Françoise Boivin

[Nuclear Terrorism Act, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my esteemed colleague, whose work I admire tremendously.

Since September 11, 2001, the United States, Canada and other countries have joined forces to try to improve security protocols. Furthermore, two countries, the United States and Canada, have not yet ratified the conventions, because they have not passed the kind of legislation were are about to pass.

My question is similar to that of my hon. colleague from Brome—Missisquoi on the delay, but it is a little strange that it is those who were on the front lines in North America who are dragging their feet on signing the treaties in question.

[Nuclear Terrorism Act, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel for her excellent speech on something that is not always an easy subject.

I have to say that bills amending the Criminal Code or dealing with nuclear terrorism, like Bill S-9, are not the best topic of conversation around the dinner table.

The member was able to highlight the important role Canada plays with respect to the international treaties we have signed. I would like to quote Matthew Bunn, an associate professor of public policy at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University. He said:

At the moment, unfortunately, the mechanisms for global governance of nuclear security remain weak. No global rules specify how secure a nuclear weapon...ought to be. There are no mechanisms in place to verify that every country that has these materials is securing them responsibly.

Does my colleague agree that this is a step towards complying with our international conventions, but that we cannot stop there?

[Petitions, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls for the Canada Revenue Agency to send a printed copy of the tax return and benefits package through the mail. Many seniors in my riding have difficulty obtaining these documents, which they need to fulfill the legal obligations that Canadian citizens gladly comply with, with the possible exception of some senators.

[Petitions, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table two petitions. The first one will go to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. It is about Bill C-452, which amends the Criminal Code as it relates to human trafficking and exploitation.

According to 2007 figures released by the UN, the annual proceeds from criminal activities involving human trafficking are estimated at $32 billion. That is why many people have signed the petition to support Bill C-452.

[Government Expenditures, May 10th, 2013]

Well, there we go again, Mr. Speaker, misquoting the Auditor General and no clue where the money went.

The Auditor General gave three options for where the money would have gone. That is not complicated. First, it may have lapsed. Second, it might have been spent on security. Third, it might have gone to other programs.

Will the member again just throw back an out-of-context quote from the AG, or are the Conservatives now ready to tell us where the $3 billion was actually spent?

[Government Expenditures, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, those are strange facts. It is always a pleasure to quote the Auditor General, but he needs to be quoted in full. I will read the part that follows the bit that was already quoted. The Conservatives always forget to read this part.

It’s important for there to be a way for people to understand how this money was spent. [This next part is important.] And that summary reporting was not done.

The Conservatives continue to deny that they lost track of $3.1 billion, but they cannot tell us where the money is. They say that it is all in the public accounts, but anyone with access to the Internet and Google knows that is not true.

Why do they continue to make things up about their serious mistake?

[Nuclear Terrorism Act, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague, who is also president of the NDP's Quebec caucus, for his excellent speech on a bill that is important to us. This bill proves that the NDP is not just here to oppose government proposals. Even if it takes the government a long time to introduce bills that make sense or that fulfill our international obligations, once it does, the NDP will answer the call.

I would like to know if my colleague sees a link between the government saying that it is against terrorism and is doing everything it can to fight it, and the fact that it lost $3.1 billion in funding for public security and anti-terrorism activities. We do not know where that money is.

I would like to hear his opinion on that.

[Statistics Canada, May 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that individual does not believe much of what that minister is saying.

Unfortunately, the RCMP is not the only organization that is being muzzled by the Conservatives.

Statistics Canada employees have also been advised to keep their opinions to themselves, even when not at work. This new code of conduct is being put in place just before we see the consequences of the Conservatives' decision to abolish the long form census. Is this mere coincidence?

In addition to being afraid of RCMP officers on sick leave, are they scared of wicked statisticians? Why muzzle Statistics Canada employees?

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, May 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the minister must be afraid someone will contradict him. Why else would he prevent the RCMP from speaking freely to parliamentarians?

The officer in question was to testify before the Senate about Bill C-42, which, in the opinion of a number of officers and the NDP, should have been rewritten. In addition to rejecting our amendments, the Conservatives are rejecting the evidence of witnesses who might support them. So much for freedom of expression.

Need I remind the minister that it is his responsibility to listen to criticism in order to implement the best public policies and not to muzzle those who might contradict him?

[Petitions, May 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition can be found on my website. I am not surprised, because health is a priority for Gatineau residents. They are calling on the Government of Canada to fully co-operate with the provinces and territories to negotiate a new health accord by 2014. This is extremely important to the people of Gatineau.