It was a busy week in Ottawa with House sessions going to midnight while the Prime Minster traveled the EU in pursuit of a trade agreement and prepared for the G8 meeting. The PM has been keeping the details of CETA (Canada-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) under wraps which only raises more concerns of what may or may not be in it. Back in our Parliament, the government continued closure measures which are being taken in order to hinder debate and cut off external criticisms. The number of closure votes has forced committees to cancel meeting and witnesses; the result being work at committees has also been thrown into jeopardy.

House business important to you:

I presented a petition in the House drawing attention to risks surrounding offshore oil prospecting and potential drilling around the Gulf of St. Lawrence. You can see more about this petition here.

Expansion and Conservation of Canada’s National Parks Act - The debate around our national parks continued in the House last week. We see the addition of Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada to be supported by the federal government while other national park’s budgets around the country see none of the needed support considered. The effects of this have been seen, not only in the operation of some of these sites, but in the tourism market they help sustain. On P.E.I., the decision from Parks Canada to limit the hours of one of P.E.I.’s most popular attractions, Green Gables, has some tourist operators concerned about the impact on the local industry. Although we support the addition of Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada, the bill lacks support for the resources needed to maintain those we currently support.

This week I voted:
(Click on the links to see further details about each Bill and its progress status.)

Yes on Vote #753 on Bill S-10 Implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Yes on Vote #752 on Bill C-266 Establish Pope John Paul II Day

Yes on Vote #751 on Bill C-476 Amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Budget Officer)

No on Vote #755 on Bill S-16 Amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in contraband tobacco)

No on Vote #754 on Bill C-56 Amend the Copyright Act and the Trade-marks Act

During debate last week, I rose in the house to acknowledge the destructive tone we have seen in the House. The Government sets the tone and Ministers response to questions by attacking individuals, diverting attention from the responsibility and accountability of the government has caused rancour, animosity, and frustration in the chamber. All Parliamentarians are affected by this downward spiral of decorum. This tone set by government Ministers is not only hindering debate in the chamber, but is spilling over into committee work, an important element of the bill passing process. The tone of conversation is spiraling down so much that we are all embarrassed by what happens in this House.

Finally, I had the privilege of standing in the House to honour the life of Erskin Smith. You can see my statement in the House here.

Involved in theatre as an actor and director for more than 50 years, he and his wife, Pat, founded the Victoria Playhouse in 1982. His family and the playhouse is the heart of Victoria-by-the-Sea, entertaining tourists from all over the world and locals.

Erskine spent many years touring Maritime theatres and festivals and performed at the CBC nationally. In 2012, he was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to theatre and the arts.

His lifetime in dedication and self-sacrifice serving the theatre community reflects the exemplary man he was. His humility, integrity and hard work continue to inspire, expressed by many as “how kind, welcoming and generous he was”.

As Erskine moves on, there is no question that he will always be centre stage, from memories of artistic expression to the kindness that was his very being.

On behalf of the House, we recognize and thank Erskine for his dedication and contribution to his community and the arts sector as a whole.

OTTAWA, ON- Thursday, June 13th, 2013. Malpeque MP, Wayne Easter, made the following statement in the house: Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask a somewhat difference question before the member for York Centre asked who we should be consulting and said that the official opposition would be suggesting that we should be consulting with the smugglers.

That is what is wrong with this place. This was, until that time, a fairly sensible debate. I have been here pretty near 20 years. I have never sat through a question period as embarrassed for every one of us as I was today. It is because of the kinds of remarks from the member for York Centre. The government sets the tone in here, and the tone is spiralling down so much that we are all embarrassed by what happens in this House. That question just shows the kind of attitude government members have to sensible debate in this House.

My question to the member on the legislation, the key point, is whether it will work. The government comes forward, in every bill, with minimum sentences. Minimum sentences, I submit, we will see in ten years’ time are not the answer. There is much more than minimum sentences required.

Why do we appoint judges? Why do we instill experience in judges so that they can make decisions for extenuating circumstances? That has to be taken into consideration as well. Minimum sentences in themselves will not do the job.

We will be supporting sending this legislation to committee in the hope that proper discussion can take place there.

OTTAWA, ON- Monday, June 10th, 2013. Malpeque MP, Wayne Easter, made the following statement: Mr. Speaker, I listened to the member for Kitchener - Conestoga and he had nice-sounding words, but making a national park is just not enough to do the job.

Prince Edward Island National Park, or Green Gables, is in my riding, and the big issue is the resources that will accompany the putting in place of a national park to establish the protective measures necessary.

I can tell the member that with the cutbacks at Parks Canada over the last number of years—and I do not know what will happen this summer with further cutbacks—there are not sufficient wardens to show people how to handle things within that national park now. The sand dunes are very fragile structures and depend on grass to hold the sands in place. People are going up those sand hills and coasting down them. They are tearing the sand hills apart, and there is no one there to explain how that cannot be done within that national park zone.

Yes, Liberals support its becoming a national park, but resources are required to do the job that has to be done to preserve the natural resources that are there, and I do not see those resources accompanying this bill.

For more information on PEI National Park landscaps, click here.

See the full debate by clicking here.

Statement in the house: “Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition from constituents and others who are concerned about the possibility of an oil spill in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They request the establishment of an immediate moratorium on oil and gas exploration and development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and they call on the government to commit to establishing an environmental assessment review panel, which would include representation from all gulf provinces and aboriginal leaders, to determine the impact of oil and gas exploration and development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence”

The Gulf of St. Lawrence sustains millions of people, plants, and animals. This petition was put together in order to highlight the importance of proper development of any oil or gas projects in order protect the health of this brilliant waterway full of rich bio diversity.

The petition called for an immediate moratorium on oil and gas exploration and development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and further called on the government to commit to establishing an environmental assessment review panel, which would include representation from all gulf provinces and aboriginal leaders, to determine the impact of oil and gas exploration and development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Ira, from York, P.E.I., served his community and fellow Canadians in many capacities, but first and foremost he was a family man, proud of his heritage and so satisfied to see the family farm continue.

His son described his principles as his God-given love, respect and responsibility. Through a number of organizations, including the PEI Federation of Agriculture and the P.E.I. Fluid Milk Association, Ira worked to benefit the total farm community. He was known for being at the cutting edge of agriculture technology.

With his brother Claude they were recognized internationally as a breeder of purebred Holsteins and won awards in Charlottetown, the Atlantic Winter Fair and The Royal, carrying such honours as premier exhibitor. In 1984, Ira was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.

On behalf of the House, I recognize and thank Ira Lewis for his dedication and contribution to his community and the agriculture sector as a whole.

Easter reminded the House of Commons that Canada has “dropped from seventh place in the world as most visited by international visitors to eighteenth. We understand the cutbacks to the Canadian Tourism Commission have forced them to cut advertising for tourism in the United States, which is a major drawing market for us in Atlantic Canada. It will impact our tourism industry, our seasonal workers and indeed our economy.”

“Nothing this Conservative government has been doing,” said Easter, “has been designed to assist and promote our island or country as a destination for foreign tourists and the results are in the fact that Canada ranking as a destination has declined steadily under this government.

Everyone involved in this critical sector of our economy should be concerned about this direction of neglect.” Easter concluded.

Simply put, Mike Duffy’s appointment to the Senate representing PEI is a violation of the constitution because, in my view, he does not meet the residency requirements as spelled out in the constitution. He has been shown to do Harper’s biddings rather than defend and promote the interests of Islanders (ie: EI, equalization, job cuts, etc…).

With respect to his expense scandal, I initially extended Mike Duffy the benefit of the doubt. Given my previous experience with an administrative error, I know firsthand how quickly small internal administrative mistakes can be angled poorly in the public’s eye. As public servants, we are rightfully held to very high standards which demand us to own up and maintain responsibility to our constituents and Canadians generally when mistakes are made.

It was December of 2012 when the Senate Internal Economy Committee announced it would conduct an audit to assess whether all Senators’ declarations of primary and secondary residence were supported by sufficient documentation. Since this audit was ordered, Mr. Duffy has been misleading the public about personally repaying Canadians, attempted to bypass protocol to obtain a PEI health card, withdrew from participation of the Deloitte audit and avoided media with no substantive answers to the public’s questions. Obviously in a panic to cover this up, Mr. Duffy has taken no genuine responsibility for these accusations which cannot logically be suppressed as simple administrative mistakes. The ongoing confusion surrounding Mike Duffy’s secret deal to erase the $90,000 debt with the Prime Minister`s Office has only added to the confusion.  This scheming and manipulation has been shameful to watch as he is seen, rightly or wrongly, to represent us as an Islander.

As all these events have transpired, Canadians have looked to their Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, for accountability and leadership. His approach, however, has been to completely subvert our system of governance. When he finally made a statement of any substance, it was delivered from a podium in Peru where our press had limited opportunity to question him. What started as an administrative paperwork issue, whether intentional or not, has exploded into a mess of misinformation, avoidance, and behind the scenes cover ups. This all says a lot about Prime Minster Harper as a leader and has reflected badly on government.

Islanders want better than this. I want to thank you all for your support and assure you all that I am doing everything I can to make sure Canadians know the actions of Sen. Mike Duffy do not reflect Islanders in any manner. Further to that, I would like to highlight and commend the efforts of hardworking Island Senators Catherine Callbeck, Percy Downe, and Libbe Hubley who have, and continue to represent Islanders well in Ottawa.

This is coming much earlier than normal. We do not mind working late hours, but we are incensed that the government is always invoking closure and limiting debate on real issues.

I ask the House leader this. The government is trying everything it can do to avoid the PMO-Duffy scandal. We know that the Prime Minister is out of the country. Is this really an approach to try to get what government business it can get done now so it can prorogue Parliament earlier and get out of town and not have to answer questions in this House? Is that really the game that is being played here? This is an extension of hours about three weeks ahead of the normal time. Is there a scheme at play coming right out of the Prime Minister’s Office to avoid the scandal the government is caught up in?

“Tourism operators on Prince Edward Island who depend on American visitors should be extremely concerned by the decision of the Harper government to eliminate all general advertising in the U.S.”, said Easter. “This government is no longer investing in strengthening Canada’s tourism industry.”

“It was unbelievable,” said Easter, “to hear that it didn’t seem to matter to the Minister of Industry (responsible for tourism), Christian Paradis, that Canada has slid from 7th to 18th in terms of being a destination for international tourists. He confirmed that the Canadian Tourism Commission has eliminated its general advertising program into the United States promoting Canada as a tourist destination. For Canada to ignore the United States as the largest middle class base in the world is extremely poor decision-making on the part of the Harper government”, continued Easter.

“This type of blatant disregard for Canada’s tourism industry is a sincere slap in the face to all of those tourist operators on Prince Edward Island who work so hard to provide exceptional service to our visitors. Without the support of the government to promote Canada as a tourist destination for Americans, we shall surely see the ramifications”, finished Easter.
Background:

The question & answer read:

Hon. Wayne Easter (Critic for International Trade, LPC): Mr. Speaker, how can the minister stand there and reads those words, that the Canadian Tourism Commission will continue to promote Canada, when he knows full well that is wrong? The headlines in the paper state: Tourism Commission Axes United States Advertising. The Canadian Tourism Commission confirms it has eliminated all general advertising in the United States. International tourism is the fastest growing market in the world and Canada has dropped from 7th place as the most visited country to the 18th.Why is the government spending money on its own propaganda rather than creating jobs for the tourism business?

Hon. Christian Paradis (Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), CPC): Mr. Speaker, that is total nonsense. It is a typical Liberal way to badly manage the economy. When we talk about tourism, we have to look at where the potential is. That is what the CTC is doing. It has refocused its resources to places like India and China where tourism has a high potential. What we have seen in the last quarter is a growth of tourists in Canada. We are proud of Canada. We will promote Canada correctly. We will not do it as badly as the Liberals suggest.