Debates of Feb. 13th, 2017

Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, why do we need to have investor-state dispute mechanisms in these trade agreements? Clearly, and certainly in this agreement, there are several countries in the EU that are against these provisions that allow foreign corporations to sue Canadian governments, whether they be federal, provincial, or municipal governments, and affect our sovereignty over our own laws and country when we want to help improve our environment and our social well-being.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we need dispute resolution to protect companies that are investing in Canada to send a strong signal that Canada is a safe place to invest. We have it seen in Alberta, where the current NDP government is changing rules on long-term investments, and it is driving companies out. Some of our largest job creators have said that they are not going to invest in Alberta anymore. They are moving to Texas because of arbitrary government changes to laws.

Canadians have invested a quarter of a trillion dollars of Canadian wealth in the EU. Our investments in Europe have to be protected from the whims of government changes just as much as we need to protect the money of investors in Canada who are making jobs for Canadians, investing in our infrastructure, and investing in our communities.

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

Mr. Speaker, my friend from Edmonton West appears unaware of the litany of cases Canada has lost where the motivation for taking action was to protect public health and protect the environment, such as regulating against a toxic gasoline additive. I do not know why anyone would want to see foreign corporations have superior rights compared to domestic ones.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, when I listen to my colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands, I am reminded of Will Rogers' comment about never meeting a gentleman he did not like. I think this member has never met a job-creating item she liked or a trade agreement she liked.

Not everything is perfect, but this could open up trillions of dollars of added economic activity at a time of slow growth. We need the jobs in Alberta, we need the jobs in Canada, and we need them now.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

There will be six and a half minutes remaining in the time for questions and comments directed toward the hon. member for Edmonton West when the House next resumes debate on the question.

The hon. member for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.

Infrastructure

[Jati Sidhu, Liberal, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, access to clean drinking water is a fundamental right for all Canadians, which is why, on December 10, I was proud to stand alongside my provincial and municipal colleagues to announce the completion of the state-of-the-art, $4.2 million Cannell Lake water treatment plant.

Thanks to $3 million from our government's gas tax fund and $1.2 million from the District of Mission and the City of Abbotsford, over 200,000 residents of the Central Fraser Valley can now rest assured knowing that they have access to safe, high-quality drinking water.

This is an example of our government's commitment to modernizing infrastructure, ensuring that Canada's quality of life continues to serve as an example to the world, and that should be a great source of pride for all members of the House.

Water Quality

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

Mr. Speaker, we in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte are proud of beautiful Lake Simcoe. Lake Simcoe is a popular recreation area that generates millions of dollars per year in tourism. It is a great agricultural hub and supplies clean drinking water to eight municipalities. However, the prospects for Lake Simcoe were not always so bright, with high phosphates, diminishing fish populations, and a reduced number of species.

Those of us who are lucky enough to work, live, and play around Lake Simcoe have benefited from the previous Conservative government's successful investments, with local not-for-profits, to clean up the lake through the Lake Simcoe clean-up fund. The fund invested over $60 million to revitalize the Lake Simcoe watershed and southeastern Georgian Bay. That funding is set to expire this year. Continued investment will ensure that future generations can enjoy the same clean lake and beautiful waterfront community that residents and tourists enjoy today.

I call upon the current government to renew the Lake Simcoe and southeastern Georgian Bay clean-up fund in its coming budget.

Shooting in Quebec City

[Darshan Singh Kang, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today I stand in the House in solidarity with all of our Muslim brothers and sisters who mourn the victims of the terrorist attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City.

We must move forward by addressing the hate speech that incites violence against innocent Canadians because of their faith, ethnicity, place of birth, sexuality, or gender. We have shown the world that Canada is a tolerant country, but this does not mean we have made the hate go away. Instead, we must all pull together to continue to be a welcoming and thoughtful nation.

I encourage Canadians to visit a mosque, a church, a temple, a synagogue, or any other place of worship. Learn more about our fellow Canadians. Only through active engagement can we continue to thrive together and continue to be the true north strong and free.

Energy Projects

[Kennedy Stewart, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, climate change is one the greatest threats affecting humanity today. We need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuel dependency and increase public and private investment in renewable energy. However, we have to do this in a way that is ethical. Local communities that are affected by new projects have to consent to these projects, especially indigenous communities, and energy projects also have to benefit low-income communities.

The challenge for all countries is to develop clean and ethical energy policies. Canada has only 18% of our energy coming from renewable sources, as opposed to Iceland, with 88%, and Norway and Sweden, with 45%.

The government has been approving unclean and unethical projects, such as the Kinder Morgan pipeline, and clean projects that are unethical, such as the Site C Dam.

I call on the government to support a clean and ethical energy policy.

Laval Centre for Social Integration and Cohesion

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Centre lavallois pour l'intégration et la cohésion sociale will be holding a conference on February 25 to mark the first anniversary of the arrival of Syrian refugees. I am very pleased to be attending this event, which will allow stakeholders and citizens to assess and analyze the work accomplished.

This will also be an opportunity to discuss how to welcome and help settle these new citizens of Laval. Canada continues to be a haven for refugees fleeing from war and for people who have been persecuted and have experienced unimaginable violence, and who now have to start their lives over in a new country.

Thanks to organizations such as CLICS in Laval, it is much easier for them to integrate. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed refugees with open arms and contributed to making Canada the welcoming and diverse country that we are proud of.

[Member spoke in Arabic as follows:]

Ahlan wa sahlan fi Canada!

Tree Planting

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize some of the great programs in Perth—Wellington that celebrate our national heritage and conservation efforts.

For over 100 years, Perth—Wellington has been home to some important environmental stewardship activities. Recently, a forestry consultant determined that the Monteith farm in Perth County is home to the oldest tree plantation in Ontario. This proud history is today reflected in such tree planting programs as West Perth's Canada 150 plant-a-tree program, trees for Minto, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's trees on private lands program. In Wellington County, the green legacy program has planted more than one million trees since 2004, making it the largest municipal tree planting program in North America.

These programs have contributed to improving air quality, preventing soil erosion, creating natural windbreaks and snow fences, and enhancing our region's natural beauty.

I look forward to more tree planting this spring across Perth—Wellington.

Hon. Robert Stanbury

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to pay tribute to the hon. Robert Stanbury, who passed away this past Friday morning in Burlington.

Bob, as he was known, was first elected in 1965 in the riding of York—Scarborough and represented his constituents with distinction until 1977. Under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, he served as minister responsible for citizenship and information, later as minister of communications, and finally as minister of national revenue.

A dedicated public servant, lawyer, and father, Bob was also a force for Canada's north. He served as president of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and was a founding member of the Nunavut Arbitration Board. His good nature, wisdom, and support will be missed by many, including the Minister of Democrat Institutions, for whom I know he served as a mentor. I take comfort knowing that he enriched the lives of many through his strength, compassion, and leadership.

We join Bob's family and friends in mourning his loss. We thank him, knowing that Canada is a better society for his contributions.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

[Kate Young, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, scientists around the world marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This prestigious day was formally adopted by the UN in December 2015 as a way to demonstrate the continuing resolve of member states, including Canada, to eliminate gender inequality in the sciences.

Right now, only 22% of people working in STEM fields are women. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. We can and must do better.

Our government is committed to improving that number. The Minister of Science has taken a series of concrete actions that address gender imbalance in research, including reinstating the university college academic survey, making changes to the Canada excellence research chairs program to increase equity provisions, and launching an advertising campaign to encourage women and girls to pursue STEM careers.

The minister's actions build on our government's commitment to diversity, to equality, and to providing opportunities for all Canadians.

Maurice Legendre

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as all of my colleagues know, I was fully on board with my Foothills colleague's “Free the Beer!” campaign. In Mégantic—L'Érable, “beer” is practically synonymous with Maurice Legendre, the best independent representative in the world of Quebec breweries.

Maurice, as he was known to everyone back home, left us last week at the age of 90. Born in Lac-Mégantic in 1926, he moved to Thetford Mines at the age of 19 as a Boswell beer representative.

In 1952, he became Dow's first sales rep in Quebec. When Dow and O'Keefe merged in 1969, Maurice's career took off. In 1983, he sold 600,000 cases of beer, cornering 90% of the beer market in bars and hotels.

Mr. Speaker, did you know that they say he himself never drank a drop of beer his whole life?

Maurice was very involved in his community, particularly in sports.

Maurice was the one who taught me the art of the handshake, thereby helping me achieve success in politics though he was not partisan himself.

Thank you, Maurice. I want to express my condolences to his family. I hope there is beer in heaven.

Poverty Reduction

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was in Saint John, New Brunswick, last week as part of the study on poverty reduction strategies being done by the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

I took part in public hearings and visited a number of organizations that support the vulnerable in our society. I was moved to discover an organization called Elementary Literacy that supports young readers, in both official languages, who are having trouble reading.

I want to thank my colleague from Saint John—Rothesay, the committee staff, and all local stakeholders for their participation in the meetings.

I also want to commend the efforts of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, who just announced two important initiatives related to the Canadian poverty reduction strategy.

I am confident that the nation-wide consultation process and the ministerial advisory committee on poverty announced today—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order. The hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest.

Black History Month

[Karen Ludwig, Liberal, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to acknowledge Black History Month.

The community of Elm Hill, New Brunswick in my riding is one of the earliest black settlements. Established in 1806 by black Loyalists, settlers were promised freedom in exchange for their loyalty to the British crown. Like many other Loyalists who arrived in New Brunswick, they were given land grants and supplies, and Elm Hill became a thriving farm community.

Despite their past and ongoing struggles, Elm Hill residents are a living reminder of Canada's proud history of freedom, tolerance, and openness. Elm Hill's story is an incredibly rich goldmine of oral and anecdotal history. As the member for New Brunswick Southwest, I am honoured to play a part in its sharing and preservation.

Human Rights

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House the plight of the Kurds who are indigenous to the western parts of Iran. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan is an official Kurdish political party dedicated to finding a peaceful solution to coexist with Iran, and which advocates for the political rights of the Kurds.

Kurds are subject to systemic and targeted persecution by the Iranian regime, which includes economic, political, and cultural discrimination as well as the gross violation of human rights. Kurdish children are prevented from learning their language. Kurds are refused government jobs when they apply for failing to adhere to strict Shia doctrines. Kurdish prisoners are jailed for extended periods of time without trial, and are subject to extrajudicial killing and to executions without due process.

The Liberal government keeps talking about rewarding Iran with an embassy, but instead Canada should hold Iran accountable and stand in solidarity with our allies, the Kurds of eastern Kurdistan, against the persecution they continue to endure.

Youth Councils

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, when our minister responsible for youth launched the concept of riding-based youth councils, he unleashed an incredible force that is energizing communities right across Canada. Our youth council in Fleetwood—Port Kells is a team of overachievers. I will bet we can say that about most of these councils. I want to check in with members and see how their doughnut and pizza budgets are holding up.

Under the leadership of Kyle Boutilier, the youth have been digging into the big issues, informing their perspectives and visions, and getting ready to lead the country. For example, our youth council will be joining with others across Canada on the 3% project, an initiative to involve 3% of Canadians, about a million young people, in a dialogue on climate change. We need this discussion for the sake of our future, and we need these people involved in it.

It is inspiring to see these youth councils at work. I am very proud of the work our Fleetwood—Port Kells council is doing, and the energy, leadership, and drive to be the engaged citizens our country needs.

Democratic Reform

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, over 100 residents gathered in the city of Nelson in my riding, and thousands more across Canada to send a message that they wanted the government to keep its word on democratic reform.

Following the Prime Minister's announcement that he was breaking his promise to Canadians to end the first past the post system, I received a large number of letters and calls from constituents telling me they felt betrayed, saddened, and angry, asking me to keep up the fight.

Here are the facts. Two-thirds of Canadians voted for parties promising electoral reform in the last election. During committee hearings, almost 90% of experts and 80% of public testimony called for the government to adopt a proportional voting system. During my own democratic reform tour last year, I heard overwhelmingly from voters that they were ready for change.

Change will happen in Canada. It will take hard work and political courage, but we can do it and we must. That is what Canadians are demanding we do.

Tim McLean

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 2008, 22-year-old Tim McLean was on a Greyhound bus bound for home. He did not make it home. Just outside of Portage la Prairie, Tim was murdered by a sick and deranged man. The details of what occurred that day are public. It is among the most shocking crimes in Canadian history.

Today, Tim McLean's murderer walks free. This individual was granted the right to change his name. He has no limitations on his freedom. A lot of people are talking about this. There is a lot of outrage because the system is not working and something needs to change.

However, let us never forget about the victim, Tim McLean. Tim was not the only victim. His family continues to deal with what happened on that day. Tim leaves a son who will never know his dad.

Today we stand with Tim's family, particularly his mom Carol. Carol is one of my constituents, an amazing mom and grandmother who has fought so hard for justice and for what is right. We stand with Carol and with her family. May Tim rest in peace.

Dropout Prevention

[Ramez Ayoub, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week, Quebec is celebrating the 7th annual Hooked on School Days in support of helping young people achieve success at school.

This movement was launched by Partenaires pour la réussite éducative dans les Laurentides. I want to acknowledge the remarkable work of its executive director Annie Grand-Mourcel and her team. By proudly wearing the green and white ribbon of dropout prevention, we are making an important symbolic gesture. One in five young students drops out of school before graduating high school. This reality has significant adverse economic and social repercussions that must be addressed in order to build a better and more inclusive society.

I invite all my colleagues in the House to rally around our young people to talk to them about hard work, perseverance, the risks associated with dropping out, and the advantages of having a diploma. Dropout prevention matters to us all.

Public Safety

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in 2008, Tim McLean was murdered on a Greyhound bus. His murderer, Vince Li, is now a free man with an absolute discharge, while Tim's mother will continue to live with this hell for the rest of her life. That just does not seem right.

Now we also learn that the Prime Minister wants to eliminate mandatory jail time for crimes. When will the Prime Minister put the rights of victims ahead of the rights of criminals?

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, certainly our hearts go out to the McLean family. I want to be clear that the review boards of the provinces and territories have specific jurisdiction on whether or not an absolute discharge is provided to persons who are held not criminally responsible.

With regard to the broader criminal justice system review, we are certainly conducting a review, including mandatory minimums, to ensure we are in compliance with the Constitution and moving forward to improve the efficiencies, effectiveness, and to ensure public safety remains paramount.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the issue is bigger than that. We know the Prime Minister voted against our legislation, which was triggered by Tim McLean's death, that would make sure people like Vince Li would not be allowed out.

When the minister and the Prime Minister look at reforming the justice system, it is not about the rights of criminals that we are concerned about on this side of the House. We think if people do this, they lose a lot of their rights.

I would like to know what the minister plans on doing to make sure that the rights of the victims come first.