House of Commons Hansard #49 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was devolution.
Ryan Cleary NDP St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are allowing Marine Atlantic, a crown corporation, to jack up ferry prices to Newfoundland again. As of April 1, the cost of the ferry to and from Newfoundland will jump by 3%. Over a three-year period, rates will have risen by 11%. When ferry prices go up, the price of all goods ferried to Newfoundland also go up, and our tourism is hugely impacted.
Why are the Conservatives allowing Marine Atlantic to increase rates and punish Newfoundlanders?
Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I have to correct the member. The government is doing no such thing. Marine Atlantic is a crown corporation. It is arm's length from the government. It has its own governance structure that makes these decisions on a day-to-day basis.
If the member has a concern about that, he should raise it with Marine Atlantic.
Scott Simms Liberal Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
Mr. Speaker, let us recap the changes to the Elections Act. First of all, it is not an exercise in the independence of the commissioner; the Conservatives are isolating the commissioner.
The Conservatives approved over half a million dollars for committee travel, yet they call it a complete “circus” show on every level.
Regarding Elections Canada, the Conservatives say they want to reframe what Elections Canada is doing, but in fact, it is doing great work, by international standards, with publications encouraging voting. Yet they want to cancel that.
Instead of trying to improve our elections process, why does the minister insist on attacking Elections Canada just because the Conservatives cannot get what they want?
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeMinister of State (Democratic Reform)
Quite the contrary, Mr. Speaker. The fair elections act will keep everyday Canadians in charge of their democracy by putting special interest groups on the sideline and rule-breakers right out of the game altogether.
It will crack down on big money by closing loopholes to illegal donations, like the loans loophole Liberals used to accept roughly half a million dollars in illegal money. It will crack down on illegal robocalls and political impostors with a new robocall registry and tough new penalties for impersonation. It will also make it easier to vote, with an extra voting day for Canadians, and it will improve our democracy for the people who follow the rules.
Ted Hsu Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canada has put tens of millions of dollars over a decade into the world-class James Clerk Maxwell Telescope.
There is confusion over where $700,000 a year for bare bones operations will come from so that we do not have to give it up to another country this fall.
Given budget 2014's recognition of basic research in the new Canada first research excellence fund, would the minister please instruct either the NRC or the CFI to provide operational funding so that Canadian scientists continue to have access to this world-class research?
Mike Lake ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this question from the hon. member, because it gives me the opportunity to read a few more quotes from Canadian researchers.
The chair of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, Amit Chakma, said:
The U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities...congratulates the Government of Canada on its 2014 budget and the significant investment of $1.5 billion...for the new Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
The president and vice-chancellor of UBC, Stephen Toope, said:
I applaud the federal government's decision to spur greater Canadian leadership in global research and innovation....
Jonathan Tremblay NDP Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, 60 workers were dismayed to learn that General Cable, an American company, plans to close its factory in La Malbaie on April 8.
This will be the third electrical cable factory in Quebec to close in the past five years even though, with all of the work on the Churchill Falls project, there is no shortage of work. In the budget, the Conservatives announced the creation of an emergency measures budget. That is exactly what La Malbaie needs.
What will the government do to help the workers?
Christian Paradis ConservativeMinister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie
Mr. Speaker, this budget is yet more proof that we are focusing on the economy and economic growth. We are keeping tax rates low. That is how we will build wealth.
I would remind my colleague that, according to Bloomberg, Canada is now the second-best place in the world to do business. That is how we will attract investment. He can bring up isolated cases, but it is better to look at our overall record. That is how we will create economic growth.
Pierre Jacob NDP Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, my bill is at a crucial step.
We want to force departments to comply with the Sustainable Development Act, an act that received the unanimous support of the Conservatives but is still not being enforced. I would not have to introduce such a bill if the government abided by its own laws.
Can a member of the cabinet tell us whether instructions were given for the vote on my bill?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action to address climate change. We have introduced new emission regulations for vehicles, and we were the first major coal user to ban construction of traditional coal-fired plants. Thanks to our action, carbon emissions will go down to close to 130 megatonnes from what they would have been under the Liberals. We are accomplishing this without the Liberal and NDP carbon tax, which would have raised the price of everything.
Gary Schellenberger Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Mr. Speaker, many communities in my riding of Perth—Wellington have benefited substantially from our Conservative government's actions. Can the Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities inform the House of what our government is doing to support communities across the country, especially small communities like many in my own riding?
Peter Braid ConservativeParliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Perth—Wellington for his concern for smaller communities and for the spectacular question.
With our new building Canada plan, our government will, in fact, provide unprecedented support for infrastructure to communities across this country: stable, predictable funding over the next decade. This will include the gas tax fund, a $22-billion fund, with expanded categories and increased flexibility. Yesterday the Prime Minister announced a new $1-billion fund specifically for smaller communities.
We look forward to improving our infrastructure across this country and getting the job done.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, Canada's grain transportation system is failing the prairie farmers. We have a crisis in the Prairies, and the Conservative government is standing by doing absolutely nothing. As we have piles of wheat accumulating in our prairies, we have 50-plus empty ships in the Pacific Ocean.
The problem is that the Conservative government's failure is costing prairie grain farmers millions of dollars. I question why the government has failed in terms of addressing this issue in the budget and demonstrating any caring, compassionate attitude to the prairie farmers out west. Why?
Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all farmers, happy Valentine's Day.
Let me just say that this is a record crop year in Canada. Our farmers seeded over 2 million additional acres and they have produced over 20 million more tonnes of grain than in the past. The minister has been very proactive on this file, meeting with all stakeholders on multiple occasions in order to find both mid-term and long-term solutions.
We are reacting to this problem, and farmers know that we are engaged in their best interests.
François Lapointe NDP Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Speaker, people in my region know all too well that highway 185 is deadly. It is one of the deadliest highways in Quebec. Phase three of work, the section between Saint-Antonin and Saint-Louis-du-Ha!-Ha!, needs to be completed. The solution is to finish the Trans-Canada.
Of the $14 billion announced yesterday, $4 billion was for national infrastructure, but this money will be allocated on the basis of merit and not provincial fairness.
Can the Minister of Infrastructure tell us whether the completion of the Trans-Canada—to save lives—is a project that will warrant quick access to the money for national infrastructure?
Peter Braid ConservativeParliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the question.
As I mentioned, the government is very proud of our commitment to improving infrastructure across the country. We have established the longest and the largest infrastructure plan in Canada's history, with stable and predictable funding over the next decade.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced additional details, including guidelines for the specific programs and the application process. We look forward to hearing from municipalities and provinces what their infrastructure priority projects will be, and we will consider them very closely.
Ray Boughen Conservative Palliser, SK
Mr. Speaker, last year our government committed to Canadian veterans and their families that we would make substantial improvements to the Last Post Fund. We all want to ensure a dignified burial is possible for veterans of modest means or those who have been injured in service to Canada.
Would the parliamentary secretary please update the House on how economic action plan 2014 delivers on that commitment?
Parm Gill ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the hon. member for Palliser. He is a hard-working member on behalf of his constituents.
Last year, our government doubled the financial payment, now totalling up to almost $10,000, while making the program itself easier to use for veterans' families. This week, economic action plan 2014 added $108 million for the Last Post Fund to ensure that modern-day veterans of modest means can have a dignified burial.
Here is what the president of the Last Post Fund said:
I am very pleased that the issue of eligibility of modern-day Veterans for the Funeral and Burial Program has been positively dealt with in this budget.
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, the real intent behind the government's election reform has come to light. The accusation made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government that the Chief Electoral Officer is engaged in political activism reminds us that, on April 29, 2008, a few days after Elections Canada searched their party's office, the Conservatives all voted against a Bloc Québécois motion demanding that the House express its full and complete confidence in Elections Canada.
How can the Minister of State for Democratic Reform, who voted against the Bloc Québécois motion, still try to have us believe that his bill is not a vendetta against Elections Canada and the Chief Electoral Officer?
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeMinister of State (Democratic Reform)
Mr. Speaker, the fair elections act will guarantee that all Canadians continue to be in charge of democracy by putting special interests on the sidelines. Those who break our rules will be punished by this legislation.
We are also going to tackle rogue calls, fraudulent voting and the undue influence of money, by eliminating rules that allow this money to enter our system.
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, according to the Minister of International Development, Quebec cheese makers have to wait for the Canada-Europe free trade agreement to come into effect to find out whether they will be compensated for their loss of revenue.
However, the government did not hesitate to give $280 million to the fishers in Newfoundland also affected by this agreement, or to hand over $500 million to the automotive industry in Ontario to cover the potential consequences of an agreement with South Korea—an agreement that has not yet even been ratified or signed.
Why is it that what is good for fishers in Newfoundland and car makers in Ontario is not good for cheese makers in Quebec?
I would like to have an answer from someone serious.
Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture
Mr. Speaker, our government has always defended Canada's supply management system, and with this agreement, we continued doing so.
I want to highlight for the member that we will monitor any impact of this historic agreement on dairy producers' income, and if production levels are negatively affected, we will assist them financially.
This agreement once again confirms that this government will continue to defend and promote Canada's supply management system, both here in Canada and abroad.
Bruce Hyer Green Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Mr. Speaker, our Canada pension plan is the most secure retirement plan we have. Ninety-three per cent of Canadians depend on the CPP, but living off the current benefits would put retirees into poverty.
In December, the Conservatives blocked a national consensus on pension reform, and there is nothing useful in the budget to improve pensions.
Will the minister take the advice of pension experts and strengthen our CPP to save our seniors from poverty?
Andrew Saxton ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want to pay more payroll tax. We have been across this country in pre-budget consultations. We heard it from manufacturers. We heard it from retailers. We heard it from employees. Nobody in this country wants to pay higher CPP payroll pension tax at this time.
Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to two petitions.