House of Commons Hansard #218 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was research.
Parm Gill ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, the NDP has consistently opposed our efforts to open new markets for Canadian businesses. In fact, it has an abysmal record on the trade file. The fact is that the NDP is ideologically opposed to any and all trade. It does not understand trade and it does not like trade.
Only the Conservative government is focused on the priorities of Canadians when it comes to creating jobs and opportunities.
Ryan Cleary NDP St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Mr. Speaker, actually, it is the government, with its complete intransigence, disrespect and refusal to match its words with actions, that is putting Canada's trade deals at risk.
The Conservatives promised my province of Newfoundland and Labrador a fund for fisheries marketing and research in exchange for giving up local fish processing requirements. Then they changed the rules mid-game and reneged on that promise.
Will the Conservatives finally live up to their word and give Newfoundland and Labrador the transition fund we were promised?
Rob Moore ConservativeMinister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
Mr. Speaker, the member's problem is that he opposes a trade agreement that his province and the industries in his province and the people of his province support.
Our government remains open to working with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador on its specific proposals for a minimum processing requirement fund. We have indicated all along to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that we are open to a fund that includes support for displaced workers, research and development, and innovation.
However, this fund was always designed to compensate Newfoundlanders for any losses for having given up minimum processing requirements. It was never intended as a slush fund that would be to the detriment of other provinces.
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of the Environment a very simple question at committee: Could she state the new 2030 targets in megatonnes? Incredibly, the deputy minister jumped in and said that it was very complicated.
However, 30% of 731 megatonnes is not complicated, and it is the responsibility of the minister to know her facts and to have a plan as to how we will make those targets.
The minister has had 24 hours to crunch the numbers. Could she state the 2030 target in megatonnes?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, our government announced a very fair and ambitious target for Canada that would be in line with other major industrialized countries.
Canada is taking a leadership role on the climate change file. We plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. That translates to 225 megatonnes. We will continue to take a responsible approach, a balanced approach.
Building on this, we will reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, regulate the production of chemicals and nitrogen fertilizers, and regulate emissions from natural gas-fired electricity generation.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in committee, the Minister of the Environment again demonstrated a disengaged attitude with regard to the federal strategy for combatting climate change.
Did the minister consult the provinces before announcing a 30% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030? Did she consult the oil and gas sectors? Why are the minister and this government taking such a patently ad hoc and embarrassing approach?
Leona Aglukkaq ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to work co-operatively with the provinces and the territories. I have met on numerous occasions with the provincial and territorial ministers. As well, I had a meeting in Ottawa with all provincial and territorial ministers in December. The provinces have set their own emission targets and have the authority within their provincial jurisdictions to take actions within their own respective jurisdictions.
We respect the provincial jurisdictions, unlike Justin Trudeau, who has promised to—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I think the minister meant to say the member for Papineau. She will want to remember to use ridings and titles, not proper names.
The hon. member for Brossard—La Prairie.
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Speaker, Dany Dubuc-Marquis was involved in a fatal accident due to a faulty ignition switch in his car, yet for eight months the government did nothing. Only after GM had issued a recall did the problem even begin to be addressed. Now we have seen the same lack of oversight with the recent Takata airbag recall.
When will the minister finally give powers to Transport Canada to issue recalls?
Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, obviously the safety and security of Canadians is our top priority. In 2014, we passed measures to strengthen our recall system, which the member opposed, and in budget 2015, our government committed to further improvements, giving us the power to order recalls and levy monetary penalties.
Transport Canada, in the situation of the airbags, has received no complaints related to this issue from Canadians and is not aware of any incidents having taken place in Canada. Obviously, Canadians can determine if their vehicles are affected by recalls by visiting Transport Canada's website or by contacting their vehicle manufacturers or dealers.
Hoang Mai NDP Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Speaker, that is incredible. It sounds like they are waiting for deaths to occur before taking action.
Unfortunately, the death toll resulting from the delayed recall of GM vehicles is rising. To date, GM has acknowledged its responsibility in 107 deaths and 199 cases of injury linked to defective ignition switches. It is time for the government to step up to the plate before other tragedies occur.
I will repeat my question: when will Transport Canada finally have the authority to issue recalls?
Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I reject the absurdity of that preamble and the statement he made about the government's care and concern about people. I reject that entirely.
Of course the safety and security of Canadians is a top priority for this government. That is why we took measures in 2014 to strengthen the recall system. He opposed that, by the way. If he really cares about it, he should support what the government is doing.
Jay Aspin Conservative Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON
Mr. Speaker, our government's universal child care benefits and family tax cut benefits 100% of Canadian families with children.
Can the Minister of Employment and Social Development please inform the House on how much money families are saving?
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeMinister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, they are not only saving through the family tax cut and benefits but also through the tax-free savings account. We have a low-tax plan for retirement savings.
Today the Liberal leader announced that he would bring in a high-tax plan. He would hit workers and small businesses with a massive premium hike that would force small businesses to lay off thousands of Canadians. This policy would send shockwaves through our economy. It is a major risk. It demonstrates once again that this Liberal leader is just not ready for the job.
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans knows better than anyone the struggles of the fishermen on Prince Edward Island. The lobster season in both fishing areas was delayed—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Mr. Speaker, it is a pity she would not help them with their struggles.
The lobster season in both fishing areas was delayed substantially due to ice conditions, and both fishing areas have requested an extension in the season.
Will the minister listen to the fishermen who are dealing with lost wages? Will she deal with the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association and give Prince Edward Island fishermen the appropriate extension that they need?
Gail Shea ConservativeMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, I meet with the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association on a regular basis, and with a number of other fishermen's associations as well. For the hon. member's information, he says that we do not help the fishermen, but let me give these statistics: in 2009, the value of lobster sold was $507 million. In 2013, that value is $680 million.
When it comes to an extension of the season, that decision will be made based on science.
Denis Blanchette NDP Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Quebec Bridge has been added to the list of the top 10 endangered places in Canada. How appalling. The Conservatives have been in power for 10 years and are leaving Quebec City with a heritage bridge that is in critical condition.
The NDP came up with a real solution to get CN moving. Will the government finally listen to reason and support my bill?
Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, only our Conservative government has taken real action on repainting the Quebec Bridge.
The NDP's proposal is a political mirage. The NDP knows very well that it is too late to pass the bill. CN must immediately make good on its commitment to the people of Quebec City and restore the Quebec Bridge to its former glory.
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Toronto police have laid the first charge under the government's cyberbullying legislation. Could the Minister of Justice update the House on the action our government is taking in this area?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Mississauga South for her interest and her hard work on behalf of her constituents and also commend the Toronto police for their outstanding efforts. We know that bullying and cyberbullying have a very far-reaching and corrosive impact on Canadians, particularly our youth.
Our government took concrete action by passing the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act to further protect our most vulnerable. It prohibits the non-consensual distribution of intimate images in Canada in our Criminal Code. Our government will continue to protect law-abiding Canadians and ensure that those who commit these horrendous crimes will be held accountable.
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, if the government did not get the hint already, today Ottawa city council formally voted to ask the Conservatives to move the memorial for victims of Communism back to its original site.
A fundamental cornerstone of our democracy is consultation, and consultation requires listening. Will the minister do our democracy the honour of actually listening and respecting elected representatives? In other words, will Conservatives change the location of the memorial back to its original site?