Debates of Feb. 14th, 2014

Northwest Territories Devolution Act

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our friends across the aisle would do well to take some notes on land occupation, because the lack of support and the general outcry can be felt and heard here in Ottawa, from first nations groups that are more sure of themselves and increasingly bitter. Furthermore, the government will have to negotiating with them on a day-to-day basis. It should therefore pay attention to these matters related to Indian identity, on the one hand, and on the titles that apply to the lands and land occupation, on the other hand. That is the crux of the issue, the name of the game, and the government should take note.

In short, this government would do well to focus more on winning the approval of first nations members and not simply go and negotiate and ratify agreements with band representatives. Once again, let me clarify, they are elected under the Indian Act. Their responsibilities, their “Indianness” and their jurisdiction are limited to reserve lands. The Indian Act is limited to reserve lands, and I cannot emphasize this point enough, even though, technically, this kind of reasoning does not necessarily apply to the Northwest Territories or Bill C-15 today. However, this is a recurring theme. These things warrant discussion and the entire Canadian population needs to know.

When I am in Manicouagan, I personally tell members in my own community that the band council has no authority over traditional territories. When agreements are ratified, the transparency of which is sometimes negotiated, I tell the members of my community that it is important for them to take a stand and that the government should seek their consent; they should not just be satisfied with an agreement ratified by the government and the band council only.

In short, if the government is interested in promoting dialogue and creating a more harmonious environment for dealing with aboriginal issues and disputes, it would do well to focus on these concepts, including the use of traditional lands, which is a key component.

I submit this respectfully.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member for Manicouagan will have a minute left, if he wishes to take the time, and when the House next returns to debate on the question, he will have his usual five minutes for questions and comments.

Dr. Marco Terwiel

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour my constituent Dr. Marco Terwiel, who passed away January 4 in Maple Ridge after a courageous battle with cancer.

Dr. Terwiel was a devoted family man, a superb physician, and a committed community member whose impact reached far beyond our community. He was born in the Netherlands in 1937; his training and experience eventually led him to Maple Ridge, where he practised for 31 years.

Dr. Terwiel was a founding member of the local Rotary and an honoured volunteer with St. John's Ambulance. He served as president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada in 1992 and regularly wrote a column for a local newspaper.

Throughout his career he was a strong supporter of family medicine in rural and remote communities, so when he retired in 1999, he served as a locum doctor for eight years in Nunavut.

I extend my condolences to his wife Lila and his family, and I would ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to an outstanding Canadian who will be greatly missed.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, happy Valentine's Day.

It is also Have a Heart Day, and as I speak there are children standing on the steps of the Parliament Buildings calling on the government to protect the rights of first nations children. Can we imagine that? Children have to come to Parliament to call on the government to protect children.

It has been two years since the House unanimously passed Shannen's Dream motion in honour of the late Shannen Koostachin, promising to close the funding gap for children in schools on reserves, yet children are still waiting.

It has been nine years since Jordan River Anderson died in a hospital far from home while the federal government and the provincial government bickered about who was going to pay for his home care.

Despite the promises, our first nations children are still falling through the cracks while the government bickers and denies its legal obligation to children.

Young people get it. They are calling on the government to have a heart and live up to its obligations, protecting first nation children.

Canada-Taiwan Relations

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

Mr. Speaker, February 12 marked the annual Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, one of the best-attended events on Parliament Hill.

The relationship between Canada and Taiwan has never been stronger.

This Conservative government waived the visa requirement for people from Taiwan in November 2010, paving the way for increased visits by Taiwan's law-abiding tourists and students, who are welcome contributors to the Canadian fabric.

This year we have seen great progress in several commercial agreements between Canada and Taiwan, including one that greatly increases air traffic. Other discussions have good momentum concerning tax, trade, and investment.

I am proud to state that after several years of trying, Canadian producers will now be able to sell bone-in beef to Taiwan.

Also, last year Taiwan's parliament created a sister group to our very active Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, which I have the honour to lead. Our group last year paved the way to revive the Terry Fox Run in Taiwan.

I ask all members to stand and join me to salute the friendship of Canadians with a free and democratic people, the people of Taiwan.

Canadian Heritage

[Ted Hsu, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Flag Day. Fifty years ago, in March 1964, a conversation took place at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, between a native of Alberta, George Stanley, dean of arts at RMC, and a native of Quebec, John Matheson, Liberal MP for Leeds, a conversation that led to the design of the new maple leaf flag.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Lester Pearson, the new flag was approved by Parliament and took effect on February 15, 1965.

To change the most important symbol of a country, to leave behind the old and journey ahead with the new, was a courageous expression of a profoundly optimistic and ambitious vision of Canada's potential, Canada's future, and Canada's place in the world.

May we continue to express and journey ahead toward an ambitious vision for Canada.

Young Artists

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past fall I was excited to launch my third annual art contest, “A Call to all up and coming Young Artists”. This contest closed in November after receiving dozens upon dozens of submissions from aspiring young artists.

With so much excellent artwork and the abundance of talent in Scarborough Centre, choosing the winners proved quite difficult.

Today I am pleased to offer my congratulations to the following artists for their winning submissions: Mathurah, age 12; Hasan, age 12; Arisa, age 11; Nada, age 10; Lucy, age 9; and young Aruveka, age 5.

The work of these talented individuals is now on display for all Scarborough Centre residents to see. Their artwork has been included in my 2014 parliamentary calendar and is proudly displayed in my constituency office.

I invite all hon. members of the House to join me in congratulating these young contest winners from Scarborough Centre.

Saint-Placide Winter Kite Festival

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, once again this year, I am looking forward to attending winter festivals in my riding so that I can meet my constituents.

All across my riding, communities are participating in all kinds of activities as they take full advantage of the cold, the snow and the ice.

This weekend is the 16th edition of Saint-Placide's Festi-Vent sur glace, and I am so excited to be attending again.

This is a unique and colourful kite festival on Lac des Deux Montagnes. The community there is full of people who really put their hearts into things like this. They work hard to stand out and make their region one of the best anywhere.

However, they cannot forget that, two years ago, the Conservatives tried to cut funding for this festival. Fortunately, that bad decision was reversed when I explained to them how important the festival is. The whole region benefits from this festival.

I invite all of you to come and make this year's Festi-Vent sur glace yet another huge success for young and old alike.

NATO Council Secretariat Intern

[Parm Gill, Conservative, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great, young, and bright Bramptonian. Jeelan Syed, a 24-year-old, is currently completing his internship at the council secretariat of the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

He studied in Toronto and Paris, specializing in international relations, with the aim of serving Canada as a diplomat. In addition to speaking both of Canada's official languages, he also speaks German, Russian, Arabic, Urdu, and Spanish. While at the University of Toronto, he was president of the francophone student association, promoting bilingualism. Motivated to see people of different backgrounds living together in harmony, he worked on peace-building projects in India, Kosovo, and Morocco, as well as working at the Canadian mission in Vienna, Austria.

Jeelan's passion to serve his community and promote multiculturalism continues to benefit those he helps. I invite all members to join me in recognizing Mr. Syed.

Canadian Junior Curling Championships

[Gerald Keddy, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2014 M&M Meat Shops Canadian junior curling championships that took place in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, in my riding of South Shore—St. Margaret's.

I would like to congratulate not only all the athletes but also the volunteers and the organizing committee: Greg Thorbourne, Donna Hatt, Melissa Robinson, Paul Fay, Frances Younker, and Bob Wilkinson.

The town of Liverpool and the surrounding area rose to the occasion. The most common statement from all the athletes was “When can we come back to the South Shore again?”

I take this occasion to mention another great South Shore athlete, Alexandra Duckworth, who competed for Canada in the women's snowboarding halfpipe in Sochi. Alexandra has made us all proud.

Also, since it is Valentine's Day, I would be remiss not to mention the extraordinary story of Bertie and Bill Nickerson, also from Liverpool, who have been married for 78 years. They say the secret of their marriage is that they get along. Congratulations to Bertie and Bill.

Finally, to my wife Judy, happy Valentine's Day.

Remembrance of the Ocean Ranger

[Ryan Cleary, NDP, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Mr. Speaker, much of the island of Newfoundland is being battered today by a winter storm. It is a sombre reminder of this day 32 years ago when a vicious blizzard struck the province, eventually bringing down the indestructible drilling rig Ocean Ranger in the early morning hours of February 15. Eighty-four men lost their lives.

Hearts are always heavy in my province on Valentine's Day. The tragedy of the Ocean Ranger highlights the terrible price we pay as a seafaring people. It also highlights how fast and badly things can go wrong and reinforces our need for the highest of health and safety regulations.

I end with a quote from the great Canadian songwriter Gordon Lightfoot that captures the waiting for word of life or death: “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?”

Oil Exploration

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as an MP from Quebec, I am surprised to see that Quebec has finally decided to allow oil exploration to proceed in the province. I hope it continues forward with that plan.

Developing our natural resources in Quebec is absolutely crucial to overcoming economic challenges and balancing public finances.

I can assure Quebec that the federal government will continue leading by example. We hope that the Quebec government will follow in order to ensure job creation and economic prosperity.

It is important to enhance the economic autonomy of la belle province, Quebec.

Atlantic Canada

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I have a valentine's message to our Prime Minister from Atlantic Canadians.

Frankly, we are doubtful of his love for us. He puts us down and claims we have a culture of defeat. He lets his friends tell us we are lazy no-goods who do not want to work. He cuts us off from our family and friends by starving VIA Rail. He tells us to be more innovative and diversify our economy, yet there is not one red cent more for ACOA in this budget, the very agency that is supposed to help us to do so.

When he bellies up to his lobster dinner with his buddies or trims his Christmas tree, I hope that he remembers us and how his changes to EI are making it impossible for seasonal workers to get by. I hope he thinks of us every time he hires a young person from Atlantic Canada who, under a crippling debt load, has come west for work.

He says he loves us, but we have seen his in-and-out scandal and his robocalls and we are sick of his serial cheating. On this Valentine's Day from Atlantic Canada, please know there is no love lost between us, and in 2015, we will not choo-choo-choose him.

Dr. Roger Tomlinson

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Roger Tomlinson, who passed away last weekend.

Born in England but a proud Canadian, Dr. Tomlinson is globally known as the “Father of GIS”, having conceived and developed the world's first geographic information system for the Government of Canada in 1962.

His innovation laid the foundation for modern digital mapping and spurred the development of a worldwide multi-billion-dollar industry. This visionary geographer and high-tech pioneer enabled us to better understand our environment and to better manage our precious natural resources.

In 2001 Dr. Tomlinson was named a member of the Order of Canada and in 2013 was promoted to an officer of the order for transforming the field of geography.

He was a generous mentor to many. He never lost his sharp analytical edge or his dry sense of humour.

I ask all members to join me in remembering a great Canadian.

Small Craft Harbours

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Speaker, there is a serious problem with small craft harbours. The budget has been continuously gutted by the government over the last five years. In fact, the budget has been cut in half.

The government announced funding in its 2014 budget, but is spending none of it this year and only $1 million next year. This is an insult to the fishery and jeopardizes the safety of Canadians.

There are harbours and breakwaters across the country that are in dire need of repair, and there is dredging that has to be done to ensure safety and livelihoods. I call on the government to actually commit to spending this money, not just to make phony announcements and photo ops.

Well-kept harbours are critical for our fishing and coastal communities, and I urge the government not to play politics with infrastructure that is so crucial for so many Canadians.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, the CBC revealed the names of three NSA employees when its cameras panned across National Security Agency documents. In fact, the CBC has revealed leaked NSA documents that have inadvertently disclosed the names of at least six intelligence workers it never intended to give away.

These documents were stolen by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and sold to the CBC by Glenn Greenwald. Greenwald, the porno-spy, has said he would not publish the names of U.S. intelligence workers unless they were top-ranking public officials. Clearly that is not the case.

Not only is this information in CBC's ethically illicit pay-for-news scheme false, but it is jeopardizing the security of individuals whom, unlike the CBC, I will not be naming here today.

Why is furthering porno-spy Glenn Greenwald's agenda and lining his Brazilian bank account more important than the public broadcaster maintaining its journalistic integrity?

Liberal Party of Canada

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for most Canadians, today is Valentine's Day, but for Liberals it must feel more like Halloween, as ghosts from past scandals are returning to haunt them.

Last night Radio-Canada reported on another potential kickback scheme from well-connected Liberal insiders. Under this reported scheme, $1.5 million was deposited by a go-between into a Swiss bank account, an account with the code name “Zorro”.

This account was opened just 20 days after SNC was awarded a $127 million contract to refurbish a Montreal bridge. Who owned the Zorro account? It was owned by none other than Michel Fournier, Jean Chrétien's former chief of staff.

Once again Canadians are reminded why they removed the corrupt Liberals from office. After hearing admissions of fraud and Senate corruption, Canadians can do the same to the Conservatives in the next election.

Fortunately, people know the NDP can be trusted to deliver better and to fight corruption like Zorro.

The Budget

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

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, we announced economic action plan 2014, which demonstrates our government's commitment to growing the economy, creating jobs, and long-term prosperity for Canadians.

However, out of all of the comments made by the leader of the Liberal Party, there was one very interesting and telling exchange. During an interview, the leader of the Liberal Party refused to answer a question as to whether or not he would run budget deficits. His answer was, “The commitment needs to be a commitment to grow the economy and the budget will balance itself”.

I am sorry. Canadians know that a budget just does not balance itself. Although this economic assessment is interesting, they need to expect more from the leader of a G7 country.

Would the leader of the Liberal Party admit that his party would raise taxes to balance the budget?

Rail Transportation

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the French CBC program Enquête exposed the full extent of the Conservatives' tragic leniency towards MMA before the Lac-Mégantic disaster.

The company had multiple safety infractions, but the federal government kept giving it special permits to soften the rules. One safety expert said yesterday that the Lac-Mégantic victims paid the price for the cuts.

Do the Conservatives realize that there is a cost to neglecting prevention and safety?

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, as the member will know, with a lawsuit pending and the investigation currently ongoing, it is inappropriate to comment any further on that.

However, we have a number of compliance mechanisms at Transport Canada that have been used. Thanks to this government's Railway Safety Act improvements just a few years ago, we will have the power to rapidly issue more monetary penalties. These provisions are under way.

Let me be clear. When it comes to improving rail safety, and we are looking to do more, it is the NDP that is opposing our ability to get the standing committee on transport out on the road to the Bakken oil fields so that we can make greater improvements to our safety system. She needs to stop playing politics.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the federal officials were aware of MMA's repeated infractions.

Some of them wrote down, in black and white, that they were uncomfortable with the idea of allowing the company to operate with just one conductor. Worse yet, in an email from 2012, a Transport Canada employee expressed concerns about the company not having a system for detecting runaway trains.

Why did the Conservatives ignore theses concerns that could have saved lives?

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the member will know that the health and safety of Canadians is this government's top priority. We have taken a number of very significant actions to enhance rail safety. In 2012, we completed more than 30,000 inspections. We continue to hire more inspectors. We have made an investment of about $100 million in improving rail safety through new information sharing agreements with the provinces, proper classification regulations, and the list goes on.

The member will also know that there are permanent rules in place to ensure that with respect to the transportation of dangerous goods, there are two operators at all times.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, in a Radio Canada report last night, we learned shocking new details about Lac-Mégantic. A briefing note to the minister obtained by Radio Canada said that Transport Canada let some very troubling practices continue. This led to the occurrence of the accident and could have increased its consequences.

Transport Canada knew that this company was breaking the rules and public servants were raising the alarm bells, so why did the minister not act?

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, far from it. This government continues to take a whole list of important actions. We continue, as I said, to increase the number of inspections of rail to record levels. There were 30,000 inspection in 2012. There was a $100 million investment in our rail safety system. There are improvements to add whistleblower protection for employees who blow the whistle on safety concerns in the workplace. There is the expansion of administrative monetary penalties for a range of additional infractions.

Make no mistake. There is an investigation under way with respect to Lac-Mégantic, one by Transport Canada. If any rules are found to have been broken, we can guarantee that they will face the full extent of the law.

Committees of the House

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of State for Democratic Reform called public consultations a “costly circus”.

However, the day before, the Chief Government Whip was complaining about the NDP's opposition to travel by committees.

Can the government tell us whether committee trips are a circus, as the minister says, or whether it is ridiculous to prevent committees from travelling, as the whip says?