Debates of Dec. 1st, 2017

Status of Women

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

No answer, Mr. Speaker.

The Toronto Star has reported that government documents show that Canadian girls are being taken abroad to undergo female genital mutilation. This report also noted that Canada is lagging far behind other developed countries in efforts to prevent this from happening. Part of combatting this prevention needs to be arming women with knowledge of their rights, especially those who are new to Canada.

Will the Prime Minister reverse his decision to delete listing FGM as a crime from Canada's citizenship guide?

[Serge Cormier, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, our government committed to completely revamping the Conservatives' citizenship guide because it did not accurately and completely represent Canadians.

The minister is holding broader consultations with a wider range of stakeholders, including national indigenous organizations and experts on the subject. The new guide will better represent Canadian diversity and groups that were under-represented, such as women, the LGBTQ community, francophone communities, and first nations.

I should mention that the guide is still being developed. We will analyze all the comments we have received so far to ensure that we are making informed decisions.

Taxation

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Larry and Diana Badke had 64 acres of their property in the Cariboo destroyed by B.C. wildfires. When the Prime Minister came out, they believed him when he pledged to stay with them every step of the way. They need an answer. They have been waiting for weeks. Will property owners who must salvage burnt timber be charged capital gains, in spite of the enormous cost of the repairs to their property? They have been waiting, we have been asking.

Will the minister stand up and tell us today if she is going to charge them capital gains on the salvage of timber?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that the Canadians affected by wildfires, especially in British Columbia, are facing challenges.

The Canada Revenue Agency is committed to helping them and easing their burden. The agency provides taxpayer relief in the event of natural disasters such as the B.C. wildfires. Every application for taxpayer relief is examined on a case-by-case basis.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, that was not an answer.

In July, the Prime Minister swept into my riding and pledged to help every family impacted by the B.C. wildfires. However, once the cameras were gone, his government has been unwilling and unable to answer a simple question. We have been trying to get an answer from the revenue minister for weeks.

I have a simple question. Will private property owners who have lost everything and now must salvage the timber off of their property be faced with capital gains taxes, yes or no?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that Canadians affected by wildfires, especially in British Columbia, are facing challenges. The Canada Revenue Agency is committed to providing taxpayer relief in the event of natural disasters, such as the B.C. wildfires. Every application for taxpayer relief is examined individually.

Canada Post

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates tabled the report entitled "The Way Forward for Canada Post" more than a year ago. The government pledged to unveil its vision for the future of our postal service by the end of 2017. We are still waiting. It is now December 1, and there are only two weeks left in the session.

Can the minister promise that she will table her vision before the end of the parliamentary session?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, this government has kept its promise to continue the moratorium on the switch to community mailboxes across the country. Two important reports have been prepared.

We thank the parliamentary committee and the special task force established to study Canada Post policies for their hard work.

The minister has indicated many times that we will provide our decision on Canada Post policy by the end of the year.

Employment

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the latest census is discouraging. It shows a persistent gender-based wage gap in Canada. On average, women with a bachelor's degree earn $13,740 less annually than men with the same level of education. That is $13,740.

An NDP motion on pay equity was adopted in the House almost a year ago and the government has yet to do anything about it.

When will the government acknowledge pay equity as a right and rectify this injustice?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, it is a great day for jobs and employment in Canada. Canadians have created over 600,000 jobs since we have taken office, almost 80,000 this month alone.

However, the gender wage gap, as my colleague notes, remains high, which is why we are showing leadership to address this aspect. Equal pay for work of equal value, pay equity, is a critical component. Our consultations on how to do this are over, and we will be introducing proactive pay equity legislation in 2018.

Taxation

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it has now been 253 days since the finance minister rejected the Canadian autism partnership, and it is very clear that the government has no idea how it is going to replace it. This broad partnership would have worked with autism organizations and governments across the country, providing expert advice on issues facing people with autism, issues exactly like the serious one raised by Autism Canada in regard to the disability tax credit.

Families are using words like “frustrating”, “maddening”, and “heartbreaking” to describe the situation, but most of all what they want to know is what the government is doing to fix this.

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that autism spectrum disorder has a significant impact on families and individuals. Federal investments in research, data improvement, surveillance, and training skills are supporting those with autism and their families. There is an extraordinary network of stakeholders across the country raising awareness and providing services to families. Our government will continue to support these efforts through our programs.

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

Mr. Speaker, communication problems abound at the office of the minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency.

Several organizations that advocate for the well-being of persons with disabilities want to talk to the minister. Autism Canada recently sent a letter requesting a conversation with the minister.

Can the Minister of National Revenue confirm when she plans to meet with the representatives of Autism Canada?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform my colleague that I met with the representatives of Autism Canada this week.

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

Mr. Speaker, families with children who have autism need the disability tax credit to help offset the costs of expensive therapy. The Liberals are nickel and diming these families to pay for their out-of-control spending. It is a disgusting attack on vulnerable Canadians. Do these families not have enough to deal with without having to fight the Liberals to get the credits that they need?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we proudly announced that we are re-instating the agency's Disability Advisory Committee, which was abolished by the Conservative government in 2006.

We recognize that autism spectrum disorder has a significant and lifelong impact on individuals and their families. Federal investments in research, improved data, surveillance, and training will help support people with autism and their families.

There is an extraordinary network of stakeholders across the country, raising awareness and providing services to families. Our government will continue to support their efforts through our programs.

Health

[Colin Fraser, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, this week, the Prime Minister stood in the House and addressed past wrongs done to the LGBTQ2 community, acknowledging and apologizing for this dark chapter in our history.

At the same time, the Prime Minister acknowledged that there was still work to do, in particular with respect to the over-criminalization of HIV non-disclosure.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General tell the House about actions being taken to address this serious issue?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for West Nova for his question and his excellent work.

We all have a duty to work on reducing the discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV.

Today, on World AIDS Day, the Minister of Justice released a report addressing over-criminalization within the HIV community, which can discourage testing and treatment, and ultimately increase rates of infection. By treating HIV first and foremost as a public health issue, and by tailoring the use of the criminal law, we will improve the health of our citizens while maintaining the safety of our communities.

Public Services and Procurement

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, workers in my riding who go to work every day at the Davie shipyard are extremely proud to have delivered the supply ship Asterix to the Royal Canadian Navy on time, on budget, and at the lowest price.

A second ship urgently needs to be built in order to meet the navy's operational needs, but the Liberals are standing in the way.

Will the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Procurement go to Lévis this Sunday to explain to the workers how they plan to use a single ship to resupply a navy fleet that patrols three oceans?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, the national shipbuilding strategy provides opportunities for shipyards across the country.

We are very proud of the work accomplished by the men and women of the Davie shipyard. We are very proud of the ship we are about to receive. I saw yesterday that Conservative members have visited the Davie shipyard. However, they were not there the day they released a shipbuilding strategy that left Davie out in the cold. We are working very hard to include Davie in our national shipbuilding strategy.

Democratic Institutions

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are proud of our democracy. An important principle of that democracy is that everyone has an equal opportunity to run for office.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Democratic Institutions update this House on the government's response to the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta ruling on the $1,000 deposit for federal election candidates?

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Democratic Institutions]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Ottawa—Vanier for her question and for the good work that she does.

We believe in a vibrant and inclusive democratic process in which more Canadians, not fewer, should be able to participate. We are committed to improving our democratic institutions and restoring Canadians' trust and participation in our democracy. Therefore, we will not be appealing the recent ruling in Alberta. We acknowledge the Elections Canada decision to apply the Alberta ruling across the country so that we can have one set of rules for all Canadians. Prospective candidates will no longer be required to pay a $1,000 deposit as part of their nomination process.

I look forward to working with all members to strengthen, protect, and improve our democracy.

Justice

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Mr. Speaker, every year, hundreds of Canadian women are caught up in the vicious cycle of sex trafficking, yet since coming into power, the Liberals have allowed the fight against human trafficking to languish. They have allowed the national action plan to combat human trafficking to expire. They have ended federal funding to NGOs, obstructed important tools for police that were adopted by this House, and have introduced legislation to block consecutive sentencing for sex traffickers.

When will the Liberal government step up and start fighting this horrific form of modern-day slavery?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is abhorrent, and we must do everything within our power to stop it. That is why we work with our domestic and international partners to protect victims and to ensure we do everything we can to stop this practice. Recently, we introduced Bill C-38 to give police and prosecutors new tools to investigate and prosecute human trafficking offences. We have also introduced Bill C-21, which gives important tools to combat cross-border crimes.

I look forward to working with the member on this important issue.

Media Industry

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage considers newspapers to be obsolete. If she cannot read it on a tablet, then it has outlived its usefulness.

At a time when sources of information are multiplying, the minister is taking some away. Quality information is essential to a healthy democracy. We have a duty to support it.

Will the minister listen to the journalistic community and institute a program or funding to support national and regional print newspapers?