Debates of Oct. 6th, 2014

World Teachers' Day

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, October 5 was World Teachers' Day, a time to celebrate the valuable work of teachers across Canada, and 30 million educators around the world. It was the brainchild of a former Canadian Teachers' Federation leader, Norman Goble.

From the Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador, our public education system is among the best in the world, largely because of the efforts of our well-educated, dedicated teachers. By drawing on their experience and knowledge, Canadian teachers continuously improve public education and inspire students to achieve their greatest dreams.

Canadian teachers also work with international colleagues on vital education and relief projects. In schools around the world, our teachers firmly believe that students come first.

Colleagues, let us salute Canada's teachers, and let me recognize my favourite teacher, my awesome mom, Helen Duncan, who taught and cared for generations of students and instilled in me a love of learning and passion for teaching.

Canadian Heritage

[James Lunney, Conservative, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it was an October day in 1940 when hundreds of uniformed troops filed down Eighth Street, rifles in hand. Beside them, family members, friends and well-wishers lined the roadside to bid farewell. Then it happened. Five-year-old Warren “Whitey” Bernard pulled out of his mother's hand to dash after his father. Jack reached out to take the hand, and the photo by Claude Dettloff became an iconic symbol of Canada's war time commitment and sacrifice.

On Saturday, some 2,000 people gathered in New Westminster for the unveiling of a spectacular monument that recreates the moment. Whitey Bernard was on hand along with two veterans who marched with Jack that day.

Whitey, now just short of 80, had a lifetime of work and service in Tofino, B.C. Business owner, entrepreneur, alderman and former mayor, he says the call to serve has never left. Whitey believes the image speaks to the importance of family, the cost of separation, and the sacrifice of a million Canadians who mobilized when called to action.

Canada Post has issued a stamp and the Mint has issued a new two-dollar coin.

I want to express congratulations to all involved in commemorating a momentous event.

Volunteer Firefighters

[Jonathan Tremblay, NDP, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since this is Fire Prevention Week, I would like to honour the volunteer firefighters in my riding.

I salute the altruism and selflessness of these women and men who help make their communities safer. When tragedy strikes, they are the first on the scene to risk their lives. They are heroes to people like us.

I would also like to mention the exceptional work of all the dedicated and courageous volunteer firefighters who help save lives.

I would also like to salute Claude Boulet of L'Hebdo Charlevoisien, who produced a surprising and moving documentary film about Charlevoix's firefighters called Volontaires 24/24.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour all the Canadians who are marking Mental Illness Awareness Week, a campaign to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. Whether through a friend, family member or colleague, at some point all Canadians will be affected by a mental illness. One in five of us will personally experience a mental illness.

The stigma attached to mental illness presents a serious barrier to diagnosis and treatment. Almost half of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never sought the help of their doctor.

Tomorrow the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health will host the Faces of Mental Illness breakfast here on the Hill. It offers us an opportunity to engage in a discussion about the reality of what suffering with a mental illness means.

Until we are as comfortable discussing our schizophrenia as our diabetes, we still have work to do. I invite my colleagues to attend tomorrow and to ask themselves how they can use their office to help stop the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Taiwan

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians and the people of Taiwan share many things in common, including democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

As head of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, and on behalf of Canadians everywhere, I take great pleasure in wishing Taiwan a very prosperous and successful 103rd birthday on October 10.

There is a great personal friendship that has arisen between the peoples of Taiwan and Canada. I know this well, having lived in Taiwan for 10 years. Taiwan is where I met my wife Donna, and where our children spent three months in elementary school learning Mandarin, a language that I love.

I know all members will join me in welcoming Taiwan's new senior representatives of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada, representative Bruce Linghu in Ottawa and director-general William Heng-sheng Chuang in Vancouver.

I look forward to the resumption of the Terry Fox Run in Taiwan next month, thanks to the support of Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou and our parliamentary friendship group.

I wish happy birthday to Taiwan.

Carillon Park Community Garden

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

Mr. Speaker, fall is here and this Friday, in the heart of the Carillon neighbourhood of Longueuil, the Mini-kekpart centre is holding its harvest festival, when locals will come together to get the community garden ready for the winter.

This spring, dozens of us built garden boxes with our neighbours young and old, police officers and children from the Carillon school across the street. There was a festive atmosphere and new friendships were made.

The community garden was part of the “cultivating our knowledge” project and it was a great success. People converted their green spaces, gained food self-sufficiency by learning how to grow their own vegetables, and expanded their support network. The project was undertaken by the Carillon/Saint-Pie-X neighbourhood Table Vie and the Kekpart youth centre and was coordinated by the dedicated and hardworking Antoine Perreault.

I wish to congratulate the garden committee for making this project happen. They managed to create a top-notch community. Long live community gardens and until next year.

Hong Kong

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the world has been following the democracy protests in Hong Kong closely and Canadians have shown concern.

Canada continues to stand with the democratic aspirations of the Hong Kong people. The rule of law and the good governance of Hong Kong are truly valued by Canada. We reiterate our support for the implementation of the universal suffrage for the election of the Chief Executive in 2017 and all members of the legislative council in 2020.

Canada has been very much engaged. We have raised our concerns with senior members of the Chinese leadership, both recently and when the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Beijing this past summer.

We will continue watching the developments in Hong Kong and we continue to honour the strong people-to-people ties that Canada and Hong Kong share.

Vancouver Island Waterways

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the lack of protection for the waters of Vancouver Island. In its infamous omnibus budget bill, the Conservatives removed all federal environmental protection for each and every river, stream, and lake on Vancouver Island.

I have introduced a private member's bill to restore protection for the Goldstream River, using this one river to draw attention to the Conservatives abandonment of the protection of fresh water on Vancouver Island. When it comes to salt water, the Conservatives are failing as well. Last year, they cut funding for the only scientific team with the ability to test for pollution in our Pacific waters.

My constituents are very concerned about the threat to marine ecosystems from any increase in tanker traffic on our coast, given the lack of an adequate emergency spill response even to deal with existing traffic.

Nearly a year ago I introduced a motion to provide an action plan to protect the southern resident killer whale, while the government has delayed any action until the spring 2015 at the earliest. Meanwhile, time is running out, as there are now only 79 southern resident killer whales remaining.

The government is failing my constituents, Vancouver Islanders, British Columbians, and all Canadians, when it comes to protecting both the fresh and salt waters of Vancouver Island.

Justice Clément Gascon

[Robert Goguen, Conservative, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Mr. Speaker, today, the Supreme Court of Canada will hold a ceremony to welcome Justice Clément Gascon, who was appointed by the Prime Minister in June. Justice Gascon's legal experience will be a great boon to this important Canadian institution.

We said we would act quickly to ensure that the Supreme Court has a full complement of judges. The Liberal Party and the NDP asked several times for this position to be filled quickly. That is exactly what we did by appointing Justice Gascon, who will be a distinguished jurist.

This appointment follows an extensive consultation of eminent members of Quebec's legal community. As the member for Gatineau said when she heard the news, and I quote: “Justice Gascon is an excellent choice and he has a very good reputation”. We agree. We welcome Justice Gascon to the Supreme Court.

Jewish Holidays

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the aftermath of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when Jews ask forgiveness from those we have wronged and forgive those who have wronged us, while resolving to do good.

In the words of the great sage Maimonides, we should each see the world as divided into half-evil and half-good. Therefore, one good deed by any one of us tips the balance from evil to good.

During Yom Kippur, a central theme is the danger of evil speech. As my late mother put it, “a kind word can make a person's day, while an unkind word can hurt”.

Indeed, words can wound. In this spirit, I will soon be asking for unanimous consent for a motion establishing a “speak no evil day”, through which members can promote mutual respect and public civility.

As we are also on the eve of Sukkot, the Jewish Thanksgiving, which overlaps this year's Canadian Thanksgiving, I join with all members in giving thanks for all that we are fortunate enough to enjoy, and in resolving to do good, so that the coming year will bring even more cause for thanksgiving.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Bernard Trottier, Conservative, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party has a sordid history of shady dealings and under-the-counter payments.

Canadians are all too familiar with the sponsorship scandal, where millions of taxpayer dollars made their way into the coffers of the Liberal Party.

Canadians remember Shawinigate, where former Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien used his position of power and influence for his own financial gain. Who could forget David Dingwall being entitled to his entitlements? In the minds of Canadians, the words “Liberal Party of Canada” and “ethical lapses” are synonymous.

Recently, Jamie Carroll, a Liberal-linked backroom insider, was charged by the RCMP for engaging in illegal secret lobbying.

The leader of the Liberal party talks a lot about openness and transparency. He should start by ensuring that his own backroom insiders and strategists stop breaking the law.

Iraq

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

Mr. Speaker, when Canada could already be helping to save lives by providing humanitarian aid and assisting refugees, the Prime Minister would rather get involved in a war without an exit date or an exit strategy.

The Prime Minister has clearly not learned from history and is heading down a slippery slope by getting involved in a new war in Iraq. He is trying to mislead Canadians in order to convince them that Canada should go to war. He is saying that a combat mission is the only way to help fight the Islamic State armed group, even though Italy, Germany and a number of other allies have found other ways to help. He is asking for a six-month mandate, but his Minister of National Defence has already opened the door to an extension of the military mission. He is boasting about a UN resolution even though the UN has not taken a position on a combat mission.

It is sad to see the Prime Minister embroiling Canada in a new war in Iraq. The NDP believes that we can contribute to the coalition against terrorism in Iraq by focusing on what Canada does best.

Contrary to what the Conservatives are saying, bombing or doing nothing are not the only options.

The Budget

[Joan Crockatt, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Calgarians and Canadians understand the importance of living within one's means, and they expect their government to do the same. That is why we are making sure that every single tax dollar is being spent efficiently and why we are going to balance the budget in 2015.

Our approach has been so successful that last week the Prime Minister was able to announce that we cut the deficit last year by over two-thirds, down to about $5 billion. That is very good news for Calgarians; it is very good news for all Canadians.

Balanced budgets are good for the economy. They keep taxes low and they make sure we are able to sustain important government services that people rely on.

While the NDP and the Liberals keep demanding reckless spending, our Conservative government is making sure that we value each and every tax dollar and that it is spent efficiently.

Unlike the Liberal leader, our Conservative government knows that the budget will not balance itself.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend thousands of Canadians in cities from coast to coast to coast gathered to demand that the government launch a full public inquiry into 1,200 murdered and missing indigenous women.

Make no mistake, there will, one day, when we form government, be an inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women.

However, there is no reason to wait when we know that lives are at risk. Why will the government not call a full inquiry now and help save lives?

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the opposition, we are not waiting. We are moving forward with an action plan to make sure that these victims of crime are actually defended.

Now is the time to act. Now is the time that our government is acting. Unlike the NDP who want to propose yet another study, we already have 40. Let us be very clear. These victims of crime need action today, now, and that is what we are delivering on.

I encourage them to get on board, to make sure that these women have an opportunity to make sure that, as victims are crime, they are actually listened to.

National Defence

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we have learned that even though the debate and vote have not yet taken place, Canadian troops are already being deployed to help with the CF-18 sorties in Iraq.

By deploying these troops before having consulted Parliament, the Prime Minister is breaking the promise he made to Canadians on a number of occasions.

Why were these troops deployed by the government before the vote in the House of Commons?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear in the announcement by the Prime Minister that we will be sending military equipment, in the form of planes, CF-18s, reconnaissance and refuellers. They will have the support of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

We are going to continue our humanitarian assistance in that area. It will have a six-month timeline on that. We are doing our part. We will work with our allies to get the job done.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the question was not whether or not we would be sending them over after a vote.

The question is, what are they doing sending them over prior to a vote? That is contempt of Parliament.

The Prime Minister said that he would like to bomb the Islamic State armed group even in Syria, but that he would not do anything without the permission of the murderous Bashar al-Assad. We are talking about a regime that uses torture and massacres its people with chemical weapons and poison gas.

Why give such a heinous dictator that kind of credibility?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the position of the NDP is very clear. It does not want to see air strikes anywhere, no matter what these individuals or groups do.

ISIL has been committing mass atrocities in the most indescribable, unspeakable ways. We take exception to that. We will work with our allies to support those who are being oppressed and to go against those who are making direct threats to Canada.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the question is, why is the government giving credibility to a dictator who murders, tortures, and uses chemical weapons against its own population, by saying that his request will be responded to by a positive answer from Canada's brave women and men in uniform? That is the question.

Over the weekend, both the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Foreign Affairs said there would be a second extension in six months.

Why are they already contemplating a future extension of this mission?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, that is not the case whatsoever.

We have indicated that after a 30-day deployment, we are proposing a six-month mission on behalf of the Royal Canadian Air Force and those who support the RCAF. Again, we are going after those individuals who are committing mass atrocities, individuals who are making a direct threat to this country.

I want to know why that does not have the support of the NDP for a change?

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Michael Isikoff, NBC News, is reporting that the United States is lowering standards for air strikes in Iraq and Syria. They are abandoning the “near certainty of no civilian casualty” standard that they have been using in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

What are the rules of engagement for Canadian air forces to prevent civilian casualties? Are we going to be held to a higher standard, or are we going to be in lockstep with the Americans?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, ISIL has been carrying out a murderous rampage across Iraq, seizing territory and killing children. Be assured that the RCAF will live up to the highest standards in the world. That is the record of Canada. It always has been and it always will be.

International Development

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

Mr. Speaker, Turkey, one of our NATO allies, is currently facing a serious humanitarian crisis, as hundreds of thousands of people are crossing its borders to escape the Islamic State. Winter is fast approaching and will only worsen the situation. Does Canada intend to play a role in this humanitarian crisis?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is already taking a very active role in this humanitarian crisis. We are the seventh-largest donor. So far, we have ensured that people in need have access to basic supplies such as shelter, food, hygiene kits and water. We are taking a very active role, and thousands of people are benefiting as we speak.