Debates of June 17th, 2016

Democratic Reform

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Madam Speaker, the Ontario Liberal government, 10 years ago, announced a referendum on electoral reform. A quote from the committee at the time stated:

Legitimacy must also apply to the process by which electoral reform is achieved. [...] A key ingredient to that process will be measuring public support through a plebiscite or referendum....

Will the minister agree to hold a referendum on electoral reform to make the process legitimate, yes or no?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister of Democratic Institutions]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. I believe this is the first time he has asked me a question in this House. I can assure him that in 2016, we will use all the tools and options available to us to ensure that the process is legitimate, that we hear from Canadians. We will not move forward with any reforms without the broad support of the people of this country.

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Madam Speaker, the Ontario Liberal minister who headed up the Ontario referendum process 10 years ago still supports having a referendum. She recently said that if we are going to totally change the election system, “I think it would have to be a referendum”.

Will the Liberals hold a referendum on any changes to how Canadians vote, yes or no?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister of Democratic Institutions]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. I can assure him that we are about to undertake a thorough conversation with Canadians, hearing from them what reforms they would like to see reflected in their electoral system.

Should we consider online voting? Should we consider mandatory voting? These are the among the questions that we need to ask Canadians.

I look forward to the work of all 338 members to reach our goal.

Health

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

Madam Speaker, in a little more than nine months, the new formula for health transfers will come into force, and it will deprive the provinces of $36 billion. During the election campaign, the Liberals said that they would renegotiate the transfers. Now is the time to take action.

The premiers of Quebec and Saskatchewan have even said publicly that this takes time and have called for an increase to the transfers.

When will the Liberals take this seriously? The future of our health care system is at stake.

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her question.

With an aging population and challenging conditions facing all governments, our system must adapt so that it delivers better care and better outcomes at a cost that is affordable. In budget 2016, we increased the Canada health transfer to $36.1 billion.

We will continue to build upon the success of most recent health ministers meeting in Vancouver, and ensure that our common priorities can be addressed while protecting the provinces and territories ability to deliver the best possible care.

International Trade

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Madam Speaker, after hearing from over 20,000 people, it seems that the Liberals just do not like what they have heard about the TPP. The fact is, Canadians have delivered a message loud and clear: the TPP is a bad deal for Canada. It will kill jobs and damage our economy.

Our allies are already talking about getting a better deal. Why are not the Liberals? Will they now agree to go back to the table and negotiate a better deal for Canada?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade]

Madam Speaker, as the hon. member knows full well, there are many people in Canada who are for the TPP, and there are many people in Canada who are against the TPP.

We have promised Canadians that we would consult them on the substance, we would analyze their arguments, and come to a decision that is the best decision for this country moving forward.

Ministerial Expenses

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Madam Speaker, Liberals believe they are entitled to their entitlements. We know that a three-day trip to New York cost taxpayers over $160,000. So far, we see $35,000 spent on transportation, $5,000 on tips and gratuities, a $2,000 fuel surcharge, and someone even claimed a $17 glass of juice.

How can Liberals continue to defend this type of out-of-control spending?

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

Madam Speaker, we are talking about lunch in New York at a juice bar called Jamba Juice.

Since my colleague clearly has nothing important to ask during this very important question period, I have to assume that we are doing an excellent job.

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

Madam Speaker, we recently learned that the Liberal government submitted a long line of expenditures for its trip to New York: $35,000 for car rentals, more than $5,000 in tips and gratuities, and $17 on juice.

This is in addition to the other instances of excessive spending in the early stages of the Liberals' mandate, such as the vanity trip taken by the Minister of International Trade and the excessive renovations by the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

When will they finally understand that this is not their money? When will they finally be responsible with Canadians' money?

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

Madam Speaker, I remind my colleague that I am the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.

We are talking about lunch in New York at a juice bar called Jamba Juice. If my colleagues think it is worth using their precious question period time on this $17 issue, I have to assume that we are doing an excellent job, esteemed colleagues.

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

Madam Speaker, $304 on floral arrangements to spice up a meeting room; over $35,000 for cars; over $2,000 on fuel surcharges; and over $5,443 on tips. This is just the start of wasteful spending on the Liberal vanity trip to New York.

Why do the Liberals need to be reminded that this is taxpayers' money, and what size was that Jamba Juice?

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

Madam Speaker, our delegation did extremely important work when we were in New York. Once again, my colleagues are fixating on one meal that a colleague picked up for me at a juice bar and that I ate on the run. It cost $17.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I want to remind members to please keep it down. When someone has the floor, it is customary to respect that.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

Madam Speaker, one of the things we hear advertised every summer is McDonald's dollar drink days, where any drink on the menu is just $1.

Nonetheless, I was very surprised to hear that a member of the Minister of International Development's staff charged Canadian taxpayers $17.77 for juice while in New York last March.

We all know that New York is a very expensive city, but can the minister explain how her staffer managed to spend that much money on juice, or is this just another example of Liberals entitled to their entitlements?

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

Madam Speaker, I invite my colleague to do a quick Google search. If he looks at the Jamba Juice menu, he will see that there is more than just juice available for a quick meal on the go in New York.

Air Transportation

[Ruth Ellen Brosseau, NDP, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, first it was Neuville and Mascouche. Now it is Saint-Cuthbert's turn to get an airport that it does not want. Residents, elected officials, and the UPA have all said no. Even the National Assembly was unanimous in saying no.

The Minister of Transport refuses to intervene, even though he knows that there is no social licence for the project. The process has been botched.

Will the minister listen to Saint-Cuthbert's elected officials and residents who are calling for a ministerial order? Will he put a stop to this project that nobody wants?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Madam Speaker, with regard to Saint-Cuthbert, I certainly encouraged the proponent to consult the neighbouring population. That is what the proponent has done. I will take a look at the results of those consultations.

Of course, I am also prepared to listen to the residents of Saint-Cuthbert. However, the member needs to be aware that the rules must be applied in certain situations. Right now, I want to see the results of the consultations.

Indigenous Affairs

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Madam Speaker, this morning, Algonquin elders, supported by community members, are gathering on this Hill to remind parliamentarians of a sacred place near here.

The Algonquins have asked politicians at all levels to respect our rights regarding important matters that affect our community, and yet the Zibi development project continues ahead.

The government has committed to a new nation-to-nation relationship, so I would ask again, when will the government honour its promises and commitments to indigenous peoples, and move forward by supporting Bill C-262 to adopt and implement the UN declaration?

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs]

Madam Speaker, we do recognize and support the public's right to engage in peaceful protests.

It is our hope that the parties involved, including the Windmill Development Group, local municipalities, the Algonquins of Quebec, and the Algonquins of Ontario can work together to find a constructive, respectful, and positive way forward.

As always, we thank the member opposite for his ongoing work, not only in the riding, but on the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by making sure that it is implemented properly.

Foreign Affairs

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Madam Speaker, the Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya constitutes the world's largest refugee camp.

The Government of Kenya recently announced that it will close this camp, thereby breaching its international obligations to protect asylum seekers and refugees. This is not only inhumane, but it also puts people in danger who will often make positive contributions to economic growth.

The United Nations has stated clearly that the closure of this camp will be devastating and have asked that the decision be reconsidered. What is Canada's position on Kenya's decision to close the Dadaab refugee camp?

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

Madam Speaker, our government is very concerned about the Government of Kenya's decision to disband its department of refugee affairs and its intention to close the refugee camp at Dadaab. International refugee law and refugees' rights must be protected. All returns must be voluntary and conducted in accordance with domestic and international laws. Refugees need to be protected.

Natural Resources

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Madam Speaker, Alberta's unemployment rate is the highest it has been in 20 years. Twenty-four thousand jobs were lost last month alone. Albertans are wondering how they are going to pay their bills. They are not buying $17 juice.

Businesses from Fort Mac to Cardston, and everywhere in between, are struggling. However, the Liberals just continue to talk a big game, have done nothing but incite uncertainty, and delay critical job-creating projects. Will the Liberals finally stop interfering and start getting Albertans back to work?