May 18th
- MP
conFri 9:15 am | Saskatchewan, Regina—Lumsden—Lake CentreMadam Speaker, Question No. 579 will be answered today.
- MP
conFri 9:15 am | Alberta, Fort McMurray—AthabascaWith regard to questions Q-386 through Q-509 on the Order Paper: (a) what is the estimated cost of the government's response to each question; and (b) what is the estimated cost of the government's response to this question?
- MP
conFri 9:15 am | Ontario, ThornhillMr. Speaker, with regard to (a), Ssince January 1, 2006, Parks Canada has not sold, subdivided, leased, or in any other way alienated or dealt with its holdings of real property on the east side of Little Lake in Peterborough, Ontario.
With regard to (b), Parks Canada is not considering doing so.
With regard to (c), Ssince the answer to (a) is no, this is not applicable.
With regard to (d), Parks Canada has not communicated with any federal or provincial parliamentarians regarding Government of Canada holdings of real property on the east side of Little Lake in Peterborough, Ontario.
- MP
conFri 9:10 am | Manitoba, Kildonan—St. PaulMadam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Health entitled “Chronic Diseases Related to Aging and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
- MP
conFri 9:10 am | Ontario, Perth—WellingtonMadam Speaker, I have two petitions.
Canada is the only nation in the western world and in the company of China and North Korea without any laws restricting abortion. Therefore, the petitioners call upon the House of Commons and Parliament assembled to speedily enact legislation that restricts abortion to the greatest extent possible.
- MPconFri 9:05 am | Saskatchewan, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(b) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to three petitions.
- MP
conFri 9:05 am | Quebec, BeauceMr. Speaker, what has the Bloc Québécois done for the regions of Quebec over the past few years? Absolutely nothing. We, on the contrary, are working with all the regions—the regions of Ontario, Quebec and particularly western Canada—to make our country more prosperous.
We have confidence in our entrepreneurs. They are the ones who create wealth and employment in Canada. We must support them. That is what we are doing with our budgetary measures, which have been very well received by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and small businesses across Canada.
- MP
conFri 9:05 am | British Columbia, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—MissionMr. Speaker, I want to assure the member that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will continue to support freshwater research across Canada. That is why, for example, we invested in the Lake Simcoe cleanup fund of $30 million in 2008. We are making very good progress using that money.
While we think that this facility would be better run by an academic private facility, we are going to continue to invest in clean water in our lakes. We are looking forward to facilitating a transfer from this particular facility to a private organization.
- MP
conFri 9:00 am | Alberta, Calgary EastMr. Speaker, the Government of Canada always supports free and fair elections in Ukraine. Because of our strong commitment to Ukraine, Canada will accommodate a request for election observers.
Yes, we are concerned about the recent events that have taken place in Ukraine, most specifically the imprisonment of the former prime minister.
Let me say this: Canada will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people to help them achieve their democracy.
- MPconFri 9:00 am | Quebec, Beauce
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians know that we have a plan to ensure that Canada becomes more prosperous and even more free: the economic action plan that we tabled recently.
Unlike the NDP members opposite, we are not trying to pit one region of Canada against another. We are working with all Canadians to ensure that there are jobs available for everyone.
We are doing this while—it is important to point out—managing the deficit and ensuring that we return to a balanced budget as soon as possible so that we can continue to decrease taxes for Canadian workers.
- MP
conFri 9:00 am | Ontario, Simcoe NorthThe hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- MP
conFri 9:00 am | Alberta, Calgary—Nose HillMr. Speaker, we are pleased with independent reports indicating that the elections appear to have been free and fair, and with no reports of violence. I especially note that 30% of the newly elected Algerian parliament are women.
Canada is also very encouraged by the recent political reforms that have taken place in Algeria. We support the new government as it continues on this positive path. Canada's foreign policy is based on supporting and promoting across the globe the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
- MPconFri 8:55 am | Alberta, Calgary East
Mr. Speaker, Canada is committed until 2014 to participating in an international mission to train Afghanistan security forces to prevent that country from becoming a safe haven for terrorists. We will assess what is necessary to meet these objectives and we have not made any final decisions at this time.
- MP
conFri 8:55 am | Ontario, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—WestdaleMr. Speaker, despite a litany of calls from the international community for al-Assad to halt the violence and abide by special envoy Kofi Annan's six point ceasefire plan, the senseless killings continue. Just last week, Syrian forces fired upon onlookers at a funeral. These abhorrent acts drew strong international condemnation.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs please update this House on the latest actions Canada has taken?
- MPconFri 8:55 am | Ontario, Simcoe North
The hon. member for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale.
- MP
conFri 8:55 am | Ontario, Oak Ridges—MarkhamMr. Speaker, the reality is that this is another member who wants to talk about anything but what Canadians actually want to talk about.
What Canadians want to talk about is the jobs we have been creating through the economic action plan. They want to talk about the Minister of National Defence, who ended the decade of darkness. They want to talk about the Minister of Justice, who restored balance to our justice system, allowing the Minister of Public Safety to close prisons. They want to talk about the member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, who has brought in new legislation to protect our water resources. They want to talk about the member for Kildonan—St. Paul who continues to promote legislation to—
- MPconFri 8:50 am | Ontario, Simcoe North
The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources.
- MP
conFri 8:50 am | Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills—GrasslandsMr. Speaker, I can tell the member what the benefits of the economic action plan are. It is 750,000 jobs across this country. Members opposite need to get on board with that plan.
Actually, yesterday we were able to have our committee meet. We had three ministers come and talk to us about our future plans. We look forward to the changes that are going to be made so that we can develop the economy across this country, protect the environment and develop even more jobs.
Hopefully the NDP will begin to work with us instead of trying to divide workers in one section from workers in another part of this country. Resources extend across this country, from British Columbia right across to Newfoundland and Labrador. The NDP needs to get on board and support Canadian jobs.
- MP
conFri 8:45 am | Nova Scotia, Central NovaThat is not true, Mr. Speaker. Once again and as always, this hon. member is providing inaccurate information.
We are in fact relocating professionals to Petawawa, in order to have them closer to those members of the military who will need that support. We have had to do so because of retirements and because individuals have transferred to new jobs. This is common turnaround within the Canadian Forces.
We are moving forward to hire more mental health professionals. We, in fact, have a goal of doubling the number. We are moving rapidly in that direction and will continue to support those soldiers, their families and our veterans when they need those services.
- MP
conFri 8:45 am | Manitoba, Portage—LisgarMr. Speaker, I am very pleased to answer that question today.
As part of our government's ongoing measures to reduce the deficit, we will need to end the waiver on firearms licensing fees. However, in order to help law-abiding gun owners, we are providing extra time for them to renew their licence for five years, at no cost. Those with restricted and prohibited licences can apply for a no-cost licence until September 17, 2012. Those with non-restricted licences have a whole year to apply.
This is good news for law-abiding gun owners and good news for taxpayers.
- MPconFri 8:40 am | Nova Scotia, Central Nova
Mr. Speaker, we will not speculate. What I would suggest is that the member take a look at the recommendations that will be coming out when the secretariat has a chance to bring all of these departments together to look at this important procurement project.
I would also suggest and encourage him to support this important replacement of the CF-18. This is a very major investment for our country. It is great for the aerospace industry. It will ensure that we have the ability to participate in Norad and NATO missions in the future. That is why we are pursuing this important replacement project, as we are on a number of fronts when it comes to our military.
- MPconFri 8:40 am | Ontario, Simcoe North
The hon. member for Ottawa—Vanier.
- MP
conFri 8:40 am | Ontario, PeterboroughMr. Speaker, one of the things that I think has really troubled Canadians in this entire story is the fact that it is the Liberals who actually did everything they could to obscure and hide the fact that they themselves had broken the law. It was not until they were caught that they then had to admit that they did conduct illegal calls using false names and, in fact, breaching election laws and CRTC regulations.
I will be clear here. The Conservative Party of Canada has been open. We are assisting Elections Canada. It is the Liberal Party that is not. Perhaps the member would like to turn over to the Privacy Commissioner all the records the Liberals have on U.S. servers on Canadians. That is what the Liberal Party—
- MPconFri 8:35 am | British Columbia, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission
Mr. Speaker, to the contrary. While we will not apologize for acknowledging that our government's top priorities are to ensure a strong and growing economy and to spend tax dollars wisely, our government has found fair, balanced and moderate savings to reduce the deficit and accomplish this goal. Of course, DFO is included in that.
We have made business decisions to align activities and spending to focus on our core responsibilities, take advantage of modern technologies and remain efficient and effective.
- MPconFri 8:35 am | Ontario, Oak Ridges—Markham
Mr. Speaker, as I have said in the House a number of times, this government has actually invested more in arts and culture than any government has in the history of this country, and that includes our national museums. When we took over government, our national museums were starved for funding and resources. We actually reversed that trend.
On the exhibit that the member talks about, I am the father of two young girls and I will not be visiting it. It is up to parents to make that decision on their own. Originally the exhibit was meant for children 12 years and up. I was very pleased, as was the minister, that it was changed to 16.
We know Canadian parents can make their own choices. That is why we brought in choice for child care on this side of the House. The NDP voted against it. We will continue to focus on the priorities of Canadians.
- MPconFri 8:30 am | British Columbia, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission
Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, we are doing our part in reducing the deficit. We have taken a very careful look at where our services are, where they need to be and where they can be administered in the most effective way. That is what we have done on the west coast and, in fact, that is what we have done throughout the country.
I can assure the member that the safety of mariners will not be affected.
- MPconFri 8:25 am | British Columbia, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission
Mr. Speaker, I can assure my colleague that the top priority of the Canadian Coast Guard is the safety of mariners.
He referred to the consolidation on the west coast, which we are very familiar with. I can assure him that the service will remain the same and will be in line with other major Canadian ports. I would also remind him that the search and rescue capability in that area was actually improved through the addition of a hovercraft in the 2010 budget. I would also tell him that the coast guard will be establishing a new inshore rescue boat station for the summer season in the Vancouver port. He has no reason to be concerned.
- MPconFri 8:25 am | Ontario, Simcoe North
The hon. Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.
- MP
conFri 8:20 am | Manitoba, Saint BonifaceMr. Speaker, I would like to quote some Canadian economists in response to my colleague's question so that she might understand what Canadians think about this.
Avery Shenfeld, CIBC World Markets' chief economist, said budget 2012 “...makes sense in a world economy that is still not what we would like it to be. Relative to what anybody else is doing, we still come out with flying colours.”
Other economists have commented about this. We continue to push forward with a plan to create jobs, sustain the economy and make sure we have long-term prosperity.
- MPconFri 8:10 am | Manitoba, Saint Boniface
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the NDP was completely wrong when he started to attack Canada's energy and natural resources sector.
In my home province of Manitoba, mining is the second largest industry, directly employing over 6,100 people, particularly in the north.
Manitoba's NDP premier said that the province's mining industry was “providing high-paying jobs and supporting our northern communities”. Unbelievably, the federal NDP leader believes these jobs are a disease.
It is now time for Manitoba NDP MPs, such as the member for Winnipeg Centre and the member for Churchill, to tell the House if they think the work their constituents are doing is a disease.
- MPconFri 8:10 am | Ontario, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale
Mr. Speaker, the nations of Canada and Israel, and, indeed, the Jewish community in Hamilton and around the world, lost a remarkable friend at the end of April with the sudden passing of Rose Lax.
Remarkable because she was born in a displaced persons camp to survivors of the Holocaust and yet grew to become an individual lauded for having changed the Jewish political landscape of North America.
Remarkable because of her tireless work to empower university students against the scourge of anti-Semitism on campuses.
Remarkable because Israeli member of the Knesset, Bennie Begin, son of the sixth Israeli prime minister, spoke of the very special connection he felt with Rose and the Lax family since the time of his parents.
We lost a woman of outstanding character and heart in Rose Lax. I, along with my colleagues, the Hon. Stockwell Day and the member for Nepean—Carleton, offer our sincere condolences to Rose's family.
- MPconFri 8:05 am | Manitoba, Portage—Lisgar
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting the Diamond Jubilee Medal to 15-year-old Kaitlyn Reimer who was recognized for her impact on those around her.
From a young age, Kaitlyn has been a positive force in the community, from volunteering for Special Olympics to cheering on her teammates. Kaitlyn is known for her humble character, which deflects attention from herself and onto others in need.
In 2010, Kaitlyn's life and that of her family was changed when she was diagnosed with cancer. Determined to make a difference, she started the Katie Cares Foundation to raise money for toys, furniture and games for children in the hospital.
Kaitlyn and her foundation still raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer across southern Manitoba. As Kaitlyn continues her fight with cancer, her most important wish is that her foundation grows and helps families.
Because of her caring and positive attitude, Kaitlyn is an inspiration to so many. Her kindness will never be forgotten. We love Katie very much.
- MPconFri 8:00 am | Manitoba, Kildonan—St. Paul
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to stand in the House today and call attention to Emergency Medical Services Week, which will take place next week.
There are over 30,000 paramedics from coast to coast who are represented by the Emergency Medical Services Chiefs of Canada. Paramedics are the third largest health care provider group in Canada. They serve on the front lines of health care in every community across our nation providing essential care. They are a reliable and constant presence in most remote and rural areas, as well as in our largest cities. Every day, the efforts of the communications staff, paramedics and support staff make a real difference to someone in someone's community.
Emergency Medical Services Week 2012 salutes the men and women of Canada's emergency medical services. I invite hon. members to join me in celebrating the lifelong dedication of emergency medical services professionals to keep Canadians safe.
- MP
conFri 8:00 am | Ontario, Kitchener CentreMr. Speaker, this year, Kitchener celebrates its 100th anniversary as a city. On June 10, 1912, the town of Berlin became the city of Kitchener, my lifetime home.
Our dynamic city and many public-spirited, hard-working people make me proud to be the member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre.
Just this past week, two Kitchener residents, Randy Rollo and Tara McTeer, were honoured with the Kindred Spirit Award from the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, ROOF, Ray of Hope and the YWCA for their support of the homeless. Both Randy and Tara experienced homelessness and now they give back to those facing similar obstacles.
Randy helped to start the Out of the Cold Shelter program and has volunteered since 1999. Tara is a health worker at Mary's Place and volunteers with many organizations in Kitchener. They are evidence of Kitchener's greatest asset, our generous and hard-working people.
- MP
conFri 7:55 am | Alberta, Edmonton—Sherwood ParkMr. Speaker, I look back and see that the apology has been made by the Prime Minister on behalf of the government. It was made with very much respect and in front of thousands of people. Many people I speak to are very proud of the fact that their government has apologized. He is the first Prime Minister to do so.
It is time to move on. It is time to educate others about what happened in that incident. We have provided funding for a museum, for online projects, for books and for a monument.
I can only think that the NDP is bringing this up now as a political ploy. It is unfortunate that it would bring such an emotional issue up as a matter of politics.
The apology has been made, with respect, in front of thousands of people.
- MPconFri 7:55 am | Ontario, Simcoe North
Order. I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member, but time is limited. We need to give some time to the Minister of State to respond.
The hon. Minister of State.
- MPconFri 7:50 am | Alberta, Edmonton—Sherwood Park
Mr. Speaker, I find it a little rich for a Liberal member to stand and ask for an apology. First, the apology has already been made, with a great deal of respect, in front of thousands of people. It is a little rich for the Liberal Party to even talk about this when for the 13 years it was government it had an opportunity, over two prime ministers, to make this apology, and it chose not to.
It was this government and this Prime Minister who, very respectfully, in front of thousands of people, officially apologized for the Komagata Maru incident. I am proud of the fact that I am part of the first government to apologize for this incident.
- MPconFri 7:50 am | Ontario, Simcoe North
Order, please. I am sure there are other members who wish to pose questions. The time is limited.
The hon. Minister of State.
- MPconFri 7:35 am | Alberta, Edmonton—Sherwood Park
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Prime Minister's apology on behalf of the Government of Canada for the Komagata Maru incident of 1914.
[Member spoke in Punjabi]
- MPconFri 7:15 am | Ontario, Peterborough
Mr. Speaker, as you would know, Canada does not have a perfect record when it comes to our tolerance and acceptance of cultures.
In fact, we made many mistakes as a young country. As a member of my father's family, I am a member of the Italian community, immigrants to this country who were here during a dark period. During the Second World War we interned Italian Canadians and other Canadians. These were not foreign citizens, they were Canadian citizens who were interned.
More than 20 years ago, then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney apologized. What was missing from the Italian community, as we had this debate just a couple of years ago, was not the apology. The apology was made, as it was in this case, by our Prime Minister. I am proud that our Prime Minister sought to do that. What was missing for some members of the Italian community was not the apology but the acceptance of that apology.
Canada has expressed its sorrow for what occurred. Why does the member feel that the acceptance has not been given?
May 17th
- MP
conMay 17, 2012 3:55 pm | Ontario, Nepean—CarletonMadam Speaker, the question is more or less the same, so the answer will be the same.
We have not received an official request. Nor do we have objective information demonstrating real safety needs. As a result, Transport Canada considers that the investment of over $10 million to extend the runway is not justifiable.
That is my response to the hon. member, but I can assure him that we are open to work with him and his community in order to support the people of the Magdalen Islands.
I would like to thank him for his question.
- MPconMay 17, 2012 3:50 pm | Ontario, Nepean—Carleton
Madam Speaker, we have already provided support to the Magdalen Islands through investments in the airport and elsewhere in the community.
I can assure the hon. member that the Magdalen Islands airport infrastructures are safe and able to respond adequately to the needs of the commercial aircraft that regularly serve the airport. They are also able to accommodate fully loaded search and rescue aircraft. In fact, no official request to lengthen the main runway has been received from the airlines providing service to the airport.
Unless it receives objective safety information that shows a real need, Transport Canada considers that the investment of more than $10 million—that would be needed to lengthen the runway by 5,900 feet—is not justified on the basis of the information that we have.
I would like to thank the hon. member for raising this issue that is so important for his constituents. I would like to remind him that the primary goal of the government and the Department of Transport is to ensure the safety of our system. According to the information currently at our disposal, the system on the Magdalen Islands is safe. We are going to continue co-operating fully with the community and the islanders in order to maintain the system’s safety.
- MP
conMay 17, 2012 3:35 pm | British Columbia, North VancouverMadam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to point out the enormous progress we have made since Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act in 1969.
The vast majority of official language minority communities have access to federal services in the official language of their choice. Forty years ago, those communities had to communicate with federal institutions in the majority language. In 40 years, we have gone from a virtually unilingual public service to a bilingual public service.
Our road map for Canada's linguistic duality, which we adopted in 2008, supports English and French minority language communities and ensures Canadians can obtain government services in both official languages. We can be proud of how far we have come and, as we move forward, we do so knowing there is an excellent foundation to build on.
- MPconMay 17, 2012 3:30 pm | British Columbia, North Vancouver
Madam Speaker, I would first like to say that most of what the hon. member said is absolutely false.
I am happy to rise in the House to speak to the question of language training, and more specifically the way this training is provided.
First, we are well aware that the private sector and the universities and colleges have recognized expertise and the resources to provide language training directly to the public service.
In fact, before the changes in question, the Canada School of Public Service was already playing a minor role in the direct delivery of language training to the public service. The school’s expertise will continue to be used to develop learning methods and technologies, in particular, access to online language training, linguistic products and the creation of language learning plans.
I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to correct the previous statement of my hon. colleague about our government's record on economic management.
Canada's economic performance during the recovery from the global financial economic crisis has been nothing short of remarkable. Members do not have to take my word for it, though; our economic leadership during the global economic crisis has been recognized around the world.
Last year both the International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forecast we would have among the strongest economic growth in the G7 in 2011 and again this year. For the fourth year in a row, the World Economic Forum rated Canada's banking system as the world's soundest. In addition, three credit rating agencies, Moody's, Fitch and Standard and Poor's, have reaffirmed their top investment grade ratings for Canada. Forbes magazine recently rated Canada the world's best place to do business.
By any standard, Canada has weathered the global economic crisis and ongoing financial uncertainty well, particularly when compared to most other developed nations. If my hon. colleague does not want to take the word of these respected organizations, I encourage her to look at the facts. The numbers do not lie.
Since introducing Canada's economic action plan in response to the economic downturn of 2008, we have recovered more than all of the output and all of the jobs lost during the recession. About 750,000 more Canadians are working today than when the recession ended, resulting in the strongest rate of employment growth during the recovery by far among G7 countries. Real GDP is now significantly above pre-recession levels, the best performance in the G7.
We do not intend to rest on our laurels. That is why we are freeing businesses to grow by cutting red tape that can stifle productivity. That is why we are creating opportunity through our move to open government. That is why we are reducing the deficit and balancing the budget over the medium term.
The government has a clear plan for Canada and the Canadian economy based on sound economic management, and the plan is working.
- MP
conMay 17, 2012 2:00 pm | Ontario, St. CatharinesMr. Speaker, I am not sure whether the last four minutes of that speech had anything to do with Bill C-31. It had a lot to do with HRSDC, but it had nothing to do with citizenship and immigration or public safety. I appreciate the member speaking about policies that do not relate to the bill.
In any event, I would like to get his response to one thing that is paramount and that he did not speak to.
The NDP has tried to make hay of the fact that, as they say, there are no issues in there that would actually get at the smugglers themselves, in terms of being tough on them.
When we look at the bill itself, there is failure to file to pre-arrival information--our amendments would make it much more difficult for them, from a criminal perspective—as well as failure to comply with ministerial direction and providing false and misleading information. All of these would be tougher on those who have the nerve to smuggle people into this country.
I wonder if the member would say why he will not be supporting the piece of this legislation that would get tough on smugglers who try to bring people into this country and who take advantage of them by taking the money right out of their pockets.
- MP
conMay 17, 2012 1:45 pm | Ontario, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—BrockOrder, please. The question is over. Before I go to the answer, I would like to remind all hon. members that in a five-minute question and answer period we try to get two questions in and two answers. That is about a minute and fifteen seconds per person. I would encourage all hon. members, as they are addressing the Chair, to look for signals that their time is coming to a close. I reluctantly cut people off, but this afternoon the questions and the answers have been drifting longer and longer.
With that, I will give the member about five seconds to put the question.
- MPconMay 17, 2012 1:35 pm | Ontario, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock
It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, Official Languages; the hon. member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, The Environment; the hon. member for Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Infrastructure.
- MP
conMay 17, 2012 1:15 pm | Alberta, Calgary SoutheastMr. Speaker, that counts as one of the least helpful, misinformed and frankly arrogant speeches I have heard out of dozens offered in this place over the course of two Parliaments on the issue of asylum reform.
When I say arrogance I mean, for example, that the member speaks about ignoring the witnesses because she only seems to give any plausibility to the witnesses of the ideological left who agree with her position. She gives no credence whatsoever to the many witnesses who testified in favour of this bill and its many provisions.
There are two things I find most disturbing, though, about that speech.
The first is her hyperbolic and demagogic rhetoric suggesting that this bill represents a killing of our tradition of refugee protection. Will she not recognize that the government is actually increasing by 20% the number of resettled refugees we accept, so we would be the largest recipient of resettled refugees per capita in the world? Does she characterize that as killing our tradition? Will she not recognize that these reforms would create for the first time ever a full fact-based appeal, which has never before existed in our system, which would benefit the vast majority of failed asylum claimants? Does she think that is killing our tradition of refugee protection?
The second is this. What does she propose to do to stop human smugglers from targeting Canada? She has not said a single word that would be a constructive idea to deter people from committing to pay $40,000 to $50,000 a year to a bunch of gangsters to come to Canada illegally and dangerously. Is her idea to do nothing?
- MPconMay 17, 2012 12:45 pm | Alberta, Calgary Southeast
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for participating in the debate. I think she is misinformed in a number of respects, one of which is the suggestion that Roma asylum claimants are not being fairly considered by our refugee system. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Under the current system and the system proposed by Bill C-38, claimants from whatever country of origin, ethnicity or cultural or racial background will all have the same access to the same fair and independent quasi-judicial process on the merits of their claim before an independent decision-maker of the quasi-judicial IRB in a manner that is consistent with natural justice and due process and that exceeds the requirements of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the 1951 refugee convention.
The member raises the notion that somehow there is a negative prejudice associated with asylum claims from European Roma. I have certainly done nothing to suggest such a negative prejudice. However, what I have done is comment on the objective mathematical fact that since we granted visa exemptions for several European countries in 2007 and 2008, some 95% of the European asylum claimants have not shown up for their own refugee hearing at the IRB and have abandoned or withdrawn their own claims. Of the tiny fraction that went to adjudication, only a tiny fraction of those were deemed to actually be well-founded asylum claims.
Is the member not concerned to see such a large wave of demonstrably unfounded asylum claimants in our system, not based on my opinion but on the actions of the claimants themselves?
- MPconMay 17, 2012 12:35 pm | Alberta, Calgary Southeast
Mr. Speaker, I think the opposition misses the entire point.
The whole point is that parents should not be packing children onto a rusty boat that has been commandeered by a bunch of criminals to drag them across the Pacific Ocean at extreme risk in a smuggling operation, when we know that smuggling operations result in the death of thousands of people around the world every year.
The whole point is to send a message to such clients that they should not sign on the dotted line with the smuggling syndicate. If they want to come to Canada, they should make an application for immigration and come like everyone else. They should not come illegally. They should not come through the dangerous profiteering of a smuggling syndicate.
That is exactly the message that this bill seeks to send. I hope it is received for precisely that reason. If people are in a region of the world where they need refugee protection, they should go within their region to seek protection from the UN or another country. They should not pass through three transit countries and then bypass forty others in order to come to Canada in the most dangerous and illegal way possible.
Yes, this is designed to crack down on the clients of human smuggling, and that is the point of the bill. We have not heard a single alternative from the opposition about how to effectively do that.
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