Debates of March 8th, 2016

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, in respect to caregivers, the House and the government stands behind the significant contribution that caregivers make to Canadian society.

We stand by our campaign commitment, which is to eliminate the LMIA fee of $1,000 that is required to hire a caregiver. We also stand behind our commitment to work with provinces and territories to facilitate the work and the hiring of caregivers.

Caregivers represent a significant contribution to our country. We recognize that and we are working on processing their claims expeditiously.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, recognizing a contribution means an 8,000 person cut.

The government has also cut the numbers of spots available under the federal skilled worker in Canada experience class by 21%. These cuts to economic immigration come at a time when our workforce is aging, our economy is slowing and refugees are waiting for months to have long-term affordable housing.

In this context, could the minister explain how he plans to provide the services needed to ensure that the government's planned 250% increase in refugees is successful, and how much this will cost?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, in terms of our specifics that were announced today, let me elaborate on the plan. It considers the economic needs of our country and it considers the pressing need for family reunification and our humanitarian tradition, which are important vis-a-vis refugees and people coming in under the agency category.

With respect to the economic needs of the country, we hear these needs loud and clear. We are responding to them. The levels that we have announced are over 50% of the overall targets of immigrants that we are bringing to our country. That is responsive to Canadian industry, to Canadian business and to making the country prosper and grow.

Status of Women

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a new study reveals that women now earn 72% of what men earn. That kind of discrimination is unacceptable and unfairly affects women. Thanks to the NDP, a parliamentary committee will propose an action plan to achieve pay equity.

Will the government promise today to pass the proactive bill on pay equity so that equal work for equal pay, the slogan women have chanted for too long, can become a reality?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, having a gender wage gap in Canada in 2016 is unacceptable. As the first commitment toward pay equity, our Prime Minister appointed a gender-balanced cabinet. We are firmly committed to a public service that reflects the diversity in society, which includes gender parity, and we have supported the appointment of a special committee on pay equity.

We will continue to lead by example and work with all members of the House and our provincial and territorial partners to close the gap.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is not just about wages. Women are also far more likely to be engaged in precarious work. Two-thirds of all part-time workers and more than half of all temporary workers in Canada are women. This makes it harder for women to earn a stable income, to afford food and rent, and to qualify for programs like employment insurance.

Why did the Liberals let Canadian women down by voting against lowering the threshold on EI?

[MaryAnn Mihychuk, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely true that the gap is growing for women, and that more and more are not able to access the very services they deserve. That is why we committed during the election to review the EI system, modernize it, and bring it into today's world, which will serve all Canadians.

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, today is International Women's Day, a day when we celebrate women's achievements and their potential in Canada and globally.

Speaking of achievements, we saw a record number of 88 women elected to the House in the last election. The Prime Minister appointed an equal number of women and men to cabinet.

Could the Minister of Status of Women inform us of other actions this government is taking to ensure women can participate more actively in democratic and public life?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to advancing gender equality in all areas of Canadian life. The theme of International Women's Day this year is “Women's Empowerment Leads to Equality”.

I recently launched a call for proposals for projects that would increase women's participation by supporting the work of indigenous women in their communities and amplifying the voices of women working to enhance their civic and political participation.

National Defence

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, ISIL has declared war on Canada, yet the Prime Minister responds to the women and men who died and fought in Afghanistan with a message that their efforts were worthless by ending the CF-18 air cover.

How many deaths overseas and here at home will it take for the Prime Minister to accept that some campaign promises are made to be broken?

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

Mr. Speaker, I think we can agree that ISIL is a horrible threat. However, we have a difference of opinion on how we will achieve the defeat of this horrible entity.

In order to do this, and from our experience, it will have to happen on the ground. To achieve the outcome, we need to train Iraqi security forces and ensure they have the right intelligence to create the right plan; hence, the reason we have tripled our trainers and doubled the intelligence.

I hope the opposition votes with us and supports our plan.

Veterans Affairs

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we asked the Minister of Veterans Affairs to give Canadians an explanation as to why the Liberals were cancelling the Afghanistan war memorial.

There were 40,000 brave men and women in Afghanistan, some who trained in my riding of Base Borden and served there. All he had to say was: “...More information regarding the project will be available in the coming months”.

Why will the Liberals not honour our veterans and why can the minister not provide a straight answer?

Why did this Liberal government and this minister cancel the plan for the Afghanistan war memorials?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised at the question because I thought I answered it very clearly yesterday.

It is important to honour the men and women who served in Afghanistan. In 2014, an all-party motion was put forward, and it was accepted by the House. I am working closely with the Minister of Canadian Heritage to see this memorial built.

Taxation

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

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives balanced their budget and we helped families balance their budgets. The Conservative family tax cuts enhanced universal child care, helped 100% of families and kids, and gave back $2,000 of their own money. Families can and have to balance their budgets. The Liberals cannot and will not balance their budget.

Why do the Liberals insist on taking benefits away from hard-working moms and dads to pay for their out-of-control spending?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear this question. That matter was an important element of our platform in the last election and contributed to electing a government that is sensitive both to economic growth and to inclusive growth.

We will have very good news in a matter of a few days, which I think all members in the House are looking forward to, including members opposite.

Ethics

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

Mr. Speaker, last week we heard that the Prime Minister's brother was lobbying the Minister of Public Safety to have a terrorist's Canadian citizenship restored. Then we have the agriculture minister hiring as his chief of staff somebody with a big interest in egg farms in Canada, and then we have the justice minister's husband lobbying her on behalf of his own company, and then we have the House leader and his chief of staff cozying up to the Irvings.

Does the Prime Minister not understand conflict of interest?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister understands is the importance of raising the bar on accountability and transparency from the shabby record in front of us.

That is why when our government was elected we took unprecedented steps to bring more openness and more transparency to government, and that includes always abiding by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's advice. That is what ministers in this government have done and will continue to do.

Health

[Georgina Jolibois, NDP, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, indigenous women in Canada are more likely to be victims of violence. Many studies have shown that being a survivor of violence has a significant impact on mental health, but for women on reserves in rural and remote communities, mental health supports and services are often inadequate or non-existent.

Will the health minister work with indigenous communities to ensure that culturally sensitive mental health services are available to all women?

[Jane Philpott, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to this important question.

I would agree with the member opposite that for indigenous women in particular, violence can often contribute to real challenges in mental health. We are fully committed as a government to responding to the mental health needs of Canadians. The Prime Minister has asked me to make sure that we increase access to mental health services for all Canadians.

I would be particularly interested in working with the member opposite to ensure that we can provide adequate mental health services to indigenous women and men in her community and in all Canadian communities.

Status of Women

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

Mr. Speaker, over the past year, hundreds of women have had the courage to speak out against the harassment and violence they have suffered.

These are systemic problems that require a political solution. For years, women's groups have been calling for a national action plan and investment in more shelter spaces.

Can the minister tell us when, and I mean when, the government will listen to these women and come up with an action plan to finally stop this scourge?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her passion on this issue.

I am extremely proud to lead the development of a federal gender-based violence strategy. I am working closely with my provincial and territorial colleagues right now, consulting with NGOs who have spent a great amount of time working on and exploring this issue, and we should have something to talk about near June.

Ethics

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is going to Washington this week to hang out with the anti-Canadian energy Center for American Progress and the Liberal organization called Canada 2020.

Canada 2020's founders are Liberal lobbyists who are registered to lobby the PMO and other federal departments. At the same time, the Liberals have been raising money by promising a free trip to the Canada 2020 events in Washington.

The Liberals have been told to quit doing this. Why are the Liberals still using their government positions to help out their Liberal lobbyist friends while fundraising on behalf of the same old same old Liberal Party?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said in the House before, at all times the Liberal Party has complied and will continue to comply with the election financing legislation.

It is somewhat ironic that members sitting on the other side raise people that do not respect election financing laws, because nobody on this side has left in leg irons.

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

Mr. Speaker, the president of Canada 2020 is Tom Pitfield. His spouse is the president of the Liberal Party. They are both self-described friends of the Prime Minister. Understandable.

The Conflict of Interest Act is clear that one cannot further the interests of one's friends, but the Prime Minister himself is in a fundraising email from his friend, the president of the Liberal Party, offering access for cash.

Why is the Prime Minister trying to promote his friends and raise money for the Liberal Party on his supposed official state visit?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are very proud of what the Prime Minister and ministers will accomplish on the important state visit to Washington.

It is an unprecedented honour for Canada, and substantive files will be advanced. Job creation will be a priority on this side of the House. In discussions with the White House and with secretaries in the American administration, at all times we will keep the economic and social needs of Canadians at the forefront.

Drive-by smears about phony fundraising events, frankly, are not honourable in this House.