Debates of Sept. 30th, 2014

Question Period

[Chris Charlton, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, no sooner had the face palms ended and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister finished his apologies than up popped the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to retract the apology.

The member argued that irrelevance is the cornerstone of the government's approach, but let us be clear: rules already exist governing the content of questions.

You, Mr. Speaker, have yourself ruled a number of opposition questions out of order, but the government House leader does not believe that those rules should apply to ministers. He seems to believe that making Conservatives talk about apples when asked about apples is the first step towards a democratic apocalypse.

Canadians disagree. Even members of the Conservative caucus disagree, and I know members across the way are embarrassed by what has been happening, so let us take a step in the right direction today. Let us show Canadians we are capable of improving accountability and of taking juvenile, irrelevant antics out of question period once and for all.

Ken James

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with regret that I stand today to honour former parliamentarian Ken James, who represented Sarnia—Lambton in this place from 1984 until 1993.

Mr. James served with both honour and integrity. From his beginnings on Sarnia Township Council in the 1960s to the near-decade spent as Sarnia—Lambton MP to his later roles in private business and his two terms as chair of the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, Ken met every role he faced with enthusiasm.

His decades of representation across various public roles made him very well known to his home community and surrounding region.

On behalf of all members, we send our sympathies to Mary Ellen and family. Ken James served Canada in such a manner that they can be extremely proud of his accomplishments. His country and community are better places because of his efforts. Ken will always be remembered for his dedication and valour.

Goodbye, friend.

Health

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we are now six months into the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Can the Prime Minister update the House on what actions Canada is taking in response to this crisis? Will the Prime Minister consider sending DART?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, last week I spoke to the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, on this very issue. As members know, the Minister of International Development announced additional resources for this particular problem that we are seized with in consultation with the WHO, with our allies, and with the local governments in West Africa.

My understanding is the DART's capabilities are not appropriate to this particular mission, but we are looking at any way that we can assist.

Foreign Affairs

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister tell us whether he has informed cabinet of his plans to engage in Iraq?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as you are well aware, the government has already announced assistance for the Iraqi government in its efforts to counter the Islamic State. Obviously, our allies are doing more and more to counter the Islamic State, a terrorist caliphate that poses a major threat not only to the region, but also to us here in Canada.

The government is examining its next steps. As I have said many times, the government's practice is clear: if there is to be a combat mission, there will be a debate and a vote here in the House of Commons.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, is the Prime Minister also considering airstrikes in Syria?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to speculate on decisions that have not yet been taken. The government has been clear that we are strongly supportive of the actions undertaken at the initiative of President Obama and our ally to deal with the threat presented by ISIL, not just in the region but as the broader threat that this terrorist caliphate represents to all of us, including the security of this country.

We are carefully considering what options are at our disposal to be helpful. We look for ways to contribute. If there is a combat mission of any kind, including an air combat mission, there will be a debate and a vote in this House.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, when will the Prime Minister table his Iraq plans in the House for study, a full debate, and a vote?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as I just finished saying, the government's practice has been long-standing. If we are planning any kind of a combat mission, including an aerial combat mission, there will of course be a debate and a vote in this House. The government will do that when it actually takes that decision, which it has not done. However, we will make a final decision on that within the next few days.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, before the Prime Minister considers extending the mission, will he report on the activities of Canadian military personnel during the first 30 days and also report on the outcomes of their contribution, if any?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, nobody should doubt the contribution of our military personnel in Iraq. They are there at the request of the government of Iraq and especially the minorities that were threatened with genocide.

We are very proud to have people who are ready to serve our country and humanity in this way.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister first talked about a Canadian combat role in Iraq while in New York. It is time for him to provide Canadians with answers.

Precisely what military support has the Prime Minister offered Americans? What is the Canadian objective in our current 30-day mission, and how have we reached that objective?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as members know, the government has already indicated that we have sent some assistance to the Government of Iraq in concert with our allies some weeks ago. As our allies undertake a range of actions, we are contemplating next steps on how we can best be helpful.

Let me be very clear. I believe that the mission undertaken by our allies—not just western allies, but a range of allies in the international community—are necessary actions and noble actions. When we think something is necessary and noble, we do not sit back and say only other people should do it. The Canadian way is to do our part.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister should be open and transparent about such an important and dangerous mission. It is high time Canadians got answers to their questions.

What was the objective of the first 30 days of the mission? What was accomplished? Did the United States specifically request deployment of CF-18s? How many did they ask for?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we deployed forces to northern Iraq to help minorities withstand genocide. We have halted the advance of the Islamic State, and that is very significant.

Let me just repeat that. The people in northern Iraq are facing an act of genocide from the forces of the Islamic State. That is why allies, including Canada, responded. We have gone there to assist the Peshmerga in that fight. They have halted the advance of ISIL in that part of the country.

This is very important work, and we should all be thankful for the Canadian Forces and our allies for doing this.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has given Canadians very little reason to believe that his government is being open and honest with them about this very serious matter. He has, in fact, given every reason to believe the contrary.

Right here in the House of Commons, will the Prime Minister present his case for going to war and his plan for fighting it?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government's position on these matters since we came to office is unprecedented and has also been clear. Whenever we enter a mission that involves combat, including aerial combat, we present it to the House of Commons for a debate and for a vote. We are proud of that record. We are very proud of the actions undertaken by the Canadian Forces.

This has a broad range of support from the international community, including not just Conservatives but Liberals and social democrats the world over, and I think we should put partisanship aside in this chamber as well.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, how long does the Prime Minister expect the war in Iraq to last?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is really the power of the Prime Minister of Canada to determine how long international events will take place or not take place.

The establishment, as I have said repeatedly before, of an Islamic caliphate that is beheading children, selling women as slaves, committing acts of genocide against minorities and captured POWs, and planning security attacks on this country is not acceptable, and the government will act. We will act with our allies to make sure those capacities are degraded in a way that they will not continue to be a threat to this country.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister really believes that Canada is in immediate danger, why is he sending only a handful of aircraft and a few dozen soldiers to provide advice? Why is he not sending more personnel if he truly believes what he is saying in the House today?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition leader is basically saying that the government is taking too long to act, that it is not doing enough. The NDP's position changes from one question to the next.

The government is carefully considering its actions, obviously including the ability we have before us and our capacities to contribute. We will carefully consider these things. If they require a vote in Parliament, we will do that, but we will make sure we carefully undertake our actions and take the actions that are in the best interests of the Canadian people and in accord with our international responsibilities.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have a right to know how long this commitment will last. Let us be even clearer: the original mission was supposed to last 30 days. The Prime Minister is considering expanding Canada's commitment, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs is now talking about a long-term commitment.

How long will Canadian soldiers be deployed in Iraq? The Americans were there for more than 10 years. Canada sent 40,000 soldiers to Afghanistan over a period of 11 years. How long will the Prime Minister's war in Iraq last?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct that statement. This action was initiated by President Obama and our allies.

This is an action undertaken at the initiative of President Obama involving not just their allies but a broad consensus of the international community. It is a very serious matter. We cannot go out and start throwing around timelines that we are not aware of. We simply have to examine what is in front of us and what we can do. We will come to the House of Commons with a proposal on that matter, and I look forward to a debate and vote on that.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, how is victory to be defined in Iraq?