House of Commons Hansard #200 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was via.

Topics

Senate Speaker Pierre Claude NolinRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

I now invite hon. members to rise to observe a moment of silence in honour of the late Honourable Pierre Claude Nolin, Speaker of the Senate.

[A moment of silence observed]

Natural ResourcesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar Saskatchewan

Conservative

Kelly Block ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, in relation to Bill C-46, an act to amend the National Energy Board Act and the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act.

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Independence of the Judiciary ActRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-669, an act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the independence of the judiciary act, which would ensure that judges have the necessary discretion to impose principled and proportionate sentences tailored to the particularities of individual circumstances, individual offenders, and individual victims.

Everyone in this House seeks to prevent crime and keep Canadians safe. Sometimes, however, measures intended to achieve these laudable objectives, which we all share, turn out to be ineffective, counterproductive, and unjust. Such is unfortunately the case with the government's ever-increasing reliance on mandatory minimum sentencing provisions.

As the Supreme Court said last week, “Empirical evidence suggests that mandatory minimum sentences do not, in fact, deter crimes.” Instead, they lead to prison overcrowding. They disproportionately impact aboriginals and other minority groups. They increase costs for taxpayers. They may violate the charter, and they are, as one American study put it, a recipe for recidivism.

While the bill would maintain the mandatory minimum sentencing requirement where warranted, it would allow judges to vary mandated sentences where it is deemed just and reasonable to do so, provided they give written reasons for doing so.

It is in the interests of both justice and public safety that the sentence fit the particularities of the crime.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Navigation Protection ActRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

NDP

Mylène Freeman NDP Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-670, An Act to amend the Navigation Protection Act (Viceroy Lake and other lakes and rivers).

Mr. Speaker, in honour of Earth Day earlier this week, I rise today to introduce a bill in response to the changes this government made to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, changes that have left over 1,000 waterways in my riding without protection.

The riding I represent has a wealth of waterways that are truly at the heart of the identity and the economy of my region. Our lakes and rivers are more than just waterways, even though we benefit a great deal from them from a socio-economic standpoint; they are also symbolic of our life, history and culture.

However, the Conservatives removed thousands of waterways from the Navigable Waters Protection Act, limiting the protection to only about 100 lakes and about 60 rivers all across the country. Lakes and rivers are a public resource that must be protected for future generations.

That is why I am proposing that 46 major lakes and rivers in my riding of Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel be reintroduced to the Navigable Waters Protection Act. They include Lake Simon, Lac des Plages, Big McDonald Lake, Echo Lake, Barron Lake and Rivière du Nord.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Canada PostPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

NDP

Niki Ashton NDP Churchill, MB

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present a petition signed by hundreds of residents of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, who are sending a clear message calling on the government to reverse its cuts to home delivery. I acknowledge the work of Lon Borgerson and the members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in sharing these voices.

Home delivery is a fundamental service for people in Prince Albert and in communities across our country. The Government of Canada ought to listen to the people of Saskatchewan and all Canadians who call on their government to show some leadership and save our Canada Post.

AgriculturePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Speaker, I stand to present a petition to respect the right of small-scale family farmers to preserve, exchange, and use seeds. I want to note that in Bill C-18. that ability for farmers to preserve and use their seeds is protected.

Northern Gateway PipelinePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present three petitions. Two are related to very similar topics. The first relates to the effort by Enbridge to create something called the northern gateway pipeline. Petitioners, primarily from Sooke and Surrey area, are calling on the government to resist those efforts.

The EnvironmentPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, another petition calls for the House to pass a clear legislated and permanent ban on crude oil tankers on the west coast to protect B.C.'s fisheries, tourism, cultural communities, and natural ecosystems. The petitioners are from the Vancouver area.

Public SafetyPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, the third petition has over 1,700 signatures from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. The petitioners are calling for the House to reject Bill C-51, which the petitioners point out will create a framework that is inconsistent with international law and Canadian civil liberties.

AutismPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present several petitions regarding autism spectrum disorders, which are characterized by social and communication challenges and a pattern of repetitive behaviours and interests. They are lifelong, affect development and life experiences, and exert emotional and financial pressures on families. The petitioners call on the government to work with the provinces, territories, and stakeholders to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for autism spectrum disorders.

JusticePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Conservative

Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to present a petition from my beautiful riding of Yellowhead. My constituents are calling on the Government of Canada to pass legislation recognizing pre-born children as separate victims when they are injured or killed during the commission of an offence against their mothers, allowing two charges to be laid against the offender instead of just one.

Marijuana Grow-opsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Conservative

Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition today from the community of Markham, which is suffering from the consequences of a marijuana home grow-op across the street from a school. The petitioners call on the government to do everything in its power to make sure that all facilities like these in communities are closed down. The petitioners also support this government's actions to do just that, and I support the petitioners in this.

Foreign AffairsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present two petitions.

The first is a petition signed by more than 500 Canadians.

The petitioners are asking the Government of Canada to immediately employ all diplomatic means necessary to ensure that Raïf Badawi is released and reunited with his family, which has sought refuge in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Raïf was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for creating an online forum in Saudi Arabia.

The petitioners are joining parliamentarians from all political parties who adopted a motion to that end during a meeting of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights on February 26.

Falun GongPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on behalf of Canadians who are concerned about the practice of forced organ harvesting by the Chinese government regime on prisoners, including Falun Gong practitioners.

The petitioners call on the government to take measures to end the Chinese regime's practice of killing Falun Gong practitioners for their organs, to amend Canadian legislation to combat forced organ harvesting, and to publicly call for China to end its persecution of Falun Gong.

Having introduced Bill C-561 to further restrict organ trafficking and having heard testimony on this practice at our foreign affairs subcommittee on international human rights, I am pleased to stand in solidarity with these petitioners.

ProstitutionPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Conservative

Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK

Mr. Speaker, this petition is from 355 signatories, from B.C. all the way across to Newfoundland in our fair country.

The petitioners draw Parliament's attention to the fact that a high percentage of prostitutes are forced into the sex trade and are trafficked. The petitioners are calling on the Parliament of Canada to legislate such that it be a criminal offence to purchase sex from a woman, man, or child and that it be a criminal offence for pimps, madams, and others to profit from the proceeds of this pernicious sex trade.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Okanagan—Coquihalla B.C.

Conservative

Dan Albas ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 1103 and 1109.

Question No. 1103Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

NDP

Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS

With regard to Veterans Affairs Canada and its contracts with Medavie Blue Cross Inc. (Medavie): (a) what services did Medavie provide from 2006 to 2015 inclusive; (b) what is the total value of all such contracts for all services provided, from 2006 to 2015 inclusive; (c) what is value of all such contracts for each fiscal year from 2006 to 2015 inclusive; (d) what are the values of such contracts from 2006 to 2015 inclusive, broken down by service provided; and (e) what are the details of each such contract signed in 2014, including (i) total contract value, (ii) description of work and services, (iii) contract period, including the end date?

Question No. 1103Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), Veterans Affairs Canada uses a contract with Medavie Inc., to manage health claims processing services. The major services provided to Veterans Affairs Canada under the current operational contract with Medavie Inc., include: provider claims processing, where claims are submitted by Medavie registered service providers; authorization process for specific pharmacy products; authorization of treatment benefits; client reimbursement for treatment benefits, veterans independence program and health-related travel claims; veterans independence program annual follow-up to ensure client needs are being met; and responding to general inquiries.

With regard to (b), the current operational contract was awarded January 7, 2002 and ends July 31, 2015. The value for each of the major services provided in the contract are not all broken down by year. The current value of this contract including taxes is $386,053,494.00.

With regard to (c), the current operational contract covers multiple fiscal years. The current operational contract was awarded January 7, 2002 and ends July 31, 2015. The value for each of the major services provided in the contract are not all broken down by fiscal year. The current value of this contract including taxes is $386,053,494.00.

With regard to (d), the following outlines the work and values included in the current operational contract, excluding taxes: development and administrative costs: $112.2 million; claims processing: $183.6 million; authorization of pharmacy products: $14.1 million; treatment authorization services: $23 million; veterans independence program follow-up: $3 million; and client calls: $1.4 million.

With regard to (e) (i), the current value for the Public Works and Government Services Canada contract awarded in 2014 including taxes is $163,828,974.98.

With regard to (e) (ii), the services covered under this contract are primarily the same as those contained in the previous contract, see response (a) above.

With regard to (e) (iii), the contract awarded on January 6, 2014 will have an eight-month development period then be operational from August 1, 2015 until July 31, 2022. The contract has two additional two-year option periods.

Question No. 1109Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Independent

Scott Andrews Independent Avalon, NL

With regard to the Department of Employment and Social Development, and the processing of Employment Insurance claims for 2014-2015: (a) what percentage of such claims are computer-generated and what is the average timeframe to process those claims; (b) what percentage of claims are dealt with by agents and what is the average timeframe to process those claims; and (c) what is the average lapse of time between the date when an appeal is requested of the Social Security Tribunal, and the date when the appeal is heard?

Question No. 1109Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley Nova Scotia

Conservative

Scott Armstrong ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), Service Canada does not distinguish between fully and partially automated employment insurance claims.

Service Canada tracks the average number of days from date of application for EI to date of first payment. As of February 2015, the average was 24 days. It does not distinguish the time to first payment based on the level of automation.

With regard to (b), Service Canada does not distinguish between fully and partially automated EI claims.

Service Canada tracks the average number of days from date of application for EI to date of first payment. As of February 2015, the average was 24 days. It does not distinguish the time to first payment based on the level of automation.

With regard to (c), the average processing time for the Social Security Tribunal, general division, employment insurance cases received between January 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015 is at 120 days.

As a result of the highly successful reconsideration phase under the new system, fewer EI claims are ending up before the tribunal and the average processing time for an appeal has been significantly reduced.

Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

April 24th, 2015 / 12:25 p.m.

Okanagan—Coquihalla B.C.

Conservative

Dan Albas ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, if Questions No. 1102 and 1104 to 1108 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled immediately.

Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

Is that agreed?

Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Question No. 1102Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

NDP

Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS

With regard to the Last Post Fund and agreements in place with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) related to funeral expenses: (a) for each year from 2006 to 2015 inclusive, how many requests to cover funerals and burial costs have been received by the Last Post Fund; (b) of the requests in (a), how many were (i) accepted, (ii) rejected; (c) of the requests rejected in (b)(ii), how many were denied because they did not meet (i) service-related disability qualifications, (ii) income threshold levels; (d) of the requests accepted in (b)(i), how many were from (i) traditional veterans (First World War, Second World War, Korean War), (ii) modern day veterans (post-Korea); and (e) of the requests rejected in (b)(ii), how many were from (i) traditional veterans (First World War, Second World War, Korean War), (ii) modern day veterans (post-Korea)?

(Return tabled)