House of Commons Hansard #134 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was jobs.

Topics

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem, led by the hon. member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Public SafetyStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is continuing to deliver on jobs and opportunities, just as we promised. We are on track to balance the budget, and we are upholding and defending Canadian values on the world stage. We will keep our taxes low, stay on track with a balanced budget, and continue our efforts to make our country and communities safe.

In the shadow of this tragic week, we are reminded of the new challenges that lie ahead of us. In the past, we have brought in legislation aimed at combatting terrorism and strengthening our Citizenship Act to guard against the activities of terror groups. We will continue now to strengthen our security institutions so that they have the necessary tools at their disposal to better protect Canadians.

Canadians can count on their government to stand up for them. I wish all Canadians the very best.

Bernadette LaflammeStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Matthew Dubé NDP Chambly—Borduas, QC

Mr. Speaker, this summer, our community lost a great woman, Bernadette Laflamme, the founder and first president of the historical society of the seigneury of Chambly.

Today I would like to tell the House about her important contribution. After a wonderful teaching career, she founded the Société d'histoire de la seigneurie de Chambly in 1979 and served as its president for the next 18 years.

Her great devotion to promoting our region's history led to the publication of important works such as the Dictionnaire encyclopédique de la seigneurie de Chambly, 1609-1950 and helped people learn more about Fort Chambly and its historical significance to Quebec and Canada. Ms. Laflamme was honoured by the federal government in 2002 for her volunteer work and by the Quebec federation of historical societies for her commitment to promoting our region's history.

I was sad to learn of the passing of this great woman who did so much for our community. As a history lover myself, I certainly recognize her important contribution. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to her family members and loved ones and to our beloved historical society.

Rod LoveStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Joan Crockatt Conservative Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour a remarkable Albertan. Rod Love, chief of staff to former Premier Ralph Klein, died on Sunday, far too soon.

We are all heartbroken, especially for his lifelong love, Charlene, and their three children, James, Katie, and Haley.

More than an icon in Alberta politics, Rod was respected from coast to coast as one of Canada's very best. He had a remarkable, uncanny ability to communicate what Martha and Henry were thinking.

One of his proudest moments was when he was able to stand beside Ralph Klein and hold up the big sign on Alberta's debt that said “Paid in Full”.

Rod was acting on my local board. Just a month ago, I rode in his beloved red convertible in a parade.

I want to leave members with three Rod-isms:

Kids are proof that life is funny, but no joke.

If it is in the yellow pages, governments should not try to do it.

If it is stupid, but it works, it is not stupid.

Thanks Rod.

Brain Tumour Awareness MonthStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, October is Brain Tumour Awareness Month in Canada.

Brain tumours are an indiscriminate form of cancer, and increasingly, one of the most deadly. In the last decade, the mortality rate for a child diagnosed with a brain tumour has surpassed all other forms of childhood cancer. There is no clear explanation why.

One reason we cannot answer this question is that there is no central system in Canada that tracks brain tumour statistics.

Seven years ago, in this House, a motion was passed that called for the creation of a national registry to count and classify every brain tumour in the country, but a registry has not been created. Shockingly, Canadian doctors and researchers must rely on statistics from the United States to estimate incidence rates in Canada. Without this data, provinces and territories are unable to properly judge who needs care, resulting in unequal access to drugs and treatment for patients. We can and must do better.

Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Clarke Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Mr. Speaker, with the shocking events of last week, the safety of security staff, MPs, senators, and visitors to Parliament Hill has become a real concern. It is apparent to all that there must be some changes in the way we do business on the Hill. Most important, it is crucial that our first responders have the resources they need to be safe in order to do their jobs.

It is also important, in the aftermath of these incidents that brought terror into the lives of so many of my colleagues and friends, that the signs and symptoms of PTSD be recognized and treated. As a former RCMP member who deals with PTSD every day, I can say that it is manageable when one understands that it exists, and there is no shame in seeking help to deal with it.

I encourage anyone who is suffering from the after-effects of these events to get help. I am always available to talk to people and help them find the assistance they need.

I urge hon. members to learn the signs and make sure that they do whatever is necessary to relieve the anxiety and emotional pain of PTSD.

Litterless Lunch ChallengeStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the winner of my fifth annual Litterless Lunch Challenge. The challenge, which I hold every year during Waste Reduction Week, encourages students to pack litter-free lunches.

With an average elementary school producing over 20,000 pounds of lunch waste annually, it is critical that waste reduction become part of our daily routine.

This year over 500 students in my riding participated. This year's winning class, which went an amazing 93% litter-free, is Mrs. Sandy Bellet's kindergarten class at Riverview Park Elementary School.

Congratulations to all the students, teachers, and parents who made this year's challenge another success. They all did a great job, and I hope that the spirit of Waste Reduction Week will continue throughout the year.

Canadian Heavyweight Boxing TitleStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Daryl Kramp Conservative Prince Edward—Hastings, ON

Mr. Speaker, born in Madoc, my hometown, Dillon Carman participated in high school boxing, where he grew to love the sport.

Today I rise to congratulate Dillon Carman on winning the Canadian heavyweight boxing title. Dillon, who is known as “Big Country”, was crowned on Saturday, October 25, in Toronto, at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly known as Maple Leaf Gardens. Going seven rounds, Dillon ended the proceedings with a wicked left-right combo to rugged Eric Martel Bahoeli.

Dillon's heart is as big as his powerful punch. He is proud to be a Canadian and encourages building the sport of boxing.

Congratulations to Big Country. He is an inspiration to our youth for demonstrating the confidence and determination necessary to achieve one's goals. The next time folks hear, “let's get ready to rumble”, think of Big Country Carman.

Bill DiachukStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Bill Diachuk, an alumni of the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company and a former member of the Alberta legislature who represented Edmonton-Beverly for 16 years, until 1986.

Born in 1929, Bill attended the University of Alberta and was very active in community affairs, which led him to serve as an Edmonton Catholic School District trustee for years. For 25 years, Bill volunteered full time with the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services, tirelessly advocating for others in Canada and contributing to community development in foreign countries.

I met with Bill many times in my office, where he was a consummate humanitarian, advocating for others' well-being. I recall his attendance in full Knights of Columbus regalia at every Remembrance Day ceremony at Alberta's oldest cenotaph in Beverly.

My sincere condolences to Ollie, Bill's wife of 62 years, their children, and grandchildren. Bill set a standard of excellence and service toward his fellow man. Bill will be dearly missed by all.

Memories eternal.

Ceremonial GuardStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, the man standing next to Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was his best and closest friend, fellow reservist Corporal Branden Stevenson, son of my constituents Jim Stevenson and his wife Kelly-Ann.

Nathan and Branden attended school together. They joined the reserves together, and together they volunteered to perform the tremendous ceremonial honour of standing guard at our cenotaph.

The shooter fired at Branden and missed. He then fired two shots at Nathan and shot him in the back. Branden chased the coward briefly before returning to his friend, where he tried, along with several bystanders, to revive the wounded reservist. Witnesses say he never wavered when it came to giving help. “Put pressure here. He's been shot twice”, he said, as he instructed those helping Nathan, showing both courage and professionalism in the face of crisis and emergency.

Branden Stevenson returned to his post standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier today. I ask my colleagues in the House to recognize and pay tribute to a brave young man who has suffered a terrible, emotional trauma and a great loss in seeing his best friend murdered at his side.

Nathan Cirillo and Patrice VincentStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister said it best. We can only hope that Corporal Nathan Cirillo's son grows up knowing how much Canadians admire and look up to his dad. No truer words have been spoken this week.

As we stand now, one week since the tragic events that occurred here in Ottawa and Quebec, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo have been forever etched into the Canadian social fabric. Their tragic stories will live on in our minds, while their sacrifice will live on in our hearts.

We stand one week later a stronger, prouder, more resilient nation, all thanks to two soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Persons CaseStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Persons Case with fellow feminists at a breakfast in Halifax for LEAF, the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund.

Professor Jula Hughes will speak on the history of legal disputes for abortion access in New Brunswick, which is timely, as its Morgentaler clinic closed this summer. This was the only facility in the province where women could get an abortion free of restrictions, and it served women in New Brunswick and P.E.I.

Why do women in the Maritimes still have to fight for a right that was granted 26 years ago to all Canadian women?

It was 85 years ago that we became persons in the eyes of the law in our country, and 85 years later, women in the Maritimes still face inequalities regarding access to abortion facilities.

Today, I stand in solidarity with women in New Brunswick and P.E.l. who say, “my body, my choice”.

Happy Persons Day, Mr Speaker, the day in 1929 when women were declared persons under the law. It is now 85 years later and we still stand committed to confronting all forms of discrimination to achieve equality for women and girls.

Afghanistan Memorial VigilStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Corneliu Chisu Conservative Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canada's mission in Afghanistan is an important part of our military heritage. More than 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed to Afghanistan, making it Canada's largest military deployment since the Second World War.

The Afghanistan Memorial Vigil remembers and honours those who have fallen in Afghanistan. It also acknowledges the bravery and dedication of all members of our armed forces.

The Vigil displays 192 plaques that were formerly part of the Kandahar Air Field cenotaph. This cenotaph was a memorial structure for Canadian soldiers to commemorate their fallen comrades.

The plaques represent 158 Canadian Armed Forces personnel, a Canadian diplomat, a DND contractor, a Canadian journalist and more than 40 U.S. armed forces members who were under Canadian command during operations in Afghanistan.

Since the National Day of Honour, the Afghanistan Memorial Vigil has travelled across Canada and to our embassy in the United States. It will soon arrive in Ottawa during Remembrance Week and will be open to the public in the Hall of Honour.

I encourage Canadians to come and pay their respects to our nation's fallen heroes.

Mark DunnStatements By Members

October 29th, 2014 / 2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mark Dunn, a distinguished member of the Press Gallery, who we lost far too soon.

Mark loved and served Canada with all his heart and soul. He served his country throughout his remarkable career in journalism and as senior advisor to the hon. Denis Coderre and to yours truly, when I was leader of the opposition.

Mark was a consummate professional whose rigour and discretion were matched only by his sharp wit.

Mark Dunn's politics were grounded in the relentless pursuit of truth and authenticity. He was a teacher to countless young staff and parliamentarians, who enjoyed both his tough advice and the bonhomie that followed.

I wish I could share stories from some of his more colourful briefings, but Mark's vocabulary was as unparliamentary as it gets.

To all those who loved him, and especially Gloria, we in Canada's House of Commons grieve with them. We are also thankful for the times we had with Mark and what he gave our country, which he knew so well and loved so much.

Rest in peace, Mark.

Islamic StateStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Ryan Leef Conservative Yukon, YT

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Yukon Party government expressed its support for Canada's commitment to the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

In passing a motion of support, Premier Darrell Pasloski said, “The Yukon Party brought forward this motion to publicly state our support for our nation and our troops and to stand with Canada's friends and allies in combating the terrorist group ISIL. This is a priority for all Canadians. We have made our position clear - oppression needs to be confronted”.

I want to thank Premier Pasloski for his government's support for Operation Impact.

ISIL is a terrorist caliphate that poses a major threat, not only to the region but also to Canada and Canadians.

As the Prime Minister said, it has never been the Canadian way to only do what is easy or to do what is safe—being a free-rider means not being taken seriously. We will not abandon our international commitments.

Once again, we would like to thank the brave men and women in the Canadian uniform who protect us each and every day.

Nathan CirilloStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

NDP

Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

Mr. Speaker, yesterday our nation came together, standing to honour Corporal Nathan Cirillo.

As the member of Parliament for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, I was the corporal's MP. Yesterday, above all else, I was honoured to have been part of a contingent of Canadian government officials there to express our deepest condolences to Corporal Cirillo's family.

During such times of tremendous loss, words often fail us.

Together in Hamilton, along with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, we expressed our collective and profound appreciation for the sacrifice made by this young man.

Our grief as a nation is nothing compared to that of Corporal Cirillo's loved ones, his parents, siblings, and most important, his five-year old son. It is our hope that they understand how closely Canadians continue to hold them in our thoughts, that they know that we as a country pray they somehow find the strength and courage to face the difficult days ahead.

Nathan Cirillo and Patrice VincentStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the honour to represent my home community at Corporal Nathan Cirillo's funeral. What a sight to see thousands of neighbours and fellow Canadians winding every road and street in Hamilton, some cheering, some visibly moved, others singing O'Canada, but all standing in solidarity with Corporal Nathan Cirillo and his family, and his home regiment the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

In times of national tragedy a country has the choice to shutter its windows and close itself off from the world, but after yesterday, I can say with absolute confidence that my home town of Hamilton and our great country of Canada have chosen another path.

Canada has come together stronger than ever to stand behind Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent. Our society, our democracy, mourns their loss and we are stronger and all the more confident because of their sacrifice.

God bless the families of Nathan Cirillo and Patrice Vincent, and God bless Canada.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, as we just heard, yesterday many of us were able to attend the regimental funeral of Corporal Nathan Cirillo. His family, friends, colleagues and thousands of others were there in Hamilton, Ontario.

This week millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are remembering Corporal Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.

Would the Prime Minister update Canadians on any new developments regarding last week's tragic events and tell us if any new measures are being taken to protect Canadian Forces members on duty here at home?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, as the Leader of the Opposition and the House as a whole will be aware, there are ongoing investigations into this matter. We know full well that the RCMP has been regularly updating Canadians on this. I have nothing to add to its public statements.

I will note that the Chief of the Defence Staff has taken some measures with regard to the security of armed forces personnel. That is within his purview and we respect his decisions in that matter.

I am also delighted to see, as I mentioned yesterday, that the honour guard has resumed its duties at the national war memorial.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of last week's events, the federal, provincial and territorial privacy commissioners met to discuss Canada's security legislation.

They agreed that the first step should be to consult with Canadians to discuss potential new measures as well as the impact those measures will have on their personal freedoms.

How does the Prime Minister plan to consult with Canadians on the issue of new security legislation?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, of course we are very interested in hearing the views of the various stakeholders on this matter.

On this side of the House, we do not presume that protecting people's rights and ensuring their safety are mutually exclusive. I think Canadians expect us to do both.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have known for some time now that our homes as well as our rights must be protected.

The privacy commissioners also said it is crucial that any new legislation include some sort of civilian oversight mechanism. In 2012, the Conservatives eliminated the CSIS inspector general position. At this time, two of the five seats on the Security Intelligence Review Committee are vacant.

When will those seats be filled, and will the Prime Minister hold a real consultation this time?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the government will fill those seats in the near future.

I must point out that CSIS has an excellent record on protecting rights and complying with the law. Those have been the findings of the oversight agencies for a long time now.

After the events of last week, it is time to recognize the important work that this organization does to protect Canadians.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have not just reduced oversight mechanisms in the area of security. In 2012, they cut funding for public safety by $688 million.

Before introducing new legislation that could restrict Canadians' freedoms, will the Prime Minister restore funding to Canadian security agencies?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the government always ensures that these agencies have the necessary resources to do their jobs.

Let me repeat my previous answer. Since we are talking about this in the shadow of two terrorist attacks last week, it is important to say that CSIS does important work to protect Canadians. Not only does it do important work, but repeatedly, over a long period of time, the agencies that are in place to provide oversight for that work have reported the agency's unfailing dedication to the law and to the respect and protection of Canadians. That is something, at this point in time, we should be recognizing.