House of Commons Hansard #133 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was agreements.
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the member of the opposition understands the strong fiscal situation of our country. Federal debt to GDP is one-third. It will go down to one-quarter by 2021, and it could decrease even more.
We have a strong fiscal situation, and that is why we have introduced the longest and largest infrastructure program in Canadian history, some $70 billion, of which $53 billion will go to the provinces and municipalities.
Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
Mr. Speaker, another day, another vital military procurement project massively mismanagement by the Conservative government.
Today, the PBO reported that the Conservative budget for the offshore patrol vessels is not realistic because it will only cover four ships, not the six to eight promised by the Conservatives.
The people in my riding and across the region are counting on those jobs. Can the minister explain how the government will get the project back on track and get those six to eight vessels it promised built?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, in fact we are confident that we will build six Arctic offshore patrol ships. The contract with Irving, while advanced, is not yet finalized.
I should point out that the numbers provided by the PBO are based on erroneous data and rough cost estimates of international vessels with varied capabilities, and they are derived using inaccurate specifications. In one of his assumptions the PBO said it was:
...unable to locate reliable, sufficiently contemporary Canadian data on an acquisition of this nature....
Our national shipbuilding procurement strategy will deliver the goods for our men and women.
Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
Mr. Speaker, the current government stonewalls the PBO every single time, but when it comes down to who is telling the truth, it is the PBO that is always right.
The Prime Minister has been announcing these ships since 2007 and promising that the first one would have been built last year. The longer this project is delayed, the more expensive it will get. According to the PBO, if it is delayed another year, they will only be able to build three ships.
When is the government going to explain to Canadians that it is not going to keep its promise of building six to eight offshore patrol vessels?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the opposition members voted against having any Arctic offshore patrol ships, so I am not sure what they are so worried about. However, in fact we are confident that we will deliver six Arctic offshore patrol ships, starting construction in 2015. In fact, as part of the national shipbuilding procurement strategy, yesterday for the first time we cut steel at Seaspan for the offshore fisheries science vessel.
Our national shipbuilding procurement strategy is moving forward and creating jobs, some estimated 15,000 jobs over the next 30 years, and $2 billion a year in economic benefit.
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is not just ships they have abandoned. Unfortunately, the Conservatives have also totally abandoned southwestern Ontario. As good high-quality manufacturing jobs disappear, the Conservatives are just twiddling their thumbs. Instead of helping to secure investments that would create jobs here, Canada has lost 400,000 good manufacturing jobs plus all the spinoff jobs those jobs would create. Their inaction is hurting Canadian families and communities.
Where is the government's plan to create good manufacturing jobs here in Canada?
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, those who are actually experts in this field say the answers are in budget 2014 and the NDP should vote for it.
The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters say:
...the budget contains a number of measures that will assist manufacturers and exporters in finding...skilled workers, lower regulatory compliance costs, and help win major investments in Canada.
That is exactly what she said we ought to be doing. They are policies that lead to investment, policies that lead to employment, policies that lead to an increase in manufacturing. The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters say that our government has it right, that it is contained in budget 2014, and that the New Democrats ought to vote for it.
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, quotes do not equal a paycheque, and the reality is that the Conservatives' failure to work with others cost Windsor $1.5 billion in investment, now going to Mexico.
The Conservatives failed to reach a deal with the province, Ford, and the union to build a major production facility that would have actually produced 1,000 jobs for my community and Essex County. New Democrats have long called for a proactive auto strategy that would bring together governments, industry, and labour to support good jobs and create them in our communities, and avoid disappointments like this one.
Eleven countries have a national auto strategy. They include the U.K., France, Germany, Japan, Australia, India, and yes, Mexico. Why did this minister let our community down?
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, that is utterly nonsensical. Sticking with budget 2014, where he says he wants answers, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association says that budget 2014, “demonstrates the government's continued recognition of the importance of the auto sector to Canada's economy...”.
There is a reason why we do have a strong auto sector in Canada. It is because on average we have a 13% lower corporate tax rate than is in the United States. The NDP leader said last week that the NDP wants to increase corporate taxes; so let us think of that. The New Democrats want to increase taxes and drive out the auto sector, so they can bring in revenue to give back to the Canadian auto sector that would not exist under NDP policy. That is their approach. The way we have it, we have it right.
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Mr. Speaker, to fulfill the St. Andrew's Society and the Sons of Scotland's vision of a Scottish regiment in Hamilton, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stood up in 1903. Since then, this storied regiment has represented its Scottish roots, the city of Hamilton, and indeed Canada in a manner fitting of the very men and women who serve among its ranks.
Would the Minister of Public Works and Government Services please share a few reflections on this storied regiment and on Corporal Nathan Cirillo?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is one of Canada's most renowned regiments with a history of remarkable bravery, heroism, strength, and honour forged on battlefields across the globe. Built with strong Scottish roots, it sent its very best last week to guard our country's most sacred place of remembrance. Corporal Nathan Cirillo stood up for freedom, defended the fallen, and stood in service of Canada.
On behalf of my proud extended Scottish family and indeed a grateful nation, I say that Corporal Cirillo's sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Annick Papillon NDP Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more frustrating than paying $2, $3, $4 or $7 to receive an invoice or bank statement. It is an abuse by financial institutions, which make huge profits.
If the government is acknowledging that this is an unfair practice on the part of telecommunications companies, it should also acknowledge that it is unfair on the part of banks. That would make sense to me.
Why does the government let banks charge unreasonable fees to Canadians who want a paper statement?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, in the 2013 throne speech and 2014 budget, the government promised to put an end to pay-to-pay billing practices. Canadian consumers should not have to pay more to receive paper statements. Major banks do not charge clients for any credit card statements or other statements indicating amounts owing.
Glenn Thibeault NDP Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, then why is there a double standard? Why is he allowing the banks to get away with charging it but not in stopping the telecoms? It absolutely makes no sense. The Conservatives promised to end these types of pay to pay policies, but if we read the fine print, the banks are exempted.
Canadians have been loud and clear. These cash grabs are unfair. Why are the Conservatives picking and choosing which Canadian consumers get ripped off by these fees? Why will the minister not stand up to the banks and end the gouging of Canadians?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, as I already said, for credit cards and other statements that show a payment owing, all major banks are mailing bills to their customers without charge.
Let me quote John Lawford of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. He said: “Consumers are clearly opposed to paying for paper bills and the federal government has clearly committed to ‘eliminating’ these charges”.
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, there is no clear commitment there when it comes to banks. Actually, what they are saying is, “If you are being ripped off by banks who are charging pay to pay fees, this government is not going to stand up for you”.
On the subject of refugees, refugees are fleeing persecution. They arrive in this country with nothing but hope for a better life. Now the Conservatives are cutting them off, and they are hiding it in an omnibus bill. If the minister really insists on standing by this heartless attack, will he at least agree to a full and open debate?
Chris Alexander ConservativeMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, on a day when the House is, for the most part, given over to non-partisan commemoration of one of our fallen soldiers, it would be nice if the NDP did not spread utter misinformation about the nature of the bill.
Refugees are absolutely unaffected by the measures in the bill. We are simply establishing the authority for provinces to have a minimum residence time in the country for categories of persons, not including refugees, should they wish to use it. It is a provincial jurisdiction. We respect that.
Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, the minister needs to stop hiding behind the provinces and face the potential consequences of his own decisions.
He cannot deny that the government decided to bury a private member's bill in the middle of this omnibus budget implementation bill, in the middle of these 478 pages. The bill was controversial because it allows the provinces to take away refugees' welfare benefits. The minister cannot allow the provinces or anyone else to target refugees and their children like this.
He must take these inhumane measures out of the omnibus bill. Is he willing to do that?
Chris Alexander ConservativeMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, instead, the member should stop spewing this completely false rhetoric.
We are simply establishing minimum residency requirements for people other than refugees, if the provinces and territories wish to use them. It is a provincial jurisdiction. We respect that. The provinces will continue to set the ground rules for social assistance.
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Mr. Speaker, a new PBO report says that the Conservative budget for the Arctic patrol ships is insufficient and could mean only three ships would be built rather than six to eight.
Whether it is the F-35s, naval supply ships, military helicopters or Arctic patrol ships, the government botches every procurement it touches. Will the government be increasing the budget or buying fewer patrol ships? When will the government come up with a procurement strategy that fixes the nine long years of Conservative incompetence?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, it is time to remind the hon. member that it was his Liberal government that cancelled the Sea Kings and paid half a billion dollars after that. We are still trying to recover from that. The Liberals starved the military for 10 years.
On the other hand, as I announced, we cut steel on the first offshore fishery science vessel, part of our national shipbuilding procurement strategy. We have successfully completed procurements for military with the LAVs, heavy-lift aircraft, tactical lift transporters, main battle tanks, new heavy artillery, and many more.
We support our men and women in uniform.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, Canada has over 1.3 million people of Canadian Ukrainian heritage. As a country, we truly care about what is happening in Ukraine.
This past Sunday, the people of Ukraine voted for building a stronger and healthier relationship with the west and against the far right. Ukrainian President Poroshenko told Canadians that he would like to see a trade deal between our two nations.
Could the government provide a status report on the trade talks between Canada and Ukraine?
Gerald Keddy ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, in July the Minister of International Trade led a trade and development mission to Ukraine aimed at deepening economic co-operation with Ukraine. Our government is committed to supporting efforts to build a peaceful, democratic and proper society in Ukraine. Ukraine is a priority market under Canada's global markets action plan.
François Lapointe NDP Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Superior Court of Quebec had to issue an injunction to halt the drilling off the coast of Cacouna. To make matters worse, the Quebec Department of the Environment revealed that hammering work, which was not even mentioned in the authorizations granted, caused excessive noise within a perimeter five times larger than what was allowed. Rather than stopping the work, the Conservatives let the company regulate itself, without asking for any scientific advice from experts.
When will the minister acknowledge her incompetence in protecting species at risk and terminate this project, which is unacceptable from both a human and an environmental perspective?
Gail Shea ConservativeMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, protection of belugas is a priority for DFO. The current court case is about provincial laws and involves provincial officials.
The only work that was taking place at Cacouna was exploratory work that was approved. Projects will only move forward if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.
TransCanada has not yet submitted the construction of a marine terminal for review at all.