House of Commons Hansard #220 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was licence.

Topics

Common Sense Firearms Licensing ActGovernment Orders

10:45 a.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, the member made reference to the fact that there were many who tuned in to follow the debate on Bill C-42. I can understand and appreciate why.

There seems to be a mixed spin coming out of the Conservative government, the Prime Minister's Office and from many of the member's colleagues, which does not necessarily speak to truth. Let me give a couple of examples.

On the one hand, members are saying that the Liberals want to bring back the gun registry, and we know that is just not true. The leader of the Liberal Party has been very clear on that issue. A Liberal government would not bring back the gun registry. That is one aspect.

Then there is another aspect that I find really interesting, and that is the lack of general knowledge that the Conservative government does not promote. Kim Campbell, who was a Progressive Conservative prime minister, along with a Conservative senator, came up with the idea of the gun registry, put it on the table and supported it.

Could the member explain why most people are not aware of that fact? Could he also explain why Conservative members are misspeaking inside the House, trying to give a false impression of the Liberal Party's position?

Common Sense Firearms Licensing ActGovernment Orders

10:45 a.m.

Conservative

Bryan Hayes Conservative Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Mr. Speaker, on the Liberal Party position, the Liberals are out there saying that because of this legislation, people will be able to bring restricted firearms to grocery stores and shopping malls. They are using that as a donation tool on websites. That is in fact not true. It is a myth that is being spread by the Liberal Party.

There is a myth that the Liberals are stating that this bill would take the power to classify firearms out of the hands of police, the experts in keeping Canadians safe, and put it in the hands of politicians. The fact is that the RCMP does not classify firearms; Parliament does and did so in 1995 under a Liberal government.

The Canadian firearms program interprets this legislation, and sometimes it makes mistakes such as with theSwiss Arms guns. In these cases, the common sense firearms licensing act would allow elected officials to fix these situations.

Common Sense Firearms Licensing ActGovernment Orders

10:50 a.m.

Conservative

Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River, BC

Mr. Speaker, there is a difference in position among the Conservative Party and other parties across the way about how we view hunters, anglers and sport shooters.

On the Conservative side, we see them as friends. I am a sport shooter. I have my own firearms that I operate safely. My children have all shot my firearms safely. I think that happens across the country.

Could the member explain the difference between the Conservative position for hunters and anglers versus the other side?

Common Sense Firearms Licensing ActGovernment Orders

10:50 a.m.

Conservative

Bryan Hayes Conservative Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Mr. Speaker, our position is that law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sport shooters are not criminals.

I understand that fully. I am not a licensed gun owner, but moving to northern Ontario, as I mentioned in my speech, I became very aware of the great quality of that industry in my riding. I have tremendous friends who are hunters and sport shooters. This is part of our Canadian heritage.

Common Sense Firearms Licensing ActGovernment Orders

10:50 a.m.

NDP

Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC

Mr. Speaker, I wish to announce at the outset that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from York South—Weston.

I want to say at the outset of this debate that one should always be suspicious of legislation from the Conservatives that bears titles such as “common sense”, because we know that there may be a bit of an issue with the packaging and marketing of what they are doing.

I listened as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification and the member for Sault Ste. Marie began their debates in this place, and it was very clear from the outset what this bill is all about. It is about trying to create a wedge issue. They are trying to slam the Liberals for their apparent support of a long-gun registry, which has been denied; trying to suggest that the NDP would somehow bring back a long-gun registry, which is not the case; and mentioning by name many of the members of the NDP in northern ridings to suggest that this is what a common sense firearms licensing act is about. We know what this is about. It is another example of partisan politics and the creation of a wedge issue by the government for no particular purpose.

When I say no particular purpose, and therefore oppose this bill, it is pretty clear why this bill has been criticized by so many. It is not just by the usual suspects, if I can call them that. What about Mr. Jean-Marc Fournier, the Quebec minister for intergovernmental affairs? He said, “It goes against the concept of public safety and security.... I find it extremely inconsistent that the federal government should claim that this is being done for the sake of public safety”.

It is not being done for the sake of public safety. It is being done in a pre-election period for clear partisan purposes, demonstrated so clearly by the two Conservatives who spoke before me this morning.

Let us put that at rest and talk about the bill itself. Bill C-42 would give the cabinet new authority to override firearm classification definitions in section 84 of the Criminal Code by way of regulations that would carve out exceptions. Now, by regulation, the cabinet could deem firearms that would otherwise be captured by the definition of prohibited and restricted firearms to be non-restricted firearms. That is a great example of taking away from legislation the authority that was given by Parliament and giving discretionary authority to the cabinet to do what it wishes and to be open now, for the first time, to lobbying by gun interests to make arbitrary changes, should it wish, for political purposes.

That is what we do when we take away from legislation certain powers that are there and provide discretion to the cabinet. It is very clear that this is what is there, and of course, many people talked about that in the committee hearings that led to this legislation at third reading.

The bill would basically transfer the authority over the definitions and classifications to cabinet, rather than leaving it with the public safety emphasis that was previously there. That was so clearly put by the member for Sault Ste. Marie just a moment ago when he talked about the chief firearms officers as bureaucrats and talked in a very pejorative way about the role they play in our system. He would rather have the cabinet make those decisions, I assume, because they are obviously all wise on matters of firearms registration and so forth.

In terms of firearms licencing, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification talked about the grace period as somehow being irrelevant. Much of the testimony talked about how problematic the grace period of six months is. The standard firearms licence is for five years, and then there is a six-month grace period. As part of the process for licence renewal, firearms owners are screened for mental health issues, gauging risks to themselves and others. This assessment can identify potential issues early and assist police in reacting for public safety. Simply providing a grace period of additional time can lead to a delay of the information going to law enforcement, and that is inconsistent with public safety. That is why the witnesses talked about that.

The other part of the bill that has been criticized is the difficulty for some of the people in northern and remote communities to travel to take the test. We certainly agree with this position and salute the government for requiring this mandatory testing, for which aboriginal people have been exempted, which we also agree with. However, there have been concerns expressed about the administration of these new requirements in that context.

There have been concerns, many expressed by the Toronto police department and others, about having the resources needed to deal at the borders with the smuggling of illegal firearms into Canada. What has the government done? As we have seen on television news this week, it has simply cut the Canada Border Services Agency's budget dramatically. For example, by 2014-15, the CBSA's budget will be reduced to $143.3 million a year, with a cut of 1,351 positions, including 325 front-line officers and another 100 intelligence officers. So much for public safety concerns.

I had the honour of going to high school with Wendy Cukier, who is the president of the Coalition for Gun Control. Her organization appeared before the committee that studied the bill. She had some very serious concerns about another aspect of the bill, namely the transportation issue, which we heard about earlier. She said:

We believe that relaxing the controls over the authorizations to transport will increase the risk that these firearms will be misused. If you can transport your firearm to any gun club in the province, it means you can be virtually anywhere with it.

There are people who have spent their lives trying to deal with gun control issues and safety who have expressed very serious concerns about public safety with Bill C-42. There are those who point out that the government talks about safety but at the same time cuts budgets in so many contexts.

The fact that the Quebec government would have to tell us that this is not being done for the sake of public safety suggests that there are many people from many walks of life who have come to the same conclusion I have, and with which I introduced my speech. That is that the government is doing this simply as a wedge-politics issue, simply to draw a wedge, which is not there, on the issue of the gun registry.

When we see words like “common sense” describing the bill, we know the jig is up.

UkraineStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Conservative

Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB

Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the honour to speak to the Ottawa-Gatineau branch of the Ukrainian National Federation on behalf of our government. The member for Ottawa Centre was also a guest speaker.

It was emotional to see Canadians from all across this country working toward assisting the Ukrainian people to maintain their independence and their democratic rights. Canada must continue to aid and assist the Ukrainian people to stop the Putin aggression.

In closing, I would like to thank the hon. member for Ottawa Centre for most graciously giving me a ride back to the Hill.

Smoking CessationStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

NDP

Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe World No Tobacco Day. Started by the World Health Organization, it is another reminder of the dangers of smoking and the urgent need to continue to update our laws to protect the public, to encourage quitting, and to never let up on our efforts to stop children from starting to smoke in the first place.

This year's theme is stopping the illicit trade in tobacco, which robs governments all over the world of the revenues needed to deal with this health epidemic.

Tobacco-related illnesses are among the world's greatest health threats. Right here in Canada, smoking continues to be responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths.

We must be vigilant in updating tobacco control strategies to combat an industry that targets young people and uses deceptive practices to increase profits. We have to ensure our health care system supports people in quitting.

In closing, I would like to thank the Canadian Cancer Society, which has been relentless in pushing for public policy changes to stop smoking and to help Canadians lead healthier lives.

North Peace Historical SocietyStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to congratulate the North Peace Historical Society as they celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Fort St. John North Peace Museum.

The North Peace Historical Society and the Fort St. John North Peace Museum play a vital role in preserving and sharing our region's unique history, and these renovations will now allow even more families and seniors to come and explore this important community resource.

Just last week the North Peace Historical Society hosted “A Night at the Museum”, where local volunteers like Larry Evans, Evelyn Sim, and Marjo Wheat dressed up as some of our region's more prominent historical figures to share their stories and interact with those in attendance.

I want to also send my best wishes to museum manager and curator Heather Sjoblom, North Peace Historical Society president Evelyn Sim, and all of the museum's volunteers, including my mom and my daughter Bobbie, as they celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated museum. Congratulations.

BurundiStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Burundian diaspora in Canada, members of which are in the gallery today, is alarmed by the political and humanitarian crisis in Burundi.

Ever since President Nkurunziza declared his intention to run for a third term, with no regard for the Constitution, the country has been rocked by demonstrations and a violent campaign of repression perpetrated by the police and armed militia.

Opposition members, human rights advocates and journalists have been targeted, and the leader of an opposition party was assassinated on Saturday.

In Burundi, there are currently more than 100,000 refugees, as well as hundreds injured and dozens dead. A number of countries and international organizations have already cut off their financial aid to the Burundian government and are calling for the election to be postponed.

Canada must fast-track family reunification and immigration applications, stop deportations to Burundi, and join in the efforts of the international community to ensure that human rights are being respected in Burundi.

Port Credit Legion Branch 82Statements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to tell you about a small but important measure taken in my riding of Mississauga South recently, one that will affect many of my older constituents and one that will improve their quality of life in a meaningful way.

Last week at Port Credit Legion Branch 82, I was joined by the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to bring word that this Conservative government, through the enabling accessibility fund, would help the Legion make its beautiful waterfront property on the Credit River more accessible for those in wheelchairs and those who need to get extra help getting into this great place where friends and veterans, young and old, gather to join in camaraderie and friendship and tell many stories, sometimes even over a beverage or two.

Even better, through the new horizons program, funds will also be contributed toward new fryers and a ventilation system so that the famous Friday night fish fries can be held once again.

The Legion is a great Canadian place, and I will be delighted, as an associate member and as the member of Parliament, to take part in a few Friday night fish fries this summer.

George BradenStatements By Members

11 a.m.

NDP

Dennis Bevington NDP Northwest Territories, NT

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to pay tribute to George Braden, the first elected premier of the Northwest Territories, who passed away Monday.

Born in Saskatchewan in 1949, he and his family moved to the Northwest Territories in 1964. From 1977 to 1979, George was an advisor to the hon. Bud Drury and was the prime minister's special representative for constitutional development in the Northwest Territories. In 1979, he was elected to the ninth Legislative Assembly. The MLAs voted George the first leader of the elected members of cabinet, a position that has become known as “premier”. He served as leader until 1989.

During his time in government, George promoted a new recognition of the Northwest Territories at the national level and a more prominent role in Confederation, including working to win a seat for the NWT at the first ministers conferences. George led the NWT's lobbying to have aboriginal rights included in section 35 of the Constitution.

George's strong support for an independent NWT was a major influence in my political career. He was the first of the new northern politicians to speak up for public government.

My deepest sympathies go to his wife, Lise, and the Braden family. George will be sorely missed.

90th Birthday CongratulationsStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB

Mr. Speaker, when dawn broke 71 years ago, the enemy's stark view from their fortifications over the beaches of Normandy was a silhouette of war painted across the horizon. The Allied invasion of Europe had begun.

Among the vast Allied fleet poised to attack was a young teenage seaman of the Royal Canadian Navy serving on the HMCS Prince Henry, a landing craft carrier. Amidst bursting enemy shells and clouds of smoke from the ship's guns, Marty Jones provided artillery cover for the landing crafts laden with soldiers of the Royal Regina Rifles and the Canadian Scottish Regiment heading to Juno Beach.

After the war, Marty worked for 29 years for CMHC in Edmonton, retiring in 1985. He distinguished himself further and became the recipient of the Alberta Centennial and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Marty, his wife Pauline, and family and friends are all celebrating life's blessings and Marty's 90th birthday this Saturday.

Happy birthday to Marty. Good health, and God bless.

Road Today Truck ShowStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Manan Gupta and Minkle Mittal on hosting the 7th annual Road Today Truck Show and Job Fair at the Brampton Soccer Centre. The trucking extravaganza included plenty of activities, including an indoor trade show, a job fair for truck drivers, MTO road safety awareness, a driving simulator, and family entertainment.

The truck show was managed and hosted by the Road Today Media Group, which has served Canada's trucking industry for many years. This excellent organization puts a special emphasis on new Canadians who want to have a successful career in the trucking industry.

I would like to thank the organizers for making this event such a resounding success and for hosting an excellent day for families and tradespeople in our community.

Quebec Collective of Social Inclusion OrganizationsStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, last night I had the pleasure of attending the gala held by the Collectif des entreprises d'insertion du Québec. It was an opportunity to mark 20 years of passion and support, because it was in 1995 that Quebec social inclusion organizations decided to form a collective. These organizations help thousands of people overcome poverty, and also contribute to the Quebec economy. However, the pride of all those who are able to re-enter the workforce is priceless.

On behalf of the NDP team, I would like to congratulate all the members of the collective. I would like to especially mention Grenier populaire des Basses-Laurentides in Saint-Eustache. I would like to thank the members of the board of directors, Yves Desforges, Raymond Lussier, Lise Savard and all those who do everything they can to ensure that their employees succeed. The Grenier populaire has an invaluable impact on the lives of our young people. All the residents of Rivière-des-Milles-Îles are grateful.

Together, we can build strong communities.

Leader of the Liberal Party of CanadaStatements By Members

May 29th, 2015 / 11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party has just announced a major plank in his platform. He said, “We're looking at an expansion and a mandatory expansion of the CPP of the type that [his friend] Kathleen Wynne put forward in Ontario”.

He is promising to impose a payroll tax hike that would cost someone earning $60,000 over $1,000 out of their take-home pay.

The Liberal leader promises to raise taxes on the middle class and kill jobs. On this side of the House, we cut taxes and we create jobs.

Twenty-third Annual Celebration of New FranceStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Jamie Nicholls NDP Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC

Mr. Speaker, next week, from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, Vaudreuil-Dorion will celebrate the 23rd edition of Les Seigneuriales, a history-themed festival that celebrates New France. There will be activities for the whole family, including traditional music performances, workshops, period games for children and interactive re-enactments.

This year also marks the 350th anniversary of the arrival of the Carignan-Salières regiment. For me, this event is not just a historical fact; it is also the anniversary of my family's arrival in New France. My ancestor, Jean Desforges, known as Saint-Maurice, was part of that regiment. I am proud of my family heritage.

Vaudreuil-Soulanges was a meeting place for our three founding peoples, a place where people could trade, learn about each other's cultures and dream of a country that would become Canada.

I invite all of my constituents to come to this event to celebrate our heritage in the best region of the country, Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON

Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Richmond Hill know that only this Conservative government will help families save more of their own money for their priorities. This week, the Liberal leader said that he favours a mandatory expansion of the CPP of the type that Kathleen Wynne put forward in Ontario. That is a $1,000 pay cut for every Ontario worker and indeed every Canadian earning $60,000 a year. That is just from their own pockets, in addition to what would be paid by their employer.

Families in York Region did not ask for that. Indeed, Canadians did not ask for that. They do not want it and they will never accept it. Under this Conservative government, Canadians can count on more money in their pockets at the end of the day.

Housing in ManitobaStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Adam Vaughan Liberal Trinity—Spadina, ON

Mr. Speaker, nowhere has the current government's failure in housing become more obvious than in the province of Manitoba. While this is bad enough, it is even worse because the junior minister responsible for housing comes from Manitoba. One would think she would pay attention to the problems in her own province. She does not.

In Manitoba, housing for first nations is critical, yet a $300 million fund to produce housing has created just 99 houses. If all the government can show is $3 million per home, it is not indifference that is the problem; it is incompetence

As the minister and her government fail to build housing in communities across Canada, particularly in rural Canada, pressures build in big cities. In Winnipeg, shabby hotels are now being used to house homeless young people. These places are as dangerous as they are dismal. The minister's response: nothing.

The only real thing the Conservative government is doing on housing is pulling subsidies, and on this file the government is hurting seniors in Manitoba. As mortgages expire, so too do low-income subsidies for Manitobans on fixed incomes.

No wonder the junior minister and her senior minister missed a major housing conference in Winnipeg in her own province. They are missing in action and—

Housing in ManitobaStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

Order, please. The hon. member for Saskatoon—Wanuskewin.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK

Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want the most recent tax increase proposed by the leader of the Liberal Party. It would be $1,000 of extra payroll tax out of their own pockets for every employee who earns just $60,000 a year. My Saskatonian constituents and all Canadians want more money in their pockets, not less money. The small businesses that employ those workers would also have to pay the equivalent amount of extra payroll tax, which would kill jobs.

We will vigorously oppose the Liberal leader's proposed tax increase, an increase that would punish workers. We will strenuously oppose it on behalf of all Canadians.

Canadian HeritageStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, here is a story that is played out many times around the world.

The cabinet takes over prime real estate to build its leader's legacy project in the capital. It chooses a massive, imposing design. The plan creates local discontent. It gets a failing grade on cost and especially on location. Architects, the mayor and council, and even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court join the chorus of voices opposed to the plan. The public is opposed to it. Even the government's own partisans start asking for change, but still ministers gleefully promise to ride roughshod over everyone because nothing trumps their leader's vanity.

I am not describing a Communist dictatorship in its final days. This is the story of Canada's own “CommieCons”. The irony of it was funny for awhile, but enough is enough. The government's disregard for democratic voices is a slap in the face to the freedom fighters who are supposed to be honoured by this memorial. Let us tear down this monumental failure.

TaxationStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government disagrees with the statement of the Liberal leader, who said he supports “a mandatory expansion of the CPP of the type that Kathleen Wynne put forward in Ontario.” That plan would raise taxes by thousands of dollars on every worker and family earning $60,000 a year. We reject that. Our approach is a low-tax plan for a secure retirement.

We have heard the Liberal leader tell us right here in the House of Commons that he and his family are not part of the middle class. My parents and their families are part of the middle class, along with millions of families across this country. The Liberal leader is intent on taking money from the middle class and paying for his programs.

This party and this government have lowered taxes to ensure that millions of families across this country enjoy the money that they have earned and deserve and spend it the way they believe it should be spent.

Transportation SafetyOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

NDP

David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have been shocked by the lack of action in Canada on defective Takata airbags. Already we have seen six people killed and over 100 injured.

The Americans issued a recall last week. Over one million Canadian vehicles have the same airbags, yet the Conservative government only issued a recall notice yesterday, and Transport Canada still does not even have mandatory recall powers.

When it comes to the safety of Canadian drivers, why is Canada lagging behind the rest of the world?

Transportation SafetyOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

Essex Ontario

Conservative

Jeff Watson ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the safety and security of Canadians is a top priority. In 2014, we passed measures to strengthen Canada's recall system, measures which the member opposite and his party opposed. In budget 2015, we have committed to strengthening even further our recall system to give us the power toward recalls and levy monetary penalties. I expect the member will support that.

To this point, Transport Canada has received no complaints related to this issue from Canadians and is not aware of any incidents having taken place in Canada.

The EconomyOral Questions

11:15 a.m.

NDP

David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, what exactly is the government waiting for, bodies to pile up before it takes action?

Canadians are waking up today to more bad economic news. Just two months after the Conservative budget projected a first quarter GDP growth of 1.2%, our economy actually shrank. Conservative mismanagement has meant more people out of work, more families struggling with household debt, and now an economy that is shrinking instead of growing.

Will Conservatives finally admit their approach is not working and present a real plan to create jobs and kick start our economy?