. It would also increase timely access to care.

Nurses, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses are the backbone of Canada's health care system. During National Nurses Week, let us acknowledge and thank them for the vital role their highly trained skills play in protecting and promoting the health of Canadians in every region.

Allowing nurses a scope of practice concomitant with their skills and training is one sure way to improve access to quality health care across the country. Let us all work to make that a reality.

Red Fridays Campaign

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the seventh anniversary of the Red Fridays campaign launch in Canada. Seven years ago, Lisa Miller and Karen Boire began Red Fridays as a way to show support for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces—red to represent the blood lost by women and men in our military through injury and death in the service of our nation.

Remembering these sacrifices and commitments of our troops throughout Canada's history is very important, even if the NDP MPs do not think so. Our government will always stand up for those who volunteer to serve their country, and we thank those family members who stand by their side.

This Friday, and every Friday, wear red and support the Canadian Armed Forces at every step.

Mental Health

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

Mr. Speaker, this week is Mental Health Week in Canada. One in five Canadians will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime, yet there are many who will never speak to a doctor.

Canada's youth suicide rate is the third highest in the industrialized world, and while nearly 20% of Canadian youth suffer from a mental disorder, only one in five will receive treatment.

A prevention strategy and appropriate care are key to mental health care. We need to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness because it keeps those afflicted from seeking help before they do something that cannot be undone. We will not diminish the stigma by treating them as criminals.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada released a landmark mental health strategy a year ago, yet the Conservative government has taken no action. The government has taken credit for the MHCC's strategy for mental health in the workplace, but it has failed to implement these recommendations in its own public service.

Talking about mental illness helps de-stigmatize the issue, but talk must be backed up with action to truly help those in need.

New Democratic Party of Canada

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 25 days have passed since the leader of the NDP failed to retract his senior lieutenant's shocking and hurtful comments about Canadian veterans from the First World War. Unfortunately, his silence is leading to a disturbing trend. Just yesterday, a day honouring the Battle of the Atlantic, another senior NDP member from the federal riding for Québec slammed Canadian veterans by questioning the very need to remember their sacrifices.

We remember, because veterans fought for the Canadian values of peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. They gave so much in the face of unbelievable risks. In many ways, we owe our places in the House of Commons to the sacrifices of our veterans.

Enough is enough. Canadians and veterans are watching. One can only hope that it will not be another 25 days before the NDP stops slamming veterans and that hopefully the opposition leader starts standing up for them.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[Glenn Thibeault, NDP, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for months Conservatives have blindly praised the Keystone XL pipeline, cheerleading for a project they admit will ship tens of thousands of jobs to the U.S. In contrast, the NDP believes that pipeline projects should be sustainable and make economic sense.

Now the new Liberal leader has jumped on the pipeline bandwagon, and just like the Conservatives, is making things up to attack the NDP leader. He is even praising the Premier of Alberta, who worked hand-in-hand with Ottawa Conservatives to delay effective monitoring of the oil sands development on the Athabasca watershed.

Since electing a new leader, Ottawa Liberals have voted with the Conservatives against the plan to fight climate change, with the Conservatives' draconian anti-terrorism law, and with Conservatives on the Canada-China FIPA.

I guess it is hard for some people to stand up to lobbyists. In contrast, people can trust the NDP for change in 2015.

The New Democratic Party of Canada

[LaVar Payne, Conservative, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as I headed back to my riding this past weekend and met with constituents, it was clear that the economy remains at the front and centre of their concerns. For the past seven years, Canadians have placed their trust in our government to keep taxes low and to focus on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. This is what we have done, and this is what we will continue to do.

Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for the leader of the NDP and his party. The leader of the NDP and his party plan to raise $20 billion from a shameful job-killing carbon tax. The leader of the NDP has said that of course he has a cap-and-trade program that “will produce billions”.

Hard-working Canadians cannot afford a $20-billion job-killing carbon tax that would raise the price of everything, including gas, groceries and electricity. Canadians cannot afford the risky tax-and-spend socialist policies of the NDP.

Government Expenditures

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, last week we found out that the Conservative government managed to lose track of $3.1 billion. Year after year, report after report, the Auditor General asks the government to be more transparent.

Can the government tell the Canadian public what steps it has taken so far to find the $3.1 billion it has completely lost track of?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Minister of Citizenship]

Mr. Speaker, as usual, the question from the hon. Leader of the Opposition is off base.

If he had read the Auditor General's report, he would have read: “We didn't find anything that gave us cause for concern that the money...was used in any way that it should not have been.“

In other words, the money spent by all the departments was done so in a transparent manner, reported to Parliament and properly managed.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it is nice to quote the Auditor General, but it is even better to provide the entire quote. This is the bit that comes afterward that they keep leaving out:

It’s important for there to be...a way for people to understand how this money was spent and that summary reporting was not done.

That is what the Auditor General said. The Treasury Board never provided the proper financial statements. It never submitted the documents to back what was spent.

What happened to our $3.1 billion?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Minister of Citizenship]

Mr. Speaker, clearly the Leader of the Opposition does not understand the report.

This matter relates to the categorization of expenses by Treasury Board between 2001 and 2009. All of the funds in question are accounted for in public documents presented to Parliament, including the public accounts.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, here is what the Auditor General actually said: “Information to explain the difference of $3.1 billion between the funding allocated...and the amount reported spent was not available”. He said that trying to find that money with Conservative financial systems in place is like trying to track serial numbers on dollar bills.

We get back to our question for the Conservatives. They love to snap their suspenders, claiming to be good administrators of the government purse, so let them explain to us where the missing $3.1 billion is.