House of Commons Hansard #215 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was families.

Topics

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act No. 1Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act No. 1Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

Order, please. The hon. member must remember to address his remarks to the Chair lest anyone would think he was speaking about the Speaker.

The hon. Minister of Veterans Affairs has a question, and there is only about 30 seconds left for him to do so.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act No. 1Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Erin O'Toole Minister of Veterans Affairs, CPC

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member well knows, there are provisions in the budget implementation act that will have a profound impact for veterans and their families, which have really been the result of several years of consultation with the ombudsman, with the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs and with outreach to veterans and stakeholder groups.

I wonder if that member would comment on why his party, which seemed to support most of these measures as part of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs last June, appears now not to support the measures as part of the budget.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act No. 1Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

Adam Vaughan Liberal Trinity—Spadina, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is a common practice for the government to put some things in an omnibus bill together with a lot of really awful, terribly bad things. As I said, totally useless, totally unfair and totally unnecessary, which are the three Ts the Conservative Party has come to like.

If you were to split those provisions out, I am sure you would get pretty good support across the House, but when you couple them with pathetic programs on urban affairs—

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act No. 1Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act No. 1Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I know the member is relatively new to the House, but by now he should know that he really cannot address his comments directly to other members. It is now the second time I have heard him do so.

We will move on to statements by members.

London Run for Ovarian CancerStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Conservative

Susan Truppe Conservative London North Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, ovarian cancer is a serious disease with no early detection test. Most women are, unfortunately, diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, and 60% of them will not survive past four years. Every year 2,500 Canadian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 1,500 women will die from this horrible disease.

This past Mother's Day, Londoners came together to participate in the 13th annual Run for Ovarian Cancer to raise funds for research. I was proud to be a part of it. The run was born of the idea of the shock of realizing how little most women know about the signs and symptoms of this disease.

I am proud of the London Run for Ovarian Cancer team. They are on pace to raise $2 million by 2017.

On behalf of all members of the House, I would like to salute Jim Olson and the more than 125 volunteers who are committed to this cause and raise funds each and every year.

Summer Events in Alfred-PellanStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

NDP

Rosane Doré Lefebvre NDP Alfred-Pellan, QC

Mr. Speaker, with summer just around the corner, the City of Laval and its organizations are offering a multitude of activities so that the people of Laval can have a fantastic summer.

One of my favourite activities, the Festival de la pêche, will be held at the Centre de la nature de Laval from May 16 to 17. For this festival, the lake has been stocked with thousands of trout that young and old alike can fish for without a licence. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce our children to fishing.

The 2015 Grande fête des pompiers de Laval will be held from May 29 to 31. It promises to be a great event with a fire truck parade, performances, entertainment, and even a half marathon among the many activities scheduled this year.

The residents of Auteuil can join the first Fête des voisins on June 6. The purpose of this heartwarming community event is to help families get to know one another and to develop a friendly neighbourhood spirit. I can hardly wait to attend because that is the neighbourhood where I grew up.

Laval is a great place to live and to enjoy the summer. I am truly honoured to have supported the organizations in Alfred-Pellan and all of Laval, as well as their innovative projects, for the past four years. They have inspired me and made me want to advocate for them every day. I would like to thank them for that.

Osoyoos Indian BandStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC

Mr. Speaker, I was excited to learn that the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development has signed off on a request from the Osoyoos Indian Band to designate close to 280 acres for leasing purposes. This change opens the door to another exciting new business partnership for Chief Clarence Louie, who has become well known for championing such business ventures.

Imagine a new race track designed by Canadian Formula One legend Jacques Villeneuve. The proposed five-kilometre FIA level 2 track would be a $12 million investment that would build on the Osoyoos Indian Band's thriving business community, which includes agriculture, ecotourism, and commercial, industrial, and residential development.

To quote Chief Louie directly:

I want to see First Nations programs based around jobs.

I believe that all members of the House will join me in recognizing the leadership of the Osoyoos Indian Band in supporting new and innovative opportunities that create jobs and support our regional and local economies.

P.E.I. Annual Roadside CleanupStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Women's Institute of Prince Edward Island on what has come to be known as the annual roadside cleanup.

In 1973, the Women's Institute started this great island tradition whereby on a date in May, under its leadership, everyone is encouraged to clean up litter from ditches and pack it in bags for pickup. This effort enhances the image of an island that is proud and keeps itself clean.

This year, after a record snowfall, the Women's Institute is challenging all islanders to get outside on Saturday, May 23, and enjoy the fresh air while joining neighbours and friends in the roadside cleanup to keep PEI beautiful. Families, schools, community organizations, and businesses are encouraged to pledge their involvement at www.peiwi.ca.

Beyond all of its other good work, the Women's Institute in this way provides inspiration to enhance our environment. On behalf of all islanders, I thank the Women's Institute for its hard work and dedication.

Van Tuyl and Fairbank HardwareStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a company in my riding of Sarnia—Lambton, Van Tuyl and Fairbank Hardware of Petrolia, Ontario, for passing the milestone of 150 years in business.

Founded in 1865, the same year that Petrolia was being organized as a town, Van Tuyl and Fairbank today, as their website puts it:

...has one foot in the 1800s and another in the current millennium. Now owned by the fourth generation of the Fairbank family, it sells solar thermal panels for outbuildings and nails by the pound.

The store is one of a kind. In the early years, it carried hardware used by oilmen, as well as groceries, liquor, and wine. As Petrolia blossomed and grew with the drilling of the first commercial oil well in Canada, it expanded and flourished.

Van Tuyl and Fairbank has outlasted six monarchies and has been a pillar in the community throughout technological advancements and cultural shifts.

Congratulations to Van Tuyl and Fairbank for this outstanding achievement.

Aboriginal Awareness WeekStatements By Members

11 a.m.

NDP

Romeo Saganash NDP Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC

[Member spoke in Cree and provided the following translation:]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the upcoming Aboriginal Awareness Week, which takes place from May 19 to 22. This week was first introduced 23 years ago with the purpose of increasing awareness of aboriginal peoples within the federal public service.

Canada is built on treaties agreeing to share this land and live together for the benefit of all. Aboriginal Awareness Week is an opportunity for civil servants and all Canadians to renew the nation-to-nation relationships between indigenous and settler nations.

Therefore, in the spirit of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which urges everyone to build good relationships with aboriginal peoples and respect our inherent rights, I invite you to celebrate and respect the diverse cultures and traditions of the Métis, Inuit and first nation peoples of this land, during Aboriginal Awareness Week and every week.

2014 Leduc Citizens of DistinctionStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

James Rajotte Conservative Edmonton—Leduc, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the 2014 Citizens of Distinction Award winners, who were honoured recently at the Leduc volunteer appreciation banquet. These outstanding citizens range in age from their teens to their golden years, and all have made tremendous contributions to their community.

This year's recipients are Brianna Raymond, for athletic achievement; Charlene Schatz, for community spirit; and Art Birkholz, for culture and heritage. The youth award of merit went to Caline Strach and the mayor's special award went to Clarence Shields, son of former MP Jack Shields.

We can all think of a community member who has made a difference in our lives. They are mentors, teachers, parents, volunteers, and role models. They deserve our gratitude and recognition for the valuable contributions they have made and continue to make to our families, workplaces, and communities.

On behalf of the people of Edmonton—Leduc, I congratulate the recipients and thank them for their dedication to making our community a better place.

National Health and Fitness DayStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Mr. Speaker, the fourth National Health and Fitness Day is just around the corner on June 6. Each year the day will be celebrated on the first Saturday in June, according to the newly passed Bill S-211, which made this important event a formal part of our laws and traditions.

A big thanks to those MPs who have modelled healthy behaviour by participating in the parliamentary fitness initiative runs on Tuesdays and swims on Thursday mornings.

Congratulations to the many members who have approached their mayors and councillors, including most recently the Minister of Veterans Affairs. One hundred and ninety-five cities have proclaimed the day, and we are aiming for 300 by June 6. Canadians can help their cities proclaim and plan the day by visiting my website for access to a tool kit for MPs, towns, and cities.

I am working to make health and fitness core to Canada's 150th anniversary celebrations, in partnership with the Trans Canada Trail, YMCA, Participaction, and others.

On May 25, we will kick off Bike Day in Canada, which leads up to National Health and Fitness Day. We should grab a family member or friend and get out to enjoy Canada's natural beauty in our communities. Let us make Canada the fittest nation on earth.

Families in Ottawa CentreStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day of Families. Families are the foundation of our society and come in many forms. From our first day until our last, our families give us support, love, and a sense of belonging.

Families in Ottawa Centre could use some help making ends meet these days. Ottawa has some of the highest child care costs in Canada, at over $12,000 per child, averaging more than 25% of a woman's income. Meanwhile, housing prices continue to rise, and too many Canadian seniors are struggling to retire in dignity and security.

The NDP has a plan to make life easier for families in Ottawa Centre and across the country by creating a million child care spots priced at no more than $15 a day, ensuring access to housing for all Canadians, expanding the Canada pension plan, and restoring old age security.

Families in Ottawa Centre deserve quality, affordable child care; quality, affordable housing; and a quality, affordable retirement. This October they can vote for it.

Firearms RegistryStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Bryan Hayes Conservative Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is committed to safe and sensible firearms policies. That is why we were pleased to fulfill our commitment to end the wasteful and ineffective long gun registry once and for all. However, owing to a bureaucratic loophole, it was still possible to access outdated copies of the long gun registry through access to information legislation.

The will of Parliament is clear: all copies of the registry must be destroyed. Not surprisingly, the NDP has come out swinging to oppose any measure that would make it harder for them to bring back the long gun registry, which the NDP leader has promised to do.

I call on the members from Timmins—James Bay and Thunder Bay—Rainy River to do the right thing, to do what northern Ontarians want, and support our measures. Canadians know that only our Conservative government stands up for the rights of gun owners. If those members vote to keep gun registry data, their constituents will know what to do in October.

Alberta's Francophone CommunityStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to acknowledge the incredible vitality of the Franco-Albertan community, including the Cité francophone, the Conseil de développement économique de l'Alberta, the newspaper Le Franco and the French quarter.

I have had the great pleasure of participating in a number of their activities, including the raising of the Franco-Albertan flag, a number of events at Campus Saint-Jean and the Cité francophone, the sugar shack and an evening of legends of the Flying Canoë Volant.

The Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Alberta recently opened a clinic. This is a unique place that provides access to justice in French or English, free of charge. This exceptional initiative shows, once again, how Franco-Albertans in Edmonton—Strathcona are helping our community flourish.

Canadian National AnthemStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON

Mr. Speaker, this week I was disappointed to hear that Richmond Hill's town council rejected a bid to start its meetings with Canada's national anthem over unfounded fears that doing so could be unconstitutional.

O Canada is a source of national pride from coast to coast to coast, and my constituents in Richmond Hill overwhelmingly support this sentiment.

Our anthem illustrates Canada's traditions, history, and heritage. Ours is a society that is open, transparent, and equal to all people who share our common vaIues.

It is a privilege to sing Canada's national anthem, and I am proud to call Canada home, the best country in the world. I am concerned with the town council's decision and I urge the council to reconsider.

Governments at all levels should encourage citizens to participate in singing our national anthem, a symbol of pride, and not discourage them.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON

Mr Speaker, Conservatives are mad because the Toronto Star called the Liberal plan for fairness “a credible, more progressive alternative, one that puts fairness first without driving the federal books deep into the red” and because the National Post said, “The Liberals' revamped child benefit appears broader, simpler and better targeted than the Tory plan”.

Economist Mike Moffat asked “What's not to love?” about our plan, and Kevin Milligan at the UBC School of Economics said, “The tax system under a [Liberal] government would be more progressive” and that “...the new benefit simplifies our tax system and focuses attention on the children.”

The Liberal plan cuts middle-class taxes by 7%; gives a bigger, all-inclusive tax-free child benefit to all families; will not end pension income splitting for seniors; will reverse the age of eligibility for OAS back to 65; and restores the TFSA's $5,500 annual limit so that even the middle class can completely benefit.

No wonder the Conservatives are spitting mad and making up absolutely anything to try to talk down our plan.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

John Carmichael Conservative Don Valley West, ON

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week we learned that the Liberals do not believe that helping every single family in Canada is fair. We also heard that New Democrats think that only families that use licensed day care centres are real families. This is actually what they believe. They believe that only a few select families deserve support in Canada.

On this side of the house, we delivered the universal child care benefit to all families. We are committed to enhancing it and increasing it.

In my riding of Don Valley West, all families will keep more money in their own pockets. We will always give money back to Canadian families, because it is their money.

EmploymentStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we learned that more than 1,500 Canadian families would lose their jobs at Bombardier, including 1,000 in Montreal alone, but the Minister of Employment and Social Development does not seem to see a problem. He even brags about the Conservatives' dismal record.

The minister should try to get in touch with the reality of our constituents before he feeds us the same old empty partisan lines.

Since the Conservatives came to power, over 400,000 jobs have been lost in the manufacturing sector, including 100,000 in Quebec alone. Canadian families deserve better than an employment minister who serves them the party line instead of caring about their problems.

Come October, these families will be able to count on the only party that truly has their interests at heart: the NDP.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party has one plan for our economy: raise taxes on middle-class families, raise taxes on small businesses and raise taxes on seniors.

The Liberal leader talks about being fair, but the other day he said, “Benefiting every single family is not what is fair”. What is not fair is hiking taxes on millions of middle-class Canadians, small businesses and seniors.

Canadians are smart enough not to be fooled by that and to stick with the benefits that they are actually now receiving in their pockets that were introduced by our government to help the middle class.

Child CareOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

NDP

Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, today, we are celebrating the International Day of Families. Unfortunately, Canadian families are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

Across the country, child care costs are becoming families' largest expense. They are paying more for child care than they are for food, clothing and even their mortgage.

Why are the Conservatives helping the richest members of our society but refusing to help parents by investing in affordable child care services?

Child CareOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Nepean—Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeMinister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform

Mr. Speaker, the New Democrats and the Liberals have only one plan for families, and that is to take away the universal child care benefit and raise their taxes.

We are doing the opposite. We have given families an enhanced benefit that puts nearly $2,000 in their pockets for every child under the age of 6 and $720 for every child between the ages of 6 and 17. We are cutting taxes for families and putting money directly into their pockets.

Child CareOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

NDP

Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, Canadian families are looking for help with the rising costs of child care, yet the Conservatives offer nothing but talking points.

In 2005, the Conservatives pledged to create 125,000 child care spaces but 10 years later, they have not created a single one. The Liberals seem to have given up on child care as well, leaving families squeezed by rising costs that eat up more and more of the household budget.

Today, on the international day of the family, will the Conservatives reverse course and agree to bring in affordable child care for all families?