CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 144 Ï NUMBER 023 Ï 2nd SESSION Ï 40th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1271 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, March 4, 2009 The House met at 2 p.m. Sampson won Vibe Creative Single and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Prayers Two basketball teams also made us proud. CBU's Caper's women claimed their third AUS banner and Breton Education Bears won their first Coal Bowl. Ï (1400) [English] On February 23, our entire island celebrated the 100th anniversary The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the first flight of the Silver Dart with a re-enactment on Baddeck of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Brossard—La Bay. Prairie. [Members sang the national anthem] We are proud of each and every one of these outstanding Cape Breton accomplishments. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS *** [English] Ï (1405) INFRASTRUCTURE [Translation] Mr. Phil McColeman (Brant, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw the attention of the House to the recent announcement of the SAINT-HUBERT AIRPORT government of over $10 million to build a new twin-pad arena in my riding of Brant and to rebuild the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. Mrs. Carole Lavallée (Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, BQ): Mr. Speaker, in this, the 100th year since the first Canadian flight, I wish We are creating jobs by doing this and making Canada stronger by to draw attention to the importance of aeronautics to the riding of investing in it. We are delivering results in these difficult times by Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert. This is an economic sector in which building roads, bridges and water treatment systems across Ontario Quebec expertise is recognized world wide. and by investing in projects like these. Not only will people in Brant have greater access to physical The Saint-Hubert airport is the oldest civil airport in Quebec and activity opportunities as a result of this development, but the in Canada. For many years, it was also the most important. community will benefit from job creation, improved recreational facilities and the sport tourism dollars this will bring to our area for Life on the Montreal south shore, and in Saint-Hubert in years to come. particular, is very much dependent on the airport and the aerospace *** industry. The multitude of small, medium and large innovative businesses in this field, and their subcontractors, employ thousands CAPE BRETON of workers. I am thinking of the likes of Héroux DevTech, Pratt & Hon. Mark Eyking (Sydney—Victoria, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Whitney, Dev-Yhu and the Canadian Space Agency. Saint-Hubert is recently Cape Breton has seen its heroes and stars. also the home of the École nationale d'aérotechnique, a campus of Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, which plays a lead role in Quebec in the On January 27, the Baddeck Volunteer Fire Department rescued field of technical training in aeronautics. six passengers from a bus that crashed into the ice filled river. This past weekend we had winners at the ECMA Awards. Tom But our reputation in aeronautics is also showcased by a dynamic Fun Orchestra won the rising star recording, Sydney Mines Brenda foundation, Fondation Aérovision Québec, headed by Lucien Stubbert took home the roots/traditional solo, the Burkes from Poirier. It promotes Quebec's exceptional contribution to the Waterford took home the gospel recording, Ronald Bourgeois from conquest of the air as well as being dedicated to the preservation Chéticamp won francophone recording and, last but not least, Gordie of our aeronautical heritage. 1272 COMMONS DEBATES March 4, 2009 Statements by Members [English] congratulate them for their hard work and dedication in this initiative. STATUS OF WOMEN Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Mr. Speak- “Vote for the Home of the Champions” is their slogan. This er, the last three years of the Conservative government have been a explains the underlying momentum in the race for Harbour Grace to disaster for the advancement of women, economically, socially and be recognized as Hockeyville. “Home of Champions” represents politically. historical connections with the town of Harbour Grace. Women's organizations have lost their funding and many have, Native and local champion Danny Cleary increased local sadly, disappeared. Those that remain are denied the resources enthusiasm when he made history by bringing the Stanley Cup to needed to advance women's equality in our country. Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008. The long-standing rivalry One case is that of l'accès des femmes au travail, which had between the Cee Bees and other provincial teams showcases many submitted an important proposal to Status of Women Canada to local champions during the battles for the top prize at Herder develop a program to improve the representation of women in Memorial. Hockey moms, hockey dads and all participants in local predominantly male employment sectors and maximize the oppor- minor hockey programs are all champions. tunities for greater economic security for women. After meeting all SWC funding requirements, the organization was abruptly denied Let us vote Harbour Grace and vote often. funding after publicly criticizing the Conservative attack on pay equity and women's rights. *** The Conservative government is turning back the clock on ELLARD POWERS equality and is trying to silence the voices of women who stand in its way. Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay respects to Mr. Ellard Powers, a *** leader in the farming community. Ellard was born the eldest of five children in Ross Township, Renfrew country during the depths of the AGRICULTURE Great Depression in 1934. That experience tempered his resolve to Mr. Blake Richards (Wild Rose, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it has been help the plight of fellow farmers. my privilege as a member of the agriculture committee to work for the benefit of farmers in my riding of Wild Rose and all across I got to know Ellard when he served on my beef task force that Canada. However, I doubt Liberal members hold that same was set up to deal with the border crisis over BSE. Ellard was always conviction. available to provide advice. In addition to farming dairy and beef, while working for Dominion Magnesium, Ellard during the 1960s The Liberals recently tried to undermine the Canadian Cattlemen's was vice-president of the Ontario farmers union three times. Association's support for expanding beef exports by siding instead Through the OFU, he became a member of the Ontario Milk with organizations that favoured failed protectionist policies. Marketing Board, moving on to become a commissioner on the However, the Liberals' stance now is much different from what Canadian Dairy Commission and to its chairman and CEO three they told farmers before the election. On October 9, 2008, in years later. response to a CCA questionnaire, the Liberal Party said, “The key to supporting cattle production is to expand export opportunities”. Ellard would continue to serve the farming community in a variety of other capacities over the year, most recently as vice-president of Since that is exactly what this Conservative government has been the Renfrew County chapter of the NFU. successfully doing, I have to wonder what it is in the Liberals' DNA that compels them to reject the very few good ideas they actually Ellard was committed to rural living and the family farm. His come across. contribution to the public life of our country in agricultural matters will always be appreciated. Why do Liberals always say one thing and do another? *** *** HOCKEYVILLE Ï (1410) Mr. Scott Andrews (Avalon, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I would like to [Translation] congratulate the Harbour Grace Hockeyville organizing committee and all the residents of Harbour Grace and the surrounding areas for RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY their support and determination to bring Hockeyville to their community. Harbour Grace has made it to the top five and voting Ms. Diane Bourgeois (Terrebonne—Blainville, BQ): Mr. is now underway to determine the title of Hockeyville 2009. Speaker, I would like to draw attention today to the important contribution to society that has been made by Rights and Democracy It is wonderful to see the effort, enthusiasm and friendly in its 20 years of existence. Created by an act of Parliament, Rights competitive spirit of Harbour Grace during the qualifying period. and Democracy is a non-partisan organization whose mandate is to That, combined with their individual efforts, is commendable and I promote democratic development and defend human rights. March 4, 2009 COMMONS DEBATES 1273 Statements by Members The work carried out by the staff of this public institution, in [Translation] conjunction with civil societies of a number of countries, is remarkable. On numerous occasions, we have sought their expertise Before the budget, the minister seemed interested in helping these and knowledge, both legal and practical. Whether in connection with lobster fishermen. Now, she has nothing to say. That is too bad, events in Burma, the Philippines, Tibet or China or the actions by because the economic and social survival of thousands of people is at Canadian mining companies abroad, the huge role this organization stake. fulfills in providing information and speaking out against breaches *** of human rights is invaluable. [English] I and all my colleagues in the Bloc Québécois would like to thank this organization for its contribution to the defence and promotion of SEAL HUNT human rights. We hope that, through its recommendations, it will Mr. Kevin Sorenson (Crowfoot, CPC): Mr.