Health June 14th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, as I said, our government continues to work with provinces and territories and our partners to develop the best quality health care system that we can.

Again, I would like to point out to the NDP member that it is extremely important that each and every Canadian contributes and pays their fair share into our health care system. We rely on Canadians who have, to give to Canadians who have not, so that we can all have a health care system that we can be proud of.

On that side of the House, I find it hypocritical that they will not even come down hard on their own members who will not pay their taxes to support our health care system.

Health June 14th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, we do respect the provinces' and territories' jurisdiction in the area of health care. We are providing a long-term stable funding arrangement that will see transfers reach a historic level of $40 billion by the end of the decade.

With the way our health system works, Canadians who have paid their taxes into the health care system and those who have not get the health care they desire. On the NDP side of the House, their members, who receive generous compensation from the Canadian taxpayers, are not even paying their taxes to help support our health care system.

I find it very hypocritical that they would even criticize this issue when they do not contribute their fair share.

Fiesta Week June 13th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, this week, in my home riding of Oshawa, we are celebrating the 39th annual Fiesta Week.

Over the past 39 years, Fiesta Week has been, and continues to be, one of the most popular summer events in Oshawa for people of all ages. It is a colourful celebration of the cultural diversity of Durham region and the city of Oshawa.

Fiesta Week allows Durham and Oshawa residents to experience European, Asian, and Caribbean cultures. Not only is it a great opportunity to experience these cultures, but it is also an opportunity to taste the wonderful cuisines from these regions. That is my favourite part.

This Sunday is the kick-off for Fiesta Week and the festivities will start with a parade.

Each year Fiesta Week continues to be an inspiring celebration of the cultural diversity of Oshawa.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and the Oshawa Folk Arts Council for making this wonderful celebration possible.

I invite everyone to come and enjoy the fun and festivities.

Committees of the House June 12th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled “Technological Innovation and Health Care”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, we are talking about democracy. I think that is something everyone in this House can stand up and believe in. What the government is doing is trying to modernize. With the system in place right now, there is the possibility of fraud. It is ancient. It is outdated.

The first nations communities deserves democracy. They deserve representation. They deserve to be brought into the modern era. It seems that the opposition wants to delay this type of legislation.

I was wondering if the member could give his opinion as to why it is so important that we finally bring this piece of legislation forward for equality and democracy for first nations.

First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Palliser for an excellent speech and for his wisdom on this very important issue.

He talked about how the government took this on and consulted with first nations, a process that he quite rightly said was four years long. It was about engaging first nations.

I think everybody realizes that this is an obsolete election process. As he said, it is fraught with fraud and abuse. It is about giving first nations a process that modernizes it and is respectful of the work of the Manitoba chiefs and other first nations who put so much time and effort into putting this piece of legislation forward.

A Liberal member recently spoke about how paternalistic this is, but this is about democracy and choice. I wonder if my colleague from Palliser could comment on why opposition members do not want democracy and equality for first nations. We are seeing a trend. We saw how they voted on matrimonial real property, which would give equality to first nations women. This is a trend.

I wonder if he could comment on the importance of moving forward with this legislation.

Questions on the Order Paper June 11th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

Government Response to Petitions June 11th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to three petitions.

Fighting Foreign Corruption Act June 4th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I have been listening to the speeches from the NDP, and I want to point out that every opportunity the NDP has to criticize Canadian companies, Canadian jobs and Canadian workers around the world, it seems to take those opportunities to put down Canadian companies, Canadian job opportunities and Canadian initiatives.

Throughout her speech, the member talked about examples. I am wondering if she is aware that as Canadian companies go around the world to different countries, quite often in these countries they actually have higher standards than the countries themselves. Our companies are working to increase the economic viability of the countries they are operating within. They are actually raising the level of economic development and wages in these countries. If Canadian companies do not do that, it is going to be companies from other countries that do it, and they may not have the absolutely high standards that we do.

As Canadians, we want to see our companies out there in the world. I would argue with her that we are leaders. We have some of the best companies in the world in development.

She has stated that the New Democrats would like to support this bill. I wonder if she could put forward the amendments they would be considering so we could have a look at them instead of having them dropped on us during committee. I would like to see how she would improve the bill because I think the bill is very good the way it is.