House of Commons Hansard #171 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was workers.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
Madam Speaker, our government strongly supports the Canadian grain industry, which is a key driver of exports, jobs, and economic growth. With changes in recent years in grain marketing, the delivery of listed grain is now the responsibility of the private sector instead of the federal government.
Budget 2017 launches consultations with farmers and stakeholders on this tax deferral, and we want to hear from farmers before moving forward.
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Madam Speaker, fishermen in Newfoundland and Labrador are concerned about their livelihoods. Recent quota changes have created uncertainty and left many wondering how they will make ends meet. However, the fisheries minister does not seem to care.
Twillingate fisherman Richard Gillett had to go on a hunger strike for more than a week to even get a phone call. When will the minister do the right thing and meet with Mr. Gillett?
Terry Beech LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries
Madam Speaker, of course we are very concerned about the situation in Newfoundland and Labrador. We understand how much coastal communities rely on fisheries and oceans, and I am happy to report that the minister has been in contact. We are looking forward to discussions about Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries.
We understand this is a difficult time for the fish harvesters in communities affected by the recent fisheries management decision, but we are investing in science.
Sheri Benson NDP Saskatoon West, SK
Madam Speaker, after years of the Phoenix fiasco, there is still no light at the end of the tunnel for thousands of workers. It is interesting that the longer this fiasco drags on, the fewer answers the government can give us about when it will be able to solve it. Maybe that is because this broken system is actually creating new victims every single day.
If the government will not tell us when all the current cases will be resolved, can it at least tell us when it intends to stop creating new ones?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Madam Speaker, as the MP for Gatineau and parliamentary secretary to the minister, I, like all members of the House, have heard stories from public servants in our ridings about the challenges they face because of issues with the pay system. These issues have caused real hardships for many public servants and their families, and many are issues that no family should have to face.
Our government remains resolutely focused on addressing the issue and on deploying the resources, financial and human, needed to address this situation. That is what we are going to do, and that is what we are working on.
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Madam Speaker, apparently, it can take years to have access to rulings of federal courts in French. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has been investigating this problem since 2007. Complaints have been piling up for 10 years. This is just further proof that the government is showing no leadership when it comes to official languages. Access to Federal Court rulings in one's first language is a right.
My question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage and official languages. Does she plan to wait another 10 years before fixing this problem?
Bill Blair LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Madam Speaker, our government is committed to ensuring Canadians have access to justice in the official language of their choice. Budget 2017 proposes to provide $2 million over two years to the Courts Administration Service to enhance federal courts' ability to make decisions available in both English and French.
This new funding is in addition to the new process that our government has already established for Supreme Court of Canada appointments, which includes a policy that judges should be functionally bilingual.
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Madam Speaker, the Liberal government has set up a task force to ponder the trials and tribulations of the Phoenix pay system.
After a year, this is too little too late, and public servants themselves are the ones saying so. Contrary to what the Liberal government and the parliamentary secretary are claiming, there are still some public servants across this country who have not been paid for six months, including the Drouin family in Montreal. There has been absolutely no progress, and some very desperate cases remain outstanding.
When will this government take urgent action to fix the problem once and for all?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Madam Speaker, I can assure the member that our government is certainly taking positive action, unlike the previous government that acted recklessly and left us this mess after it laid off 700 compensation advisers. That was supposed to save $70 million, but instead we were left with a broken pay system, one that our government is determined to fix.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Speaker, motivated by the Lac-Mégantic tragedy, the Minister of Transport moved up review of the Railway Safety Act by one year. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the last budget or in the rail safety improvement program to help those whose wounds have yet to heal: the people of Lac-Mégantic. The bypass and the Institut en culture de sécurité industrielle are two projects that can make all the difference.
When will the Minister of Transport put his money where his mouth is and support real rail safety projects for Lac-Mégantic and Canada as a whole?
Karen McCrimmon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question because I know that this is very important to him and his community.
Our thoughts continue to go out to the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragedy. Our government is firmly committed to improving rail safety. It is absolutely the minister's first priority. As he said, study of this file continues and that is why—
Rail TransportationOral Questions
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
Madam Speaker, budget 2017 changed the credit that small oil and gas companies get for resource exploration. This change will hurt a number of small businesses in Bow River and across Canada. The natural resource sector in Alberta is already struggling through tough times with low prices, and these Liberals just do not care.
Why are the Liberals intent on phasing out Canadian oil and gas?
Kim Rudd LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources
Madam Speaker, as a government, we understand the challenges workers and their families in the energy sector have had over the last few years. Our support for the energy sector reflects a balanced approach that ensures the environment is protected and that good, well-paying jobs are there for Canadians.
We did in one year what the previous government could not do in a decade: approve pipelines, while at the same protecting our oceans, pricing carbon pollution, and working with indigenous peoples.
We believe our approach positions Canada and Canadians well.
Denis Lemieux Liberal Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Madam Speaker, as the Minister of National Defence has often said in the House, we want to ensure that the military has the tools, resources, and support to carry out the missions they are tasked with.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence give us an example of how the government plans to achieve its objective of establishing a modern, more flexible, and better-equipped military to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow?
Jean Rioux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord for his question and his outstanding work in the region.
We have a responsibility to take care of our men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces by providing them with resources. On April 24, the Minister of National Defence announced the construction of two new buildings at Bagotville. The total investment of $95 million will improve the infrastructure and provide our military with the tools it needs to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
Madam Speaker, the Liberals have spent the last 18 months cozying up to dictators while Canadian citizens are detained and abused overseas. The latest case is China's arrest of Sun Qian, a Canadian citizen.
China jails dissidents, oppresses minority Uighurs and Tibetans, uses arbitrary detention, and violates the religious rights of Buddhists, Taoists, Christians, and Falun Gong worshippers like Sun Qian.
Why are the Liberals negotiating an extradition treaty with China when it refuses to release Canadians wrongfully arrested?
Matt DeCourcey LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Madam Speaker, certainly the protection of human rights is an integral part of our foreign policy. Canada and China are not extradition partners. There are no extradition negotiations.
As with all cases internationally, our government has a firm commitment to the protection of human rights. The rule of law and due process will continue to be paramount in all our engagements.
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Madam Speaker, many waterfront communities are experiencing flooding that it is causing significant damage. Volunteers and first responders in both Quebec and Ontario have their hands full helping those affected, and we thank them for the great job they are doing.
Can the Minister of Public Safety give us an update on what the federal government is doing to help the communities affected?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Madam Speaker, our thoughts are with the Canadians affected by the flooding. Our government is always willing to assist any province or territory that asks for help.
The government operations centre in my department is on standby. We are speaking to all of the provincial governments involved, including later today.
The first call for assistance is up to the provincial government to determine. If asked, the Government of Canada will respond quickly.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Madam Speaker, as I said earlier, while the Minister of Status of Women spends millions on her office renovation, women in need are being left behind.
This week at committee we heard testimony from the Canada's Building Trades Unions that no money is available to unions to help advance women in the skilled trades.
The Liberals have failed to protect vulnerable women and to support their advancement in the skilled trades. When will the minister get her priorities straight?
Maryam Monsef LiberalMinister of Status of Women
Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for an opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions that the labour movement has made to gender equality in Canada.
I am sure we can all agree that a healthy NGO centre is also vital to the well-being of women and girls in this country. That is why we have funded over 300 projects across the country to address gender-based violence and to improve economic outcomes and leadership for women and girls.
I can assure my hon. colleague that should labour groups want to partner with NGOs, we welcome that.
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Madam Speaker, the Quebec minister of sustainable development told the National Assembly that his department was working on a nuclear emergency plan in preparation for the implementation of the nuclear waste disposal project in Chalk River, which is located along the very banks of the Ottawa River. However, the Ottawa River is the source of drinking water for millions of Quebeckers and Ontarians.
Does the environment minister support the building of a nuclear waste disposal facility on the banks of the Ottawa River?
Kim Rudd LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources
Madam Speaker, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that safe solutions are in place for managing radioactive waste. Radioactive waste owners are responsible for developing and implementing fully funded solutions for the safe and secure management of their waste.
Major waste owners are meeting their responsibilities for developing long-term solutions, and a number of radioactive waste management initiatives are under way, with rigorous oversight from federal regulatory agencies.
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
The parliamentary secretary mentions federal agencies, Madam Speaker, but we already know that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is examining this issue. That was not my question.
We know that the public consultations have not yet begun, but that is not what we want to know. The time to act is now. It is better to be proactive today than radioactive tomorrow.
Does the environment minister seriously think that it is a good idea to pile up mountains of nuclear waste and cover them with geotextile fabric?
