House of Commons Hansard #87 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was cbc.
Robert Goguen ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice
Mr. Speaker, the merged tribunals will not report to the Minister of Justice. The government is simply making a process more efficient and improving how it works. Our government will continue its work in this area because we spend taxpayers' money responsibly.
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, I wonder why the Minister of Finance did not answer that question. He may not have read the entire omnibus bill, but thankfully experts have, and experts, like the Canadian Bar Association, have told the government that the massive and sweeping changes to trademark policy may not be legal.
The government does not often listen to legal advice. It really does not actually listen to any advice, but would it listen to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which has told the government that aspects of the omnibus bill might not even be constitutional?
Will the minister take the bill back and fix the flaws that are deeply inherent in its DNA?
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, the concerns with regard to the five treaties that are embedded in the government's legislation on the budget are critical for Canada's future going forward.
These are treaties that were signed by Canada between 2008 and 2010. They protect Canada's intellectual property on the international stage, so that, for example, in the digital round, those who are investing in their IP will be protected, not just within Canada, but on the international scene.
These treaties were supported by all parties in the past. Now that we have finally put the budget forward and we are implementing these treaties, the New Democrats pretend to have some concerns about it. It would be nice if they knew what they are talking about before they decide to criticize.
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, did the minister know that the Canadian Bar Association and the Chamber of Commerce are completely ignorant of the facts? Thankfully we have the minister defending Canadians.
What about veterans? Yesterday, we heard from veteran Sean Bruyea that the small change to the clawback for veterans who have been compensated for their injuries is an insult to Canadian veterans.
This afternoon we will hear from restaurant workers from Saskatchewan who will talk about the changes to the temporary worker program and how they were fired from their jobs and these changes are too little, too late.
Why is the government so obsessed with giving away Canadian jobs and clawing back from our veterans? Why does it not work to fix this deeply flawed bill?
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Industry
Going back to the first point of the hon. member's question, Mr. Speaker, the legislation that we have put before Parliament will serve Canada's interest.
It is supported by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. It is supported by Canada's ICT industry. It is supported by the Canadian chambers of commerce, and those who recognize that supporting Canada's intellectual property regime on the international stage is essential for a country like Canada that invests so heavily in our universities and individual technology that those businesses will do great on the international stage.
With regard to the rest of the budget, we have put forward record investments to support our veterans and to ensure that our economy moves forward and that all Canadians will benefit from a prosperous—
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives do not understand their own budget bill, which does not surprise me, since so little has to do with the budget.
For example, the evidence is piling up that the implementation by the Conservatives of FATCA will harm up to one million Canadians.
Yesterday the Privacy Commissioner of Canada testified that other clauses to allow CRA bureaucrats to hand over our personal tax information to the police, without warrant, violate privacy law and the charter.
Will the minister not pull this bill before it ends up being dragged into the courts?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, FATCA has raised a number of concerns in Canada. The new agreement addresses those concerns by relying on the existing framework under the Canada-U.S. tax treaty.
The CRA will not assist the IRS in collecting U.S. taxes, no new taxes will be imposed, and only U.S. citizens will be affected.
We obtained a number of very important concessions, exempting certain accounts like RRSPs, RDSPs, and TFSAs. This is an agreement that works in the interests of Canada.
Pierre Dionne Labelle NDP Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, today, while the NDP is fighting in the chamber to support CBC as it weathers a crisis, the government is saying that it has no hand in it. It is the same old story. However, it was this government that slashed $115 million.
It is time that the government and the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages took responsibility.
CBC is vital to our regions and the Canadian Francophonie. I would like to give the minister the opportunity to give a responsible answer.
What will the minister do to address the concerns of francophones in Saint-Boniface, Moncton, Sudbury and Vancouver?
Shelly Glover ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, we recognize the importance of CBC. Clearly, some remote communities, aboriginal communities and certainly minority communities depend on CBC. That is why we invest significant amounts in the corporation.
The recent decisions were made by CBC. They have nothing to do with our government. Again, we expect CBC to have programming in both French and English.
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that for over a century, pipelines have been an integral part of Canada's energy infrastructure. With over 73,000 kilometres of federally regulated pipelines, it is crucial that they operate under the highest degree of safety. Our government has already taken strong action to improve our pipeline safety system, and we have a near-perfect safety record for pipeline incidents.
Can the parliamentary secretary update this House on what action our government is taking to build on this impressive safety record?
Kelly Block ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Natural Resources was in British Columbia to announce new pipeline safety measures that will apply to existing and future pipelines.
We are proud that Canada is the first country to bring forward a $1-billion absolute liability limit. Regardless of fault, the company will be responsible should a spill occur. These measures demonstrate our government's commitment to the principle of polluter pays and responsible resource development.
Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
Mr. Speaker, let us get back to the CBC and its ongoing crisis.
The minister has to stop telling us that the crisis has nothing to do with her—
Canadian Broadcasting CorporationOral Questions
The Speaker Andrew Scheer
Order. I had an example of this a few days ago, where someone was reading a statement with something on the back of the page. I think the member has addressed it. I will ask him to leave it on his desk. The hon. member can continue his question.
Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
Mr. Speaker, it was her predecessor and her government that cut the $115 million. Her government is responsible for appointing the president and the board of directors of the crown corporation. All of the board members were appointed by the Conservatives, and the vast majority of them just happen to have donated a lot of money to the party.
Did the Conservatives appoint those people with the intention of putting the axe to the CBC?
Shelly Glover ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, obviously that is not true, because if it were, the CBC would not get so much money every year.
What the member is suggesting is ridiculous. The CBC's president explained the facts as follows: there has been a decline in the number of viewers, a decline in advertising revenues, and they lost hockey. That is why there were cuts. The CBC decided to make those cuts. It has nothing to do with the government. We are still investing significant amounts of money in the CBC.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I just want to be sure that everyone clearly understood what the minister said at the very end of her answer, to wit, she sincerely believes the government's decision to cut the CBC's budget has nothing to do with job cuts at the corporation.
Does she really believe what she just said?
Shelly Glover ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, I am not the only one who believes that. For the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition, I would like to quote the president of the Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada, who had this to say before the cuts: “Any future cuts will not be due to federal orders”.
In addition, France Bélisle, CBC/Radio-Canada's director of communications and public relations, said, “The problem is the weak industry-wide advertising market”.
It was not a government decision. He knows that perfectly well and should accept it.
Glenn Thibeault NDP Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, for months, Conservatives spent $9 million of taxpayers' money on self-promotional advertising. Talk about abusing taxpayer money for partisan purposes.
The Conservatives claimed they were getting tough on telecom companies, claimed there would be more competition and lower prices, but after being forced to sit through $9 million worth of Conservative ads, are Canadians paying any less? Nope. There are fewer competitors, and Canadians are paying more.
When will the minister stop advertising to stand up for consumers and actually start doing it?
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, that is entirely not true. Wireless prices across this country since 2008, in the AWS spectrum auction, have gone down 20%. Employment in the sector has gone up 25%.
It was the New Democrats who raised no policy proposals on this file, but it is our government that has shown leadership in our tower-sharing policy, in our spectrum and roaming policies, and in the way in which we approached the 700-spectrum option policy that the NDP said would fail. Experts said it would draw in $2.1 billion in revenue. Instead it brought in $5.27 billion in revenue. That money is going to be reinvested back into Canadians as we move forward with more competition in the future.
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Mr. Speaker, since being hired three and a half years ago in a process that has been exposed as rigged and collecting an annual salary of almost $140,000 a year plus expenses, Kevin MacAdam has still not stepped inside the ACOA P.E.I. office. Not once since he started this job has he stepped inside.
Would the minister responsible confirm to the House, though, that even though Mr. MacAdam has not darkened the door, he was awarded a performance bonus for his job at P.E.I. ACOA?
Gerald Keddy ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, the reality is the member knows that the independent investigation by the Public Service Commission did not find any evidence of any wrongdoing or influence on the part of ministers or political staff in this matter. The Public Service Commission is an independent body and as such makes its own determinations on what or what not to include in their reports.
This situation, by the way, is quite different from 2006, when the Public Service Commission reported that the Liberals gave ministerial aides free rides into the public service.
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Mr. Speaker, that was quite a performance.
Another Conservative appointee who went on to accommodate further Conservative appointees and staff is ECBC president John Lynn. Mr. Lynn is currently under investigation on two fronts, by the ethics commissioner and the public integrity commissioner. He took a leave a year ago and continues to draw his $180,000-a-year salary plus access to the company SUV, and of course, the company gas card to fill it up.
When the government shuts the door on ECBC, will the Canadian taxpayers be on the hook for another chunk of money by paying out yet another year's salary in severance to this employee?
Gerald Keddy ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for that question, because without any doubt, our government's and the minister's expectation is that ECBC conduct its business with integrity, accountability, and respect for Canadian taxpayers.
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, today, for the first time since 2004, the Confederacy of Nations is meeting. Fifty first nations delegates from all over over Canada will discuss their concerns about the education act, Bill C-33. They want to sit down with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and discuss fair and equitable funding for first nations' education.
Will the minister agree to meet with the Confederacy of Nations?