Debates of Jan. 28th, 2014

Retirement Congratulations

[James Rajotte, Conservative, Edmonton—Leduc, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great Canadian, Reg Milley, who just this week retired after almost a decade of serving as president and CEO of Edmonton International Airport. During his tenure at EIA, Reg oversaw a transformation of the airport that included greatly expanded air service; expansion of the terminal, which was on time and under budget; and the building of lasting relationships through his tireless service for the entire capital region.

It is no mistake that since Reg started in 2005, the airport has added over 15 new non-stop flights, making Edmonton a gateway to the northwest and allowing the region to be a continued driver of economic success. Furthermore, domestic traffic has grown by nearly 50%, U.S. traffic by nearly 100%, and international traffic by an astounding 173%.

On top of being a savvy businessman, Reg will be missed most for his high moral character and his passion for the Edmonton region. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his exemplary leadership. I would like to join the long list of those who would like to thank him and wish him and his wife, Marcie, the best in his future endeavours. Thanks to Reg.

Let's Talk Day

[Rick Dykstra, Conservative, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind all members that today is Bell Let's Talk day, when Canadians come together to talk, text, and tweet about mental health and help fight the stigma surrounding mental illness. I ask all members to join me, along with Clara Hughes, to keep the conversation going. Today when Bell customers text or make mobile or long-distance calls, or when Canadians tweet using #BellLetsTalk or Facebook share, another 5¢ will be added to the cause.

Last year the response was overwhelming. Donations were made 96 million times, and Canadians added another $4.8 million to the Bell commitment.

Twenty per cent of Canadians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime, but two out of three will suffer in silence due to the continuing stigma. Mental illness costs our economy more than $52 billion a year, and in any given day, more than half a million Canadians will miss work because of it. Mental illness can touch anyone.

I ask all members to join the conversation today. I would like to thank Bell for its leadership on this issue. “Let's Talk”.

Tim Jones

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life and legacy of Tim Jones, team leader of North Shore Rescue, who passed away suddenly on January 19.

Mr. Jones was a true leader in his community. For over 25 years, he volunteered his time with North Shore Rescue, where he participated in countless rescue operations. His tireless commitment served as an example to search and rescue teams across British Columbia.

Saturday's memorial service was a testament to the impact he had in his community and on those around him. Tim Jones will truly be missed. While Mr. Jones' passing leaves a big hole for the search and rescue community, the leadership and integrity he demonstrated on a daily basis will endure and inspire others to continue carrying on his life's work. The world is indeed a better place because of Tim Jones.

On behalf of the New Democratic Party, we offer our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire search and rescue community.

[Andrew Saxton, Conservative, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark a terribly sad occasion: the tragic death of Tim Jones. Tim was a devoted husband, inspirational father, loyal friend, dedicated paramedic, and the public face of an incredible organization in my riding called North Shore Rescue.

Sadly, on January 19 Tim succumbed to a heart attack on the very mountain where he personally spearheaded hundreds of rescue operations that helped save the lives of hikers, skiers, and numerous other outdoor enthusiasts. For over 25 years and on a voluntary basis, Tim risked his life alongside his teammates at North Shore Rescue every time he went out on a call. They will remember him as being a deeply caring and supportive, as well as tough, leader. I will remember him as a tireless advocate for raising awareness about safety in the wilderness and as a friend. He had the kind of passion, energy, and personality that made him a natural leader and friend to the community. He was our hero.

The impact of our great loss will not be easily forgotten, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Jones family at this difficult time. Tim will be greatly missed.

Consumer Protection

[Annick Papillon, NDP, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP has just launched its “Making life more affordable” campaign. The NDP is the only party in Canada that understands what life is really like for families.

The cost of living has never been higher, and half of all Canadians live paycheque to paycheque. Making ends meet has never been harder. That is why the NDP thinks it is time to take action, ban fees for receiving paper copies of bills, limit ATM fees to 50 cents per transaction, cap credit card interest rates, bring in a gas price ombudsman who can put an end to the collusion between the oil companies and respond to the complaints from consumers who are feeling robbed, and implement an air passenger bill of rights like the one in Europe.

The solutions are simple. The Conservative government can make all the promises it wants, but it is not doing anything. In 2015, the NDP will deliver.

Emergency Response in Provencher

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday morning more than 4,000 homes in Provencher, including my home, were left without heat after a natural gas pipeline exploded near Otterburne, Manitoba. Several homes near the explosion were evacuated. It has, today, warmed up to a tropical -34° wind chill.

Many residents found warm places to stay with friends, neighbours, and relatives. Others have used space heaters to heat their homes, and some have made use of the emergency warming shelters which were quickly opened.

Our government has been closely monitoring the situation. I am happy to report that as of this morning, natural gas service has been restored to many of the homes and businesses affected and is expected to be restored to the remainder this afternoon.

On Saturday I visited the Hanover Emergency Operations Centre. I want to commend the emergency personnel, who have done an incredible job in keeping the public updated on the situation and on the progress being made to restore the flow of natural gas to homes and businesses affected.

I am proud to see how our communities and emergency crews in Provencher have banded together to work through this crisis.

Let's Talk Day

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today Canadians will be participating in the Bell Let's Talk campaign focusing on mental health issues in Canada. On this occasion, we all recognize that talking is the first step toward ending the stigma and bringing about change on mental health.

Today we have the opportunity to talk about mental health with our loved ones, within our communities and all across Canada. This kind of illness affects us all. One out of five Canadians will personally be affected by mental illness at some point in their life. We all know someone who has suffered in silence too long.

Like many members here, I am one of millions of Canadians whose families have been affected by mental illness. We need to keep talking about it. It helps.

Mental illness is one of the most widespread health issues in Canada, but today we say no matter who people are, they should remember they are not alone and that we are standing with them.

Do not forget that you are not alone.

Development in Southwestern Manitoba

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise in the House as the newly elected member for Brandon—Souris.

I want to inform the House that southwestern Manitoba is growing and I want to share with the House some exciting developments that are happening in the region.

Thanks in part to the investments of our federal government, Brandon now has regularly scheduled air service connecting southwestern Manitoba to Calgary and beyond.

Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College are pillars in the community and are cultivating our future leaders.

The region has some of the most fertile farmland in Canada, and farmers are feeding the world, as witnessed by the many record yields reported this past year.

Natural resources, including a booming oil patch, are creating thousands of high-paying jobs and, most of all, the people of Brandon—Souris are optimistic about their future.

To the people of Brandon—Souris, I am committed to working in the House to continue building on the economic growth in the region so that together we can seize that moment.

Intergovernmental Relations

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Conservatives unveiled their new plan to reconquer Quebec.

What is their strategy? A blue arrow. They think it will just be a minor hassle; that it is no big deal. They need a dose of reality.

Let us take a look at the Conservatives' track record in the regions targeted by their arrow: they made cuts to employment insurance; they said no to bilingual judges; they tried to close the Quebec City marine rescue sub-centre; they let red dust poison the people of Limoilou; they ignored rail safety recommendations; they cut VIA Rail services in eastern Quebec; they centralized Economic Development Agency offices; they closed regional post offices; and they failed to protect waterways for our fishermen.

As a result of their irresponsible policies, the number of Quebeckers who support the Conservatives is about the same as those who think Elvis is still alive.

People remember the Conservatives' last slogan and they know what happened. Their region was abandoned by the Conservatives.

Quebeckers deserve better than a slogan that misses the mark.

All-Season Arctic Road

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on January 8, more than half a century after former prime minister John Diefenbaker talked of a road to resources, our Prime Minister travelled to Inuvik to break ground on the construction of an all-season road to the Arctic Ocean, connecting Canadians sea to sea to sea.

Until this historic highway is completed, cold Canadian winters continue to provide infrastructure opportunities for ice roads to service remote northern communities.

No government has made such significant investments in Canada's north as our Conservative government has. This $300 million all-weather road to the Arctic hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, is just one example of a commitment kept to those living in Canada's northern frontier.

While this Conservative government stands in solidarity with the north, the soft-on-Canadian-sovereignty leader of the Liberal Party refuses to say if vast offshore territory in the Arctic belongs to Canada. Clearly the Liberal leader is in way over his head.

Veterans

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, many veterans are here in Ottawa this week to ask the government to reverse its decision to close the eight service centres that are scheduled to be shut down this weekend.

This is a simple question. Will the Prime Minister listen to them or will he make even more cuts to services for our soldiers?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite the opposite.

The government is replacing a small number of Veterans Affairs Canada service centres with Service Canada's 600 service centres for Canadian veterans. That is a big improvement in services.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, no, they are not all here in Ottawa this week to say thanks.

When our forces are facing a crisis of eight military suicides in two months, there has never been a more important time to maintain those services. The Conservative government plans to close eight veterans service centres this weekend. Some veterans will now have to drive five hours for a face-to-face meeting.

Does the Prime Minister find that acceptable, yes or no?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, of course that is completely false. What is happening here is a significant increase in service. There are a small number of service centres that are being closed that, frankly, serviced very few people, had very few visits. They are being replaced with 600 service centres across the country, and in an increased number of cases employees will actually go and meet veterans instead of the other way around.

Consumer Protection

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that is the Prime Minister's contribution to Bell's mental health day: cutting mental health services. Our veterans deserve better.

Yesterday the Prime Minister admitted what Canadians have known for a long time, which is that consumers are getting fleeced by unfair banking fees.

Will the Prime Minister commit today to actually doing something about limiting ATM fees and credit card rates in the next budget, yes or no?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am certainly not going to let the previous comment stand. This government has vastly increased the mental health services available to our veterans. In fact, they are the strongest such services anywhere in NATO.

This government also created the Mental Health Commission of Canada upon coming into office to deal with the general challenges to mental health in Canada. I was pleased to be able to name Denise Batters to the upper House so that she can continue the work in the name of our former colleague, Dave Batters.

Ethics

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, this is what happens when they enter their ninth year in power: they believe their own talking points.

The veterans have a completely different version.

Liberal senator Mac Harb is also under criminal investigation in connection with the sale of 99.99% of the ownership of his home near Ottawa to a diplomat from Brunei, Magdalene Teo.

Will the Prime Minister ask the Brunei government to urge the diplomat to—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please.

I did not hear anything in that question that touched on the administration of the government.

The hon. Leader of the Opposition has a supplementary question.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Brunei diplomat Magdalene Teo has so far refused to co-operate with the RCMP in the criminal investigation of the behaviour of Liberal Senator Mac Harb.

Will the Prime Minister ask the Government of Brunei to compel its official to co-operate with Canadian police?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, obviously I have complete confidence in the RCMP in terms of its responsibility for investigations.

Once again I am not going to let the previous comment pass. Part of what happens when a party spends 90 years in opposition is it forgets its own record.

This government has made record investments, five billion more dollars in veterans and veterans' services, and on every single occasion was opposed by the NDP. The NDP can explain that—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order. The hon. member for Papineau.

Employment

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre in Whitehorse offers basic skills to young people who need a job. It is funded through a labour market agreement that the Prime Minister wants to cut to pay for his failed Canada job grant.

Will the Prime Minister scrap his plan and ensure that the friendship centre can continue to get Whitehorse youth into the workforce, building pathways into the middle class?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, of course this government is going to continue all of its efforts to create jobs and to make sure there are Canadians to fill available jobs that the marketplace wants to offer them.

In terms of youth unemployment, I should note now that even with the levels that are higher than we would like them to be, the levels coming out of the recession today are lower than they were for the average of the entire Liberal government.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Centre de formation et de perfectionnement du grand Sudbury helps francophone adults get the essential skills they need to enter the job market.

This program is funded under agreements that the Prime Minister wants to do away with so that he can pay for his failed Canada job grant program.

Will the Prime Minister scrap his plan so that the training centre can continue providing services to the people of Sudbury?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, this government has made massive increases to provincial transfers for job creation programs. At the same time, we are asking for better results. We want to see efforts being made to match workers and the unemployed to jobs that employers want to create. We intend to continue in that direction.