Debates of Feb. 25th, 2016

National Defence

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we already knew that the government has been inventing new phases for its plan to combat ISIS every day. This plan jumps from Jordan to Lebanon and from Syria to Iraq.

Yesterday, in the Senate, the Minister of National Defence indicated that this war plan now includes Africa.

Can the minister tell us what countries our soldiers will be fighting in and how he can justify that without Parliament's consent?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as we clearly stated about our plan for the mission in Iraq, it was not just to take it into Iraq itself. We were taking a reasoned approach, and that was why it was a comprehensive plan.

I am glad the member listened to my statements in the Senate, because he would have realized what I was talking about.

We will also always consult with our allies on threats around the world. That is exactly what we are doing right now. We know a decision will be made. When the time comes, we will always take an open and transparent process to consult Parliament and move forward with that.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence is a great improviser.

After having a discussion with the Italian foreign affairs minister in Brussels, he is now moving the Canadian war effort against ISIS to Libya.

Recently, in Washington, a senior official with the American government explained that it was not a good idea for Canada to go to Libya because of the presence of another terrorist group, Boko Haram.

What are Canadian soldiers going to do in Libya?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, our government and our security forces will always look at threats around the world, not just Lybia and other places. This is what responsible security forces do, and we will continue to do that.

I will look forward to all those conversations I will have with my counterparts from around the world, look at the threats and ensure that not only do we keep Canadians safe, but to keep our allies safe as well.

International Trade

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 2015, more than 350,000 international students spent over $10 billion in Canada and helped generate 90,000 jobs for Canadians.

Laurentian University, in my riding of Sudbury, is a big job creator. The community also benefits from the students this university brings in from around the world.

Can the Minister of International Trade tell the House about her initiatives to maintain Canada's status as a top destination for international students?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, a big part of my mandate is promoting the Canadian brand abroad.

That is why I was so proud to welcome Canada's new education brand, EduCanada. This brand was developed in collaboration with the provinces and territories to help attract the brightest international students, who will act as ambassadors for Canada.

We will continue to market the quality of a Canadian education.

Transport

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Mr. Speaker, transportation is fundamental to Canada's economic performance.

For a government that is lacking in policies and standing in the way of job creation, the Canada Transportation Act review provides a clear opportunity to leverage our national transportation system into a strong economy.

The minister has had this report since December 21. With the review now tabled, how will the minister use it so industries across Canada can create jobs?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I was delighted to table the Canada Transportation Act review this morning. In fact, it was initiated by the previous government. We are glad to put it out. I made a special point of getting it out there so stakeholders could look at it as early as possible. That is what they will do.

We will also be consulting stakeholders throughout the rest of this year. We will come forward with recommendations that we decide are appropriate for Canada's transportation system for the next 20 to 30 years.

Canadian Heritage

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week Parliament welcomed creators, actors, and men and women who work tirelessly so that our films and television shows reflect our society and tell our stories.

However, with the CRTC's new rules that will come into effect next week, thousands of jobs are at risk. With their usual short-sightedness, the Conservatives had promised that these changes would have no impact on jobs, of course. As we all know, the Liberals have had a severe case of “consultitis” for the past four and a half months.

Besides just talking, what meaningful action does the minister plan to take to protect the creators and employees working in television?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

I am pleased that he had the opportunity to meet with so many creators and people from the industry. I also had the opportunity to meet a number of creators, and I am very aware of the issues they face. My team and I understand very well that the technological changes will ultimately have an impact on many players in the industry. That is why we need to make sure we clearly understand how to make the transition from an analogue model to a digital model. Under the circumstances, that is why, as we plan to reinvest in our creators, we will also continue to consult in order to ensure—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Toronto—Danforth.

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. In her mandate letter, the hon. Minister of Canadian Heritage was given the task of championing government-wide efforts to celebrate this important anniversary. Could the minister share with this House some of the steps her department is taking to get ready for Canada's sesquicentennial?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

My team and I are working very hard on organizing festivities for the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Of course we will be focusing on a government-wide approach that will bring together Canadians from every community in the country.

Various projects have already been announced, including the tall ships and the Sesqui multimedia project that will travel across the country. Over the next few weeks, I will be making other announcements about further initiatives that will allow us to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our Confederation together.

Transport

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport just stood up in the House and said that we would have consultations to make recommendations on recommendations based on consultations. At some point, the government actually has to do things.

The reason we had the expedited review of this act was to ensure grain could move. We saw it was not moving. The minister only commits to more recommendations and consultations and consultations and recommendations. Farmers want to know when will they finally have access to rail services?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague is a bit confused, so let me clarify it for him. The grain is moving, by the way.

However, at the moment, we are going to present to Canadians and about 300 important stakeholders what this report looked at for the past 18 months. We will ask them what their opinion is, and we will make the decisions later on this year on how to go forward on Canada's national transportation system. The member should stand by; it is coming soon.

Aerospace Industry

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 1,800 Aveos jobs, 2,400 Bombardier jobs, 1,000 Bell Helicopter jobs, and 300 CAE jobs are gone, not to mention all of the suppliers that are coping with uncertainty about their own survival.

The government rushed to support Ontario's auto industry a few years ago. This week it is leaping to Alberta's rescue.

How can the government justify its indifference toward Quebec's aerospace industry?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the importance of the aerospace industry. We are in talks with Bombardier. We are taking the time we need before making such an important decision.

Air Canada

[Louis Plamondon, Bloc, Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about Air Canada. Under the Air Canada act, the company is supposed to maintain its entire fleet here. Many of its 408 planes need heavy maintenance now.

By changing the law, the minister is trading those guaranteed jobs for a hypothetical maintenance centre that might take care of 45 planes when they need to be refurbished in 10 years' time.

Instead of reiterating that this is good news, will the minister enforce the existing law?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said repeatedly, we are pleased that Air Canada has decided to buy 45 Bombardier airplanes and possibly another 30. The airline has also decided to support the creation of a centre of excellence where these Canadian planes will be maintained for at least the next 20 years.

This will create jobs. It is good for the aerospace industry. Quebec is pleased. Canada is pleased. We should applaud this positive development.

[Kevin Sorenson, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I think it is obvious now that Canadians know that when we are talking about our finances that they were better off with our Conservative government. The department knows it was better off with the Conservative government. The “Fiscal Monitor” shows it.

I seek unanimous consent to table the “Fiscal Monitor” that shows that we were better off.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Is there unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I do not hear unanimous consent.

Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order concerning the report of the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying tabled earlier today.

Page 3 of the report lists me as a member of the committee representing the House of Commons. I was not appointed as a member of the committee. While I did attend virtually all of the committee's public hearings, as any member can, I was not part of the deliberations that resulted in the report, and I certainly do not endorse the content of the report. I ask that the record be corrected.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I thank the hon. member for advising the House of that issue.