Debates of May 3rd, 2016

Iran

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I share the concern of my colleague about the atrocities he spoke about. However, the question I would ask is this. In which way would it help if Canada is not there? In which way would it help if Canada does not have an embassy?

Was it not fortunate, at the end of the 1970s, that we had a Canadian embassy in Tehran when it was time to help the U.S. hostages? Can we learn from our history?

International Development

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we learned that a Canadian-funded Syrian hospital was bombed. Such acts are clearly unacceptable and an assault on the rights of every woman and man in the world.

Can the Minister of International Development tell the House what our government has done in response to this despicable act?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie]

Mr. Speaker, I completely agree with my colleague. The attack was utterly unacceptable, as is any such act targeting doctors, humanitarian workers, and the women and children who are there because they need care.

Our government strongly condemns such violations of international humanitarian law. That is why, yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I announced that Canada was co-sponsoring the United Nations Security Council resolution on protection of medical personnel and hospitals. The resolution was unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council this morning.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadian ranchers produce the safest and best-quality beef in the world. Some people with vested interests have attacked the Canadian industry over the last number of weeks and months, and some restaurants have even stopped serving Canadian beef.

This Canadian farm boy is not going to eat at those restaurants anymore. I am wondering if the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food across the way will stand and commit to supporting Canadian agriculture, and do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I can assure my hon. colleague that we support agriculture in this government. All Canadian beef is certified as safe under science research. We have the safest high-quality beef in the world. It is the safest food we can eat, and Canadians are safe and should eat this food.

Foreign Affairs

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, Raif Badawi is still being detained by Saudi authorities for criticizing their regime.

One would like to think that our government is doing everything in its power to have him released. In an interview, however, the Prime Minister said that it is important to be discreet and not to push too hard or too fast. He does not want to become personally involved.

When it comes to doing business with the Saudis, the Liberals are quick off the mark, but when it comes to ensuring that human rights are respected, there is no hurry.

How does the government explain this to Mr. Badawi's wife, who is here in Ottawa today?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is asking if we are using every means available and doing everything we possibly can to help Mr. Badawi and have him released, since he has done nothing wrong.

Yes, that is what we are doing. To increase our chances of success, my colleague will understand if I refrain from commenting any further.

Canadian Heritage

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, many Canadian films have received international acclaim in the past year. One fine example is the Telefilm Canada-funded movie, Room, a Canadian Screen Awards- and Oscar-winning picture.

Room is a Canada–Ireland audiovisual treaty co-production. It stars Canada's own Jacob Tremblay and is written by the Irish Canadian author Emma Donoghue who now lives in London, Ontario, part of which I represent.

Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage explain what the Government of Canada is doing to encourage our artistic talent on the international stage?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

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

We believe in the importance of showcasing Canadian talent to the world, and that is why we support the film industry. One example of it is our new Canada–Ireland co-production treaty, which will help to ensure that similar successes are possible in the future.

Our 2016 budget includes historic investments to support culture, which is why we will continue our efforts to promote our culture here and abroad.

Intergovernmental Relations

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

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Gerard Comeau, with the help of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, won his court case, which would allow Canadians to bring beer across provincial lines into New Brunswick.

Many constitutional scholars say this will inevitably end up at the Supreme Court. Authorities say that the liquor laws are still in force despite this ruling. Consumers deserve certainty, and the sooner the better. Does the government intend to refer this case to the Supreme Court?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, that was a very positive development that we saw with regard to alcohol and the transferring of alcohol from one jurisdiction to another. That is why I am working very closely with my provincial and territorial counterparts on an agreement on internal trade, a comprehensive agreement that would reduce barriers and eliminate barriers altogether and that would work on issues around regulatory compliance.

The idea here is to ensure we grow and create opportunities for businesses and people to succeed in Canada. That is why we are going to continue to pursue an agreement on internal trade that would address that issue.

Dairy Industry

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, half of Canada's dairy farms are in Quebec. Imported diafiltered milk is hurting my home province. We are talking about thousands of dollars lost every week. Our regional economies are in jeopardy. In a show of solidarity, the hon. member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord poured a bag of powered milk on his head. Imagine that. However, in the House, there has been no show of support for our farmers, and nothing is being done to resolve their problem. What will it take for government members from Quebec to start representing their constituents, a nod from Toronto?

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

Mr. Speaker, I can assure my hon. colleague that this government supports supply management and we are fully aware of the industry's concerns about the use of diafiltered milk in the making of cheese.

We are working to reach a sustainable solution that works for all of the Canadian dairy sector. I am also very pleased that the member for Fundy Royal gave notice of a motion today to the agriculture committee to work toward solutions on this issue.

We are working on this issue.

Aerospace Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, the Air Canada Public Participation Act, which the government wants to water down, was a promise made to Quebec in 1989. The legislator's intention was clear: to protect the jobs in Montreal.

I know that because I was sitting in the government when that legislation was passed. At the time, it was the Quebec caucus of the government that fought to protect our aerospace industry.

When will the 40 Liberal members from Quebec in this government stand up and defend Quebec's aerospace industry?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, of course we are defending the aerospace industry in Quebec and across Canada. As hon. members know, when the Government of Quebec and the Government of Manitoba decided to drop their lawsuits against Air Canada, this allowed us to modernize the legislation. It is an important step in the right direction. This will prevent future lawsuits. What is more, this will put Air Canada in a position where it can be more competitive with its rivals.

I would remind my hon. colleague that in Quebec, Manitoba, and Ontario there are still requirements to hire Air Canada employees to perform maintenance.

[Thomas Mulcair, NDP, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during question period, the Prime Minister implied that it was Quebec's fault that the federal Liberals did not live up to their Kyoto commitments. I would like to ask for unanimous consent to table a document that shows Quebec decreased GHG emissions every year while I was environment minister and prove that they went up—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Does the member have unanimous consent to table the document?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

There is no unanimous consent.

The House resumed from April 21 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Canadian Dairy Industry

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

It being 3:05 p.m., pursuant to order made Thursday, April 21, 2016, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Berthier—Maskinongé regarding the business of supply.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #45

Business of Supply

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I declare the motion lost.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying), be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the motion that this question be now put.

Criminal Code

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order, please. I would encourage members who wish to have discussions to take them behind the curtains or out into the lobby.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, government orders will be extended by nine minutes.

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Scarborough—Agincourt.