House of Commons Hansard #67 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was industry.
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is very simple. The budget has no increases in the GST. It is as simple as that.
We are investing in the middle class and investing in infrastructure. After conversations with Canadians for the past little while as to what mattered to them, that is what the budget is about. That is why I am proud to support the budget.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
Resuming debate, the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands. I just want to point out to the hon. member that we have about seven minutes, so when 2 o'clock strikes, she will have three minutes to continue when the debate continues.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise at report stage to speak to Bill C-15. In the seven minutes I have, I will try to be very economical and focus on a few points that have been mentioned by other members.
I have a very strong view about the improper use of omnibus budget bills, and I want to reflect briefly on the history of omnibus budget bills.
The mandate letter to the hon. government House leader makes it clear that he is directed to “end the improper use of omnibus bills”. Therefore, having fought very hard in the spring of 2012 against Bill C-38, the omnibus budget bill, I want to canvass this because I think it is important for me to say out loud that this is not an improper use of an omnibus bill but it comes dangerously close.
Omnibus budget bills between 1993 and the 2000 were generally around 12 pages long. The biggest omnibus bill that I had seen was in the spring of 2005 under the previous Liberal government of Paul Martin, which topped 120 pages. People actually protested that the Martin government's 2005 budget bill, at 120 pages, was too long, including the leader of the official opposition at that time, who went on to become prime minister and became the champ of all inappropriate and improper uses of budget bills.
This budget bill, at 179 pages, is clearly the longest omnibus budget bill from a Liberal government. However, it is a piker compared to the abuse of democracy that we saw under the previous Conservative regime.
In the year 2010, we saw an omnibus budget bill that was 883 pages long. In the spring of 2012, we saw the first part of an omnibus budget bill that was 440 pages long, with a second part in the fall, which was another 400 pages long.
What makes an omnibus bill appropriate or inappropriate? If in one piece of legislation we are working toward a single purpose and all pieces of the legislation stem from that single purpose, it is an omnibus bill all right, but it is not improper. What happened in the spring of 2012 is that Bill C-38 destroyed our Environmental Assessment Act, which was not mentioned in the budget, destroyed the Fisheries Act, repealed the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, repealed the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act, and changed the National Energy Board Act. No fewer than 70 laws were changed at that time.
Therefore, let us not muddy the waters. The warning to my friends in the Liberal government is that they should not tread too far. This one should have split out the commercialization of the Wheat Board. We needed to study that separately. However, overall, this one is not an improper use of omnibus bills; rather, it just flirts with the word “improper”.
What is good and what is not good about this? Obviously, there is much in this budget to like. I was disappointed because I thought there would be more to like, and there are two specific elements I must mention, before we move to Standing Order 31s, that are really unfortunate and, in fact, egregious.
In terms of the good things, there are changes to the employment insurance program that I welcome. However, as many groups have said, including those who testified before the finance committee, we need to go further and fix EI to get it back to the systems we had before the changes of the Conservative regime. Therefore, while it is certainly better to have the changes we just made, I tried in committee to make amendments to deal with the long-tenured worker, the idea that one has to work for seven years to qualify for those pieces. We have not yet seen the reversal of the changes to seasonal workers. We need to see that.
In the case of the child benefit program, I agree with the Canadian Teachers' Federation, which described it as a good first step to alleviate childhood poverty. However, I found this evidence from the Canadian Teachers' Federation really telling, and we should all take it on board as parliamentarians. It stated:
Each day in our classrooms, Canadian teachers engage with children and youth who are hungry, tired, and struggling due to poverty.
I talk to teachers all the time. We need to do much more for our children. This is just a very small first step.
With respect to veterans, I would say that the Liberals kept their promise to open the veterans offices across Canada that were wrongfully closed. They have done some things that will change the permanent impairment allowance and the grade determination. This is an improvement. However, we still need much more to be done for our veterans, just as we do for pensioners.
The National Pensioners Federation made the same point. The increase in GIS for pensioners is very welcome, but it is $2.60 a day. The maximum improvement for poor seniors in this budget is $2.60 a day. That is not enough.
There is more that I liked in the budget, such as cultural industries and better deals for students, although the money needs to be improved. However, there are two pieces that are completely egregious. One is found on page 221, where the fossil fuel subsidy to liquefied natural gas is left in place until 2024. This is a violation of the Liberal election promise to end subsidies to fossil fuels.
Also, at pages 166 and 167, we see a commitment to keep environment assessment in place under the Bill C-38 version, which as I just mentioned, destroyed our environmental assessment regime. Specific reference to continue to fund CEAA under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, is offensive to all of us who understand environmental law.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
The hon. member will have four minutes remaining when debate resumes.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise for a brief 60-second tribute to the people of British Columbia who stand united against the Kinder Morgan trans mountain expansion.
Earlier today, Mayor Gregor Robertson was here, speaking in this place, along with Chief Maureen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Chief Ian Campbell, and Councillor Grant-John of the Musqueam and Squamish First Nations.
I raise my hands to them. I am honoured to represent the Coast Salish peoples of Saanich—Gulf Islands and say huy tseep q'u for their being clear.
We need to understand in this place that this debate over pipelines must not pit Alberta against B.C., or Quebec against Alberta.
We need to recognize in this place that the export of raw bitumen to other countries is not in our national interest, and our national interest lies in processing material here and saying no to pipelines.
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I had the pleasure of participating in the annual bread and honey festival in Streetsville.
Since its inception in 1973, the bread and honey festival has celebrated commerce in the local community, originated in part by the flour mills. Having so many bee yards existing at the time, it was only natural to add honey. Even today, everyone enjoys bread that is specially baked by the local milling companies and generously coated with local honey.
The weekend long festival is filled with events and activities for all ages, kicked off by a parade through the main strip of the village. I have attended this event for 31 years, this being my first as the member of Parliament.
It was especially nice to see kids enjoying the festival, as I did growing up. I would like to thank the organizers and volunteers for making this year's bread and honey festival possible and for keeping the local tradition alive.
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge one of my constituents, Joan Kinzett, who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of seniors in Fort Nelson, British Columbia.
Joan Kinzett has worked for the Northern Rockies Seniors Society for more than seven years. Over those seven years, she has been instrumental in the fundraising efforts for a supported housing facility in Fort Nelson, as well as the seniors transportation program. Thanks to her hard work and dedication and after years of fundraising, seniors in Northern Rockies will soon have access to supportive housing.
My staff and I always enjoy our conversations with Joan. She not only offers words of encouragement and support for the work we do here in Ottawa, but also has a genuine interest in our lives outside of this place.
I ask all the members to join me in recognizing Joan for her dedication to Fort Nelson's seniors and to our Canadian community as a whole.
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, June 8, is World Brain Tumour Day. There are more than 120 types of brain tumours. They are all unique and require individualized treatment, making research complex and critical.
For more than 15 years, my mother, Providenza, battled a brain tumour with courage and dignity. She left this world in 2011, but her memory and courage continue to move me.
I was a natural caregiver for my mom during the last six years of her life, and I understand the effects of the neurological damages brain tumours have on the patients and their families.
That is why, on June 12, I will be taking part in the Brain Tumour Walk in Montreal to raise awareness and raise money for research to put an end to brain tumours.
I invite all my colleagues and everyone watching us to take part in a walk in their community.
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, from coast to coast to coast, Canadians are encouraged that the government will finally be supporting the NDP's plan to make our electoral system a fair, inclusive process and a process based on cross-party collaboration.
Just in the past few days, we have received thousands of emails, letters, tweets, and posts. Helen from Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, wrote saying:
This is exactly what Canadians have been hoping for from the Parliament we elected last October....
Jay from Chilliwack said parties will:
...have to collaborate to pick Canada's new voting system, and we will move forward with more trust in the consultation process.
It is not a victory for the political parties. It is a victory for the Canadians who elected us to the House to represent them.
We are still a very long way from having a fair electoral system where every vote counts and every vote is equal, yet today we will take an important first step.
This afternoon, the House will vote to set this historic process in motion, and we will continually work to earn the trust and take guidance from Canadians as we move ahead.
Pam Goldsmith-Jones Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize Canada's generous donors to UNICEF, and the work of UNICEF through its 128 Makani youth centres in Jordan. Jordan's schools cannot accommodate everyone by a long shot. UNICEF Jordan works in partnership with government and civil society to reach the most marginalized and vulnerable children, providing education and psychosocial support services.
I talked to many of these children when I visited a Makani centre in Amman. The children love their teachers. They long to go to regular school. They play soccer. They dream of going to university. They feel safe and secure at the Makani centre.
This year the World Refugee Day campaign is focused on displaced persons. Ban Ki-moon has said, “Refugees are people like anyone else, like you and me. They led ordinary lives before becoming displaced, and their biggest dream is to be able to live normally again.”
Together with all members, I would like to thank Canada's partners in addressing the global refugee crisis.
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, I was proud to announce the official opening of my new constituency office in Summerland, British Columbia. One thing unique about my new office is that I am sharing it with the B.C. Liberal MLA who also represents Summerland at the B.C. Legislative Assembly.
As many members of Parliament will know, often citizens come into our offices only to discover they are seeking assistance on provincial issues. Providing more services in the same location can better serve our constituents, and sharing some office expenses can create more efficiencies. At the end of the day, we must always be mindful that there is only one taxpayer.
So far, I am pleased to report to the House that the joint office is working well to provide increased services at a lower cost to citizens in my riding. I would also like to thank B.C. MLA Dan Ashton for supporting this initiative.
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, this is Canadian Environment Week. Our government knows that it is essential to protect our environment while ensuring economic growth. I am proud to say that, for 30 years, the riding of Sudbury has been leading by example and proving that it is possible.
Back in 1972, our sulphur-damaged landscape was chosen as a training ground for the crew of Apollo 17 as it prepared to go to the moon. Since then, we have planted more than nine million trees. The lunar landscape is now a huge green forest.
Thanks to countless members of the community who planted millions of trees, our lunar landscape is becoming a huge green forest.
It only stands to reason that Citizens' Climate Lobby, a grassroots organization that empowers Canadians to build a more livable planet, has chosen to establish its national office in our community. Tonight, I will hold a reception with the Citizens' Climate Lobby to support this organization in its efforts to dialogue with all parliamentarians. I am proud of the organization's work. I am proud of all Sudburians who strive, through community involvement or in their own private way, to protect our environment, not just during this week but all through the year.
I wish everyone a happy environment week.
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in the House to mark the 100th anniversary of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, which was formed in 1916 during the First World War and was almost completely composed of black Nova Scotians.
At the time, there was no national policy on the enrolment of African Canadians in our Armed Forces. These decisions were left to individual commanding officers, meaning they were mostly excluded from service. When they were allowed to serve, they had to sleep in their own camps and be segregated from recreation, medical services, and even detention. However, even in the face of this prejudice, 300 brave individuals made up this battalion, which was based in Pictou, Nova Scotia, and more than 1,500 African Canadians fought abroad.
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Mr. Speaker, after a 24-year absence from the Olympic Games, the Canadian men's volleyball team has qualified for Rio. At the final qualifying tournament in Japan, Canada beat China three games to two. In fact, the men won the fifth set 15 to 9. It should be noted that the Canadian team rallied, from down three games to one, to win the last two games.
The Canadian team is led by Gavin Schmitt from Saskatoon. He scored 23 points in the come-from-behind win over China. Schmitt is a remarkable athlete. He is six foot 10. However, what makes this story even more remarkable is that Schmitt suffered a stress fracture in January and had to go through surgery. After a quick recovery, five months later he is on the court to lead Team Canada in the qualifying tournament.
The volleyball team will head to Saskatoon later this month, but today it is a celebration for head coach Glenn Hoag and the rest of the men's Olympic-bound volleyball team.
Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I am honoured to extend a very warm welcome to the members of the Canadian Steel Producers Association as they partake in day two of “steel days” on Parliament Hill.
Its member companies include Sault Ste. Marie's Essar Steel and Tenaris Algoma Tubes. Together with their partners in this association, they annually produce approximately 13 million tonnes of primary steel as well as one million tonnes of steel pipe and products in other Canadian facilities.
This important industry is very dear to the Canadian economy, as it produces $14 billion. Also, the Canadian Steel Producers Association does other important work, such as employing 22,000 middle-class people across the nation. It indirectly employs and creates 100,000 middle-class jobs as well.
I am glad to have this opportunity to welcome this very important association to Parliament today.
Leona Alleslev Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the House to recognize Armed Forces Day and the anniversary of D-Day, as a member of Parliament and a former air force officer.
Our country is proud of our military roots and the contributions we have made, not only to the liberation of Europe on the beaches of Normandy and Juno on June 6, 1944, but to peace and security around the world since then.
Today, I would like to offer our thanks to our military personnel for their service to Canada. Liberty and freedom are tenuous and often come at a high price. Whether at home or abroad, our Armed Forces stand ready to serve and to pay that price.
To recognize Armed Forces Day, let us honour the contributions of our Armed Forces members and thank them for their service.
Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON
Mr. Speaker, as-salaam alaykum. Ramadan Mubarak.
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. Muslims across the world approach this holiday with much devotion and sincerity.
It is a time for thoughtfulness, spiritual reflection, and acts of kindness. Those who are physically able will fast from dusk to dawn as one of the five pillars of Islam, while devoting themselves to worship and prayer to Allah.
Let this be a time for all Canadians, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds, to join with those celebrating Ramadan by remembering the less fortunate and celebrating acts of kindness and charity.
To everyone in Canada and around the world observing the holy month of Ramadan, I wish you all Ramadan Mubarak.
Michael McLeod Liberal Northwest Territories, NT
Mr. Speaker, in 1966, municipal leaders from Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River, and lnuvik met to discuss the formation of an association to promote the exchange of information and provide a united front for the realization of their mutual goals. Since then, the goal of the NWT Association of Communities has remained the same, which is working together to achieve all that our communities want to be.
For the past 50 years, municipal leaders across the NWT have come together on numerous occasions to promote a strong voice for local governments. In 2016, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, the NWT Association of Communities can proudly boast a membership of 33 or 100% of the communities in the Northwest Territories.
I have had the pleasure of working with the association from many different sides, as a mayor, as an MLA, and now as a member of Parliament.
I congratulate its members on the work they do for their constituents and on celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the passing of an exceptional Canadian and leader in Vancouver Kingsway, Peter Wohlwend.
It is impossible to overstate the legacy Peter has left for us all. He was instrumental in connecting people, beautifying our city, making our streets safe, and inspiring compassion for everyone in our community.
Peter helped form the Dickens Community Crime Watch, now the Dickens Community Group, a diverse array of volunteers who work together to make their neighbourhood a better place to live and raise families. He pioneered the Dickens listserv, a service that informs folks about local events and issues, and helped found the Kensington-Cedar Cottage Neighbour newspaper.
Along with his partner Midori, he was a leader in planting on public spaces and brought the Vancouver blooming boulevards program to life. Peter helped establish the Windsor Street bicycle route, Windsor art way, and transformed McAuley Park. Throughout all, he committed countless acts of kindness and generosity.
I thank Peter for being a visionary and for sharing his love of community, and I extend sincere condolences to Midori and family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Phil McColeman Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Mr. Speaker, today is tax freedom day, when families start working for themselves, not the government.
We, as Conservatives, believe in empowering Canadians by putting more money back into their pockets to invest in what matters most to them. That is why we cut taxes over 180 times to their lowest level in half a century, and put over $6,000 back into the pockets of the average Canadian family. That is real support for the middle class.
Yes, tax freedom day falls slightly earlier than in 2015, but I know the Liberals would not claim credit for a Conservative tax cut in a leap year. In 2005, under the old tax-and-spend Liberals, tax freedom day was not until June 26. Under our new tax-and-spend Liberals, we are headed right back in that direction. Their plan saddles Canadians with $120 billion in new debt. That is why Canadians know they will be doing a lot less working for themselves and lot more working to foot the bill for the Liberal—
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand today to speak about an amazing internship program that finished last week.
Since it was established in 1991, the Canada-Ukraine parliamentary program has seen students from across Ukraine have the opportunity to intern in parliamentary offices and experience first-hand the work we do here in the House of Commons.
This year, 31 university students travelled from Ukraine to Canada and joined offices on both sides of the House, where they were exposed to our parliamentary procedures and the democratic system used in Canada. Though coming from diverse educational backgrounds, these students have now returned to Ukraine where they will share the knowledge and experience they have gained during their stay.
With more than 1.3 million Canadians tracing roots to Ukraine, it is easy to understand why programs such as CUPP are important in further strengthening the relationship between our two countries. I know, in my own office, we were fortunate to be exposed to many new and interesting aspects of Ukrainian culture.
I would like to thank, personally, all of the offices that were involved in this great program.
Rona Ambrose ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister said the issue of electoral reform is too complicated for Canadians to vote on. However, he has it completely backwards. Canadians are smart. They are smart enough to understand what their vote means and they are smart enough to say yes or no.
Therefore, will the Prime Minister finally get rid of his “Liberals know best” attitude, put his trust in Canadians, and commit to a referendum?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, trusting Canadians means trusting them with open consultations, not a closed question. It means engaging with Canadians on the kinds of values that underpin our electoral system, talking about complex nuanced issues with Canadians so they can better inform the decisions we take here in the House.
On our side of the House, it is all about listening to and respecting Canadians, which cannot be said for when the previous government made changes to our electoral system.
Rona Ambrose ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister does not understand our military personnel and the dangerous world in which they operate. He naively pulled our fighter jets out of the fight against ISIS. Then the Liberals cut billions of dollars from national defence spending. Now the Prime Minister wants to choose what kind of fighter jets we should get.
Why should Canadians believe that he will pick the best fighter jets for our military personnel when he does not even understand the value they bring to combat?
