Debates of May 7th, 2013

Veterans Affairs

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, the Equitas Society was formed in 2011 to support veterans returning from Afghanistan.

These veterans feel disadvantaged by the new veterans charter. The charter was meant to be a living document, one that is open for review and improvement. Only one such review has taken place in the last seven years, and the Conservatives are now dragging their feet to delay a second one.

Today we are debating a budget bill that allocates funds owing to disabled veterans after the Conservatives lost a five-year court battle, yet the Conservatives continue to fight disabled RCMP veterans in court over their disability pensions.

The Equitas Society has sued the government to win equality for injured Afghan vets as compared to individuals receiving workers' compensation benefits. The first day in court is tomorrow.

It does not have to be this way. Instead of digging in, the Conservatives should do the right thing and enter into negotiations with Equitas and settle this lawsuit. They should treat these Afghan veterans with respect.

Equitas representatives will be on the Hill tomorrow. The Liberal Party calls upon the government to sit down with them and resolve the lawsuit.

Grey and Simcoe Foresters

[Patrick Brown, Conservative, Barrie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this Thursday I will attending a special dinner held by Barrie's local reserve infantry regiment, the Grey and Simcoe Foresters, to raise funds to support events in appreciation of the visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne this fall to Canadian Forces Base Borden, and for a special ceremony at which the regiment will receive its official new colours for the first time in 30 years.

As one of the guest speakers for the evening, I will have the honour of being joined by Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin, Commander of the Canadian Army, and Honorary Colonels Jamie Massie and Barry Peacock.

I am proud to support our infantry reservists from the Grey and Simcoe Counties who have served with distinction in this institution so proudly steeped in history.

I would like to recognize all members of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters, past and present, for their outstanding service and commitment to peace and security. I congratulate them on their excellent fundraising event. I know it will be an excellent success this Thursday.

Sports Betting

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for months now, an important bill that passed through the House unopposed has sat in the Senate penalty box waiting for a final vote at third reading.

Bill C-290 would legalize single events sports betting in Canada and is a game changer for the largest segment of the entertainment industry in Canada. With hundreds and thousands of jobs, massive public investment and billions of dollars of public revenue at stake, the government is a healthy scratch on Bill C-290, while the unaccountable Senate fumbles the ball.

In addition to all-party support in the elected House, both business and labour groups across Canada are fans of C-290. The government is blowing this call, turning a blind eye to a major interference penalty from a small group of unaccountable senators clogging up the progress on this critical bill.

Worse, by sitting this one out, bookies, gangsters and illegal online gaming sites rake in another season of windfall profits.

We know that in the past the government has pushed legislation through the Senate. Why is its approach so weak now on Bill C-290, just inches from the goal line?

Alberta Sports Teams

[Earl Dreeshen, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, central Alberta's sports teams have seen an excellent start to 2013.

Last week the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs hockey team, coached by Doug Quinn, won the 2013 Telus Cup in Sault Ste. Marie, claiming Canada's 40th national midget championship. The Chiefs also won this championship last year, becoming just the fourth team ever to win back-to-back gold medals at the national midget Triple-A hockey tournament.

On April 20, Red Deer skip Rob Armitage won gold for Canada at the world senior curling championships. Rob's team included third Keith Glover, second Randy Ponich, alternate Lyle Treiber, and lead Wilf Edgar, who happens to be a former student of mine. That is right: my former student is a world champion senior curler.

It has been an excellent start to the year for these Red Deer athletes, and with many other winter sports heading into Olympic trials later this year, I am certain that central Alberta's athletes will continue to stand out.

Congratulations to the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs and Rob Armitage's curling team.

Dance in Manitoba

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

Mr. Speaker, dance is one of the most widely understood and celebrated art forms in the world, and it is alive and well in Winnipeg South Centre. It is one activity that is able to build bridges and bring together people of other cultures.

The Manitoba dance community is a vibrant and unique group that combines the preservation of dance heritage with constant innovation and outreach. It is recognized in Canada and throughout the world for its artistic excellence and cultural diversity.

We founded Canada's first professional ballet company and oldest modern dance company. In fact, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet celebrates its 75th anniversary season and Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers celebrates its 50th, all in 2014. Both of these organizations have incredible educational outreach programs. In fact, it is my daughter's dance recital tonight at one of them.

I know first-hand just how important dance can be to families. We celebrate dance together, throughout Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg South Centre.

Buffet of Nations

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on May 4, the Service d'aide aux Néo-Canadiens, an organization that is well known in Sherbrooke, held its 42nd annual Buffet of Nations.

Every year, hundreds of newcomers to Canada decide to settle in Sherbrooke either to work or to go to school, and they are an important part of our great city. The Service d'aide aux Néo-Canadiens is a vital service for them.

At this year's event, hundreds of guests had the opportunity to sample the cuisine of over 32 countries. The organization intends to use the money raised for two specific purposes in the coming year: to help children to integrate into their schools and succeed, and to give newcomers who have little education the opportunity to participate in a workshop to help them in their job search.

I had the opportunity to participate in this very important event, which was held last Saturday. There, I met with residents of Sherbrooke from all over the world.

The Buffet of Nations is a reflection of what Sherbrooke really is: a city of true inclusion and integration, but more importantly, a city with a wonderful community spirit.

Congratulations to the Service d'aide aux Néo-Canadiens. See you next year.

Mental Health Week

[Joy Smith, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, May 7 to 13 is CMA's national Mental Health Week. This week's theme, “mental health for all”, reminds us that our mental health plays an important role in creating healthy and fulfilling lives for all Canadians.

Mental health is a priority for our government. The signing of the Declaration on Prevention and Health Promotion, which recognizes the benefits of good mental health, the provision of $245 million for mental health for first nations and Inuit communities across Canada and the support of the establishment of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, has demonstrated what our government has done on this issue.

Like the CMA, I want to congratulate other mental health champions, including Emily Doer, a constituent of mine who was working hard this week to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Individuals like Emily are inspiring others with mental illnesses to speak up.

Congratulations to our Minister of Health, the CMA and Emily Doer for leading the way.

Human Rights

[Wayne Marston, NDP, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the United Nations has released its draft report on the universal periodic review of Canada's domestic human rights record. Following our last review in 2009, Canada pledged to consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, yet here we are four years later, and the Conservative government is still considering this very serious matter.

What this optional protocol does is to establish an international inspection system for persons in jails that is modelled after the European system that has been in place since 1987. In the current report, our allies, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Netherlands, recommend that Canada join the civilized world and ratify this convention.

Considering that OPCAT was adopted by the UN in 2002, this means that Canada has had 11 long years, with first the Liberal government and now the Conservative government, to consider ratifying it.

Canadians are left wondering when the government will finally do the right thing and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.

Correctional Service of Canada

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday it came to light that an individual convicted of a horrific murder, allegedly inspired by the TV show Dexter, was permitted to watch this very show from his prison cell. My constituents find this incredibly upsetting. Crime victims are demanding to know why he has had access to violent material that is closely linked to his heinous crimes.

Common sense dictates that violent criminals should not have access to violent TV content, particularly when this precise content has inspired their crimes. In this case, he even assumed Dexter's identity online and wrote extensively about his desire to become a serial killer.

Correctional Service of Canada's own directive on appropriate material for prisoners states that material is not permitted that could jeopardize the safety of individuals.

The good news is that taxpayers do not subsidize cable for convicted criminals. However, the prison system should take a look at how it makes decisions on correctional plans. The corrections system should be correcting criminal behaviour, not giving convicted murders access to the materials that inspired their crimes.

Birthday Congratulations

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a great Prince Edward Islander. Everett MacDougall was born on May 7, 1913, in West Cape, Prince Edward Island. In 1948, he opened his own poultry and egg grading business in Vernon. He then started buying and shipping farm produce. Shortly after, he was approached by Canada Packers to start a Shur-Gain feed mill. When a tragic fire struck five years later, Everett turned the disaster into an opportunity and built a new quality feed mill equipped with all the modern equipment and employed 15 to 20 people.

Everett was involved in his community's life, serving on the Bunbury Town Council for seven years, and he was an avid volunteer.

Everett is the oldest Mason on Prince Edward Island and will receive his 70-year pin this afternoon from Allison Coles, Grand Master for P.E.I., at Andrews Lodge.

On behalf of all members of the House of Commons, I want to wish Everett a very happy 100th birthday.

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Brampton West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it has been 26 days since the leader of the NDP failed veterans and Canadians after standing by terrible comments on World War I from his senior attack man. Adding insult to injury, the NDP leader has again failed to retract an outrageous belief from his caucus that Canadians should not spend time remembering the sacrifices made by Canadian veterans.

The leader of the NDP's sheep's clothing has fallen. He cannot hide the fact that his party believes that communist dissension and socialism should be supported at the expense of Canadian veterans. His party remains ideologically opposed to anything that commemorates our veterans' heroic contributions.

Enough is enough. The time to apologize and retract these hurtful comments is now.

Veterans Affairs

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it seems the new Conservative hobby is trolling the Internet, hunting down quotes the PMO boys can twist around and use to play partisan politics with Canada's veterans. Conservatives launched make-believe attacks on the opposition to distract from their mismanagement of Veterans Affairs. Conservatives dragged disabled veterans through the courts over pension clawbacks. They made the appeals process for benefits a nightmare. They shortchanged the Last Post Fund to the point of embarrassment; and then there are the Conservative privacy violations: Sean Bruyea, Sylvain Chartrand and so many others had their most private information callously breached.

Canadian veterans deserve better than a minister focused on using them to score cheap political points. Fortunately, veterans can always trust the NDP to stand up for them and their families. We will stand up for their privacy; we will stand up for their rights; and we will stand up for their dignity. New Democrats will always give veterans and their families the respect and support they so richly deserve.

The Economy

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

Mr. Speaker, our government is working on what matters to Canadians: jobs and economic growth.

Last week, Statistics Canada announced that Canada's economy grew 0.3% in February. This was better than economists' expectations. Thanks to our government, Canada's job growth record remains the best among G7 countries. Canada is the only G7 country with a top credit rating and stable outlook from all major agencies.

The OECD projects Canada will lead the G7 in economic growth over the next 50 years. KPMG ranked Canada the most tax-competitive economy among mature markets.

While we are focused on the economy, the NDP wants to impose a $20-billion job-killing carbon tax on Canadians that would raise the price of gas, food, electricity and almost everything. On top of that, the NDP leader's reckless $56 billion in unaffordable new spending would ruin the economy.

On the government side of the House, Conservatives will remain focused on what matters to Canadians: jobs and economic growth.

Government Expenditures

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the President of the Treasury Board gave us a new series of excuses to try to justify how he lost track of just $3.1 billion. He even tried to blame the NDP, which is absolutely ridiculous. It is true that the Liberals are partly to blame for the chaotic management from 2001 to 2005 and that they were experts at losing taxpayers' money, but blame the NDP? No way.

Since the Conservatives are the ones in power for the moment, does the Prime Minister accept that his minister cannot say where the $3.1 billion went?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General clearly said that these reports raise no red flags.

He did mention a lack of clarity in government reports in that respect. He made certain recommendations, and we intend to follow them.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, there are blue flags.

I guess the Prime Minister did not catch question period yesterday, so let me read him the full quote from the Auditor General, not just the part Conservatives like to repeat,

...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.

We all know the President of the Treasury Board is full of excuses. Yesterday he called losing track of over $3 billion an “internal” matter.

The question for the Prime Minister is quite simple. Does the Prime Minister agree with his minister that losing track of $3 billion of public money is none of the public's business?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, that of course is simply not accurate.

As the Auditor General said, he has no concerns about improper use or missing money. What he has concerns about is the clarity and categorization of reporting between government departments over the 2001 to 2009 period. He has made certain recommendations to improve that process, and the government will be following those.

Employment

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Right, Mr. Speaker, so let me get it straight. When the Liberals lose $1 billion, for them it is a boondoggle. When the Conservatives lose $3 billion, for them it is business as usual.

A year ago the Minister of Human Resources was warned that temporary foreign workers were being used to fill jobs in the same fields as unemployed Canadians.

Let me try another simple question. If the Minister of Human Resources knew about all of this a year ago, why did the Prime Minister deny that there was a problem until just last week?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, exactly the contrary is true. Not only has the government indicated for some time that it would be reforming the temporary foreign workers program, but in the budget last year specifically we brought in measures to better match job vacancies with people who are seeking work or in the employment insurance system. We have been very clear. We need to do a better job of matching the demand for EI and the demand for temporary foreign workers. That is precisely what the government has been doing for a year and a half while, by the way, the NDP has been writing to us demanding more temporary foreign workers for its ridings.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure what the Prime Minister meant, when he was talking about just the opposite being true, was the 15% rule that at 2 o'clock the government denied the existence of and that at 4 o'clock it announced the elimination of.

It has been revealed that the Conservatives knew what was going on all along. The minister was warned by her own deputy minister, and I quote again:

...employers are hiring temporary foreign workers in the same occupation and location as Canadians who are collecting EI....

Is the Prime Minister telling us that his minister hid the information from him, or did he choose to hide that information from Canadians?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, the minister brought in changes last year to make sure people who are on EI, employment insurance, get first crack at jobs rather than temporary foreign workers. Guess who opposed that? The NDP opposed it. In fact, while we were trying to make these changes, the NDP was instead writing us, saying to bring more temporary foreign workers into high unemployment areas. That is obviously the wrong approach, which is why for over a year the government has been doing something completely different from what that party wanted to see.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister does not even care what is happening in his own province.

To quote from the same memo from the deputy minister:

...in January 2012,

—a single month—

Albertan employers received positive confirmation for 1,261 TFW (Temporary Foreign Worker) positions for food counter attendants. At the same time, nearly 350 people made a claim for EI who had cited significant experience in the same occupation and province.

Why did the immigration minister, the human resources minister and the Prime Minister all do nothing to help these unemployed Albertans?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government acted a year ago to deal with precisely that issue.

However, guess what? The leader of the NDP cannot remember, from one day to the next, what the position of his party is on these issues. It is his own party, writing the government, demanding that in the highest unemployment regions in the country we bring in more temporary foreign workers.

That is why we have been changing the EI system, why we have been changing the temporary foreign worker system and why we will keep moving Canada forward rather than listening to the NDP.

Government Advertising

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the past few days, I have met with Canadians in Winnipeg, in Edmonton and up the Ottawa Valley.

The thing is that they evidently have a better understanding of our economy and the challenges we face than the government. Whether in food courts or in teachers' lounges, the message is clear, that it is only getting harder for Canadians to make ends meet.

Instead of offering real solutions in their budget, the Conservatives have loaded up a new round of wasteful government ads. How is more money spent on these ads going to help struggling middle-class Canadians?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians understand and are very proud of the fact that Canada's economy has performed so much better than other developed countries during these challenging times.

Of course the government is moving forward with additional measures to help Canadian families, which the Liberal Party is against. The Liberal Party is apparently against the adoption expense tax credit, against the first-time donor super credit, against expanding tax relief for home care services and against general tariff reductions for Canadian families.

These are important measures for Canadian families, and it is about time the Liberal Party got onside with positive measures.