House of Commons Hansard #180 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was families.

Topics

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Regina—Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Speaker, the decisions relate to expanding the capacity of the immigration system in Alberta. It is about growth. That is the issue at stake here.

At the present location, there is a—

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

The idea of question period is not for everyone to talk at the same time. It is to have questions and people to listen to the question, to have answers and people to listen to the answers. Whether they like them or not, whether they are satisfied with them or not, the deal is that we listen.

The hon. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has the floor.

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Ralph Goodale Liberal Regina—Wascana, SK

Mr. Speaker, the immigration issues in Alberta are all about growth and expansion. The difficult reality at the present location is a 20% staff vacancy rate. The new location will help expand capacity, improve recruitment, shorten wait times and upgrade services in and for the province of Alberta.

The new jobs will be created and every current employee will be guaranteed a job at that new location, about an hour away.

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB

Mr. Speaker, this is about the eighth different excuse in the last seven months about why this is happening. However, let us be clear about what is happening.

The minister is spending millions of tax dollars to shut this office down in a small town represented by a Conservative and moving jobs to a vulnerable Liberal riding. It is unbelievable. My constituents should not have to pay for it. Neither should taxpayers.

The Liberals are not saving money. They are wasting millions and they are attacking rural Canadians like always. How can the minister live with himself?

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Regina—Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Speaker, growth presents challenges. The fact is that with the growing population in Alberta and the growing attraction to Alberta of new immigrants wanting to go to that part of the country, immigration services in and for the province of Alberta need to be expanded.

That expansion is best accomplished in the new location, where the number of employees will increase to 312 and the overall capacity of the system will in fact be able to accommodate the growth expected into the province of Alberta.

TaxationOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is really too bad that a member with so much experience in this House would make such unacceptable comments.

This is not the first time, either. The people in Vegreville are not the only ones in Canada who are suffering. Hard-working Canadians from all across the country can see the government digging ever deeper into their wallets.

The government cancelled tax credits for school supplies, and children's fitness and arts courses. The government raised taxes on liquor, alcohol, beer, wine and more.

Why is this government so greedy when it comes to taxpayers' wallets?

TaxationOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Kings—Hants Nova Scotia

Liberal

Scott Brison LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, we have lowered taxes for the middle class. We have made important investments in infrastructure in every community in Canada. Frankly, it is very important to continue to invest to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for the middle class across Canada. We will continue to do so.

TaxationOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Mr. Speaker, this government keeps cutting tax credits for Canadians. Who would have thought that the Liberal government would cut the public transit tax credit one day? That is what the Liberal government did. Who would have thought that the government, who was elected on a promise to run small deficits, would run astronomical deficits one day?

Why does the government keep hitting taxpayers so hard in the wallet?

TaxationOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Kings—Hants Nova Scotia

Liberal

Scott Brison LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, since December 2015, Canada's unemployment rate has dropped to 7.1%.

We have created 250,000 jobs in the past six months. Our plan is working well and that is why we must continue to make investments and create jobs for the middle class.

We will do what is fair for all Canadian families. Our tax measures benefit those who need the help the most.

EthicsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal House leader rises every day to defend her own boss's ethical scandals.

How can she possibly have the credibility to choose the next Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner when this person will most likely continue investigating her boss?

If the Prime Minister felt the need to recuse himself from choosing the next commissioner, why does the Liberal House leader not feel the need to do the same?

EthicsOral Questions

2:25 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 have implemented a new, open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process. Our aim is to identify high-quality candidates who will help to achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity.

We encourage all Canadians to apply. The process that we introduced is a good one.

EthicsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, the reason the Liberal House leader is forced to stand and defend the Prime Minister day after day is that there is no minister for ethics on the government side. That is why we have an Ethics Commissioner.

The independence of the Ethics Commissioner is of paramount importance, no matter the political party.

What would the Liberals have said if Stephen Harper, as prime minister, had named Paul Calandra to choose the ethics commissioner during the Senate scandal?

EthicsOral Questions

2:25 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, the hon. member should be happy to know that we knew the system under the previous government was not working. That was why we committed to Canadians to introduce a new, open, transparent, merit-based process, one in which positions that were available would be openly disclosed online. All Canadians are able to apply.

Our aim is to identify high-quality candidates who will help to achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity. All Canadians are encouraged to apply for positions on commissions, boards, crown corporations, agencies, and tribunals across the country. As I have said, positions are available online. I have full confidence that the person who takes the post will take it seriously.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

May 18th, 2017 / 2:25 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have lost all credibility on independent appointments by choosing a Liberal minister as commissioner.

If the Liberal government had chosen, say, a former Conservative, it would have shown it was serious about accountability and moving beyond partisanship. However, that is not what it did.

Could the Liberal House leader, in charge of defending Liberal ethical scandals, please explain in what official capacity Gerry Butts communicated with Madeleine Meilleur before she was nominated?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, our government believes in the importance of the official languages commissioner and the office of the official languages commissioner in the protection and promotion of official languages.

We are committed to find the best candidate to occupy this important position through a rigorous, open, and merit-based process. We conducted multiple interviews. I had a chance to talk with my critics from the two parties opposite. They both acknowledged she had great experience, great expertise in the field. That is why we are convinced Madeleine Meilleur is the best the candidate for this office.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is not about Madeleine Meilleur's integrity or her experience; it is about a fake consultation process.

The Prime Minister has just chosen a Liberal minister to be the official languages commissioner. Ms. Meilleur wanted to be a senator, but the Prime Minister made it clear that he preferred her to be commissioner.

We learned today that Gerald Butts, the Prime Minister's principal secretary, had contacted Ms. Meilleur previously.

What right do Gerald Butts and Katie Telford have to interfere in this so-called non-partisan appointment process?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, the government believes that the position of Commissioner of Official Languages plays an important role in protecting and promoting the official languages.

As we have said several times, we knew that we could find the best candidate for this position with a rigorous, open, and merit-based process. That is why we conducted multiple interviews. I also had the opportunity to speak with the critics of the two opposition parties. They told me that she indeed has the experience and expertise. The leader of the second opposition party just confirmed that. That is why I am convinced and we are all convinced that Ms. Meilleur is the best candidate for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Conservative

Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB

Mr. Speaker, here is what the newly-nominated languages commissioner said about her attempt to become a senator, “I thought I could contribute as a senator, but the Prime Minister made it clear that he did not want any politicians in the upper chamber.” If the Prime Minister says that his nominee is a politician and she agrees, then why is he appointing her to a position that is, by law, non-partisan?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, we are extremely proud of Mrs. Meilleur's candidacy. As many of the opposition critics, and even the leader of the second opposition, have mentioned, Mrs. Meilleur is highly qualified and has the experience for this important position. Not only that, many organizations that are involved in the protection of minority linguistic rights have saluted and said that she has the right experience, the right expertise. That is why we are convinced this is the right candidate.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Conservative

Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB

Mr. Speaker, let us get this straight. After retiring from her Liberal cabinet post, she went to the Liberal Prime Minister's principal secretary to request a Liberal patronage position. Gerald Butts, the Prime Minister's top political adviser, told her she was too political to be a senator. Instead he offered her a job that is by its very definition non-political.

How is it that everyone can see this massive conflict of interest except the Liberal Prime Minister?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, as part of the process to find the best candidate for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages, we obviously interviewed many people. We wanted to find the best candidate.

I would like to point out to my colleague, who may not be aware of Ms. Meilleur's experience and expertise in this area, that she was behind the campaign to save the Montfort, Ottawa's French-language hospital. She also had a hand in creating the counterpart to the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages in Ontario. Her track record speaks for itself. Several opposition members have already said so. We are convinced that she is the best—

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

Order. The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

Mr. Speaker, when the Liberal Party was elected in 2015, Liberals across the land started dreaming not about the nation's finances or the middle class, but about how they could personally cash in. The latest story stars Madeleine Meilleur, who dreamed of a job for life as a senator, but the Prime Minister did not want to get involved in that, so he said no.

That, however, is not the end of the story. Madeleine Meilleur, proud Liberal donor, came away with a consolation prize: Commissioner of Official Languages.

In Liberal Party parlance, does transparency mean “applying” online at liberal.ca?

Government AppointmentsOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, as I said, our government believes that the Commissioner of Official Languages plays an essential role in protecting and promoting the rights of linguistic minorities.

We worked hard to find the best person for the job through an open, merit-based process. There were several interviews, and I discussed it with the opposition critics, and we agreed that she has the knowledge and experience. That is why we are certain she is the right candidate.