Debates of May 1st, 2015

Employment Insurance

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, of course, the EI fund was supplemented by the general revenue from taxpayers during the recession. Now it is being returned to the general revenue for taxpayers.

The focus of our EI program is to make sure that if people lose their jobs through no fault of their own, the EI program will be there for them, for Canadians. The EI program is sound. It works. Please stand up and support the EI program. Support the workers in this country.

Employment

[Chris Charlton, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to get lower than gutting EI just to pay for benefits for the rich, but these callous Conservatives just do not seem to care. Thousands of families are struggling to make ends meet and they are getting absolutely no help from the government. Instead, 1,000 more auto workers are now out of work and add to that 400,000 manufacturing jobs already lost under the government.

When will the Conservatives own up to their dismal job numbers and introduce a real plan to create and protect family-sustaining jobs?

[Kevin Sorenson, Conservative, Minister of State (Finance)]

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts are with the workers and their families during this difficult time. Our government has a strong record of protecting and growing manufacturing jobs. Budget 2015 created the automotive supplier innovation program that will create jobs in 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 business, creating more jobs.

The opposition votes against these measures. We know we will stand up for the consumers and the workers.

National Defence

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Deschamps report on sexual harassment in the military outlines a culture of sexualization and abuse, particularly against women and LGBTQ members. This is inexcusable. This must be fixed now. The report laid out 10 recommendations on how to begin turning this horrific situation around. Yesterday, the government claimed to accept all 10 recommendations, but the Chief of Defence Staff said that he only accepts two and will study the rest. Who is telling the truth, the military or the government?

[James Bezan, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to remind this member that it was the Chief of Defence Staff who ordered this independent external review by Madam Chief Justice Deschamps. I can say that they have received the report, accepted the recommendations and are now currently looking at how to implement those recommendations. The Chief of Defence Staff has stood up the strategic response team, led by Major General Christine Whitecross.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Well, no answer there.

Mr. Speaker, the current government has allowed this abusive and misogynistic situation in the Canadian Armed Forces to persist. The military has both condoned inappropriate and abusive behaviour, and turned a blind eye or punished those who have complained. The minister is accountable for his department and a phantom action plan is simply not enough. Will the government take full responsibility for allowing this toxic behaviour, apologize to the victims, and make sure the abusers and enablers are held to account?

[James Bezan, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, this is not a partisan issue. Our thoughts are with the victims. We find this abuse completely disgusting. That is why the Chief of Defence Staff asked for this report and will be reviewing and implementing these recommendations to ensure that this culture is changed and that public education and awareness is increased, and to provide a safe vehicle for complaints to come forward.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is sad to have to mention this, but under the law, the Minister of National Defence is responsible for the Canadian Forces. He is accountable for all matters of national defence.

Why is the minister not responding to this scathing report on sexual harassment in the armed forces? Why did he not ensure that the budget included resources to protect the victims of this despicable abuse? Will he apologize to the victims and personally ensure that the Deschamps report is implemented?

[James Bezan, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, Major General Christine Whitecross was clear yesterday that they are looking at how to best implement the report's recommendations, such as providing the proper services and support to the victims to ensure that victims can come forward without fear of repercussion and that the culture within the Canadian Armed Forces changes. We are supporting the Canadian Armed Forces in this endeavour and we thank Madam Deschamps for her report.

The Environment

[Craig Scott, NDP, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has gone from climate change laggard under the Liberals to climate change embarrassment under the Conservatives, with weakened and missed targets, and a caucus that is a safe haven for climate deniers. Now the Prime Minister is saying that our next set of targets will not even match the U.S. after he spent 10 years telling us that we would harmonize with the U.S.

Canada needs to bring new targets to Paris this year. Our contribution is absolutely crucial. When will the government announce new ambitious targets to fight the climate crisis?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, we have always said that to effectively reduce global greenhouse gas emissions all major emitters must be on board. We have aligned regulations with the United States in several areas, and are working closer together to developing clean energy. Canada has one of the cleanest electricity supplies, with 80% of our economy coming from sources that emit no greenhouse gas emissions. The United States has only 30%. At home, our government is reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy.

[Anne Minh-Thu Quach, NDP, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, climate change is one of the biggest threats we are facing. The government's solution is to try to hide its incompetence behind public relations stunts. Congratulations. As a result, reduction targets keep going down and there are no real regulations for major polluters. In short, there is no great hope on the horizon.

Is this another problem for the Prime Minister's granddaughter to sort out, or is the Prime Minister going to take action to help our planet?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, we will submit Canada's greenhouse gas emission targets sometime this month or next month.

Greenhouse gas emission targets reflect actions by all levels of government, so we are seeking additional information from the provinces and territories on how they intend to meet their targets. This Conservative government is the first government in Canadian history to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we will continue to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without a job-killing carbon tax.

Food Safety

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, three years after the largest meat recall in Canada due to the E. coli contamination at XL Foods, things are not getting any better.

Four cases of tainted meat were discovered by American inspectors last year. We also learned that plant workers are not consistently being given clean clothes and that some of the bathrooms do not have running water. However, if anyone is washing their hands, it is the Conservatives.

Why is the government so flippant about the safety of our food?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, action was taken back in 2014, and prior. All issues have been resolved; none have been left outstanding. It is important to note that nearly 40 inspection staff are on the ground in this facility every single day. For additional reassurance, CFIA is sending in an inspection verification team.

Again for Canadians, it is important to note that The Conference Board of Canada rates our food safety system number one against 17 OECD countries, including the U.S.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government's response is too little, too late. After the largest beef recall in Canadian history, an independent review concluded that the CFIA needed to improve its inspection program. The minister failed to do that. Sending in new inspectors now to inspect the old inspectors does not really solve the problem.

Conservatives have systematically undermined the capacity of inspectors to do their jobs. What are the Conservatives going to do to permanently strengthen our food safety system?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, not only are the opposition allegations not accurate, they are irresponsibly undermining confidence in our food safety systems.

Again, it is important to note that all issues have been dealt with. The Conference Board of Canada rates our system number one out of 17 countries, and that includes the U.S.

Natural Resources

[LaVar Payne, Conservative, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our government believes in responsible resource development.

Sadly, it was not long ago that NDP members went to Washington to campaign against resource jobs. They have a proven record of opposing natural resource projects, and referred to the oil sands as a disease.

Our government, on the other hand, has always stood up for the energy sector. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services tell this House what our government is doing to support the resource sector?

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, the position the NDP has taken on the energy industry is alarming and extreme. Albertans have every right to be concerned.

The NDP has called for a royalty review and has come out against the Northern Gateway. The last time a royalty review was conducted, it cost the province billions of dollars of investment and it cost thousands of Albertans their jobs.

Unfortunately, the Alberta NDP is taking cues from the federal NDP. Unfortunately, the plan would lead to higher taxes, killed jobs and a destabilized economy in the province.

Public Safety

[Alexandrine Latendresse, NDP, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to public safety, the Conservatives are all talk and no action.

By way of evidence, we learned that the RCMP's database—which, in passing, is badly out of date, with delays dating back several years—will have its budget cut by 10% this year. We are talking about information that is essential to police officers, who are being asked to work in the dark.

How can the minister go ahead with these cuts?

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely false. This government has actually increased the resources to our national security agencies, including the RCMP. We have actually done that seven times. The seven times we have done those increases, that member has voted against them.

Canadians know that when it comes to supporting our men and women who keep Canadians safe, it is this government that is going to give them the legislative tools, the funding for crime prevention and also the funding to get the job done.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Police Information Centre database is being cut by the Conservative government. It is outrageous that police are being asked to do a dangerous job without complete information. It puts them and the public at risk.

Why does the minister seem to be content to sit back and let the police operate in the dark for another two years? Why is he cutting resources to this modernization project when he should be doing what it takes to get that database up to date right now?

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, our Conservative government has provided significant funding to the RCMP. We have provided legislative tools in order to keep Canadians safe. In fact, it is our government that has passed more than 30 tough on crime bills to do just that. We are also the party that has invested more than $30 million on crime prevention right across the country.

Canada Post

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week, city counsellors heard from people from across Ottawa who are concerned about home mail delivery. In neighbourhoods like densely populated Centretown, people are worried about super boxes taking over scarce green space.

The Conservatives are turning their backs on the people of Ottawa. For example, they have given Canada Post the power to put these super mailboxes wherever they want, regardless of what the city wants or what local people want. They have run roughshod over their rights. When will the Conservatives stop this reckless plan?

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the member that Canada Post is an independent arm's-length crown corporation. In 2014, it delivered 1.4 billion fewer letters than it did in 2006. The member should also know that two-thirds of Canadians currently do not receive door-to-door mail delivery.

We do expect Canada Post to operate in a way that is financially sustainable.