Debates of May 31st, 2016

Ministerial Expenses

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, like the ministers of finance before me, I know that it is very important to visit Canadians and international investors and tell them about Canada, our budget, and why they can invest in Canada.

That is what I did, and I will soon be travelling again to explain future budgets because I know that it is very important for Canada.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there is no lack of examples with this spendthrift government.

We also learned that renovations to the offices of the minister and deputy minister of infrastructure cost almost $1 million.

How can this government justify cutting family and small business tax credits when it spends money hand over fist to renovate its own offices?

[Amarjeet Sohi, Liberal, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities]

Mr. Speaker, before November 4, 2015, infrastructure did not have a dedicated minister and we did not have a dedicated ministry to deliver on the commitments. We did not have a dedicated DM. Therefore, in order to accommodate the new office, we have to have space. We need space for our staff, we need space for the DM's staff, and that is what we have done. It is a new office, new staff, and that is where the expenditures have occurred.

Child Care

[Christine Moore, NDP, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is a big proponent of work-life balance. That should apply to everyone.

Because of a 2014 decision that will take effect on July 1, not-for-profit day cares in federal buildings, which have enjoyed free rent until now, will have to pay market prices for rent going forward. As a result, the day care in the Statistics Canada building in Ottawa may have to close its doors, and the same goes for the day care in Montreal's Guy-Favreau Complex.

When will the Liberals overturn the Conservatives' bad decision?

[Leona Alleslev, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada recognizes that Canadian families need support and that all Canadian children are entitled to an equal opportunity to succeed.

Public Services and Procurement Canada is working with Statistics Canada and the day care to find ways to ease the transition.

Employment

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Old Port of Montreal's 300 employees have been on strike since Friday, and it is easy to understand why. They are the most poorly paid of all federal employees. Their pay scale starts at $10.67 per hour. That is ridiculous; it is below the poverty line.

Under the NDP's proposal, those employees would earn a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour.

How can this government, which says it wants to help people gain entry into the middle class, justify paying federal employees so poorly?

[MaryAnn Mihychuk, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, as members know, federal employees' wages are related to the individual jurisdictions where they are employed. That has been the practice of the House and that is how it is continuing.

Intergovernmental Relations

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Conservatives announced a “free the beer” campaign calling on the government to raise the Comeau decision to the Supreme Court for clarification. Since then, the response from Canadians has been overwhelmingly in support. People want to buy Canadian. Buying Canadian should mean buying from Canadians in all Canadian provinces and territories without interprovincial roadblocks.

Why will the Liberals not elevate this to the Supreme Court?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, again, I share the enthusiasm and the excitement of the member opposite. This is an issue that we have raised very clearly when we discuss the agreement on internal trade with my provincial and territorial counterparts. This and many other topics are discussed because we want to create an environment across our borders, where we can have the flow of products and goods and services in a timely manner without red tape. That is why we are focusing on reducing barriers. That is why we are focusing on harmonizing regulations.

We are going to create an environment for products like this to be sold in a manner that allows our small businesses to grow and provide better options and opportunities and price points for our consumers.

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

Mr. Speaker, one thing is clear. The Liberals are not prepared to give Canadians the freedom they need. Even if the Liberals do get a new agreement on internal trade, they have made it clear that there will exemptions, including beer.

Ultimately, the question to free the beer should not be a political one, and section 121 of our Constitution is clear that this is in fact a legal question that needs clarity from the Supreme Court.

Why are the Liberals ignoring our Constitution in favour of a side deal that will not deliver for Canadians?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows, for the last 10 years the Conservatives very rarely met with their provincial and territorial counterparts. That is why they were unable to deliver on this issue and many other issues.

However, we are committed to working in collaboration with our counterparts to find solutions, to create an environment so we can have alcohol from one jurisdiction sent to another jurisdiction, but it is much broader than that. It is about an agreement that will be more comprehensive, that creates an environment for us to grow, that allows our businesses to grow and benefit our consumers, and we are committed to doing that.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government reneged on its promise to cut taxes for businesses and refused to expand the Billy Bishop airport. One wonders if it knows anything at all about economic development.

Will the government show some faith in Canadian entrepreneurs and open domestic markets to spur stronger economic growth? This measure would inject an estimated $14 billion into the economy. They are wasting time, and time is money.

Will the Minister of Economic Development commit to taking action and raising the Comeau decision to the Supreme Court?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to economic development, we have been very clear, it is a priority for this government.

That is why, in the budget, for example, we invest over $4.5 billion for the innovation agenda, an agenda that will help large businesses, small businesses, and the economy to grow.

We are investing in broadband connectivity, $500 million for that. We are investing $2 billion for strategic infrastructure funding for our universities and colleges. We are investing in accelerators and incubators and for businesses, $800 million.

We are spending $100 million in industrial research assistance programs. The bottom line is, we are making investments to grow the economy and hope the member supports that.

Veterans Affairs

[Bryan May, Liberal, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the people in my riding of Cambridge and North Dumfries and across this great nation are proud of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who serve our country with pride and distinction, and of their long history of valour, both at home and abroad.

Given their service and sacrifice, it is incumbent on this government to ensure they receive a dignified burial worthy of their dedication.

Can the Minister of Veterans Affairs explain his plan to ensure veterans and all members of the Canadian Armed Forces receive the funeral benefits they have earned?

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Cambridge for his dedication to veterans.

This government recognizes the service and sacrifice of Canada's veterans by making it easier for families to access the funeral and burial program for a dignified burial. We are expanding the program eligibility to more families of lower-income veterans by increasing the estate exemption from $12,000 to $35,000 and applying an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

We are committed to delivering services veterans need and this includes a dignified burial.

Small Business

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the World Competitiveness Center stated that Canada had fallen to 10th place for business competitiveness. Today, Stats Canada tells us the economy contracted for the second straight month and has reduced the economic outlook for the year down to 2.4%. That is no surprise. The Liberals broke their promise to reduce taxes on small business.

When will the Liberals finally listen to businesses, reduce their taxes, and restore the Canadian competitive advantage in the global marketplace?

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance made unprecedented engagement opportunities with businesses across the country, and what did he hear from them? They wanted the government to make investments. That is what we heard during the campaign as well.

That is why we made historic investments on innovation that would improve our productivity and would improve our competitive footprint. This is what small businesses are looking for. They are looking for a government that would create an environment for them to succeed. That is why we made investments, not only with small businesses, but through the accelerator program, incubators, new broadband connectivity, for R and D. All these components will improve our position going forward.

Foreign Affairs

[Cheryl Hardcastle, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Salim Alaradi's nightmare continues. In 2014, he was falsely charged and unjustly imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates on false charges. The charges were dropped in March, and yesterday, after almost two years in prison, he was acquitted of any wrongdoing. Yet today, he continues to be detained without reason.

Mr. Alaradi's family still waits anxiously for him to return home. What is the government doing to secure the immediate release of Salim Alaradi?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, first, we need to say how much the family has been courageous in this tough time. Second, I want to thank all colleagues from both sides of the House who worked very hard for Mr. Alaradi to be free and will not stop working hard until he is actually free.

Science

[John Aldag, Liberal, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this year's G7 science meeting was held in Tsukuba, Japan, and it was the first time in three years that Canada has attended such a gathering. As we have seen across government, Canada can make an important international contribution by choosing to engage on the world stage.

Could the Minister of Science update the House on the outcome of the G7 science and technology ministers' meeting?

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Minister of Science]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague from Cloverdale—Langley City.

The G7 is a key forum for Canada, and I was honoured to attend as the Minister of Science. While in Japan, ministers committed to international collaboration on global health, oceans, open science, women in science, and youth enrolment in STEM disciplines. These meetings highlight the importance of international co-operation and underline the role of research in helping to address the challenges the world faces.

Infrastructure

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the 92-year-old Ottawa Hospital desperately needs a new building. Starting in 2007, an expert panel researched 12 sites, and federal land right across the street topped the list. Then minister John Baird okayed it, but suddenly six months later, Ottawa's current regional minister slammed on the brakes. Now we learn she is punting the matter to the NCC, which means a total delay of two years.

When will Ottawa's regional minister stop blocking a desperately needed hospital in her community and our city?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands the need for Ottawa to have a state-of-the-art hospital in its centre, and this is the reason why I asked the NCC to review possible sites for the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus through a rigorous and transparent process in order to provide the government with recommendations.

The NCC's first-hand experience in public engagement and land use makes it the right choice in leading the review of possible sites, and our government looks forward to working with the NCC to find out where the new hospital will be located.

Consumer Protection

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

Mr. Speaker, while Australia and 28 European countries have credit card transaction fees as low as 0.3% and 0.5%, Quebec's merchants have to pay between 1.5% and 4% in transaction fees when their clients use credit cards. On average, the 6,400 members of the Quebec convenience stores association pay $36,000 in annual fees.

When will the minister impose a ceiling on the exorbitant credit card transaction fees being charged to merchants?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we remain committed to carefully protecting consumers and ensuring that we have a competitive market in everything Canada does. To the specific question asked, we have a voluntary obligation for the credit card companies to move forward on a fee review. We are awaiting the results of that review in order to understand how best to make sure we can keep this market competitive and to the benefit not only of merchants but of consumers.