Debates of June 6th, 2016

Infrastructure

[Amarjeet Sohi, Liberal, Minister 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—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order, please. The hon. member for Don Valley East.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development

[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, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his question and his 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.

Indigenous Affairs

[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, Liberal, Minister 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.

Softwood Lumber

[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, Liberal, Parliamentary 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.

Mirabel Airport Lands

[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, Liberal, Minister 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.

The Environment

[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, Liberal, Prime 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 Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

This is clearly debate, as the member knows, though I appreciate his intervention.

Public Safety and National Security

[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.

Liaison

[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.

Physician-Assisted Dying

[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.

Visitors' Visas

[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.

Canada Post

[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.

41st General Election

[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.

The Environment

[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.

Starred Questions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary 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.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 111 and 113 could be made orders for returns, these returns would also be tabled immediately.