Irene Mathyssen

[Petitions, October 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today.

The first petition is from Londoners, from both the Christian and Muslim communities, who are very upset, concerned and dismayed by the brutal arrival of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in northern Iraq, which has seen the further marginalization of Christians. In Mosul, all Christians were given an ultimatum to leave or face death or conversion. They have abandoned their homes. Those unable to leave for health reasons have been forced to convert.

These Canadians are calling on the Government of Canada to highlight the plight of Iraqi Christians, and use all diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to assist them in their plight. They are also calling on the Government of Canada to assist other like-minded governments and organizations engaged in this effort to stop the suffering of Iraqis, and to work with all governments and organizations currently engaged in humanitarian and diplomatic assistance.

[Seniors, October 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, more than 260,000 seniors across the country are living below the poverty line. As more Canadians retire, that number will rise, but the government seems to content to sit back and watch.

New Democrats are calling for action. We have proposed a workable and effective national seniors strategy, a plan that calls for government investment in affordable housing so that all seniors can age in dignity.

Will the minister support our intelligent plan?

[Veterans Affairs, October 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, these are men and women who risk life and limb to serve our country. They deserve our respect and our support, yet the minister rejected virtually every recommendation that could cost the government money.

The Conservative government seems only too willing to allow our veterans to fend for themselves once they become injured. Will the minister commit to spending the money needed to improve the lives of our veterans?

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, October 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I guess we are just going to ignore the fact that the Liberals in 1995 cut $400 million from the CBC, and the current Conservative government cut another $115 million, so that the CBC was in a situation where it could not keep up with the private sector. Of course its revenues fell. What did the Conservatives expect?

In 1991, the CBC mandate was to provide a conduit for Canadians of all ages, genders and origins to connect with each other in order to make real and progressive dialogue about our values, identity and the wonderfully unique personality of this country.

The Conservatives argue that the corporation is independent and that they have no say in how the business is run without acknowledging the fact that the death of a thousand cuts, which as I said was started by Liberals, continues through the Conservative reign. It is starving the CBC of the funding it needs so desperately to fulfill its mandate.

The CBC was created to work hand in hand with this Parliament in forging and preserving the Canadian identity, our diversity, creativity and talent. What is so threatening about it that they have to cut it?

Will the Conservative government finally agree to invest in the CBC and Radio-Canada so they can continue to tell the inspiring stories of—

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, October 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I suppose it only makes sense that the Conservatives want to starve the CBC of its funding. After all, if the government is bent on rewriting history, repackaging and rebranding our nation to reflect neo-liberal values, with an emphasis on the glories of war, without a single nod to the Canadian veterans who sacrificed for our country, or to changing the national colours from red and white to Conservative blue, then what better way to do it than to render our national broadcaster helpless in fulfilling its mandate to inform, unite, and educate Canadians about our shared history, values, and culture.

If I cannot appeal to the members on the opposite side of this House to consider the value of the CBC for its mandate to inform, unite, and entertain Canadians, then let me speak to the value Conservatives most consistently support: their pocketbooks.

In our heritage committee study of the Canadian music industry, we heard over and over again about the ways in which culture and the arts work hand in hand to create and sustain a vital and prosperous economy.

Mark Monahan, of Bluesfest, in his April 29 testimony to the heritage committee, stated that the “one thing...missing from the federal funding picture right now [is the] focus on economic development” with existing funding for the arts “...not really focusing on the deliverables like economic development and tourism”.

Broadcasts such as the CBC Radio's Canada Live series have sadly suffered the axe of Conservative cuts, along with Arctic Air; the 10-minute late night news broadcast formerly available to northern Canadians; Connect with Mark Kelly; Dispatches, with Rick MacInnes-Rae; and I could go on, but it makes me too sad.

Tracy Jenkins, of Lula Lounge, who testified before committee on May 6, stated that Canada Live was:

...crucial in helping us develop audiences for our programming and...artists.... We have really felt the impact of the loss of the initiative to do live recording for a future broadcast as this was an effective vehicle for reaching new listeners across the country and affirming the importance of artistic contributions being made by culturally diverse Canadian artists.

Put simply, investment in CBC Radio allows our Canadian music producers to be showcased in an affordable and viable format, putting money in their pockets and in the pockets of Canadian music producers, who spend their money in Canada.

More bang for the buck. Who has a problem with that?

We heard consistently from expert witnesses at the heritage committee this spring who told us that the arts have value, not only for the pleasure they provide but for the real and substantial contribution they make to economic development in Canadian communities and across the globe.

I have said it before and I will say it again: Conservatives who hold to the idea that we cannot afford to invest in the arts, or Liberals who cut funding in order to pad corporate tax breaks, are being penny-wise and dollar foolish. If the Conservatives understood the real value of investing in the CBC, they would not be slashing the funding. They would be making our national broadcaster part of their economic action plan.

Even Pierre Karl Péladeau, the former head of the Sun news chain, has come out in support of our national public broadcaster. Who ever thought we would see that day?

Will the Conservatives give up their war on culture?

[Interparliamentary Delegations, October 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today I have three reports from the interparliamentary delegation. Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the “Report of the Canadian Parliamentary Delegation respecting its participation at Meetings of the Bureau of the IPU Committee on United Nations Affairs”, held in New York City on May 19, 2014; “Report of the Canadian Parliamentary Delegation respecting its participation at the Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Finance and the 269th (extraordinary) Session of the IPU Executive Committee”, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 29 to July 1, 2014; and “Report of the Canadian Parliamentary Delegation respecting its participation at the Parliamentary Meeting of the 20th International AIDS Conference”, held in Melbourne, Australia, from July 19 to 24, 2014.

[Seniors, October 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today is National Seniors' Day, yet despite the fact that the number of seniors in Canada will double by 2036, there is no seniors strategy from the government.

A growing consensus of groups, including the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Nurses Association, CARP, the National Pensioners Federation, the Congress of Union Retirees, and the Wait Time Alliance, are calling for a national aging strategy.

Seniors are waiting. When will the Conservatives finally listen and put in place an aging strategy?

[National Seniors Day, October 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today is National Seniors Day, and New Democrats wish to recognize and appreciate the hard work Canadian seniors have put into building thriving communities, organizations, and workplaces across this country.

Sadly, more than 260,000 seniors across the country are living below the poverty line. As more and more Canadians retire, that number will rise. The government must respond, but sadly, the Conservatives have failed to take action.

New Democrats know that something needs to be done, and that is the reason we have released a national seniors strategy on aging. It provides an urgently needed framework to eradicate seniors poverty; strengthen vital public services for seniors, including health care and affordable housing; and allow all Canadians to age with dignity.

We urge the government to show support for seniors and adopt my Motion No. 529.

[Employment, September 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to temporary foreign workers, the government's actions never match its rhetoric. Conservatives have now been forced to bring in penalties for employers that violate the temporary foreign worker program, but imposing sanctions depends on catching violators. Now we learn not all inspections include a site visit. One cannot just look at paperwork and conclude everything is fine.

When will Conservatives finally get serious about cracking down on abuse in the temporary foreign worker program?

[Urban Forests, September 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today on this National Tree Day, I would like to speak to the importance of urban forests.

Urban forests impact a significant number of Canadians, almost 85% of our population, yet Canada lags behind other G7 countries in the value we place on them. In the United States, management of urban forests falls under the responsibility of an individual equivalent to a Canadian deputy minister.

Urban forests are dynamic ecosystems that purify our air and water, help to control storm runoff, and conserve energy. Trees add form, structure, beauty, and breathing room in urban design. They reduce noise, provide recreational space, and add real economic value.

My hometown of London, Ontario, known as the Forest City, has introduced parallel legislation at the municipal level in recognition of the value of urban trees.

My Motion No. 536 proposes a federal leadership strategy to preserve, protect and promote urban forests for their life-giving value to Canadian communities.

I am grateful for the assistance of Michael Rosen, president of Tree Canada, in developing this strategy, as well as my New Democratic colleagues for their support.

I urge every member to support this important initiative, and I wish them all a happy National Tree Day.