Debates of May 1st, 2014

First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act

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

Mr. Speaker, I have tried to remain consistent since I started my term nearly three years ago to the day, so in today's debate I will focus on the bastions of identity associated with providing education services adapted to the realities of first nations youth.

The bastions of identity are a notion I have discussed in the past, and I think that this notion is crucial when it comes to the bill we are discussing today. When we talk about the emancipation and governance of first nations, the first bastion is education, since increased intelligence, economic development and the emancipation of peoples are closely related to it. It is very much a matter of identity. These are the concepts I will be talking about today.

I must stress how important it is to take a practical approach that is free of electioneering tactics. This outdated political approach is responsible for making the public disinterested in and distanced from the process of enacting public policy.

As for the bastions of identity, it is essential to get front-line players and members of first nations involved. That is one of the issues I mentioned yesterday when the bill was introduced.

When I made recommendations to my colleagues, I made sure that I encouraged my colleagues to keep a low profile during the big demonstrations that will be held in the coming months—that is a scoop—since in 2014, the Canadian public and all members of first nations are cynical when people use contentious issues and aboriginal identity issues to win votes and serve their own ends.

That is why we need to focus on the work on the ground. I invited my colleagues to start by visiting the communities in their own ridings and to do grassroots work, instead of trying to monopolize the microphone and cameras, as we have seen in the past. These kinds of methods were used by other parties and a political elite whose day has come and gone.

In 2014, the power needs to be given to members of first nations, since these issues are important to them now, and that is the problem with the bill.

I will talk more about that over the next few minutes, but first nations involvement in the drafting and implementation of this bill has been rather minimal. This needs to change in the future.

Based on those observations, the NDP would like to see an education system that is culturally relevant, that includes the people affected and that is effective for students, teachers and communities. This ideal will only be attained by taking an approach that places members of the community at the forefront. The Canadian government's role should be limited to co-operating fully with those who want a modern system to be created.

In that regard, the NDP would like to see education standards developed in partnership with first nations educators, and at their initiative, in order to achieve that goal. We recognize that standards are needed, but they cannot be imposed by Ottawa. Provincial standards may not suit the needs of first nations communities.

The first way to demonstrate the progressive nature of any proposed approach is to recognize the chronic underfunding of first nations education. That is precisely the problem. The government admitted this indirectly in recent months with the announcement of a massive infusion of money, which will begin in 2016 or 2017—basically, who knows when. The government announced considerable investments. This does constitute tacit recognition of the underfunding, which was always denied by previous successive governments.

The consent of first nations members must also be obtained before any new public policies are adopted that aim to control, manage or hem in first nations members.

I will continue my speech later.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

The time provided for government business has now expired. The hon. member for Manicouagan will have 15 minutes to conclude his speech after oral question period.

Democratic Reform

[Bruce Hyer, Green, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, some amendments to the unfair elections act are finally being accepted after overwhelming criticism of the bill from experts and ordinary Canadians alike. However, the government still refuses to give investigators the power to get to the bottom of election fraud. Why not?

Why can the commissioner not report publicly to Parliament instead of just to the minister? Even more important, the bill still fails to actually grant Canadians fair elections by fixing our unfair electoral system and excessive party discipline. Canadians clearly feel that their MPs work more for parties than for them. If the Conservatives are serious about change, they will allow the important reform act to pass with a free vote and most importantly, they will let Elections Canada consult with Canadians about what voting system changes they want, including more proportional voting.

It is time that every vote counted equally.

Public Safety

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is taking concrete steps to tackle crime and make our streets safer. We have introduced tough-on-crime legislation like the Safe Streets and Communities Act to keep dangerous criminals and gang members off the streets and out of our communities.

Our legislation to crack down on organized crime makes all gang-related murders automatically first-degree murder and targets drive-by shootings with a new criminal offence. We are also fighting gangs by cracking down on the activities that fund them such as auto theft, ID theft, drugs, and human trafficking. However, combatting crime is our work in progress that includes the tougher penalties for child predators act, the respect for communities act, and the victim bill of rights act, and more.

While the opposition clouds the issue and makes empty promises, we are offering results that are making a difference in the lives of Canadians.

Asian Heritage Month

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, May 1 marks the beginning of Asian Heritage Month. To mark the long and rich history of Canadians of Asian heritage, I will be hosting an event in Scarborough at Splendid China this Sunday.

While we celebrate this month, we are reminded that many Canadians of Asian descent have been waiting for years to reunite with their loved ones here in Canada. Family reunification must be a central priority in Canada's immigration system, something we should fix so families can celebrate together next May.

While we celebrate, we will also remember the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. This tragedy remains a dark chapter in our collective history. We cannot ignore the mistakes of our past. We cannot ignore the history of discriminatory policies that led to this incident. We believe an apology is long overdue and we hope that this month Canadians will get what they have asked for, an official apology from the Prime Minister and the government for a historic wrong we have all come to know as the Komagata Maru tragedy.

By voting against the NDP motion for an official apology two years ago, justice was denied again by the Conservative government.

Host Edmonton

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite all hon. members to an exciting conference taking place in Edmonton May 22-24. The first of its kind, the inaugural Host Edmonton conference is focused on supercharging Edmonton's thriving hospitality industry with a theme of “Eat, Drink, Think”.

The brainchild of Edmonton Economic Development, Host Edmonton is a combined conference and festival that puts Edmontonians in the mix with international and Canadian celebrity chefs such as Christine Cushing, Chopped Judge Marc Murphy, and the Spice Goddess, Bal Arneson. From sessions on the finer points of fish to the clash of the cocktails led by the famous Thirsty Traveler, Kevin Brauch, this conference is shaping up to be a great hit.

Edmonton is home to over 3,000 hospitality businesses and is the birthplace of many Canadians favourites such as Booster Juice and Earls, which now operate 64 restaurants in Canada as well as locations around the U.S.

It is a break week, so I encourage all members to join me, without the distraction of the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs, at this fantastic event and spend some time eating, drinking, and thinking.

Infrastructure

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

Mr. Speaker, freight trains that now include car after car of oil tankers pass through my home of Kingston and the Islands. The CN main line intersects John Counter Boulevard that has become a major east-west artery for Kingston. To handle traffic and ensure safety, Kingston is ready to build an overpass to replace the level crossing.

Dawson Point Road leads up to the winter dock for the ferry connecting Wolfe Island with the mainland. It needs to be rebuilt and that is a priority for the island.

Since last fall, municipalities have pressed for information on how to apply for infrastructure funding from the new Building Canada fund. Now, finally, we know that applications for the fund will go through the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure but the federal government still has to work out implementation with the provinces. Fourteen months after the Building Canada fund announcement in budget 2013, municipalities are still waiting to put their shovels into the ground. We have missed this construction season and the jobs that come with it. Let us think about that and let us think about that the next time we are stuck in traffic.

National Air Force Museum

[Rick Norlock, Conservative, Northumberland—Quinte West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the National Air Force Museum at CFB Trenton enjoys a national reputation as housing the largest number of aircraft and the most skilled team of restoration volunteers of any military museum in our country.

The museum recently added a new exhibit to document the famous Great Escape from Germany's Stalag Luft III prison camp during World War II. Of the 76 men who escaped through an elaborate tunnel, 9 were Canadians. Of those nine, six were among the fifty executed to dissuade future escape attempts.

This is an incredible example of bravery, ingenuity and collaboration and is exactly what legends and heroes are made from.

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Albert Wallace, Fred Stephens and John Harris, all former Stalag Luft III POWs, at a recent opening of this exhibit. I am truly honoured for their valiant accomplishments and for being proud Canadians.

Supply Management

[François Lapointe, NDP, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, decades of hard work by cheesemakers and dairy farmers in my riding have helped to create wealth in our rural areas.

On an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, the hard-working and enterprising population of Isle-aux-Grues produces cheeses like Riopelle de l'Isle and an aged cheddar that earned top honours at the British Empire Cheese Competition.

Le Mouton Blanc, a cheese factory in La Pocatière, turns out exceptional products and earned a Lower St. Lawrence tourism award in 2014.

Thanks to their day-to-day efforts and supply management, dairy farmers and cheesemakers are building not only a part of our food heritage, but also a part of our collective identity.

The House will soon vote on NDP Motion No. 496. It asks that our cheesemakers be protected from the negative impacts of the agreement with the European Union. The New Democrats will defend each point in Motion No. 496 until cheesemakers are guaranteed a viable future.

We are willing to support an agreement that benefits the manufacturing industry, but we will not leave anyone out.

4-H New Brunswick

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, 4-H New Brunswick held its annual provincial communications competition.

Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to attend one of these events can speak to the tremendous performances given by these young people and the personal growth experienced from learning at a young age to effectively communicate ideas.

I am proud of the many clubs I have in the riding of Tobique--Mactaquac and the leaders and parents who mentor and coach these fine young people.

Congratulations to the winners from my region including: Cloverbud Speech, Lane Findlater of Countryside 4-H; Intermediate Speech, Isaac Gilbert of Nashwaak Valley 4-H; Senior Speech, Emma Allen of Keswick Ridge 4-H; Cloverbud Single Demo, Coy Tompkins, Mount Pleasant 4-H; Junior Double Demo, Avery Gilbert/Bailey Nickerson, Nashwaak Valley 4-H; and Senior Double Demo, Rebecca Baker and Josie Versloot, Keswick Ridge 4-H. Well done everyone.

The lessons learned from this competition and their experiences in 4-H are preparing these young people to be future leaders in our communities. Based on what I have seen from their performance and from 4-H generally, our country will be in great hands.

2014 World Senior Curling Championships

[Keith Ashfield, Conservative, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of the Canadian senior men's curling team, which yesterday won a gold medal for Canada at the 2014 World Senior Curling Championships in Dumfries, Scotland.

Led by skip Wayne Tallon of Fredericton, Team Canada defeated Team Sweden 7 to 2 in their gold medal match to remain unbeaten in the week long tournament. Backing Tallon were his teammates, third, Mike Kennedy of Edmundston; second, Mike Flannery of Fredericton; lead, Wade Blanchard of Saint John; alternate, Chuck Kingston; and coaches Bill Tschirhart and Jim Waite.

I would also like to recognize and congratulate the Canadian senior women's curling team, which captured silver for Canada at the same tournament.

On behalf of all Canadians, I wish to congratulate both teams on their successes while representing our country on the world stage. Their hard work and talent help continue our tradition of excellence in sports.

Grenadiers de Châteauguay Hockey Team

[Sylvain Chicoine, NDP, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in the House to recognize the outstanding performances of the Grenadiers de Châteauguay, a Midget AAA hockey team that played in the Telus Cup finals.

I would like to point out that, with hard work and perseverance, our young people were able to accomplish great things this year.

The Grenadiers first won the provincial Jimmy Ferrari Cup for the second time in nine seasons. That victory was their ticket to the national tournament in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Through the hard work and perseverance of the entire team, they made it to the tournament finals on March 27. It was a thrilling game that went into triple overtime, but unfortunately they lost 4-3 to the Prince Albert Mintos.

I would like to congratulate coach Bruce Richardson's entire team, the volunteers and the parents for their passion and their dedication to our young players. I would also like to single out the performances of Étienne Montpetit, Danick Crête, Tyler Hylland and Martin-Olivier Cardinal.

Congratulations to the entire team on winning this silver medal with a golden performance. The entire Châteauguay area is behind you and says, “Bravo, Grenadiers.”

Vision Health Month

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to announce that May 2014 is the first ever national Vision Health Month, spearheaded by my colleague, Senator Asha Seth.

Millions of Canadians are blind or partially sighted, and the estimated direct and indirect cost of vision loss in Canada reaches into the tens of billions of dollars, making vision loss among the costliest disease groups in our country. Over four million Canadian adults have one of the leading blinding ocular diseases, including macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.

The soul of national Vision Health Month lies in educating Canadians that the best method of combatitng vision loss is through prevention. Going to a doctor of optometry and having our eyes examined is essential to maintaining good vision, and simple strategies like wearing sunglasses go a long way.

I know that national Vision Health Month will make a great difference in the lives of Canadians.

Portrayal of Women in the Media

[Laurin Liu, NDP, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last month, Mitsou Gélinas admitted that she was dangerously obsessed with being thin. In a touching account, she revealed her struggle to conform to industry and media beauty standards. She spoke about her inner demons, extreme diets, fainting spells and eating disorders. Most importantly, she asked us to think about the message society is sending to young girls.

Beauty ideals based on extreme thinness can undermine self-esteem, particularly among girls and women, which increases the risk of developing an excessive preoccupation with weight, anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Quebec has created a provincial charter for a healthy and realistic body image. Federal MPs also need to do their part to call for a more diverse portrayal of women in advertising and the media.

Battle of the Atlantic

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today I am honoured to pay tribute to the longest military engagement of the Second World War: the Battle of the Atlantic, a true Canadian triumph.

Through the courage and efforts of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Merchant Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canada played a key role in helping maintain the allies' crucial supply routes through the North Atlantic. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the Germans quickly asserted their strength on the high seas, blocking the supply chains from North America to Britain.

This was a hard-fought victory that came with a heavy price for Canada. More than 4,600 courageous men and women died at sea during six years of relentless enemy attacks and some of the most severe conditions imaginable.

We proudly remember with everlasting gratitude the remarkable memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our great country.

Lest we Forget.

Elvire Adé

[Emmanuel Dubourg, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Elvire Adé, who died on May 1, 2003. Born in 1919, Elvire had nine children. She was widowed at age 40, when her youngest child was only three months old. With her sewing machine and the sacrifices she made, she ensured that her children would have a good education.

As I did in the Quebec National Assembly, I would like to pay tribute to her in the House of Commons of Canada, in the language she used to pass on her values.

[The hon. member spoke in Creole and provided the following translation:]

Elvire, I always wear your ring to remind me of all the sacrifices you made for your children.

You had to get down on your knees to bring me into the world. Thank you for the faith you had in me. I will always honour you.

[Translation]

I am privileged to pay tribute in the House today to Elvire Adé Dubourg, my beloved mother.

Western Forest Products

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

Mr. Speaker, the citizens of Nanaimo are reeling from yesterday's tragic shooting at the Western Forest Products mill at the downtown harbour assembly wharf, which killed two people and left two others injured, one critically.

Fred McEachern and Michael Lunn were killed instantly on their arrival at work in the early morning by a gunman who started his rampage in the mill's car park before proceeding to the administrative office. Tony Sudar, vice-president of manufacturing, survived the attack after being shot in the side of his face. He is reported as being stable. A former employee has been charged with two counts of first degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Grief counselling has been offered to the employees and families affected by this heartbreaking incident, and a makeshift memorial of flowers is building up outside the mill.

Nanaimo is a close community. It is unimaginable that this kind of senseless act could happen in our city. I am sure all members of the House will want to join me in extending our sympathies and prayers to the families of the victims, and the mill and the port employees. We hope they are comforted by knowing that they have the support of all Canadians at this difficult time.

Supreme Court of Canada

[Françoise Boivin, NDP, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, not only are the Conservatives unable to properly appoint a Supreme Court justice, but they are also attacking judges, including some they themselves appointed, instead of accepting responsibility for their failure as a result of their own incompetence. Unbelievable.

The Conservatives chose to attack the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court simply because she does a good job and ensures compliance with the law.

The Supreme Court's ruling on the Senate, the Supreme Court's rulings on the crime bill, the Supreme Court's ruling on Marc Nadon, the examples continue to grow.

Do not blame the court for Conservative incompetence. It is Conservatives not the Supreme Court that are ramming unconstitutional bills through the House. It is Conservatives who no longer even want to know whether a bill is constitutional before it becomes law.

That is why in 2015, people can count on the NDP to form a transparent and honest government: respectful of democracy, respectful of the courts, respectful of Canadians.

Telecommunication

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, SMEs are crucial to Canada's long-term prosperity and essential to the strength of our economy. Small businesses account for nearly 7 in 10 jobs in the private sector, and contribute at least 25% to Canada's GDP.

Today, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business issued a report on the importance of increased choice and better customer service for small business telecom needs. Our government understands the importance of competition in the telecom market so Canadians benefit from more choice, lower prices and better service.

Since 2008, we have put in place several important measures that put consumers first in Canada's wireless sector. We are taking action on wholesale wireless roaming rates to promote greater competition, while also imposing fines on telecom service providers that do not play by the rules.

Under Digital Canada 150, we are expanding access to broadband Internet for over 200,000 Canadian households that previously did not have it, and providing higher speed access to more Canadians.

Our government will continue to stand up for consumer choice and competition in our wireless sector.

Privacy

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, why are this Conservative government's agencies collecting personal information on one million Canadians? What specific reason do they have for doing this and exactly what information is being collected?

[James Moore, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, section 7 of the Privacy Act spells out why this kind of information would be needed by government agencies, more specifically, our police and security agencies. It is about national security. It is very clear in the act. The opposition leader should read the act.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister said that this information was collected as part of “law enforcement...investigations and surveillance”. That is what the Prime Minister said, and we are supposed to believe him.

Is the minister really trying to claim that there are 1 million Canadians under criminal investigation? A million? Really?

It reminds me of when Stockwell Day said that there was actually, despite all the evidence to the contrary, an increase in crime in Canada because of unreported crime.

If there are a million criminals out there, how can the law and order government possibly justify it?

[James Moore, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, it is truly absurd, and of course the leader of the NDP has not paid attention at all to what the Privacy Commissioner has said. What has been reported, of course, is the amount of information that has been requested by different agencies of the government in order to protect Canada.

The member of the opposite side asks why. The PIPEDA legislation spells out very clearly why this kind of information would be sought by police agencies and border security across the country. It is spelled out very clearly in law, in section 7 of the PIPEDA legislation, about why this information is sought. It is about public safety.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, a million Canadians; in order to protect Canada, what a—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!