Debates of Dec. 11th, 2017

Falun Gong

[Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am presenting a petition signed by 60 constituents in my riding of Etobicoke Centre. The petitioners are deeply concerned about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, a persecution that has as its goal the eradication of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice based on the core principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The petitioners urge legislative efforts in Canada that would help put a stop to the persecution and murder of Falun Gong practitioners and that would investigate allegations of illegal organ harvesting of innocent people in China.

The Environment

[Sheila Malcolmson, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, to protect the coast, the jobs, and the ecology dependent on it, petitioners from Gabriola, Nanaimo, Langley, Port Alberni, and Vancouver all urge the Minister of Transport to cancel the proposal for the establishment of five new bulk anchorages off Gabriola Island. These are each 300-metre freighters. The risk of oil spills and the damage from scouring from the anchor chain are untenable, unnecessary, and of no benefit to our community. It is all downside and no upside. I urge the Minister of Transport to hear their cry.

Human Rights

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I present a petition on behalf of 7,456 residents of Canada who call upon the Government of Canada and the United Nations to ensure that Christians and other minorities living in Iraq and Syria enjoy citizenship with equal rights, that they are provided with dignified living conditions, and that Christians are given a prominent role in reconciling and rebuilding society.

They call on the Government of Canada and the United Nations to do three things: ensure that the current and future legal frameworks in Syria and Iraq fully promote and protect the equal and inalienable rights of their citizens, irrespective of race or religion; safeguard the dignified and continued improvement of living conditions for all citizens, but especially for returning refugees and the internally displaced, including through the provision of adequate housing, education, and jobs; and identify and equip religious leaders and faith-based organizations to play a constructive and central role in reconciling and rebuilding both Syria and Iraqi societies.

Religious Freedom

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition on behalf of some folks in my riding and just outside who would say that whereas equality means that all people are treated fairly, without discrimination, and whereas individuals holding Christian beliefs in Canada are experiencing discrimination and some laws are contrary to the practice of their religious or conscience beliefs, they therefore call on the House of Commons to exercise their religious beliefs and conscience rights, both in their private and public acts, without coercion, constraint, or discrimination.

They call on the government to amend section 241 of the Criminal Code, on medical assistance in dying, and the Civil Marriage Act to provide Christians and their faith-based institutions with protection from their provisions. Second, they call on the government to enact a policy to provide a review of any new legislation that may be brought in future by the government to ensure that it does not impinge upon the religious rights of Christians, in accordance with the historic continuity of the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Employment Insurance

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from hundreds of constituents in my riding. The petition is to change the Canadian EI system for cancer patients. What they want to see is a change in the EI system, which is right now at 15 weeks. They want to see it at 40 to 50 weeks, because most patients need at least a year off to recuperate. Many people with heart problems, strokes, or cancer need that year. They are very productive citizens. Many of them never drew EI in their lives. They want us to help them get back on their feet, become productive citizens, and get back into society. It is a very good petition, and I have all the signatures here in good form.

The Environment

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions, both the same, from citizens who are very concerned about the fact that the Conservative government stripped environmental regulations covered in the navigable waters act, leaving many hundreds of rivers vulnerable. The ecological diversity of the North Thames, Middle Thames, and Thames River are at risk as a result. They wish the Liberal government to take up its promise to reinstate the environmental protections gutted from the original act and to support my bill, Bill C-355, which commits the government to prioritizing the protection of the Thames River by amending the Navigation Protection Act.

Funding for Global Education

[Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Liberal, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions of a similar nature.

Whereas 130 million girls are currently out of school around the world, almost four times the population of Canada, it is a tragic waste of human potential. Therefore, petitioners call upon the House of Commons to fulfill Canada's responsibilities established by the international education commission, to ensure that girls everywhere have access to a quality education. They specifically ask that Canada increase its funding for global education from its current $302 million to $592 million by 2020, an increase of two pennies per Canadian per day.

Pensions

[Karine Trudel, NDP, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present another petition in the House that calls for an end to corporate pension theft. This petition is related to the bill introduced by my colleague from Hamilton Mountain.

Workers rely on their pensions and benefits so they can live and retire with dignity. We are calling on the government to amend its bankruptcy laws, which currently allow corporations to take money intended for their employees' pensions and benefits and use it to pay CEOs, banks, and investors instead.

Eating Disorders

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise once again to table a petition which asks for the implementation of a pan-Canadian strategy for eating disorders. The petitioners indicate that those who suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia have the highest rates of mental illnesses. They add that more than one million Canadians suffer, and that their families are negatively affected physically, emotionally, and financially by their struggles.

Given that the holiday season is upon us, this time of year is often more difficult for those who suffer from anorexia and bulimia and their families. They ask the government to work with provinces and territories and those affected, to develop a comprehensive pan-Canadian strategy.

Palliative Care

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, many constituents of mine have signed a petition calling on the Government of Canada to take action to encourage palliative care and quality health care. Petitioners recognize that no one level of government has the sole responsibility to ensure that Canadians have good, quality health care systems, in particular with respect to palliative care.

Falun Gong and Falun Dafa

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present yet more petitions calling for the People's Republic of China to cease the assault, persecution, and discrimination against practitioners of Falun Dafa and Falun Gong.

Petitioners are calling on the Canadian government to make that clear to the People's Republic of China, and publicly call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

Questions on the Order Paper

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

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Questions Nos. 1270, 1272, 1277 to 1279, 1282, 1285, and 1289.

Question No. 1270

[Alex Nuttall, Conservative, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON]

With regard to meetings or communication between the Office of the Prime Minister and David Livingston, Laura Miller, Patricia Sorbara and Gerry Lougheed, since November 4, 2015: what are the details of any meetings or communication, including for each the (i) date, (ii) type of communication (i.e. meeting, phone call, email, etc.), (iii) location, (iv) purpose or summary of communication?

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, the Office of the Prime Minister engages with provincial and territorial governments on a regular basis in the interest of federal-provincial-territorial relations. While the Office of the Prime Minister does not track the details that the question asks for, there were interactions with one of these individuals in their capacity as a staff member of a provincial premier.

Question No. 1272

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

With regard to the Income Tax Folio S2-F3-C2, Benefits and Allowances Received from Employment: (a) when did the Office of the Minister of National Revenue become aware of the final version; (b) when did the work on this Folio begin; (c) who initiated the work on this Folio; (d) why is this Folio not available to the public online; (e) has the government done any analysis regarding the economic impacts of the Folio and, if so, what are the results of the analysis; (f) how many departments were tasked to work on the Folio; (g) how many government employees have signed to date any type of non-disclosure agreements or read-in process documents in relation to the Folio; and (h) for each non-disclosure agreement and read-in process document in (g), (i) when was it signed, (ii) what is the duration?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), Income Tax Folios are technical publications that present the CRA’s interpretation of the law, and that summarize tax court decisions and technical positions adopted by the CRA up to the date of a folio’s publication. As a result, Income Tax Folios are not subject to ministerial approval.

With regard to part (b), the work on Income Tax Folio S2-F3-C2 began in November 2012.

With regard to part (c), the CRA undertook the Income Tax Folios project in an effort to improve the way in which complex tax matters were explained to taxpayers and their representatives, i.e., accountants, lawyers, and other tax preparers, in order to improve their ability to comply with their tax obligations.

With regard to part (d), Income Tax Folio S2-F3-C2 was available to the public online on the CRA webpages, on the canada.ca website, from July 7, 2016, until October 11, 2017. On October 10, 2017, the Minister of National Revenue instructed CRA officials to clarify the wording of discounts on merchandise in the folio. As a result, the CRA removed the folio from its website and is reviewing the folio’s wording with respect to discounts on merchandise.

With regard to part (e), as folios are technical publications that present the CRA’s interpretation of the law and summarize tax court decisions and technical positions previously adopted by the CRA, no economic impact study is completed when folios are published.

With regard to part (f), Income Tax Folio S2-F3-C2 was developed by CRA officials. The draft folio was shared for consultation with officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice as part of the folio publication process.

With regard to parts (g) to (h), no such agreements were signed.

Question No. 1277

[David Sweet, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

With regard to access to the National Holocaust Monument: (a) during what time periods will there be (i) access restrictions for pedestrians, (ii) closures for maintenance purposes, (iii) closures for non-maintenance purposes; (b) for each closure in (a)(ii), what are the details of the maintenance performed; and (c) for each closure in (a)(iii), what is the purpose?

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a)(i), the National Holocaust Monument is currently open to the public from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. However, public access is restricted overnight to manage and ensure appropriate and respectful use of the site.

Part of the main level of the monument will be cleared this winter, to provide residents and visitors year-round access to the interpretation panels and views of the murals.

Lighting above snow level will continue to operate through the winter. The second level of the monument will not be accessible for safety reasons, and the Flame of Remembrance and the elevator will be turned off during the winter months.

The National Capital Commission will evaluate the impact of the snow removal operations on the structure and integrity of the monument throughout the season. The National Capital Commission will also consult the Department of Canadian Heritage and stakeholders in the community regarding winter usage of the site.

With regard to (a)(ii) and (b), there are no planned closures for maintenance purposes, unless required by exceptional circumstances.

With regard to (a)(iii) and (c), there are no planned closures, aside from those described in response to part (a)(i).

Question No. 1278

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

With regard to the comments made by the Minister of National Revenue in the House of Commons on October 19, 2017, that “we are on track to recuperate close to $25 billion” in relation to offshore accounts used by Canadians in order to avoid paying taxes: (a) what are the details of the recuperation including (i) country in which the account was located, (ii) amount recovered, (iii) date of recovery, (iv) date on which the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) first learned of the account’s existence; (b) how did the CRA learn of the account’s existence; and (c) how will the recuperated money appear in the Public Accounts of Canada?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, the figure included in the question, excerpted from Hansard, refers to the following: Over the past two fiscal years, April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2017, the CRA identified $25 billion in fiscal impact. More specifically, the CRA’s fiscal impact from audit activities was $12.7 billion in 2015-16 and was $12.5 billion in 2016-17.

Fiscal impact is the traditional measure used for the CRA’s departmental performance report to report on the audit assessment and examination results from compliance activities.

Fiscal impact consists of federal and provincial taxes assessed, tax refunds reduced, interest and penalties, and the present value of future federal tax assessable arising from compliance actions. It excludes the impact of appeals reversals and uncollectable amounts.

With regard to parts (a) (i) to (iv) and (b), given the above-noted context, the CRA is unable to respond as it does not track such information in the manner requested.

With regard to part (c), fiscal impact of audit activities is noted in the Public Accounts of Canada. Amounts assessed by the CRA are reflected in the Public Accounts of Canada, and include assessments generated by audit activities.

The CRA cannot provide the information in the manner requested, as a taxpayer’s CRA account includes outstanding debts and refund offsets from several different CRA programs and revenue lines. The CRA system reflects the on-going outstanding balance and does not link the balances or payments to any specific debt, such as from audit assessment.

Question No. 1279

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

With regard to expenditures on the cover for the Fall Economic Statement delivered by the Minister of Finance on October 24, 2017: (a) what is the total of all expenditures; (b) what is the breakdown of expenditures by (i) photography, (ii) printing, (iii) other costs; and (c) what are the details of all expenditures related to the cover, including (i) vendor, (ii) amount, (iii) description of good or service provided, (iv) file number, (v) was the contract sole sourced?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), the total of all expenditures was $13,591.64.

With regard to part (b)(i), there was no cost for the photography of the fall economic statement’s cover; (b)(ii) the cost to print 575 English and 375 French copies was $13,591.64; and (b)(iii), there were no other costs associated with the cover of the fall economic statement.

With regard to part (c)(i), the vendor was Lowe-Martin; (c)(ii), the cost to print 575 English and 375 French copies was $13,591.64; (c)(iii), 575 English and 375 French copies of the fall economic statement were printed; (c)(iv), the file number was 4001370; and (c)(v), yes, the contract was sole sourced.

Question No. 1282

[Glen Motz, Conservative, Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB]

With regard to the commitment on page 12 of the Liberal Party election platform which states “our investment plan will return Canada to a balanced budget in 2019”: (a) does the government plan on keeping this promise and; (b) if the anser in (a) is negative, in what year will Canada return to a balanced budget?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), the government’s most recent fiscal outlook, contained in the fall economic statement 2017, was published on October 25, 2017, and is available at the following link: http://www.budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2017/docs/statement-enonce/toc-tdm-en.html.

In the fall economic statement 2017, both the budgetary balance and the federal debt to GDP ratio are projected to decline over the forecast horizon. The government will maintain this downward deficit and debt track, preserving Canada’s low-debt advantage for future generations.

With regard to part (b), it is not applicable.

Question No. 1285

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

With regard to applications for the Disability Tax credit by persons with type one or type two diabetes respectively: (a) for each month since October 2012, what was the percentage of approvals, disapprovals, and incomplete applications returned to applicants respectively; (b) with respect to rejections of applications in (a), what percentage of rejected applicants appealed the rejection decision; (c) with respect to rejections of applications in (a), what percentage of appeals were granted or declined respectively; (d) with respect to rejections of applications in (a), has any part of the Government withdrawn or withheld funds, bonds, and grants from the Registered Disability Savings Plans of any applicants; (e) with respect to withdrawals or withholdings in (d), how many applicants who were previously approved for the Disability Tax Credit have had withdrawals or withholdings made from their Registered Disability Savings Plan accounts since May 2017; and (f) with respect to withdrawals or withholdings in (d), what is the total value of funds withdrawn or withheld from Registered Disability Savings Plan accounts since May 2017?