Debates of June 15th, 2015

Labour

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, to give members an idea of what Labour Canada does, just this weekend Air Canada and Unifor came to a tentative agreement so they could move forward together. They came to that agreement together, and that means planes are going to keep flying and people are going to get paid rate wages.

What we are doing now is ensuring that parties can continue to speak together, as I mentioned. They come up with the best solutions together, usually without us moving forward here. We want to continue to encourage them to do so by having the federal mediation and conciliation service available if they require them.

Tourism Industry

[Malcolm Allen, NDP, Welland, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry is responsible for 600,000 jobs in cities and towns across Canada. People in my riding of Welland and across Canada know how important tourism is to local economies.

However, not only have Conservatives slashed the budget of the Canadian Tourism Commission by nearly 30%, the Minister of State actually bragged about how much he had cut. As a result, Canada has dropped dramatically as a tourism destination.

Why do Conservatives continue to ignore a sector that employs so many Canadians?

[Maxime Bernier, Conservative, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the member just said, which is false, we did not cut any money from the Canadian Tourism Commission; we increased the budget by $30 million. This is an investment in U.S. tourism, which will ensure that we have more travellers from the U.S. visiting our nice country.

[Annick Papillon, NDP, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, let me set the record straight. The Canadian Tourism Commission's budget was cut by 19% in 2014.

For thousands of workers in Quebec City's tourism industry, the summer is a short but critical time for them to earn enough money. The Conservatives cut the budget for the organization that promotes Canada as a world-class tourism destination in foreign markets, and our tourism businesses are paying the price. In 2014, Canada ranked 20th of 50 countries for tourism revenue compared to 17th in 2013.

Will the Conservatives invest to save the—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism.

[Maxime Bernier, Conservative, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder where my colleague was.

A few weeks ago in Niagara Falls, we made a major announcement about an additional $30 million investment in Destination Canada to promote our country. The entire tourism industry was very happy about that announcement.

The figures the member quoted are completely false. We have increased the budgets for the Canadian Tourism Commission and Destination Canada. We believe that they will do their job and attract even more visitors to Canada.

Manufacturing Industry

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Statistics Canada has confirmed what families that rely on manufacturing jobs already know: times are tough and getting tougher.

Manufacturing sales fell another 2.1% in April, the third decline in four months. In fact, sales are 7.3% lower than their post-recession peak. Conservatives of course say that manufacturing will rebound if we just wait and wait, but unemployed families are tired of waiting.

How many jobs does the sector have to lose before the Conservatives will admit their fiscal failures, or do we have to wait for more ads to tell us how great things are?

[James Moore, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the math of this is quite simple. One-third of Canadians live in the province of Ontario. Ontario is over 40% of the Canadian economy, and the backbone of the Ontario economy is manufacturing.

That is why, when we came forward with budget 2015, we worked with the province of Ontario, we worked with the private sector, we worked with the auto sector and the aerospace sector to come forward with a package of policies that would make sense.

That is why the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, that is why the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association and others, who actually work in this sector and with whom we work, have said that our budget is the right way forward to ensure that we are creating jobs, creating growth and creating long-term prosperity for Canada's manufacturing sector.

International Trade

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Numbers do not lie, Mr. Speaker. The manufacturing performance is dismal, particularly with the dollar at 81¢, and it is part of a wider trend.

The trade deficit has soared to historic highs: in January, $1.8 billion; in February, $2 billion; in March, an all-time slump, $3.9 billion; in April, another $3 billion. That is a total deficit so far this year of more than $10 billion.

Without reciting talking points, could the government explain how it will turn those terrible numbers around?

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I do not accept the premise of that question. No government has done more to advance Canada's trade interests than this Conservative government. That is why we have concluded free trade agreements with 38 different countries around the world, and we have also concluded 29 investment protection agreements.

Had the member actually reviewed the statistics, she would have found that non-energy exports actually went up 6.2% over the previous year. Last year was the first time that Canadian exports were over $1 trillion. We are very proud of that accomplishment.

Social Development

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, while the Prime Minister was off at the G7 signing feel-good statements about taking action on poverty at home and abroad, the Minister of International Development is quietly admitting the government has no intention to address poverty here at home.

Despite rising inequality, hundreds of thousands of Canadians turning to food banks every month, growing numbers of working poor and first nations not having access to clean drinking water or safe housing, the Conservatives see no reason to act.

Why are the Conservatives refusing to address poverty in Canada?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Minister of State (Social Development)]

Mr. Speaker, I have talked about the numbers in terms of poverty that we have seen since we have come into government. In fact, we have seen the level of poverty decrease substantially because of the benefits that we provided, like the universal child care benefit. Now we have introduced the family tax cut.

We know the Liberals and the NDP do not like the universal child benefit because they want to pick and choose who gets the benefits.

We believe all families should get it and the evidence shows that this is what is helping lift children and families out of poverty.

[Sadia Groguhé, NDP, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there is always a double standard with this government. On the one hand, the Prime Minister is publicly boasting that he supports the United Nations' ambitious plan to combat poverty. However, back in Canada, his minister is doing absolutely nothing to reach the plan's targets. Nearly 15% of Canadians live below the poverty line, including more than one million children.

What concrete measures is the Prime Minister proposing to keep his promise to reduce poverty in Canada?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Minister of State (Social Development)]

Mr. Speaker, let me tell the House what somebody from outside of Canada said about what we were doing to lift children out of poverty. He said, “That's really impressive. It's better than what the majority of other countries did during the recession”. That was because we have lifted 180,000 children out of poverty.

We know what the NDP and the Liberals would do. They would end benefits to families. They would increase taxes on seniors, on job creators and on the most vulnerable.

We will continue with evidence-based policies. We look forward to seeing more families supported.

Let me read from David Morley, president and CEO of UNICEF Canada. He said that the money we provided kept money in circulation.

Taxation

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government has consistently lowered taxes and created voluntary savings options, like the tax-free savings account. Our low-tax plan saves $6,600 this year for a typical family, but the Liberal leader has exposed his scheme to cut back tax-free savings accounts and hike taxes.

Could the Minister of State for Finance please clarify the government's position on mandatory payroll taxes?

[Kevin Sorenson, Conservative, Minister of State (Finance)]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hard-working member for Mississauga South.

The Liberal leader has confirmed that he would impose a $1,000 tax hike on middle-class workers. We know that would kill jobs and it would set working families back.

Now, more than ever, it is crystal clear that only our Conservative government can be trusted to keep taxes low for Canadians. Now is not the time for risky tax schemes and untested leadership.

Social Development

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, with over 10,000 children in foster care in the province of Manitoba, what is clear is that the NDP government does not know what it is doing and the federal government does not understand the needs of its foster children, of which 90% are from an indigenous background.

Struggling through education, the majority will not graduate from high school. What is the Government of Canada doing?

My question for the minister responsible is this. What is his government prepared to do for the 10,000-plus kids who are in foster care today in Manitoba?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am sure all of us are concerned about some of the stories that have come out of Manitoba. Of course the foster care system is run by the provincial government. That said, the federal government has provided increased social transfers precisely so provinces can run the foster care system.

Beyond that, guardians, in addition to parents, are eligible to receive the universal child care benefit. Guardians will be eligible to see an increase of up to $2,000 for kids under 6 and $720 for kids aged 6 through 17 per year, every year.

Public Works and Government Services

[Denis Blanchette, NDP, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the people of Lévis are still waiting for the government to take action on the short-term renewal of our fleet of supply ships. Hundreds of jobs are at stake here.

The Davie shipyard submitted a credible proposal to the government, but the Conservatives keep refusing to follow through. Time is of the essence. In the meantime, the delays keep piling up, and I should point out that the navy really needs these ships.

Will the government stop postponing its decision and finally make one?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, we always want the Canadian Forces to have all the equipment they need.

In this case, the Royal Canadian Navy is examining all the options in the wake of consultations it held with the industry.

Seniors

[Ray Boughen, Conservative, Palliser, SK]

Mr. Speaker, seniors across our country have expressed concerns about elder abuse, financial abuse and fraud. Our government has a record to be proud of when it comes to protecting seniors and supporting elder abuse awareness.

Could the Minister of State for Seniors please update the House on her work to combat elder abuse?

[Alice Wong, Conservative, Minister of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to mark in the House today the 10th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

This government has a strong record of standing up for seniors. It was our government that introduced the Victims Bill of Rights Act and the Protecting Canada's Seniors Act to protect victims of elder abuse.

Earlier, I was at an announcement that would help to raise the awareness of ageism in Ottawa, one of the many new horizons for seniors program projects.

I am proud of the government's work in fighting against elder abuse.

The Environment

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is unbelievable that the National Energy Board of Canada will be the one to make the final decision about whether to allow oil to move through Quebec, without consultation or consent.

Whether by pipeline, train or ship, and whether those are painted red, blue or orange, the shipping of oil poses the same risk to our rivers, our environment, our cities and towns and our people.

Does the Minister of the Environment realize that these risks are being imposed on Quebeckers, even though Quebec will not get a single—

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows that we do not take positions on specific applications for energy infrastructure until an independent review is complete. Our government relies on the independent National Energy Board for decisions related to proposals for energy infrastructure, including TransCanada's energy east proposal.

Our government has been clear. Proposals will only be approved if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.

[Bruce Hyer, Green, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is introducing last-minute bills deliberately set to fail to pass, like the Lake Superior national marine conservation area act in Thunder Bay—Superior North. The NMCA and $20 million was a pre-election promise by our Prime Minister in Nipigon eight long years ago. Is Bill C-61 just another pre-election false promise, or will the Prime Minister seek unanimous consent for Bill C-61 to actually pass before the House rises?