House of Commons Hansard #264 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was parks.
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Mr. Speaker, I find that question coming from a Liberal member ironic.
The Liberals were in power for 13 years before the current government and they did nothing at all. In fact, in the last century, the Liberal Party had been in power longer than any other party and the needs of first nations did not improve, thanks to that party.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish everyone a happy Environment Week.
This is, indeed, Environment Week in Canada. Since 1985, there has been a requirement by statute for the Government of Canada to uphold and respect the first week in June encompassing World Environment Day, which was yesterday, and World Oceans Day, which is coming up.
Initially, former prime minister Brian Mulroney ensured that there was a million dollars in funding distributed to environment groups across the country to ensure Environment Week was noticed. Initially, there were actions by government at all levels: announcements, new parks, new efforts to protect the environment. So far, all I can find to mark Environment Week this year is a press release on the Environment Canada website. Perhaps it misread the name of the act and thought it was “Environment W-E-A-K”. That would explain the action so far.
Chris Alexander Conservative Ajax—Pickering, ON
Mr. Speaker, as we in Canada fret about an unreformed Senate or corruption in our cities, the people of Syria are living out a genuine nightmare, one of suffering and death. Bashar al-Assad, his army and secret police have abandoned every pretense of restraint. They have bombed their own schools and massacred entire families and village. By all available accounts, they have used chemical weapons.
Up to 100,000 people have been killed, most of them civilians. What do we say to Abu Obeida, an opposition organizer in Aleppo, who organizes secret classes for 150 young girls in the basement of a mosque?
How do we explain international inaction to those mourning women raped and killed in Homs? Only concerted international action can stop the conflict in Syria. Those blocking such action of the Security Council are accountable to the Syrian people for their mistakes. Those who would arm a brutal regime with sophisticated missiles or terrorists from Hezbollah or al Qaeda to wage proxy wars will have to account one day to us all for visiting such bloodshed, radicalization and repression on a proud and innocent people.
Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, it was with great sadness on May 29 when I learned of the passing of my good friend Bob Barlow at the young age of 47.
It is not widely known, but Bob was the primary reason I ran for the federal NDP in the 2006 election. Back in 2004, as president of our riding association, Bob asked me to consider running for the nomination and I declined. However, in 2005, I believe it was Bob who drew Jack Layton's attention to my community work and passion for human rights. Between Jack's persuasiveness and Bob's unrelenting support, I agreed.
Few in NDP circles believed we could actually defeat the then government House leader Tony Valeri, but Bob never wavered. Bob set up my campaign office, got volunteers, even planned my days. Throughout that cold 54-day campaign, Bob was there with me day and night. I truly believe I would not be the MP for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek if it were not for the persistence and support of my friend Bob Barlow.
May he rest in peace.
Bob Dechert Conservative Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Canadian and a dear friend, Mr. Gul Nawaz. Gul was an active volunteer and a resident of Mississauga, who, sadly, passed away recently. The prayer room at the Islamic Society of North America Mosque in Mississauga was filled to capacity with family and friends to say goodbye to Gul.
Gul represented the best of our vibrant multicultural society. He was a proud and patriotic Canadian who never forgot the people of his native Pakistan, while constantly reaching out to befriend and assist people of every culture, especially newcomers to Canada. He was president of the Canada Pakistan Friendship Association and the Council of Pakistani Canadians. He was a founder and served as chair of the Heartland Creditview Neighbourhood Centre, which provides vital services to newcomers.
Gul received many awards and recognitions, most notably from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Mississauga Arts Council, Credit Valley Hospital, Sheridan College and the University of Toronto.
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon.
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Mr. Speaker, last month, the Humber River Regional Hospital was recognized for its efforts to become North America's first fully digital hospital. This formal recognition given out at the Partnership Awards, held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London, England, casts an international light on the hospital and validates what those in the hospital's catchment area have known for years: the new Humber River Regional Hospital will be a first-class facility and make the current hospital even better.
Humber stands out in the global field and has received praise for marrying highly-complex and good-quality design with an innovative approach. As a local resident, I am lucky to have the Humber River Regional Hospital in my community and, as an MP, I am honoured to extend my congratulations to the hospital's management team, staff, volunteers and all those involved in the project for showing the world the great things they are capable of.
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Mr. Speaker, at the recent Ontario group general meeting in Peterborough for air force associations, 403 Wing Sarnia was honoured as the winner of the Wing of the Year award. Also, three members of 403 Wing, Pauline Reaney, Mark Seuibutis and Frieda Stewart, were given the award of merit for their community efforts on behalf of 403 Wing.
403 Wing is very active in my community. The group made headlines for the decision to restore the famous Golden Hawk Sabre jet that has historically been located in Sarnia's Germain Park. The restored jet is a reflection of the pride in Canada's aviation history, as well as a reminder of the commitment that current members of 403 Wing have to their community and country.
403 Wing has a large membership and also a ladies' auxiliary, the 403 Wingettes. Its members also work closely with air cadets from the community. Considering its members' efforts, I applaud 403 Wing for its success and congratulate the group for being named Wing of the Year in recognition of its continued excellence.
Pierre-Luc Dusseault NDP Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Speaker, today is the 69th anniversary of the Normandy invasion.
On June 6, 1944, nearly 14,000 Canadians soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy. Of those soldiers, 359 never returned to Canada. They gave their lives to defend their country, their families and other people's families.
Last weekend I attended two ceremonies that were held in my riding. I participated in a ceremony held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Sherbrooke. There, I met Joan Thompson, the honorary president, who is 103. Then, along with a number of veterans and members of the Canadian Forces, I attended a ceremony at the cenotaph in Lennoxville, where we paid tribute to the courage of those who served our country during this historic event.
As Canadians, we all have a duty to never forget the sacrifice they made. Lest we forget.
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give recognition to June as Recreation and Parks Month in Canada. As opposed to the fabulous work of Parks Canada at the federal level, this is about promoting the value of parks and recreation activities and services at the municipal level.
Some of us have just returned from the FCM annual conference in Vancouver where municipal governments shone a light on national health and fitness. Canadians recognize the tremendous mental and physical health benefits from participating in parks and recreation activities, yet Canadians are increasingly sedentary. Most adults and children fail to meet the recommended level of activity in Canada's physical activity guidelines. Obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease rates are climbing.
Parks and recreation facilities in Canada provide great opportunities for us all to get more physically active for the improvement of health of our citizens, communities and health care system. The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association partnered with MPs to declare the first Saturday in June as National Health and Fitness Day. I call upon all Canadians to proclaim National Health and Fitness Day and also to help celebrate that June is Recreation and Parks Month. Let us make Canada the fittest nation on earth.
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, there are an estimated 30,000 adoptable children in Canada. That is why economic action plan 2013 takes action to expand the adoption expenses tax credit. However, there is more we can do.
Following on my unanimous Motion No. 386 and a study of federal supports for adoptive parents and children in 2010, this fall I will table a motion for a national adoption action plan to do the following: accurately measure, not estimate, the problem; start a conversation, including provinces and territories, to boost annual domestic adoptions above 5,000; improve supports to adoptive parents and children; promote adoption, from infants to teens; and track our results regularly.
Every Canadian child deserves loving permanence in a forever family. With that focus in mind and taking action together, we can make that happen.
José Nunez-Melo NDP Laval, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Semaine québécoise des personnes handicapées is on now and wraps up on June 7. The theme is “Living Life to the Fullest”.
I would like to take this opportunity to renew my support for organizations in my riding, especially the Regroupement des organismes de promotion de personnes handicapées de Laval, a group of organizations that work with people with disabilities.
Throughout the week, many activities will be held to encourage people with disabilities to get involved socially and to promote the idea of social participation. As usual, theme days have been organized throughout the week. Today is “pay day”, which is designed to raise awareness about the challenges people with disabilities face in the workforce.
I therefore invite my colleagues here in the House of Commons to thank the organizations in their ridings that work with people with disabilities.
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, D-Day was an offensive on a scale never seen before. As part of this massive surprise attack, Canadian soldiers of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion dropped in from behind enemy lines to stop German reinforcements, while the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force laid the path. All of this made the way for over 14,000 brave Canadian soldiers landing at Juno Beach who defeated the enemy, despite heavy losses. In so doing, they marked a major turning point in World War II.
D-Day is clearly one of Canada's most defining military achievements. Whether young or old, Canadians will never forget the sacrifice and bravery of those who were there. I stand with all members in this place today to mark the 69th anniversary of D-Day.
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible bravery of a recently deceased constituent, Mrs. Nathalia Petrovna Buchan, and her husband, William Muir Buchan, who were Allied prisoners during the Second World War. I also rise to recognize and honour the extraordinary humanitarian actions of Tomohiko Hayashi, a Japanese diplomat who was the commandant of the Lunghua concentration camp outside of Shanghai. His son, Sadayuki Hayashi, came from Japan to be here today.
Mr. Hayashi ensured that prisoners received sufficient food, non-abusive treatment and medical care. He was the only commandant of a concentration camp who was acquitted of all charges following the war, due to his kind treatment of prisoners. His kind treatment included sending Mrs. Buchan to a hospital for treatment with his own car and driver. Her son, David, of Victoria, is also here today .
We should honour these acts of compassion and recognize that beauty and humanity can emerge even in the darkest hours of war.
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, recently, former KGB captain Mikhail Lennikov marked his fourth year of illegally hiding out in a Vancouver church basement.
Throughout its history, the KGB has committed untold atrocities against the people of eastern Europe. Rather than condemn this senior KGB official and call on him to immediately go back to where he came from, the NDP member for Burnaby—New Westminster has asked the government to show compassion and allow Lennikov to stay in Canada.
Frankly, this is appalling. Unlike Mr. Lennikov's comrades in the NDP, our Conservative government stands with the victims of Communism. There are no safe havens where our laws do not apply. This individual must be removed as soon as possible.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, this is a great day for the Sackville Rivers Association, which today celebrates 25 years of outstanding community service. Members of the association play a vital role in protecting the Sackville River, which happens to flow behind my constituency office. They have received a Canadian Environment Award for restoration and rehabilitation.
Let me highlight just a few of the organization's many accomplishments. There have been over 250 cleanup projects, which help remove tons of garbage from the river. There has been construction of wild Atlantic salmon pools and the restoration of over 60,000 square metres of salmon habitat, something our Sergeant-at-Arms would appreciate. They have stocked the Sackville River with speckled trout and helped more than 6,000 elementary school kids participate in river rangers and fish friends programs.
It is indeed a pleasure to say thanks to Sackville Rivers Association president, Walter Regan, and the countless volunteers who have been so generous with their time over the past 25 years.
Wladyslaw Lizon Conservative Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party has quite a track record when it comes to pitting one region against the other.
In February, 2008, the leader of the Liberal Party said, “Speaking one language is 'lazy'”. In November, 2010, he said, “Canada isn't doing well right now because it's Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda. It doesn't work.”
When asked, he said he thought Canada was “better served when there are more Quebecers in charge than Albertans”. Most recently, the Leader of the Opposition said, “We have 24 senators from Quebec and there are only 6 for Alberta and British Columbia. That benefits us. To want to abolish it, that's just demagoguery...”
These divisive comments from the leader of the Liberal Party are shameful and show poor judgment. We call on him to stop opposing Senate reform and championing the status quo.
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Mr. Speaker, I look at the government benches and I see a party that has lost its way and betrayed its roots. The member for Edmonton—St. Albert writes:
I joined the Reform/conservative movements because I thought we were somehow different, a band of Ottawa outsiders riding into town to clean the place up, promoting open government and accountability. I barely recognize ourselves, and worse I fear that we have morphed into what we once mocked.
My constituents demand better.... For a government that was elected on a platform of accountability, my constituents are gravely disappointed.... If we are measuring our ethical performance against the Sponsorship Scandalized Liberals, perhaps we need to set our ethical bar a little higher....the Government’s lack of support for my transparency bill is tantamount to a lack of support for transparency and open government generally.
I have debated with the member for Edmonton—St. Albert. We do not often agree, but what we do agree on is that MPs have a calling, an obligation to reject the politics of cynicism and manipulation and to stand up for the principles of transparency, accountability and open government.
Robert Goguen Conservative Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition misled Canadians when he stated that he stripped his official languages critic of his responsibilities the minute he heard of his outstanding tax debt.
We know that this member's tax woes go back a decade. This was all laid out in public record, so the Leader of the Opposition cannot deny knowing of it. The leader of the NDP should explain to Canadians why the member was selected as a candidate for the NDP, why he was picked as a critic and more importantly, why he continues to sit as a member of the caucus of the NDP.
The NDP has kept this hidden from Canadians for years. The NDP allows the member to continue to sitting. This underlines a complete disrespect for Canadian taxpayers by the NDP.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister admitted that he made his views on the Senate expense scandal “known to a range of our caucus and also my staff.”
Why then did the Prime Minister, last week, repeatedly deny ever having given any instructions to his staff on the Senate scandal?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, once again, my views on this have been clear from the outset.
Our view is that all expenses have to be appropriate, and I mean by that not simply that they respect the rules but that they are defensible to any reasonable person and if there have been any inappropriate expenses, that those expenses should be repaid by anybody who took inappropriate expenses.
I think those views are very clear. They were expressed regularly. I continue to express them.
As I say, it is quite a contrast to the Leader of the Opposition who did not think for 17 years that it was appropriate to think that one does not offer politicians stuffed brown envelopes.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, was Nigel Wright present when the Prime Minister instructed Mike Duffy to repay his expenses?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, once again, I have indicated to all who have asked me that my view is that all expenses have to be appropriate, and that if any expenses are inappropriate, they will have to be repaid.
I have been very clear about that. I expected Mr. Duffy, if indeed he had inappropriate expenses, to repay those expenses. Indeed, I thought he had committed to do that and I thought he had announced publicly that he had done that.
It turns out that is not the case, and there will be consequences for those actions.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the question was, “Was Nigel Wright present?”
Canadians deserve an answer. They still have not had a clear answer.
When the Prime Minister spoke with Mike Duffy on February 13, was Mike Duffy claiming that his expenses were not illegal?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, it is up to Mr. Duffy to explain his own position and his actions in this matter.
My view has been clear from the outset: expenses have to be appropriate. If a senator or a member has inappropriate expenses, they must be repaid to the taxpayers. There will obviously be consequences for Mr. Duffy's actions.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, on February 13, the Prime Minister told his caucus and the members of his senior staff who were present that he wanted the Senate scandal dealt with.
Just a few days later, the Prime Minister's chief of staff gave a senator $90,000 to make the Senate scandal disappear.
Is the Prime Minister really trying to convince Canadians that that is just a coincidence?