Debates of Nov. 25th, 2016

La Mauricie National Park

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as we approach 2017, I would like to shine the spotlight on my beautiful region and La Mauricie National Park, which are two of Canada's true jewels.

La Mauricie National Park covers an area the size of Montreal Island and is one of three national parks that are open year-round. Throughout 2017, admission to all of Canada's national parks is free for all visitors. Therefore, that is the ideal year for people and families from across the country to discover La Mauricie National Park, a true natural wonder, as well as the beautiful Mauricie region, through which flows the majestic 564-kilometre Saint-Maurice River.

I would also like to mention the warm welcome you will receive from the people of Mauricie and the excellent work of Tourisme Mauricie, which showcases many outstanding tourism attractions at tourismemauricie.com.

I invite all Canadians to visit Mauricie during Canada's 150th anniversary.

Welcome to Mauricie.

Rotary Youth Parliament

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, later today, the 29th annual Rotary Youth Parliament will be called to order at the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.

The Rotary Youth Parliament sees high school students from across the province take on the role of members of the legislative assembly, debating their own bills and resolutions in the chamber.

This year, 36 students will participate, forming a full cabinet and an opposition.

Bills on the order paper today include the bridge and ferry toll rebate act and the cap and trade system act.

Tomorrow, after adjournment proceedings, the top youth parliamentarian will receive the Frank Zakem Memorial Award, which was established in honour of one of the giants of our community and the driving force behind the establishment of this wonderful learning experience.

Frank would be so proud of his legacy.

I look forward to sitting in the public gallery tomorrow morning at the legislative assembly to pick up a few pointers and meet some of tomorrow's legislators.

Infrastructure

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals constantly pit Canadians against each other such as forcing a carbon tax on provinces, if it is wanted or not; and hiking costs for everyone, but mostly for rural and northern Canadians and the poor.

Only 1% of infrastructure funds will go to rural towns. The minister even admitted that his new bank will only work in cities. The Liberals have spent hundreds of thousands on limo rides for a minister, moving expenses for staff, and private PR for their Liberal friends, but nothing for unemployed energy workers, or anyone else, across Canada.

Young Canadians cannot afford their first homes because of strict new mortgage rules, but the Prime Minister is planning to spend tens of millions of dollars expanding 24 Sussex.

The Liberals pit elites against everyday Canadians, urban against rural, provinces and territories against each other and against them. They play divisive identity politics, all this for crass partisan gain.

Canadians from all regions and backgrounds want to be treated with the fairness they deserve.

La-Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge Church

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday I attended the special ceremony marking the 175th anniversary of La-Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge church alongside many residents, regional officials, and a chief from Kahnawake.

The mayor of La Prairie, Donat Serres, turned on the lights that now illuminate the steeple of this magnificent church, a legacy project involving much hard work.

This initiative proudly highlights the architecture of this heritage building and showcases an inviting, comforting symbol in the region, a landmark that is a beacon for Vieux La Prairie.

Throughout 2017, La-Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge parish will be celebrating its 350th anniversary, as will the town of La Prairie.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all my colleagues to come and celebrate with us and to discover the wonderful attractions of the beautiful riding of La Prairie.

Enjoy the celebrations.

Housing

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Winnipeg South, MB]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to improving access to affordable housing for Canadians. Last week, I announced the signing of a two-year investment in affordable housing agreement with the Hon. Scott Fielding, minister of families for the province of Manitoba. This agreement doubles current funding and makes new investments to support affordable housing for seniors and victims of family violence, and to repair existing social housing units.

Our government also made a commitment to consult Canadians on a national housing strategy. On November 22, National Housing Day, we released a report on “What we Heard” through the consultations.

A clear message has emerged. Canadians want better housing outcomes, especially for those in the greatest need. This is a priority for our government, and we will continue to make smart investments to grow the economy and help the middle class.

Horatio Alger Association

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the 19th century author, Horatio Alger, wrote over 100 novels about young people who overcame adversity through hard work. There are 389 relentlessly hard-working young Canadians who have done the same and have earned scholarships from the Horatio Alger Association.

These scholars are proof of the association's credo that in the free market system, anyone can achieve anything through hard work and dedication. Prem Watsa is proof of that. The Horatio Alger Association president came to Canada with $8 in his pocket. Through hard work, he has built up a business with a book value of $8 billion. Now he is giving back through scholarships to deserving young people.

On behalf of the House of Commons, I congratulate Mr. Watsa and the scholars for reminding us that in a free market system anything is possible for those work hard and play by the rules.

Tourism Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, let it snow, let is snow, let is snow.

While some complain, I love winter and being outdoors, exploring the inspiring landscapes of my riding of Long Range Mountains.

Canada is a winter wonderland, with stunning views and exciting adventures to be found, especially in Newfoundland and Labrador. The winter tourism industry is a major economic engine.

Whether strapping on skis and heading out to Margaret's trail at Plum Point, or swooshing down the OMJ at Marble Mountain, or snowmobiling the many miles of groomed trails along the majestic Lewis Hills, or lacing up skates in arenas like Stephenville Dome, the St. Anthony Polar Centre, the Port aux Basque Bruce complex or on any frozen pond, winter in Newfoundland is fantastic.

My favourite is stepping into my snowshoes and taking in the majesty of Gros Morne National Park.

On behalf of Canada's tourism industry, I welcome everyone at my favourite time of year and invite you to join with me in celebrating the beauty of Canada.

Living Wage

[Sheri Benson, NDP, Saskatoon West, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it will come as no surprise to the many Canadians living paycheque to paycheque that workers are not being paid what they need to support themselves and their families with confidence. They are not making a living wage.

Four Saskatoon-based employers, however, are leading the way by pledging to pay their employees at least $16.68 per hour, the wage a two-earner family of four in Saskatoon needs to meet its basic needs.

The Better Good, Friedt Finishing, Shift Development, and the United Way of Saskatoon and Area have all committed to paying their employees a living wage. "We want to attract and retain quality staff and make it possible for them to live healthy lives and succeed in our community," Jennifer Friedt of Friedt Finishing said in a statement.

Congratulations to Living Wage YXE and these four great employers for illustrating how we can all be the change we wish to see in the world.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[David Sweet, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am always honoured to be an elected member of this chamber, and at times I am particularly proud of it. This surely was the case when we unanimously agreed that the ongoing situation facing the Yazidi people is in fact genocide.

Although the government has not come clean on the nature of the mission, I am grateful to our military for what it will do to defeat ISIS and for the aid commitments the government has made. Yet following testimony at the Subcommittee on International Human Rights, I am troubled to hear that due to corruption, precious aid is being skimmed off and that too little of it gets to those who need it the most.

We can help get aid to minorities in Iraq without it being skimmed. What is more, we can locate and rescue the over 3,000 Yazidi orphans and, surely, we can settle more than just 50 Yazidi sex slave survivors in Canada.

This is just a matter of political will. Right now, the Liberal government has an opportunity to demonstrate kindness and generosity to the Yazidi people in their hour of need. It's the Canadian thing to do. Indeed, it is the right thing to do.

Violence Against Women and Girls

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every year in Canada and throughout the world, November 25 marks the beginning of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. These 16 days remind Canadians of the terrible reality of violence and threats of violence that women and girls are exposed to every day.

This year's theme is “Actions Matter”. It underscores the fact that every one of us has the power to say no to misogyny, to reject sexist language, to call out casual sexism, and to be respectful in all of our interactions with each other.

During the 16 days, we encourage all Canadians to think about ways we can stop gender-based violence in our homes, schools, communities.

It is through small acts that we can stop gender-based violence once and for all.

Ethics

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

Mr. Speaker, the disconnect between what the Prime Minister says and what he actually does is growing day by day. First he broke his word to cut taxes for small businesses. Then he broke his commitment to only having a small deficit. We know the deficit is absolutely ballooning. Now he is breaking his own promise to be open, accountable, and ethical.

The Prime Minister is very good at putting on a big show and saying all the right things, but then doing something completely different.

Why will the Prime Minister not keep his word?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition House leader knows that the government always keeps its word. In fact—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

They seem to find this funny, Mr. Speaker. What Canadians did not find funny was her government's inability to focus on economic growth, on cutting taxes for the middle class, on creating jobs in every region of the country. That is the word we gave to Canadians, and that is what governs our government's actions every single day.

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

Mr. Speaker, the fisheries minister had a hard time keeping a straight face in saying that. It is pretty obvious.

When it comes to fundraising for the government, following the law is simply not good enough. Let me read something: “the performance of your official duties and the arrangement of your private affairs should bear the closest public scrutiny. This is an obligation that is not fully discharged by simply acting within the law”.

Who said that? It was the Liberal Prime Minister. Again I ask, why does the Prime Minister have such a hard time keeping his word? Why does he say one thing and do something completely different?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's Chief Electoral Officer said that Canada's election financing laws are among the most advanced, constraining, and transparent in the world.

What removes even the exaggerated suggestions of my friends on the other side of the aisle from pretending that a conflict interest appears, what removes that doubt, is meticulous following of the rules always. Donations of over $200 are disclosed transparently. That is something we are proud of on this side of the House, and those are rules that we always follow.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, we are not talking about Elections Canada rules. We have no problem with political parties doing fundraising according to Elections Canada rules. We are talking about the Prime Minister's own guidelines and the Prime Minister admitting that he was conducting government business at a Liberal fundraiser. Not only is this breaking his own ethical guidelines, this is coming very close to breaking other laws.

Again, when will the Liberals admit that they have broken their own guidelines, they are doing the wrong thing, the immoral thing, in doing what could possibly be seen as corrupt, by doing government business at Liberal fundraisers?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, my friend's exaggerated preamble does not necessarily turn those assertions into facts.

What I can assure the House is that unlike the Conservative Party, we will not appoint people like Mike Duffy and Irving Gerstein and Pamela Wallin to the Senate to raise money on the taxpayers' dime for the Conservative Party. That is why, if we want to talk about immoral and inappropriate behaviour, they are on that side of the House.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this government boasts about its lofty principles, but when it comes time to take action, it is a whole different story.

The Liberals follow the same approach when it comes to fundraising. They engage in what is called sector-specific financing, where ministers ask for money from people with whom they have a working relationship. For example, a lawyer will pay $1,500 to meet with the Minister of Justice. That is not right, and it is unethical.

What will it take for the Liberal government to realize that this is inappropriate, another Gomery Commission?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague opposite is well aware that Canada has some of the strictest political financing regulations in the world. The same rules apply to all parliamentarians, and our government is very committed to following them. We are perfectly aware that any contribution of more than $200 is disclosed proactively. These are personal donations made by Canadians and Canadian citizens only, and that is what removes any suggestion of a conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict of interest, as my colleague inappropriately suggested was the case.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the minister of what his boss, the Prime Minister of Canada, has said, both in writing and out loud: “there should be no preferential access...because [of] financial contributions”. When the Liberal Party engages in sectoral financing, it goes against the Prime Minister's own ethics rules.

Is it any wonder, though, when the Prime Minister himself is the one leading these kinds of activities, that by sheer coincidence, just a few days later, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation receives a $1-million donation? Well done.

Why is he not following the ethics rules?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the feigned indignation from my friend across the aisle does not make what he is saying a reality.

As he is well aware, that donation to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, which is independent of the government, was discussed in January 2014, when the Conservatives were in power. He knows full well that he is grossly exaggerating the facts when he claims that this was somehow inappropriate.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, selling access to government ministers to secure cash for the Liberal Party is the definition of a breach of trust. For days now, the minister of fishy fundraisers has been telling us not to worry, that when ministers attend these exclusive $1,500 events, government business is not discussed. Canadians are tired of this line and deserve better. Can the Liberals tells us, if it is not government business, what the heck were they talking about during these dinners? Hors d'oeuvres?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, just because my colleague manufactures a series of outrages across the aisle does not change the facts. The facts are that Canada's electoral fundraising laws and regulations are among the most severe and restrictive in the world. Those are the words of Canada's Chief Electoral Officer.

We respect all of the fundraising rules at all times. That is what removes any suggestion, if in fact it is done sincerely, that there is a conflict of interest. I think my colleague on the other side of the House knows that very well.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it would seem that the ministers answering our questions do not agree with the Prime Minister.

When they were asked about exclusive fundraising activities this week, they replied that the Liberals were continuing to work hard, and I quote, “to bring investors to Canada”.

The government cannot talk out of both sides of its mouth. Either it confirms that this does not pertain to government business, or it confirms that it is attracting investment. Which is it?