Debates of June 20th, 2014

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with just a few hours to go before the House adjourns for the summer, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members from Quebec and all Quebeckers a wonderful national holiday.

Whether we are going to a big gathering, a block party or a small gathering with friends and family, we should all take this time to tell our loved ones how much we love them. In the words of our national poet, Gilles Vigneault, in his song Gens du pays:

The time we take to say "I love you"
Is the only thing left at the end of our days.

I also want to extend warm wishes to all of the francophones across Canada, from the Yukon to Acadia, who will celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24. I hope that francophiles near and far will be welcomed by the francophone community that is so dear to me, so that we can all share the values we hold dear.

This holiday was once a celebration of the summer solstice, and I hope that for everyone, it will kick off a beautiful summer filled with rest, holidays and joie de vivre.

I wish everyone a happy national holiday. Happy Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.

Le Festival Haïti en Fête

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the eighth edition of Festival Haïti en Fête will take place July 18 to 20 at Petrie Island, a hidden gem of our beautiful Orléans.

[Member spoke in Creole as follows:]

Féstival Haïti en Fête, c'est ou célébration impôtante dé divèsité kiltirelle nan pays nou an.

[Translation]

Haïti en fête is proudly presented by the Kombite Outaouais, a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by Pierre-Richard Fidelia, Edy Joachim and Michel Paisible. It is a pleasure to thank this organization and everyone involved in presenting this event since this helps us become more familiar with the Haitian culture and francophone racial minorities in Ontario.

During the event, there will be music, a day of soccer, barbecue and much more.

The Government of Canada is very pleased to contribute funding for this festival year after year. I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of city councillor Bob Monette in the uptake of this event.

People of Orléans and everyone of the National Capital Region, this is a rendezvous.

Mr. Speaker, I say more than “thank you so much,” I offer you “piles of thanks”.

Criminal Organization Recruitment Legislation

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today with great pride to announce that my bill, Bill C-394, which will help protect our youth being targeted by gangs, received royal assent yesterday and has now become law.

This new law allows the law enforcement officials to combat the rapid growth of street gangs across our country. Criminals who seek to recruit innocent Canadians into gangs will now face jail time of up to five years.

I am overwhelmed by the support this bill has received from Canadians across our great nation.

We all know it is not very often we see a private member's bill pass and become law. Since 1910, only approximately 250 private members' bills have been passed, and I am truly honoured that my bill has received such wonderful support.

As a proud father of three children, I am overwhelmed by the passage of this legislation, and to know that this bill will protect our children and punish those who seek to harm them by bringing them into a life of crime.

Community Organizations in Hull—Aylmer

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Entraide familiale de l'Outaouais is following in the footsteps of Soupière de l'amitié de Gatineau and Centraide Outaouais and calling on the public for help.

The Conservatives' irresponsible cuts to the public service have jeopardized our region's economy. As a result, hundreds of families that were able to give in the past are now the ones getting help from these organizations.

Because of that, Centraide Outaouais has had to reduce its contribution to the 68 organizations it supports by $300,000. That means $300,000 less for the poorest families in our region.

The situation is serious, but our organizations are extraordinary. Despite their challenges, they always manage to do more with less. They work tirelessly and passionately. The people of the Outaouais are generous. In hard times, we know how to pull together.

That is why today, I am asking for help on behalf of our community organizations. We can all show our support by donating time or money.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish my Hull—Aylmer constituents a lovely summer.

Aboriginal Veterans

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise to commemorate the aboriginal men and women who have served Canada.

Canada's military heritage has been enriched by aboriginal veterans who, in each major conflict that Canada was called upon to enter, proudly came forward to do their part for this land, our home.

Throughout wartime and peace support operations of the 20th century, many thousands of aboriginal men and women served in all branches and virtually every rank of the Canadian military.

Today we remember the sacrifices of Canada's aboriginal veterans and pay tribute to the more than 500 who ultimately gave their lives during the First World War and Second World War and in the Korean War.

We thank them on behalf of all Canadians. Lest we forget.

Conservative Party of Canada

[Isabelle Morin, NDP, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, never has a government shown as much contempt for our democracy as this Conservative government.

It invoked closure in the House more than 76 times in order to rush through bills such as the electoral “deform” bill, which undermines the very foundations of our democracy.

When Elections Canada warned the Conservatives about the risks of their reform, they attacked the Chief Electoral Officer. When the Supreme Court sternly reminded the government to comply with the Constitution, the government did not hesitate to attack the integrity of the highest court in the land.

After muzzling our scientists, shamefully mistreating our veterans and claiming that there was no way around cutting home mail delivery for the most vulnerable, this government has proven one thing: it is not working in the public interest. The decision to move forward with the northern gateway pipeline despite opposition to this project is just the latest example.

Canadians deserve better than a government that is not working for them, and in 2015, they will have better: they will have the NDP.

World Refugee Day

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on World Refugee Day to recognize the world's most vulnerable populations.

Our government is proud of our record on refugees. We welcome one out of every ten resettled refugees globally, more than any other industrialized country in the world.

Today, Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced government support of more than $50 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which will help address the humanitarian needs of people affected by conflict around the world.

The UNHCR recently met with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He recognized Canada's international leadership when it came to providing assistance to refugees. Our comprehensive reforms to Canada's asylum system ensure that genuine refugees receive faster and fairer protections.

Shamefully, the opposition voted against the Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, exemplifying that it does not share our commitment to improve Canada's immigration system to ensure protection is provided to those who truly are in need.

Canadians can be proud of our record of contributions and assistance. We will continue to be global leaders in resettling and assisting those who need it most around the world.

Retirement Congratulations

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, as MPs say our goodbyes to Parliament Hill today, we also say farewell, thanks, and good luck to one Parliament Hill personality who will not be returning in September. I am referring to House of Commons Constable Mike Buzzetti. After 30 years of service, Mike is about to begin a well-deserved retirement.

Originally from Montreal, he learned his craft as a security officer on the police force at Hampstead, and he was good at it. However, once he came to Parliament Hill, he saw his job in these buildings as more than a form of policing. He was a host, a guide and an educator. He took many VIPs on lengthy, personal excursions into every nook and cranny of the Centre Bloc, but what he liked best was the Peace Tower and the Memorial Chapel. He loved to explain the meaning of that solemn room and help visitors find the names of their loved ones inscribed in the Memorial Book.

Mike Buzzetti served us well. He served Canada well.

We thank him and we wish him, his wife Kim and their daughter Andrea every happiness in the years ahead.

International Trade

[Andrew Saxton, Conservative, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, with one in five jobs in Canada dependent upon exports, our government understands the importance of opening new markets. That is why we have launched the most ambitious pro-trade plan in Canadian history.

Our government has signed or concluded free trade agreements with 38 countries, including the recent Canada-Korea free trade agreement, Canada's first free trade agreement in Asia, and the historic Canada-European agreement in principle. Others include Colombia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Honduras, Jordan, Panama and Peru.

Of course, the NDP opposed all of our free trade agreements. The NDP is stuck in the past. It wants to close the Canadian market.

On this side of the House, we know that there is no better job creator than free and open trade.

Conservative Party of Canada

[Alain Giguère, NDP, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the spring parliamentary session was a tough one for many ministers.

After weeks of denying that there was a problem, the Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism had to admit that it was not okay for Canadians to be fired so that cheap labour could be brought in.

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration put his bad faith and incompetence on public display by introducing an unconstitutional bill and showing that he is incapable of fulfilling his promises to Syrian refugees.

However, it is the Minister of Justice who wins the incompetency award, hands down. He presided over the boondoggle of appointing Justice Nadon and introduced an unconstitutional bill on cybercrime. He made sexist comments about women, saying that they prefer to focus on being domestic and motherly than on their careers.

Canadians deserve better, and with an NDP government in 2015, they will get it.

Rouge Park

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

Mr. Speaker, in the 1970s, the Trudeau Liberal government seized thousands of hectares of class 1 farmland from farmers in my riding. I am pleased to say that with the introduction of the Rouge national urban park plan, that wrong will be righted. In the plan, farmers who were forced onto one-year leases of their own land will be given long-term leases. They will be encouraged to use the best farming practices for long-term sustainable farming in the Rouge Park. Not only will this plan provide the highest level of environmental protection to some of Canada's finest natural wonders, it will ensure farming for a long time to come.

I am very proud of the fact that it was this government, in an election campaign and through a throne speech, that made a promise and kept that promise. I am proud of the fact that it is this government, and the hard work of this minister, that is protecting more and more hectares of Canada's natural heritage.

When it comes to protecting the environment, when it comes to protecting Canadians, and when it comes to protecting farmers in my riding, it is this government that has stood up, and we are very proud of that.

Citizenship and Immigration

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the humanitarian crisis in Syria has grown beyond all conceivable proportions. This is the greatest refugee crisis since World War II.

What we have from the Conservatives is a lot of talk about their intentions but no clarity on their actions when it comes to resettlement in Canada. The UN has asked Canada to do more.

On World Refugee Day, can the minister give the House a guarantee regarding the number of Syrian refugees who will actually be in Canada by the end of this month?

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, Canada continues to have one of the most generous immigration and refugee systems in the world. We welcome 1 out of every 10 resettled refugees globally, more than almost any other industrialized nation in the world.

Today, Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced government support of more than $50 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which will help address the humanitarian needs of people affected by conflict around the world.

Canadians can be proud of the record of contribution that Canada is making to those most needy around the world.

Employment

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, still no straight answer.

Conservatives are saying they will now, finally, fix the mess they made of the temporary foreign worker program. In fact, they are so proud of their changes, they are actually waiting until after the House has safely risen before they announce their changes.

Canadians know the damage this program has already done: lost jobs, abuse of workers, and suppressed wages. Can the Conservatives tell us if they will do more than just undo the damages their government has done to this program?

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, the member will have to wait to see what changes are in store. The minister will make his announcement later on today.

Under the previous Liberal government—

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

You are ashamed of your changes.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the temporary foreign worker program is to make sure that employees are available when no Canadians are available for the jobs.

We are going to take strong steps to ensure that employers respect this program. We will bring in tough and stiff penalties for any employer who tries to abuse this program.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is not just some tactical, political event. This is about people's jobs, their wages, and their future.

What we do not need is more political leaks and spins. We need action. For instance, has the government been considering a sunshine list, particularly to make the positions and wages, and the levels of those wages, public?

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, we are going to take strong steps in this program to protect Canadian employees across this country. We are going to make sure employers follow these procedures to make sure all Canadians have the first opportunity at any job.

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Employment's catastrophic management of the temporary foreign worker program made these abuses possible.

The Conservatives ignored the fact that Canadian workers were being replaced by cheap foreign workers. They deliberately did not seek out valuable information about the state of the labour market, and that led to an inaccurate assessment of needs.

Why should we trust them to fix the temporary foreign worker program? After all, it was on their watch that the program went off the rails.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism]

Mr. Speaker, that is not a fair question at all.

Today, the government will announce that it is investing $14 million in two new programs to collect labour market information about wages and available jobs across Canada so that we can make informed decisions about labour market policies.

Today we are undertaking a major overhaul of the temporary foreign worker program to make sure that Canadians always get first crack at available jobs.

Justice

[Nycole Turmel, NDP, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, let us stick to the subject of Conservative bungling.

We know that this is not the first time that the Minister of Justice has made sexist remarks. What he said was really shameful.

Last Friday, the Conservatives appointed 11 judges, but there was only one woman among them. Instead of trotting out his dime-store sociology and saying that women enjoy children too much to become judges, the Minister of Justice should have a clear process for achieving gender equality on the benches.

Will he put that process in place?

[Robert Goguen, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice]

Mr. Speaker, our appointments are based on only one criterion: legal excellence and merit. The men and women appointed to the superior courts were recommended by 17 advisory committees. Since 2006, 182 women have been appointed to the superior courts and that is an increase of 17% in the number of women sitting on the benches.

Finance

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, under the Conservative government's lottery scheme, Alberta is the big winner, and Ontario is the big loser. What kind of system is “fair, balanced and generous” for everyone else, but for Ontario is “unaffordable”? What kind of system insures that every other province gains, and Ontario loses $600 million?

Will the Minister of Finance ditch his pathological hatred of the Government of Ontario, respect the will of the people, dump the heads I win, tails you lose scheme, and write the cheque?

[Andrew Saxton, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, federal support for Ontario has increased 76% since our government took office in 2006. Federal support will total almost $19.2 billion in 2014-15, a whopping $8.3 billion increase since the previous Liberal government.

After years of inaction by the previous Liberal government, our Conservative government took real action to support Ontario. We made changes the Liberals refused to make and then voted against, including moving to equal per-capita transfer support, a move supported by then Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty.