Niki Ashton

[Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, May 25th, 2009]

I am hearing all sorts of heckling. I am sensing a real feeling of defensiveness from both the Liberals and the Conservatives. I wonder if it is because they know they are on the wrong side of this debate. Is it because they know that by voting for this free trade agreement, they will be voting against human rights? That is what I would like to hear about.

[Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, May 25th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, the member for Burnaby—New Westminster, for his courage in bringing forward our message of opposition, as New Democrats in the House and outside with Canadians from all sorts of organizations and directions, and that we stand for human rights and fair trade that looks at not just the well-being of Canadians but the well-being of those in the country with which we are trading.

What we are hearing here today is the extent to which the Colombian situation is so different from any other country, which is something that Canadians from coast to coast recognize. I have received numerous letters expressing opposition to this free trade agreement, as have so many others in the House.

[Environmental Enforcement Act, May 13th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague, the member for Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, for presenting the New Democrat position on this bill.

This is obviously a bill that we feel has many positive aspects. However, we are quite concerned about the implementation, and very specifically, about the regulations.

I would ask that the member tell me a bit of her thoughts with respect to what kind of work Canada has done and what kind of reputation it holds on an international scale as a result of its complete disregard for the Kyoto protocol, as a result of pulling away from commitments it made internationally, and what that means for the work we need to be doing here.

[Petitions, May 13th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to stand in this House as the member of Parliament for Churchill representing northern Manitoba. I stand here to present petitions signed by hundreds of northern Manitobans, people from Thompson, Flin-Flon, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, The Pas, Mosakahiken Cree Nation, Herb Lake Landing, Easterville, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, as well as people from northern Saskatchewan.

These northern Manitobans are voicing their opposition to the possible closure of the only radio station in northern Manitoba based in Thompson, CBC North Country. CBC North Country has had an illustrious 30 year history. If CBC North Country closes, the north and most of Manitoba will lose its voice and the chance to share important news, community events and important weather information.

The petitioners are asking that the Government of Canada fulfill its duty and provide necessary support for the CBC, Canada's public broadcaster. They call on the government to ensure that CBC North Country continues to be there for northern Manitobans.

[Canadian Agricultural Loans Act, May 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I particularly appreciated the attention my hon. colleague paid to what young farmers are dealing with. I took note of his reference in terms of the increased debt that young people in Canada face today.

Only this morning I had a chance to meet with student leaders from McGill University who spoke very clearly about the pressures student debt puts on them today. It is very much the same story with young farmers, many of whom have decided to follow other paths because they can no longer make ends meet. This is extremely problematic for an industry that is very much at the core of who we are as Canadians.

I would like to ask my fellow colleague what his thoughts are about the supports that are needed in this industry in order to support young farmers, people who have spent their lives making this industry a reality and, as a result, benefits that could be provided to this industry that would be to the advantage of all Canadians.

[Canadian Agricultural Loans Act, May 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the need to support farmers of all ages, what are my colleague's views on the government's conduct with respect to the Canadian Wheat Board?

The Canadian Wheat Board is an important institution not only for the farming communities in the region I represent, but also because of the traffic it brings to the Port of Churchill.

Grave concern has been expressed to me by members of the Canadian Wheat Board and farmers in my area who depend on the Wheat Board for the important work it does. I would like to hear his thoughts on this as well.

[Infrastructure, May 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the government talks the talk about western Canada and rural communities, but it does not walk the walk.

For 30 years the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration has been making a positive impact for communities by providing flood protection and drainage support. Now it has been swallowed up by another organization, leaving a gap for rural communities like the ones I represent.

With all its talk of economic stimulus, why is the government slashing stable support for rural infrastructure? Why is it leaving rural and western Canadians in the cold?

[Infrastructure, May 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as the member of Parliament for Churchill, representing northern Manitoba, there are numerous times that I have asked where the federal government is on behalf of the people I represent.

However, I am pleased with the recent building Canada fund announcements, and I want to denote that pleasure. These announcements involve the partnership between the federal and provincial governments in finally committing the funds that so many northerners deserve in terms of their infrastructure.

We have heard announcements in terms of Thompson, Flin Flon, The Pas, Nelson House, Cranberry Portage, Island Lake, the RM of Kelsey, and Wabowden. However, the work is not done.

Northerners, first nations and rural communities are asking where the federal government is when it comes to infrastructure that is fundamental to their well-being.

Where is the federal government in terms of commitment to all-weather road infrastructure? The provincial government has taken initiatives in providing road infrastructure to our eastern first nations.

Where is the federal government in terms of rural--

[Electronic Commerce Protection Act, May 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Edmonton—Strathcona for looking at some of the specifics of how the enforcement and the punitive measures would actually come to be realized.

Certainly the question of costs incurred is a very serious one. We see the volume of 200 billion spam emails a day coming out of Canada. We are talking about some pretty extensive action, which would probably result in a great deal of activity, court costs, whatever kind of costs that would need to be incurred as a result of responding to such activity and taking action.

We need to be asking some of those questions and making sure the punishment is squarely centred on the people who are infesting our email inboxes and spamming us.

[Electronic Commerce Protection Act, May 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, there is a great deal of interest from the New Democrats in the House to make sure this issue is dealt with properly. I would like to thank them and those from our party who have worked on looking more closely at this legislation for the interest they have shown. They are truly speaking up for people who live in their communities and their ridings.

As my colleague pointed out, the truly shameful position we hold on the world stage in terms of spam begs some serious action, but it also begs some questions we need to be asking about how we are going to deal with spam activity.

As the member pointed out, spam activity from one country might actually be originating in our own country or from another country. These are the kinds of scenarios we need to be looking at in our discussions in committee. We need to be asking experts in this field. We need to be asking people who are victimized as a result of this kind of work.

We can also look at some of the examples in the United States. Our neighbours to the south are clearly implementing far more progressive legislation in a number of areas.

I hear guffawing every time we talk about the Obama administration. However, we should really take note of some of the things the Americans are doing. Certainly in terms of anti-spam legislation, they are going after individuals. They are able through their enforcement mechanisms to find the individual who is more than likely part of an agency and is in fact responsible for this activity.

Let us not reinvent the wheel here. There are people who are doing some pretty progressive things, and they are following up with the appropriate enforcement.

Why do we not stand up, clear our name and take some proactive action from our side as well?