Debates of Oct. 20th, 2014

The Environment

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since January 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has been examining an open-pit mining project on the outskirts of Sept-Îles.

Because of its size, proximity to communities and possible repercussions, the Arnaud mining project is causing concerns. In a report published in early 2014, the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement, or BAPE, said it is unacceptable in its current form.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has remained silent so far, much to the delight of some. It usually has 365 days to examine and report on a project. In this case, it is already nearly two years past that deadline.

What is preventing the federal scientists from completing their report? Why is the government taking so long to tell people the truth?

For the sake of transparency and probity, the Minister of the Environment must ensure that the notice of decision is issued diligently and that all the information related to this decision is communicated to the public.

Taxation

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend the Liberal leader put his foot in his mouth once again, admitting that if given the chance he would hike taxes on hard-working Canadian families so that he could spend billions of dollars on expanding government, which would return Canada to deficit and drive up the debt. Astonishingly, he believes Canadians actually want higher taxes. Only the Liberals could see putting money back into the pockets of hard-working Canadians and taking it out of the hands of big bureaucracy as somehow wrong.

Our government will balance the budget in 2015 and provide tax relief for Canadian families. Thanks to our low-tax plan, the average Canadian family already pays $3,400 less this year in taxes than under the previous Liberal governments, and now the Liberal leader wants to take that away from Canadians.

Only someone as out of touch with middle-class Canadians as the Liberal leader could possibly suggest removing tax cuts with the universal child care benefit.

Only our Conservative government can be trusted to balance the budget while reducing the tax burden on Canadian families.

Prostate Cancer

[Matthew Dubé, NDP, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Speaker, November is just around the corner, and a new Movember campaign of facial hair and virility is set to begin. This year, I am pleased once again to be the captain of our NDP team.

Movember is an opportunity to have fun while raising awareness about and collecting money for men's health. Last year, more than $33 million was raised in Canada alone.

It is not just about money, though. We cannot forget the invaluable conversations that men are now having about their health, thanks in large part to Movember. For New Democrats, participating in Movember campaigns over the years has been a privilege. Thinking of Jack Layton's famous mo and his own battle against prostate cancer serves as incredible inspiration.

For Jack and for all our fathers and brothers, it is a great pleasure that we once again flaunt our moustaches to raise money and awareness. I invite all my colleagues to join with us and help change the face of men's health. Let us mo.

Science and Technology

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

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand in this House today at the start of National Science and Technology Week to recognize our highly talented Canadian scientists, who undertake the groundbreaking research that creates jobs and improves the quality of life for all Canadians.

Our government has made record investments in science, technology, and innovation. As demonstrated in our economic action plan 2014, we are positioning Canadian science to become world leading through legacy commitments such as the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. It is a $1.5 billion investment over the next decade to strengthen world-leading research at Canadian post-secondary institutions while ensuring long-term economic benefits accrue for all Canadians.

Our government understands the significant impact that science plays in our economy. We will continue to ensure that the maple leaf remains a leader on the world stage.

Major Robert Firlotte

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, two years ago I had the honour of presenting Major Robert Firlotte with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. Sadly, last month he passed away.

He entered the army as a private and left the army as a major. All of his promotions were battlefield promotions. I asked him how he did it. He said he was very strong and very fast, good attributes when someone is shooting at you.

He was deployed to Europe twice during World War II, with the Carleton and York New Brunswick Regiment and then with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. He then went to Korea with the Queen's Own. In retirement, he served on the Living History Speakers Bureau at Legion 258, spoke at many citizenship ceremonies, and supported the building of the Juneau Beach Centre.

He may have been fast and he may have been strong, but ultimately he served us well and he will be remembered. I extend my condolences to his family and my deepest sympathies to his friends.

Finance

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

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party openly admitted that he believes that raising taxes is the best policy for hard-working Canadians. The only thing he seems to have understood correctly is that our government wants to lower taxes and put money back in the pockets of those who deserve it. We are proud of that.

We created tax credits for small businesses, cut the GST down to 5%, brought in tax credits for children's fitness and artistic activities, introduced the tax-free savings account and made other cuts that, together, allow the average family to save $3,400 a year. We did all this while keeping Canada on track to balance the budget in 2015.

Unlike the former Liberal governments, we will continue to keep taxes low and stand up for Canadian families.

Canada Revenue Agency

[Alexandrine Latendresse, NDP, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week we learned that a group of ornithologists was scrutinized by Revenue Canada, on the grounds that the group was not following the rules regarding political activities.

For most Canadians, a group of birdwatchers that informs its members about the Conservatives' disastrous environmental decisions is simply exercising its freedom of expression. For the Conservatives, this is an opportunity to make anyone with a different opinion pay.

To use the same rhetoric the Conservatives used during the firearms debate, why criminalize law-abiding duck watchers and other ornithologists?

Now we know that the Conservatives are willing to do anything to silence their opponents, even if it means using the Canada Revenue Agency as a scarecrow.

If the government keeps on infringing on fundamental freedoms and conducting witch hunts, it could see its wings clipped in the next election.

James Michael Flaherty Building

[Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Conservative, Miramichi, NB]

Mr. Speaker, last week, in memory of our friend and colleague, the Hon. Jim Flaherty, the Prime Minister announced the name of the newest Government of Canada building.

Jim was truly one of a kind, steadfast and bold. He introduced key tax relief measures, such as the tax-free savings account, the universal child care benefit and the registered disability savings plan. He put us on the path to a balanced budget.

In honour of Jim and as a tribute to his eight years of dedicated service to the people of Canada, the James Michael Flaherty Building will stand as a testament to his legacy and his memory.

For his many years here in Ottawa, Jim livened the House with his charming wit, his good humour and his lively spirit. It is with great pride that we mark this occasion, and I know I have the support of the House in wishing the Flaherty family the strength and the courage that Jim so effortlessly shared with all of us.

Canada Revenue Agency

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, when did the Prime Minister decide that bird watchers were enemies of the Canadian government?

Last week, we learned that it takes nothing more than a couple of letters asking ministers to be careful about the use of pesticides because it is killing the bee population in our country. Is this the epitome of the Prime Minister's social agenda that he is worried about anyone else talking about the birds and the bees?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, there are review processes in place for the Canada Revenue Agency that have been there for many years, long predating this government. These are not political decisions or political matters.

Health

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after weeks of delaying getting the Canadian-made Ebola vaccine to Africa, a prominent Canadian expert is calling on the Conservative government to cancel its licensing agreement with the American company contracted to continue development of the vaccine. He says that this small U.S. company just does not have the resources to manage such an urgently needed medicine.

Can the government confirm reports that the licence for this vaccine was sold for just $200,000? What action is the government taking to make sure this vaccine is in the hands of a company capable of getting it to those who so desperately need it right away?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I already informed the leader of the NDP some time ago that he had his facts wrong on this particular matter, and he continues to have them wrong.

The vaccine in question was invented by the Public Health Agency of Canada. In fact, the Government of Canada owns the rights. However, it was not a matter of rights that was delaying that vaccine being deployed. It was a decision by the World Health Organization. Obviously, we are pleased to see the WHO is now acting.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it was indeed developed by them. The question was: is it true that the licence was sold for a mere $200,000? Everyone noticed, as usual, that the Prime Minister did not answer.

After weeks of delays and arguments over the intellectual property rights for the Ebola vaccine, the government finally sent between 800 and 1,000 doses to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

Can the government confirm that these vaccines will be distributed in Africa to help Africans?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, again, the leader of the NDP has his facts wrong.

The reality is that the vaccine was invented by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Canada owns the rights. It was a decision by the World Health Organization that delayed it from being deployed. We are pleased to see the WHO is taking action.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, today we learned from The Globe and Mail that even after the Ebola epidemic had broken out in West Africa, even after the World Health Organization was pleading with governments all over the world to step forward and start helping to provide protective gear, the Conservative Minister of Health was auctioning off protective medical ware on a government discount website.

While people in Africa are dying by the thousands, why was the Conservative government getting rid of urgently needed medical supplies for a fraction of their value?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the Government of Canada has been, on an ongoing basis, donating essential equipment to the fight against Ebola, some 2.5 million dollars' worth. That includes 1.5 million gloves, 2 million face shields, and 1.2 million isolation gowns. The first shipment has occurred and more shipments will be occurring.

Employment

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is getting ready to present an economic update and he has a choice to make: he can focus on creating quality jobs for the middle class or he can continue to give billion-dollar gifts to big business.

Is the Prime Minister going to choose jobs for the middle class or gifts for big business?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government's choice is clear.

We have one of the best job creation records of all developed countries. We are working with the entire Canadian economic community, including Canadian families, to create jobs.

We have a very different philosophy on this side. We do not believe jobs are created by attacking business and by raising taxes; that is the NDP way. The fact that we are able to lower taxes is one of the reasons we have created 1.1 million net new jobs since the recession.

Health

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while Ebola is ravaging West Africa, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States and aid agencies are calling for personal protective equipment for health workers fighting this disease.

Despite this request, the Public Health Agency of Canada auctioned off $1.5 million worth of equipment for $30,000. Why did the government sell this equipment at a discount instead of sending it to the people who desperately need it?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the reality is that Canada has donated essential equipment for the fight against Ebola, including 1.5 million pairs of gloves, 2 million face shields and 1.2 million isolation gowns.

We will continue to help workers around the world in the fight against Ebola.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the facts are clear. The World Health Organization asked Canada to provide personal protective equipment a full month before the government finally cut off the sale.

Why sell this equipment in the first place? Why the delay in stopping its sale for a month? When will the government get its act together on Ebola?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I have spoken to the Director-General of the World Health Organization.

I think it is acknowledged that Canada is one of the largest contributors in the world to the fight against Ebola. In terms of essential equipment, specifically that which the member mentioned, I will repeat the facts once more. It is 1.5 million gloves, 2 million face shields, 1.2 million isolation gowns.

This is important work. I believe this kind of fight against the pandemic is something, frankly, that should cross partisan lines. We will continue to focus Canadians' attention on the good work being done.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government is failing to deliver what aid it actually does promise.

Only two shipments of personal protective equipment have actually been shipped to the World Health Organization in Geneva. However, it is unclear if these shipments of personal protective equipment have actually reached those parts of West Africa that need them the most.

It has been months, and this critical equipment has not reached health workers in Africa. They have asked for our help. Why have the Conservatives failed to respond?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows full well that Canada has been at the forefront of the Ebola response since April, providing funding, expertise and capacity-building on the ground. We have two highly specialized mobile labs in Sierra Leone with Public Health Agency officials who are working every day to diagnose Ebola, which is obviously fundamental to containment.

In terms of the equipment, the only delay we experienced was not being able to find any commercial operators that were willing to take our equipment over. I thank the Department of National Defence for providing a Hercules so that we could get those face shields over. They have been delivered.

The Environment

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, a Russian ship carrying more than 500 million litres of bunker fuel lost all power just off the coast of Haida Gwaii.

The Canadian Coast Guard vessel, the Gordon Reid, was hundreds of kilometres away, and it took almost 20 hours for it to reach the drifting ship. Thankfully, favourable winds helped keep the ship from running aground, and a private American tugboat eventually towed it to shore.

Is the minister comfortable with a marine safety plan that is based on a U.S. tugboat and blind luck in order to keep B.C.'s coast safe?