In the House

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):

In 2006, the Conservative government promised funding for 2,500 new police officers.

Municipalities like New Westminster, Coquitlam and Port Moody were counting on this money for their police forces.

Coquitlam, for example, has one of the lowest police to population ratios in the country, at 1 member for every 939 people.

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, last year Fraser River sockeye, which passed through a gauntlet of salmon farms in Georgia Strait, suffered a massive loss. However, that same year the Harrison salmon run, which did not pass by those fish farms, reported good returns. Coincidence? Possibly.

However, at a time when countries are reporting major problems with sea lice outbreaks, fish farms and declining fish stocks, the government says there is no problem here.

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, sea lice is a serious problem for west coast salmon. Around the world, fish farms have been identified as a major source of sea lice infestations.

The government has launched an inquiry but by the time the recommendations come out it may be too late to protect our wild salmon.

Will the minister admit that there is a problem, do the right thing and start addressing the sea lice problem immediately, or will she allow the Pacific west coast salmon to go the way of the Atlantic cod?

Canada Shipping Act

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-502, An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (prohibition against oil tankers in Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound).

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP): Mr. Speaker, for almost 40 years the B.C. coast has been oil tanker free. However, that is now threatened by the Enbridge pipeline proposal that promises to bring tar sand crude from Alberta to B.C.'s coast for export. All it would take is one accident to inflict serious damage on the coastal ecosystem and the economy. The risk is not worth it.

Will the government step away from this pipeline and reaffirm the moratorium on oil tanker traffic?

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, this is a historic week in world history. Leaders from across the globe are converging on Copenhagen to discuss the state of our climate.

The decisions we make today will be remembered, the impacts felt by generations to come.

This government must step up and commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 25% below 1990 levels in the next decade and 80% by 2050. These targets are not only achievable but absolutely critical to the health and future of our environment, our communities and our economy.

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Elmwood—Transcona.

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):

Madam Speaker, I rise today to present a petition that calls for an independent judicial inquiry into the salmon crisis. Nine million salmon disappeared this summer in the Fraser River. It is the lowest return in 50 years.

Hundreds of people have spoken out and have signed this petition, calling for the judicial inquiry. They want action now to save our B.C. salmon.

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, why is the Conservative government trying to shut down debate on the HST?

During the provincial election the Liberal government said it would not harmonize the provincial sales tax with the GST, and then months later did just that. Now the Conservative government wants to ram through its HST legislation.

The people of British Columbia are tired of being shut out of the debate on the HST.

If the HST is such a good idea, why is the government trying to limit debate on it? What is it trying to hide?

Tax Harmonization (HST)

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I just spent several months talking to seniors, students, families and small businesses. Their message was clear: tell the Conservative government that we do not want its HST. British Columbians, like all Canadians, are still trying to make their way through these tough economic times, but this unfair tax shift will make life more expensive for them.