House of Commons Hansard #209 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was illegal.

Topics

Port State Measures Agreement Implementation ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

The hon. member for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour will have approximately six minutes for questions and comments when we resume debate on this issue.

Women's Senior World Curling ChampionsStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB

Mr. Speaker, even though spring is in full bloom, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the House to congratulate Canada's 2015 senior women's curling team on its recent world championship.

Last month, Lois Fowler's rink of third, Maureen Bonar; second, Cathy Gauthier; lead, Allyson Stewart; and coach, Brian Fowler, proudly wore the maple leaf while winning the women's Senior World Curling Championships in Sochi, Russia. Not only was it their first world championship, but it was the first world curling title ever won by a Brandon-based team. With this world championship, they have once again made Westman proud, and as I have always said, Manitoba is the heartbeat of curling in Canada.

Lois, Maureen, Cathy, Allyson, and coach Brian have distinguished curling records and have inspired countless others to take up the sport. Not only are they great curlers, but they are class acts who are very much respected in the curling community.

On behalf of the members of the House of Commons, I extend hearty congratulations and all the best in their future endeavours.

TaxationStatements By Members

2 p.m.

NDP

Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC

Mr. Speaker, many Longueuil residents are doing more than their share and are paying enough taxes.

As these good people receive fewer services, they see billions of tax dollars disappearing into tax havens every year, instead of being invested in our hospitals, schools and public transit.

These people are right to wonder why it is always them, honest citizens, who have to pay, in the form of taxes, fees and reduced public services, to compensate for the multinationals that do as they please, and that, in addition to earning record profits here, refuse to comply with Canada's laws.

A total of $170 billion has left Canada to be invested in Barbados, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Ottawa needs to work with its international partners to make sure that honest citizens are not the ones left to foot the bill for those who are cheating the system.

Canadians are doing their part. We need to work harder than ever to combat tax havens, and people can count on the NDP to fix this problem in 2015.

Mental Health WeekStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to speak in support of Mental Health Week and to urge parliamentarians to continue our efforts of raising awareness toward fighting the stigma attached to mental illness.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, each year one in five Canadians experiences a personal mental health issue, with an estimated cost to our national economy of over $150 million. Mental health issues can indirectly impact all of us at some time through a loved-one, friend, or colleague.

During Mental Health Week, Canadians must seek to confront the stigma still associated with the discussion of personal mental health matters, so that we can help those who truly need it. We must break this cycle and help Canadians understand that help is out there, that even the darkest clouds can have silver linings.

I ask MPs to share resources from CMHA with their constituents by visiting mentalhealthweek.ca and spreading the message across social media.

Glace Bay Citizens Service LeagueStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the great pleasure to attend the 50th anniversary of the Glace Bay Citizens Service League. In November 1965, under the guidance of Hilda Wright, on the initiative of the United Church, a pilot project was undertaken in ecumenical social service, bringing together churches, service groups, and social agencies with the goal of improving the economic conditions and quality of life for the people of Glace Bay.

The league provides programs, like the clothing depot, furniture exchange, backpack programs, Meals on Wheels, nursery schools, babysitting courses, and seniors programs, all delivered by an army of more than 200 incredibly dedicated volunteers.

The league presented 50-year service pins to Marge Petite, Effie MacAulay, Jeanette Sternes, and the league's first and longest serving board chair, Shirley Chernin.

The talented and dedicated staff, led by executive director Susan Plath and board of directors chair Agatha MacMullin, are the first to point to the hundreds of volunteers who have given so much to the benefit of so many as the reason for the league's 50 years of success.

I ask the House to join me in congratulating the Glace Bay Citizens Service League on its 50th anniversary of giving.

Student Summer EmploymentStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Joan Crockatt Conservative Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, today I want to bring some good news to Calgary parents and tell them what our government is doing for their youth this summer.

We know that parents are working really hard to put their kids through school. We also know that they want us to address one of their major concerns, which is whether their sons and daughters will have jobs once they graduate.

We are helping with that through our Canada summer jobs program. It is helping employers create 200 jobs in my riding of Calgary Centre alone and 35,000 summer jobs for students across the country. Starting right away, they will be gaining career experience and also making some money this summer.

Now $950,000 of taxpayers' dollars are going to support student jobs in my riding of Calgary Centre alone. Some of the places we will see students working are the YMCA's kids in motion program; Wordfest, celebrating the joy of reading and writing; Terex Environmental, providing environmental services to business; Petroleum Technology Alliance; the Calgary Stampede; and The Mustard Seed.

I ask members to cheer them on when they see them.

Neighbourhood House WeekStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, three municipalities in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia have proclaimed May 3 to 9, Neighbourhood House Week.

It gives me great pleasure to draw to the attention of the House to the multi-faceted contributions of these outstanding organizations to our communities and our country.

The rich history of the neighbourhood house movement in metro Vancouver dates back to 1894, when the precursor of the Alexandra Neighbourhood House, a children's orphanage, opened on Pine Street. Today, we have 14 neighbourhood houses that serve more than 100,000 people every year. These treasures provide a broad array of services that bring every part of our community together. They feed the homeless, teach our youth, and nurture our citizens.

From social, cultural and recreational programs to helping individuals, families and new Canadians develop and connect, neighbourhood houses are welcoming homes for everyone in our community.

In Vancouver Kingsway, we are blessed with three outstanding neighbourhood houses: Cedar Cottage, Collingwood and Little Mountain. On behalf of the Parliament of Canada, we thank them and all neighbourhood houses for their contributions to our nation.

Victory in Europe DayStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, 70 years ago tomorrow the guns fell silent in Europe after five years and eight months of destruction and the death of tens of millions of people.

Victory in Europe Day commemorates the courage, service and sacrifice of millions of people committed to upholding freedom and democracy on behalf of those who could not do it themselves. Among them were one million Canadians in uniform, many of them related to people in the House and gallery today.

The history of Canada is replete with examples of our country standing up when it counts. We can never forget that and we should always be proud of that.

Today the veterans affairs committee and I, with the able assistance of my grandson Tyler and granddaughter Raiya, laid a wreath at the National War Memorial to pay homage to the 47,000 Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice, the tens of thousands wounded or taken prisoner, and the hundreds of thousands who returned home unscathed, at least physically, after having done their duty. Tyler and Raiya do not understand the significance of VE Day and other such days yet, but they will.

I invite all hon. members of the House and all Canadians to pause tomorrow and any day to thank all of those who guarantee our freedom and the freedom of all Canadians, like Tyler and Raiya.

National Mental Health WeekStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Dany Morin NDP Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Mr. Speaker, this week is the 64th National Mental Health Week. Like physical health, mental health is part of the well-being of every Canadian, and over the years, it may be good or bad.

Life is not easy and there are many obstacles along the way. However, no problem is too small because everyone experiences an emotional reaction to events. These problems cause tension, which is not ideal for making the best decisions.

That is why it is important to talk about our problems with our loved ones or through a telephone hotline. People want to talk about their suffering. They want to give it a name. They want the other person to acknowledge their suffering. They want to express it.

For that, we have to give people the opportunity to express themselves and not necessarily give them advice, but just listen. We have to trust those people. They are capable of making their own decisions. It is enough to just be there, not say a word and just listen, because being able to talk about the problem reduces anxiety by half. Talking releases emotions and allows people to achieve a better mental balance.

Let us take the time to listen to one another.

Thank you Tel-Aide Saguenay Lac Saint-Jean for being there.

TaxationStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Wladyslaw Lizon Conservative Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party plans to replace our government's family tax cut with a family tax hike. He admits he will take away the tax-free savings account expansion and take away income splitting for families. The Liberals are ideologically opposed to lower taxes and, if given the chance, will raise taxes on middle-class seniors, middle-class workers and middle-class small businesses.

Our Conservative government has delivered low taxes and benefits directly to families. The Liberals want high taxes and huge debt. Canadians know that it is our Conservative government that they can count on to lower taxes for the middle class.

Alberta ElectionStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Dennis Bevington NDP Northwest Territories, NT

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories to congratulate Rachel Notley and the NDP on their election victory as a strong, stable, majority government for Alberta.

The people of the NWT have a special relationship with Albertans. We regularly travel, trade, play and work in Alberta. Edmonton is our city for medical services, post-secondary education and all manner of supply and services. The NWT and Alberta share an ecosystem with northern Alberta included in the Mackenzie River watershed. Northerners, including my parents, came from Alberta.

I salute the premier-elect and her Notley crew for running a marvellous campaign full of trust and change. Northerners will look forward to working with this new, exciting government. I am sure she will continue the productive relationship between Alberta and the NWT.

TaxationStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Bernard Trottier Conservative Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON

Mr. Speaker, our government created the family tax cut and universal child care benefit to ensure that every Canadian family with children will have money in their pockets. Canadian families, including those in my riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore, are further ahead because of our universal child care benefit.

Now the Liberals want to take that away. Instead of a family tax cut, the leader of the Liberal Party wants to introduce a family tax hike. He wants high taxes and huge government debt. This does not help the middle class.

Only our Conservative has a plan that will help middle-class Canadians keep money in their pockets.

Special AwardsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour two residents of Victoria county who have been recently recognized on the international scene: Dr. Ron Stewart and Leon Dubinsky.

Dr. Ron Stewart, from my hometown, was recently awarded the James O. Page/Journal of Emergency Medical Services Award . He is the first physician outside the United States to receive that award. This award recognizes individuals who exhibit drive and a tenacious effort to develop improved emergency medical service systems.

Our good family friend, Leon Dubinsky, has also been recognized. A Holocaust memorial observance held in Sydney paid tribute to Leon's song We Rise Again, which he composed in 1985. Dubinsky was presented the March of the Living Canada award.

Year after year, Leon's song is sung by Canadian participants of the March of the Living, a program that brings students together from all over the world to Poland to study the history of the Holocaust. Uncle Newman would be proud.

I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating Leon Dubinsky and Dr. Ron Stewart on their worldly accomplishments.

TaxationStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal leader's high-tax plan for the middle class just does not make any sense. The Liberal leader admits there will be a $2 billion hole. He also admitted that he would have to raise taxes on people earning less than $60,000 a year by cancelling their expanded tax-free savings accounts.

Economists also say that his proposed tax increases will not raise the money necessary to fund his expensive schemes. His numbers just do not add up. The only way to make the numbers work will be higher taxes on the middle class by taking away the tax-free savings accounts entirely and income splitting for seniors.

Canadians know that on this side of the House will protect middle-class incomes, while the Liberals will tax middle-class incomes.

Alberta ElectionStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Matthew Dubé NDP Chambly—Borduas, QC

Mr. Speaker, four years ago I was privileged to have my constituents in Chambly—Borduas choose me to represent them. Fifty-five other Quebec colleagues were also given this privilege. Together with our colleagues from across Canada, we became the official opposition.

People called it the “orange wave”. This wave is a state of mind, a desire for change expressed by Canadians. They want to do politics differently and to elect people just like them who talk about issues that affect real people.

This week it was Alberta's turn to catch the orange wave. Just as we have done, the newly elected NDP members in Alberta will bring the kind of fresh ideas our political discourse so badly needs.

The winds of change are blowing. Next October, Canadians across the country will be able to join the movement and elect a government in their own image. I dare say that it will be an NDP government.

TaxationStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake, MB

Mr. Speaker, our government is cutting taxes for hard-working middle-class Canadians with our family tax cut and the universal child care benefit.

Our low-tax plan for families in Selkirk—Interlake is working. We are ensuring that 100% of families with kids benefit with almost $2,000 back in their pockets for each child who is in preschool and $720 per child from ages 6 to 17.

The Liberal leader confirmed that he would take this all away and introduce a family tax hike. We know this because there is a $2 billion hole in his plan, and the only way he can find that money is to raise taxes on Canadians. The Liberal leader will need to cancel income splitting for seniors and take away the tax-free savings accounts entirely.

Canadians can trust our government to ensure that never happens. The Liberal leader needs to get his head out of his deficit hole.

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, there is another shocking revelation in the Senate scandal today. According to an RCMP court document made public, the Prime Minister's Office played a “key role” in altering and falsifying the 2013 audit of Mike Duffy's expenses.

Will the Prime Minister confirm that his office intervened directly to change and falsify the findings of the audit into the expenses of Conservative Senator Mike Duffy?

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Oak Ridges—Markham Ontario

Conservative

Paul Calandra ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, questions with respect to a Senate audit are best addressed by the Senate. We have been providing, and will continue to provide, assistance to the Crown in its case against Mr. Duffy.

This matter is before the courts, so it would be inappropriate to comment any further.

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, let me quote the RCMP corporal who conducted the investigation, “we’ve learned that PMO has had a lot of communication with the diverse senators who were involved in these committees and sub-committees”.

Does the Prime Minister deny that officials in his office secretly discussed the Deloitte audit with Conservative senators before it was completed, on May 7, 2013?

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Oak Ridges—Markham Ontario

Conservative

Paul Calandra ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I just answered that question. Again, questions with respect to a Senate audit are best addressed by the Senate. However, as we have been doing right from the beginning, we will continue to provide assistance to the Crown in its case against Mr. Duffy.

The Leader of the Opposition could certainly provide assistance to the taxpayers of Canada if he would encourage the 68 members of his caucus who owe over $2 million to the Canadian taxpayers to pay that back. That would be wonderful. He could start by showing leadership by reimbursing the Canadian taxpayers the $400,000 he owes them in illegal funding for an office that was illegal in Montreal.

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the RCMP is unequivocal. The RCMP told the courts that the report had made its way to the Prime Minister's Office during the investigation. Again I quote: “The report...had made its ways to the PMO...and...revisions, what they wanted to have written in the report, was done”.

Can the Prime Minister tell us why his office doctored the details of that audit report? What are they trying to hide? Who are they trying to protect?

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Oak Ridges—Markham Ontario

Conservative

Paul Calandra ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I already answered that question. The matter is before the courts. It would be inappropriate to comment any further.

However, there are other questions. For example, why did the member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord funnel resources intended for his riding to an illegal office in Montreal? I hope the member will do the right thing and pay the people of his riding back that $30,000.

I hope he will do the right thing and refund the $30,000 he owes them.

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, on February 7, 2013, Nigel Wright, the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, wrote in an email to his colleagues in the Prime Minister's Office, “Mike is very pleased with this so it will give us a little bit of time if [Conservative senator David Tkachuk] can pull it off”. Pull what off? Obviously rewriting the report. They know it as well as we do.

This is pure Richard Nixon. The Duffygate coverup was orchestrated right in the Prime Minister's Office. That is what these RCMP court documents prove. Why will the Prime Minister not answer?

EthicsOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Oak Ridges—Markham Ontario

Conservative

Paul Calandra ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I have already answered that question.

What is also before us right now is the fact that there are some 68 members of the NDP caucus who owe over $2.7 million to the Canadian taxpayer, plus interest, for illegal offices in Montreal. There are also another 23 members of the NDP caucus who illegally spent over $1 million in inappropriate mailings. That is a party that accepted illegally $350,000 worth of union donations, and in contravention to the rules of this chamber has a union member working in the Leader of the Opposition's office doing partisan work. He ought to repay the money he owes taxpayers.

EthicsOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the email from the Prime Minister's chief of staff went on to say that:

A purpose of this is to put Mike in a different bucket and to prevent him from going squirrely in a bunch of weekend panel shows.

Will the Prime Minister now finally acknowledge that his office has been directly implicated in a deliberate attempt at obstruction of justice?