Debates of Nov. 24th, 2014

Public Works and Government Services

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, back in 2004, the Liberal government was sued by the firm Envoy after realizing that the integrated public service relocation program, which cost the government $300 million annually, was rigged.

Now, 10 years later, the Conservative government has paid $35 million to settle the lawsuit, but that was not made public and it was not announced anywhere. Everything was kept secret until it had to be revealed, buried deep in the public accounts.

Would the government tell us if the settlement means that there was serious wrongdoing?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, the government did indeed reach an agreed-upon settlement with the company following on the very failed procurement by the previous Liberal government.

We are committed to ensuring that Canadians do receive value for their hard-earned tax dollars. That is why we are reviewing the process again to ensure that any new contracts will meet those standards.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 10 years after the Liberals terminated the Envoy contract for the relocation of public servants, we are learning from the public accounts that the price tag for their incompetence is $35 million, the amount needed to quietly settle with a bidder that was cavalierly pushed aside by the Liberals.

Can the government explain why most large bidding processes end in catastrophe and why, at the end of the day, Canadians are forced to pick up the tab?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, it is true that the former Liberal government awarded a contract following a failed procurement process. That is why the company turned to the courts and is no longer providing services.

We will ensure that future contracts do a better job of protecting taxpayers' money.

Manufacturing Industry

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to neglect the people of southern Ontario with a broken promise to invest in the region. Despite a commitment for $200 million over five years for the advanced manufacturing fund, it is 18 months later and not a dime has gone out the door. We have lost far too many good family-supporting jobs in southern Ontario while the Conservatives look the other way.

Is the minister incapable or unwilling to get this money out the door?

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the application deadline for the first round of the advanced manufacturing fund, which the member voted against, by the way, just passed last month, and so the first recipients of this particular fund will be announced in the coming weeks.

This fund is yet another example of our government helping employers in Ontario to become more competitive on the global stage and create jobs in Ontario.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Well, no rush, Mr. Speaker. Forget about those southern Ontario families who are suffering through the manufacturing crisis.

The Prime Minister was in London today, but there was still no news of money from the advanced manufacturing fund.

Since the Conservatives took office, London has lost 10,000 good manufacturing jobs, and, since last year, the Conservatives have been sitting on $200 million that was promised to create jobs and opportunities in southern Ontario.

Why is the minister shortchanging Canadian manufacturing?

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)]

Mr. Speaker, the member speaks of only one fund and conveniently forgets all of the others.

This particular fund that the member talks about, the advanced manufacturing fund, is for large, transformative, large-scale, multi-year, multi-partnered investments. This fund's first round of money just closed last month, and I am excited about some of the projects that are in that fund.

The member has conveniently forgotten the $20 million that we announced for manufacturing just last week. This fund has a lot of exciting projects, and we will be announcing them in the next few weeks.

National Defence

[Joe Daniel, Conservative, Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Royal Canadian Navy is in the midst of its most intensive and comprehensive renewal in its peacetime history. This includes the Halifax-class frigate modernization program. This program, which remains on schedule and on budget, represents an investment of $4.3 billion from our government.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence please update this House on the modernization of our frigates and what it means to our armed forces?

[James Bezan, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, our government is ensuring that our sailors have the modern equipment that they need to monitor and defend Canadian waters and continue contributing to international naval operations.

We are happy to announce that following recent sea trials, the HMCS Fredericton will deploy early next year as our first fully modernized frigate. The modernization program is giving our frigates new radar, a new electronic warfare system, upgraded communications technology, and new missiles.

This successful program, made possible through investments from this government, will ensure that the Royal Canadian Navy remains ready aye ready for years to come.

Justice

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to nominating judges, Conservative incompetence is going from a political embarrassment to a systemic problem. In Ontario alone, there are 31 vacancies for federally appointed judges, and 23 of those are on the Superior Court.

Our courts need judges to function. Cases are being delayed by more than nine months. When will the Conservatives get on with the job and appoint the eligible judges that our justice system needs?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I assure the hon. member that we are doing just that.

The hon. member would know that it is necessary to consult with the judiciary, with the elected government of the province affected by these vacancies, and with the bar associations.

We take the time to ensure that we get the best candidates, those who meet the criteria of legal excellence and competence. These are the type of judges that the member knows and would support are going to serve Canadians in that role.

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that justice delayed is justice denied for everyone, especially victims.

There are 31 vacancies for judges In Ontario. Some seats have even been empty for 18 months. The government needs to get a move on here.

The minister's inaction is having a negative impact on all courts, from the Superior Court to the Court of Appeal, not to mention the Supreme Court of Canada. Victims who are awaiting justice are the first victims of the minister's inaction.

When will he get to work and nominate judges in order to reduce wait times? The clock is ticking.

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, access to justice is a concern for all, but it is more than just the appointment of judges that will lead to a more functioning process.

With respect to these appointments, I would reiterate for the member and for this House that we continue to consult broadly to ensure we are getting the absolute best candidates, best people, to represent us on the courts. The criteria of competence, legal excellence, and merit are the overriding concerns. I assure the hon. member that we will have some appointments coming very soon.

Natural Resources

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on last night's Tout le monde en parle, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois invited Quebeckers to follow his lead and contribute to a fund to support public opposition to the TransCanada pipeline.

Since last evening, more than $165,000 has been collected. This shows that Quebeckers are concerned and that they do not feel they are being heard by this government, which has watered down the environmental assessment process.

When will the Conservatives admit that they are responsible for this whole mess?

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, we do not take positions on specific application for energy infrastructure until an independent review is complete.

Our government relies on the independent National Energy Board for decisions related to proposals of energy infrastructure, including TransCanada's energy east proposal. We look forward to receiving the result of its rigorous, thorough, and independent review.

Our government has been clear. Proposals will not be approved unless they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, under the Conservatives we no longer have a credible mechanism to determine whether projects are socially acceptable.

The pipeline assessment process has been completely discredited. By declaring that social acceptability is nothing more than an ideological concept, the Minister of Natural Resources has shown that he cares little about the public and public opinion.

Instead of trying to get this project approved at any cost, why does the minister not consult the public and listen to them?

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, our government has been clear that projects will only proceed if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.

The National Energy Board is responsible to hear from those who may be directly affected by this project and those who have expertise on the matter.

Agricultural and Agri-Food

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, more than 140,000 Canadians who are employed in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector have been let down by the government. Its failed perishable agricultural commodities act is jeopardizing billions in produce sales.

The minister is minimizing the devastation that this has on small growers. With 75% of the produce industry being small business, it is risky growing produce and margins are tight.

Will the minister act now so that the produce industry can be protected?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands the importance of Canada's fresh produce industry and its contribution to our economy. That is why we have introduced clear legislation to provide a single dispute resolution body that would help reduce issues of non-payment faced by the fresh produce industry.

In addition, we are consulting widely on Canada's bankruptcy and insolvency laws, and these will come before Parliament in the near future.

Our government is committed to supporting Canadian producers and exporters, and we will continue to work on this issue.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

The trouble is, Mr. Speaker, that proposal just will not work, and the industry has told that to the government.

The facts are that Canadian fruit and vegetable sellers have had long-standing protection under United States law. They no longer have that protection, as of October 1. As a result, Canadian jobs, Canadian farmers, and parts of our supply chain, are at serious risk.

Industry has made it clear: it needs a Canadian-made perishable commodities act, and that is the only option to protect produce suppliers. Why not implement that viable option?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture]

Mr. Speaker, I met with the industry just last week. When the Safe Food for Canadians Act was before Parliament, one of the top requests from this sector of agriculture was that there be put in place legislation to provide a single dispute resolution body. That was done. That came before Parliament and it was passed.

There are other possible solutions, and these were discussed at the meeting I had with industry representatives last week.

Natural Resources

[Kennedy Stewart, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in the past week, over 50 people have been arrested for protesting Kinder Morgan's test drilling on Burnaby Mountain, and this includes the arrest this weekend of two 11-year-old girls.

These are not radicals; they are regular people who rightly feel shut out of the flawed process to review this pipeline. They have no faith in the environmental review process that was gutted by these Conservatives.

Why has the government deliberately set up a process that is primed for this kind of conflict? Let us not pretend that the NEB process is any more than a sham.

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, we respect the right of Canadians to peaceful protest; however, the rule of law must be followed.

This project will undergo a rigorous science- and fact-based review by the National Energy Board. The board must hear from those who are directly affected by a proposed project and may choose to hear from those with relevant expertise on the project.

Again, we have been clear: projects will only proceed if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the government's process involves arresting people. It actually should involve consulting Canadians.

This is about getting development right, not doing it at any cost. The Conservatives do not seem to believe in social licence. They think it is an ideological term. They should tell that to the folks who are on Burnaby Mountain right now. With no real, credible evaluation process, arresting people is not going to give projects like Kinder Morgan's social licence.

Why has the government so thoroughly and completely broken trust with the public on energy project review?