House of Commons Hansard #267 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was munitions.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.
We have already taken action to improve our railway safety system. We introduced a bill on this mandating stricter penalities for those who break the rules. What is more, legislation protects whistleblowers who expose safety problems in our network.
We have already initiated the process to put recorders on VIA Rail trains and we will continue our work.
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Speaker, on another topic, it seems that Library and Archives Canada is currently in discussions with Canadiana regarding a project to digitize archives and set up a paywall.
The minister found a way to compensate for the cuts the Conservatives are making to this institution: charge people for services, yet people are already paying for these services when they pay their taxes.
Does the minister really intend to charge Canadians for access to publicly owned archives?
Library and Archives CanadaOral Questions
Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam B.C.
Conservative
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, that is not exactly the case.
As the hon. member must know, the former head of Library and Archives Canada, Daniel Caron, resigned. Someone is currently filing the position on an interim basis. A new head librarian and archivist will likely be selected this fall, and we will examine this policy more closely.
The hon. member's information is not quite accurate. We are going to examine these policies and other hot issues that are very important to all Canadians in order to protect Canada's heritage.
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, the fact is the government is taking public property and it is selling it back to Canadians at a profit. These documents belong to the people of Canada. They have already paid for them. However, if they want to have access to them, they will have to pay again.
The digitization plan at Library and Archives Canada is already under free-fall due to the minister's reckless cuts. These are his mistakes. Does he really think it is fair to make Canadians pay for them twice?
Library and Archives CanadaOral Questions
Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam B.C.
Conservative
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, my colleague again does not quite have it right like his colleague opposite. Library and Archives Canada receives over $100 million every year from taxpayers. It is a lot of money and the digitization that it has been doing is the modernization that libraries and archives across the country and in comparable countries are doing. Canadians want to have access to this, not just those who have the opportunity to come here and physically access the archives, but to have it available digitally online in the format that Canadians choose to have it available in.
When the new permanent president is installed, probably this fall, he or she will look at the digitization aspect and will look at these questions and ensure the Library and Archives is modernized in a way that will benefit all Canadians.
Marc Garneau Liberal Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are worried about the fact that the government has been giving CSEC access to metadata from their personal communications since 2011. Our privacy is at risk, and Parliament needs to talk about this.
Why did the government, which claims to be so concerned about protecting Canadians' privacy, get rid of the long-form census? Why is the government not protecting Canadians and why is it allowing this spying?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, as I have now stated a number of times in the House, CSEC is prohibited by law from directing its activities toward Canadians, or directing its activities at any person in Canada. The only targeting that is done, and the member, as a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces would know this, is on foreign intelligence. We work with our allies, but as I stated yesterday, we do not have access to the PRISM data and we use metadata to identify and collect international, not domestic, communications.
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, Great Lakes water levels are at historic lows. In January, water levels were the lowest they have been since 1918. This is threatening the $34-billion shipping industry, forcing ships to carry less cargo and ultimately increasing the price of consumer goods for the middle class.
Will the government finally admit that its inaction on climate change is forcing Canadians to pay the price?
The EnvironmentOral Questions
Michelle Rempel Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, CPC
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, it has been our government that has had to pick up the Liberals' inaction on climate change. We saw a 30% increase in greenhouse gas emissions under that government's tenure. In fact, it has been under our government's watch that we have seen a reduction in the growth of greenhouse gas emissions while our economy grows. We would not have seen this under the Liberals' policy that would have put a carbon tax, which would have actually reduced the size of Canada's economy and not seen any tangible results.
Our sector-by-sector regulatory approach is getting the job done. We are looking at results of each of the key emitting sectors. For once, Canada can be proud to stand and say we are taking real results on climate change as opposed to what the Liberals did.
Ève Péclet NDP La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Mr. Speaker, the international community, the G8 and various UN bodies have made it a priority to put an end to rape as a weapon of war.
In order to eradicate the scourge of sexual violence in conflict areas, we absolutely must promote gender equality.
Could the government explain its position at the UN regarding the use of education and the promotion of gender equality to put an end to sexual violence in conflict areas?
Deepak Obhrai ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, Canada is pleased to take a leadership role in the resolution of this important topic about gender violence. Canada is a world leader in the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls. We continue to focus on concrete measures aimed at improving the lives of women and children around the world.
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill, MB
Mr. Speaker, the fact is people are concerned that the Conservatives will apply a double standard when it comes to reproductive rights. Survivors of sexual violence in conflict areas need comprehensive reproductive health services, including emergency contraception, gender equality and sexual education, treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and abortion services.
Will the government commit to supporting international efforts to help survivors of sexual violence, including helping to provide a full range of sexual and reproductive health services?
Deepak Obhrai ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, Canada is pleased to take a leadership role. Canada is a world leader in the protection and promotion of rights of women and girls. We continue to focus on concrete measures in the different lives of women and children around the world. We will continue doing this on the international stage. However, most important, we have to comply with our laws in our country and that is what we will do.
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, the NDP is not on the side of Canadian taxpayers. The New Democrats advocate higher taxes for hard-working families and allow MPs to sit in their caucus despite tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes. In spite of this total lack of credibility, left-wing groups with ties to the NDP suggest that Canada will resist efforts to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance at the upcoming G8 meeting.
Could the Minister of National Revenue please set the record straight and clearly state our government's position ahead of next week's G8 meeting?
Gail Shea ConservativeMinister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, the suggestion that we are resisting efforts to combat tax evasion is completely false. We support Prime Minister Cameron's efforts to achieve a G8 consensus on tax havens and on tax evasion.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance was at the OECD just last week, working on this very issue. Our government has a strong record of getting tough on tax cheats, including obtaining information on Canadians with offshore assets from our international partners. Since 2006, we have introduced over 75 measures to improve the integrity of our tax system—
Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Mr. Speaker, Crystal MacKinnon is a widow with two small children. She has worked on her uncle's boat for 20 years. She gets up at 4 o'clock in the morning, baits and sets the traps. This past winter she was cut off EI and forced to go to a local food bank. The intimidating appeal process has denied her again.
The government is chasing people out of seasonal industries like the fisheries, from Atlantic Canada, northern Cape Breton and Quebec.
Why is the government attacking our most vulnerable citizens?
Kellie Leitch ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour
Mr. Speaker, our government is making common sense changes to ensure we can attach unemployed individuals to opportunities for employment. In fact, this government has created over a million net new jobs since the downturn of our recession, creating opportunities for Canadians.
As I have mentioned before, employment insurance will continue to be there for those individuals who are unable to find work, through no fault of their own, when they need it.
Ruth Ellen Brosseau NDP Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, one of my constituents, Michel Morin, has been waiting for months for his appeal to be heard by the Social Security Tribunal.
The problem is that the transition is rather chaotic, with cases being transferred from separate tribunals to the single tribunal. Wait times are very long and Canadians are not getting justice.
How long will Mr. Morin have to wait before getting an answer?
Kellie Leitch ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour
Mr. Speaker, the EI appeal mechanism is currently very slow.
Fewer than one out of three appeals is heard within 30 days. The new Social Security Tribunal will continue to provide all Canadians with a fair, quick and accessible mechanism, while eliminating unnecessary duplication of administrative procedures.
Wladyslaw Lizon Conservative Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
Mr. Speaker, we have heard veterans, loud and clear, on the importance of military and medical experience for members of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.
Could the Minister of Veterans Affairs update the House on the appointment of a new vice-chair for the Veterans Review and Appeal Board and why this appointment is so important for Canadian veterans?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Mississauga East—Cooksville for his question about appointments to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, something that affects our veterans. We want people who have military experience.
Today, I am proud to announce that for the first time in the history of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, the vice-chair position will be held by a veteran. Retired Lieutenant-Commander Owen Parkhouse has over 25 years of remarkable military service and experience, having worked in the operational stress injury clinics across Canada.
That is what veterans have been calling for and that is what this government, with its great caucus members, is delivering.
Jasbir Sandhu NDP Surrey North, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Pattullo Bridge in my riding is long overdue for upgrades, in fact 26 years overdue. However, this upgrade is more than what municipalities and TransLink can afford. Proposals call for a toll that would target Surrey residents. Surrey already has a toll bridge, the only one in the Lower Mainland.
Could the minister support the Pattullo Bridge upgrades without tolls?
Steven Fletcher ConservativeMinister of State (Transport)
Mr. Speaker, we often get requests such as this, but in most cases ferries fall within provincial jurisdiction.
I would like to highlight that we do have the Canada building fund part 2 coming up, which would allow municipalities to pick and choose projects that they wish to invest in.
Certainly, if there is a proposal for this particular ferry, we would be happy to look at it.
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, when the Quebec Soccer Federation decides to follow FIFA rules, which prohibit the wearing of turbans, Conservative ministers and the Liberal leader shout about intolerance.
By supporting the suspension of the Quebec Soccer Federation, they are preventing thousands of young Quebec players from participating in Canadian and international competitions. These people are criticizing the Quebec Soccer Federation for following the international federation's rules. Rather than attacking young soccer players in Quebec, we need to ask FIFA to consider changing its rules.
Will the minister responsible for amateur sport intervene and call for the reintegration of the Quebec Soccer Federation, which simply decided to follow the rules?
