Debates of Oct. 20th, 2016

Victims of Sexual Assault

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, at least 15 break-ins were reported at one of Laval University's residences, which is in the heart of my riding and my community. During four of these break-ins, sexual assaults were also committed. To show solidarity for the victims, more than 1,000 people gathered yesterday evening for a vigil in honour of the courage of these young women who reported their perpetrator. On behalf of all members of the House, I wish to express our sympathy and solidarity.

October is Women's History Month in Canada. It is a time to honour the exceptional women and girls who built our country and who helped bring us closer to gender equality. However, we know that there is still much work to be done, and one of the first things we must do as a society is to combat rape culture in all its forms, today and in the future.

Virginia Cisneros

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Women's History Month, I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution women have made to building our country and enhancing its presence in the world.

One woman in particular has inspired me for many years: Virginia Cisneros, head of the welcoming, integration, and community life department at the Maison Internationale de la Rive-Sud, which has helped thousands of immigrants successfully settle in our region. For over 25 years, Virginia has been central to the exemplary social and economic integration of newcomers to the south shore. Virginia is absolutely invaluable. She is a leader in promoting the benefits of diversity, one of the undeniable strengths of Brossard—Saint-Lambert. Again, I would like to acknowledge and commend Virginia for her years of devotion to our community.

[Member spoke in Spanish as follows:]

Felicitaciones, Virginia. Te admiro mucho.

Carbon Tax Proposal

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's devastating tax will make every single thing more expensive for everyone. It is regressive. It will hurt the most vulnerable and the poorest the most.

In Lakeland, so many people are hurting, losing their livelihoods, their homes, bracing for tougher times ahead.

While my constituents are struggling, wondering how to pay the bills, the Liberals are attacking Alberta's families, farms, businesses, municipalities, and charities, with even more costs at the very worst time.

A Vegreville restaurant predicts major increases, causing reduced staff hours and layoffs. A local feedlot says the carbon tax will wipe out its whole profit margin, hiking costs half a million dollars annually.

One county says it will take its already sinking revenues, so road and bridge upkeep will cease, crews will have to be laid off. An Athabasca family farmer said their costs will skyrocket over $130,000 annually, at the least.

Albertans and Canadians cannot afford this dangerous Liberal scheme.

Birthday Wishes

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Mr. Speaker, if anyone has read the wonderful novel, The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor, by Sally Armstrong, then they have read about the great-great-great-great-grandmother of Helen (Nellie) Harris of Tabusintac, a community in my riding of Miramichi—Grand Lake.

I was recently invited to Nellie's 110th birthday party.

Nellie is still a very fine, smart, beautiful lady who has spent her life on the picturesque but rugged north shore of New Brunswick. Having received congratulatory messages from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth; Canada's Governor General, His Excellency David Johnston; and of course, our Right Hon. Prime Minister of Canada, it was a great day for Nellie who, surrounded by her family and friends, blew out all the candles on her cake.

I promised that I would rise in the House as soon as I could, so that members from across Canada could join with me in wishing her a happy 110th birthday.

Happy birthday, Nellie.

Arvida

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last spring I was very proud to be appointed to the Club des ambassadeurs d'Arvida, an exceptional heritage district in my riding of Jonquière.

I want to acknowledge the significance of this unique industrial heritage. Built in 1926, Arvida is the birthplace of Canada's aluminium industry. The old working-class neighbourhood stands out for the architectural quality of its housing. This is why Arvida won two prestigious awards in architecture, in addition to being designated a national historic site in 2012.

A committee seeking heritage recognition for Arvida is currently working on having Arvida included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Now that the tentative list for Canada's world heritage sites has been reopened, we are convinced that Arvida has what it takes to be included.

Terrorism

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today we remember and honour the lives of two members of the Canadian Armed Forces: Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was murdered in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on October 20, 2014, and Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was gunned down two days later in Ottawa while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

These soldiers were targeted simply because they were wearing their uniforms. Many of us in this chamber were present when that terrorist threat entered this building. We are forever grateful for the quick and courageous response by the Parliamentary Security officers, RCMP, and Ottawa City Police.

When human instinct is to flee, these officers heroically ran toward danger. Less than 24 hours after the attack, my colleagues and I returned to Parliament to perform our duties to represent Canadians. Our determination in the work we do was only strengthened that day. So too is the resolve of the Canadian Armed Forces in their mission to defeat the evils of terror.

Terrorism will not stop the work of our troops, it will not shake our democratic institutions, nor will it intimidate us as Canadians.

Small Business Week

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, this is Small Business Week, and we recognize the vital role small businesses play in our economy and in all our communities. As a former small business operator, I understand the risks that owners take when they start out. I know how hard it is to grow a business, yet how satisfying it is to hire that new employee to grow and thrive.

Small and medium-size businesses are 99% of Canadian businesses. They account for 40% of our GDP and employ 10.5 million Canadians.

I take this opportunity to thank all our small businesses from coast to coast to coast. They are doing great work in our communities.

Our government applauds your efforts. We are committed to working with you to help you grow and to help strengthen our economy.

Health

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the relationship between the federal and provincial health ministers has gone from bad to worse.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister wants to impose new conditions on the provincial health transfers. Respecting the provinces' jurisdiction means respecting the Canadian Constitution.

Why do the Prime Minister and his minister not respect the Canadian Constitution? Why do they want to impose more conditions on the provincial health transfers?

[Jane Philpott, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, for 10 years there was a government in Canada that paid precious little attention to health.

We now have a government that is firmly committed to play the role that we have a responsibility to play in the matter of health.

We are active participants in making sure that Canadians are healthy, that they have health care systems that work for them. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the public purse, and to make sure that when we make investments in health, they go to health care.

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that is totally false.

When we were in government, we had record levels of transfers to the provinces, but we did more than that. We respected provincial jurisdiction, which the Liberals are not doing now.

Health care is under provincial authority, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Health want to tell the provinces what to do from Ottawa. They do not just disrespect the provinces, they do not respect the country's Constitution.

Why is the Prime Minister putting other conditions on health transfers to provinces?

[Jane Philpott, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, during the decade of the previous government, tens of billions of dollars of new money went into health care, but it did not transform health care systems in this country.

I talk to Canadians all the time who say that while they are proud of our publicly-funded health care system, they know that it needs transformation, that there are actually better ways to deliver health care.

We have a responsibility to, of course, respect jurisdictions, but to work with our colleagues, as we are doing, to make sure that we invest in health, and that it actually goes to improve health care systems.

Ethics

[Denis Lebel, Conservative, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, she wants to change the health systems of the provinces. That is what she said. She wants to change the health system. That is a provincial jurisdiction.

What is even more important, when one has the honour of serving as a minister in Canada, is to be completely above reproach. Ministers, particularly the finance minister, must never put themselves in a position of conflict of interest.

However, for $1,500, people had access to Canada's Minister of Finance to lobby him and ask him for favours.

Who was at that meeting? Can we have the names and titles of those people?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, events like this one are a part of every party's fundraising and engagement work.

Federal politics is subject to some of the strictest political financing legislation and regulations in the country, and our party is taking every action to comply with them.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Finance had the audacity to say that his $1,500 cash for access Liberal fundraiser was part of his budget consultation. What a sad joke.

To add insult to injury, the Liberals defended their Halifax appointee, Jim Spatz, who gave the Liberals $1,500 to attend said fundraiser. This is completely contrary to all the rules.

If the Minister of Finance will not admit that what he did was unethical, will the Prime Minister do the right thing, and enforce his own rules with his own cabinet?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said in French, I will say English.

Events like this one are a part of every party's fundraising and engagement work.

Federal politics is subject to some of the strictest political financing legislation and regulations in the country, and our party fully complies with the Elections Act in all cases. These are the rules that the previous government put in place.

This event was open, and anyone who purchased a ticket was welcome to attend. The event was made public online.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

This is not the Elections Act, Mr. Speaker.

Let me read to my hon. colleague from the Prime Minister's own instructions to his ministers:

Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries must ensure that political fundraising activities or considerations do not affect, or appear to affect, the exercise of their official duties or the access of individuals or organizations to government.

It is clear the Minister of Finance was charging a price, and then giving special access to individuals who could benefit from that access. It is wrong.

When will the government start becoming ethical, accountable, and stop misusing the public trust?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that a part of every party's activities is fundraising.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Members may not like the answer, but we need to hear it. I certainly want to be able to hear it. I am having difficulty hearing some of the answers. I would ask members to listen to the answer, all the answers, but right now from the hon. government House leader.

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, federal politics is subject to some of the strictest financing legislation and regulations in the country. The party fully complies with the Elections Act in all cases.

These are the rules that were put in place by the previous government, and if it worked for it then, why does it not work for it now?

[Murray Rankin, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's ethics rules were very clear. I want to quote: “There should be no preferential access to government, or appearance of preferential access,” for political donors.

Now it has come to light that the Minister of Finance has held cash-for-access fundraisers. These occurred at the same time and in the same locations as his budget consultation tour. No wonder the Liberals love consultations.

Are the new ethics standards promised to Canadians in effect for Liberal ministers as well? Yes or no.

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, it is very much true that the Minister of Finance is consulting with Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

In our election campaign, which concluded just a year ago yesterday, we committed to Canadians that we will consult with Canadians, we will listen to them, and we will improve the systems that are in place. The Minister of Finance has heard from record numbers when it comes to this budget consultation, and that is why we are delivering on the commitments we made to Canadians.

We will continue to do the good work that we are doing.

[Brigitte Sansoucy, NDP, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals were elected on a promise of real change, but it turns out they are fine with following the Conservatives' rules.

The Minister of Finance is just the first of many ministers planning to attend VIP fundraisers, and we are still not privy to the details of the Minister of Finance's private events.

Who was there, and, most importantly, what did they want from him?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows perfectly well that events like these are part of each party's fundraising and engagement work. Those are the rules that were in place when the previous government was in power, and they have not changed.

[Sylvie Boucher]

Not at all.