Kellie Leitch

[Scoliosis, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, June 1 has been declared Scoliosis Awareness Day in Ottawa.

It is important to raise awareness and lessen the stigma around scoliosis, which is prevalent in girls and young women between the ages of 10 and 15, and which often makes the difficult teen years even more difficult to cope with, as I know first-hand in my role as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that affects people of all races and socio-economic classes. In the majority of cases, we do not know the cause. Early detection provides scoliosis patients with the most options for slowing down or halting the progression of the curve, thereby often avoiding surgery.

In the spirit of girl power, Curvy Girls support groups were created throughout the world. These groups are peer-led and empower girls to become leaders, make healthy choices and improve their self-esteem by diminishing the emotional impact of scoliosis through shared experiences.

I want to invite everyone here to join Curvy Girls of Ottawa tomorrow at their second annual scoliosis awareness walk in Stanley Park.

As I physician, I encourage all young women and their parents to talk to their doctors about scoliosis.

[Employment, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, Canada is facing a significant skills gap. That is why, in our effort to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, we must match training to the skills that employers are actually looking for. The Canada job grant is doing just that. The intent is to move training from government into the hands of employers, the people who know what jobs are in demand and available, and out of the hands of government.

The Red Seal trades in particular offer the opportunity for well-paid careers in areas that are in high demand.

Through grants, tax credits and support for training programs, we are encouraging apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades across the country.

I look forward to support from members opposite for our focus in economic action plan 2013 to facilitate skilled trades.

[Employment, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the government is taking a balanced approach with respect to making sure that apprentices have the opportunities to be trained. Our reforms are focused on employers working hard to provide available jobs and making sure that Canadians are cognizant of what is available to them.

With respect to our most recent budget, to be clear, there are a number of items the federal government has proposed in economic action plan 2013 with regard to skilled trades across the country and making sure that apprentices, in particular, have opportunities.

The centrepiece of the budget is the Canada job grant. In conjunction with employers and the provinces, we will be contributing to the skills training of unemployed or underemployed individuals to fill vacant jobs. This will move skills training from government programs into the hands of job creators.

Because we are aware that practical work experience is just as important as education and training, the second phase of this plan involves the creation of additional job opportunities for companies.

We have apprenticeship programs that are already working well. With our track record in supporting them for up to $4,000 through the apprenticeship incentives grant and the apprenticeship completion grant, tradespeople across the country have opportunities.

With respect to economic action plan 2013, there are three major initiatives that focus on the skilled trades. The first, which I have mentioned already, is the Canada job grant. The second, though, is our commitment in federal contracts, particularly those associated with affordable housing on maintenance, as well as new contracts, to have apprentices on job sites to make sure they can acquire the number of hours they need to move forward and become journeypersons.

We have also made a commitment to look at practical testing to make sure young apprentices can be assessed and move forward and also to help in their mobility from province to province. The member opposite may have heard from her colleagues that the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities heard significant concerns with regard to the mobility of young apprentices across the country, province to province, and the effort to decrease the interprovincial barriers. We will be working closely with the provinces in an effort to facilitate the movement of labour across the country.

Finally, we are focused on making sure the youth of tomorrow know what jobs are available, particularly that jobs in skilled trades are available to them and that they are excellent opportunities to have a great qualify of life. We are investing $19 million to make sure both employers and students are well educated in what opportunities are available to them across the country.

[Health, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, Transport Canada is monitoring this file closely. Furthermore, I believe that the collaborative efforts of the different stakeholders demonstrate the importance accorded to identifying the potential source of nickel emissions. Once again, I invite the member for Beauport—Limoilou to exercise caution with respect to interpreting the data from the Direction régionale de santé publique.

In conclusion, it behooves me to underscore the important role the Canadian Port Authority is playing in Canada's economic development. By working with various partners, the port authorities are able to implement the necessary measures to promote their development while protecting the environment.

[Health, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, at the request of the member for Beauport—Limoilou, I am pleased to outline Transport Canada's efforts on the file related to the presence of dust in the Limoilou area.

First, I believe it is important to mention that we are working in close co-operation with the Quebec Port Authority, which is responsible for administering, managing and operating on a stand-alone basis the infrastructure under its responsibility. To date, Transport Canada has been pleased with the Quebec Port Authority's collaboration in the identification of the potential sources of dust emissions in the Limoilou area and in implementing measures for monitoring the types and quantities of air emissions associated with the port operations.

As part of the member for Beauport—Limoilou's area, the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks has determined, in a report published on April 15, the high source of concentration of nickel in the air is due to the transfer of mineral ore by Arrimage du St-Laurent, an affiliate of Arrimage du Québec. Following the tabling of the report, and to follow up on the notice of non-conformity sent by the MDDEFP, Arrimage du St-Laurent presented, during a press conference held on May 2, the corrective measures they will be putting in place to rectify the circumstance.

Besides a full review of its operations, the installation of sprinklers, the implementation of washing stations and the relocation of access routes, many other measures have also been planned by the company. The Quebec Port Authority will work in collaboration with all its lessees to limit the impact of the port activities on the community moving forward. It is co-operating in the implementation of measures put in place by Arrimage du St-Laurent.

In light of the recent developments, I am confident and satisfied with the efforts being made by the Quebec Port Authority to further the region's economic development while ensuring the quality of life of residents in the beautiful Quebec City area and the quality of the environment.

I will end by asking the member for Beauport—Limoilou to exercise caution in interpreting the data from the Direction régionale de santé publique. The member is aware that a multitude of factors must be considered when trying to determine the reasons for the health status differences between different areas within a specific region.

[Combating Counterfeit Products Act, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I will proceed.

Today they are more pervasive and more difficult to detect and, in this sense, much more problematic. Consumers may even unwittingly purchase a good that they assume to be legitimate, but which contains counterfeit components. We owe it hard-working Canadian families to prevent exposure to such products.

Copyright piracy is the making of illegal copies without consent of copyright holders and their subsequent commercial distribution. We know from our stakeholders, that copyright piracy is increasingly moving online.

The issue of copyright piracy in the physical marketplace is far from resolved, when we think of CDs, DVDs or software being offered for sale in stores and in other markets.

Commercial counterfeiting and piracy are growing issues in Canada and around the world. As with illicit activities, the scope of counterfeiting and piracy is difficult to track and measure.

However, this is what we do know. The RCMP investigated over 4,500 cases of IP crimes in Canada between 2005 and 2012. In 2005, the RCMP seized over $7 million worth of counterfeit and pirated goods. In 2012, this number had grown to $38 million, a fivefold increase.

Canada is not alone. Other developed countries are signalling a rise in the prevalence of counterfeit and pirated goods in the marketplace.

This increase in the value of seizures in Canada is also consistent with what we have heard from Canadian businesses. They have been telling us for years now that counterfeiting and piracy have an impact on innovation and economic growth across the country.

Over the last six years, organizations such as the Canadian Intellectual Property Council and the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network have issued reports calling for legislative changes to deal with counterfeiting and piracy. Most recently, we heard the same calls from several witnesses at a study before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

The measures proposed in the bill are crucial if we are to keep creating high-tech jobs in the future.

Businesses have been overwhelmingly vocal in their support of the bill. For example, Mr. Kevin Spreekmeester, vice-president of global marketing at Canada Goose Inc. and co-chair of the Canadian Intellectual Property Council, said, on March 1:

Canadians have long been victims to the illicit counterfeit trade and the new measures announced today should be welcome news for consumers, businesses and retailers alike.

Mr. Jayson Myers, president and CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, explained that counterfeiting:

—has been a longstanding priority issue for manufacturers...[they] punish legitimate businesses. They are a drain on our economy and on jobs – and they put the health, safety and environment of every Canadian at risk...

Counterfeiting and piracy hurt our economy. However, beyond their economic impact, there are serious criminality and health and safety issues that we simply cannot overlook.

The commercial production and distribution of counterfeit and pirated goods has been associated with organized crime. This is just another line of business for them and it may help them fund other types of activities, such as drug smuggling and illegal firearm sales.

As for health and safety, there are numerous examples of counterfeit goods that could expose Canadians to danger. Think of the counterfeit batteries or car parts, medicines or baby food.

In 2005, 11% of counterfeiting and piracy cases examined by the RCMP involved harmful products. In 2012, this number grew to 30%.

I would also like to take a moment to speak about one of the particular issues that illustrates the growing threat posed by these goods.

In July 2012, Canada Border Services Agency officers referred a shipment to the RCMP for investigation. This shipment contained 476 counterfeit wheel bearings, with a commercial value of $45,000, which were to be used by the Canadian mining industry.

What this illustrates is the fact that these goods have not been subjected to Canadian safety standards and may cause harm as a result. Who knows whether these pieces of equipment would have actually functioned to the standard of levels that we expect in Canadian equipment.

With the new provisions in this bill, we will start to get a fuller picture of the threat that commercial counterfeiting and piracy pose to the Canadian economy and to address it within Canada and at its borders.

Now that I have described the scope of this issue and the very tangible consequences of counterfeiting and piracy for businesses, consumers and the economy, let me turn to a description of the key elements of Bill C-56, the combating counterfeit products act, and of how this bill would help in the fight against commercial counterfeiting and piracy.

To confront this, we must give new authorities to border officers to enable them to act when they encounter commercial counterfeit or pirated goods at the border. We must also give rights holders the tools they need to stop counterfeiting and piracy before these illegal goods can enter the Canadian market and undermine their brand and their work. Third, we must give law enforcement the tools it needs to pursue those who gain commercially from this illegal activity.

With respect to the bill itself, let me expand. First, the bill would strengthen Canada's intellectual property rights enforcement regime at the border. Currently, border officers are not allowed to search for and detain counterfeit and pirated goods without a court order obtained by the trademark or copyright owner, which has proven to be onerous for businesses overall.

Bill C-56 introduces a process that would allow rights holders to submit to the CBSA a request for assistance, which would enable border officers to share information with rights holders regarding suspect commercial shipments.

The request for assistance would allow rights holders to record details about their trademark or copyright at the border, and to provide contact information. It would also contain practical information about how to identify legitimate versus counterfeit or pirated goods. The request for assistance would be an effective tool to enable rights holders to defend their private rights in civil court.

Let me be clear. Bill C-56 would not allow border officers to seize goods for copyright or trademark infringement. It would provide the authority for border officers to temporarily detain goods suspected of being counterfeit or pirated, and then provide limited information to rights holders regarding those detained goods.

This information could only be used to determined if the goods were counterfeit or pirated, or to assist the rights holders in pursuing remedies in the courts. The courts would remain the only competent authority to determine whether goods detained at the border infringed intellectual property rights and to apply appropriate remedies.

The bill would also amend the Trade-marks Act and the Copyright Act to allow border officers to temporarily detain shipments suspected of containing commercial counterfeit and pirated goods. Border officers would be able to act either following a request for assistance or on their own initiative.

With these new measures at the border, we would only target commercial counterfeiting and piracy. There would be a personal use exemption, which means we would not be searching individual travellers possessing personal use quantities.

The bill would provide a specific exception at the border for individual consumers importing goods intended for personal use, as part of their personal baggage.

Goods that were made legitimately in the country where they were produced would be excluded from the new border measures.

With this bill, we would send a clear message. We understand the threats that counterfeiting and piracy represent for our businesses, for the economy and for the health and safety of Canadians, and we are acting accordingly.

Our government has been clear. Our focus remains on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians. Counterfeiting and piracy directly threaten each of these. With the provisions in the combating counterfeit products act, our government would be taking action to curb the presence of these illegal goods in our country and at our borders.

[Combating Counterfeit Products Act, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is easy to get a little caught up at this hour. I know that when even the whip is laughing at my comments, I have a definitely reached a new low in the House of Commons.

I am glad that you are staying straight-faced, Mr. Speaker. I will stay concentrating on you.

It is easy to associate counterfeit goods with designer clothes, watches and so on, similar to what was being spoken about in the lobby by the member for Mississauga South earlier this evening. The reality is that counterfeit goods extend well beyond luxury goods. They are found in nearly all types of commercial and industrial products, from shampoo to smart phones, from industrial ball bearings to brake pads--

[Combating Counterfeit Products Act, May 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I have to say at this hour I am usually here on my own, just with you, so I am delighted to have so many guests. I am honoured today to rise and introduce C-56, the combating counterfeit products act, at second reading.

Last year our government welcomed the final passage and coming into force of the Copyright Modernization Act, which gave new rights and new tools for copyright owners and users, giving them the certainty and tools they need to fully engage in the online world. As part of the overall balance of the bill, the copyright modernization act introduced specific provisions to deal with the issue of online piracy.

With the combating counterfeit products act, we would be taking the next step in putting in place the legislative changes that are needed to deal with counterfeiting and piracy in the physical marketplace and at our borders. This bill would protect Canadians from harmful counterfeit products. It would help our creative businesses and workers, and law enforcement and border officers confront the increasing threat of trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy. It would also bring Canada's laws in line with international standards.

Before describing the various features of this bill, please allow me to clarify what counterfeiting and piracy mean in the context of the--

Mr. Speaker, my apologies. When I speak of counterfeit trademark goods, I am referring to knock-off goods--

My apologies. I am referring to knock-off goods that are distributed on a commercial scale and that closely resemble the legitimate goods, but that bear an unauthorized trademark--

[Safer Witnesses Act, May 30th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, one thing that has taken place in the broad consultations with provinces, territories across the country and number of different stakeholders are the amendments that have been put forward.

Whether that is an improvement in the processes to obtain secure identity changes for witnesses in the provincial programs and the interaction of the programs provincially with those federally, whether it is a broadening of prohibitions against the disclosure of information or the extension of time for emergency protection that may be extended, these are all significant amendments to the act that will greatly improve it and provide opportunities for all Canadians to feel safer in their homes and in their communities.

[Safer Witnesses Act, May 30th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I find that very amusing. I sat in the House some time ago on Bill C-44 and commended the opposition on its significant support for particularly ill children. It is important that we highlight there are certain differences between the two parties.

I am pleased the opposition members are supporting the direction of this. I look forward to working with them more in the future, as I did with my critics on the human resources committee with respect to Bill C-44.