Debates of March 11th, 2016

Veterans

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the mandate of Veterans Affairs Canada includes keeping alive the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada in times of war and peace.

The Liberal decision to cancel the community war memorial program is contrary to the department's affirmation that there is a continued need for this essential program.

Cancelling this program was not even brought up for discussion at the veterans stakeholder meeting. Why did the minister make this decision without consultation, without openness and transparency, with our veterans?

[Kent Hehr, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, my apologies, but I would like to take this opportunity to talk about what we are doing in the Veterans Affairs Department.

We are working very hard to ensure that our veterans are getting the care, compassion, and respect they deserve. We are finding ways to find them more employment opportunities, more opportunities to go back to school, and to have the ability to better their lives for their families as well as themselves.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

It is always helpful for those answering questions to address the topic raised if at all possible.

The member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman.

National Defence

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the American deputy secretary of defence, Robert Work, was understandably anxious about Canada's decision to replace our CF-18 fighter jets.

He noted that the United States is keen to hear Canada's decision, since it could affect F-35 prices and our interoperability with our allies. Instead of having a fair and open process, the Prime Minister has set up a secret cabinet committee where they can politically rig the entire requirements.

When will the Prime Minister stop playing politics and purchase the best fighter jet to replace our CF-18s?

[John McKay, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to an open and transparent process to replace the CF-18 fighter.

Regrettably, the previous government left behind a procurement process that is so Byzantine as to defy anyone trying to get major procurements through. As a consequence, the only procurement that was obtained in the last 10 years was a photo op with the previous minister on a plywood F-35, along with the leader of the opposition.

We intend to get—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles.

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

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, Robert Work, is calling on the Canadian government to make up its mind and decide which aircraft will replace the CF-18. He says that the choice of aircraft must be made in the national interest of Canadians, but that the Americans are anxious to know what that choice is.

We took part in the development, and our withdrawal will have a major financial impact on the other partners.

Instead of dinners and photo ops in Washington, will this government finally make up its mind and tell us which aircraft will replace the CF-18?

[John McKay, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as I previously said, the government is committed to an open and transparent process.

The procurement process that was left behind is Byzantine in its nature. Regrettably, we are in a situation where we have to make a decision, and that decision will be made soon. The process was so complicated that in fact the Prime Minister has felt compelled to create a special committee just to straighten out the process.

To get a question about procurement from that particular party is a little rich.

Housing

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign, the Prime Minister came to the Mauricie region and promised to make the necessary investments to help the pyrrhotite victims. He acknowledged that this is both a human and economic tragedy. My constituents are desperately waiting for assistance. In the meantime, many of them have had to give up their homes.

The budget will be tabled in 11 days, and my question is very simple: is the Prime Minister going to use that opportunity to keep his promise and provide financial assistance to the pyrrhotite victims?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. This is a very important issue back home in Mauricie. When the Prime Minister of Canada went to Mauricie, he acknowledged that the people struggling with the pyrrhotite problem were victims of both a human and economic tragedy. I have been working hard every day since October 19 to move forward on this file for the people of our community. It is a priority. I am proud that our Prime Minister went to Mauricie to speak to the victims and tell them about how he thought the Canadian government could help them.

[Sheri Benson, NDP, Saskatoon West, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the UN is warning of a housing crisis affecting communities across Canada, a crisis that has been ignored for far too long. In fact, the last Liberal government slashed social housing. Now, we see the Government of Saskatchewan putting homeless people on a bus to B.C.

Does the minister agree with the NDP that buying a one-ticket is not a solution, and will he commit to a social housing strategy that ends homelessness in communities across Canada?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member from across the aisle for her question. This relates to a key aspect of the program we developed and championed during the election campaign. We announced at that time that the Canadian government would recommit to supporting affordable social housing. We are really looking forward to continuing the process that we have already begun with the provinces and territories over the next few weeks, to ensure that this commitment is met in a meaningful and effective way.

Democratic Reform

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government needs to have more respect for Canadians and more respect for democracy.

Recent polling shows us that two-thirds of Canadians expect a referendum to be held if the government wants to change the way MPs are elected. Canadians want a referendum, and they deserve one. The government can show that it respects both Canadians and democracy by holding a referendum on its plans to change the voting system.

Why does the government have such a problem with democracy that it is denying Canadians the final say in a referendum on changes to their electoral system?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister of Democratic Institutions]

Mr. Speaker, it is out of a great deal of respect for Canadians and for the democratic institutions we are so privileged to have that the government committed to bringing our electoral system into the 21st century.

It is out of that respect for Canadians that we have committed to establishing a parliamentary committee to engage Canadians in this very important conversation. It is out of respect for the next generation that we will do our best to enhance the existing systems, and lead the world in terms of democratic strength and democratic institutions.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister seems to talk a good game, but she continually says to the House that it is both too soon to decide whether to hold a referendum on changing the voting system and also that it would be a huge disservice to democracy to have one. Those are her own words. I think most Canadians would disagree with the minister. In my province, a citizens assembly proposed changing the voting system and the provincial government put these changes to the people, to British Columbians, not once but twice.

Canadians deserve the final say if the Liberal government wants to change how Canadians vote. Why won't the government give the people a say?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister of Democratic Institutions]

Mr. Speaker, I have missed this line of questioning, I must admit.

We have committed to listening to Canadians. I have stood time and time again in the House, expressing a willingness to work with all members of the House. I encourage all of you to engage in this important conversation. We will establish a parliamentary committee made up of members of the House to engage Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I assure the hon. minister that all of me is listening. Members do not use the word “you” here, of course, unless we are referring to the Speaker.

The hon. member for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte.

Ethics

[Alex Nuttall, Conservative, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Liberals like to give perks to party donors. Lobbyists and Liberal bagmen have gotten the perk of a state dinner. Working Canadians are not so fortunate. While bagmen and Liberal lobbyists get to sit at the big table, we Canadians are left here with the $30 billion bill.

When will Liberals start helping all Canadians rather than just those who fatten their coffers and fill their trough?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, all Canadians benefit from what happened in Washington this week, from having a Prime Minister and a government that can stand face to face and shoulder to shoulder with the President of the United States to move our nations forward and to defend Canadian interests.

All Canadians understand the importance of Canada-U.S. relations. They finally have a Prime Minister who understands the importance of that relationship.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Bryan May, Liberal, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is the world's seventh largest beef exporter and the second largest exporter of grain-fed beef. Beef exports are valued at $2.2 billion, which demonstrates this industry's importance to our economy and to Canadian jobs. There are close to 1,000 beef farmers in Waterloo region, including Oakridge Acres in my riding of Cambridge and North Dumfries.

Can the Minister of Agriculture update the House on what this government is doing to help beef farmers and to help the beef industry?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague from Cambridge for his concern. I can assure him the Canadian cattle industry is a major driver of our economy, worth $10 billion. This week, I was proud to announce an investment of $4 million to the Canadian Cattlemen's Association for three initiatives to support the industry with new and existing markets.

Our government's focus on investing in research, innovation, and markets will help keep Canada's 68,000 beef farmers on the cutting edge.

Foreign Affairs

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while the Prime Minister is using official government business in Washington to raise money for the Liberal Party, there is a serious international matter involving Canadians abroad that demands his attention. John Ridsdel and Robert Hall are two Canadians who have been held hostage in the Philippines by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. Yesterday, a video emerged of the two of them having their lives threatened, and in the video both men specifically asked the government to act.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell the House what the Canadian government is actually doing to help free these men from their terrorist captors?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs)]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is aware of the video that has been released. Our priority is the safety of our citizens, and that is precisely why we will not comment on anything that this government is doing right now. Our priority is the safety of Canadians, but we are on top of that file.

Science

[Marwan Tabbara, Liberal, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Mr. Speaker, during the campaign, we committed to science-based policy decisions. To be able to do this, we also need to encourage scientific research ourselves and ensure that those important projects receive the funding they require.

Can the Minister of Science update the House on the government's recent announcement regarding space health research?

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Minister of Science]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and I announced an investment of $1.7 million to fund four Canadian studies to reduce the risks to Canadians on long-term missions. The scientific mission will deepen our knowledge of the effects of longer missions, and improve our understanding of the effects of prolonged isolation and physical inactivity. We committed to encouraging scientific research, and we are delivering.