Debates of Nov. 1st, 2016

Remembrance Day

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on this first day of November, I rise as the member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin and as a former air cadet officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Remembrance Day is coming up. I invite my constituents and all Canadians to observe Remembrance Day on November 11. Armistice day in 1918 became a symbol for those who returned to battle when human dignity and hope were in peril yet again.

We honour their memory and the sacrifices they made in the name of freedom. We also pay tribute to those who are not deployed, but enrol with the same selflessness.

To our veterans and the current members of the Canadian Armed Forces, we say thank you.

Member for Haldimand—Norfolk

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as many know, I recently underwent a double hip replacement, which has brought many challenges. However, the support I have received has been overwhelming, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been helping with my prolonged journey to recovery.

First and foremost, I want to thank my constituents for their kind words, their understanding and their patience. I want to thank my colleagues in the House of Commons for their cards, calls, emails, and for helping covering House duty. The House of Commons staff have been simply outstanding. I thank them for putting up with me and helping with my wheelie walker. As always, my family and friends have been there for me, and I thank them.

Frankly, none of this progress would have been possible so far without the help of my wonderful staff. I thank them. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

Intercommunity Harmony Project

[Rémi Massé, Liberal, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this month marks the 15th anniversary of the Harmonie inter-communauté project. Every year, this local initiative builds lasting ties between the Mi'kmaq community in Restigouche and neighbouring communities.

Since 2002, this project has brought together hundreds of Mi'kmaq youth and young people from neighbouring communities by having them participate in activities together. This approach has fostered a mutual understanding of both cultures and considerably reduced prejudice on both sides. The Harmonie inter-communauté project has received local and provincial recognition on many occasions.

I would like to congratulate in the House everyone involved in this initiative for their extraordinary work. The Harmonie inter-communauté project is an example of cultural reconciliation that we should follow because it has strengthened community ties by showing that their differences are their strengths.

The Harmonie inter-communauté project is a success story that should inspire us all.

Russell Sylvia

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this November, I am proud to wear a poppy near my heart to support our veterans and those who have fallen in combat so that they are never forgotten.

Today, I would like to pay tribute to a veteran from my riding of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, Commander Russell Sylvia, who died on October 6, at the age of 92.

Commander Sylvia was a veteran who served valiantly as a leading aircraftman in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.

Following his service, he was awarded the defence medal, the CVSM medal and clasp, and the 1939-1945 medal. He was a fellow member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 94, Greenfield Park, one of the two legions located in my riding.

He leaves behind four children, Margaret, Russell, William and Patricia.

Those who have dedicated their lives to the defence of this nation deserve meaningful recognition.

Let us remember his sacrifice for all Canadians.

We thank Commander Sylvia. Lest we forget.

Ethics

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal sponsorship scandal was a dark period in Canadian history. While the money is still missing, a jury has just found a Liberal fundraiser guilty of fraud charges. That is not all. Two senior advisers to Premier Kathleen Wynne are being charged with bribery, including the CEO of the Ontario Liberal Party and a fundraiser for the Prime Minister.

We would think that with all of these criminal charges, the Liberal government would be trying to avoid a similar fate, but we would be wrong. The Minister of Natural Resources is headlining cash for access events with firms that are actively lobbying his own department. The Minister of Finance is attending cash for access events across the country as he consults with the wealthiest donors.

The Prime Minister is fine with breaking his own rules, but breaking the rules is nothing new to Liberals. While it was brown paper envelopes that led to criminal charges in the sponsorship scandal, we have to wonder if today's Liberals would also prefer their $1,500 donations delivered in brown paper envelopes.

Malcolm Rowe

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Mr. Speaker, Malcolm Rowe was sworn in as a Supreme Court of Canada judge on Monday. He is the first judge from Newfoundland and Labrador to be appointed to the court in 67 years.

As journalist Chantal Hébert wrote, many people thought it was impossible to find a judge from my province who is functionally bilingual in addition to his other credentials.

I am pleased to announce that the unicorn has been found and can be held up as an example to everyone in the House of Commons.

Here is what The Packet, a newspaper in Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, wrote about him:

This region is fortunate to have a highly qualified, proactive, hard-working judge who will reflect the views and values of Atlantic Canada. He will serve the court, the region and the country well.

On this issue Atlantic Canada stood together.

Sherbrooke

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have some good news to share with my colleagues in the House.

According to the annual ranking of Canada's top entrepreneurial cities done by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Sherbrooke placed fifth out of all Canadian cities and was the highest ranking city in Quebec.

Becoming the top Quebec city in terms of entrepreneurship is not achieved single-handedly, and certainly does not happen overnight. It is thanks to organizations like the business incubator Espace-inc, Accélérateur de création d'entreprises technologiques, and the Parc Innovation-ACELP. It is also thanks to the vision of our municipal leaders and organizations like Sherbrooke Innopole, Pro-Gestion Estrie, and the CDEC. I would also like to commend the vitality of the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce, as well as ODACE, an organization that promotes this healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem, not to mention the Université de Sherbrooke, which shares the same mission as all of those organizations.

As the member of Parliament for Sherbrooke, I am very proud to rise in the House today to share this news and congratulate everyone who works directly or indirectly on the economic development of Sherbrooke and the surrounding region.

International Trade

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the government on signing the Canada-Europe free trade agreement.

That event is the culmination of many years of hard work by our previous Conservative government under Stephen Harper. The agreement sets the gold standard for the world, the most comprehensive trade agreement ever signed. I give many thanks to the chief negotiators, Steve Verheul and Ana Renart; my chiefs of staff, Bill Hawkins and Andrea van Vugt; the MPs for Battlefords-Lloydminster and Durham; and my parliamentary secretary, Gerald Keddy.

However, it is too early to break out the champagne. Sunday's ceremony was just another step towards ratification. It now appears that a number of key outcomes are at risk. An uncertain fate awaits investor-state dispute settlement, and what concessions did the trade minister make on agricultural safeguards? Why will regional governments now have vetoes? Why is the government not delivering promised compensation?

Until the agreement is in force, we will continue to hold the Liberal government's feet to the fire to ensure that the gold standard we achieved does not lose its lustre.

Children's Health

[Doug Eyolfson, Liberal, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to speak about the importance of children's health in Canada.

As a physician, I am aware of the negative health effects unhealthy foods can have on children. We must be proactive in educating our children about the benefits of healthy food. We can do this by restricting food and beverage advertising towards children and revising the Canada Food Guide. Food and beverage marketing greatly influences children's food and drink choices.

The World Health Organization recommended banning food and beverage marketing to children, and a March 2016 Senate committee report recommended taking action on this issue. Poor diet contributes greatly to chronic disease, placing a substantial burden on Canadians and our health care system.

By consulting with Canadians on these issues, I believe we can pave the way for healthier food choices for future generations. I am proud to be a part of a government that stands up for children's health.

The Economy

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, today's economic update will confirm that the Prime Minister's plan is failing badly. The Prime Minister claimed that borrowing billions of dollars would get the economy growing and create jobs, but that has not created one new additional full-time job in Canada since he was elected. The average Canadian cannot get ahead. Instead of jobs, all Canadians are getting is higher taxes. What is the Prime Minister going to say to those Canadians who are out of work when they find out he is doubling down on a failed plan?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward today to introducing our fall economic update to give Canadians a sense of what we are going to do to amplify the impact we are making for Canadians.

We made a very big impact on Canadian families in budget 2016. We lowered taxes on Canadians. We introduced the Canada child benefit. Those actions are having a real and measurable impact on Canadian families today. I am looking forward to talking very soon in the House about the long-term impact we are going to have.

Infrastructure

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we know the impact. Not one new additional full-time job has been created in Canada.

The Prime Minister also promised to build infrastructure. He promised to get these projects out the door fast. Now we find out that in reality only one new project has actually broken ground, and now the construction season is over. His infrastructure plan failed just like his jobs plan.

Before the Prime Minister announces billions of dollars more in infrastructure spending, why does he not actually just get something built?

[Amarjeet Sohi, Liberal, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago I stood in the House and said that we have approved more than 900 projects. Today I can say that we have approved more than 950 projects, with a combined investment of more than $11 billion. Many of those projects are currently under way, creating opportunities for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Taxation

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, if the minister got projects built as fast as he renovated his office, we would be in really good shape.

The Prime Minister's CPP tax hike, his cancelling of the small business tax cut, and his carbon tax will cost families thousands of dollars and make our businesses less competitive. When will the Prime Minister realize his plan has failed and stop making life harder for Canadian families and stop raising their taxes?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to talk about taxes in this country. The first thing we did was reduce taxes on nine million Canadians. For the single person getting that tax reduction, it will be on average $330 less this year. For the family, it is $540 less this year. This is really important. But more importantly, we have made a huge difference for Canadian families. There are 3.2 million Canadian families getting the Canada child benefit and experiencing a much better situation with $2,300 more on average this year, without tax, than they had in the years before.

Ethics

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party is up to its old tricks again. Today we have bribery charges against one of Kathleen Wynne's top advisers, and also against an Ontario Liberal bag man who once held a fundraiser for our Prime Minister. Now we have our Liberal Prime Minister and his cabinet refusing to acknowledge their own ethical violations with the cash for access scheme.

This is a lesson for the Prime Minister. He can take action immediately and enforce his own ethical standards, or he can end up like Kathleen Wynne. What is he going to do?

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

Mr. Speaker, the member very well knows that the federal rules are some of the strongest in the country. Some provinces accept donations from unions, trade associations, and corporations. That is not the case in the federal system. In fact, in some provinces, individuals can donate in the tens of thousands—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Geoff Regan]

Order, please. I remind members that we have rules that do not allow us to interrupt. So we remember that one side asks a question, the other side gets its turn, then this side gets its turn, and we wait and we listen to each other. Let us let the hon. government House leader finish her answer. Order, please.

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, the federal rules are some of the strictest in the country and I am sure all members follow the same rules, because the rules are open and transparent.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, this morning, Jacques Corriveau, a former Liberal Party fundraiser, was found guilty of fraud.

Now the Prime Minister and his cabinet refuse to acknowledge that they are breaking their own ethics rules with their fundraising activities.

The Prime Minister needs to learn from the past. He can take immediate measures to implement his own ethics rules, or he can turn his party into the same Liberal Party of the sponsorship scandal days.

Which will it be?

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

Mr. Speaker, as I said, federal rules are among the most stringent in Canada.

Some provinces allow donations from unions, corporations, and business or trade associations. Such donations are not allowed in the federal system.

Every member and every party does fundraising and they all have to follow the same rules.

Freedom of the Press

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the police spied on journalist Patrick Lagacé for months. A total of 24 warrants were issued, which is absolutely unacceptable, even shocking, as one of my colleagues said.

When we learned that the RCMP had spied on journalist Joël-Denis Bellavance, here in Ottawa, the Prime Minister refused to hold an inquiry.

Can the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness tell us outright whether other journalists are currently under surveillance by the RCMP or CSIS?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, while this current issue is entirely within the jurisdiction of the Province of Québec, and this morning the premier of Québec made an important pronouncement in that regard, I am sure that all of us in the House believe profoundly in the freedom of the press. It is a value that is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A Supreme Court judgment has laid out the rules that must be clearly followed, and those high standards are reflected in a ministerial directive that guides the operations of police federally.

Police forces need to be assiduous in following the—

[The Speaker, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Outremont.