House of Commons Hansard #149 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was money.

Topics

FinanceOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

The hon. member for Barrie—Innisfil.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON

Folks should hang on to their wallets.

First, Mr. Speaker, it was the unsavoury Liberal cash for access scheme, and now Markham—Thornhill Liberal candidate Mary Ng is selling herself as a Liberal insider in the PMO who hand-picked members of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board, who make decisions on who can immigrate to Canada, but she only did this in the Chinese language version of her campaign news release.

How can Canadians have confidence in the appointment process when Liberal candidate Mary Ng is suggesting to a select group of voters that she will have influence over the fate of their immigration applications, as a member of Parliament?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Waterloo Ontario

Liberal

Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

Mr. Speaker, as we committed to Canadians, we introduced a new government-wide appointments process that is open, transparent, and merit based.

Our approach will result in the recommendations of high-quality candidates to achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity.

The new selection process reflects the fundamental role that many Canadians play in our democracy as they serve on commissions, boards, crown corporations, agencies, and tribunals across the country.

All opportunities to serve are transparently available online.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Nobody is buying that. Mr. Speaker, in true Liberal fashion, Liberal candidate and former director of appointments for the Prime Minister Mary Ng started campaigning before she pushed John McCallum out the door.

Mary Ng would have overseen many appointments in the Prime Minister's Office, but chose to highlight in her foreign language campaign release that she was responsible for matters regarding the appointment of members to the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Can the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship ensure that the integrity of the Immigration and Refugee Board has not been compromised as a result of Mary Ng's political ambitions?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Waterloo Ontario

Liberal

Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

Mr. Speaker, we are actually very proud of the new process that we have introduced and that Canadians from coast to coast to coast can actually apply.

We recognize the importance of these roles within government and these opportunities, and that is why all opportunities to apply are available online. I encourage Canadians to apply.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Peter Kent Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, we know the Prime Minister believes he can pick and choose how to interpret the laws and regulations that members of this House are sworn to respect.

We have seen the PM and members of cabinet ignore, actually break, his own ethics guidelines and his promises.

Is that why, after a year and a half in majority government, the PM has yet to fill vacant watchdog positions that govern elections, official languages, lobbying, and ethics.

Does the PM believe it is more important to get his appointments secretary a parachuted seat in Parliament than appointing watchdogs who might call him to account?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Waterloo Ontario

Liberal

Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives were busy making appointments at the 11th hour, this government is committed to a new process, a merit-based process, where we look at gender parity, bilingualism, and the importance of our diversity.

This government recognizes that diversity is our strength, and that is why we have introduced a new merit-based appointment process. We have delivered on exactly what we committed to Canadians.

All opportunities are available online, and I encourage Canadians to apply.

Foreign AffairsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Peter Kent Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is only a year and a half until the next election.

The PM has yet to explain the logic that led to the highly unusual housecleaning of two sitting cabinet ministers to appointments he characterized as ambassadorial. Not only was the dual assignment of Stéphane Dion to Germany and EU characterized as amateur hour by a former Canadian ambassador, but then we learned that the Liberal order in council described both men merely as special advisors to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Again, this is for the Prime Minister. Where is the logic? Where is the traditional diplomatic respect to our hosts?

Foreign AffairsOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

University—Rosedale Ontario

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote the leader of the official opposition. In January, she said:

Canadians...want and need passionate people to represent them, people who...understand the issues in minute detail, and vigorously defend their positions.

Speaking of Monsieur Dion, she added, “The member opposite epitomized all that and more”.

I agree. Canadians can be assured that we will be well represented by Monsieur Dion in Berlin and Brussels.

Official LanguagesOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

NDP

François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC

Mr. Speaker, according to the report by the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Minister of Immigration is failing to meet his obligations under the law.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada does not respect the equality of both official languages, since the French test is more expensive and less accessible than the English test for permanent residence applications. The minister has not taken any action to date to rectify the situation.

Does the minister intend to act on the commissioner’s recommendations in order to bring his department into compliance with its obligations under the Official Languages Act?

Official LanguagesOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

York South—Weston Ontario

Liberal

Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I am very much committed to the Official Languages Act, and my department is working very closely to make sure that the availability and costs between the two official language tests are equal. My department is working very closely with the businesses and organizations that determine and offer these tests to potential applicants to immigration services. We are working very closely with them to address this issue.

HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, increasing numbers of Canadians are suffering from Lyme disease and the lack of effective treatment. Most people are forced to seek health care outside of Canada at huge personal expense; yet the government's proposed framework fails to meet the needs of patients and their families. In fact, more than 30,000 Canadians have signed a petition to scrap the government's plan.

Will the government commit to creating a framework for Lyme disease that actually provides the care so desperately needed?

HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Markham—Stouffville Ontario

Liberal

Jane Philpott LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the impact that Lyme disease has on Canadians and their families. We had discussions at a conference to develop a federal framework on Lyme disease that was held last year, with more than 500 people participating. As a result of that, there is a framework available online. It has been open for consultation until tomorrow. It has had great interaction with a number of members of the House, as well as the general public. We are going to consider all input on the final draft version, and that will be posted in May of 2017.

JusticeOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Nicholson Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Mr. Speaker, during their first year in government, the Liberals only appointed 34 superior court judges. In the previous year, our Conservative government appointed 96 judges. Every day we are seeing evidence that the Liberals are making a mess of our judicial system. I want to know this from them. Why are they putting it at risk? When are they going to get their act together?

JusticeOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Vancouver Granville B.C.

Liberal

Jody Wilson-Raybould LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I take incredibly seriously the opportunity that I have to appoint superior court justices across the country. I am proud of the appointments I have made thus far, and I am very proud of the renewed judicial appointments process, including the judicial advisory council that will provide recommended and highly recommended candidates to sit on our superior courts.

We are doing this to ensure diversity in terms of the judges who sit on the superior courts, who represent the face of Canada. We will be making judicial appointments on an ongoing basis in the near future.

JusticeOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB

Mr. Speaker, today I had the honour to stand with Constable Wynn's widow, who was in Ottawa to talk about the importance of Wynn's law. Wynn's law would close a loophole in the Criminal Code that helped cost Constable Wynn his life.

I know that the Minister of Justice met with Ms. MacInnis-Wynn, and I thank her for that. However, since the minister opposes Wynn's law, could the minister explain just when it is okay for the criminal history of a bail applicant not to be disclosed?

JusticeOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Vancouver Granville B.C.

Liberal

Jody Wilson-Raybould LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, first of all, as the member opposite said, I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Mrs. Wynn. I want to reiterate in this House an acknowledgement and great empathy for the loss that she has suffered. We spoke about what I am committed to doing in terms of modernizing the criminal justice system, improving the efficiency and effectiveness, and ensuring that we look at bail reform. This is why I am working with my counterparts in the provinces and territories. It is why we have empowered the Steering Committee on Justice Efficiencies and Access to the Justice System to look at specific aspects of bail reform. We are going to continue to move forward collaboratively.

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

3 p.m.

Conservative

Peter Van Loan Conservative York—Simcoe, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal war on history is marching relentlessly forward. The most recent victim is a Canadian crusader for human rights, a pioneer in the global struggle against apartheid in South Africa. A champion of the little guy, he gave us our Canadian Bill of Rights. This is why the Government of Canada honoured his legacy by establishing the John Diefenbaker Defender of Human Rights and Freedom Award. The award has recognized individuals fighting for freedom and democracy around the world. Yet, as it did with the Canada 150 medals, the Liberal government is in the process of abolishing that John Diefenbaker award.

Why is there this Liberal war on history?

Canadian HeritageOral Questions

3 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation is a unique opportunity to bring Canadians together and strengthen their connection to our communities by inspiring a vision of a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive country. As part of the celebration, we are focusing on engaging young people, celebrating diversity and inclusion, and encouraging a national reconciliation with the indigenous people of this land.

Our government is proud to support and promote initiatives that will inspire a generation of Canadians to help build Canada's future and create a lasting economic, cultural, and social legacy for our country.

InfrastructureOral Questions

3 p.m.

Liberal

Pat Finnigan Liberal Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB

Mr. Speaker, the Anderson Bridge, which spans the Southwest Miramichi, constitutes important strategic infrastructure for the security and economy of the communities on both sides of this majestic river.

As the safety and capacity of the bridge has been downgraded due to the failing 60-year-old structure, would the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities give this House an update as to how our infrastructure program will contribute to the upgrade of this bridge?

InfrastructureOral Questions

March 7th, 2017 / 3 p.m.

Edmonton Mill Woods Alberta

Liberal

Amarjeet Sohi LiberalMinister of Infrastructure and Communities

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake for his hard work on behalf of his constituents.

Last week, our government, in collaboration with the Government of New Brunswick, announced more than $94 million in combined funding to replace the Anderson Bridge. This investment will ensure that the bridge remains a key link for travel, trade, and daily life between northern and southern New Brunswick for years to come.

International TradeOral Questions

3 p.m.

Conservative

David Yurdiga Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB

Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Finance showed up in my riding to announce that he was failing northern Albertans. Instead of adopting the recommendations of the trade tribunal about the drywall tariff, he offered half measures.

Liberal duties on drywall are hurting all western Canadians and those rebuilding their lives in Fort McMurray. Why is the minister ignoring the recommendations of the tribunal and continuing to collect massive amounts of new taxes from the people who are suffering?

International TradeOral Questions

3 p.m.

Toronto Centre Ontario

Liberal

Bill Morneau LiberalMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to go to Fort McMurray last week in particular to talk about how we can ensure that the people in Fort McMurray as they rebuild their homes and as the drywall contractors purchase drywall have a stable market and so they can understand the price of drywall. That is important.

What we also did was we took the tariffs that had been levied for the three months before, that $12 million, and said we were going to put that in a fund so that those people who had been harmed by fixed-priced contracts could apply to get that money to help their families and help the drywall contractors.

We are proud to help the people of Fort McMurray in a time of challenge.

Fisheries and OceansOral Questions

3 p.m.

NDP

Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government proposed the ocean protection plan, promising a world-class spill response. People on the ground are watching.

Yesterday, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard said that the Coast Guard and responders reacted very quickly to contain a spill and to clean up the spill. It took nine hours for the first booms and a few absorbent pads to be dispersed haphazardly and only near the fish pens.

Is this what the minister considers a quick response? If this is Canada's world-class response, we may have a problem.

Fisheries and OceansOral Questions

3 p.m.

Beauséjour New Brunswick

Liberal

Dominic LeBlanc LiberalMinister of Fisheries

Mr. Speaker, we do not have a problem, because this government is investing massively in marine safety and environmental protection. The Prime Minister was in British Columbia in November and announced the historic investment of $1.5 billion to ensure that the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada can provide that world-class ocean protection that Canadians expect.

We will continue to work with the provinces, indigenous communities, and all those partners across the country to ensure that we have the best marine response system in the world.