House of Commons Hansard #105 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was insite.
Candice Bergen ConservativeMinister of State (Social Development)
Once again, Mr. Speaker, the member is completely distorting the facts and it is disappointing.
Although the Social Security Tribunal is dealing with a large number of cases, it has a plan in place. It is an independent tribunal. I would suggest the member, instead of trying to find ways to cheat the system in terms of offices, contact the Social Security Tribunal on behalf of her constituents if she has concerns.
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Mr. Speaker, the government continues to ignore major structural problems plaguing the Canadian economy. Our decline in competitiveness has hurt our exports. Highly indebted households will not sustain past levels of domestic demand. David Dodge tells us to invest much more in infrastructure that will stimulate demand and increase our competitiveness, especially at a time when low interest rates make infrastructure investment more affordable than ever.
Instead of cutting infrastructure investment by 90%, why is the government not acting?
Denis Lebel ConservativeMinister of Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, once again, this member is misleading the House. He is not talking about the overall program of the building Canada fund and the building Canada plan. We have signed agreements with almost all the provinces to renew the excise tax on gasoline. On Friday of last week, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans signed the agreement with Minister Vessey in Prince Edward Island.
There are investments across the country and we will continue with the longest and most significant build Canada plan in the country's history.
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
Mr. Speaker, David Dodge says current low interest rates and excess manpower makes it the ideal time to make needed infrastructure investments. Instead, the government is slashing infrastructure spending by almost 90% this year. Voters in Trinity—Spadina and Scarborough—Agincourt are asking why the government is turning its back on their needs for more affordable housing, better transit, and other critical job-creating investments.
Will the Minister of Finance listen to the experts and immediately commit to these investments that will boost our economy and create jobs now?
Denis Lebel ConservativeMinister of Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, our building Canada plan includes several components, which my colleague prefers to forget. There is the community improvement fund, which includes background on the gas tax and the GST credit, amounting to $32 billion. There is the building Canada fund, which includes $4 billion to support projects of national importance, and $10 billion reserved for the provinces and territories. We have no lessons to learn from them.
Ruth Ellen Brosseau NDP Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, 600 victims affected by pyrrhotite came together in Trois-Rivières to discuss the outcome of the Superior Court ruling. The ruling was very clear, and agreed with the victims on every point. The judge based his decision on the consensus of experts and he is calling for changes to the regulations. The standards fall under federal jurisdiction. The federal government therefore needs to stop off-loading the problem onto Quebec City.
When will the government read the ruling and review the regulations to protect the public?
Candice Bergen ConservativeMinister of State (Social Development)
Mr. Speaker, in fact, the ruling that was made recently, in Quebec, actually said the opposite of what that member asserts. What it did rule is that industry is responsible. It is not a federal issue.
We hope that the ruling will bring some resolution for these homeowners.
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, I know that members are well aware that asbestos is the greatest industrial killer that the world has ever known. In fact, more Canadians now die from asbestos than all other occupational causes combined. Yet, the current government insists there are still safe uses for asbestos and it refused to join the rest of the developed world to ban asbestos in all of its forms.
I want to ask the Minister of Labour, as a medical practitioner, as a physician, how does she, in all good conscience, defend her government's reprehensible policy on asbestos?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, our government will not oppose the listing of chrysotile at Rotterdam. Economic action plan 2013 supports the economic diversification efforts of the communities of Thetford Mines and Asbestos. Resource management is the responsibility of the province.
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, lower taxes make Canada's economy stronger and create good, long-term jobs for Canadians. That is why our government has cut taxes on job-creating businesses. By leaving more money in the hands of entrepreneurs and businesses, entrepreneurs and businesses can hire more Canadians and expand their operations.
In a study released today, KPMG assessed the tax competitiveness of several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Would the Minister of Finance please tell us how Canada ranked in this report?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, KPMG concluded that Canada remains the most tax competitive country in its study, with total taxes more than 46% lower than in the United States. Thanks to our low-tax plan, more businesses are investing in Canada. We have over one million new jobs since the recession.
In contrast, the opposition wants to increase taxes on business, which would hurt the Canadian economy, kill jobs, and undermine our competitiveness.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, we learned at health committee last week, during its study of the unsafe drugs act, that 28% of hospitals in Canada reprocess medical instruments and devices meant to be used only once. We also learned that the federal government is completely absent from regulating the reprocessing of single-use instruments and devices, unlike in the U.S. where the FDA is front and centre.
The government regulates the medical devices industry. Why is it not exercising its right to regulate the reprocessing of used medical instruments and devices?
Rona Ambrose ConservativeMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question. It gives me the opportunity to highlight Vanessa's law that, I am happy to say, passed the House of Commons yesterday. I want to thank the member for Oakville for a law that would help identify potentially dangerous drugs and ensure the quick recall of unsafe drugs. It requires reporting on serious adverse drug reactions when they are aware of the risks.
When it comes to medical devices or drugs, we work closely with the provinces and territories and health institutions to ensure that we can take action.
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to neglect official languages and the Francophonie.
A number of programs in the roadmap for official languages, launched over a year ago, have not even started, and several organizations are waiting for their funding. Some are even living off their credit line. It is unacceptable to penalize minority communities.
Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell us what she is going to do to fix the situation, and when the organizations will receive their money? They may not survive the wait.
Shelly Glover ConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Mr. Speaker, the new roadmap for official languages is the most comprehensive investment made in Canada. We are very proud of this $1.1 billion in funding. There is no question about it.
My colleagues also care about minority communities, and they are doing everything in their power to ensure that the roadmap money is spent as announced.
Wladyslaw Lizon Conservative Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
Mr. Speaker, this week is Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Week. Sarcoma is a type of cancer that attacks connective tissue within the body, often causing tumours in muscles, bones, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. It is especially common in children and young adults. In fact, Terry Fox had a form of sarcoma cancer, leading to his death.
Close to 1,200 Canadians will be diagnosed with sarcoma each year. Tragically, approximately 500 will die from one of its 50 identified types.
Would the minister tell us what steps our government is taking to address this important health issue?
Rona Ambrose ConservativeMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased today to kick off Sarcoma Awareness Week. Earlier today, I was able to visit the Ottawa Hospital and the researchers to announce $1.2 million to carry out a specialized research project on sarcoma. This builds on our government's investments of more than $1.1 billion into cancer research since we formed government.
I would like to acknowledge the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada for its great work to raise awareness on this issue. I encourage all Canadians to learn more about sarcoma by visiting sarcomacancer.ca
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, over 90% of published materials are simply not accessible to blind and visually impaired Canadians. The Marrakesh treaty on copyright seeks to fix this problem. Sixty-seven countries have signed on, including the EU, U.K., India, and China, but not Canada.
The Conservatives left these measures out of their proposed copyright changes. The treaty's deadline is June 27. Will the Conservatives do the right thing and sign this treaty so we can improve access for visually impaired Canadians?
James Moore ConservativeMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, of course our government has taken the lead with our Copyright Modernization Act. In fact, just today we put in place the notice regime to further modernize our copyright regime in this country.
With regard to those who are perceptually disabled, my colleague should know very well that when we put together the Copyright Modernization Act, we worked with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and others. Of course, we are more than willing to look at ways to improve our copyright legislation to ensure that all Canadians recognize that their needs are met in Canadian law.
Bruce Hyer Green Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want to ship our oil to red China at discount prices through the gateway pipeline, especially when eastern Canada depends on expensive imports. If we are going to build any pipeline—
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure I caught a question there, but I appreciate the point the member tried to make obviously in principle about shipping western Canadian oil to eastern Canada as a possibility. We will leave it to the independent National Energy Board to undertake a thorough scientific review of such a project. We are going to rely on science and facts, not ideology, in making decisions on energy infrastructure projects. That is why we will wait for the open and transparent review process rather than jump to conclusions.
The House resumed from June 16 consideration of Bill C-6, An Act to implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions, as reported (with amendment) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Pursuant to an order made on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at report stage of Bill C-6.
Call in the members.
Before the taking of the vote:
Is the member for Thunder Bay—Superior North rising on a point of order?