Peter Stoffer

[Fisheries Act, June 21st, 2011]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-237, An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (deposit in lakes).

Mr. Speaker, I always remind the House that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is just that, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, not the minister of mining or agriculture or forestry. The number one job of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is the protection of fish and fish habitat. When we allow mining companies to perfectly destroy a healthy aquatic system that is wrong.

What this bill would do is stop mining companies from using lakes as tailing ponds. If they wish to have their activities they need to do what they did in the past, which is set up independent tailing ponds free and clear of any freshwater aquatic systems that, in any way, destroy the actual habitat of fisheries in this country, because that simply cannot be going on any more.

This bill, hopefully, will be accepted by all members of the House in order to protect fish and fish habitat now and in the future.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Former Canadian Forces Members Act, June 15th, 2011]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-216, An Act respecting former Canadian Forces members.

Mr. Speaker, the heroes of our country get quality medical care when they put the uniform on but when that uniform comes off they lose many opportunities to attend, for example, the Stadacona Base and other bases across the country for the medical care that is there. Thus, they must go to the civilian side and many of them can no longer even find a doctor.

People who have served this country for many years should have access to the high quality medical care that they received when they were in the service. This bill would correct that wrong and allow members of our military and their families the opportunity to access those medical services long after they take the uniform off.

We have an obligation to the heroes of our country, and not just when the uniform is on. We have an obligation to them for the rest of their natural lives. This is the contract we signed with them. They have the unlimited liability when they serve our country. As parliamentarians, we have the ultimate responsibility to see that all their needs are met, especially on this legislation.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, June 15th, 2011]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-215, An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (deletion of deduction from annuity).

Mr. Speaker, we are trying for the fifth time in the House of Commons to correct a historical wrong.

In 1966, the superannuation plan of members of the armed forces, the RCMP and that of all federal and provincial public servants were blended.

What happens is that when members of the RCMP and military receive either a Canada disability pension or the Canada pension, it is deducted dollar for dollar from their superannuation plan, which leaves many of our heroes in Canada in financial dire straits when they retire or when they become disabled. This is simply wrong. Thousands upon thousands of veterans and their families, RCMP members and their families have asked that this injustice be corrected.

When we introduced this bill in the House of Commons the last time, the Conservatives, unfortunately, defeated it. We are hoping they have had a change of heart over the past election. We are hoping, for the sake of our heroes in this country, that we can correct this historical wrong.

I thank Roger Boutin, Mel Pittman and John Labelle of Lower Sackville for their great efforts, not only for their service to our country but also for the promotion of this important legislation.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Maple Leaf and Tulip Day Act, June 15th, 2011]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-214, An Act respecting the friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House to introduce legislation to make May 5 maple leaf and tulip day. As we all know, there is a tremendous relationship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Dominion of Canada. We have over 5,700 Canadians buried on Dutch soil.

I am proud to say that the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Wim Geerts, is very close by, along with the ambassador to the Hague. They are both here to witness this historic opportunity to make May 5, in continuity, maple leaf and tulip day to show the continuing friendship between the Netherlands and Canada.

There are now one million Canadians of Dutch descent in Canada. We are slowly taking over. As we say, “If you're not Dutch, you're not much”.

So, Gouda cheese and Heineken for everyone. Let us hope we pass this bill as quickly as humanly possible.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Veterans Affairs, June 14th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, here is something the Conservatives never talk about in their budget. Since they took power, a 30% increase in food bank use in the country has been rising and 904,000 Canadians used a food bank last year. What is most despicable is that over 200 veterans, a fourfold increase, in the city of Calgary, where the Prime Minister comes from, use a food bank strictly for veterans.

How can the government brag about its budget when the heroes of our country have to go begging for food in the richest city in our country?

[The Budget, June 13th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, if that is the quality of MPs we now have in the House of Commons, then the House of Commons has a very bright future.

My colleague is probably aware that a food bank report that came out last year showed that 904,000 Canadians in 2010 used a food bank. If the trend continues, within three years, one million Canadians will be using a food bank. In the city of Calgary there is a food bank designed specifically for veterans. In 2005, 58 veterans used that food bank. In 2010, 204 veterans used it.

The Prime Minister said at the Conservative convention that Canada is now becoming a conservative country. Almost one million people will be using a food bank in a few years. Is that what he means by a conservative Canada? The heroes of our country, our veterans, who fought and died for this country, have to use charity in order to get their sustenance. Is that the kind of Canada the Conservatives are bringing to us?

[Parliament of Canada Act, June 13th, 2011]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-210, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (members who cross the floor).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Winnipeg Centre for seconding this bill.

On behalf of all of us here in the House of Commons, I would note that we are elected under a particular banner or as independents. This is not a no-tell motel where we can check in under an assumed name. This carpet between us is very expensive and wears out when people consistently cross the floor.

This particular legislation would restrict members of Parliament from crossing the floor. If members have a falling out with their party, they could easily quit, seek the nomination of the new party they wish to join and go back to their constituents and seek their consent if they wish to fly under a new banner.

That is democracy, and we are hoping for quick passage of this important legislation which, by the way, I have been trying to get through since 1999.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, June 13th, 2011]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-209, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Sackville — Eastern Shore.

Mr. Speaker, I have the absolute pleasure of representing one of the most historic communities in Canada, the Preston community, which, for the information of the House, is the largest indigenous black population in all of Canada. These people trace their roots all the way back to Mathieu Da Costa. They are in the geographical centre of my riding and, thus, they have asked if they can change the name of the electoral district to Sackville—Preston—Eastern Shore not only in honour of the community but also the geographical centre they are in.

I look forward to quick passage and support from all members of Parliament on this very important piece of legislation.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Shipbuilding Industry, June 9th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the minister cannot say we are going to have an open and transparent process while at the same time many of her Conservative colleagues are meeting with lobbyists when it comes to the shipbuilding industry.

The NDP has advocated for many years for a national shipbuilding strategy based on openness and transparency, and on the best business case plan. We cannot have Conservative members of Parliament meeting with lobbyists when the minister herself told a CANSEC meeting that lobbyists were to back off.

My question to the minister is quite clear. Why the different messaging here? Is she now going to tell these Conservative members of Parliament to butt out of the system and have a true and open policy?

[D-Day, June 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, 67 years ago the largest armada ever to face this planet arrived at Juno Beach, Sword, Gold and other beaches. It left the shores of England to free Europe. Sixty-seven years ago Operation Overlord started.

Those brave Canadians and their allies did not just stop in France, but went clear through Europe and ended up clearing the Nazis out of Holland, the country where I was born.

In fact my 89 year old mother called today asking me to wish this House of Commons well, as well as all the service men and women who served our country so bravely, and who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Those men and women left this country so that we could live in ours.

I am so proud to be a House of Commons representative, born in Holland, now serving the good constituents of Sackville—Eastern Shore in Nova Scotia.

On behalf of this party and all members of the House of Commons, we salute the brave men and women who have served in the past and who are serving today, and especially their families who have braved so much for this great country. God bless.