House of Commons Hansard #29 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-6.

Topics

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

I encourage members in the front row at the far end to try to calm down and listen to the answer. We all want to hear each side, even if we disagree.

The hon. member for Oakville North—Burlington.

FinanceOral Questions

March 9th, 2016 / 3 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, when I was a municipal councillor, I was approached by Merna Forster and was pleased to lead Oakville council calling on the Bank of Canada to include a prominent Canadian woman on one of our bank notes, which is something we have not seen in almost 150 years.

Thousands of people from across the country signed a petition calling upon the government to highlight Canadian women on our money, recognizing the significant role that women have played in shaping our nation.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance outline the government's plan for action on this important issue?

FinanceOral Questions

3 p.m.

Saint-Maurice—Champlain Québec

Liberal

François-Philippe Champagne LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, on International Women's Day yesterday, events across the country celebrated the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of Canadian women.

I am proud to tell the House that the Minister of Finance, in collaboration with the Governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz, has launched consultations on the Bank of Canada website inviting Canadians to nominate iconic women whom they want to see on the new banknote to be issued in 2018.

Do not forget to use the hashtag #bankNOTEable to share your ideas.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that much work needs to be done to resolve longstanding indigenous land claims. However, every government in the past has been unequivocal that private property is not on the table. The recent lawsuit by SSN is looking to declare aboriginal title over private property. As the premier of B.C. said, this has huge implications across Canada.

Will the Minister of Justice step up to protect Canadian private property rights?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Vancouver Granville B.C.

Liberal

Jody Wilson-Raybould LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as the member across knows, this is a matter that is before the courts, and so I will not speak to the particular circumstances with respect to that.

However, I will say that with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, we will work collaboratively in terms of the mandates and approaches that are being put forward in negotiating and settling the land question in British Columbia. The member can rest assured that this settlement will be based on a nation-to-nation relationship that is based on recognition.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Speaker, the courts are waiting, and have been waiting after the minister has asked for extension after extension, to hear what the position of the Government of Canada will be. The people of Kamloops are worried and she has been delaying the response.

Please, will she stand up and tell Canadians that she will defend private property rights in Canada?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Toronto—St. Paul's Ontario

Liberal

Carolyn Bennett LiberalMinister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to say that the way we are going forward is not to discuss the cases before the courts at this time. But I do want the member to understand, and all members of the House need to understand, what it means to move forward in a nation-to-nation approach based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership. That is something that every single member of the House needs to understand and to understand that sticking up for the rights of the first peoples of this country is the job of all of us.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Nicholson Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Mr. Speaker, the B.C. government has stated that it will vigorously oppose any declaration that creates any uncertainty for private property owners. On January 15, the Minister of Justice asked for an extension before making a decision. Well, it has been close to eight weeks and there has still been no response.

While the Premier of B.C. has boldly reassured Canadians, the justice minister has left land owners in the dark. Will she stand with the premier of B.C. to defend property rights, yes or no?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Vancouver Granville B.C.

Liberal

Jody Wilson-Raybould LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, this matter is before the courts. What I instructed my officials to do was to seek an adjournment. Per my mandate letter from the Prime Minister, we are looking at our litigation strategy and doing a comprehensive review.

In terms of specific cases, that will potentially change our approach. But with respect to particular mandates, I will be working and supporting my colleague, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs in this regard.

JusticeOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Nicholson Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Mr. Speaker, for years, judges were routinely granting two-for-one and even three-for-one credits for time served before trial. This is why we brought in the Truth in Sentencing Act to ensure that convicted offenders serve the sentences they were given.

Now it appears that there are judges in Ontario who are disregarding that law. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice says a law is a law is a law. Are they going to do what it takes to enforce the present law or will criminals continue to get a break?

JusticeOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Vancouver Granville B.C.

Liberal

Jody Wilson-Raybould LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, in terms of our approach, we are undertaking a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system. That includes sentencing reform to determine efficiencies and effectiveness in the process and I will ensure that I work with my colleagues, including the Minister of Public Safety, to look at bail reform and other matters with respect to how we can proceed and ensure fairness, equality, compliance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and that the accused's rights are respected.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

NDP

Sheila Malcolmson NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised that no relationship was more important to him than that with indigenous peoples. That relationship has not been respected in the case of B.C.'s Site C dam, where there are three ongoing court cases with first nations. This is a litmus test of the Prime Minister's solemn commitment. Repeated letters from first nations have been ignored by the Liberals.

Will the government please cease and desist on approval for Site C until proper consultations can occur?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

North Vancouver B.C.

Liberal

Jonathan Wilkinson LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Mr. Speaker, in the fall of 2014, as members know, the former government approved a project and set out a series of legally binding conditions with which the proponent must comply. B.C. Hydro must meet the requirements set out in these conditions and we are verifying that it is in fact the case.

The minister has been involved and engaged in discussions with first nations people and other indigenous organizations to try to ensure that we are clearly understanding those concerns, and we will continue to engage on that basis going forward.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, you have to wonder which first nations they are engaging with, because the first nations actually impacted by this mega-dam cannot even get their letters returned from the government. It seems to me that there are two Liberal Parties: one that is in campaign and makes sacred promises to first nations people, and one that governs to break them.

The question comes for the Liberal government here and now. Right now they are in the position of authorizing this mega-dam in northeastern British Columbia. First nations have pleaded with the government not to do so, to pause the process and allow the consultation the government promised to actually take place.

Which Liberal Party are we actually going to see?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

North Vancouver B.C.

Liberal

Jonathan Wilkinson LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Mr. Speaker, as I said in my previous response, this government continues to engage with first nations and other indigenous organizations and peoples to ensure that we are developing a nation-to-nation approach. With respect to the specific matter of Site C that is before the court, I cannot comment on the specifics of it. However, there certainly are ongoing discussions that are relevant to the broader first nations and nation-to-nation relationship.

VeteransOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Veterans Affairs indicated that he was working with the Department of Canadian Heritage to identify opportunities for advancing the construction of a memorial monument. However, we still do not know whether there will be a national monument specifically for the Afghanistan mission.

My question is for the minister. Will the budget include an envelope for the national monument announced by our Conservative government, yes or no?

VeteransOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Calgary Centre Alberta

Liberal

Kent Hehr LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, it is very important for us to honour the men and women who have served this country valiantly in Afghanistan. This government is aware of the motion put forward in 2014 supported by all members of the House. We are working very hard with the Minister of Canadian Heritage to see that is put through.

However, I think it is also important for us to show care, compassion, and respect for those members through our veterans services, which we are doing right now. The member will also see that through our reopening of the nine offices that his party closed, as well our rehiring of staff that the Conservatives also let go.

VeteransOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the minister has insinuated several times over the past four months, the previous Conservative government did more for veterans than any other Canadian government since the Pension Act of 1919 was passed.

The Liberal government cancelled the community war memorial program. This clearly shows that this government is not interested in honouring our veterans. Properly honouring our men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces is not militarism, it is quite simply a moral imperative.

Now that the Liberals are cancelling this program, how do they intend to honour the achievements of members of the Royal Canadian Air Force who fought against ISIS?

VeteransOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Calgary Centre Alberta

Liberal

Kent Hehr LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, there is a saying in my neighbourhood, “You lie to your friends, I'll lie to my friends; let's not lie to each other.”

Here is the true record of what the Conservative government has done over the last 10 years. The Conservatives closed Veterans Affairs offices and cut staff by 800 people. For the last 10 years, it has really been a shame.

We are working hard to ensure that we treat our men and women with care, compassion, and respect. I have an aggressive mandate letter from the Prime Minister that will result in more employment opportunities for veterans and support for their families. We plan on following through exactly with that.

VeteransOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

I know that the hon. minister did not accuse another member of lying. He came a little too close for my liking. I would encourage members not to use that kind of language.

The hon. member for Yorkton—Melville.

VeteransOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Mr. Speaker, we learned this week that the Liberals are cancelling the community war memorial program. This program that was implemented by the Conservatives in 2010 has enabled communities and organizations across Canada to build new or to upgrade old cenotaphs and war memorials honouring the achievements and sacrifices of those who have served Canada in times of war and peace and military conflict.

The Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledges that there is a continued need for this essential program. Since they are listening, why do the Liberals think that cutting this project is a good idea?

VeteransOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Calgary Centre Alberta

Liberal

Kent Hehr LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, we understand that it is very important for us to commemorate those men and women who have served in our armed forces. We have done that as a country through Vimy Ridge, through World War II, through our Korean peacekeepers, through our role in Bosnia, and we will do so for Afghanistan. That is an important part of what we do in this department and what we do on this side of the House. We will continue to show in a meaningful way the respect that our men and women deserve who have served this great country.

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Liberal

Matt DeCourcey Liberal Fredericton, NB

Mr. Speaker, it is important that Canada attract and retain top international students in order to remain competitive in the global economy.

In Fredericton, the University of New Brunswick, or UNB, and St. Thomas University are working hard to accomplish just that.

Can the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tell the House about the initiatives the government is taking to encourage top students to remain in Canada?

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Markham—Thornhill Ontario

Liberal

John McCallum LiberalMinister of Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Fredericton for his excellent question.

International students are some of the best candidates for Canadian citizenship. They speak English or French, they received a good education here in Canada, and they know the country. It was therefore not very smart of the former government to do away with the 50% credit that these students received upon becoming Canadian citizens. I am very happy to say that we are going to restore that credit.

Foreign AffairsOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

Peter Kent Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, Iran today test fired two ballistic missiles that the regime said proved its ability to strike Israel. The missiles carried the words, “Israel must be wiped out”.

Former Liberal MP Irwin Cotler is on record saying, “I don't know if [the Prime Minister] has an appreciation of evil”. The Prime Minister said this week that he thought Canada was sending exactly the right signals on Iran.

Is this not just another example of the Prime Minister's inability to appreciate evil?