Most toxic speeches
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is trying to keep at least one election promise, and he is moving forward with legislation to legalize marijuana.Marijuana edibles, such as lollipops, brownies, cookies, and candies, are directly targeting Canadian youth and are currently the number one sales item at illegal dispensaries. How can Canadians trust the Prime Minister to protect our children under more liberalized laws when he refuses to protect them when marijuana is illegal?
Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?
Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1974, a tragic accident befell cadets attending camp on the Valcartier base. A live grenade exploded inside a barracks packed with more than 130 cadets, killing six of them and injuring dozens more. The lives of many Canadians were changed forever. Can the Minister of National Defence tell the House what has been done to ensure that survivors of this terrible tragedy receive adequate care and support?
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are deeply concerned about the way sexual assault victims are treated in our criminal justice system. Earlier today, the Canadian Judicial Council released its report into Justice Robin Camp's conduct in relation to a sexual assault trial. The council has recommended that Justice Camp be removed from office.Could the minister inform the House about next steps in this matter?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is under multiple investigations. He refuses to answer questions about his ethical shortcomings. The Minister of Innovation was forced to admit that he misled Canadians over the Anbang boondoggle. The Minister of Finance is engaged in a carbon tax cover-up and the secret sell-off of airports. When will the Prime Minister finally act like a leader and be honest with Canadians instead of thinking he is above the law?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are clearly feeling the pressure to increase defence spending. Reports this week noted that the Liberals are actually going to spend less on defence, but they are planning on cooking the books in hopes of fooling our NATO allies. Instead of including the Coast Guard's budget in defence spending, which is nothing more than just a shell game, the Liberals should pay our troops what they deserve when they are out there fighting ISIS.Will the minister stop playing shell games with our defence spending and retroactively pay back all the danger pay? I mean retroactively pay it all back to all our troops who are stationed in Kuwait.
Mr. Speaker, things are not going well at the Canada Revenue Agency. It is a sinking ship.First came the private receptions and amnesty for fraudsters. Now, we have learned that many CRA employees are jumping ship to go and work at KPMG. There is a revolving door between the Canada Revenue Agency and the country's accounting firms. A new ship's captain was appointed a year and a half ago, but still nothing has changed. When will the minister put an end to the appalling cronyism in her own department?
Mr. Speaker, three of the retirement homes purchased by Anbang, a Chinese insurance company, are in my riding on Vancouver Island. American companies have refused to work with Anbang because of its murky ownership, yet the Liberals rubber-stamped the deal. British Columbians demand greater transparency when publicly funded assets are sold to foreign interests. Our health care should not be for sale, and this takeover does not pass the smell test. I have a simple question. If the Liberals are so confident about this sketchy deal, will they guarantee our seniors that they will not be negatively affected by this deal?
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to going after rich tax cheats, the motto of the Liberals seems to be hear no evil, see no evil. When the sweetheart amnesty deal was exposed, the one between the Liberal government and KPMG, the Liberals refused to even condemn it. When we tried to get key documents from KPMG at committee, the Liberals blocked it. However, now the Minister of National Revenue is speculating that charges may in fact be brought: you know, one day, maybe, wink, wink. Canadians are tired of having to pick up the tab for rich tax deadbeats.Which is it? Will the Liberals be pressing charges in the KPMG scam, yes or no?
Mr. Speaker, no wonder the transport minister could not answer my questions yesterday. It is the finance minister who is calling the shots. We now know the airports are on a fire sale to foreign buyers to fund his infrastructure bank because his runaway spending has drained the treasury. Canadian travellers will now be forced to pay higher costs and more fees to foreign airport owners to pay for the Liberals' reckless spending.Will the minister or anybody on that side finally admit that the airports are being sold solely because they have run out of money?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is making Canada a less attractive place to do business and create jobs every single day. Business investment has fallen every single quarter since the Prime Minister took office, and when people are not investing in our economy, jobs are not created. It is about to get worse as Donald Trump lowers taxes and cuts red tape while the Prime Minister is going in the exact opposite direction. Will the Prime Minister wake up, lower taxes, cut red tape, and protect Canadian jobs?
Mr. Speaker, we knew that there were $92 million in contracts and that the government is a good partner of KPMG.However, now we are learning that the government is not just giving money to KPMG, it is also giving it employees. For the director general of the Institute on Governance, this can create an appearance of cronyism. Frankly, when it comes down to it, they are not just buddies anymore, they are family.How can the minister claim that the government is going to war with tax cheats, when that same government is providing those who encourage fraud with its money and expertise?
Mr. Speaker, we know that governing is hard, and there is more to it than taking selfies and holding hands. The Liberals have failed to make a single parliamentary watchdog appointed in their 18 months in government. It seems the only appointments the government can make are to friends and former chiefs of staff.Eighteen months have passed. How much longer do we have to wait for the Prime Minister to start doing his job and appointing people to these watchdog positions? Or is it taking so long because he is trying to find people who will turn the other cheek to his ethical transgressions?
Mr. Speaker, the budget will not be balanced until 2055.That means my 15-year-old daughter, who is listening to us online today, will be 53 by the time the government gets public finances under control. That means our kids will pay for the Liberal deficit. If nothing changes, my daughter will have to pay extra taxes for 38 years because of the Liberal government's irresponsibility.What does the Prime Minister have to say to my daughter, who is listening to us right now?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing that our oil spill response is anything but world class. The B.C. diesel spill had a radius of over five kilometres and contaminated the clams in the region. First nation communities are exhausted and feel abandoned by the government's inaction. One expert said, The diesel is not going to disappear magically. Another asked, If we cant clean that up, then how does that speak to our capacity to deal with large ocean-going tankers with heavy fuel products? Can the Liberal government explain the nine-hour delay and why it simply gave up?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians courts are at a tipping point, prosecutors are dropping serious criminal cases because they lack resources to meet deadlines, and the Minister of Justice has failed to fill more than 60 judicial vacancies, resulting in serious criminal cases being thrown out of court.Could the minister tell us how many cases are going to be thrown out of court before she finally gets her act together and starts appointing judges?
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to assure the member opposite that I will fight for precisely that. I have had several meetings with labour representatives, with representatives of our auto parts sector, and we are very aligned on fighting for a great deal for Canada. I am confident we can do it, because that is our government's record on trade. We have overturned discriminatory cool legislation in the United States. We persuaded Mexico and China to end their bans on Canadian beef. We convinced China to lift its embargo on our canola, and exports of Canadian canola have more than doubled since October.
Mr. Speaker, the minister does not want to bring forward the independent committees deadline of December 2018 to consider advance requests for assisted dying. In Quebec, a parliamentary committee and the Collège des médecins du Québec have already expressed support for this. While this government waits, families are suffering to the point of ending the lives of their loved ones. Will this government finally accept its responsibilities and immediately call for the tabling of a report on advance requests?
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the Liberals like to throw money around. Now, they are showing us the dark side we know them to have by cheaping out on CF members who are fighting ISIS. They are taking $1,800 a month away from them. That is pretty shameful, thank you very much. We are talking about a significant amount for military spouses, who must make ends meet in their absence.Who in this government thinks it is a good idea to take $1,800 a month away from military spouses?
Mr. Speaker, that answer did anything but tell Canadians when the Liberal government will return to the balanced budgets that they have promised.Does the finance minister really believe that saddling our children's children with massive amounts of long-term debt is how we really help the middle class? Not only were previous Conservative and Liberal finance ministers proud to talk about balanced budgets, but they actually delivered.Why is a balanced budget now a dirty word to the finance minister and to the Liberals?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not delighted or reassured by the minister's talking points. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce said very clearly that Canadians know times are different, and that they know they're going to have to make concessions. Concessions? There is too much at stake for Canadian workers. The tone has changed from a tweak to a threatening big bazooka, and apparently the Prime Minister still has nothing to say. Canadians need to know that their government is going to fight for their jobs. What is the government going to bring to the table during NAFTA renegotiations?
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Residential schools were a dark and painful chapter in our history, and comments like these are ill-informed, offensive, and simply wrong. The intention of Indian residential schools was to erase indigenous language and culture. The senator's comments underscore the need for better education, so that all Canadians can work together to advance the shared journey of reconciliation. Survivors, families, and communities are still dealing with the intergenerational trauma resulting from Indian residential schools. We must all be united in supporting them.
Mr. Speaker, I think the members of the House are familiar with the fact that we will be introducing legislation this spring. It will have to do with the legalization of access to cannabis under a regulatory regime that will restrict access and will address the very issues the member has raised to ensure that cannabis stays out of the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals.I encourage all members to read the task force and make sure they are well informed.
Mr. Speaker, the Alberta NDP is using money from the building Canada plan as its own personal slush fund. Instead of funding key infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water treatment plants, Premier Notley is withholding $300 million from rural municipalities to pay for her massive debt, and the Liberal infrastructure minister is letting her get away with it. When will the minister put aside his friendship with Premier Notley? When will he stand up for Albertans? When will he demand that money from the building Canada plan go directly to municipalities, so we get the best bang for the taxpayers' buck?
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has some of the most stringent post-employment rules in the entire Government of Canada. When CRA employees leave their job, they must meet very strict conditions. Disclosing information is prohibited by law, indefinitely.I would remind everyone that any employee or former employee of CRA who breaks those rules faces penalties and even criminal prosecution.
Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister of Transport's distress. The Liberal government has been spending recklessly since it came to power. According to certain sources, the government is preparing to sell airports to finance its infrastructure bank scheme.Now that the Minister of Transport has realized that the bank machine is out of money, he is going to sell the furniture to pay the interest on the Minister of Finance's credit card. Instead of having a fire sale on March 22, will the government put its finances in order and present Canadians with a plan to balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, Canada's refugee system is lauded around the world for being one of the most compassionate. The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada to properly manage asylum seekers. The member opposite should know that the UN refugee agency supports the principle behind the safe third country agreement to prevent asylum shopping. If the New Democratic Party members are prepared to engage in an argument with the UNHCR, they are more than welcome to do so.
Mr. Speaker, let us talk about economic growth.According to the business community, through a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and I quote, Small business owners know that todays deficits are tomorrows taxes. They believe that the government should commit to eliminating the deficit in five years, not 38.I talked about our children earlier, and now I want to talk about our job creators, who are also extremely worried. The last thing they need is more taxes and larger deficits.What does the Prime Minister have to say to them today? They are listening to us today, too.
Mr. Speaker, we have countless judicial vacancies and unfilled watchdog positions, and we have ambassador appointments that have been downgraded to special advisers. All these failed appointments have one thing in common: the former director of appointments to the Prime Minister, Mary Ng. It seems the only nomination Mary Ng was able fulfill was her own Liberal Party candidacy and members of the immigration board, whose independence she has compromised by claiming she has political control over them.How can Canadians have any confidence in the Liberal appointments when they are so shrouded in Liberal politics?
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier today, I am truly sorry for the pain endured by victims of this tragedy, and I deeply regret how long it has taken to address it.That is why we are taking action. In recognition of their pain and suffering, they will receive a universal benevolent payment and are eligible for an individualized payment to cover any physical or mental injuries they may have endured.For the former cadets who are here today and those who could not be here, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I ask them to accept this apology. We are truly sorry for the pain they have endured, and we deeply regret how long it took to address it.We are sorry.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Prime Minister has now written and rewritten his budget a few times. It seems he cannot quite find the right way to tell Canadians he wants more of their money. With Mr. Trump moving to drastically reduce taxes, what businesses need to hear is that we will do the same thing here in Canada to create jobs. Lowering taxes to compete with the United States should be done in this budget, and the sooner the better. What is the Prime Minister's plan to make sure that Donald Trump does not steal our jobs?
Mr. Speaker, headlines are telling us that the crown attorneys in Alberta are having to accept plea deals on criminal cases because of the judicial backlog. Today, the paper in Ottawa said that there were 1,000 cases that were in jeopardy of being thrown out. In large part, this is because of the Liberal inaction in this area. If 1,000 cases is not enough to get the government moving to make judicial appointments, how many would it take? How about 5,000? Would that be enough for the government?
Mr. Speaker, we must create permanent jobs.This government is doing nothing meaningful to help regional economies. It has done nothing about softwood lumber. Worse yet, our Prime Minister naively gave the President of the United States the upper hand on NAFTA. The Liberal government should be supporting our regions and giving hope to the people who have made such significant contributions to the prosperity of this great country.Does the government want to shutter our regions? If not, it must act now.
Mr. Speaker, any government appointments to senior positions must be impartial, based on competence and merit. However, the appointments that this prime minister has made since coming to office are proving otherwise. Can the Prime Minister assure us that he will not, once again, appoint Liberal cronies who have paid into the partys campaign fund? Will he fill commissioners positions responsible for overseeing elections, official languages, lobbying and, ironically, ethicsa file he has not masteredwith competent individuals without any ties to the Liberal Party of Canada?
Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to have an opportunity to tell the House about the wonderful work the government is doing to support middle-class Canadians and middle-class families.It is this government that has put in place the Canada child benefit program that has helped hundreds of thousands of children get out of poverty. It is this government that has invested significantly in creating more summer jobs for students.Our government is committed to helping Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to be continuing to do in budget 2017.
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has very strict post-employment policies for employees who leave positions with the Government of Canada.When they leave their jobs, former CRA employees must meet strict requirements. Information disclosure is prohibited by law indefinitely. CRA employees could be subject to sanctions, including fines and prison time.
Mr. Speaker, the Financial Post today has a headline: Bank for International Settlements says Canada is showing early warning signs of financial crisis. The article goes on to say that: In its fall report, the BIS indicated that Canada had one of the highest credit-to-GDP ratios among developed nations. That report said the countrys unusually elevated level posed a threat to the countrys banking system. Our country has the highest level of household debt to income in the OECD. When will the government realize that Canadians have too much debt of their own and they cannot afford the government?
Mr. Speaker, the minister will not speak about specific cases, but I hope tomorrow they will raise those specific cases with the Secretary of Homeland Security.Still at the border, hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed into Canada in recent months and many are risking their lives in harsh winter weather. On Tuesday, a pregnant woman and a toddler crossed into Emerson during a winter storm. We can no longer have confidence that refugees in the United States have access to a fair process, so will the minister finally do the right thing and immediately suspend the safe third country agreement with the U.S. to allow these people to cross safely while seeking asylum in Canada?
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security will be in Ottawa tomorrow for meetings with the government, including the Minister of Public Safety. Ever since President Trump came into power, at least three Quebeckers have been turned away at the U.S. border.Can the minister confirm that he is going to discuss the specific cases of Canadians turned away at the border when he talks to John Kelly and ensure that there will be no further impact on Canadians who want to visit the United States?
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reminding the member opposite and everyone in the House that NAFTA negotiations have not yet begun and now is not the time for us to prematurely lead our cards on the table. I want to assure everyone that we will continue to get a great deal for Canadians and our record proves it. Let me share some great news. In January, Canada posted its third straight trade surplus. The drivers of our strong export performance included the car sector where exports were up 7.7%.
Mr. Speaker, these are mostly part-time jobs and this is a serious issue that is coming up in this next budget. Small businesses are bracing for this next budget. They already know that they have been hit by the Prime Minister's carbon tax, the EI hike, the CPP tax hike, and his cancellation of the small business hiring credit. At the same time, they are worried about the impact of Donald Trump's low tax rates. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and yet the Prime Minister just keeps taxing them more and more. When will the Prime Minister give small businesses a break?
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his vigilance and leadership in all matters pertaining to residential schools and indigenous peoples. It is very important to leave it to indigenous peoples to decide whether to call for an apology or a resignation. It is up to the indigenous peoples.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said time and time again that he will respond to any questions the commissioner has. This government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. That is why we lowered taxes on the middle class. That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps families with children who need it the most. That is why we recognize we can have a sustainable environment as well as a strong economy. They go hand in hand. We need to continue working hard. I encourage all members to let us work better together.
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about KPMG.To recap, KPMG hires experts from the Canada Revenue Agency, and at the same time, the Canada Revenue Agency hires experts from KPMG. That is quite a tight-knit family. The government has awarded KPMG $92 million in contracts since 2006. The Canada Revenue Agency cut a deal with KPMG and agreed not to prosecute its wealthy clients who were hiding their cash on the Isle of Man.Would the minister really have us believe that the government has declared war on tax evasion, when that very same government has a rather incestuous relationship with what Yves Boisvert of La Presse calls the tax dodging machine?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals continue to make life unaffordable for Canadian families. With previous tax hikes that have taken place, it leaves us wondering, with the minister saying that everything is on the table, what is next for our Canadian families.Stories are coming out every day with regard to potential tax hikes that we could be facing in this upcoming budget. What I would like to know today is whether our children are in fact going to be kept safe.I have asked this before and I am asking it again today. Could the Minister of Finance tell us that he will not touch the registered education savings plan?
Mr. Speaker, I would like assure the member that the concerns he is raising are the same concerns we had. That is why we were engaged with the British Columbian government and health authority. They provided the operating licences based on those same concerns, which is making sure Retirement Concepts, which is managed and operated by Canadians, will ensure it provides a level of service and quality to those seniors at the highest level. Again, the bottom line here is that this is good for investment. This is good for British Columbia. This is good for the economy, and of course for seniors.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to pass a message on to Canadians. In last year's budget, our government invested a historic $444 million. Over the past year, that money has allowed us to recover $13 billion, which will be reinvested in health care, education, and infrastructure. We will keep working for Canadians, as we promised.
Mr. Speaker, budget 2016 invested in jobs, growth, infrastructure, and innovation and it cut taxes for Canada's middle class. The Conservatives voted against those tax cuts. Furthermore, it invested in a Canada child benefit that is lifting 300,000 Canadian kids out of poverty. Canadians can be assured that budget 2017 will continue to invest in a pro-growth, pro-middle-class agenda that will be good for the Canadian economy.
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm today that I received a report from the Canadian Judicial Council, which found Justice Robin Camp acted in a manner that seriously undermined public confidence in the judiciary. The council recommended the removal of Justice Camp from the Federal Court. I have read both reports and have satisfied myself that Justice Camp was afforded due process. We have considered all the factual and legal findings and are prepared to move on this. I understand there might be some news in this regard with respect to Justice Camp, but our government is committed to moving forward with the removal of Justice Camp.
Mr. Speaker, today we were sickened to hear the views expressed by Senator Beyak on residential schools. Residential schools were profoundly damaging to first nations and remain a dark chapter in Canada's history. Children were forcibly taken from their families and homes for the exact purpose of trying to wipe out their languages and their identities.Will the government stand with us to condemn and denounce the statements made by Senator Beyak?
Mr. Speaker, if they understand the challenges, they better do something about it. Yesterday, the minister said ...federal infrastructure dollars can only be used for infrastructure projects, but the AUMA is clear: the Alberta NDP is breaking the commitment of $300 million for infrastructure projects in local communities. Albertans need infrastructure. Albertans need jobs. Albertans need a minister who will stop betraying them. When will the minister stop defending the Alberta NDP and call on Premier Notley to use building Canada funds for community infrastructure and nothing else?
Mr. Speaker, the report written under the direction of the former parliamentary budget officer was released this week. It said that The magnitude of the governments two-year program spending increase is unprecedented in modern times, with a 12% increase in spending over this period. It goes on to say: If interest rates increase or economic growth further weakens relative to planning assumptions, young people will be paying dearly for todays deficit-financed activities. The finance minister is grasping for Canadians' wallets to pay the bills for all of this out-of-control spending. How much exactly will the federal government raise in new revenues from its proposed carbon tax?
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows my strong will and desire, as well as our government's desire, to make sure that our troops who are deployed get all the benefits they want. However, if the member wants to bring up certain facts, what about the deficit reduction plan that the previous government had, which cut billions of dollars from defence? This is one of the reasons why we launched the defence policy review, to look at a thorough plan for the next 20 years, which will look at the proper defence investment that will look after our troops into the future.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I always appreciate the opportunity to tell Canadians the good work that this government has been doing. Our priority for this government is to help middle-class Canadians, those who are working so hard to join the middle class, and the most vulnerable Canadians. I want to give the member a few more detailed examples of the things we have done. When we look at the Canada child tax benefit program, we see that more than 300,000 children will be lifted out of poverty. With respect to our increase in our guaranteed income supplement for low-income seniors, we will be providing assistance to more than one million seniors who will benefit from this raise.We are going in the right direction. We are focused and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good day, because we made an announcement today.Working together to invest in our Canadian entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in the Canadian economy, but also in our future. The funding announced today will support business expansion. It will support the women and men who are working hard to develop businesses and create even more jobs for the middle class across the country.We will continue to work very hard for small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Speaker, once again I am proud to rise in the House. Budget 2017 will continue to build on our promise to help middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. We want to focus on economic growth for our country and for Canadians. We are going to continue to invest in middle-class Canadians because we know they are the backbone of our economy and we truly want to make sure they receive the help they need.This government is focused. We are going in the right direction, and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations, and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding the order made March 8, 2017, Bill C-337, an act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault) be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations--Excuse me, could I get some order?
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants to talk about jobs, so let us talk about jobs. There have been 286,000 jobs created since the Liberals formed government. These jobs are being created across the country. Let me highlight a few key examples because of our policies. We worked with Bell Helicopter to secure 900 jobs and, more important, create an additional 100 new jobs. GE invested in Welland to create 220 jobs. Thomson Reuters is investing in up to 1,500 jobs. GM Canada hired 1,000 new engineers. There are more jobs to come.
Mr. Speaker, the protection of Canadian waters is of the utmost importance to our government. Within an hour and 20 minutes of the initial call, the Coast Guard tasked assets to respond to this incident. The Coast Guard has also established a unified command collaboratively with members of local first nations, federal and provincial partners, and the responsible party. Despite their quick response, incidents like this highlight why our government is investing in marine safety with a $1.5 billion oceans protection plan, which will make Canada's marine safety systems even stronger than they are today.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we have made, and to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we will continue to make. I am pleased that we have introduced a new judicial appointment process, and instituted a new composition for judicial advisory councils that will provide us recommendations and highly recommended candidates to fill the seats on the superior courts across the country. We are taking the necessary time to ensure that the judges who were appointed to the superior courts reflect the diversity of the country and are of the utmost merit and ability.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for New Brunswick Southwest for her leadership on this file. As the member well knows, we are in a global innovation race. That is why we are open to trade, investment, and people. Today we announced the launch of the global skills strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, who will reduce the visa processing time to two weeks for Canadian businesses. This will allow Canadian companies to grow and create Canadian jobs across all regions and all sectors. This is good for growth. This is good for high-quality jobs.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question. In budget 2017, we will continue to focus on helping the middle class and those working hard to join it. Also, will will focus on economic prosperity for all of Canada.Our government listens to Canadians. We are heading in the right direction and will continue with our plan to help them.
Mr. Speaker, as we promised Canadians, we introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and based on merit. This approach will help us find high-quality candidates, while promoting gender equality and Canadian diversity. All open positions are available in a transparent manner, online. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question, even though I do not agree with the premise of it.Our government is committed to helping middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join the middle class. I will tell members what we have done thus far.So far, we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians. We have put in place a historic agreement called the Canada child benefit program, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We have helped our seniors by putting in place an increase in the guaranteed income supplement.We are supporting Canadians. We are going in the right direction, and we are going to continue to do so.
Mr. Speaker, today's marketplace is a rapidly changing environment, and Canada is uniquely positioned to attract and develop talent to further sustain and scale up innovative companies across our country. The government has been clear about the need to grow our economy and create jobs, jobs that will allow our companies to expand and succeed.Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development explain to the House what this government is doing to increase, develop, train, and grow our Canadian talent?
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, our government is very proud to have announced in its last budget a $444-million investment that enabled us to look abroad for $13 billion, including $1 billion from voluntary disclosure programs.We have hired 100 auditors. We work on four jurisdictions per year. We will continue what we started and we will see it through.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government House leader if she could share with this House what the business of the House will be for the remainder of this week. When we return, we will be hearing about the budget, and hopefully there will be some very good news for Canadians in terms of some tax relief. Will she share what will be happening in the week we come back?
Mr. Speaker, again, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive appointments we have made in judicial appointments to superior courts across the country.We are continuing to ensure we make quality appointments that reflect the diversity in our country. That is why we instituted a new judicial appointments process. That is why we have reconstituted the judicial advisory committees to ensure we have substantive, quality, credible candidates who I can put forward, again reflecting the diversity of the country and the makeup of our great nation.
Mr. Speaker, this offers me another opportunity to point out something that I began pointing out last November, and that is that it is of the highest priority that we improve passenger service in the country. We are trying to lower prices. We are trying to offer more choice. We are trying to reduce the amount of time to go through security, or to go through customs, and yes, we are committed to a regime of rights for air passengers. Those are the factors that guide us in our decisions with respect to airports and airlines.
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2016, we invested in jobs, middle-class growth, infrastructure, and innovation. We cut taxes for the middle class and introduced the Canada child benefit.The economy has improved, but we still have work to do. We have to keep making major investments in the middle class to generate economic growth for all Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, we understand the challenges facing Alberta, and we will continue to deliver on our infrastructure commitments to invest and support economic growth and improve our communities. Working with our provincial and municipal partners, we are improving transit, roads, bridges, and water systems in Alberta for Albertans. We have approved 127 projects worth $1.36 billion in federal funding and $4.2 billion in combined funding. This is what we are delivering for Albertans and will continue to deliver for Albertans.
Mr. Speaker, while I will not speak to a specific case, our expectation on both sides of the border is that travellers will be treated with respect and in accordance with the rule of law. To facilitate smooth passage at the border, travellers who are aware of issues related to mistaken identity are encouraged to communicate with American authorities in advance. Officials from Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. customs and border protection are in continuous contact on these matters and the issues related to travellers' screening will be discussed tomorrow in the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the new government-wide appointments process that we introduced. It is open, transparent, and merit-based. This appointment process allows Canadians from coast to coast to coast to apply. All positions are available online. It is exactly what we committed to Canadians. It is exactly what we have delivered on. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to deliverology, we know that so far the Liberal government has delivered over $25 billion in debt this year and is working hard to do so in the next. What we do not know is when the government will ever return to a balanced budget. The finance department report, which the minister intentionally delayed, says 2050 or 2051.When will the government balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, this week the United States signalled its priorities in regard to NAFTA. It has indicated its number one priority involves sourcing auto parts at home. This would have a huge impact on Canada's auto sector which is deeply integrated with its North American counterparts, and still the Liberal government remains silent on its NAFTA priorities. Will the minister ensure that any NAFTA renegotiations will protect Canada's auto jobs and respect the sector's integrated nature?
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate rising in this House to remind members as well as Canadians that we take our small businesses very seriously. Yes, they are the backbone of the economy. We know that through our investments and through our plan they will be able to be more productive, more innovative, and export-oriented. Small businesses want to export, so we are creating the conditions to make it easier. If we look at the accelerated growth service, we are looking at the high-impact, high-growth firms and giving them catered services so that they can actually advance the services and products that they have. We will continue to work hard for small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I also agree that every member in the House works very hard, just like every Canadian in the country works very hard. That is why our government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. I am always proud to stand in the House and remind Canadians, and all members, that we have introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and merit-based. Our approach will result in the recommendation of highly qualified candidates who achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity. The new selection process reflects the fundamental role that many Canadians play
Mr. Speaker, since this is my first response to the Conservatives in a few days, I would like to begin by thanking the members for Thornhill and Parry SoundMuskoka for comments they made this week.We do not always agree, but I am proud that Canada has an official opposition that can rise above partisanship to defend our democracy. Thank you very much.With respect to NAFTA, negotiations are not yet under way, but Canada will be ready if and when they happen.
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will continue with the debate on the Conservative opposition motion. After today, we will have one remaining opposition day in this supply cycle. That debate will take place on Tuesday, March 21.Tomorrow we will continue with the report stage debate on Bill C-22 concerning the national security intelligence committee of parliamentarians. That debate will continue on Monday after colleagues return from the constituency week.I should also mention that a take-note debate on Operation Unifier will take place on Monday evening.Wednesday we will commence consideration at second reading of Bill C-17, an act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, until 4 p.m., at which time the Minister of Finance will make his budget presentation.Thursday shall be the first of four days of budget debate, also referred to as leaders' day.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague for the question because it gives me the opportunity to reiterate that our highest priority is improving passenger service.I think that people are beginning to notice that costs are going down and that they have more choice. They know we want to reduce the time it takes to go through security or customs. Furthermore, there will be a regime of rights for air passengers. That is what is important for our airports and that is what guides us.
Mr. Speaker, the minister and the ministry have a strong working relationship with the Government of Alberta, the AUMA, the AAMDC, and mayors from across the province. The ministry values the opportunity to meet with communities and talk about their infrastructure priorities. As I mentioned previously, there are 127 projects that will benefit communities all across the province, a number of whichif not most of whichare in some of the main municipalities. We will continue to deliver for Albertans. We will continue to deliver quality jobs for the 21st century and for all Albertans. That is what we are going to do in this government.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the passion he has for our troops, and I think we all share that. When it comes to looking after our troops, as I stated, we want to look after our troops who are not only in Operation Impact but in other operations as well. As I stated, we have launched a review. I wish members opposite had had the same level of compassion and desire they have now when they were actually in government, to make sure that our troops were not sent without the tax-free allowance.
Mr. Speaker, as all members of the House know, earlier last year we introduced legislation, which passed and received royal assent, allowing Canadians to have access to medical assistance in dying. Through that legislation we were able to allow Canadians access to that right, while at the same time recognizing there were vulnerable people who needed to be protected. By all accounts that I have had with medical practitioners and medical regulators, the system is working well. We are continuing to track that. We also have a review under way to address some of the questions that were raised in the House during that consideration, and we look forward
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is trying to keep at least one election promise, and he is moving forward with legislation to legalize marijuana.Marijuana edibles, such as lollipops, brownies, cookies, and candies, are directly targeting Canadian youth and are currently the number one sales item at illegal dispensaries. How can Canadians trust the Prime Minister to protect our children under more liberalized laws when he refuses to protect them when marijuana is illegal?
Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?
Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1974, a tragic accident befell cadets attending camp on the Valcartier base. A live grenade exploded inside a barracks packed with more than 130 cadets, killing six of them and injuring dozens more. The lives of many Canadians were changed forever. Can the Minister of National Defence tell the House what has been done to ensure that survivors of this terrible tragedy receive adequate care and support?
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are deeply concerned about the way sexual assault victims are treated in our criminal justice system. Earlier today, the Canadian Judicial Council released its report into Justice Robin Camp's conduct in relation to a sexual assault trial. The council has recommended that Justice Camp be removed from office.Could the minister inform the House about next steps in this matter?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is under multiple investigations. He refuses to answer questions about his ethical shortcomings. The Minister of Innovation was forced to admit that he misled Canadians over the Anbang boondoggle. The Minister of Finance is engaged in a carbon tax cover-up and the secret sell-off of airports. When will the Prime Minister finally act like a leader and be honest with Canadians instead of thinking he is above the law?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are clearly feeling the pressure to increase defence spending. Reports this week noted that the Liberals are actually going to spend less on defence, but they are planning on cooking the books in hopes of fooling our NATO allies. Instead of including the Coast Guard's budget in defence spending, which is nothing more than just a shell game, the Liberals should pay our troops what they deserve when they are out there fighting ISIS.Will the minister stop playing shell games with our defence spending and retroactively pay back all the danger pay? I mean retroactively pay it all back to all our troops who are stationed in Kuwait.
Mr. Speaker, things are not going well at the Canada Revenue Agency. It is a sinking ship.First came the private receptions and amnesty for fraudsters. Now, we have learned that many CRA employees are jumping ship to go and work at KPMG. There is a revolving door between the Canada Revenue Agency and the country's accounting firms. A new ship's captain was appointed a year and a half ago, but still nothing has changed. When will the minister put an end to the appalling cronyism in her own department?
Mr. Speaker, three of the retirement homes purchased by Anbang, a Chinese insurance company, are in my riding on Vancouver Island. American companies have refused to work with Anbang because of its murky ownership, yet the Liberals rubber-stamped the deal. British Columbians demand greater transparency when publicly funded assets are sold to foreign interests. Our health care should not be for sale, and this takeover does not pass the smell test. I have a simple question. If the Liberals are so confident about this sketchy deal, will they guarantee our seniors that they will not be negatively affected by this deal?
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to going after rich tax cheats, the motto of the Liberals seems to be hear no evil, see no evil. When the sweetheart amnesty deal was exposed, the one between the Liberal government and KPMG, the Liberals refused to even condemn it. When we tried to get key documents from KPMG at committee, the Liberals blocked it. However, now the Minister of National Revenue is speculating that charges may in fact be brought: you know, one day, maybe, wink, wink. Canadians are tired of having to pick up the tab for rich tax deadbeats.Which is it? Will the Liberals be pressing charges in the KPMG scam, yes or no?
Mr. Speaker, no wonder the transport minister could not answer my questions yesterday. It is the finance minister who is calling the shots. We now know the airports are on a fire sale to foreign buyers to fund his infrastructure bank because his runaway spending has drained the treasury. Canadian travellers will now be forced to pay higher costs and more fees to foreign airport owners to pay for the Liberals' reckless spending.Will the minister or anybody on that side finally admit that the airports are being sold solely because they have run out of money?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is making Canada a less attractive place to do business and create jobs every single day. Business investment has fallen every single quarter since the Prime Minister took office, and when people are not investing in our economy, jobs are not created. It is about to get worse as Donald Trump lowers taxes and cuts red tape while the Prime Minister is going in the exact opposite direction. Will the Prime Minister wake up, lower taxes, cut red tape, and protect Canadian jobs?
Mr. Speaker, we knew that there were $92 million in contracts and that the government is a good partner of KPMG.However, now we are learning that the government is not just giving money to KPMG, it is also giving it employees. For the director general of the Institute on Governance, this can create an appearance of cronyism. Frankly, when it comes down to it, they are not just buddies anymore, they are family.How can the minister claim that the government is going to war with tax cheats, when that same government is providing those who encourage fraud with its money and expertise?
Mr. Speaker, we know that governing is hard, and there is more to it than taking selfies and holding hands. The Liberals have failed to make a single parliamentary watchdog appointed in their 18 months in government. It seems the only appointments the government can make are to friends and former chiefs of staff.Eighteen months have passed. How much longer do we have to wait for the Prime Minister to start doing his job and appointing people to these watchdog positions? Or is it taking so long because he is trying to find people who will turn the other cheek to his ethical transgressions?
Mr. Speaker, the budget will not be balanced until 2055.That means my 15-year-old daughter, who is listening to us online today, will be 53 by the time the government gets public finances under control. That means our kids will pay for the Liberal deficit. If nothing changes, my daughter will have to pay extra taxes for 38 years because of the Liberal government's irresponsibility.What does the Prime Minister have to say to my daughter, who is listening to us right now?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing that our oil spill response is anything but world class. The B.C. diesel spill had a radius of over five kilometres and contaminated the clams in the region. First nation communities are exhausted and feel abandoned by the government's inaction. One expert said, The diesel is not going to disappear magically. Another asked, If we cant clean that up, then how does that speak to our capacity to deal with large ocean-going tankers with heavy fuel products? Can the Liberal government explain the nine-hour delay and why it simply gave up?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians courts are at a tipping point, prosecutors are dropping serious criminal cases because they lack resources to meet deadlines, and the Minister of Justice has failed to fill more than 60 judicial vacancies, resulting in serious criminal cases being thrown out of court.Could the minister tell us how many cases are going to be thrown out of court before she finally gets her act together and starts appointing judges?
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to assure the member opposite that I will fight for precisely that. I have had several meetings with labour representatives, with representatives of our auto parts sector, and we are very aligned on fighting for a great deal for Canada. I am confident we can do it, because that is our government's record on trade. We have overturned discriminatory cool legislation in the United States. We persuaded Mexico and China to end their bans on Canadian beef. We convinced China to lift its embargo on our canola, and exports of Canadian canola have more than doubled since October.
Mr. Speaker, the minister does not want to bring forward the independent committees deadline of December 2018 to consider advance requests for assisted dying. In Quebec, a parliamentary committee and the Collège des médecins du Québec have already expressed support for this. While this government waits, families are suffering to the point of ending the lives of their loved ones. Will this government finally accept its responsibilities and immediately call for the tabling of a report on advance requests?
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the Liberals like to throw money around. Now, they are showing us the dark side we know them to have by cheaping out on CF members who are fighting ISIS. They are taking $1,800 a month away from them. That is pretty shameful, thank you very much. We are talking about a significant amount for military spouses, who must make ends meet in their absence.Who in this government thinks it is a good idea to take $1,800 a month away from military spouses?
Mr. Speaker, that answer did anything but tell Canadians when the Liberal government will return to the balanced budgets that they have promised.Does the finance minister really believe that saddling our children's children with massive amounts of long-term debt is how we really help the middle class? Not only were previous Conservative and Liberal finance ministers proud to talk about balanced budgets, but they actually delivered.Why is a balanced budget now a dirty word to the finance minister and to the Liberals?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not delighted or reassured by the minister's talking points. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce said very clearly that Canadians know times are different, and that they know they're going to have to make concessions. Concessions? There is too much at stake for Canadian workers. The tone has changed from a tweak to a threatening big bazooka, and apparently the Prime Minister still has nothing to say. Canadians need to know that their government is going to fight for their jobs. What is the government going to bring to the table during NAFTA renegotiations?
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Residential schools were a dark and painful chapter in our history, and comments like these are ill-informed, offensive, and simply wrong. The intention of Indian residential schools was to erase indigenous language and culture. The senator's comments underscore the need for better education, so that all Canadians can work together to advance the shared journey of reconciliation. Survivors, families, and communities are still dealing with the intergenerational trauma resulting from Indian residential schools. We must all be united in supporting them.
Mr. Speaker, I think the members of the House are familiar with the fact that we will be introducing legislation this spring. It will have to do with the legalization of access to cannabis under a regulatory regime that will restrict access and will address the very issues the member has raised to ensure that cannabis stays out of the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals.I encourage all members to read the task force and make sure they are well informed.
Mr. Speaker, the Alberta NDP is using money from the building Canada plan as its own personal slush fund. Instead of funding key infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water treatment plants, Premier Notley is withholding $300 million from rural municipalities to pay for her massive debt, and the Liberal infrastructure minister is letting her get away with it. When will the minister put aside his friendship with Premier Notley? When will he stand up for Albertans? When will he demand that money from the building Canada plan go directly to municipalities, so we get the best bang for the taxpayers' buck?
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has some of the most stringent post-employment rules in the entire Government of Canada. When CRA employees leave their job, they must meet very strict conditions. Disclosing information is prohibited by law, indefinitely.I would remind everyone that any employee or former employee of CRA who breaks those rules faces penalties and even criminal prosecution.
Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister of Transport's distress. The Liberal government has been spending recklessly since it came to power. According to certain sources, the government is preparing to sell airports to finance its infrastructure bank scheme.Now that the Minister of Transport has realized that the bank machine is out of money, he is going to sell the furniture to pay the interest on the Minister of Finance's credit card. Instead of having a fire sale on March 22, will the government put its finances in order and present Canadians with a plan to balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, Canada's refugee system is lauded around the world for being one of the most compassionate. The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada to properly manage asylum seekers. The member opposite should know that the UN refugee agency supports the principle behind the safe third country agreement to prevent asylum shopping. If the New Democratic Party members are prepared to engage in an argument with the UNHCR, they are more than welcome to do so.
Mr. Speaker, let us talk about economic growth.According to the business community, through a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and I quote, Small business owners know that todays deficits are tomorrows taxes. They believe that the government should commit to eliminating the deficit in five years, not 38.I talked about our children earlier, and now I want to talk about our job creators, who are also extremely worried. The last thing they need is more taxes and larger deficits.What does the Prime Minister have to say to them today? They are listening to us today, too.
Mr. Speaker, we have countless judicial vacancies and unfilled watchdog positions, and we have ambassador appointments that have been downgraded to special advisers. All these failed appointments have one thing in common: the former director of appointments to the Prime Minister, Mary Ng. It seems the only nomination Mary Ng was able fulfill was her own Liberal Party candidacy and members of the immigration board, whose independence she has compromised by claiming she has political control over them.How can Canadians have any confidence in the Liberal appointments when they are so shrouded in Liberal politics?
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier today, I am truly sorry for the pain endured by victims of this tragedy, and I deeply regret how long it has taken to address it.That is why we are taking action. In recognition of their pain and suffering, they will receive a universal benevolent payment and are eligible for an individualized payment to cover any physical or mental injuries they may have endured.For the former cadets who are here today and those who could not be here, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I ask them to accept this apology. We are truly sorry for the pain they have endured, and we deeply regret how long it took to address it.We are sorry.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Prime Minister has now written and rewritten his budget a few times. It seems he cannot quite find the right way to tell Canadians he wants more of their money. With Mr. Trump moving to drastically reduce taxes, what businesses need to hear is that we will do the same thing here in Canada to create jobs. Lowering taxes to compete with the United States should be done in this budget, and the sooner the better. What is the Prime Minister's plan to make sure that Donald Trump does not steal our jobs?
Mr. Speaker, headlines are telling us that the crown attorneys in Alberta are having to accept plea deals on criminal cases because of the judicial backlog. Today, the paper in Ottawa said that there were 1,000 cases that were in jeopardy of being thrown out. In large part, this is because of the Liberal inaction in this area. If 1,000 cases is not enough to get the government moving to make judicial appointments, how many would it take? How about 5,000? Would that be enough for the government?
Mr. Speaker, we must create permanent jobs.This government is doing nothing meaningful to help regional economies. It has done nothing about softwood lumber. Worse yet, our Prime Minister naively gave the President of the United States the upper hand on NAFTA. The Liberal government should be supporting our regions and giving hope to the people who have made such significant contributions to the prosperity of this great country.Does the government want to shutter our regions? If not, it must act now.
Mr. Speaker, any government appointments to senior positions must be impartial, based on competence and merit. However, the appointments that this prime minister has made since coming to office are proving otherwise. Can the Prime Minister assure us that he will not, once again, appoint Liberal cronies who have paid into the partys campaign fund? Will he fill commissioners positions responsible for overseeing elections, official languages, lobbying and, ironically, ethicsa file he has not masteredwith competent individuals without any ties to the Liberal Party of Canada?
Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to have an opportunity to tell the House about the wonderful work the government is doing to support middle-class Canadians and middle-class families.It is this government that has put in place the Canada child benefit program that has helped hundreds of thousands of children get out of poverty. It is this government that has invested significantly in creating more summer jobs for students.Our government is committed to helping Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to be continuing to do in budget 2017.
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has very strict post-employment policies for employees who leave positions with the Government of Canada.When they leave their jobs, former CRA employees must meet strict requirements. Information disclosure is prohibited by law indefinitely. CRA employees could be subject to sanctions, including fines and prison time.
Mr. Speaker, the Financial Post today has a headline: Bank for International Settlements says Canada is showing early warning signs of financial crisis. The article goes on to say that: In its fall report, the BIS indicated that Canada had one of the highest credit-to-GDP ratios among developed nations. That report said the countrys unusually elevated level posed a threat to the countrys banking system. Our country has the highest level of household debt to income in the OECD. When will the government realize that Canadians have too much debt of their own and they cannot afford the government?
Mr. Speaker, the minister will not speak about specific cases, but I hope tomorrow they will raise those specific cases with the Secretary of Homeland Security.Still at the border, hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed into Canada in recent months and many are risking their lives in harsh winter weather. On Tuesday, a pregnant woman and a toddler crossed into Emerson during a winter storm. We can no longer have confidence that refugees in the United States have access to a fair process, so will the minister finally do the right thing and immediately suspend the safe third country agreement with the U.S. to allow these people to cross safely while seeking asylum in Canada?
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security will be in Ottawa tomorrow for meetings with the government, including the Minister of Public Safety. Ever since President Trump came into power, at least three Quebeckers have been turned away at the U.S. border.Can the minister confirm that he is going to discuss the specific cases of Canadians turned away at the border when he talks to John Kelly and ensure that there will be no further impact on Canadians who want to visit the United States?
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reminding the member opposite and everyone in the House that NAFTA negotiations have not yet begun and now is not the time for us to prematurely lead our cards on the table. I want to assure everyone that we will continue to get a great deal for Canadians and our record proves it. Let me share some great news. In January, Canada posted its third straight trade surplus. The drivers of our strong export performance included the car sector where exports were up 7.7%.
Mr. Speaker, these are mostly part-time jobs and this is a serious issue that is coming up in this next budget. Small businesses are bracing for this next budget. They already know that they have been hit by the Prime Minister's carbon tax, the EI hike, the CPP tax hike, and his cancellation of the small business hiring credit. At the same time, they are worried about the impact of Donald Trump's low tax rates. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and yet the Prime Minister just keeps taxing them more and more. When will the Prime Minister give small businesses a break?
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his vigilance and leadership in all matters pertaining to residential schools and indigenous peoples. It is very important to leave it to indigenous peoples to decide whether to call for an apology or a resignation. It is up to the indigenous peoples.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said time and time again that he will respond to any questions the commissioner has. This government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. That is why we lowered taxes on the middle class. That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps families with children who need it the most. That is why we recognize we can have a sustainable environment as well as a strong economy. They go hand in hand. We need to continue working hard. I encourage all members to let us work better together.
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about KPMG.To recap, KPMG hires experts from the Canada Revenue Agency, and at the same time, the Canada Revenue Agency hires experts from KPMG. That is quite a tight-knit family. The government has awarded KPMG $92 million in contracts since 2006. The Canada Revenue Agency cut a deal with KPMG and agreed not to prosecute its wealthy clients who were hiding their cash on the Isle of Man.Would the minister really have us believe that the government has declared war on tax evasion, when that very same government has a rather incestuous relationship with what Yves Boisvert of La Presse calls the tax dodging machine?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals continue to make life unaffordable for Canadian families. With previous tax hikes that have taken place, it leaves us wondering, with the minister saying that everything is on the table, what is next for our Canadian families.Stories are coming out every day with regard to potential tax hikes that we could be facing in this upcoming budget. What I would like to know today is whether our children are in fact going to be kept safe.I have asked this before and I am asking it again today. Could the Minister of Finance tell us that he will not touch the registered education savings plan?
Mr. Speaker, I would like assure the member that the concerns he is raising are the same concerns we had. That is why we were engaged with the British Columbian government and health authority. They provided the operating licences based on those same concerns, which is making sure Retirement Concepts, which is managed and operated by Canadians, will ensure it provides a level of service and quality to those seniors at the highest level. Again, the bottom line here is that this is good for investment. This is good for British Columbia. This is good for the economy, and of course for seniors.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to pass a message on to Canadians. In last year's budget, our government invested a historic $444 million. Over the past year, that money has allowed us to recover $13 billion, which will be reinvested in health care, education, and infrastructure. We will keep working for Canadians, as we promised.
Mr. Speaker, budget 2016 invested in jobs, growth, infrastructure, and innovation and it cut taxes for Canada's middle class. The Conservatives voted against those tax cuts. Furthermore, it invested in a Canada child benefit that is lifting 300,000 Canadian kids out of poverty. Canadians can be assured that budget 2017 will continue to invest in a pro-growth, pro-middle-class agenda that will be good for the Canadian economy.
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm today that I received a report from the Canadian Judicial Council, which found Justice Robin Camp acted in a manner that seriously undermined public confidence in the judiciary. The council recommended the removal of Justice Camp from the Federal Court. I have read both reports and have satisfied myself that Justice Camp was afforded due process. We have considered all the factual and legal findings and are prepared to move on this. I understand there might be some news in this regard with respect to Justice Camp, but our government is committed to moving forward with the removal of Justice Camp.
Mr. Speaker, today we were sickened to hear the views expressed by Senator Beyak on residential schools. Residential schools were profoundly damaging to first nations and remain a dark chapter in Canada's history. Children were forcibly taken from their families and homes for the exact purpose of trying to wipe out their languages and their identities.Will the government stand with us to condemn and denounce the statements made by Senator Beyak?
Mr. Speaker, if they understand the challenges, they better do something about it. Yesterday, the minister said ...federal infrastructure dollars can only be used for infrastructure projects, but the AUMA is clear: the Alberta NDP is breaking the commitment of $300 million for infrastructure projects in local communities. Albertans need infrastructure. Albertans need jobs. Albertans need a minister who will stop betraying them. When will the minister stop defending the Alberta NDP and call on Premier Notley to use building Canada funds for community infrastructure and nothing else?
Mr. Speaker, the report written under the direction of the former parliamentary budget officer was released this week. It said that The magnitude of the governments two-year program spending increase is unprecedented in modern times, with a 12% increase in spending over this period. It goes on to say: If interest rates increase or economic growth further weakens relative to planning assumptions, young people will be paying dearly for todays deficit-financed activities. The finance minister is grasping for Canadians' wallets to pay the bills for all of this out-of-control spending. How much exactly will the federal government raise in new revenues from its proposed carbon tax?
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows my strong will and desire, as well as our government's desire, to make sure that our troops who are deployed get all the benefits they want. However, if the member wants to bring up certain facts, what about the deficit reduction plan that the previous government had, which cut billions of dollars from defence? This is one of the reasons why we launched the defence policy review, to look at a thorough plan for the next 20 years, which will look at the proper defence investment that will look after our troops into the future.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I always appreciate the opportunity to tell Canadians the good work that this government has been doing. Our priority for this government is to help middle-class Canadians, those who are working so hard to join the middle class, and the most vulnerable Canadians. I want to give the member a few more detailed examples of the things we have done. When we look at the Canada child tax benefit program, we see that more than 300,000 children will be lifted out of poverty. With respect to our increase in our guaranteed income supplement for low-income seniors, we will be providing assistance to more than one million seniors who will benefit from this raise.We are going in the right direction. We are focused and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good day, because we made an announcement today.Working together to invest in our Canadian entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in the Canadian economy, but also in our future. The funding announced today will support business expansion. It will support the women and men who are working hard to develop businesses and create even more jobs for the middle class across the country.We will continue to work very hard for small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Speaker, once again I am proud to rise in the House. Budget 2017 will continue to build on our promise to help middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. We want to focus on economic growth for our country and for Canadians. We are going to continue to invest in middle-class Canadians because we know they are the backbone of our economy and we truly want to make sure they receive the help they need.This government is focused. We are going in the right direction, and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations, and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding the order made March 8, 2017, Bill C-337, an act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault) be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations--Excuse me, could I get some order?
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants to talk about jobs, so let us talk about jobs. There have been 286,000 jobs created since the Liberals formed government. These jobs are being created across the country. Let me highlight a few key examples because of our policies. We worked with Bell Helicopter to secure 900 jobs and, more important, create an additional 100 new jobs. GE invested in Welland to create 220 jobs. Thomson Reuters is investing in up to 1,500 jobs. GM Canada hired 1,000 new engineers. There are more jobs to come.
Mr. Speaker, the protection of Canadian waters is of the utmost importance to our government. Within an hour and 20 minutes of the initial call, the Coast Guard tasked assets to respond to this incident. The Coast Guard has also established a unified command collaboratively with members of local first nations, federal and provincial partners, and the responsible party. Despite their quick response, incidents like this highlight why our government is investing in marine safety with a $1.5 billion oceans protection plan, which will make Canada's marine safety systems even stronger than they are today.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we have made, and to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we will continue to make. I am pleased that we have introduced a new judicial appointment process, and instituted a new composition for judicial advisory councils that will provide us recommendations and highly recommended candidates to fill the seats on the superior courts across the country. We are taking the necessary time to ensure that the judges who were appointed to the superior courts reflect the diversity of the country and are of the utmost merit and ability.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for New Brunswick Southwest for her leadership on this file. As the member well knows, we are in a global innovation race. That is why we are open to trade, investment, and people. Today we announced the launch of the global skills strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, who will reduce the visa processing time to two weeks for Canadian businesses. This will allow Canadian companies to grow and create Canadian jobs across all regions and all sectors. This is good for growth. This is good for high-quality jobs.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question. In budget 2017, we will continue to focus on helping the middle class and those working hard to join it. Also, will will focus on economic prosperity for all of Canada.Our government listens to Canadians. We are heading in the right direction and will continue with our plan to help them.
Mr. Speaker, as we promised Canadians, we introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and based on merit. This approach will help us find high-quality candidates, while promoting gender equality and Canadian diversity. All open positions are available in a transparent manner, online. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question, even though I do not agree with the premise of it.Our government is committed to helping middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join the middle class. I will tell members what we have done thus far.So far, we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians. We have put in place a historic agreement called the Canada child benefit program, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We have helped our seniors by putting in place an increase in the guaranteed income supplement.We are supporting Canadians. We are going in the right direction, and we are going to continue to do so.
Mr. Speaker, today's marketplace is a rapidly changing environment, and Canada is uniquely positioned to attract and develop talent to further sustain and scale up innovative companies across our country. The government has been clear about the need to grow our economy and create jobs, jobs that will allow our companies to expand and succeed.Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development explain to the House what this government is doing to increase, develop, train, and grow our Canadian talent?
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, our government is very proud to have announced in its last budget a $444-million investment that enabled us to look abroad for $13 billion, including $1 billion from voluntary disclosure programs.We have hired 100 auditors. We work on four jurisdictions per year. We will continue what we started and we will see it through.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government House leader if she could share with this House what the business of the House will be for the remainder of this week. When we return, we will be hearing about the budget, and hopefully there will be some very good news for Canadians in terms of some tax relief. Will she share what will be happening in the week we come back?
Mr. Speaker, again, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive appointments we have made in judicial appointments to superior courts across the country.We are continuing to ensure we make quality appointments that reflect the diversity in our country. That is why we instituted a new judicial appointments process. That is why we have reconstituted the judicial advisory committees to ensure we have substantive, quality, credible candidates who I can put forward, again reflecting the diversity of the country and the makeup of our great nation.
Mr. Speaker, this offers me another opportunity to point out something that I began pointing out last November, and that is that it is of the highest priority that we improve passenger service in the country. We are trying to lower prices. We are trying to offer more choice. We are trying to reduce the amount of time to go through security, or to go through customs, and yes, we are committed to a regime of rights for air passengers. Those are the factors that guide us in our decisions with respect to airports and airlines.
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2016, we invested in jobs, middle-class growth, infrastructure, and innovation. We cut taxes for the middle class and introduced the Canada child benefit.The economy has improved, but we still have work to do. We have to keep making major investments in the middle class to generate economic growth for all Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, we understand the challenges facing Alberta, and we will continue to deliver on our infrastructure commitments to invest and support economic growth and improve our communities. Working with our provincial and municipal partners, we are improving transit, roads, bridges, and water systems in Alberta for Albertans. We have approved 127 projects worth $1.36 billion in federal funding and $4.2 billion in combined funding. This is what we are delivering for Albertans and will continue to deliver for Albertans.
Mr. Speaker, while I will not speak to a specific case, our expectation on both sides of the border is that travellers will be treated with respect and in accordance with the rule of law. To facilitate smooth passage at the border, travellers who are aware of issues related to mistaken identity are encouraged to communicate with American authorities in advance. Officials from Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. customs and border protection are in continuous contact on these matters and the issues related to travellers' screening will be discussed tomorrow in the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the new government-wide appointments process that we introduced. It is open, transparent, and merit-based. This appointment process allows Canadians from coast to coast to coast to apply. All positions are available online. It is exactly what we committed to Canadians. It is exactly what we have delivered on. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to deliverology, we know that so far the Liberal government has delivered over $25 billion in debt this year and is working hard to do so in the next. What we do not know is when the government will ever return to a balanced budget. The finance department report, which the minister intentionally delayed, says 2050 or 2051.When will the government balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, this week the United States signalled its priorities in regard to NAFTA. It has indicated its number one priority involves sourcing auto parts at home. This would have a huge impact on Canada's auto sector which is deeply integrated with its North American counterparts, and still the Liberal government remains silent on its NAFTA priorities. Will the minister ensure that any NAFTA renegotiations will protect Canada's auto jobs and respect the sector's integrated nature?
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate rising in this House to remind members as well as Canadians that we take our small businesses very seriously. Yes, they are the backbone of the economy. We know that through our investments and through our plan they will be able to be more productive, more innovative, and export-oriented. Small businesses want to export, so we are creating the conditions to make it easier. If we look at the accelerated growth service, we are looking at the high-impact, high-growth firms and giving them catered services so that they can actually advance the services and products that they have. We will continue to work hard for small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I also agree that every member in the House works very hard, just like every Canadian in the country works very hard. That is why our government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. I am always proud to stand in the House and remind Canadians, and all members, that we have introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and merit-based. Our approach will result in the recommendation of highly qualified candidates who achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity. The new selection process reflects the fundamental role that many Canadians play
Mr. Speaker, since this is my first response to the Conservatives in a few days, I would like to begin by thanking the members for Thornhill and Parry SoundMuskoka for comments they made this week.We do not always agree, but I am proud that Canada has an official opposition that can rise above partisanship to defend our democracy. Thank you very much.With respect to NAFTA, negotiations are not yet under way, but Canada will be ready if and when they happen.
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will continue with the debate on the Conservative opposition motion. After today, we will have one remaining opposition day in this supply cycle. That debate will take place on Tuesday, March 21.Tomorrow we will continue with the report stage debate on Bill C-22 concerning the national security intelligence committee of parliamentarians. That debate will continue on Monday after colleagues return from the constituency week.I should also mention that a take-note debate on Operation Unifier will take place on Monday evening.Wednesday we will commence consideration at second reading of Bill C-17, an act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, until 4 p.m., at which time the Minister of Finance will make his budget presentation.Thursday shall be the first of four days of budget debate, also referred to as leaders' day.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague for the question because it gives me the opportunity to reiterate that our highest priority is improving passenger service.I think that people are beginning to notice that costs are going down and that they have more choice. They know we want to reduce the time it takes to go through security or customs. Furthermore, there will be a regime of rights for air passengers. That is what is important for our airports and that is what guides us.
Mr. Speaker, the minister and the ministry have a strong working relationship with the Government of Alberta, the AUMA, the AAMDC, and mayors from across the province. The ministry values the opportunity to meet with communities and talk about their infrastructure priorities. As I mentioned previously, there are 127 projects that will benefit communities all across the province, a number of whichif not most of whichare in some of the main municipalities. We will continue to deliver for Albertans. We will continue to deliver quality jobs for the 21st century and for all Albertans. That is what we are going to do in this government.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the passion he has for our troops, and I think we all share that. When it comes to looking after our troops, as I stated, we want to look after our troops who are not only in Operation Impact but in other operations as well. As I stated, we have launched a review. I wish members opposite had had the same level of compassion and desire they have now when they were actually in government, to make sure that our troops were not sent without the tax-free allowance.
Mr. Speaker, as all members of the House know, earlier last year we introduced legislation, which passed and received royal assent, allowing Canadians to have access to medical assistance in dying. Through that legislation we were able to allow Canadians access to that right, while at the same time recognizing there were vulnerable people who needed to be protected. By all accounts that I have had with medical practitioners and medical regulators, the system is working well. We are continuing to track that. We also have a review under way to address some of the questions that were raised in the House during that consideration, and we look forward
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier today, I am truly sorry for the pain endured by victims of this tragedy, and I deeply regret how long it has taken to address it.That is why we are taking action. In recognition of their pain and suffering, they will receive a universal benevolent payment and are eligible for an individualized payment to cover any physical or mental injuries they may have endured.For the former cadets who are here today and those who could not be here, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I ask them to accept this apology. We are truly sorry for the pain they have endured, and we deeply regret how long it took to address it.We are sorry.
Mr. Speaker, Canadians courts are at a tipping point, prosecutors are dropping serious criminal cases because they lack resources to meet deadlines, and the Minister of Justice has failed to fill more than 60 judicial vacancies, resulting in serious criminal cases being thrown out of court.Could the minister tell us how many cases are going to be thrown out of court before she finally gets her act together and starts appointing judges?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is trying to keep at least one election promise, and he is moving forward with legislation to legalize marijuana.Marijuana edibles, such as lollipops, brownies, cookies, and candies, are directly targeting Canadian youth and are currently the number one sales item at illegal dispensaries. How can Canadians trust the Prime Minister to protect our children under more liberalized laws when he refuses to protect them when marijuana is illegal?
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to pass a message on to Canadians. In last year's budget, our government invested a historic $444 million. Over the past year, that money has allowed us to recover $13 billion, which will be reinvested in health care, education, and infrastructure. We will keep working for Canadians, as we promised.
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security will be in Ottawa tomorrow for meetings with the government, including the Minister of Public Safety. Ever since President Trump came into power, at least three Quebeckers have been turned away at the U.S. border.Can the minister confirm that he is going to discuss the specific cases of Canadians turned away at the border when he talks to John Kelly and ensure that there will be no further impact on Canadians who want to visit the United States?
Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1974, a tragic accident befell cadets attending camp on the Valcartier base. A live grenade exploded inside a barracks packed with more than 130 cadets, killing six of them and injuring dozens more. The lives of many Canadians were changed forever. Can the Minister of National Defence tell the House what has been done to ensure that survivors of this terrible tragedy receive adequate care and support?
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to deliverology, we know that so far the Liberal government has delivered over $25 billion in debt this year and is working hard to do so in the next. What we do not know is when the government will ever return to a balanced budget. The finance department report, which the minister intentionally delayed, says 2050 or 2051.When will the government balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals continue to make life unaffordable for Canadian families. With previous tax hikes that have taken place, it leaves us wondering, with the minister saying that everything is on the table, what is next for our Canadian families.Stories are coming out every day with regard to potential tax hikes that we could be facing in this upcoming budget. What I would like to know today is whether our children are in fact going to be kept safe.I have asked this before and I am asking it again today. Could the Minister of Finance tell us that he will not touch the registered education savings plan?
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Residential schools were a dark and painful chapter in our history, and comments like these are ill-informed, offensive, and simply wrong. The intention of Indian residential schools was to erase indigenous language and culture. The senator's comments underscore the need for better education, so that all Canadians can work together to advance the shared journey of reconciliation. Survivors, families, and communities are still dealing with the intergenerational trauma resulting from Indian residential schools. We must all be united in supporting them.
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are clearly feeling the pressure to increase defence spending. Reports this week noted that the Liberals are actually going to spend less on defence, but they are planning on cooking the books in hopes of fooling our NATO allies. Instead of including the Coast Guard's budget in defence spending, which is nothing more than just a shell game, the Liberals should pay our troops what they deserve when they are out there fighting ISIS.Will the minister stop playing shell games with our defence spending and retroactively pay back all the danger pay? I mean retroactively pay it all back to all our troops who are stationed in Kuwait.
Mr. Speaker, we know that governing is hard, and there is more to it than taking selfies and holding hands. The Liberals have failed to make a single parliamentary watchdog appointed in their 18 months in government. It seems the only appointments the government can make are to friends and former chiefs of staff.Eighteen months have passed. How much longer do we have to wait for the Prime Minister to start doing his job and appointing people to these watchdog positions? Or is it taking so long because he is trying to find people who will turn the other cheek to his ethical transgressions?
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations--Excuse me, could I get some order?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not delighted or reassured by the minister's talking points. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce said very clearly that Canadians know times are different, and that they know they're going to have to make concessions. Concessions? There is too much at stake for Canadian workers. The tone has changed from a tweak to a threatening big bazooka, and apparently the Prime Minister still has nothing to say. Canadians need to know that their government is going to fight for their jobs. What is the government going to bring to the table during NAFTA renegotiations?
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has very strict post-employment policies for employees who leave positions with the Government of Canada.When they leave their jobs, former CRA employees must meet strict requirements. Information disclosure is prohibited by law indefinitely. CRA employees could be subject to sanctions, including fines and prison time.
Mr. Speaker, these are mostly part-time jobs and this is a serious issue that is coming up in this next budget. Small businesses are bracing for this next budget. They already know that they have been hit by the Prime Minister's carbon tax, the EI hike, the CPP tax hike, and his cancellation of the small business hiring credit. At the same time, they are worried about the impact of Donald Trump's low tax rates. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and yet the Prime Minister just keeps taxing them more and more. When will the Prime Minister give small businesses a break?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is under multiple investigations. He refuses to answer questions about his ethical shortcomings. The Minister of Innovation was forced to admit that he misled Canadians over the Anbang boondoggle. The Minister of Finance is engaged in a carbon tax cover-up and the secret sell-off of airports. When will the Prime Minister finally act like a leader and be honest with Canadians instead of thinking he is above the law?
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations, and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding the order made March 8, 2017, Bill C-337, an act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault) be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Mr. Speaker, as all members of the House know, earlier last year we introduced legislation, which passed and received royal assent, allowing Canadians to have access to medical assistance in dying. Through that legislation we were able to allow Canadians access to that right, while at the same time recognizing there were vulnerable people who needed to be protected. By all accounts that I have had with medical practitioners and medical regulators, the system is working well. We are continuing to track that. We also have a review under way to address some of the questions that were raised in the House during that consideration, and we look forward
Mr. Speaker, no wonder the transport minister could not answer my questions yesterday. It is the finance minister who is calling the shots. We now know the airports are on a fire sale to foreign buyers to fund his infrastructure bank because his runaway spending has drained the treasury. Canadian travellers will now be forced to pay higher costs and more fees to foreign airport owners to pay for the Liberals' reckless spending.Will the minister or anybody on that side finally admit that the airports are being sold solely because they have run out of money?
Mr. Speaker, this is a good day, because we made an announcement today.Working together to invest in our Canadian entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in the Canadian economy, but also in our future. The funding announced today will support business expansion. It will support the women and men who are working hard to develop businesses and create even more jobs for the middle class across the country.We will continue to work very hard for small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Speaker, let us talk about economic growth.According to the business community, through a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and I quote, Small business owners know that todays deficits are tomorrows taxes. They believe that the government should commit to eliminating the deficit in five years, not 38.I talked about our children earlier, and now I want to talk about our job creators, who are also extremely worried. The last thing they need is more taxes and larger deficits.What does the Prime Minister have to say to them today? They are listening to us today, too.
Mr. Speaker, the minister and the ministry have a strong working relationship with the Government of Alberta, the AUMA, the AAMDC, and mayors from across the province. The ministry values the opportunity to meet with communities and talk about their infrastructure priorities. As I mentioned previously, there are 127 projects that will benefit communities all across the province, a number of whichif not most of whichare in some of the main municipalities. We will continue to deliver for Albertans. We will continue to deliver quality jobs for the 21st century and for all Albertans. That is what we are going to do in this government.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is making Canada a less attractive place to do business and create jobs every single day. Business investment has fallen every single quarter since the Prime Minister took office, and when people are not investing in our economy, jobs are not created. It is about to get worse as Donald Trump lowers taxes and cuts red tape while the Prime Minister is going in the exact opposite direction. Will the Prime Minister wake up, lower taxes, cut red tape, and protect Canadian jobs?
Mr. Speaker, I also agree that every member in the House works very hard, just like every Canadian in the country works very hard. That is why our government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. I am always proud to stand in the House and remind Canadians, and all members, that we have introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and merit-based. Our approach will result in the recommendation of highly qualified candidates who achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity. The new selection process reflects the fundamental role that many Canadians play
Mr. Speaker, that answer did anything but tell Canadians when the Liberal government will return to the balanced budgets that they have promised.Does the finance minister really believe that saddling our children's children with massive amounts of long-term debt is how we really help the middle class? Not only were previous Conservative and Liberal finance ministers proud to talk about balanced budgets, but they actually delivered.Why is a balanced budget now a dirty word to the finance minister and to the Liberals?
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm today that I received a report from the Canadian Judicial Council, which found Justice Robin Camp acted in a manner that seriously undermined public confidence in the judiciary. The council recommended the removal of Justice Camp from the Federal Court. I have read both reports and have satisfied myself that Justice Camp was afforded due process. We have considered all the factual and legal findings and are prepared to move on this. I understand there might be some news in this regard with respect to Justice Camp, but our government is committed to moving forward with the removal of Justice Camp.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question. In budget 2017, we will continue to focus on helping the middle class and those working hard to join it. Also, will will focus on economic prosperity for all of Canada.Our government listens to Canadians. We are heading in the right direction and will continue with our plan to help them.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate rising in this House to remind members as well as Canadians that we take our small businesses very seriously. Yes, they are the backbone of the economy. We know that through our investments and through our plan they will be able to be more productive, more innovative, and export-oriented. Small businesses want to export, so we are creating the conditions to make it easier. If we look at the accelerated growth service, we are looking at the high-impact, high-growth firms and giving them catered services so that they can actually advance the services and products that they have. We will continue to work hard for small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question, even though I do not agree with the premise of it.Our government is committed to helping middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join the middle class. I will tell members what we have done thus far.So far, we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians. We have put in place a historic agreement called the Canada child benefit program, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We have helped our seniors by putting in place an increase in the guaranteed income supplement.We are supporting Canadians. We are going in the right direction, and we are going to continue to do so.
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has some of the most stringent post-employment rules in the entire Government of Canada. When CRA employees leave their job, they must meet very strict conditions. Disclosing information is prohibited by law, indefinitely.I would remind everyone that any employee or former employee of CRA who breaks those rules faces penalties and even criminal prosecution.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the passion he has for our troops, and I think we all share that. When it comes to looking after our troops, as I stated, we want to look after our troops who are not only in Operation Impact but in other operations as well. As I stated, we have launched a review. I wish members opposite had had the same level of compassion and desire they have now when they were actually in government, to make sure that our troops were not sent without the tax-free allowance.
Mr. Speaker, headlines are telling us that the crown attorneys in Alberta are having to accept plea deals on criminal cases because of the judicial backlog. Today, the paper in Ottawa said that there were 1,000 cases that were in jeopardy of being thrown out. In large part, this is because of the Liberal inaction in this area. If 1,000 cases is not enough to get the government moving to make judicial appointments, how many would it take? How about 5,000? Would that be enough for the government?
Mr. Speaker, three of the retirement homes purchased by Anbang, a Chinese insurance company, are in my riding on Vancouver Island. American companies have refused to work with Anbang because of its murky ownership, yet the Liberals rubber-stamped the deal. British Columbians demand greater transparency when publicly funded assets are sold to foreign interests. Our health care should not be for sale, and this takeover does not pass the smell test. I have a simple question. If the Liberals are so confident about this sketchy deal, will they guarantee our seniors that they will not be negatively affected by this deal?
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2016, we invested in jobs, middle-class growth, infrastructure, and innovation. We cut taxes for the middle class and introduced the Canada child benefit.The economy has improved, but we still have work to do. We have to keep making major investments in the middle class to generate economic growth for all Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, we have countless judicial vacancies and unfilled watchdog positions, and we have ambassador appointments that have been downgraded to special advisers. All these failed appointments have one thing in common: the former director of appointments to the Prime Minister, Mary Ng. It seems the only nomination Mary Ng was able fulfill was her own Liberal Party candidacy and members of the immigration board, whose independence she has compromised by claiming she has political control over them.How can Canadians have any confidence in the Liberal appointments when they are so shrouded in Liberal politics?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said time and time again that he will respond to any questions the commissioner has. This government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. That is why we lowered taxes on the middle class. That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps families with children who need it the most. That is why we recognize we can have a sustainable environment as well as a strong economy. They go hand in hand. We need to continue working hard. I encourage all members to let us work better together.
Mr. Speaker, the budget will not be balanced until 2055.That means my 15-year-old daughter, who is listening to us online today, will be 53 by the time the government gets public finances under control. That means our kids will pay for the Liberal deficit. If nothing changes, my daughter will have to pay extra taxes for 38 years because of the Liberal government's irresponsibility.What does the Prime Minister have to say to my daughter, who is listening to us right now?
Mr. Speaker, this week the United States signalled its priorities in regard to NAFTA. It has indicated its number one priority involves sourcing auto parts at home. This would have a huge impact on Canada's auto sector which is deeply integrated with its North American counterparts, and still the Liberal government remains silent on its NAFTA priorities. Will the minister ensure that any NAFTA renegotiations will protect Canada's auto jobs and respect the sector's integrated nature?
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are deeply concerned about the way sexual assault victims are treated in our criminal justice system. Earlier today, the Canadian Judicial Council released its report into Justice Robin Camp's conduct in relation to a sexual assault trial. The council has recommended that Justice Camp be removed from office.Could the minister inform the House about next steps in this matter?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing that our oil spill response is anything but world class. The B.C. diesel spill had a radius of over five kilometres and contaminated the clams in the region. First nation communities are exhausted and feel abandoned by the government's inaction. One expert said, The diesel is not going to disappear magically. Another asked, If we cant clean that up, then how does that speak to our capacity to deal with large ocean-going tankers with heavy fuel products? Can the Liberal government explain the nine-hour delay and why it simply gave up?
Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister of Transport's distress. The Liberal government has been spending recklessly since it came to power. According to certain sources, the government is preparing to sell airports to finance its infrastructure bank scheme.Now that the Minister of Transport has realized that the bank machine is out of money, he is going to sell the furniture to pay the interest on the Minister of Finance's credit card. Instead of having a fire sale on March 22, will the government put its finances in order and present Canadians with a plan to balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, while I will not speak to a specific case, our expectation on both sides of the border is that travellers will be treated with respect and in accordance with the rule of law. To facilitate smooth passage at the border, travellers who are aware of issues related to mistaken identity are encouraged to communicate with American authorities in advance. Officials from Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. customs and border protection are in continuous contact on these matters and the issues related to travellers' screening will be discussed tomorrow in the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mr. Speaker, things are not going well at the Canada Revenue Agency. It is a sinking ship.First came the private receptions and amnesty for fraudsters. Now, we have learned that many CRA employees are jumping ship to go and work at KPMG. There is a revolving door between the Canada Revenue Agency and the country's accounting firms. A new ship's captain was appointed a year and a half ago, but still nothing has changed. When will the minister put an end to the appalling cronyism in her own department?
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will continue with the debate on the Conservative opposition motion. After today, we will have one remaining opposition day in this supply cycle. That debate will take place on Tuesday, March 21.Tomorrow we will continue with the report stage debate on Bill C-22 concerning the national security intelligence committee of parliamentarians. That debate will continue on Monday after colleagues return from the constituency week.I should also mention that a take-note debate on Operation Unifier will take place on Monday evening.Wednesday we will commence consideration at second reading of Bill C-17, an act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, until 4 p.m., at which time the Minister of Finance will make his budget presentation.Thursday shall be the first of four days of budget debate, also referred to as leaders' day.
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows my strong will and desire, as well as our government's desire, to make sure that our troops who are deployed get all the benefits they want. However, if the member wants to bring up certain facts, what about the deficit reduction plan that the previous government had, which cut billions of dollars from defence? This is one of the reasons why we launched the defence policy review, to look at a thorough plan for the next 20 years, which will look at the proper defence investment that will look after our troops into the future.
Mr. Speaker, as we promised Canadians, we introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and based on merit. This approach will help us find high-quality candidates, while promoting gender equality and Canadian diversity. All open positions are available in a transparent manner, online. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, we knew that there were $92 million in contracts and that the government is a good partner of KPMG.However, now we are learning that the government is not just giving money to KPMG, it is also giving it employees. For the director general of the Institute on Governance, this can create an appearance of cronyism. Frankly, when it comes down to it, they are not just buddies anymore, they are family.How can the minister claim that the government is going to war with tax cheats, when that same government is providing those who encourage fraud with its money and expertise?
Mr. Speaker, the Financial Post today has a headline: Bank for International Settlements says Canada is showing early warning signs of financial crisis. The article goes on to say that: In its fall report, the BIS indicated that Canada had one of the highest credit-to-GDP ratios among developed nations. That report said the countrys unusually elevated level posed a threat to the countrys banking system. Our country has the highest level of household debt to income in the OECD. When will the government realize that Canadians have too much debt of their own and they cannot afford the government?
Mr. Speaker, if they understand the challenges, they better do something about it. Yesterday, the minister said ...federal infrastructure dollars can only be used for infrastructure projects, but the AUMA is clear: the Alberta NDP is breaking the commitment of $300 million for infrastructure projects in local communities. Albertans need infrastructure. Albertans need jobs. Albertans need a minister who will stop betraying them. When will the minister stop defending the Alberta NDP and call on Premier Notley to use building Canada funds for community infrastructure and nothing else?
Mr. Speaker, we must create permanent jobs.This government is doing nothing meaningful to help regional economies. It has done nothing about softwood lumber. Worse yet, our Prime Minister naively gave the President of the United States the upper hand on NAFTA. The Liberal government should be supporting our regions and giving hope to the people who have made such significant contributions to the prosperity of this great country.Does the government want to shutter our regions? If not, it must act now.
Mr. Speaker, the protection of Canadian waters is of the utmost importance to our government. Within an hour and 20 minutes of the initial call, the Coast Guard tasked assets to respond to this incident. The Coast Guard has also established a unified command collaboratively with members of local first nations, federal and provincial partners, and the responsible party. Despite their quick response, incidents like this highlight why our government is investing in marine safety with a $1.5 billion oceans protection plan, which will make Canada's marine safety systems even stronger than they are today.
Mr. Speaker, the report written under the direction of the former parliamentary budget officer was released this week. It said that The magnitude of the governments two-year program spending increase is unprecedented in modern times, with a 12% increase in spending over this period. It goes on to say: If interest rates increase or economic growth further weakens relative to planning assumptions, young people will be paying dearly for todays deficit-financed activities. The finance minister is grasping for Canadians' wallets to pay the bills for all of this out-of-control spending. How much exactly will the federal government raise in new revenues from its proposed carbon tax?
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about KPMG.To recap, KPMG hires experts from the Canada Revenue Agency, and at the same time, the Canada Revenue Agency hires experts from KPMG. That is quite a tight-knit family. The government has awarded KPMG $92 million in contracts since 2006. The Canada Revenue Agency cut a deal with KPMG and agreed not to prosecute its wealthy clients who were hiding their cash on the Isle of Man.Would the minister really have us believe that the government has declared war on tax evasion, when that very same government has a rather incestuous relationship with what Yves Boisvert of La Presse calls the tax dodging machine?
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the Liberals like to throw money around. Now, they are showing us the dark side we know them to have by cheaping out on CF members who are fighting ISIS. They are taking $1,800 a month away from them. That is pretty shameful, thank you very much. We are talking about a significant amount for military spouses, who must make ends meet in their absence.Who in this government thinks it is a good idea to take $1,800 a month away from military spouses?
Mr. Speaker, today we were sickened to hear the views expressed by Senator Beyak on residential schools. Residential schools were profoundly damaging to first nations and remain a dark chapter in Canada's history. Children were forcibly taken from their families and homes for the exact purpose of trying to wipe out their languages and their identities.Will the government stand with us to condemn and denounce the statements made by Senator Beyak?
Mr. Speaker, this offers me another opportunity to point out something that I began pointing out last November, and that is that it is of the highest priority that we improve passenger service in the country. We are trying to lower prices. We are trying to offer more choice. We are trying to reduce the amount of time to go through security, or to go through customs, and yes, we are committed to a regime of rights for air passengers. Those are the factors that guide us in our decisions with respect to airports and airlines.
Mr. Speaker, the minister will not speak about specific cases, but I hope tomorrow they will raise those specific cases with the Secretary of Homeland Security.Still at the border, hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed into Canada in recent months and many are risking their lives in harsh winter weather. On Tuesday, a pregnant woman and a toddler crossed into Emerson during a winter storm. We can no longer have confidence that refugees in the United States have access to a fair process, so will the minister finally do the right thing and immediately suspend the safe third country agreement with the U.S. to allow these people to cross safely while seeking asylum in Canada?
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants to talk about jobs, so let us talk about jobs. There have been 286,000 jobs created since the Liberals formed government. These jobs are being created across the country. Let me highlight a few key examples because of our policies. We worked with Bell Helicopter to secure 900 jobs and, more important, create an additional 100 new jobs. GE invested in Welland to create 220 jobs. Thomson Reuters is investing in up to 1,500 jobs. GM Canada hired 1,000 new engineers. There are more jobs to come.
Mr. Speaker, since this is my first response to the Conservatives in a few days, I would like to begin by thanking the members for Thornhill and Parry SoundMuskoka for comments they made this week.We do not always agree, but I am proud that Canada has an official opposition that can rise above partisanship to defend our democracy. Thank you very much.With respect to NAFTA, negotiations are not yet under way, but Canada will be ready if and when they happen.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I always appreciate the opportunity to tell Canadians the good work that this government has been doing. Our priority for this government is to help middle-class Canadians, those who are working so hard to join the middle class, and the most vulnerable Canadians. I want to give the member a few more detailed examples of the things we have done. When we look at the Canada child tax benefit program, we see that more than 300,000 children will be lifted out of poverty. With respect to our increase in our guaranteed income supplement for low-income seniors, we will be providing assistance to more than one million seniors who will benefit from this raise.We are going in the right direction. We are focused and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to going after rich tax cheats, the motto of the Liberals seems to be hear no evil, see no evil. When the sweetheart amnesty deal was exposed, the one between the Liberal government and KPMG, the Liberals refused to even condemn it. When we tried to get key documents from KPMG at committee, the Liberals blocked it. However, now the Minister of National Revenue is speculating that charges may in fact be brought: you know, one day, maybe, wink, wink. Canadians are tired of having to pick up the tab for rich tax deadbeats.Which is it? Will the Liberals be pressing charges in the KPMG scam, yes or no?
Mr. Speaker, Canada's refugee system is lauded around the world for being one of the most compassionate. The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada to properly manage asylum seekers. The member opposite should know that the UN refugee agency supports the principle behind the safe third country agreement to prevent asylum shopping. If the New Democratic Party members are prepared to engage in an argument with the UNHCR, they are more than welcome to do so.
Mr. Speaker, the minister does not want to bring forward the independent committees deadline of December 2018 to consider advance requests for assisted dying. In Quebec, a parliamentary committee and the Collège des médecins du Québec have already expressed support for this. While this government waits, families are suffering to the point of ending the lives of their loved ones. Will this government finally accept its responsibilities and immediately call for the tabling of a report on advance requests?
Mr. Speaker, today's marketplace is a rapidly changing environment, and Canada is uniquely positioned to attract and develop talent to further sustain and scale up innovative companies across our country. The government has been clear about the need to grow our economy and create jobs, jobs that will allow our companies to expand and succeed.Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development explain to the House what this government is doing to increase, develop, train, and grow our Canadian talent?
Mr. Speaker, the Alberta NDP is using money from the building Canada plan as its own personal slush fund. Instead of funding key infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water treatment plants, Premier Notley is withholding $300 million from rural municipalities to pay for her massive debt, and the Liberal infrastructure minister is letting her get away with it. When will the minister put aside his friendship with Premier Notley? When will he stand up for Albertans? When will he demand that money from the building Canada plan go directly to municipalities, so we get the best bang for the taxpayers' buck?
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague for the question because it gives me the opportunity to reiterate that our highest priority is improving passenger service.I think that people are beginning to notice that costs are going down and that they have more choice. They know we want to reduce the time it takes to go through security or customs. Furthermore, there will be a regime of rights for air passengers. That is what is important for our airports and that is what guides us.
Mr. Speaker, we understand the challenges facing Alberta, and we will continue to deliver on our infrastructure commitments to invest and support economic growth and improve our communities. Working with our provincial and municipal partners, we are improving transit, roads, bridges, and water systems in Alberta for Albertans. We have approved 127 projects worth $1.36 billion in federal funding and $4.2 billion in combined funding. This is what we are delivering for Albertans and will continue to deliver for Albertans.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Prime Minister has now written and rewritten his budget a few times. It seems he cannot quite find the right way to tell Canadians he wants more of their money. With Mr. Trump moving to drastically reduce taxes, what businesses need to hear is that we will do the same thing here in Canada to create jobs. Lowering taxes to compete with the United States should be done in this budget, and the sooner the better. What is the Prime Minister's plan to make sure that Donald Trump does not steal our jobs?
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for New Brunswick Southwest for her leadership on this file. As the member well knows, we are in a global innovation race. That is why we are open to trade, investment, and people. Today we announced the launch of the global skills strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, who will reduce the visa processing time to two weeks for Canadian businesses. This will allow Canadian companies to grow and create Canadian jobs across all regions and all sectors. This is good for growth. This is good for high-quality jobs.
Mr. Speaker, once again I am proud to rise in the House. Budget 2017 will continue to build on our promise to help middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. We want to focus on economic growth for our country and for Canadians. We are going to continue to invest in middle-class Canadians because we know they are the backbone of our economy and we truly want to make sure they receive the help they need.This government is focused. We are going in the right direction, and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the new government-wide appointments process that we introduced. It is open, transparent, and merit-based. This appointment process allows Canadians from coast to coast to coast to apply. All positions are available online. It is exactly what we committed to Canadians. It is exactly what we have delivered on. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, I would like assure the member that the concerns he is raising are the same concerns we had. That is why we were engaged with the British Columbian government and health authority. They provided the operating licences based on those same concerns, which is making sure Retirement Concepts, which is managed and operated by Canadians, will ensure it provides a level of service and quality to those seniors at the highest level. Again, the bottom line here is that this is good for investment. This is good for British Columbia. This is good for the economy, and of course for seniors.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, our government is very proud to have announced in its last budget a $444-million investment that enabled us to look abroad for $13 billion, including $1 billion from voluntary disclosure programs.We have hired 100 auditors. We work on four jurisdictions per year. We will continue what we started and we will see it through.
Mr. Speaker, budget 2016 invested in jobs, growth, infrastructure, and innovation and it cut taxes for Canada's middle class. The Conservatives voted against those tax cuts. Furthermore, it invested in a Canada child benefit that is lifting 300,000 Canadian kids out of poverty. Canadians can be assured that budget 2017 will continue to invest in a pro-growth, pro-middle-class agenda that will be good for the Canadian economy.
Mr. Speaker, any government appointments to senior positions must be impartial, based on competence and merit. However, the appointments that this prime minister has made since coming to office are proving otherwise. Can the Prime Minister assure us that he will not, once again, appoint Liberal cronies who have paid into the partys campaign fund? Will he fill commissioners positions responsible for overseeing elections, official languages, lobbying and, ironically, ethicsa file he has not masteredwith competent individuals without any ties to the Liberal Party of Canada?
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we have made, and to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we will continue to make. I am pleased that we have introduced a new judicial appointment process, and instituted a new composition for judicial advisory councils that will provide us recommendations and highly recommended candidates to fill the seats on the superior courts across the country. We are taking the necessary time to ensure that the judges who were appointed to the superior courts reflect the diversity of the country and are of the utmost merit and ability.
Mr. Speaker, I think the members of the House are familiar with the fact that we will be introducing legislation this spring. It will have to do with the legalization of access to cannabis under a regulatory regime that will restrict access and will address the very issues the member has raised to ensure that cannabis stays out of the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals.I encourage all members to read the task force and make sure they are well informed.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reminding the member opposite and everyone in the House that NAFTA negotiations have not yet begun and now is not the time for us to prematurely lead our cards on the table. I want to assure everyone that we will continue to get a great deal for Canadians and our record proves it. Let me share some great news. In January, Canada posted its third straight trade surplus. The drivers of our strong export performance included the car sector where exports were up 7.7%.
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to assure the member opposite that I will fight for precisely that. I have had several meetings with labour representatives, with representatives of our auto parts sector, and we are very aligned on fighting for a great deal for Canada. I am confident we can do it, because that is our government's record on trade. We have overturned discriminatory cool legislation in the United States. We persuaded Mexico and China to end their bans on Canadian beef. We convinced China to lift its embargo on our canola, and exports of Canadian canola have more than doubled since October.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government House leader if she could share with this House what the business of the House will be for the remainder of this week. When we return, we will be hearing about the budget, and hopefully there will be some very good news for Canadians in terms of some tax relief. Will she share what will be happening in the week we come back?
Mr. Speaker, again, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive appointments we have made in judicial appointments to superior courts across the country.We are continuing to ensure we make quality appointments that reflect the diversity in our country. That is why we instituted a new judicial appointments process. That is why we have reconstituted the judicial advisory committees to ensure we have substantive, quality, credible candidates who I can put forward, again reflecting the diversity of the country and the makeup of our great nation.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his vigilance and leadership in all matters pertaining to residential schools and indigenous peoples. It is very important to leave it to indigenous peoples to decide whether to call for an apology or a resignation. It is up to the indigenous peoples.
Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to have an opportunity to tell the House about the wonderful work the government is doing to support middle-class Canadians and middle-class families.It is this government that has put in place the Canada child benefit program that has helped hundreds of thousands of children get out of poverty. It is this government that has invested significantly in creating more summer jobs for students.Our government is committed to helping Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to be continuing to do in budget 2017.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier today, I am truly sorry for the pain endured by victims of this tragedy, and I deeply regret how long it has taken to address it.That is why we are taking action. In recognition of their pain and suffering, they will receive a universal benevolent payment and are eligible for an individualized payment to cover any physical or mental injuries they may have endured.For the former cadets who are here today and those who could not be here, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I ask them to accept this apology. We are truly sorry for the pain they have endured, and we deeply regret how long it took to address it.We are sorry.
Mr. Speaker, Canadians courts are at a tipping point, prosecutors are dropping serious criminal cases because they lack resources to meet deadlines, and the Minister of Justice has failed to fill more than 60 judicial vacancies, resulting in serious criminal cases being thrown out of court.Could the minister tell us how many cases are going to be thrown out of court before she finally gets her act together and starts appointing judges?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is trying to keep at least one election promise, and he is moving forward with legislation to legalize marijuana.Marijuana edibles, such as lollipops, brownies, cookies, and candies, are directly targeting Canadian youth and are currently the number one sales item at illegal dispensaries. How can Canadians trust the Prime Minister to protect our children under more liberalized laws when he refuses to protect them when marijuana is illegal?
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to pass a message on to Canadians. In last year's budget, our government invested a historic $444 million. Over the past year, that money has allowed us to recover $13 billion, which will be reinvested in health care, education, and infrastructure. We will keep working for Canadians, as we promised.
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security will be in Ottawa tomorrow for meetings with the government, including the Minister of Public Safety. Ever since President Trump came into power, at least three Quebeckers have been turned away at the U.S. border.Can the minister confirm that he is going to discuss the specific cases of Canadians turned away at the border when he talks to John Kelly and ensure that there will be no further impact on Canadians who want to visit the United States?
Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1974, a tragic accident befell cadets attending camp on the Valcartier base. A live grenade exploded inside a barracks packed with more than 130 cadets, killing six of them and injuring dozens more. The lives of many Canadians were changed forever. Can the Minister of National Defence tell the House what has been done to ensure that survivors of this terrible tragedy receive adequate care and support?
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to deliverology, we know that so far the Liberal government has delivered over $25 billion in debt this year and is working hard to do so in the next. What we do not know is when the government will ever return to a balanced budget. The finance department report, which the minister intentionally delayed, says 2050 or 2051.When will the government balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals continue to make life unaffordable for Canadian families. With previous tax hikes that have taken place, it leaves us wondering, with the minister saying that everything is on the table, what is next for our Canadian families.Stories are coming out every day with regard to potential tax hikes that we could be facing in this upcoming budget. What I would like to know today is whether our children are in fact going to be kept safe.I have asked this before and I am asking it again today. Could the Minister of Finance tell us that he will not touch the registered education savings plan?
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Residential schools were a dark and painful chapter in our history, and comments like these are ill-informed, offensive, and simply wrong. The intention of Indian residential schools was to erase indigenous language and culture. The senator's comments underscore the need for better education, so that all Canadians can work together to advance the shared journey of reconciliation. Survivors, families, and communities are still dealing with the intergenerational trauma resulting from Indian residential schools. We must all be united in supporting them.
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are clearly feeling the pressure to increase defence spending. Reports this week noted that the Liberals are actually going to spend less on defence, but they are planning on cooking the books in hopes of fooling our NATO allies. Instead of including the Coast Guard's budget in defence spending, which is nothing more than just a shell game, the Liberals should pay our troops what they deserve when they are out there fighting ISIS.Will the minister stop playing shell games with our defence spending and retroactively pay back all the danger pay? I mean retroactively pay it all back to all our troops who are stationed in Kuwait.
Mr. Speaker, we know that governing is hard, and there is more to it than taking selfies and holding hands. The Liberals have failed to make a single parliamentary watchdog appointed in their 18 months in government. It seems the only appointments the government can make are to friends and former chiefs of staff.Eighteen months have passed. How much longer do we have to wait for the Prime Minister to start doing his job and appointing people to these watchdog positions? Or is it taking so long because he is trying to find people who will turn the other cheek to his ethical transgressions?
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations--Excuse me, could I get some order?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not delighted or reassured by the minister's talking points. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce said very clearly that Canadians know times are different, and that they know they're going to have to make concessions. Concessions? There is too much at stake for Canadian workers. The tone has changed from a tweak to a threatening big bazooka, and apparently the Prime Minister still has nothing to say. Canadians need to know that their government is going to fight for their jobs. What is the government going to bring to the table during NAFTA renegotiations?
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has very strict post-employment policies for employees who leave positions with the Government of Canada.When they leave their jobs, former CRA employees must meet strict requirements. Information disclosure is prohibited by law indefinitely. CRA employees could be subject to sanctions, including fines and prison time.
Mr. Speaker, these are mostly part-time jobs and this is a serious issue that is coming up in this next budget. Small businesses are bracing for this next budget. They already know that they have been hit by the Prime Minister's carbon tax, the EI hike, the CPP tax hike, and his cancellation of the small business hiring credit. At the same time, they are worried about the impact of Donald Trump's low tax rates. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and yet the Prime Minister just keeps taxing them more and more. When will the Prime Minister give small businesses a break?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is under multiple investigations. He refuses to answer questions about his ethical shortcomings. The Minister of Innovation was forced to admit that he misled Canadians over the Anbang boondoggle. The Minister of Finance is engaged in a carbon tax cover-up and the secret sell-off of airports. When will the Prime Minister finally act like a leader and be honest with Canadians instead of thinking he is above the law?
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations, and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding the order made March 8, 2017, Bill C-337, an act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault) be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Mr. Speaker, as all members of the House know, earlier last year we introduced legislation, which passed and received royal assent, allowing Canadians to have access to medical assistance in dying. Through that legislation we were able to allow Canadians access to that right, while at the same time recognizing there were vulnerable people who needed to be protected. By all accounts that I have had with medical practitioners and medical regulators, the system is working well. We are continuing to track that. We also have a review under way to address some of the questions that were raised in the House during that consideration, and we look forward
Mr. Speaker, no wonder the transport minister could not answer my questions yesterday. It is the finance minister who is calling the shots. We now know the airports are on a fire sale to foreign buyers to fund his infrastructure bank because his runaway spending has drained the treasury. Canadian travellers will now be forced to pay higher costs and more fees to foreign airport owners to pay for the Liberals' reckless spending.Will the minister or anybody on that side finally admit that the airports are being sold solely because they have run out of money?
Mr. Speaker, this is a good day, because we made an announcement today.Working together to invest in our Canadian entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in the Canadian economy, but also in our future. The funding announced today will support business expansion. It will support the women and men who are working hard to develop businesses and create even more jobs for the middle class across the country.We will continue to work very hard for small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Speaker, let us talk about economic growth.According to the business community, through a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and I quote, Small business owners know that todays deficits are tomorrows taxes. They believe that the government should commit to eliminating the deficit in five years, not 38.I talked about our children earlier, and now I want to talk about our job creators, who are also extremely worried. The last thing they need is more taxes and larger deficits.What does the Prime Minister have to say to them today? They are listening to us today, too.
Mr. Speaker, the minister and the ministry have a strong working relationship with the Government of Alberta, the AUMA, the AAMDC, and mayors from across the province. The ministry values the opportunity to meet with communities and talk about their infrastructure priorities. As I mentioned previously, there are 127 projects that will benefit communities all across the province, a number of whichif not most of whichare in some of the main municipalities. We will continue to deliver for Albertans. We will continue to deliver quality jobs for the 21st century and for all Albertans. That is what we are going to do in this government.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is making Canada a less attractive place to do business and create jobs every single day. Business investment has fallen every single quarter since the Prime Minister took office, and when people are not investing in our economy, jobs are not created. It is about to get worse as Donald Trump lowers taxes and cuts red tape while the Prime Minister is going in the exact opposite direction. Will the Prime Minister wake up, lower taxes, cut red tape, and protect Canadian jobs?
Mr. Speaker, I also agree that every member in the House works very hard, just like every Canadian in the country works very hard. That is why our government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. I am always proud to stand in the House and remind Canadians, and all members, that we have introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and merit-based. Our approach will result in the recommendation of highly qualified candidates who achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity. The new selection process reflects the fundamental role that many Canadians play
Mr. Speaker, that answer did anything but tell Canadians when the Liberal government will return to the balanced budgets that they have promised.Does the finance minister really believe that saddling our children's children with massive amounts of long-term debt is how we really help the middle class? Not only were previous Conservative and Liberal finance ministers proud to talk about balanced budgets, but they actually delivered.Why is a balanced budget now a dirty word to the finance minister and to the Liberals?
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm today that I received a report from the Canadian Judicial Council, which found Justice Robin Camp acted in a manner that seriously undermined public confidence in the judiciary. The council recommended the removal of Justice Camp from the Federal Court. I have read both reports and have satisfied myself that Justice Camp was afforded due process. We have considered all the factual and legal findings and are prepared to move on this. I understand there might be some news in this regard with respect to Justice Camp, but our government is committed to moving forward with the removal of Justice Camp.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question. In budget 2017, we will continue to focus on helping the middle class and those working hard to join it. Also, will will focus on economic prosperity for all of Canada.Our government listens to Canadians. We are heading in the right direction and will continue with our plan to help them.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate rising in this House to remind members as well as Canadians that we take our small businesses very seriously. Yes, they are the backbone of the economy. We know that through our investments and through our plan they will be able to be more productive, more innovative, and export-oriented. Small businesses want to export, so we are creating the conditions to make it easier. If we look at the accelerated growth service, we are looking at the high-impact, high-growth firms and giving them catered services so that they can actually advance the services and products that they have. We will continue to work hard for small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question, even though I do not agree with the premise of it.Our government is committed to helping middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join the middle class. I will tell members what we have done thus far.So far, we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians. We have put in place a historic agreement called the Canada child benefit program, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We have helped our seniors by putting in place an increase in the guaranteed income supplement.We are supporting Canadians. We are going in the right direction, and we are going to continue to do so.
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has some of the most stringent post-employment rules in the entire Government of Canada. When CRA employees leave their job, they must meet very strict conditions. Disclosing information is prohibited by law, indefinitely.I would remind everyone that any employee or former employee of CRA who breaks those rules faces penalties and even criminal prosecution.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the passion he has for our troops, and I think we all share that. When it comes to looking after our troops, as I stated, we want to look after our troops who are not only in Operation Impact but in other operations as well. As I stated, we have launched a review. I wish members opposite had had the same level of compassion and desire they have now when they were actually in government, to make sure that our troops were not sent without the tax-free allowance.
Mr. Speaker, headlines are telling us that the crown attorneys in Alberta are having to accept plea deals on criminal cases because of the judicial backlog. Today, the paper in Ottawa said that there were 1,000 cases that were in jeopardy of being thrown out. In large part, this is because of the Liberal inaction in this area. If 1,000 cases is not enough to get the government moving to make judicial appointments, how many would it take? How about 5,000? Would that be enough for the government?
Mr. Speaker, three of the retirement homes purchased by Anbang, a Chinese insurance company, are in my riding on Vancouver Island. American companies have refused to work with Anbang because of its murky ownership, yet the Liberals rubber-stamped the deal. British Columbians demand greater transparency when publicly funded assets are sold to foreign interests. Our health care should not be for sale, and this takeover does not pass the smell test. I have a simple question. If the Liberals are so confident about this sketchy deal, will they guarantee our seniors that they will not be negatively affected by this deal?
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2016, we invested in jobs, middle-class growth, infrastructure, and innovation. We cut taxes for the middle class and introduced the Canada child benefit.The economy has improved, but we still have work to do. We have to keep making major investments in the middle class to generate economic growth for all Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, we have countless judicial vacancies and unfilled watchdog positions, and we have ambassador appointments that have been downgraded to special advisers. All these failed appointments have one thing in common: the former director of appointments to the Prime Minister, Mary Ng. It seems the only nomination Mary Ng was able fulfill was her own Liberal Party candidacy and members of the immigration board, whose independence she has compromised by claiming she has political control over them.How can Canadians have any confidence in the Liberal appointments when they are so shrouded in Liberal politics?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said time and time again that he will respond to any questions the commissioner has. This government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. That is why we lowered taxes on the middle class. That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps families with children who need it the most. That is why we recognize we can have a sustainable environment as well as a strong economy. They go hand in hand. We need to continue working hard. I encourage all members to let us work better together.
Mr. Speaker, the budget will not be balanced until 2055.That means my 15-year-old daughter, who is listening to us online today, will be 53 by the time the government gets public finances under control. That means our kids will pay for the Liberal deficit. If nothing changes, my daughter will have to pay extra taxes for 38 years because of the Liberal government's irresponsibility.What does the Prime Minister have to say to my daughter, who is listening to us right now?
Mr. Speaker, this week the United States signalled its priorities in regard to NAFTA. It has indicated its number one priority involves sourcing auto parts at home. This would have a huge impact on Canada's auto sector which is deeply integrated with its North American counterparts, and still the Liberal government remains silent on its NAFTA priorities. Will the minister ensure that any NAFTA renegotiations will protect Canada's auto jobs and respect the sector's integrated nature?
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are deeply concerned about the way sexual assault victims are treated in our criminal justice system. Earlier today, the Canadian Judicial Council released its report into Justice Robin Camp's conduct in relation to a sexual assault trial. The council has recommended that Justice Camp be removed from office.Could the minister inform the House about next steps in this matter?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing that our oil spill response is anything but world class. The B.C. diesel spill had a radius of over five kilometres and contaminated the clams in the region. First nation communities are exhausted and feel abandoned by the government's inaction. One expert said, The diesel is not going to disappear magically. Another asked, If we cant clean that up, then how does that speak to our capacity to deal with large ocean-going tankers with heavy fuel products? Can the Liberal government explain the nine-hour delay and why it simply gave up?
Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister of Transport's distress. The Liberal government has been spending recklessly since it came to power. According to certain sources, the government is preparing to sell airports to finance its infrastructure bank scheme.Now that the Minister of Transport has realized that the bank machine is out of money, he is going to sell the furniture to pay the interest on the Minister of Finance's credit card. Instead of having a fire sale on March 22, will the government put its finances in order and present Canadians with a plan to balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, while I will not speak to a specific case, our expectation on both sides of the border is that travellers will be treated with respect and in accordance with the rule of law. To facilitate smooth passage at the border, travellers who are aware of issues related to mistaken identity are encouraged to communicate with American authorities in advance. Officials from Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. customs and border protection are in continuous contact on these matters and the issues related to travellers' screening will be discussed tomorrow in the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mr. Speaker, things are not going well at the Canada Revenue Agency. It is a sinking ship.First came the private receptions and amnesty for fraudsters. Now, we have learned that many CRA employees are jumping ship to go and work at KPMG. There is a revolving door between the Canada Revenue Agency and the country's accounting firms. A new ship's captain was appointed a year and a half ago, but still nothing has changed. When will the minister put an end to the appalling cronyism in her own department?
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will continue with the debate on the Conservative opposition motion. After today, we will have one remaining opposition day in this supply cycle. That debate will take place on Tuesday, March 21.Tomorrow we will continue with the report stage debate on Bill C-22 concerning the national security intelligence committee of parliamentarians. That debate will continue on Monday after colleagues return from the constituency week.I should also mention that a take-note debate on Operation Unifier will take place on Monday evening.Wednesday we will commence consideration at second reading of Bill C-17, an act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, until 4 p.m., at which time the Minister of Finance will make his budget presentation.Thursday shall be the first of four days of budget debate, also referred to as leaders' day.
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows my strong will and desire, as well as our government's desire, to make sure that our troops who are deployed get all the benefits they want. However, if the member wants to bring up certain facts, what about the deficit reduction plan that the previous government had, which cut billions of dollars from defence? This is one of the reasons why we launched the defence policy review, to look at a thorough plan for the next 20 years, which will look at the proper defence investment that will look after our troops into the future.
Mr. Speaker, as we promised Canadians, we introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and based on merit. This approach will help us find high-quality candidates, while promoting gender equality and Canadian diversity. All open positions are available in a transparent manner, online. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, we knew that there were $92 million in contracts and that the government is a good partner of KPMG.However, now we are learning that the government is not just giving money to KPMG, it is also giving it employees. For the director general of the Institute on Governance, this can create an appearance of cronyism. Frankly, when it comes down to it, they are not just buddies anymore, they are family.How can the minister claim that the government is going to war with tax cheats, when that same government is providing those who encourage fraud with its money and expertise?
Mr. Speaker, the Financial Post today has a headline: Bank for International Settlements says Canada is showing early warning signs of financial crisis. The article goes on to say that: In its fall report, the BIS indicated that Canada had one of the highest credit-to-GDP ratios among developed nations. That report said the countrys unusually elevated level posed a threat to the countrys banking system. Our country has the highest level of household debt to income in the OECD. When will the government realize that Canadians have too much debt of their own and they cannot afford the government?
Mr. Speaker, if they understand the challenges, they better do something about it. Yesterday, the minister said ...federal infrastructure dollars can only be used for infrastructure projects, but the AUMA is clear: the Alberta NDP is breaking the commitment of $300 million for infrastructure projects in local communities. Albertans need infrastructure. Albertans need jobs. Albertans need a minister who will stop betraying them. When will the minister stop defending the Alberta NDP and call on Premier Notley to use building Canada funds for community infrastructure and nothing else?
Mr. Speaker, we must create permanent jobs.This government is doing nothing meaningful to help regional economies. It has done nothing about softwood lumber. Worse yet, our Prime Minister naively gave the President of the United States the upper hand on NAFTA. The Liberal government should be supporting our regions and giving hope to the people who have made such significant contributions to the prosperity of this great country.Does the government want to shutter our regions? If not, it must act now.
Mr. Speaker, the protection of Canadian waters is of the utmost importance to our government. Within an hour and 20 minutes of the initial call, the Coast Guard tasked assets to respond to this incident. The Coast Guard has also established a unified command collaboratively with members of local first nations, federal and provincial partners, and the responsible party. Despite their quick response, incidents like this highlight why our government is investing in marine safety with a $1.5 billion oceans protection plan, which will make Canada's marine safety systems even stronger than they are today.
Mr. Speaker, the report written under the direction of the former parliamentary budget officer was released this week. It said that The magnitude of the governments two-year program spending increase is unprecedented in modern times, with a 12% increase in spending over this period. It goes on to say: If interest rates increase or economic growth further weakens relative to planning assumptions, young people will be paying dearly for todays deficit-financed activities. The finance minister is grasping for Canadians' wallets to pay the bills for all of this out-of-control spending. How much exactly will the federal government raise in new revenues from its proposed carbon tax?
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about KPMG.To recap, KPMG hires experts from the Canada Revenue Agency, and at the same time, the Canada Revenue Agency hires experts from KPMG. That is quite a tight-knit family. The government has awarded KPMG $92 million in contracts since 2006. The Canada Revenue Agency cut a deal with KPMG and agreed not to prosecute its wealthy clients who were hiding their cash on the Isle of Man.Would the minister really have us believe that the government has declared war on tax evasion, when that very same government has a rather incestuous relationship with what Yves Boisvert of La Presse calls the tax dodging machine?
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the Liberals like to throw money around. Now, they are showing us the dark side we know them to have by cheaping out on CF members who are fighting ISIS. They are taking $1,800 a month away from them. That is pretty shameful, thank you very much. We are talking about a significant amount for military spouses, who must make ends meet in their absence.Who in this government thinks it is a good idea to take $1,800 a month away from military spouses?
Mr. Speaker, today we were sickened to hear the views expressed by Senator Beyak on residential schools. Residential schools were profoundly damaging to first nations and remain a dark chapter in Canada's history. Children were forcibly taken from their families and homes for the exact purpose of trying to wipe out their languages and their identities.Will the government stand with us to condemn and denounce the statements made by Senator Beyak?
Mr. Speaker, this offers me another opportunity to point out something that I began pointing out last November, and that is that it is of the highest priority that we improve passenger service in the country. We are trying to lower prices. We are trying to offer more choice. We are trying to reduce the amount of time to go through security, or to go through customs, and yes, we are committed to a regime of rights for air passengers. Those are the factors that guide us in our decisions with respect to airports and airlines.
Mr. Speaker, the minister will not speak about specific cases, but I hope tomorrow they will raise those specific cases with the Secretary of Homeland Security.Still at the border, hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed into Canada in recent months and many are risking their lives in harsh winter weather. On Tuesday, a pregnant woman and a toddler crossed into Emerson during a winter storm. We can no longer have confidence that refugees in the United States have access to a fair process, so will the minister finally do the right thing and immediately suspend the safe third country agreement with the U.S. to allow these people to cross safely while seeking asylum in Canada?
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants to talk about jobs, so let us talk about jobs. There have been 286,000 jobs created since the Liberals formed government. These jobs are being created across the country. Let me highlight a few key examples because of our policies. We worked with Bell Helicopter to secure 900 jobs and, more important, create an additional 100 new jobs. GE invested in Welland to create 220 jobs. Thomson Reuters is investing in up to 1,500 jobs. GM Canada hired 1,000 new engineers. There are more jobs to come.
Mr. Speaker, since this is my first response to the Conservatives in a few days, I would like to begin by thanking the members for Thornhill and Parry SoundMuskoka for comments they made this week.We do not always agree, but I am proud that Canada has an official opposition that can rise above partisanship to defend our democracy. Thank you very much.With respect to NAFTA, negotiations are not yet under way, but Canada will be ready if and when they happen.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I always appreciate the opportunity to tell Canadians the good work that this government has been doing. Our priority for this government is to help middle-class Canadians, those who are working so hard to join the middle class, and the most vulnerable Canadians. I want to give the member a few more detailed examples of the things we have done. When we look at the Canada child tax benefit program, we see that more than 300,000 children will be lifted out of poverty. With respect to our increase in our guaranteed income supplement for low-income seniors, we will be providing assistance to more than one million seniors who will benefit from this raise.We are going in the right direction. We are focused and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to going after rich tax cheats, the motto of the Liberals seems to be hear no evil, see no evil. When the sweetheart amnesty deal was exposed, the one between the Liberal government and KPMG, the Liberals refused to even condemn it. When we tried to get key documents from KPMG at committee, the Liberals blocked it. However, now the Minister of National Revenue is speculating that charges may in fact be brought: you know, one day, maybe, wink, wink. Canadians are tired of having to pick up the tab for rich tax deadbeats.Which is it? Will the Liberals be pressing charges in the KPMG scam, yes or no?
Mr. Speaker, Canada's refugee system is lauded around the world for being one of the most compassionate. The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada to properly manage asylum seekers. The member opposite should know that the UN refugee agency supports the principle behind the safe third country agreement to prevent asylum shopping. If the New Democratic Party members are prepared to engage in an argument with the UNHCR, they are more than welcome to do so.
Mr. Speaker, the minister does not want to bring forward the independent committees deadline of December 2018 to consider advance requests for assisted dying. In Quebec, a parliamentary committee and the Collège des médecins du Québec have already expressed support for this. While this government waits, families are suffering to the point of ending the lives of their loved ones. Will this government finally accept its responsibilities and immediately call for the tabling of a report on advance requests?
Mr. Speaker, today's marketplace is a rapidly changing environment, and Canada is uniquely positioned to attract and develop talent to further sustain and scale up innovative companies across our country. The government has been clear about the need to grow our economy and create jobs, jobs that will allow our companies to expand and succeed.Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development explain to the House what this government is doing to increase, develop, train, and grow our Canadian talent?
Mr. Speaker, the Alberta NDP is using money from the building Canada plan as its own personal slush fund. Instead of funding key infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water treatment plants, Premier Notley is withholding $300 million from rural municipalities to pay for her massive debt, and the Liberal infrastructure minister is letting her get away with it. When will the minister put aside his friendship with Premier Notley? When will he stand up for Albertans? When will he demand that money from the building Canada plan go directly to municipalities, so we get the best bang for the taxpayers' buck?
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague for the question because it gives me the opportunity to reiterate that our highest priority is improving passenger service.I think that people are beginning to notice that costs are going down and that they have more choice. They know we want to reduce the time it takes to go through security or customs. Furthermore, there will be a regime of rights for air passengers. That is what is important for our airports and that is what guides us.
Mr. Speaker, we understand the challenges facing Alberta, and we will continue to deliver on our infrastructure commitments to invest and support economic growth and improve our communities. Working with our provincial and municipal partners, we are improving transit, roads, bridges, and water systems in Alberta for Albertans. We have approved 127 projects worth $1.36 billion in federal funding and $4.2 billion in combined funding. This is what we are delivering for Albertans and will continue to deliver for Albertans.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Prime Minister has now written and rewritten his budget a few times. It seems he cannot quite find the right way to tell Canadians he wants more of their money. With Mr. Trump moving to drastically reduce taxes, what businesses need to hear is that we will do the same thing here in Canada to create jobs. Lowering taxes to compete with the United States should be done in this budget, and the sooner the better. What is the Prime Minister's plan to make sure that Donald Trump does not steal our jobs?
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for New Brunswick Southwest for her leadership on this file. As the member well knows, we are in a global innovation race. That is why we are open to trade, investment, and people. Today we announced the launch of the global skills strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, who will reduce the visa processing time to two weeks for Canadian businesses. This will allow Canadian companies to grow and create Canadian jobs across all regions and all sectors. This is good for growth. This is good for high-quality jobs.
Mr. Speaker, once again I am proud to rise in the House. Budget 2017 will continue to build on our promise to help middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. We want to focus on economic growth for our country and for Canadians. We are going to continue to invest in middle-class Canadians because we know they are the backbone of our economy and we truly want to make sure they receive the help they need.This government is focused. We are going in the right direction, and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the new government-wide appointments process that we introduced. It is open, transparent, and merit-based. This appointment process allows Canadians from coast to coast to coast to apply. All positions are available online. It is exactly what we committed to Canadians. It is exactly what we have delivered on. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, I would like assure the member that the concerns he is raising are the same concerns we had. That is why we were engaged with the British Columbian government and health authority. They provided the operating licences based on those same concerns, which is making sure Retirement Concepts, which is managed and operated by Canadians, will ensure it provides a level of service and quality to those seniors at the highest level. Again, the bottom line here is that this is good for investment. This is good for British Columbia. This is good for the economy, and of course for seniors.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, our government is very proud to have announced in its last budget a $444-million investment that enabled us to look abroad for $13 billion, including $1 billion from voluntary disclosure programs.We have hired 100 auditors. We work on four jurisdictions per year. We will continue what we started and we will see it through.
Mr. Speaker, budget 2016 invested in jobs, growth, infrastructure, and innovation and it cut taxes for Canada's middle class. The Conservatives voted against those tax cuts. Furthermore, it invested in a Canada child benefit that is lifting 300,000 Canadian kids out of poverty. Canadians can be assured that budget 2017 will continue to invest in a pro-growth, pro-middle-class agenda that will be good for the Canadian economy.
Mr. Speaker, any government appointments to senior positions must be impartial, based on competence and merit. However, the appointments that this prime minister has made since coming to office are proving otherwise. Can the Prime Minister assure us that he will not, once again, appoint Liberal cronies who have paid into the partys campaign fund? Will he fill commissioners positions responsible for overseeing elections, official languages, lobbying and, ironically, ethicsa file he has not masteredwith competent individuals without any ties to the Liberal Party of Canada?
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we have made, and to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we will continue to make. I am pleased that we have introduced a new judicial appointment process, and instituted a new composition for judicial advisory councils that will provide us recommendations and highly recommended candidates to fill the seats on the superior courts across the country. We are taking the necessary time to ensure that the judges who were appointed to the superior courts reflect the diversity of the country and are of the utmost merit and ability.
Mr. Speaker, I think the members of the House are familiar with the fact that we will be introducing legislation this spring. It will have to do with the legalization of access to cannabis under a regulatory regime that will restrict access and will address the very issues the member has raised to ensure that cannabis stays out of the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals.I encourage all members to read the task force and make sure they are well informed.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reminding the member opposite and everyone in the House that NAFTA negotiations have not yet begun and now is not the time for us to prematurely lead our cards on the table. I want to assure everyone that we will continue to get a great deal for Canadians and our record proves it. Let me share some great news. In January, Canada posted its third straight trade surplus. The drivers of our strong export performance included the car sector where exports were up 7.7%.
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to assure the member opposite that I will fight for precisely that. I have had several meetings with labour representatives, with representatives of our auto parts sector, and we are very aligned on fighting for a great deal for Canada. I am confident we can do it, because that is our government's record on trade. We have overturned discriminatory cool legislation in the United States. We persuaded Mexico and China to end their bans on Canadian beef. We convinced China to lift its embargo on our canola, and exports of Canadian canola have more than doubled since October.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government House leader if she could share with this House what the business of the House will be for the remainder of this week. When we return, we will be hearing about the budget, and hopefully there will be some very good news for Canadians in terms of some tax relief. Will she share what will be happening in the week we come back?
Mr. Speaker, again, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive appointments we have made in judicial appointments to superior courts across the country.We are continuing to ensure we make quality appointments that reflect the diversity in our country. That is why we instituted a new judicial appointments process. That is why we have reconstituted the judicial advisory committees to ensure we have substantive, quality, credible candidates who I can put forward, again reflecting the diversity of the country and the makeup of our great nation.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his vigilance and leadership in all matters pertaining to residential schools and indigenous peoples. It is very important to leave it to indigenous peoples to decide whether to call for an apology or a resignation. It is up to the indigenous peoples.
Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to have an opportunity to tell the House about the wonderful work the government is doing to support middle-class Canadians and middle-class families.It is this government that has put in place the Canada child benefit program that has helped hundreds of thousands of children get out of poverty. It is this government that has invested significantly in creating more summer jobs for students.Our government is committed to helping Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to be continuing to do in budget 2017.
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Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to have an opportunity to tell the House about the wonderful work the government is doing to support middle-class Canadians and middle-class families.It is this government that has put in place the Canada child benefit program that has helped hundreds of thousands of children get out of poverty. It is this government that has invested significantly in creating more summer jobs for students.Our government is committed to helping Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to be continuing to do in budget 2017.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his vigilance and leadership in all matters pertaining to residential schools and indigenous peoples. It is very important to leave it to indigenous peoples to decide whether to call for an apology or a resignation. It is up to the indigenous peoples.
Mr. Speaker, again, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive appointments we have made in judicial appointments to superior courts across the country.We are continuing to ensure we make quality appointments that reflect the diversity in our country. That is why we instituted a new judicial appointments process. That is why we have reconstituted the judicial advisory committees to ensure we have substantive, quality, credible candidates who I can put forward, again reflecting the diversity of the country and the makeup of our great nation.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government House leader if she could share with this House what the business of the House will be for the remainder of this week. When we return, we will be hearing about the budget, and hopefully there will be some very good news for Canadians in terms of some tax relief. Will she share what will be happening in the week we come back?
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to assure the member opposite that I will fight for precisely that. I have had several meetings with labour representatives, with representatives of our auto parts sector, and we are very aligned on fighting for a great deal for Canada. I am confident we can do it, because that is our government's record on trade. We have overturned discriminatory cool legislation in the United States. We persuaded Mexico and China to end their bans on Canadian beef. We convinced China to lift its embargo on our canola, and exports of Canadian canola have more than doubled since October.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reminding the member opposite and everyone in the House that NAFTA negotiations have not yet begun and now is not the time for us to prematurely lead our cards on the table. I want to assure everyone that we will continue to get a great deal for Canadians and our record proves it. Let me share some great news. In January, Canada posted its third straight trade surplus. The drivers of our strong export performance included the car sector where exports were up 7.7%.
Mr. Speaker, I think the members of the House are familiar with the fact that we will be introducing legislation this spring. It will have to do with the legalization of access to cannabis under a regulatory regime that will restrict access and will address the very issues the member has raised to ensure that cannabis stays out of the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals.I encourage all members to read the task force and make sure they are well informed.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we have made, and to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we will continue to make. I am pleased that we have introduced a new judicial appointment process, and instituted a new composition for judicial advisory councils that will provide us recommendations and highly recommended candidates to fill the seats on the superior courts across the country. We are taking the necessary time to ensure that the judges who were appointed to the superior courts reflect the diversity of the country and are of the utmost merit and ability.
Mr. Speaker, budget 2016 invested in jobs, growth, infrastructure, and innovation and it cut taxes for Canada's middle class. The Conservatives voted against those tax cuts. Furthermore, it invested in a Canada child benefit that is lifting 300,000 Canadian kids out of poverty. Canadians can be assured that budget 2017 will continue to invest in a pro-growth, pro-middle-class agenda that will be good for the Canadian economy.
Mr. Speaker, any government appointments to senior positions must be impartial, based on competence and merit. However, the appointments that this prime minister has made since coming to office are proving otherwise. Can the Prime Minister assure us that he will not, once again, appoint Liberal cronies who have paid into the partys campaign fund? Will he fill commissioners positions responsible for overseeing elections, official languages, lobbying and, ironically, ethicsa file he has not masteredwith competent individuals without any ties to the Liberal Party of Canada?
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, our government is very proud to have announced in its last budget a $444-million investment that enabled us to look abroad for $13 billion, including $1 billion from voluntary disclosure programs.We have hired 100 auditors. We work on four jurisdictions per year. We will continue what we started and we will see it through.
Mr. Speaker, I would like assure the member that the concerns he is raising are the same concerns we had. That is why we were engaged with the British Columbian government and health authority. They provided the operating licences based on those same concerns, which is making sure Retirement Concepts, which is managed and operated by Canadians, will ensure it provides a level of service and quality to those seniors at the highest level. Again, the bottom line here is that this is good for investment. This is good for British Columbia. This is good for the economy, and of course for seniors.
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the new government-wide appointments process that we introduced. It is open, transparent, and merit-based. This appointment process allows Canadians from coast to coast to coast to apply. All positions are available online. It is exactly what we committed to Canadians. It is exactly what we have delivered on. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, once again I am proud to rise in the House. Budget 2017 will continue to build on our promise to help middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. We want to focus on economic growth for our country and for Canadians. We are going to continue to invest in middle-class Canadians because we know they are the backbone of our economy and we truly want to make sure they receive the help they need.This government is focused. We are going in the right direction, and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for New Brunswick Southwest for her leadership on this file. As the member well knows, we are in a global innovation race. That is why we are open to trade, investment, and people. Today we announced the launch of the global skills strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, who will reduce the visa processing time to two weeks for Canadian businesses. This will allow Canadian companies to grow and create Canadian jobs across all regions and all sectors. This is good for growth. This is good for high-quality jobs.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Prime Minister has now written and rewritten his budget a few times. It seems he cannot quite find the right way to tell Canadians he wants more of their money. With Mr. Trump moving to drastically reduce taxes, what businesses need to hear is that we will do the same thing here in Canada to create jobs. Lowering taxes to compete with the United States should be done in this budget, and the sooner the better. What is the Prime Minister's plan to make sure that Donald Trump does not steal our jobs?
Mr. Speaker, we understand the challenges facing Alberta, and we will continue to deliver on our infrastructure commitments to invest and support economic growth and improve our communities. Working with our provincial and municipal partners, we are improving transit, roads, bridges, and water systems in Alberta for Albertans. We have approved 127 projects worth $1.36 billion in federal funding and $4.2 billion in combined funding. This is what we are delivering for Albertans and will continue to deliver for Albertans.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague for the question because it gives me the opportunity to reiterate that our highest priority is improving passenger service.I think that people are beginning to notice that costs are going down and that they have more choice. They know we want to reduce the time it takes to go through security or customs. Furthermore, there will be a regime of rights for air passengers. That is what is important for our airports and that is what guides us.
Mr. Speaker, the Alberta NDP is using money from the building Canada plan as its own personal slush fund. Instead of funding key infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water treatment plants, Premier Notley is withholding $300 million from rural municipalities to pay for her massive debt, and the Liberal infrastructure minister is letting her get away with it. When will the minister put aside his friendship with Premier Notley? When will he stand up for Albertans? When will he demand that money from the building Canada plan go directly to municipalities, so we get the best bang for the taxpayers' buck?
Mr. Speaker, today's marketplace is a rapidly changing environment, and Canada is uniquely positioned to attract and develop talent to further sustain and scale up innovative companies across our country. The government has been clear about the need to grow our economy and create jobs, jobs that will allow our companies to expand and succeed.Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development explain to the House what this government is doing to increase, develop, train, and grow our Canadian talent?
Mr. Speaker, the minister does not want to bring forward the independent committees deadline of December 2018 to consider advance requests for assisted dying. In Quebec, a parliamentary committee and the Collège des médecins du Québec have already expressed support for this. While this government waits, families are suffering to the point of ending the lives of their loved ones. Will this government finally accept its responsibilities and immediately call for the tabling of a report on advance requests?
Mr. Speaker, Canada's refugee system is lauded around the world for being one of the most compassionate. The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada to properly manage asylum seekers. The member opposite should know that the UN refugee agency supports the principle behind the safe third country agreement to prevent asylum shopping. If the New Democratic Party members are prepared to engage in an argument with the UNHCR, they are more than welcome to do so.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to going after rich tax cheats, the motto of the Liberals seems to be hear no evil, see no evil. When the sweetheart amnesty deal was exposed, the one between the Liberal government and KPMG, the Liberals refused to even condemn it. When we tried to get key documents from KPMG at committee, the Liberals blocked it. However, now the Minister of National Revenue is speculating that charges may in fact be brought: you know, one day, maybe, wink, wink. Canadians are tired of having to pick up the tab for rich tax deadbeats.Which is it? Will the Liberals be pressing charges in the KPMG scam, yes or no?
Mr. Speaker, once again, I always appreciate the opportunity to tell Canadians the good work that this government has been doing. Our priority for this government is to help middle-class Canadians, those who are working so hard to join the middle class, and the most vulnerable Canadians. I want to give the member a few more detailed examples of the things we have done. When we look at the Canada child tax benefit program, we see that more than 300,000 children will be lifted out of poverty. With respect to our increase in our guaranteed income supplement for low-income seniors, we will be providing assistance to more than one million seniors who will benefit from this raise.We are going in the right direction. We are focused and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, since this is my first response to the Conservatives in a few days, I would like to begin by thanking the members for Thornhill and Parry SoundMuskoka for comments they made this week.We do not always agree, but I am proud that Canada has an official opposition that can rise above partisanship to defend our democracy. Thank you very much.With respect to NAFTA, negotiations are not yet under way, but Canada will be ready if and when they happen.
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants to talk about jobs, so let us talk about jobs. There have been 286,000 jobs created since the Liberals formed government. These jobs are being created across the country. Let me highlight a few key examples because of our policies. We worked with Bell Helicopter to secure 900 jobs and, more important, create an additional 100 new jobs. GE invested in Welland to create 220 jobs. Thomson Reuters is investing in up to 1,500 jobs. GM Canada hired 1,000 new engineers. There are more jobs to come.
Mr. Speaker, the minister will not speak about specific cases, but I hope tomorrow they will raise those specific cases with the Secretary of Homeland Security.Still at the border, hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed into Canada in recent months and many are risking their lives in harsh winter weather. On Tuesday, a pregnant woman and a toddler crossed into Emerson during a winter storm. We can no longer have confidence that refugees in the United States have access to a fair process, so will the minister finally do the right thing and immediately suspend the safe third country agreement with the U.S. to allow these people to cross safely while seeking asylum in Canada?
Mr. Speaker, this offers me another opportunity to point out something that I began pointing out last November, and that is that it is of the highest priority that we improve passenger service in the country. We are trying to lower prices. We are trying to offer more choice. We are trying to reduce the amount of time to go through security, or to go through customs, and yes, we are committed to a regime of rights for air passengers. Those are the factors that guide us in our decisions with respect to airports and airlines.
Mr. Speaker, today we were sickened to hear the views expressed by Senator Beyak on residential schools. Residential schools were profoundly damaging to first nations and remain a dark chapter in Canada's history. Children were forcibly taken from their families and homes for the exact purpose of trying to wipe out their languages and their identities.Will the government stand with us to condemn and denounce the statements made by Senator Beyak?
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the Liberals like to throw money around. Now, they are showing us the dark side we know them to have by cheaping out on CF members who are fighting ISIS. They are taking $1,800 a month away from them. That is pretty shameful, thank you very much. We are talking about a significant amount for military spouses, who must make ends meet in their absence.Who in this government thinks it is a good idea to take $1,800 a month away from military spouses?
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about KPMG.To recap, KPMG hires experts from the Canada Revenue Agency, and at the same time, the Canada Revenue Agency hires experts from KPMG. That is quite a tight-knit family. The government has awarded KPMG $92 million in contracts since 2006. The Canada Revenue Agency cut a deal with KPMG and agreed not to prosecute its wealthy clients who were hiding their cash on the Isle of Man.Would the minister really have us believe that the government has declared war on tax evasion, when that very same government has a rather incestuous relationship with what Yves Boisvert of La Presse calls the tax dodging machine?
Mr. Speaker, the report written under the direction of the former parliamentary budget officer was released this week. It said that The magnitude of the governments two-year program spending increase is unprecedented in modern times, with a 12% increase in spending over this period. It goes on to say: If interest rates increase or economic growth further weakens relative to planning assumptions, young people will be paying dearly for todays deficit-financed activities. The finance minister is grasping for Canadians' wallets to pay the bills for all of this out-of-control spending. How much exactly will the federal government raise in new revenues from its proposed carbon tax?
Mr. Speaker, the protection of Canadian waters is of the utmost importance to our government. Within an hour and 20 minutes of the initial call, the Coast Guard tasked assets to respond to this incident. The Coast Guard has also established a unified command collaboratively with members of local first nations, federal and provincial partners, and the responsible party. Despite their quick response, incidents like this highlight why our government is investing in marine safety with a $1.5 billion oceans protection plan, which will make Canada's marine safety systems even stronger than they are today.
Mr. Speaker, we must create permanent jobs.This government is doing nothing meaningful to help regional economies. It has done nothing about softwood lumber. Worse yet, our Prime Minister naively gave the President of the United States the upper hand on NAFTA. The Liberal government should be supporting our regions and giving hope to the people who have made such significant contributions to the prosperity of this great country.Does the government want to shutter our regions? If not, it must act now.
Mr. Speaker, the Financial Post today has a headline: Bank for International Settlements says Canada is showing early warning signs of financial crisis. The article goes on to say that: In its fall report, the BIS indicated that Canada had one of the highest credit-to-GDP ratios among developed nations. That report said the countrys unusually elevated level posed a threat to the countrys banking system. Our country has the highest level of household debt to income in the OECD. When will the government realize that Canadians have too much debt of their own and they cannot afford the government?
Mr. Speaker, if they understand the challenges, they better do something about it. Yesterday, the minister said ...federal infrastructure dollars can only be used for infrastructure projects, but the AUMA is clear: the Alberta NDP is breaking the commitment of $300 million for infrastructure projects in local communities. Albertans need infrastructure. Albertans need jobs. Albertans need a minister who will stop betraying them. When will the minister stop defending the Alberta NDP and call on Premier Notley to use building Canada funds for community infrastructure and nothing else?
Mr. Speaker, we knew that there were $92 million in contracts and that the government is a good partner of KPMG.However, now we are learning that the government is not just giving money to KPMG, it is also giving it employees. For the director general of the Institute on Governance, this can create an appearance of cronyism. Frankly, when it comes down to it, they are not just buddies anymore, they are family.How can the minister claim that the government is going to war with tax cheats, when that same government is providing those who encourage fraud with its money and expertise?
Mr. Speaker, as we promised Canadians, we introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and based on merit. This approach will help us find high-quality candidates, while promoting gender equality and Canadian diversity. All open positions are available in a transparent manner, online. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows my strong will and desire, as well as our government's desire, to make sure that our troops who are deployed get all the benefits they want. However, if the member wants to bring up certain facts, what about the deficit reduction plan that the previous government had, which cut billions of dollars from defence? This is one of the reasons why we launched the defence policy review, to look at a thorough plan for the next 20 years, which will look at the proper defence investment that will look after our troops into the future.
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will continue with the debate on the Conservative opposition motion. After today, we will have one remaining opposition day in this supply cycle. That debate will take place on Tuesday, March 21.Tomorrow we will continue with the report stage debate on Bill C-22 concerning the national security intelligence committee of parliamentarians. That debate will continue on Monday after colleagues return from the constituency week.I should also mention that a take-note debate on Operation Unifier will take place on Monday evening.Wednesday we will commence consideration at second reading of Bill C-17, an act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, until 4 p.m., at which time the Minister of Finance will make his budget presentation.Thursday shall be the first of four days of budget debate, also referred to as leaders' day.
Mr. Speaker, things are not going well at the Canada Revenue Agency. It is a sinking ship.First came the private receptions and amnesty for fraudsters. Now, we have learned that many CRA employees are jumping ship to go and work at KPMG. There is a revolving door between the Canada Revenue Agency and the country's accounting firms. A new ship's captain was appointed a year and a half ago, but still nothing has changed. When will the minister put an end to the appalling cronyism in her own department?
Mr. Speaker, while I will not speak to a specific case, our expectation on both sides of the border is that travellers will be treated with respect and in accordance with the rule of law. To facilitate smooth passage at the border, travellers who are aware of issues related to mistaken identity are encouraged to communicate with American authorities in advance. Officials from Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. customs and border protection are in continuous contact on these matters and the issues related to travellers' screening will be discussed tomorrow in the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister of Transport's distress. The Liberal government has been spending recklessly since it came to power. According to certain sources, the government is preparing to sell airports to finance its infrastructure bank scheme.Now that the Minister of Transport has realized that the bank machine is out of money, he is going to sell the furniture to pay the interest on the Minister of Finance's credit card. Instead of having a fire sale on March 22, will the government put its finances in order and present Canadians with a plan to balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing that our oil spill response is anything but world class. The B.C. diesel spill had a radius of over five kilometres and contaminated the clams in the region. First nation communities are exhausted and feel abandoned by the government's inaction. One expert said, The diesel is not going to disappear magically. Another asked, If we cant clean that up, then how does that speak to our capacity to deal with large ocean-going tankers with heavy fuel products? Can the Liberal government explain the nine-hour delay and why it simply gave up?
Mr. Speaker, this week the United States signalled its priorities in regard to NAFTA. It has indicated its number one priority involves sourcing auto parts at home. This would have a huge impact on Canada's auto sector which is deeply integrated with its North American counterparts, and still the Liberal government remains silent on its NAFTA priorities. Will the minister ensure that any NAFTA renegotiations will protect Canada's auto jobs and respect the sector's integrated nature?
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are deeply concerned about the way sexual assault victims are treated in our criminal justice system. Earlier today, the Canadian Judicial Council released its report into Justice Robin Camp's conduct in relation to a sexual assault trial. The council has recommended that Justice Camp be removed from office.Could the minister inform the House about next steps in this matter?
Mr. Speaker, the budget will not be balanced until 2055.That means my 15-year-old daughter, who is listening to us online today, will be 53 by the time the government gets public finances under control. That means our kids will pay for the Liberal deficit. If nothing changes, my daughter will have to pay extra taxes for 38 years because of the Liberal government's irresponsibility.What does the Prime Minister have to say to my daughter, who is listening to us right now?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said time and time again that he will respond to any questions the commissioner has. This government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. That is why we lowered taxes on the middle class. That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps families with children who need it the most. That is why we recognize we can have a sustainable environment as well as a strong economy. They go hand in hand. We need to continue working hard. I encourage all members to let us work better together.
Mr. Speaker, we have countless judicial vacancies and unfilled watchdog positions, and we have ambassador appointments that have been downgraded to special advisers. All these failed appointments have one thing in common: the former director of appointments to the Prime Minister, Mary Ng. It seems the only nomination Mary Ng was able fulfill was her own Liberal Party candidacy and members of the immigration board, whose independence she has compromised by claiming she has political control over them.How can Canadians have any confidence in the Liberal appointments when they are so shrouded in Liberal politics?
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2016, we invested in jobs, middle-class growth, infrastructure, and innovation. We cut taxes for the middle class and introduced the Canada child benefit.The economy has improved, but we still have work to do. We have to keep making major investments in the middle class to generate economic growth for all Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, three of the retirement homes purchased by Anbang, a Chinese insurance company, are in my riding on Vancouver Island. American companies have refused to work with Anbang because of its murky ownership, yet the Liberals rubber-stamped the deal. British Columbians demand greater transparency when publicly funded assets are sold to foreign interests. Our health care should not be for sale, and this takeover does not pass the smell test. I have a simple question. If the Liberals are so confident about this sketchy deal, will they guarantee our seniors that they will not be negatively affected by this deal?
Mr. Speaker, headlines are telling us that the crown attorneys in Alberta are having to accept plea deals on criminal cases because of the judicial backlog. Today, the paper in Ottawa said that there were 1,000 cases that were in jeopardy of being thrown out. In large part, this is because of the Liberal inaction in this area. If 1,000 cases is not enough to get the government moving to make judicial appointments, how many would it take? How about 5,000? Would that be enough for the government?
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the passion he has for our troops, and I think we all share that. When it comes to looking after our troops, as I stated, we want to look after our troops who are not only in Operation Impact but in other operations as well. As I stated, we have launched a review. I wish members opposite had had the same level of compassion and desire they have now when they were actually in government, to make sure that our troops were not sent without the tax-free allowance.
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has some of the most stringent post-employment rules in the entire Government of Canada. When CRA employees leave their job, they must meet very strict conditions. Disclosing information is prohibited by law, indefinitely.I would remind everyone that any employee or former employee of CRA who breaks those rules faces penalties and even criminal prosecution.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question, even though I do not agree with the premise of it.Our government is committed to helping middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join the middle class. I will tell members what we have done thus far.So far, we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians. We have put in place a historic agreement called the Canada child benefit program, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We have helped our seniors by putting in place an increase in the guaranteed income supplement.We are supporting Canadians. We are going in the right direction, and we are going to continue to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate rising in this House to remind members as well as Canadians that we take our small businesses very seriously. Yes, they are the backbone of the economy. We know that through our investments and through our plan they will be able to be more productive, more innovative, and export-oriented. Small businesses want to export, so we are creating the conditions to make it easier. If we look at the accelerated growth service, we are looking at the high-impact, high-growth firms and giving them catered services so that they can actually advance the services and products that they have. We will continue to work hard for small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question. In budget 2017, we will continue to focus on helping the middle class and those working hard to join it. Also, will will focus on economic prosperity for all of Canada.Our government listens to Canadians. We are heading in the right direction and will continue with our plan to help them.
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm today that I received a report from the Canadian Judicial Council, which found Justice Robin Camp acted in a manner that seriously undermined public confidence in the judiciary. The council recommended the removal of Justice Camp from the Federal Court. I have read both reports and have satisfied myself that Justice Camp was afforded due process. We have considered all the factual and legal findings and are prepared to move on this. I understand there might be some news in this regard with respect to Justice Camp, but our government is committed to moving forward with the removal of Justice Camp.
Mr. Speaker, that answer did anything but tell Canadians when the Liberal government will return to the balanced budgets that they have promised.Does the finance minister really believe that saddling our children's children with massive amounts of long-term debt is how we really help the middle class? Not only were previous Conservative and Liberal finance ministers proud to talk about balanced budgets, but they actually delivered.Why is a balanced budget now a dirty word to the finance minister and to the Liberals?
Mr. Speaker, I also agree that every member in the House works very hard, just like every Canadian in the country works very hard. That is why our government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. I am always proud to stand in the House and remind Canadians, and all members, that we have introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and merit-based. Our approach will result in the recommendation of highly qualified candidates who achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity. The new selection process reflects the fundamental role that many Canadians play
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is making Canada a less attractive place to do business and create jobs every single day. Business investment has fallen every single quarter since the Prime Minister took office, and when people are not investing in our economy, jobs are not created. It is about to get worse as Donald Trump lowers taxes and cuts red tape while the Prime Minister is going in the exact opposite direction. Will the Prime Minister wake up, lower taxes, cut red tape, and protect Canadian jobs?
Mr. Speaker, the minister and the ministry have a strong working relationship with the Government of Alberta, the AUMA, the AAMDC, and mayors from across the province. The ministry values the opportunity to meet with communities and talk about their infrastructure priorities. As I mentioned previously, there are 127 projects that will benefit communities all across the province, a number of whichif not most of whichare in some of the main municipalities. We will continue to deliver for Albertans. We will continue to deliver quality jobs for the 21st century and for all Albertans. That is what we are going to do in this government.
Mr. Speaker, let us talk about economic growth.According to the business community, through a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and I quote, Small business owners know that todays deficits are tomorrows taxes. They believe that the government should commit to eliminating the deficit in five years, not 38.I talked about our children earlier, and now I want to talk about our job creators, who are also extremely worried. The last thing they need is more taxes and larger deficits.What does the Prime Minister have to say to them today? They are listening to us today, too.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good day, because we made an announcement today.Working together to invest in our Canadian entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in the Canadian economy, but also in our future. The funding announced today will support business expansion. It will support the women and men who are working hard to develop businesses and create even more jobs for the middle class across the country.We will continue to work very hard for small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Speaker, no wonder the transport minister could not answer my questions yesterday. It is the finance minister who is calling the shots. We now know the airports are on a fire sale to foreign buyers to fund his infrastructure bank because his runaway spending has drained the treasury. Canadian travellers will now be forced to pay higher costs and more fees to foreign airport owners to pay for the Liberals' reckless spending.Will the minister or anybody on that side finally admit that the airports are being sold solely because they have run out of money?
Mr. Speaker, as all members of the House know, earlier last year we introduced legislation, which passed and received royal assent, allowing Canadians to have access to medical assistance in dying. Through that legislation we were able to allow Canadians access to that right, while at the same time recognizing there were vulnerable people who needed to be protected. By all accounts that I have had with medical practitioners and medical regulators, the system is working well. We are continuing to track that. We also have a review under way to address some of the questions that were raised in the House during that consideration, and we look forward
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations, and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding the order made March 8, 2017, Bill C-337, an act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault) be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is under multiple investigations. He refuses to answer questions about his ethical shortcomings. The Minister of Innovation was forced to admit that he misled Canadians over the Anbang boondoggle. The Minister of Finance is engaged in a carbon tax cover-up and the secret sell-off of airports. When will the Prime Minister finally act like a leader and be honest with Canadians instead of thinking he is above the law?
Mr. Speaker, these are mostly part-time jobs and this is a serious issue that is coming up in this next budget. Small businesses are bracing for this next budget. They already know that they have been hit by the Prime Minister's carbon tax, the EI hike, the CPP tax hike, and his cancellation of the small business hiring credit. At the same time, they are worried about the impact of Donald Trump's low tax rates. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and yet the Prime Minister just keeps taxing them more and more. When will the Prime Minister give small businesses a break?
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has very strict post-employment policies for employees who leave positions with the Government of Canada.When they leave their jobs, former CRA employees must meet strict requirements. Information disclosure is prohibited by law indefinitely. CRA employees could be subject to sanctions, including fines and prison time.
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not delighted or reassured by the minister's talking points. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce said very clearly that Canadians know times are different, and that they know they're going to have to make concessions. Concessions? There is too much at stake for Canadian workers. The tone has changed from a tweak to a threatening big bazooka, and apparently the Prime Minister still has nothing to say. Canadians need to know that their government is going to fight for their jobs. What is the government going to bring to the table during NAFTA renegotiations?
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations--Excuse me, could I get some order?
Mr. Speaker, we know that governing is hard, and there is more to it than taking selfies and holding hands. The Liberals have failed to make a single parliamentary watchdog appointed in their 18 months in government. It seems the only appointments the government can make are to friends and former chiefs of staff.Eighteen months have passed. How much longer do we have to wait for the Prime Minister to start doing his job and appointing people to these watchdog positions? Or is it taking so long because he is trying to find people who will turn the other cheek to his ethical transgressions?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are clearly feeling the pressure to increase defence spending. Reports this week noted that the Liberals are actually going to spend less on defence, but they are planning on cooking the books in hopes of fooling our NATO allies. Instead of including the Coast Guard's budget in defence spending, which is nothing more than just a shell game, the Liberals should pay our troops what they deserve when they are out there fighting ISIS.Will the minister stop playing shell games with our defence spending and retroactively pay back all the danger pay? I mean retroactively pay it all back to all our troops who are stationed in Kuwait.
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Residential schools were a dark and painful chapter in our history, and comments like these are ill-informed, offensive, and simply wrong. The intention of Indian residential schools was to erase indigenous language and culture. The senator's comments underscore the need for better education, so that all Canadians can work together to advance the shared journey of reconciliation. Survivors, families, and communities are still dealing with the intergenerational trauma resulting from Indian residential schools. We must all be united in supporting them.
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals continue to make life unaffordable for Canadian families. With previous tax hikes that have taken place, it leaves us wondering, with the minister saying that everything is on the table, what is next for our Canadian families.Stories are coming out every day with regard to potential tax hikes that we could be facing in this upcoming budget. What I would like to know today is whether our children are in fact going to be kept safe.I have asked this before and I am asking it again today. Could the Minister of Finance tell us that he will not touch the registered education savings plan?
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to deliverology, we know that so far the Liberal government has delivered over $25 billion in debt this year and is working hard to do so in the next. What we do not know is when the government will ever return to a balanced budget. The finance department report, which the minister intentionally delayed, says 2050 or 2051.When will the government balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1974, a tragic accident befell cadets attending camp on the Valcartier base. A live grenade exploded inside a barracks packed with more than 130 cadets, killing six of them and injuring dozens more. The lives of many Canadians were changed forever. Can the Minister of National Defence tell the House what has been done to ensure that survivors of this terrible tragedy receive adequate care and support?
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security will be in Ottawa tomorrow for meetings with the government, including the Minister of Public Safety. Ever since President Trump came into power, at least three Quebeckers have been turned away at the U.S. border.Can the minister confirm that he is going to discuss the specific cases of Canadians turned away at the border when he talks to John Kelly and ensure that there will be no further impact on Canadians who want to visit the United States?
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to pass a message on to Canadians. In last year's budget, our government invested a historic $444 million. Over the past year, that money has allowed us to recover $13 billion, which will be reinvested in health care, education, and infrastructure. We will keep working for Canadians, as we promised.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is trying to keep at least one election promise, and he is moving forward with legislation to legalize marijuana.Marijuana edibles, such as lollipops, brownies, cookies, and candies, are directly targeting Canadian youth and are currently the number one sales item at illegal dispensaries. How can Canadians trust the Prime Minister to protect our children under more liberalized laws when he refuses to protect them when marijuana is illegal?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians courts are at a tipping point, prosecutors are dropping serious criminal cases because they lack resources to meet deadlines, and the Minister of Justice has failed to fill more than 60 judicial vacancies, resulting in serious criminal cases being thrown out of court.Could the minister tell us how many cases are going to be thrown out of court before she finally gets her act together and starts appointing judges?
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier today, I am truly sorry for the pain endured by victims of this tragedy, and I deeply regret how long it has taken to address it.That is why we are taking action. In recognition of their pain and suffering, they will receive a universal benevolent payment and are eligible for an individualized payment to cover any physical or mental injuries they may have endured.For the former cadets who are here today and those who could not be here, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I ask them to accept this apology. We are truly sorry for the pain they have endured, and we deeply regret how long it took to address it.We are sorry.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?
Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to have an opportunity to tell the House about the wonderful work the government is doing to support middle-class Canadians and middle-class families.It is this government that has put in place the Canada child benefit program that has helped hundreds of thousands of children get out of poverty. It is this government that has invested significantly in creating more summer jobs for students.Our government is committed to helping Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to be continuing to do in budget 2017.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his vigilance and leadership in all matters pertaining to residential schools and indigenous peoples. It is very important to leave it to indigenous peoples to decide whether to call for an apology or a resignation. It is up to the indigenous peoples.
Mr. Speaker, again, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive appointments we have made in judicial appointments to superior courts across the country.We are continuing to ensure we make quality appointments that reflect the diversity in our country. That is why we instituted a new judicial appointments process. That is why we have reconstituted the judicial advisory committees to ensure we have substantive, quality, credible candidates who I can put forward, again reflecting the diversity of the country and the makeup of our great nation.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government House leader if she could share with this House what the business of the House will be for the remainder of this week. When we return, we will be hearing about the budget, and hopefully there will be some very good news for Canadians in terms of some tax relief. Will she share what will be happening in the week we come back?
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to assure the member opposite that I will fight for precisely that. I have had several meetings with labour representatives, with representatives of our auto parts sector, and we are very aligned on fighting for a great deal for Canada. I am confident we can do it, because that is our government's record on trade. We have overturned discriminatory cool legislation in the United States. We persuaded Mexico and China to end their bans on Canadian beef. We convinced China to lift its embargo on our canola, and exports of Canadian canola have more than doubled since October.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reminding the member opposite and everyone in the House that NAFTA negotiations have not yet begun and now is not the time for us to prematurely lead our cards on the table. I want to assure everyone that we will continue to get a great deal for Canadians and our record proves it. Let me share some great news. In January, Canada posted its third straight trade surplus. The drivers of our strong export performance included the car sector where exports were up 7.7%.
Mr. Speaker, I think the members of the House are familiar with the fact that we will be introducing legislation this spring. It will have to do with the legalization of access to cannabis under a regulatory regime that will restrict access and will address the very issues the member has raised to ensure that cannabis stays out of the hands of children and the profits out of the hands of criminals.I encourage all members to read the task force and make sure they are well informed.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we have made, and to speak to the substantive and quality judicial appointments we will continue to make. I am pleased that we have introduced a new judicial appointment process, and instituted a new composition for judicial advisory councils that will provide us recommendations and highly recommended candidates to fill the seats on the superior courts across the country. We are taking the necessary time to ensure that the judges who were appointed to the superior courts reflect the diversity of the country and are of the utmost merit and ability.
Mr. Speaker, budget 2016 invested in jobs, growth, infrastructure, and innovation and it cut taxes for Canada's middle class. The Conservatives voted against those tax cuts. Furthermore, it invested in a Canada child benefit that is lifting 300,000 Canadian kids out of poverty. Canadians can be assured that budget 2017 will continue to invest in a pro-growth, pro-middle-class agenda that will be good for the Canadian economy.
Mr. Speaker, any government appointments to senior positions must be impartial, based on competence and merit. However, the appointments that this prime minister has made since coming to office are proving otherwise. Can the Prime Minister assure us that he will not, once again, appoint Liberal cronies who have paid into the partys campaign fund? Will he fill commissioners positions responsible for overseeing elections, official languages, lobbying and, ironically, ethicsa file he has not masteredwith competent individuals without any ties to the Liberal Party of Canada?
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, our government is very proud to have announced in its last budget a $444-million investment that enabled us to look abroad for $13 billion, including $1 billion from voluntary disclosure programs.We have hired 100 auditors. We work on four jurisdictions per year. We will continue what we started and we will see it through.
Mr. Speaker, I would like assure the member that the concerns he is raising are the same concerns we had. That is why we were engaged with the British Columbian government and health authority. They provided the operating licences based on those same concerns, which is making sure Retirement Concepts, which is managed and operated by Canadians, will ensure it provides a level of service and quality to those seniors at the highest level. Again, the bottom line here is that this is good for investment. This is good for British Columbia. This is good for the economy, and of course for seniors.
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the new government-wide appointments process that we introduced. It is open, transparent, and merit-based. This appointment process allows Canadians from coast to coast to coast to apply. All positions are available online. It is exactly what we committed to Canadians. It is exactly what we have delivered on. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, once again I am proud to rise in the House. Budget 2017 will continue to build on our promise to help middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join them. We want to focus on economic growth for our country and for Canadians. We are going to continue to invest in middle-class Canadians because we know they are the backbone of our economy and we truly want to make sure they receive the help they need.This government is focused. We are going in the right direction, and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for New Brunswick Southwest for her leadership on this file. As the member well knows, we are in a global innovation race. That is why we are open to trade, investment, and people. Today we announced the launch of the global skills strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, who will reduce the visa processing time to two weeks for Canadian businesses. This will allow Canadian companies to grow and create Canadian jobs across all regions and all sectors. This is good for growth. This is good for high-quality jobs.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Prime Minister has now written and rewritten his budget a few times. It seems he cannot quite find the right way to tell Canadians he wants more of their money. With Mr. Trump moving to drastically reduce taxes, what businesses need to hear is that we will do the same thing here in Canada to create jobs. Lowering taxes to compete with the United States should be done in this budget, and the sooner the better. What is the Prime Minister's plan to make sure that Donald Trump does not steal our jobs?
Mr. Speaker, we understand the challenges facing Alberta, and we will continue to deliver on our infrastructure commitments to invest and support economic growth and improve our communities. Working with our provincial and municipal partners, we are improving transit, roads, bridges, and water systems in Alberta for Albertans. We have approved 127 projects worth $1.36 billion in federal funding and $4.2 billion in combined funding. This is what we are delivering for Albertans and will continue to deliver for Albertans.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague for the question because it gives me the opportunity to reiterate that our highest priority is improving passenger service.I think that people are beginning to notice that costs are going down and that they have more choice. They know we want to reduce the time it takes to go through security or customs. Furthermore, there will be a regime of rights for air passengers. That is what is important for our airports and that is what guides us.
Mr. Speaker, the Alberta NDP is using money from the building Canada plan as its own personal slush fund. Instead of funding key infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water treatment plants, Premier Notley is withholding $300 million from rural municipalities to pay for her massive debt, and the Liberal infrastructure minister is letting her get away with it. When will the minister put aside his friendship with Premier Notley? When will he stand up for Albertans? When will he demand that money from the building Canada plan go directly to municipalities, so we get the best bang for the taxpayers' buck?
Mr. Speaker, today's marketplace is a rapidly changing environment, and Canada is uniquely positioned to attract and develop talent to further sustain and scale up innovative companies across our country. The government has been clear about the need to grow our economy and create jobs, jobs that will allow our companies to expand and succeed.Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development explain to the House what this government is doing to increase, develop, train, and grow our Canadian talent?
Mr. Speaker, the minister does not want to bring forward the independent committees deadline of December 2018 to consider advance requests for assisted dying. In Quebec, a parliamentary committee and the Collège des médecins du Québec have already expressed support for this. While this government waits, families are suffering to the point of ending the lives of their loved ones. Will this government finally accept its responsibilities and immediately call for the tabling of a report on advance requests?
Mr. Speaker, Canada's refugee system is lauded around the world for being one of the most compassionate. The safe third country agreement is an agreement between the United States and Canada to properly manage asylum seekers. The member opposite should know that the UN refugee agency supports the principle behind the safe third country agreement to prevent asylum shopping. If the New Democratic Party members are prepared to engage in an argument with the UNHCR, they are more than welcome to do so.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to going after rich tax cheats, the motto of the Liberals seems to be hear no evil, see no evil. When the sweetheart amnesty deal was exposed, the one between the Liberal government and KPMG, the Liberals refused to even condemn it. When we tried to get key documents from KPMG at committee, the Liberals blocked it. However, now the Minister of National Revenue is speculating that charges may in fact be brought: you know, one day, maybe, wink, wink. Canadians are tired of having to pick up the tab for rich tax deadbeats.Which is it? Will the Liberals be pressing charges in the KPMG scam, yes or no?
Mr. Speaker, once again, I always appreciate the opportunity to tell Canadians the good work that this government has been doing. Our priority for this government is to help middle-class Canadians, those who are working so hard to join the middle class, and the most vulnerable Canadians. I want to give the member a few more detailed examples of the things we have done. When we look at the Canada child tax benefit program, we see that more than 300,000 children will be lifted out of poverty. With respect to our increase in our guaranteed income supplement for low-income seniors, we will be providing assistance to more than one million seniors who will benefit from this raise.We are going in the right direction. We are focused and we are moving ahead.
Mr. Speaker, since this is my first response to the Conservatives in a few days, I would like to begin by thanking the members for Thornhill and Parry SoundMuskoka for comments they made this week.We do not always agree, but I am proud that Canada has an official opposition that can rise above partisanship to defend our democracy. Thank you very much.With respect to NAFTA, negotiations are not yet under way, but Canada will be ready if and when they happen.
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants to talk about jobs, so let us talk about jobs. There have been 286,000 jobs created since the Liberals formed government. These jobs are being created across the country. Let me highlight a few key examples because of our policies. We worked with Bell Helicopter to secure 900 jobs and, more important, create an additional 100 new jobs. GE invested in Welland to create 220 jobs. Thomson Reuters is investing in up to 1,500 jobs. GM Canada hired 1,000 new engineers. There are more jobs to come.
Mr. Speaker, the minister will not speak about specific cases, but I hope tomorrow they will raise those specific cases with the Secretary of Homeland Security.Still at the border, hundreds of asylum seekers have crossed into Canada in recent months and many are risking their lives in harsh winter weather. On Tuesday, a pregnant woman and a toddler crossed into Emerson during a winter storm. We can no longer have confidence that refugees in the United States have access to a fair process, so will the minister finally do the right thing and immediately suspend the safe third country agreement with the U.S. to allow these people to cross safely while seeking asylum in Canada?
Mr. Speaker, this offers me another opportunity to point out something that I began pointing out last November, and that is that it is of the highest priority that we improve passenger service in the country. We are trying to lower prices. We are trying to offer more choice. We are trying to reduce the amount of time to go through security, or to go through customs, and yes, we are committed to a regime of rights for air passengers. Those are the factors that guide us in our decisions with respect to airports and airlines.
Mr. Speaker, today we were sickened to hear the views expressed by Senator Beyak on residential schools. Residential schools were profoundly damaging to first nations and remain a dark chapter in Canada's history. Children were forcibly taken from their families and homes for the exact purpose of trying to wipe out their languages and their identities.Will the government stand with us to condemn and denounce the statements made by Senator Beyak?
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the Liberals like to throw money around. Now, they are showing us the dark side we know them to have by cheaping out on CF members who are fighting ISIS. They are taking $1,800 a month away from them. That is pretty shameful, thank you very much. We are talking about a significant amount for military spouses, who must make ends meet in their absence.Who in this government thinks it is a good idea to take $1,800 a month away from military spouses?
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about KPMG.To recap, KPMG hires experts from the Canada Revenue Agency, and at the same time, the Canada Revenue Agency hires experts from KPMG. That is quite a tight-knit family. The government has awarded KPMG $92 million in contracts since 2006. The Canada Revenue Agency cut a deal with KPMG and agreed not to prosecute its wealthy clients who were hiding their cash on the Isle of Man.Would the minister really have us believe that the government has declared war on tax evasion, when that very same government has a rather incestuous relationship with what Yves Boisvert of La Presse calls the tax dodging machine?
Mr. Speaker, the report written under the direction of the former parliamentary budget officer was released this week. It said that The magnitude of the governments two-year program spending increase is unprecedented in modern times, with a 12% increase in spending over this period. It goes on to say: If interest rates increase or economic growth further weakens relative to planning assumptions, young people will be paying dearly for todays deficit-financed activities. The finance minister is grasping for Canadians' wallets to pay the bills for all of this out-of-control spending. How much exactly will the federal government raise in new revenues from its proposed carbon tax?
Mr. Speaker, the protection of Canadian waters is of the utmost importance to our government. Within an hour and 20 minutes of the initial call, the Coast Guard tasked assets to respond to this incident. The Coast Guard has also established a unified command collaboratively with members of local first nations, federal and provincial partners, and the responsible party. Despite their quick response, incidents like this highlight why our government is investing in marine safety with a $1.5 billion oceans protection plan, which will make Canada's marine safety systems even stronger than they are today.
Mr. Speaker, we must create permanent jobs.This government is doing nothing meaningful to help regional economies. It has done nothing about softwood lumber. Worse yet, our Prime Minister naively gave the President of the United States the upper hand on NAFTA. The Liberal government should be supporting our regions and giving hope to the people who have made such significant contributions to the prosperity of this great country.Does the government want to shutter our regions? If not, it must act now.
Mr. Speaker, the Financial Post today has a headline: Bank for International Settlements says Canada is showing early warning signs of financial crisis. The article goes on to say that: In its fall report, the BIS indicated that Canada had one of the highest credit-to-GDP ratios among developed nations. That report said the countrys unusually elevated level posed a threat to the countrys banking system. Our country has the highest level of household debt to income in the OECD. When will the government realize that Canadians have too much debt of their own and they cannot afford the government?
Mr. Speaker, if they understand the challenges, they better do something about it. Yesterday, the minister said ...federal infrastructure dollars can only be used for infrastructure projects, but the AUMA is clear: the Alberta NDP is breaking the commitment of $300 million for infrastructure projects in local communities. Albertans need infrastructure. Albertans need jobs. Albertans need a minister who will stop betraying them. When will the minister stop defending the Alberta NDP and call on Premier Notley to use building Canada funds for community infrastructure and nothing else?
Mr. Speaker, we knew that there were $92 million in contracts and that the government is a good partner of KPMG.However, now we are learning that the government is not just giving money to KPMG, it is also giving it employees. For the director general of the Institute on Governance, this can create an appearance of cronyism. Frankly, when it comes down to it, they are not just buddies anymore, they are family.How can the minister claim that the government is going to war with tax cheats, when that same government is providing those who encourage fraud with its money and expertise?
Mr. Speaker, as we promised Canadians, we introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and based on merit. This approach will help us find high-quality candidates, while promoting gender equality and Canadian diversity. All open positions are available in a transparent manner, online. I encourage Canadians to apply.
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows my strong will and desire, as well as our government's desire, to make sure that our troops who are deployed get all the benefits they want. However, if the member wants to bring up certain facts, what about the deficit reduction plan that the previous government had, which cut billions of dollars from defence? This is one of the reasons why we launched the defence policy review, to look at a thorough plan for the next 20 years, which will look at the proper defence investment that will look after our troops into the future.
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will continue with the debate on the Conservative opposition motion. After today, we will have one remaining opposition day in this supply cycle. That debate will take place on Tuesday, March 21.Tomorrow we will continue with the report stage debate on Bill C-22 concerning the national security intelligence committee of parliamentarians. That debate will continue on Monday after colleagues return from the constituency week.I should also mention that a take-note debate on Operation Unifier will take place on Monday evening.Wednesday we will commence consideration at second reading of Bill C-17, an act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, until 4 p.m., at which time the Minister of Finance will make his budget presentation.Thursday shall be the first of four days of budget debate, also referred to as leaders' day.
Mr. Speaker, things are not going well at the Canada Revenue Agency. It is a sinking ship.First came the private receptions and amnesty for fraudsters. Now, we have learned that many CRA employees are jumping ship to go and work at KPMG. There is a revolving door between the Canada Revenue Agency and the country's accounting firms. A new ship's captain was appointed a year and a half ago, but still nothing has changed. When will the minister put an end to the appalling cronyism in her own department?
Mr. Speaker, while I will not speak to a specific case, our expectation on both sides of the border is that travellers will be treated with respect and in accordance with the rule of law. To facilitate smooth passage at the border, travellers who are aware of issues related to mistaken identity are encouraged to communicate with American authorities in advance. Officials from Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. customs and border protection are in continuous contact on these matters and the issues related to travellers' screening will be discussed tomorrow in the meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister of Transport's distress. The Liberal government has been spending recklessly since it came to power. According to certain sources, the government is preparing to sell airports to finance its infrastructure bank scheme.Now that the Minister of Transport has realized that the bank machine is out of money, he is going to sell the furniture to pay the interest on the Minister of Finance's credit card. Instead of having a fire sale on March 22, will the government put its finances in order and present Canadians with a plan to balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing that our oil spill response is anything but world class. The B.C. diesel spill had a radius of over five kilometres and contaminated the clams in the region. First nation communities are exhausted and feel abandoned by the government's inaction. One expert said, The diesel is not going to disappear magically. Another asked, If we cant clean that up, then how does that speak to our capacity to deal with large ocean-going tankers with heavy fuel products? Can the Liberal government explain the nine-hour delay and why it simply gave up?
Mr. Speaker, this week the United States signalled its priorities in regard to NAFTA. It has indicated its number one priority involves sourcing auto parts at home. This would have a huge impact on Canada's auto sector which is deeply integrated with its North American counterparts, and still the Liberal government remains silent on its NAFTA priorities. Will the minister ensure that any NAFTA renegotiations will protect Canada's auto jobs and respect the sector's integrated nature?
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are deeply concerned about the way sexual assault victims are treated in our criminal justice system. Earlier today, the Canadian Judicial Council released its report into Justice Robin Camp's conduct in relation to a sexual assault trial. The council has recommended that Justice Camp be removed from office.Could the minister inform the House about next steps in this matter?
Mr. Speaker, the budget will not be balanced until 2055.That means my 15-year-old daughter, who is listening to us online today, will be 53 by the time the government gets public finances under control. That means our kids will pay for the Liberal deficit. If nothing changes, my daughter will have to pay extra taxes for 38 years because of the Liberal government's irresponsibility.What does the Prime Minister have to say to my daughter, who is listening to us right now?
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said time and time again that he will respond to any questions the commissioner has. This government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. That is why we lowered taxes on the middle class. That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps families with children who need it the most. That is why we recognize we can have a sustainable environment as well as a strong economy. They go hand in hand. We need to continue working hard. I encourage all members to let us work better together.
Mr. Speaker, we have countless judicial vacancies and unfilled watchdog positions, and we have ambassador appointments that have been downgraded to special advisers. All these failed appointments have one thing in common: the former director of appointments to the Prime Minister, Mary Ng. It seems the only nomination Mary Ng was able fulfill was her own Liberal Party candidacy and members of the immigration board, whose independence she has compromised by claiming she has political control over them.How can Canadians have any confidence in the Liberal appointments when they are so shrouded in Liberal politics?
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2016, we invested in jobs, middle-class growth, infrastructure, and innovation. We cut taxes for the middle class and introduced the Canada child benefit.The economy has improved, but we still have work to do. We have to keep making major investments in the middle class to generate economic growth for all Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, three of the retirement homes purchased by Anbang, a Chinese insurance company, are in my riding on Vancouver Island. American companies have refused to work with Anbang because of its murky ownership, yet the Liberals rubber-stamped the deal. British Columbians demand greater transparency when publicly funded assets are sold to foreign interests. Our health care should not be for sale, and this takeover does not pass the smell test. I have a simple question. If the Liberals are so confident about this sketchy deal, will they guarantee our seniors that they will not be negatively affected by this deal?
Mr. Speaker, headlines are telling us that the crown attorneys in Alberta are having to accept plea deals on criminal cases because of the judicial backlog. Today, the paper in Ottawa said that there were 1,000 cases that were in jeopardy of being thrown out. In large part, this is because of the Liberal inaction in this area. If 1,000 cases is not enough to get the government moving to make judicial appointments, how many would it take? How about 5,000? Would that be enough for the government?
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the passion he has for our troops, and I think we all share that. When it comes to looking after our troops, as I stated, we want to look after our troops who are not only in Operation Impact but in other operations as well. As I stated, we have launched a review. I wish members opposite had had the same level of compassion and desire they have now when they were actually in government, to make sure that our troops were not sent without the tax-free allowance.
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has some of the most stringent post-employment rules in the entire Government of Canada. When CRA employees leave their job, they must meet very strict conditions. Disclosing information is prohibited by law, indefinitely.I would remind everyone that any employee or former employee of CRA who breaks those rules faces penalties and even criminal prosecution.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question, even though I do not agree with the premise of it.Our government is committed to helping middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join the middle class. I will tell members what we have done thus far.So far, we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians. We have put in place a historic agreement called the Canada child benefit program, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We have helped our seniors by putting in place an increase in the guaranteed income supplement.We are supporting Canadians. We are going in the right direction, and we are going to continue to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate rising in this House to remind members as well as Canadians that we take our small businesses very seriously. Yes, they are the backbone of the economy. We know that through our investments and through our plan they will be able to be more productive, more innovative, and export-oriented. Small businesses want to export, so we are creating the conditions to make it easier. If we look at the accelerated growth service, we are looking at the high-impact, high-growth firms and giving them catered services so that they can actually advance the services and products that they have. We will continue to work hard for small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question. In budget 2017, we will continue to focus on helping the middle class and those working hard to join it. Also, will will focus on economic prosperity for all of Canada.Our government listens to Canadians. We are heading in the right direction and will continue with our plan to help them.
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm today that I received a report from the Canadian Judicial Council, which found Justice Robin Camp acted in a manner that seriously undermined public confidence in the judiciary. The council recommended the removal of Justice Camp from the Federal Court. I have read both reports and have satisfied myself that Justice Camp was afforded due process. We have considered all the factual and legal findings and are prepared to move on this. I understand there might be some news in this regard with respect to Justice Camp, but our government is committed to moving forward with the removal of Justice Camp.
Mr. Speaker, that answer did anything but tell Canadians when the Liberal government will return to the balanced budgets that they have promised.Does the finance minister really believe that saddling our children's children with massive amounts of long-term debt is how we really help the middle class? Not only were previous Conservative and Liberal finance ministers proud to talk about balanced budgets, but they actually delivered.Why is a balanced budget now a dirty word to the finance minister and to the Liberals?
Mr. Speaker, I also agree that every member in the House works very hard, just like every Canadian in the country works very hard. That is why our government is committed to working hard for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it. I am always proud to stand in the House and remind Canadians, and all members, that we have introduced a new government-wide appointment process that is open, transparent, and merit-based. Our approach will result in the recommendation of highly qualified candidates who achieve gender parity and truly reflect Canada's diversity. The new selection process reflects the fundamental role that many Canadians play
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is making Canada a less attractive place to do business and create jobs every single day. Business investment has fallen every single quarter since the Prime Minister took office, and when people are not investing in our economy, jobs are not created. It is about to get worse as Donald Trump lowers taxes and cuts red tape while the Prime Minister is going in the exact opposite direction. Will the Prime Minister wake up, lower taxes, cut red tape, and protect Canadian jobs?
Mr. Speaker, the minister and the ministry have a strong working relationship with the Government of Alberta, the AUMA, the AAMDC, and mayors from across the province. The ministry values the opportunity to meet with communities and talk about their infrastructure priorities. As I mentioned previously, there are 127 projects that will benefit communities all across the province, a number of whichif not most of whichare in some of the main municipalities. We will continue to deliver for Albertans. We will continue to deliver quality jobs for the 21st century and for all Albertans. That is what we are going to do in this government.
Mr. Speaker, let us talk about economic growth.According to the business community, through a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and I quote, Small business owners know that todays deficits are tomorrows taxes. They believe that the government should commit to eliminating the deficit in five years, not 38.I talked about our children earlier, and now I want to talk about our job creators, who are also extremely worried. The last thing they need is more taxes and larger deficits.What does the Prime Minister have to say to them today? They are listening to us today, too.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good day, because we made an announcement today.Working together to invest in our Canadian entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in the Canadian economy, but also in our future. The funding announced today will support business expansion. It will support the women and men who are working hard to develop businesses and create even more jobs for the middle class across the country.We will continue to work very hard for small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Speaker, no wonder the transport minister could not answer my questions yesterday. It is the finance minister who is calling the shots. We now know the airports are on a fire sale to foreign buyers to fund his infrastructure bank because his runaway spending has drained the treasury. Canadian travellers will now be forced to pay higher costs and more fees to foreign airport owners to pay for the Liberals' reckless spending.Will the minister or anybody on that side finally admit that the airports are being sold solely because they have run out of money?
Mr. Speaker, as all members of the House know, earlier last year we introduced legislation, which passed and received royal assent, allowing Canadians to have access to medical assistance in dying. Through that legislation we were able to allow Canadians access to that right, while at the same time recognizing there were vulnerable people who needed to be protected. By all accounts that I have had with medical practitioners and medical regulators, the system is working well. We are continuing to track that. We also have a review under way to address some of the questions that were raised in the House during that consideration, and we look forward
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations, and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding the order made March 8, 2017, Bill C-337, an act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault) be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is under multiple investigations. He refuses to answer questions about his ethical shortcomings. The Minister of Innovation was forced to admit that he misled Canadians over the Anbang boondoggle. The Minister of Finance is engaged in a carbon tax cover-up and the secret sell-off of airports. When will the Prime Minister finally act like a leader and be honest with Canadians instead of thinking he is above the law?
Mr. Speaker, these are mostly part-time jobs and this is a serious issue that is coming up in this next budget. Small businesses are bracing for this next budget. They already know that they have been hit by the Prime Minister's carbon tax, the EI hike, the CPP tax hike, and his cancellation of the small business hiring credit. At the same time, they are worried about the impact of Donald Trump's low tax rates. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and yet the Prime Minister just keeps taxing them more and more. When will the Prime Minister give small businesses a break?
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency has very strict post-employment policies for employees who leave positions with the Government of Canada.When they leave their jobs, former CRA employees must meet strict requirements. Information disclosure is prohibited by law indefinitely. CRA employees could be subject to sanctions, including fines and prison time.
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not delighted or reassured by the minister's talking points. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce said very clearly that Canadians know times are different, and that they know they're going to have to make concessions. Concessions? There is too much at stake for Canadian workers. The tone has changed from a tweak to a threatening big bazooka, and apparently the Prime Minister still has nothing to say. Canadians need to know that their government is going to fight for their jobs. What is the government going to bring to the table during NAFTA renegotiations?
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations--Excuse me, could I get some order?
Mr. Speaker, we know that governing is hard, and there is more to it than taking selfies and holding hands. The Liberals have failed to make a single parliamentary watchdog appointed in their 18 months in government. It seems the only appointments the government can make are to friends and former chiefs of staff.Eighteen months have passed. How much longer do we have to wait for the Prime Minister to start doing his job and appointing people to these watchdog positions? Or is it taking so long because he is trying to find people who will turn the other cheek to his ethical transgressions?
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are clearly feeling the pressure to increase defence spending. Reports this week noted that the Liberals are actually going to spend less on defence, but they are planning on cooking the books in hopes of fooling our NATO allies. Instead of including the Coast Guard's budget in defence spending, which is nothing more than just a shell game, the Liberals should pay our troops what they deserve when they are out there fighting ISIS.Will the minister stop playing shell games with our defence spending and retroactively pay back all the danger pay? I mean retroactively pay it all back to all our troops who are stationed in Kuwait.
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Residential schools were a dark and painful chapter in our history, and comments like these are ill-informed, offensive, and simply wrong. The intention of Indian residential schools was to erase indigenous language and culture. The senator's comments underscore the need for better education, so that all Canadians can work together to advance the shared journey of reconciliation. Survivors, families, and communities are still dealing with the intergenerational trauma resulting from Indian residential schools. We must all be united in supporting them.
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals continue to make life unaffordable for Canadian families. With previous tax hikes that have taken place, it leaves us wondering, with the minister saying that everything is on the table, what is next for our Canadian families.Stories are coming out every day with regard to potential tax hikes that we could be facing in this upcoming budget. What I would like to know today is whether our children are in fact going to be kept safe.I have asked this before and I am asking it again today. Could the Minister of Finance tell us that he will not touch the registered education savings plan?
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to deliverology, we know that so far the Liberal government has delivered over $25 billion in debt this year and is working hard to do so in the next. What we do not know is when the government will ever return to a balanced budget. The finance department report, which the minister intentionally delayed, says 2050 or 2051.When will the government balance the budget?
Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1974, a tragic accident befell cadets attending camp on the Valcartier base. A live grenade exploded inside a barracks packed with more than 130 cadets, killing six of them and injuring dozens more. The lives of many Canadians were changed forever. Can the Minister of National Defence tell the House what has been done to ensure that survivors of this terrible tragedy receive adequate care and support?
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security will be in Ottawa tomorrow for meetings with the government, including the Minister of Public Safety. Ever since President Trump came into power, at least three Quebeckers have been turned away at the U.S. border.Can the minister confirm that he is going to discuss the specific cases of Canadians turned away at the border when he talks to John Kelly and ensure that there will be no further impact on Canadians who want to visit the United States?
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to pass a message on to Canadians. In last year's budget, our government invested a historic $444 million. Over the past year, that money has allowed us to recover $13 billion, which will be reinvested in health care, education, and infrastructure. We will keep working for Canadians, as we promised.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is trying to keep at least one election promise, and he is moving forward with legislation to legalize marijuana.Marijuana edibles, such as lollipops, brownies, cookies, and candies, are directly targeting Canadian youth and are currently the number one sales item at illegal dispensaries. How can Canadians trust the Prime Minister to protect our children under more liberalized laws when he refuses to protect them when marijuana is illegal?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians courts are at a tipping point, prosecutors are dropping serious criminal cases because they lack resources to meet deadlines, and the Minister of Justice has failed to fill more than 60 judicial vacancies, resulting in serious criminal cases being thrown out of court.Could the minister tell us how many cases are going to be thrown out of court before she finally gets her act together and starts appointing judges?
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier today, I am truly sorry for the pain endured by victims of this tragedy, and I deeply regret how long it has taken to address it.That is why we are taking action. In recognition of their pain and suffering, they will receive a universal benevolent payment and are eligible for an individualized payment to cover any physical or mental injuries they may have endured.For the former cadets who are here today and those who could not be here, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I ask them to accept this apology. We are truly sorry for the pain they have endured, and we deeply regret how long it took to address it.We are sorry.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?