Colin Carrie

[Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act (Vanessa's Law), May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, following the comments of the opposition House leader, I hope that we can get unanimous consent for the following:

I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of this House, Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, be deemed to have been read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Health.

[Natural Resources, May 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the leadership role that Canada is taking.

Canada is currently active in the international negotiations for a post-2020 climate change agreement under the United Nations framework convention on climate change. The negotiations have established a clear timetable and process for all countries to develop post-2020 mitigation commitments well in advance of the December 2015 Paris meeting where a new climate change agreement will be concluded.

Canada supports a new agreement that is fair and ambitious, while applicable to all major emitters, including China.

[Natural Resources, May 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to protecting the environment, while keeping the Canadian economy strong.

We have made significant investments to assist Canada's transition to a clean energy economy and have been achieving real results.

I am surprised to hear the member opposite cite China's energy policy as a model for Canada to follow. Let us look at some of the facts.

In terms of China's energy consumption, 91% is currently coming from carbon-emitting sources and 69% of that is from coal. Less than 8% of China's energy is currently being generated from renewable sources.

Let us compare that to Canada and what our government has been achieving.

First, Canada is a global leader in the generation of clean and renewable energy. We are the world's third-largest producer of hydroelectricity, and more than three-quarters of the electricity we generate produces no greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2006, our government has invested more than $10 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable environment. This includes investment in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the production of cleaner fuels. We are also the first major coal user to ban construction of traditional coal-fired electricity generation units.

The first 21 years of our new coal regulations are expected to result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 214 megatons. This is equivalent of removing roughly 2.6 million personal vehicles from the road per year.

In addition, since 2008, Canada experienced a 24% growth in clean energy investment, ranking it eighth in the world and Canada ranks fifth worldwide in green investment intensity; that is clean energy investment per dollar of GDP.

Our record speaks for itself, and it is safe to say that we will not be taking any lessons from China or the member opposite.

[The Environment, May 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Kitchener Centre for the excellent question and for all the great work he has done on this file.

I am proud to say that the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Environment launched the national conservation plan in Fredericton just two hours ago. The plan promotes our government's strong legacy of conservation work and includes new investments to secure ecologically sensitive lands, conserve marine and coastal areas, and help connect Canadians to nature in urban areas.

I am proud to be part of a government that keeps its promises and listens to Canadians.

[Naturopathic Medicine Week, May 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I know my constituents in Oshawa appreciate more health and wellness choices. This week, May 12 to May 18, is Naturopathic Medicine Week. Naturopathic doctors are addressing the needs of Canadians by providing them with the tools they need to take a proactive approach to their health care.

As primary health care practitioners, naturopathic doctors identify the underlying causes of disease and use a blend of conventional, traditional, and natural medicines to deliver an individualized approach to health care. Our Conservative government recognizes the importance of naturopathic doctors. In the recent federal budget, we eliminated the GST-HST on services provided by acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors, increasing access to front-line primary health care services to Canadians across our great country.

I ask everyone here today to recognize Naturopathic Medicine Week.

[Health, May 12th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government has invested significantly in mental health research and promotion. We have invested $431 million in mental health research since 2006. We invest over $112 million annually to support community-based health activities for families and invest in projects in over 230 communities across Canada.

It was this government that created the Mental Health Commission to develop a national strategy and to share best practices from coast to coast to coast.

[The Environment, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to take the Liberals seriously when they talk about climate change. Let us take a look at their record and compare it to ours.

Yes, the Liberals signed the Kyoto accord and then they named a dog “Kyoto”. That was it. What this government is doing is taking action. With our sector-by-sector regulatory approach, we are seeing a decrease in greenhouse gases by 130 megatons versus what they would have been under the Liberal Party. We are working with our partners and we are accomplishing this without the Liberal and NDP $20-billion carbon tax.

[The Environment, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows that we are working with the oil and gas sector and working with the provinces to make sure that we get these regulations right.

Let us compare. She talked about the NDP's position versus our position. Our sector-by-sector approach is working. What does the NDP offer? It offers a job-killing carbon tax.

That is our approach versus their approach. The NDP is all tax and no action; our actions are getting the job done.

[The Environment, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this is exactly why we are taking action. Our sector-by-sector approach is working. It is part of our government's commitment to protecting our environment while keeping the Canadian economy strong. Thanks to our actions, carbon emissions will go down close to 130 megatonnes from what they would have been under the Liberals. This is equivalent to shutting down 37 coal-fired electricity-generating plants.

We are accomplishing this without the $20 billion Liberal-NDP job-killing carbon tax, which would raise the price of everything.

[Northern Economic Development, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency accepts the Auditor General's recommendations, and the minister has already given the agency clear instructions to immediately improve its administrative procedures.

We will continue to make record investments in the north to help foster a strong northern economy that creates jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity for the benefit of northerners and all Canadians. We will do it without a $20-billion NDP carbon tax.