House of Commons Hansard #205 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was elections.

Topics

International Workers' DayStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

The hon. member for Selkirk—Interlake.

Human Rights in IranStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake, MB

Mr. Speaker, this week is Iran Accountability Week, a week to address the Iranian threat.

I am proud to be a part of the Iranian political prisoner advocacy program. This year, I am advocating for Dr. Omid Kokabee, a 33-year-old Iranian experimental laser physicist. He has attended university in Iran, Spain and Texas.

During a family visit to Iran in 2011, he was arrested and has been in detention in Tehran's notorious Evin prison ever since. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of the unsubstantiated charges of communicating with a hostile government, meaning the Americans, and receiving illegitimate funds. The so-called illegitimate funds are actually the normal stipend given to doctoral students at the University of Texas.

Dr. Kokabee has publicly stated that he is being persecuted for repeatedly refusing to work on Iranian military projects and help fulfill Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Dr. Kokabee is yet another example of the travesty of justice in Iran, and his imprisonment is a flagrant abuse of human rights. I call on President Rouhani to exercise clemency, suspend his sentence and immediately release Dr. Kokabee.

Physical Punishment of ChildrenStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Joyce Murray Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the house today to draw attention to a serious issue that has affected the lives of far too many Canadians, the physical punishment of children. This hurtful practice affects the cognitive, emotional and physical development of kids and can result in lifelong repercussions. Shockingly, section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada still permits this cruel form of punishment, an archaic flaw in our legal system to say the least.

Meanwhile, over 40 countries around the world have banned the physical abuse of children. Federal civil servant Corinne Robertshaw became concerned about reports of child injuries and deaths caused by parents and caregivers, and dedicated her life to repealing section 43.

An advocacy group called Corinne's Quest was started in her name. I want to thank Vancouver Quadra constituents Barbara Claridge and steering committee chair Kathy Lynn for their work on this important cause.

I invite all parliamentarians to work together towards ending the physical punishment of children on behalf of the health and well-being of Canadian children today and for future generations.

Natural ResourcesStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

Mr. Speaker, the positions the NDP have taken on natural resource projects are extreme and alarming, and Albertans have a right to be very concerned.

The NDP has called for a royalty review, and have come out against northern gateway, an essential energy infrastructure project for getting our oil to international markets. The last royalty review cost the province billions of dollars in investments and cost thousands of Albertans their jobs. It also shook the confidence of the Alberta economy, and that is the last thing that Alberta needs right now.

The NDP is also calling for higher taxes on job creators which would kill jobs right across the province. Unlike the path the NDP would go down, our Conservative government has committed to lowering taxes on entrepreneurs.

Unfortunately, the Alberta NDP is taking its cues from the folks across the way. It is supporting higher taxes that Albertans cannot afford. It would kill jobs that Albertans desperately need, and would bring forward a job-killing carbon tax that would raise the price of everything.

World Press Freedom DayStatements By Members

11 a.m.

NDP

Craig Scott NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, to pay tribute to the essential work that journalists do to inform the public and to speak truth to power. I also pay special tribute to Kathy Gannon, who has received this year's Press Freedom Award. I also cannot let the moment pass without again drawing attention to Egypt's treatment of Canadian journalist, Mohamed Fahmy, who remains in legal jeopardy and is still not home.

As a former commissioner for the civil society Truth Commission established after the 2009 coup in Honduras, I came to better understand the bravery of a principled press. Honduras was the most dangerous place for media professionals in the world—intimidation, threats to family members, assaults, multiple assassinations, forced exile.

Today, too little attention is being paid to the deteriorating situation in another country. I speak of Turkey, where the government has been launching raids on media institutions and detaining journalists in large numbers. Turkey must step back from its deeply worrisome drift into repressive rule.

Public SafetyStatements By Members

May 1st, 2015 / 11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this chamber, the opposition parties decided to filibuster the proceedings of the House. Led by the NDP member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley, the opposition parties shamefully chose to trash the RCMP Hill security members as the subject of their filibuster. They chose to criticize the RCMP and complain about being held up on their trip to the House for a mere few minutes due to the security measures deemed necessary by the RCMP to protect the precinct of the Hill.

RCMP officers have a job to do and they do it every day with the potential always that they may find their lives at risk to protect us.

I want to counter the amateur experts in the opposition and put on record my praise and appreciation of the RCMP and the job it does to protect us, and, yes, that protection also includes those opposition members who so recklessly scorned the RCMP yesterday.

Lyme Disease Awareness DayStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Gerald Keddy Conservative South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today in recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Day.

Lyme disease is a debilitating illness that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of a blacklegged tick. The disease is on the rise across Canada, particularly in my home province of Nova Scotia. However, our government is taking action to combat this potentially fatal disease.

We consider the health and safety of Canadians one of our top priorities. We are currently working with provincial health authorities and other partners to inform Canadians of the risk of Lyme disease. We are increasing health transfers to the provinces and these funds can help further combat Lyme disease.

I had the honour of participating in the debate on a national Lyme disease strategy last year, and I am proud to say that this bill would help protect the well-being of all Canadians.

As member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margaret's and a resident of Lunenburg county, I am very aware of how much Lyme disease affects us all.

Sainte-Foy Seniors' OrganizationStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, Public Works and Government Services Canada should be contributing to the well-being of our society. Recently, an important organization in my riding, Entraide Sainte-Foy, was denied a grant under the new horizons for seniors program.

When I was informed why they were denied and when I saw that a misinterpretation was the problem, I politely asked the minister to review this decision. Last year, seniors at Entraide Sainte-Foy logged more than 14,500 rides, friendly visits and respite care visits for seniors who have lost autonomy. Entraide Sainte-Foy was trying to better prepare volunteers by creating new training sessions that reflect the realities of the growing number of seniors. This was an innovative project that fulfilled all of the eligibility criteria. This government chose to save face instead of admitting that it had made a mistake.

To govern means to encourage and support the drive of community stakeholders and to support innovative ideas. When the NDP comes to power in the next election, Canadians will truly see what it means to have a government that serves everyone.

SeniorsStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Speaker, our government has provided important and significant support for Canadian seniors. We provided the largest increase to the guaranteed income supplement in 25 years, introduced income splitting for seniors and doubled the pension income credit. This, among other measures, has removed over 380,000 seniors from the tax rolls.

Our recent budget further supports seniors by increasing the tax-free savings account limit, creating the new home accessibility tax credit and expanding the El compassionate care benefit to six months.

However, the Liberals and the NDP believe that the hard-earned savings of seniors are just another opportunity to tax. Canadian seniors know they can trust our government to lower their taxes, and provide the support and programs they need.

The EnvironmentStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, rivers in my riding of Nanaimo—Cowichan are in trouble. We are known as the “wet coast”, but climate change is leaving our rainforest parched.

This winter brought only 15% of the normal snow pack, meaning the spring melt will bring less water to refresh our watersheds, and the El Niño system in the Pacific may mean a hotter and drier summer.

Last August, a weir was used to slow the amount of water released into the Cowichan River so there would be enough flow when salmon returned to spawn. The Nanaimo River is healthier, but its winter steelhead run is in trouble, putting at risk a successful fishery and tourism industry.

The Chemainus, Koksilah and the Nitinat Rivers are all affected by logging, overfishing and urbanization.

The 2012 Conservative budget removed environmental protection for these rivers and cut fisheries habitat protection, funding many communities use to build side channels and increase awareness of impacts of logging and farming practices.

Many of my constituents see how climate change is affecting our ecosystem. People are working together to mitigate its effects, but we cannot do it as a single community. We need the federal government to work with us, not against us.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Susan Truppe Conservative London North Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, we know the Liberals and the New Democrats like big deficits and higher taxes. My constituents in London North Centre know that it is only our Conservative government that will lower taxes for the middle class.

When I was speaking to middle-class families in my riding last weekend, they told me that they were looking forward to receiving benefits from the family tax cut and especially the enhanced universal childcare benefit.

Our plan is helping 100% of families with kids put almost $2,000 back in their pockets. We are focused on keeping more money in the hands of the real experts: moms and dads.

Iran Accountability WeekStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, an all-party parliamentary group launched the fourth annual Iran Accountability Week at a most propitious time, as the P5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran have overshadowed, not sanitized, the Iranian regime's massive domestic oppression, including a horrific execution binge, intensified persecution of the Baha'i minority, criminalization of dissent, mocking World Press Freedom Day, and some 900 political prisoners languishing in Iranian prisons, many of them subject to torture and under the threat of execution.

Accordingly, a centrepiece of Iran Accountability Week is the Iranian political prisoners global advocacy project, which pairs parliamentarians with adopted Iranian political prisoners on whose behalf we advocate and seek to make their case and cause our own, such as those on whose behalf I am privileged to advocate, the Baha'i seven and Ayatollah Boroujerdi.

We stand in solidarity with these brave heroes to let them know that they are not alone and that we will not relent until their freedom and that of the Iranian people is secure.

NepalStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Norlock Conservative Northumberland—Quinte West, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are shocked by the devastation and destruction caused by the earthquake in Nepal. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost their loved ones and now must try to move on and rebuild. As always when disaster strikes, Canada is quick to respond.

Two C-17 Globemaster strategic lift aircraft from the RCAF have already delivered humanitarian aid, and were also made available to evacuate Canadians from Kathmandu. An assessment group from Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team is on the ground and assessing exactly what is needed and where our aid needs to go. We have also contributed $5 million in immediate assistance, and will match donations made by Canadians like Rotarians, Lions and Kinsmen. We also acted to ensure that additional consular staff were made available and deployed to provide assistance to Canadians.

I want to take this opportunity to thank our officials on the ground and the members of the Canadian Armed Forces, who are doing a great job despite the challenges presented by weather, terrain and the sheer scope of this disaster.

May DayStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Mike Sullivan NDP York South—Weston, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is May Day, and as the rest of the world celebrates labour, some parties in Ottawa seem to think it is still the 19th century when it comes to labour rights.

The Liberals and the Conservatives voted together against job protections for firefighters. They voted against protection for pregnant or nursing mothers. The Liberals have now lined up to attack basic labour rights on Parliament Hill, by saying that unions should not be allowed space to work or to organize.

The president of the UFCW has said, “it...sends a message from the Liberal Party of Canada that unions and the labour movement can be abused in the eyes of the public, and in parliament”. The president of the United Steelworkers said that Liberals had “chosen to attack a fundamental trade union right for partisan purposes”.

Being friends of labour does not just mean putting on our best suits, showing up at the labour hall and calling people brother. It is about having our actions match our words, something we have never seen from either the Liberals or the Conservatives.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the leader of the NDP claimed that our new family tax cut and enhanced universal child care benefit were “giveaways”. The NDP is actually upset that, thanks to our budget, people will have more money in their pockets to spend as they wish. It thinks it is entitled to their money.

That is the NDP plan and the Liberal plan for Canada. They want higher taxes on Canadian families, higher taxes on middle-class seniors and higher taxes on middle-class consumers.

We all know their plan is not right for Canada. That is why our Conservative government is reducing taxes, making life more affordable for every hard-working family in the country. We will never apologize for leaving 100% of the families in our country better off.

EmploymentOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

NDP

David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister's foot and mouth disease continues. First he said he would leave problems to our grandchildren. Then he said he has no idea how many jobs, if any at all, his budget would create. Yesterday, when asked about the thousand jobs lost at GM Oshawa, he replied that he is looking forward to October.

Do they have no sympathy for the families who just lost their jobs, and possibly their futures? Why do the Conservatives consistently put their own narrow self-interest ahead of working Canadian families'?

EmploymentOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Crowfoot Alberta

Conservative

Kevin Sorenson ConservativeMinister of State (Finance)

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts are with the workers and their families during this difficult time. We have a strong record of protecting jobs and growing manufacturing jobs. Budget 2015 created the automotive supplier innovation program, which will create jobs for Canada's automotive industry. More than 25,000 businesses in the manufacturing sector have taken advantage of the accelerated capital cost allowance, allowing them to invest back in their businesses, resulting in $1.4 billion in tax relief.

We know that the NDP would take that away from them. We will not let that happen.

EmploymentOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

NDP

David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, yesterday 1,000 people found out they would lose their jobs. One thousand families are reeling, looking to find some way to make ends meet. Yet the Conservatives are more interested in their election scheming than they are in helping them find new jobs. These families are out of work because of the current government's unbalanced approach to the economy, and as a result, we have lost more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs on their watch.

Why did the Conservatives ignore these families in a budget that gives billions in handouts to the wealthy few?

EmploymentOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont Alberta

Conservative

Mike Lake ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, the claims of that member are 100% false. This was a restructuring plan, first of all, that was announced in 2012. General Motors has advised us that nearly all of the restructuring will be achieved by the voluntary retirement of some workers at its Oshawa facility.

GM continues to make capital investments in Ontario facilities, including plants in Ingersoll, Ontario, and St. Catharines, Ontario. GM also announced this week that it is hiring 100 engineers at its Oshawa plant for research and development work.

National DefenceOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

NDP

David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, if the member thinks he has such great news, go on down to Oshawa and take that answer.

The report on sexual assault in the military has shocked and outraged all Canadians, and it is more outrageous that the government is only accepting two of ten recommendations in the report. Time to study implementation is one thing, but what we are seeing here is a real resistence to putting an independent body in place to handle complaints.

The military justice system obviously needs a major overhaul.

Since the government has said it fully supports the report, will it now commit to fully implementing the report immediately?

National DefenceOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Selkirk—Interlake Manitoba

Conservative

James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, we want to thank Madame Deschamps for her report.

This is not a partisan issue. There is no place for sexual abuse and misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces. The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Tom Lawson, has accepted the report's recommendations and is acting upon them.

Since 2006 our government has continuously fought on behalf of victims and has enhanced laws in this country to combat sexual assault.

National DefenceOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

NDP

Sadia Groguhé NDP Saint-Lambert, QC

Mr. Speaker, the report by Justice Deschamps reveals how miserably the army failed to protect its own members by tolerating a culture where sexual misconduct is widespread. In 2014, two journalists from L'actualité revealed that since 2000 there had been an average of 178 complaints of sexual assault every year in the Canadian Armed Forces and that hundreds of other cases were not reported.

Why did the minister wait so long to deal with this scandal?

National DefenceOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Selkirk—Interlake Manitoba

Conservative

James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, nobody who has chosen to stand on guard for Canada should have to put up with this disgusting behaviour.

Now, the Chief of the Defence Staff has stood up, with the strategic response team, under the leadership of Major-General Whitecross. She was clear yesterday that the Canadian Armed Forces is looking at how to best implement the report's recommendations in order to stop sexual abuse in the Canadian Armed Forces.

National DefenceOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

NDP

Sadia Groguhé NDP Saint-Lambert, QC

Mr. Speaker, Justice Deschamps's report demands a strong and immediate response from the government. The Chief of the Defence Staff is promising an action plan, but does not seem to know, and I quote, “what the government expects”. What Canadians expect is protection and respect for women in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Will the minister tell his Chief of the Defence Staff that so that he implements all the recommendations in the report?

National DefenceOral Questions

11:20 a.m.

Selkirk—Interlake Manitoba

Conservative

James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, the Chief of the Defence Staff has been very clear. Major-General Christine Whitecross has been very clear. They are looking at how they can best implement all of the recommendations and ensure that complaints are handled and received properly in a modern system.

The Chief of the Defence Staff also said yesterday that within the Canadian Forces, there needs to be a cultural shift.