Debates of May 6th, 2015

Ethics

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, again, it would be, obviously, inappropriate to comment on evidence that is before the court.

However, when the member talks about a sorry son of a gun, it is actually NDP members who owe Canadian taxpayers, 68 of them, $2.7 million. Another 23 of them owe over $1.1 million.

We know that the leader of the opposition has, within his own office, a union member doing partisan work against the rules of this House. The NDP accepted $350,000 in illegal union donations, robocalls, and it goes on and on. Pay it back.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, here is the problem: in the beginning, the Prime Minister said that he had never given instructions to Nigel Wright.

Then, we learned from a signed email that Nigel Wright said that he had the good to go from the Prime Minister. Next, the Prime Minister said that he had regretfully accepted Nigel Wright's resignation. Finally, he boasted that he was the one who sent Mr. Wright packing. Both versions cannot be true.

Here in the House, on April 22, the Prime Minister told Canadians that before appointing Mike Duffy to the Senate, he had obtained a signed declaration from Mr. Duffy indicating that he was a resident of Prince Edward Island, as required under the Constitution. Canadians have the right to see that document, otherwise, they will not believe that it exists.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, as I already said, this matter is before the court and so it would be inappropriate to comment.

However, there are other questions. For example, why did the member for Québec funnel nearly $30,000 that was intended for her riding to an illegal office in Montreal?

I hope that the member for Québec will do the right thing and pay the people of Quebec City back that $30,000.

Taxation

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 2006, the Prime Minister started giving thousands of dollars in benefits to wealthy families like his and mine. Now, 10 years later, he is giving them a $2,000 tax break and thousands more each year. When will he understand that those families do not need the help?

Fairness means asking those who have done well to help those who need it the most. Why not cancel those tax breaks and benefits for the wealthy?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, in 2006, the Prime Minister brought in the universal child care benefit for every family in Canada. He brought it in for families with incomes of $20,000. He brought it in for families with incomes of $30,000. He brought it in for families of $40,000. However, the Liberal leader thinks that all of those people are too rich and, as a result, he would raise their taxes.

His plan has a $2 billion hole, which he admits. Economists say that his tax increases do not raise enough money to fund his spending. The only way he can fill his hole is through more high taxes on the middle class.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a $2 billion tax break that favours the wealthy, a higher tax-free savings limit for the wealthy and thousands more in child benefits for those who need the help the least, that is the Prime Minister's plan.

Our plan offers thousands more every year, tax free to those who need it most. Why did he not instead use every nickel to help the middle class and those working to join it?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal leader should know that budgets do not balance themselves, and neither does his platform.

He admits there is a $2 billion hole in his platform. On top of that, economists say that his proposed tax increases will not raise the money necessary to fund his expensive promises. He has a massive financial hole. The only way to fill that hole will be higher taxes on the middle class. He already wants to take away income splitting from families. We know he would take it away from seniors too.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every year for almost 10 years now, the Prime Minister has been giving billions of dollars in tax relief to families like his and mine. The Prime Minister has misplaced priorities.

Our plan shows that we can give more to families who need it most by asking for a little more from those who have the means.

Why did the Prime Minister not choose to help the middle class and those who are working hard to join it?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal leader already admitted that there is a giant $2 billion hole in his plan. What is more, economists say that these tax increases will not be enough to fill the hole he created with his election promises.

What do the Liberals do when they do not have enough money? They increase taxes for families. The hon. member already said that he wants to scrap income splitting for families. He will do exactly the same thing for seniors.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian families are looking for help in the face of risings costs like child care and housing. Instead the Conservatives plan to waste billions on an income-splitting scheme that will not benefit 85% of Canadians. That is just slightly worse than the Liberal tax scheme that would also spend billions and would leave the bottom two-thirds of Canadians behind.

Last night, voters clearly showed they were tired of the same old choices when it came to economic policy. What will it take for those Conservatives to get the message?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, the message from Albertans and from all Canadians is they do not want higher taxes. That is why we have cut taxes. The family tax cut and benefits put more money in the pockets of 100% of families with kids. The income splitting for families saves up to $2,000 for couples with kids. Our increased universal child care benefit will pay almost $2,000 per child under 6 and $720 for kids 6 through 17.

The Liberals and NDP have billions of dollars in promises. The only way they could pay the price of those promises is by raising taxes on the middle class. That is why middle-class Canadians will elect this government.

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

Mr. Speaker, the middle class is losing ground. However, it is the same old story with the other parties.

The Conservatives are going to waste billions of dollars on income splitting, which will only benefit 15% of Canadians. The Liberal tax plan will also cost billions of dollars and will give nothing to two-thirds of Canadians.

Will the government abandon its budget, which only benefits the wealthiest, and introduce a real plan for the middle class?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, that is what we are doing by reducing taxes for families and increasing the child care benefit. Income splitting and the family tax cut will give nearly $2 billion to families with children. Our increase in the universal child care benefit, the UCCB, will provide almost $2,000 for every child under 6 years of age and $720 for every child between 6 and 17.

The Liberals and the NDP are making election promises worth billions of dollars, which they will finance with tax increases. That is why the middle class will choose the Conservative Party.

Alberta Election

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

Mr. Speaker, what is clear is that Canadians are ready for change and for a leadership based on principles.

Yesterday Albertans voted for a government that will promote economic growth and prosperity for all Albertans. They voted in favour of a diversified economy that will create good jobs. Albertans also voted to put an end to the roller coaster boom and bust cycle.

Will the Conservatives now work with the provinces to take a responsible and, especially, sustainable approach to economic growth?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, that is what we are doing by lowering taxes for the middle class.

We increased the limit for tax-free savings accounts, and 60% of TFSA users earn less than $60,000 a year. The New Democrats and the Liberals want to eliminate this benefit by increasing taxes for people who earn less than $60,000 a year.

We are putting money directly into the pockets of parents and taxpayers. The New Democrats and the Liberals would increase taxes. That is why Canadians will reject them.

Natural Resources

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Albertans made their voices heard loud and clear. They are tired of the Conservatives' unbalanced boom and bust approach. Instead, they voted for a diversified and more resilient economy. They voted for optimism and principles. They voted for a government that would build bridges and open markets, and be a good partner in creating value-added, sustainable jobs for all Albertans in all sectors.

Will the Conservatives here finally get the message from Albertans and work with the provinces on a new, more progressive approach to resource development?

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, responsible resource development creates jobs and economic growth, while protecting the health and safety of communities and the environment. We look forward to the opportunity to work with the new premier.

There is no question that market diversification is an imperative. Countries around the world are looking for that kind of partnership with Canada. We offer fiscal stability and political stability. Moving forward with Alberta, we look forward to the opportunity to serve those new markets and continue to develop our resources responsibly.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, responsible economic development requires a more constructive relationship, not just with the provinces but with indigenous peoples. The government has refused to engage respectfully. It has refused to build partnerships and respect indigenous rights.

However, as Alberta premier-elect Rachel Notley noted yesterday, we can be better partners and we can learn from our mistakes. Will the Conservative government take Alberta's lead, implement Bill C-641, and respect indigenous rights in Canada?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, the highest form of aboriginal and treaty rights acknowledgement and protection is constitutional protection. Section 35 of the Constitution of Canada does that.

Furthermore, the human rights of all Canadians, including aboriginals, are protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other constitutional guarantees. We do not need any legislation that is lesser than the Constitution of Canada.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I suggest the minister across listens to premier-elect Rachel Notley's speech yesterday, when she said that her government had been entrusted to be better neighbours and better partners with indigenous peoples in Alberta. She looks forward to consultations and to learn from indigenous peoples in her province.

The federal government has disrespected indigenous peoples time and time again. Will it take Alberta's lead? Will it stand up and respect the rights of indigenous peoples as it goes forward? Will things turn out the way they turned out yesterday?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to learn from the member that Alberta will follow the lead of the federal government.

Whenever we tried to give human rights, basic rights, to first nations in our country, that party and the member voted against it. I am talking about marital property rights. Why would they vote against them?

Furthermore, anytime—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Order, please. Unfortunately, the minister has run out of time. I would ask members to come to order. There is quite a lot of chatter back and forth.

The hon. member for Alfred-Pellan.

Public Safety

[Rosane Doré Lefebvre, NDP, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is not too late for the Conservatives and the Liberals to change course and listen to the millions of Canadians who oppose Bill C-51.

Experts, jurists, business people and even former prime ministers agree: Bill C-51 is ineffective and dangerous and will undermine our security and our rights.

Will all of the parties join us today in rejecting Bill C-51 and protecting Canadians' rights and freedoms once and for all?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, it is not too late for the New Democrats to wake up and take steps to protect the more than 30 million Canadians who were attacked by terrorists here in Ottawa and in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

We increased police resources seven times, and the New Democrats were against that. We implemented measures to fight terrorism and strategies to prevent it. They were against that too. Recently, we announced measures enabling our agents to exchange information with our partners. Once again, the NDP was against that. Again this evening, they are going to vote against this bill.

However, Canadians can count on a Conservative government to protect the Canadian people.

[Rosane Doré Lefebvre, NDP, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not have to choose between their safety and their rights, despite what the other parties would have them believe. Both the Liberals and Conservatives have stood in this House and made all kinds of pronouncements that prey on people's fears.

We in the NDP will not allow fear to triumph over our principles. We will stand up today to defend our rights and our freedoms, and we will oppose Bill C-51.

Will the Liberals and the Conservatives follow our lead?