Debates of June 6th, 2016

Foreign Affairs

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we actually need to grow the relationship between Canada and the sixth of humanity, China, which was so damaged by the former government.

This is why we need to make progress in every aspect, including human rights, including the rule of law. It is what I said very clearly in the meetings with the minister of foreign affairs of China. It is what I said during the conference he just mentioned. It is what I said also in my subsequent relationship with the minister.

We will continue to improve our relationship with China and to advocate the case for human rights everywhere in the world, including in China.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, by any realistic measure, last week's visit by China's foreign minister did not go so well. Again, the Prime Minister broke with protocol and caved in to Minister Wang's demand for a meeting. Then Canada's minister stood silent while the Chinese minister angrily scolded a Canadian journalist.

When will the Liberals stand up to China and demand meaningful answers on China's human rights transgressions?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, there are two erroneous things in the member's comments. First, of course I was not silent regarding human rights groups, including in the press conference. The obligation to hurt my--

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

You were at the press conference.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I would ask the member for Abbotsford to try to restrain himself. I know he is excited about all this, but I know he can restrain himself from commenting until whenever he may have the floor. Right now, the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs has the floor.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it will probably hurt my modesty, but I need to quote myself. I said in the press conference, “In our international engagement Canada will continue to champion the values of pluralism, democracy, inclusive and accountable governance and respect for diversity and universal human rights.”

About the practice of our foreign affairs ministers meeting leaders of the world, I meet leaders of the world everywhere in the world. The Prime Minister will certainly be willing to meet--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Berthier--Maskinongé.

Dairy Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, last week, thousands of dairy farmers came to Ottawa to speak out against the government's inability to protect them on the diafiltered milk issue.

Farmers have lost millions of dollars because the government did not enforce its own regulations. Now, the government is trying to convince us that opening our markets through the trans-Pacific partnership is going to be a good thing.

Does the government take us for fools? How are farmers supposed to feel reassured about the trans-Pacific partnership when the government is not even capable of enforcing its own import regulations?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are consulting with dairy farmers across Canada on the trans-Pacific partnership. We have not yet taken a position, but once we do so, we will be sure to consult and provide compensation as necessary.

Canadian Heritage

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the trans-Pacific partnership also raises concerns for cultural industries.

The TPP explicitly prevents the government from developing policies to support Canadian content on digital platforms. On one hand, we have a Minister of Canadian Heritage holding consultations on digital media, and on the other hand we have her government signing a treaty that will limit its own capacity to intervene online.

Despite all her fine words, the minister's hands will be tied. However, she promised to protect our cultural diversity in these trade agreements.

How will the minister defend such an absurdity to our cultural industries?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian content and support for creators of content are a priority for our government.

For years, our approach during trade talks has always been to maintain our capacity and to support cultural and creative industries. That remains unchanged today, especially during our talks on the TPP.

We also want to seize the opportunities offered through our various trade talks. That is why our government is determined to listen to Canadians on the issue and that is why the Minister of International Trade is—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Brantford—Brant.

Finance

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, from day one, the Liberals have shown a complete lack of interest in the needs of small businesses. After ending the small business hiring credit, they broke their promise to lower the small business tax rate. The chamber of commerce says businesses are worried about a big CPP tax increase, which it says is “headed for the middle class like an elbow to the chest”.

Why is the finance minister so intent on squeezing every penny he can out of middle-class businesses and workers?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we are focused on ensuring that Canadians have the opportunity to retire in dignity. We started down this path immediately on getting elected. We told Canadians this is something we wanted to do. We moved forward with improving the guaranteed income supplement for seniors in poverty. We changed the OAS system so that we can help seniors retire when they can. We are working collaboratively with the provinces to enhance our Canada pension plan, which is an investment in the future of Canadians, allowing Canadians to retire in dignity.

[Kevin Sorenson, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, hard-working Canadians cannot afford to pay more taxes. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said that no business can afford higher payroll taxes either, but the finance minister is again putting Canadian jobs at risk. The Liberals have already backed off on their election promise to lower the small business tax rate. Now they are going to raise payroll taxes.

Why is the finance minister killing the backbone of the Canadian economy with irresponsible CPP payroll tax hikes?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the member opposite that we are trying to enhance the Canada pension plan. That is a plan where Canadians can save. It is a plan where we can invest money so people can have a retirement in dignity. We know that working together with the provinces, we can achieve a real difference for Canadians, helping them to have a retirement in dignity and to save appropriately for that. We are committed to doing that in collaboration with our finance ministers in our provinces.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the problem with this government is that every time it opens its mouth, there is a big disconnect.

As members will recall, they said they would make revenue-neutral tax changes. Instead, they have dug a $1.7-billion hole.

Now, they are turning their attention to pensions. We are worried and we have every right to be worried.

Can the government promise not to increase Canadians' CPP payroll taxes?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we want to have a pension plan that will allow Canadians to live their retirement years with dignity. That is why we want to enhance our pension plan. I am working with the provinces in order to help Canadians retire with dignity.

Employment

[Ken McDonald, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Mr. Speaker, when we were elected, we promised to help middle-class families and grow the economy. An important way to achieve this objective is to ensure that young Canadians are able to find work and get the experience required in the job market. We remember how the previous government spent more time putting up billboards than creating jobs for young Canadians.

Could the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour inform the House of the success of the Canada summer jobs program?

[MaryAnn Mihychuk, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, I want to report to the House that this government understands the importance of meaningful work in a summer job. That is why we promised to double the number of jobs this summer. In fact, we have more than doubled them.

I am proud to say that every hon. member in the House worked hard. We not only doubled, but we increased the number of jobs to 77,000 jobs this summer. It is because of the commitment of the minister for youth that we were able to keep the promise and focus on what was important, young—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order, please. The hon. member for Battlefords—Lloydminster.

International Trade

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

That they got neutral, Mr. Speaker. Those jobs are for half as long.

The leaders' declaration from the G7 in Japan is a clear commitment to regional trade agreements like the TPP. Yet the Prime Minister seems more inclined to push for an early deal with China. While that is a very important market for us, the Prime Minister has also said, “It is important that people know that when they sign a deal with Canada...a change in government isn't going to lead to that contract being ripped up”. Since he supported the leaders' declaration, why will the Prime Minister not prioritize the TPP before holding trade talks with China?

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

Mr. Speaker, increased trade relationships with China are in the minister's mandate letter, but we are not in negotiations for a trade agreement right now. We will take a cautious step-by-step approach.

As regards the TPP, we promised during the election, because it was a deal that we had not yet seen, that we would study it carefully. We are continuing to do that. We are doing our own studies, we are taking in studies, and the committee is studying. We will come to a position on that when the time is right.

Infrastructure

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, people in Windsor have fought for a long time for a new border crossing with the United States. Manufacturers, farmers, and those in other key sectors are left wondering whether the government will deliver the Gordie Howe international bridge border crossing on time. This means jobs and investment for Canada as this region accounts for 40% of the daily trade between Canada and the United States.

My question is for the Prime Minister. His government has already missed two important deadlines for this crucial infrastructure. Could the Prime Minister confirm today that his government is on track to make this crossing happen by 2020? This is his opportunity to reassure the citizens and industries from manufacturing—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order, please. The hon. Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.