Debates of June 9th, 2015

Member for Simcoe North

[Bruce Stanton, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, as we near the end of this 41st Parliament, I pay tribute to the people of my riding of Simcoe North.

From the shoreline of Georgian Bay to the farmlands along the north side of Lake Simcoe, from the thriving city of Barrie to the cusp of cottage country in Muskoka-Parry Sound, my riding is blessed with generous and enterprising people and communities that reach back to the earliest of recorded history in our nation.

I consider it the greatest of honours to represent this region of Ontario, the place of my birth and my family since 1874.

I would like to commend my constituents for the pride they have in their communities, their history and their culture.

It is obvious in every festival, every work of art and every savvy innovation from our business community. To my constituents, supporters and critics alike, one would do well by their example. They make me proud each and every day.

Canadian Armed Forces

[Lawrence Toet, Conservative, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to acknowledge and thank the Royal Canadian Legion Zone 64 and Transcona Branch No. 7 for hosting their annual decoration day services in recognition of those who have served and those who continue to serve in our Canadian Armed Forces. Events like these ones serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made by our veterans, sacrifices they made to assure not only our freedom here in Canada but also the freedom of many other countries in the world.

Being the son of immigrants from the Netherlands who came to Canada after being liberated by Canadian Forces, I am forever indebted to Canada's veterans who defended Holland's peace and security.

As Canadians, we were very proud to join the Dutch people as they celebrated the 70th anniversary of their liberation earlier this spring. I was tremendously honoured to meet their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands last month in recognition of this important milestone.

I wish to recognize Canada's men and women in uniform, past and present, for all they have done in serving our country.

Chicoutimi—Le Fjord

[Dany Morin, NDP, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is my last statement in the House as a member in this 41st Parliament, and I want to take this opportunity to express how proud I am of the work that has been accomplished over the past four years.

Members of Parliament are an essential connection between the regions and Ottawa. I am honoured to have represented the people of Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. They are the ones who taught me that it is important to work together, united, in defending our common interests, whether they be customs at the Bagotville airport, bullying prevention among our young people, protecting our postal services, crucial funding for our military base or the future of the forestry industry.

That is how we have worked to defend the interests of our region, Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean, for four years. Is this approach not in our very nature? Is it not tied to our roots and to the land we all worked together to conquer and develop?

Over the summer I will continue to be visible in the communities and available to the people of Chicoutimi—Le Fjord and to serve the public with the objective of promoting the Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean region.

Thank you once again for your confidence, your support and your encouragement. Let us work together to elect a New Democrat government this fall.

Taxation

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday the Liberal leader revealed that he would use, “alternative sources of capital, such as pension funds” to pay for his irresponsible promises. The seniors in Oxford reject the Liberal leader's plot to endanger their retirement security to fund his spending schemes.

On behalf of every senior and future retiree in Canada, our Conservative government says “hands off their pensions”. We created the tax-free savings account and introduced pension income splitting that is benefiting over two million seniors and pensioners.

Canadian seniors and future retirees are better off under the leadership of our Prime Minister. Now is not the time for risky schemes and untested leadership.

Workers and the Middle Class

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while thousands of good jobs are disappearing and people have record levels of debt, the NDP will always be on the side of workers and middle-class families. We have solutions: make life more affordable and create good green jobs in an economy focused on renewable energy.

We are there for the 99%, those working every day to make ends meet, those looking for work and those who want to live comfortably in their later years. We come from the same world and we have the same dreams to change it.

While thousands of good jobs are lost every month and people are in debt like never before, the NDP will always be on the side of the workers and the families of the middle class. We are proposing common-sense solutions that will help families with better health care, child care and green jobs for the economy of tomorrow. We are in Parliament for the 99% who work every day to make ends meet. We are from the same world and we have the same dreams to change it.

Russia

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, at the G7 meetings, world leaders agreed to continue supporting the isolation of Russian president Vladimir Putin through economic sanctions. All members of the G7 agree with Canada's position, that sanctions cannot be lifted until Putin respects the sovereignty of Ukraine's borders.

I am proud of the fact that our Prime Minister has taken the principled stand that Russia cannot be allowed back into the G7 so long as Vladimir Putin is president.

Canada and this Conservative government stands with Ukraine. Whether it takes 5 months or 50 years, we will never recognize Vladimir Putin's aggressive annexation of Ukrainian territory. There will be no business as ususal with Russia as long as it insists on violating international law.

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs has said, if the Russians want to be responsible global citizens, they need to prove it and get out of Ukraine.

Daniel Woodall

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Liberal caucus, I extend condolences to the family and friends of Constable Daniel Woodall, killed in the line of duty last evening, in Edmonton, Alberta.

Our wishes for a quick recovery are also extended to Sergeant Jason Harley, who was injured during the same incident.

Constable Woodall worked on the hate crimes units of Edmonton Police Services, having transferred from the Manchester police of Great Britain eight years ago.

As Police Chief Knecht stated, “this is a tragedy”. However, their service is heartened by the words of police forces worldwide that share in grief due to a common bond. We, too, in this place share that grief and add our respect for police officers and all they do.

Constable Woodall was 35, and is survived by his wife Claire and two children. I am told he was doing what he loved: policing. However, he also was a passionate soccer supporter, which sounds about right, coming from England.

Again, to Claire, family and colleagues, our heartfelt sympathy.

Canada Pension Plan

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has an independent mandate that is very clear, which is to invest the best interests of hard-working Canadians who have paid into it. It operates independently from government to invest funds on behalf of its 18 million Canadians who contribute and benefit from it. That helps ensure that the retirement funds Canadians rely upon remain safe and secure.

However, the Liberal leader has admitted he would use “alternative sources of capital, such as pension funds” to pay for his irresponsible spending. It gets worse. The Liberal leader also said, of his spending schemes “It is time for a new revenue source”. Canadians know what that means: another tax hike from the Liberal leader.

On behalf of Canada's hard-working seniors and future retirees, our Conservative government says, “Hands off their pensions”.

The Senate

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Speaker, with the Attorney General's report on the Senate expense scandal tabled today, Canadians are finally getting some answers on the Conservative and Liberal corruption that has taken hold in the Senate, and it is not pretty.

The Mike Duffy trial is just the tip of the iceberg. Almost half of the Senate was involved in illegal spending. In his report, the Auditor General has named a group of three senators with considerable control over the Senate: the Speaker of the Senate, Mr. Housakos, who was just appointed by the Prime Minister himself; the leader of the Liberal opposition, James Cowan; and the government leader in the Senate, Claude Carignan. This is appalling.

The Liberals and the Conservatives are hoping Canadians will look the other way and ignore the rot in the undemocratic and unelected Senate, but Canadians know better.

This October, Canadians will be able to vote for the change they want and actually get it, in voting for an NDP government on October 19.

Daniel Woodall

[Jim Eglinski, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I speak today. Yesterday, tragedy struck Edmonton, as Constable Daniel Woodall, a veteran police officer, died of the injuries he suffered in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Constable Woodall and his fellow Edmonton police officers during this difficult time.

We wish a good recovery to Sergeant Jason Harley, who also suffered injuries during the intervention.

It is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by members of our law enforcement community who work selflessly each day to keep us safe in Canada.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

It is my understanding that there have been discussions among representatives of all parties in the House and that there is agreement to observe a moment of silence in honour of the fallen police officer in Edmonton, Alberta.

[A moment of silence observed]

Ethics

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, trying to cover up Senate scandals has become routine for the Prime Minister's Office: watering down an internal Senate report and a $90,000 cheque for Senator Duffy. The Auditor General's report on the Senate scandal is even more distressing.

Was the Prime Minister's Office in contact with the senators before the report was released?

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

Mr. Speaker, it was the Senate that actually invited the Auditor General in to examine its expenses. We understand that the report has been tabled and been made public. We expect the Senate to implement the recommendations.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, that member and that government refuse to come clean with Canadians about whether the Prime Minister's Office was in touch with any senators before this report was tabled.

Why are Conservatives so afraid to tell the truth? Could it be because eight of the senators who are named in the report were appointed by the Prime Minister? Or could it be because the Prime Minister's hand-picked Senate Speaker was also named in the report? Or maybe it could be because Senate leaders named in the audit still have their very own appeals process?

The Conservatives have a history of cover-ups. Are they now working with Conservative senators to do damage control?

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

Mr. Speaker, again as I just said, it was the Senate that invited in the Auditor General to examine its expenses. I understand that the Auditor General has put in place a number of recommendations and we hope the Senate will follow those recommendations.

At the same time, what is highlighted is that when people deliberately abuse taxpayer resources, Canadians have a right to expect that money to be repaid and if individuals have done it deliberately, they face the full extent of the law.

I certainly hope the NDP members will reflect on that. I know they owe $2.7 million. I hope they will reflect on that and will consider repaying the taxpayers the $2.7 million that they owe them.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve better than a scandal-plagued self-policing Senate and that member's embarrassing non-answers. The Auditor General is calling for transformative change and independent Senate oversight.

After coming here to reform the Senate, now the Conservatives are defending the status quo and Senate corruption. Do they agree with the Senate Speaker that those senators “should be thanked by the population” for their actions, or do they agree with us and the Auditor General that transformative change is needed now?

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

Mr. Speaker, we learned last night that it was a priority of the NDP to hold a constitutional conference to open up the Constitution and to hold a referendum with respect to the next steps on the Senate. That is not something we will do. We will continue to focus on jobs and economic growth because that is the priority of Canadians.

At the same time, what is very clear is that the NDP owes $2.7 million. There is only one taxpayer and whether it is a senator or whether it is a member of Parliament, there are 68 members of the NDP caucus who owe $2.7 million. I believe that is three times as much as the Auditor General identified in the Senate report. I hope the New Democrats will pay it back.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, welcome to Absurdistan.

The Conservatives would have us believe that the Prime Minister personally appointed Senator Housakos to the speakership of the Senate without ever asking him a single question about his expenses or how he planned to handle the breaking scandal. Frankly, the Conservatives are once again taking us for fools.

Could they have the decency to be a tiny bit transparent and tell us what contact there was between the Prime Minister's Office and Senator Housakos before the report was released?

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

Mr. Speaker, Senator Housakos was a bi-partisan appointment on the recommendation of the leader of the Liberals and the leader of the government in the Senate. At the same time, what this report identifies and what all of us should understand is that there is only one taxpayer. There is only one taxpayer and whether it is a senator or it is a member of Parliament, when people deliberately mislead the Canadian people, when they owe them money, they should pay it back.

Now we understand there are some senators who owe some funds, but there are also 68 members of the NDP caucus. I hope they will reflect on this and pay the money back.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the people deserve the truth, and they deserve answers from their government.

The Auditor General's report made it clear that the Senate is corrupt. It is clearly too far gone for us to help. We need changes right away for sure, but we also need an independent oversight body.

Until we abolish the Senate, which we will, will the government finally work with us to set up an independent oversight body and get the truth? Or will the parliamentary secretary continue to cling to his feeble attacks with no regard for transparency?

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

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the Auditor General has made some recommendations, and we expect that the Senate will follow those recommendations.

At the same time, we know that it is a priority of the NDP to hold a referendum with respect to the Constitution. It is ironic, since the member opposite has written 29 separate cheques to a separatist party. This is the NDP that wants to open up the Constitution and have a referendum, with that particular separatist member as its lead.

I think not. We will continue to focus on jobs and economic growth and trying to get back the $2.7 million that they owe the Canadian taxpayer.

Pensions

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of State for Finance said that strengthening the Canada pension plan is like using a bazooka; the Minister of Employment said that the CPP is at odds with job creation; the Prime Minister wanted Alberta to withdraw from the CPP; and the former foreign affairs minister described it as white collar crime.

Instead of insulting this program, which has helped so many Canadians, why will the Conservatives not work with the provinces to develop a real, credible plan to strengthen and expand the CPP, which is incredibly important to all Canadians?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have confirmed that they want to impose a new $1,000 tax on every worker who earns $60,000 a year. Small and medium-sized businesses, which employ these workers, will also have to pay this $1,000 tax for each employee. Business owners are telling us that this will kill jobs and hurt Canadian families.

We oppose the new tax proposed by the Liberals.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, just repeating a falsehood does not make it true.

Most Canadians are seriously troubled about not having enough to live on in their retirement. Some three-quarters in the private sector do not have a company pension. Typical 35-year-olds today are saving only half of what their parents did. Among those in their 50s, two-thirds have less than $100,000 set aside and one-third has nothing at all.

Canadians want a comprehensive solution. Will the government take the advice of the late Jim Flaherty and begin a modest, phased in, fully funded expansion of the Canada pension plan?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party has confirmed that it wants to impose Kathleen Wynne's proposal for a new payroll tax on Canadians. According to the Wynne Liberal government, this would be about $1,000 in additional taxes for every single worker earning $60,000 a year.

Worse yet, the small business employing that worker would have to match that new tax. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says that businesses would lay people off and cut wages, and some would even close their doors.