House of Commons Hansard #98 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was citizenship.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, the government is reducing its investments in new infrastructure by roughly 90% just to give itself bragging rights during the next election for having balanced the budget. However, it is aggravating the infrastructure deficit.
According to the Conservatives, we do not need new public transit systems, nor do we need to adapt our infrastructure to the devastating effects of climate change.
Why does the government keep putting its partisan interests ahead of the country's interests?
Peter Braid ConservativeParliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities
Mr. Speaker, the new building Canada plan is open for business. What I would recommend to our colleagues from the Liberal Party over in the far corner is that instead of playing politics with respect to infrastructure and with respect to not spreading misinformation about the plan, they should work with their municipalities to identify infrastructure project priorities so we can get down to work. I know that it is what we are doing on this side of the House.
Sylvain Chicoine NDP Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC
Mr. Speaker, 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces have come back from the mission in Afghanistan, and many of them are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Again this morning, Jenifer Migneault and Marie-Andrée Mallette, two spouses of soldiers who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, are criticizing the lack of support available for caregivers.
Will the Conservatives finally recognize the essential work these spouses do and give them all the support they are calling for and deserve?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, it is exactly because of the tremendous sacrifices made by members of the Canadian Forces and their families that we have made record investments across the board, not only in giving equipment and support for serving members but also by investing an additional $4.7 billion over the course of eight budgets.
It is interesting to hear the member opposite, who continually, as part of the NDP plan, tries to politicize this issue, particularly on a day like today. I would note that all of that investment was opposed by members of the NDP.
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, Jenifer Migneault, the wife of a veteran Canadian soldier, spoke to the NDP caucus this week. What she told us was that caregivers can make the difference between life and death, but many spouses of veterans caring for their loved ones are struggling themselves. They need more training. They need more support.
As we mark today's historic day, the historic D-Day landings, will the government commit to improving support for families and their caregivers and not just recite numbers? Give Jennifer Migneault some hope at least.
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, indeed we do. These are not statistics. We offer the operational stress injury social support program for families. We, in fact, give assessment and treatment for mental health conditions if veterans need it, as well as counselling, within the operational stress clinics.
We have case management, rehabilitation services, financial benefits, group health insurance, the veterans independence program, education assistance, pastoral outreach, an emergency fund, and a hotline. We have introduced a new program to give veterans access to operational support through dogs, as a comfort. We have ongoing program support.
The members opposite, the NDP, opposed these programs.
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, Jenifer does not need a dog. She needs actual support for her to carry on.
This week, the Prime Minister met with the president of the European Commission to discuss trade negotiations in Europe. These are the same negotiations that supposedly were done eight months ago. A good European trade deal is crucial for Canada, but good trade deals are built on trust. How can Canadians trust Conservatives when all we get is posturing, rhetoric, and stunts?
Will the minister inform the House about the outstanding issues that are holding up this deal?
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, we have managed to come to an agreement with the European Union on a very ambitious trade agreement, in fact, the most ambitious that Canada has entered into. It will more than double the amount of countries with which Canada enjoys free trade, and will put Canada in a position where we are the only developed economy in the world with trade agreements in place with both the United States and the European Union, the two biggest economies in the world. If we want to make Canada the place to invest, the place to create jobs, the place to create prosperity, we will not be like the NDP; we will support that trade agreement.
Romeo Saganash NDP Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Mr. Speaker, a fact is a fact.
When the Conservatives arrived in 2006, we had a $26 billion trade surplus. Today we have a $62 billion trade deficit. That is a difference of $80 billion. They talk the talk, but they do not walk the walk.
Last October, they said that the agreement with Europe had been finalized, but five months later they cannot provide us with a single shred of paper.
Can the minister just be honest in the House and admit that they celebrated too late? Will they admit that there are a number of details to work out and tell us—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Gerald Keddy ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, as for the CETA that we have signed with the European Union, that has been tabled in the House, and the member is well aware of that. There is a copy available for him if he wants it.
When he wants to talk about the trade deficit, the reality is that the member failed to mention that March's revised trade surplus was almost $800 million, 10 times more than the trade surplus originally reported.
What is more, over the first four months of this year, exports are up 8% over the same period last year. Canada's job creation record is the best in the G7, with over one million net new jobs created.
John Williamson Conservative New Brunswick Southwest, NB
Mr. Speaker, 70 years ago, brave Canadian troops valiantly fought in the Battle of Normandy, on D-Day. This was a defining moment in our nation's history. Today, we and our allies pause to remember the sacrifice and legacy of these heroic Canadians.
Could the Minister of Justice please inform the House how our government is commemorating this important and historic day?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for New Brunswick Southwest, whose spouse, I note, is a serving member.
Today, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, and a number of parliamentarians, are on the shores of Normandy, joining leaders from around the world, Canadian Forces members, cadets, 1,000 Canadian youth, but, most importantly, 100 Canadian veterans of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, who have triumphantly returned 70 years later.
As Canadians, it is our responsibility and a sacred duty to honour and remember those who served so courageously for our very freedom and democracy that we enjoy today, and that we remember those who continue to defend and protect our great country at home and abroad.
Lest we forget. N'oublions jamais.
Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, banks are imposing unfair penalties of up to $30,000 on consumers who pay back their mortgages in advance because of a change in workplace, a separation or a death.
Will the Conservative government finally put a stop to this practice and support my bill to put a cap on these unfair and excessive penalties?
Kevin Sorenson ConservativeMinister of State (Finance)
Again, Mr. Speaker, we want all Canadians to keep more money in their pockets. Through our National Consumer Agency, we have made it easier than ever for Canadians to shop around for low to no-cost banking solutions. In fact, only two weeks ago, the Minister of Finance moved forward with the banks on low to no-cost banking options. Recently we announced an agreement for more than seven million Canadians that improves low-cost options for them. We also continue to work with the provinces to ensure that these services are appropriately regulated.
Glenn Thibeault NDP Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives promise to help Canadians by regulating the penalties that banks charge for prepaying mortgages, but Canadians are still being gouged.
These penalties are the number one complaint to the banking ombudsman. The Conservatives are standing by while the banks rip off hard-working Canadians who are just trying to pay down their mortgage.
Why will the Conservatives not regulate prepayment penalties?
Kevin Sorenson ConservativeMinister of State (Finance)
Mr. Speaker, we are bringing forward consumer measures that would help Canadians keep more money in their pockets, unlike the NDP who only talk about protecting consumers.
It is our Conservative government that has actually taken action. We have banned unsolicited credit card cheques, limited anti-consumer business practices, and ensured that prepaid credit cards never expire. We have also introduced rules requiring clear disclosure of terms on credit card contracts and applications.
Sadly, the NDP have opposed all of our efforts to protect those Canadian consumers.
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is better not to respond at all then to spout such nonsense.
The fight against climate change is a global issue, and Canada must do its part. President Obama was very clear: the United States must take real action to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the sector that is its largest polluter. Canada must follow that example and do the same. We must impose regulations on the oil and gas industry that are in keeping with our Copenhagen commitments.
Why are the Conservatives stubbornly refusing to regulate the oil and gas industry and, at the same time, weakening our trade relationship with the United States?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, we welcome the movement in the United States to regulate greenhouse gas emissions related to the electricity sector.
Again, building on our record, we want to work with the United States on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the oil and gas sector. Our countries should be taking action together, not alone.
This is consistent with what we are already doing, aligning with the United States on greenhouse gas emissions regulations in the transportation sector. For example, 2025 passenger vehicles and light trucks will emit about half as many greenhouse gas emissions in Canada compared to 2008.
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC
Mr. Speaker, we need to do more than just sit back and see what happens.
The Conservatives' reports show that we are not going to meet the greenhouse gas reduction targets they themselves set for 2020. What is more, we learned this week that there has been a significant increase in the mercury levels around some oil sands development sites.
Why are the Conservatives choosing to allow living environments and ecosystems to deteriorate like this?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, our government has made responsible resource development a priority.
We have worked with the Province of Alberta to launch a world-class scientific monitoring system for the oil sands. This is a transparent public process, which has some of Canada's top scientists involved.
These reports show that our plan is working, and we will continue to be transparent and promote independent scientific assessment and evaluation.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, in the previous budget, the government made changes to the seed potato tuber quality management program administered by the CFIA.
These changes will impact the ability of Canadian seed potato growers to export to the United States. There are some 17 state seed certification agencies that are resisting these changes and maintain that without CFIA shipping point inspections on all seed exports, they will not recognize our product as seed potatoes.
What assurance can the minister give us that our seed potato market will not be jeopardized?
Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for this good question, but I also thank my colleagues, the members for Egmont and Tobique—Mactaquac, for working so hard to represent the concerns of the potato farmers on this important matter.
Canada's seed potato certification system is effective in maintaining Canada's reputation as a supplier of quality seed potatoes. That is why, working with the Canadian Horticultural Council, we have instructed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to continue export-related inspections to maintain market access to the United States.
Although I am answering this question today in the House, I do want farmers to know that the CFIA wrote to the Canadian Horticultural Council on this earlier in the week.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, let us turn to seed grain and where the government is also crippling farmers' ability to compete, with the withdrawal of CFIA inspection on seed grain.
Farmer Charles Murphy said, “last year, CFIA inspected...at a cost of $498.63. The new cost to inspect these same fields by the new company is $6393.35”.
That is not three times the cost; it is over thirteen times the cost. When will the government roll back that reckless cost increase and that cost burden on grain producers?
Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture
Mr. Speaker, let us talk about farmers and how well they are doing in Canada with our government's policies.
Crop receipts have increased to over $30.5 billion because of our initiatives. Wheat receipts grew by 26%, which is a record. Livestock receipts have totalled $21.6 billion.
If he wants to talk about seed, I would encourage this member to support our Bill C-18, which would bring in agricultural technology to the benefit of our farmers.