Debates of June 17th, 2010

Brian Murphy Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in the House, the ACOA minister attacked the credibility of the member for New Brunswick Southwest. However, the member took it one step further that evening, confirming the very damaging discussions he had had with the Prime Minister.

When will this government stop trying to interfere in New Brunswick's provincial politics? And when will the Prime Minister reprimand the ACOA minister?

Keith Ashfield Minister of National Revenue

Mr. Speaker, fairness and equity, not politics, are the basis for all funding announcements as part of Canada's economic action plan in New Brunswick and in all of Canada.

The member opposite talks about funding. His riding alone, under RInC and CAF, recreational infrastructure and the community adjustments fund, received $7 million worth of federal funding in projects, with no input from him.

Brian Murphy Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB

Mr. Speaker, the mayor of Moncton was here yesterday. He was asking for a lot more.

There are allegations of the transport minister meddling in the Ottawa mayor's race. We had the Conservatives breaking election rules in the in and out scandal. Now the Prime Minister is withholding building Canada funding in New Brunswick Southwest until his former director of communications, John Williamson, has the riding nomination and can take credit on his own.

What is wrong with the member for New Brunswick Southwest? Will the prime minister of prorogation admit and confirm that funding for the St. George civic project, which the member for New Brunswick Southwest wanted, will be confirmed and will be paid?

John Baird Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, we have had a great relationship with this New Brunswick government, with the previous New Brunswick government. We have concluded literally dozens and dozens of projects, creating a lot of jobs in every corner of New Brunswick.

We have been incredibly fair and incredibly decent. In fact, the project that the hon. member speaks of was one of the ones we considered last year, when the member for New Brunswick Southwest was the political minister, and regrettably we chose to fund other projects.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Order, please. We have to have some order. The hon. member for Sydney—Victoria has the floor. We will want to hear the question.

Mark Eyking Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. If the federal government continues to delay, the contractor will pull anchor and move on.

Once again, when will the government commit to dredging Sydney Harbour?

Keith Ashfield Minister of National Revenue

Mr. Speaker, that was darned interesting. I would like the member opposite to tell me what he did for 13 years. What that party do? Nothing. In fact, I am very pleased to meet with the committee this afternoon. After a request of two weeks, we are having it here this afternoon.

The more important thing in the last year in Cape Breton alone is the $43 million worth of federal funding. That is what is important.

Rodger Cuzner Cape Breton—Canso, NS

I will tell you what the member did, Mr. Speaker. He put $400 million together to clean up the Sydney tar ponds. Then the Tory hacks tried to steal—

Rodger Cuzner Cape Breton—Canso, NS

—the minister has been nowhere on this file. There has been no voice on this. Where is it tied up? Either the Prime Minister is not listening or the minister is not speaking. It is one or the other. He did his job; you do yours.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

I assure the hon. member that I will. The hon. Minister of National Revenue, I believe, is rising to answer this question that may have been directed at me.

Keith Ashfield Minister of National Revenue

Mr. Speaker, I can recommend some real good blood pressure medicine for the hon. member. Who announced the clean up of the Sydney tar ponds? This government did, and we are proud of it.