Debates of Feb. 17th, 2015

CBC/Radio-Canada

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the Prime Minister will show us where the word “imminent” appears in that law.

The problem is that the Prime Minister sees enemies everywhere. Right now, he has CBC employees in his sights.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said that CBC reporters “detest” Conservative values, and that the majority of CBC reporters, no less, want to get rid of his government.

Is it possible that the Prime Minister is mistaken and what he actually meant to say is that he has finally realized that the vast majority of Canadians want to get rid of his government?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that a large percentage of Quebeckers agree with our government on tax breaks, tax cuts, direct benefits to families and the fight against crime and terrorism, rather than with a party that wants to increase taxes, provides benefits to bureaucrats and unions, and does not take the fight against terrorists, jihadists and criminals seriously.

The orange wave in Quebec has become orange construction cones, and Quebeckers will get rid of them.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was astonished and disappointed yesterday to hear the Prime Minister attack the ethics and professionalism of CBC/Radio-Canada reporters.

Canadians are proud of their public broadcaster and its mandate to connect Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Is the Prime Minister going to apologize to CBC/Radio-Canada employees and the Canadians who support them?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I know very well that the Liberals, the New Democrats and the sovereignists would rather increase taxes, give the benefits of our programs to unions and bureaucrats and not take the fight against terrorism and crime seriously.

In our opinion, these are not the values of Canadians. These are not the values of Quebeckers. However, these are Conservative values, and we will continue to do our job.

Health

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I think there was a translation problem with the question.

There are five new measles cases in Ontario. The Prime Minister has run no ads promoting the life-saving benefits of vaccinations. He has in fact cut public health's immunization budget by 23%.

Will the Prime Minister stop his self-promoting, partisan government ads and invest instead now in a campaign that encourages parents to vaccinate their kids?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health and other members of the government have been very clear on the fact that Canadians should seek proper vaccines against measles and against a range of other illnesses. These vaccines have historically proven extremely effective in reducing and in some cases even eliminating certain types of previously debilitating ailments.

We will continue to make sure, when we are responsible, that Canadians are aware of these options, not just in the health area but across all areas of government.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week we learned that there were 10 measles cases in Lanaudière. The government has failed to inform parents of the importance of vaccinating their children.

Furthermore, Mr. Harper cut the budget by 23%—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order. The hon. member for Papineau knows that he must use titles or riding names and not proper names.

The hon. member for Papineau.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister cut the Public Health Agency of Canada's immunization budget by 23%.

Will the Prime Minister stop his useless partisan ads and immediately start promoting vaccinations for our children?

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health always advocates the use of vaccines. Vaccines have historically proven effective in improving the health of our children and families. We encourage this all the time.

As for the ads, we have a responsibility to make Canadians aware of all government measures, and we will continue to do so.

Public Safety

[Rosane Doré Lefebvre, NDP, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in its report, the RCMP says that the anti-petroleum movement—the RCMP's word, not mine—is a threat to Canada. No one here encourages or tolerates violence. However, this report clearly targets environmental organizations. In light of Bill C-51, that is very strong language.

Does the minister think that environmentalists really pose a risk to the stability of the Canadian economy?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, our bill is clear. It targets people who commit acts of terrorism. Now, the RCMP also wants to monitor people who commit such acts.

The member should read clause 2 of the bill, which clearly states that peaceful demonstrations, protests, and dissent are not covered by the bill. That should reassure her.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are right to be concerned that the Conservatives are going too far with this bill. Yesterday the minister failed to explain how the bill would impact legitimate dissent, and so today let us talk about another section.

Bill C-51 proposes a new criminal offence: to advocate or promote terrorism in general.

Canada already has strong laws that make it an offence to incite a terrorist act. Can the minister provide a single example showing that such a new offence is necessary?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, we saw this weekend that Copenhagen and the world are at war with the jihadist international movement.

Our anti-terrorism bill is clear. Our security agencies can only target those who pose a risk to Canada and not legitimate dissent. The member should read clause 2 of the bill, which clearly states that an activity that undermines the security of Canada “does not include lawful advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression”. Please read the bill.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the word “lawful” is a new insertion there, which seems to say that most dissent is something other than lawful.

Today the government failed to give us a single example of the new activities CSIS would be allowed to engage in to disrupt under Bill C-51. The minister still cannot clearly explain the provisions of the bill that experts think will impact legitimate dissent and free speech.

How can Canadians trust the current government if members will not answer basic questions about what is in the bill with anything except talking points?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we saw the NDP oppose a bill to fight terrorism. Yesterday, we saw them oppose measures to improve parliamentary security on the Hill. They are even incapable of saying that the attacks on October 22, here in Ottawa, were terrorist attacks.

Canadians can count on our government to put effective measures in place to protect Canada from terrorism.

Employment Insurance

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

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to employment insurance, it looks like the arrival of a new minister does not herald a new approach. First the Conservatives imposed harsh restrictions on employment insurance, and now they are telling departmental officials to make it harder for unemployed workers to get the benefits they are entitled to. Officials who are a little too helpful are getting slapped on the wrist. That makes no sense.

Instead of attacking unemployed workers and public servants, why do the Conservatives not attack unemployment by creating jobs?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, my predecessor worked to eliminate wait times for benefits. He succeeded. Currently, over half of the people receive their benefits in less than 28 days.

We are also working to create more jobs by lowering taxes. We are trying to put more money in the pockets of businesses and individuals to promote economic activity and create opportunities for people to work.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in December 2004, the member for Nepean—Carleton told the House that it was “...not politicians, who create jobs”. It is an odd statement, given he is now the jobs minister.

Fewer than four in 10 unemployed Canadians are now getting benefits, and now he has been given this new responsibility. What will the minister do to fix EI so that it actually works for unemployed Canadians, or is that somebody else's job?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member illustrates the distinction between the two sides of the House. On that side, they believe in increasing taxes, increasing the burden on families and employers so that politicians and bureaucrats can hoard all the money for themselves.

On this side of the House, we believe in reducing taxes, which has created 1.2 million net new jobs. We have lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty, including during the recession, and Canadians are better off. Our job record is the best out of all the G7 countries. Low taxes work.

Child Care

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what nonsense. From job losses to EI to their failure to create child care spaces—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order. The hon. member for London—Fanshawe has the floor. Members need to come to order.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad you reminded them of their manners.

From job losses to EI to their failure to create child care spaces, Conservative economic mismanagement is hurting ordinary Canadians. Labour force participation is at a 15-year low, and people like Jillanne Mignon, who wants to work but cannot afford the high cost of child care, are out of luck.

Why will the Conservatives not adopt the NDP leader's plan for affordable child care and ensure that all parents who want to work are given the opportunity to work?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Minister of State (Social Development)]

Mr. Speaker, here is the difference between their plan and our plan. Our plan gives power to parents: rural parents, parents who are not working nine to five, parents who may be using another family member to help look after their children, or parents who make a decision themselves to stay home and look after their children. Our plan puts money into the pockets of every single Canadian family with children. Their plan would help less than 10% of all Canadian families.