House of Commons Hansard #66 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was vessels.
Amarjeet Sohi LiberalMinister of Infrastructure and Communities
Mr. Speaker, our government's commitment to building the Gordie Howe international bridge is unwavering.
Nearly 30% of the surface trade, as the hon. member has mentioned, crosses at this very important crossing. It is very critical for us to continue to grow our trade with the United States. The first step of the process, where we listed all the companies to build this bridge, has already happened. We are on the next stage—
InfrastructureOral Questions
Yasmin Ratansi Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, headquartered in my riding of Don Valley East, Thales Canada is a global leader in the development of high technologies in aerospace, urban transportation, security, and urban science. In addition, Thales Canada is a leader in the promotion of gender diversity and equality in the workplace.
Can the minister tell the House how the government can ensure that Canada continues to support innovative companies like Thales Canada?
Greg Fergus LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her question and her important work in support of Canadian entrepreneurship.
The 2016 budget shows how committed we are to promoting Canadian innovation. We are investing about $4.5 billion as a down payment to start the innovation agenda, with investments in initiatives such as strengthening business clusters, building post-secondary infrastructure, and extending broadband service. This is an agenda for change. It will address the economic challenges, grow our businesses and help us take the next steps toward growing a more innovative economy.
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act gave band members for the first time ever access to critical information such as salaries and expenses of their leaders and audited financial statements. On Friday, the minister admitted to Canadians that “no formal consultations” were held before gutting the act.
Does the minister not believe that band members should have input into a decision that affects them so directly?
Carolyn Bennett LiberalMinister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Mr. Speaker, again, the department was not in charge at that time. As the opposition critic, we consulted broadly through that time. We know exactly what first nations feel about transparency. Accountability is very important to everyone. We have to do it their way, not the way the Conservatives did it.
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, since the price of lumber from Quebec's public forests is set at an auction, it is higher, and our companies are only competitive when a free trade agreement exists. Under the softwood lumber agreement, Quebec has lost some major sales to British Columbia. Quebec can push for free trade all it wants, but it does not yet have status as a country. The federal government is negotiating on our behalf, but the government has been refusing to answer our questions for six months.
If Ottawa accepts a protectionist agreement, will it exempt Quebec so that NAFTA applies to us?
David Lametti LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, the government recognizes how important the forestry industry is to Quebec and Canada. We are negotiating with our American counterparts. This morning, the minister met with industry representatives in Montreal. We are working very closely with the industry, the Government of Quebec, and other governments across the country. We are working together to ensure that we get an agreement that is good for Canada.
Simon Marcil Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, nearly 50 years ago, thousands of people were kicked out of their homes by the federal government so that it could build the Mirabel airport. It was a colonialist fiasco of historic proportions. Today, the residents of Mirabel whose land was expropriated and their descendants want their land back, but the government is putting it up for sale. The government turned these people's lives upside down and left them a heap of ruins. Now it needs to take them into account.
Will the Prime Minister promise to give the original property owners and their descendants right of first refusal in the sale of the expropriated Mirabel lands, and will he offer them an official apology?
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the situation involving the former Mirabel airport lands. The main objective of the sale, enabling tenant farmers to buy the lands they were leasing, was achieved. Approximately 750 acres, or 7% of the former airport lands, has not yet been sold.
In the coming weeks, the government will proceed with the sale of the remaining Mirabel lands. Parcels will be offered in accordance with the policy on management of real property.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, June 17 will be the world day to combat desertification. This is an area where Canada was once extremely helpful. We even hosted the fifth meeting of the treaty to combat desertification, having ratified it in 1995. It is a key instrument, not just for developing countries but for dealing with increasing drought within Canada. Shamefully, the previous government withdrew us in 2013. I want to know when Canada will be back.
Could the Prime Minister tell us specifically if Canada can rejoin the convention?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we recognize not just the link between land degradation and climate change, but also the risks that desertification poses to realizing sustainable development goals. We are coordinating with our international partners to implement the 2030 agenda and its ambitious objectives to eradicate poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change.
We recognize the important work done by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and look forward to updating the House soon, possibly on June 17 itself.
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister misled the House during question period when he said that the NDP had a whipped vote on Bill C-14. He knows that is not the case. He knows on this side of the House, it was a free vote.
However, the NDP caucus is united in its determination that Bill C-14, as it is, is—
The EnvironmentOral Questions
The Speaker Geoff Regan
This is clearly debate, as the member knows, though I appreciate his intervention.
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, entitled “Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017”.
I also have the privilege to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, entitled “Supplementary Estimates (A)” for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Liaison Committee regarding committee activities and expenditures.
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present two petitions today from across Canada. The petitioners are calling on Parliament to provide adequate safeguards for vulnerable Canadians, especially those with mental health challenges, to provide clear conscience protections for health care workers at institutions, and to protect children and those under 18 from physician-assisted suicide.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present my first e-petition today, petition e-33, which was started by Nick Krawetz out of Winnipeg. It has almost 2,500 signatures on it in support of lifting the temporary visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens who want to visit Canada for at least 90 days.
The argument is that in support of trade and a new free trade agreement between Canada and the Ukraine, business people and those who want to expand their horizons and educational opportunities should be allowed to come back and forth easily between Canada and Ukraine. I support this petition.
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have never gathered as many signatures on a petition as I have for the one I am presenting today, which is about the reduction of Canada Post services.
When the Conservatives were in power, I gathered these signatures by the thousands. Now that the Liberals have broken their promise to restore home mail delivery, I am still gathering hundreds of signatures. Here is another petition.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to rise today to present two petitions.
The first involves Canadians concerned about the potential electoral fraud that occurred in the 2011 federal election. Clearly, many offences took place in the use of calls to misdirect voters, but the culprits have yet to be found. The petitioners ask for action on that.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from residents of my riding in the vicinity of the Saanich Inlet. It is described in this petition and by the Province of B.C. as an ecologically sensitive area. An increase in the use of recreational boats is leading to the petitioners to call for the area to be proclaimed a zero-discharge zone in order to protect its ecological integrity.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Question No. 118? If the government's response to this question could be made an order for return, the response would be tabled immediately, as if read.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings
Kennedy Stewart NDP Burnaby South, BC
With respect to the communication of scientific research and government scientists speaking to the public about their research: (a) what is the complete and detailed list of all changes, amendments, or updates made to the communication policies of departments and agencies since November 4, 2015; (b) for each item in (a), (i) what department or agency was it for, (ii) what section of the policy did it pertain to, (iii) on what date was it implemented, (iv) what was the text of the relevant sections before the change, (v) what was the text of the relevant sections after the change, (vi) what was the government’s rationale for it, (vii) is there any evidence that the approval process for scientists speaking to the media has changed; (c) what is the total number of media interviews given by federal scientists for each month since November 2014, broken down by department or agency; (d) what new processes has the government implemented since November 4, 2015, to track and ensure that science-related media requests are responded to in a timely and accurate manner; (e) what new resources or programs has the government provided to federal scientists since November 4, 2015, to assist them in speaking to the public and the media about their research; (f) what is the complete and detailed list of all internal memos, directives, or emails sent to federal scientists since November 4, 2015, concerning the communication of scientific research and the approval process for speaking to the media; (g) for each item in (f), what are the details, including, but not limited to, (i) its title, (ii) who was it sent by, (iii) on what date was it sent; (h) what is the complete and detailed list of all briefing notes prepared for Ministers since November 4, 2015, concerning the issue of scientific integrity or science integrity policies; and (i) for each item in (h), (i) what was its title, (ii) which Minister was it for, (iii) on what date was it prepared?