House of Commons Hansard #179 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was injuries.
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the government has committed to spending $75 million to repaint the Quebec Bridge. Together, all three levels of government have committed to spending $100 million on this major project. We are asking CN to come to the table and contribute the additional funding needed to make it happen.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, since CN is saying it wants to be left out of this, the government will have to listen to Mayor Labeaume and ask Bill Gates to put pressure on CN; Bill Gates is one of the main shareholders.
The main estimates tabled yesterday by the President of the Treasury Board show a shocking drop in funding for Marine Atlantic. There will be an 85% drop in funding, which includes $97 million in reductions for its operational budget.
Marine Atlantic represents the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people in Atlantic Canada and it is constitutionally mandated.
Is the government proposing either higher fees for Marine Atlantic, reduced services or both?
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, maybe the hon. Leader of the Opposition should speak to somebody in his caucus because this morning, indeed, a member of the NDP did call Marine Atlantic's CEO to get an explanation.
The CEO explained it as follows. It is returning to the base level of funding because this government has provided to it an incredible amount of funding for revitalization of Marine Atlantic.
We have built new facilities. We have entered into new charter agreements. We have invested in Marine Atlantic, so that it will continue to offer the service that we are so proud to offer here in Canada.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court handed down its decision two weeks ago now. Despite a full day of discussion yesterday, we still do not know this government's plan. In fact, there is even more confusion.
Can the government give us a clear indication of what it intends to do about the important issue of physician-assisted death?
Robert Goguen ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice
Mr. Speaker, dying with dignity is a non-partisan issue. It is also an extremely emotionally charged issue. Canadians have diverse viewpoints on this, and our plan is to engage all Canadians in a consultation process that will take into consideration the diverse viewpoints of all Canadians in order to reach a conclusion that is acceptable to everyone.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, one of the big things the Prime Minister needs to get right is getting our resources to market.
With President Obama's veto of the Keystone XL pipeline, the Prime Minister has not fulfilled that responsibility.
To build the public trust that we need to grow our exports, will he at long last work with the provinces to put a price on carbon?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we know this member's position: budgets balance themselves and energy projects get to market by themselves.
That said, with respect to Keystone, this is a debate between Canada and the United States, a debate between the president and the American people, the majority of whom are supportive of this project.
Keystone XL would create jobs, strengthen energy security for North America, and the state department was clear that it can be environmentally, sustainably done through Keystone XL.
It is not a question of if, it is a question of when this project will be approved. We will continue to be a strong advocate for responsible resource management.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, there is no international relationship more important to Canada than that between the U.S. president and the Canadian prime minister.
A diplomatic failure of this magnitude was unthinkable between Brian Mulroney and Ronald Reagan or between Jean Chrétien and Bill Clinton.
When will the Prime Minister take personal responsibility for this diplomatic failure?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, in the last year alone, in full co-operation with the secretary for the department of energy, we have made significant progress in a number of key files related to energy.
Indeed, we have a relationship worth $140 billion a year in energy trade. We have the most advanced power and gas and oil grids, and pipeline systems known the world over.
We move forward in energy terms as full partners. We are aligned with the United States on reducing emissions and lead the way, for example, in phasing-out traditional coal powered plants on which the president followed our lead.
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice is also the Attorney General of Canada. It is his responsibility to assess whether bills introduced here, in Parliament, are legally valid. Experts are already questioning the constitutionality of certain aspects of Bill C-51.
Did the Minister of Justice do his homework and obtain a legal opinion on whether Bill C-51 is constitutional, and will he undertake to submit it to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, which is responsible for studying the bill?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague knows very well that the government makes sure that all the bills it introduces are constitutional.
The bill will protect Canadians' rights. It contains several provisions that increase the powers of the attorney general of Canada and of judges, especially when it comes to legal considerations surrounding the activities that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service might undertake to protect Canadians.
I look forward to debating this bill in committee, and I hope that we can count on the co-operation of the opposition.
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to square that answer with the government's impressive record for passing unconstitutional legislation.
Instead of real scrutiny at committee, what the Conservatives seem to prefer is rubber stamp approval. However, it is precisely because the minister has been unwilling or unable to answer critical questions about this sweeping bill in the House, that Bill C-51 needs full study at committee.
Why is the government always seeking to shut down debate instead of allowing a serious review of sweeping and dangerous legislation like Bill C-51.
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we believe that security and liberty go hand in hand.
In order for liberty to flourish, we need security. That is why parliamentarians must give our security and intelligence forces the tools they need to protect Canadians. These are services that most other democratic countries have. However, we will ensure that there is judicial oversight.
I look forward to discussing these issues in committee.
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, once again, it is difficult to square that answer with the budget cuts to CSIS and the RCMP.
There are new reports today that the Communications Security Establishment is collecting millions of emails from Canadians to government agencies and storing associated metadata for months or even years. Yet, only four emails a day are considered serious threats.
Open-ended surveillance and maintenance of these records is concerning for Canadians, especially given the weak oversight of security agencies like the Communications Security Establishment.
Could the minister explain why this data is being held for so long?
James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, every communication with the Government of Canada network is monitored for malware and viruses. The only information that is used, retained or shared is information from malicious actors attempting to harm the Government of Canada network.
The independent CSE Commissioner constantly and thoroughly scrutinizes CSE's activities. The CSE Commissioner has never found CSE to have acted unlawfully and has noted CSE's respect for the privacy of all Canadians.
Rosane Doré Lefebvre NDP Alfred-Pellan, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' haste clearly shows that Canadians have reason to be distrustful of them.
A real study involving multiple meetings and key witnesses is necessary to ensure that we do not pass a bad bill. The consequences are too serious here. The minister is not even capable of explaining his bill to the House.
Why then is he trying to prevent us from thoroughly reviewing it in committee? What does he have to hide?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, the measures set out in Bill C-51 are designed to protect Canadians.
It is a no-brainer to share information, prevent terrorists from boarding our planes and allow intelligence officers to dissuade people from falling prey to radicalization.
Bill C-51 contains measures to prevent radicalization and it is consistent with Canadian laws.
What are the New Democrats afraid of? For years, they have consistently opposed all of the measures that we have put in place to protect Canadians from the terrorist threat. Why?
Rosane Doré Lefebvre NDP Alfred-Pellan, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' lack of credibility can also be attributed to their doublespeak on the subject.
They say that they are concerned about Canadians' safety, but again yesterday, we learned that the law enforcement budget set out in the estimates was reduced by 25%. Moreover, $1.5 billion that was allocated to the RCMP was diverted for other purposes.
Rather than engaging in more rhetoric, why does the minister not invest where it counts when it comes time to keep Canadians safe?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, we have increased the budget for intelligence services and the RCMP seven times, despite a lack of support from the opposition.
It is important to remember the measures that we have introduced, such as the legislation to combat terrorism, revoke passports and revoke the dual citizenship of individuals found guilty of terrorism, as well as Bill C-51, which is before us now.
Why do the New Democrats oppose the measures that we are putting in place to protect Canadians?
Let us send this bill to committee, examine the issue and, most importantly, take action. Canadians expect us to do something about this.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, as the Conservatives prepare to give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service considerable powers, the body responsible for reviewing this service will only get an extra $10,000 this year. That is ridiculous. The body has a limited budget, its members sit part time, and it has a limited mandate to ask questions after the fact, so how can the Conservatives claim that the Security Intelligence Review Committee can truly provide oversight of CSIS's activities?
Steven Blaney ConservativeMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, the premise of this question is false. The member opposite fails to understand how SIRC operates and, actually, how the main estimates function.
We provide funding that is necessary, both for SIRC and CSIS to operate. Regarding the need, SIRC, as we know, investigates complaints and reviews specific CSIS investigations and activities.
We are proud to stand by SIRC, ensuring that it has the resources and the authority to fully, in an independent way not with partisan politics, review the activities of our intelligence community.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, speaking of main estimates, Environment Canada's funding for climate change and clean air has been slashed by 20%. That is $32 million less for clean air.
To make things worse, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency was cut by a whopping 44%, scrapping support for aboriginal consultation on resource projects.
The environmental assessment process was bad enough and Canadians do not trust the government on the environment as it is, so why is it pursuing these cuts?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, it is well-known that the main estimates are exactly that, estimates, and do not represent the entire budget for the department.
Our government will remain committed to strong environmental assessments. In fact, we have increased funding and opportunities for aboriginal consultation and public participation in the environmental assessment process.
Ryan Cleary NDP St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Mr. Speaker, the main estimates show that Marine Atlantic has taken a $97 million hit in its operating budget. That is an 85% cut to the critical transportation link for Newfoundland and Labrador ferry services that the people and the economy cannot live without. The government has an obligation to protect this ferry service under our terms of union. People are worried.
I spoke with Marine Atlantic today about those funding cuts, and it said, “Wait for the budget”. What is the deal? Will services be cut? Yes or no?
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will have an opportunity to read into the record exactly what the CEO of Marine Atlantic told him on the telephone. It was a little bit more than that. The reason I know is because we have had a conversation with Marine Atlantic to ensure the fact that it is comfortable going forward with the amounts that are in the main estimates.
We will continue to work with it in its budgeting to ensure that it provides the service that we have so well invested in, in the past five years.