Diane Finley

[Finance, February 25th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised Canadians that 2019 would be the year that he finally balanced the budget. It is no surprise that the Prime Minister has failed and he has no plan and no intention of balancing the budget ever.

The Liberals have blown the budget and Canadians are paying for it. Soon the Prime Minister will bring in his fourth consecutive deficit.

Permanent Liberal deficits mean that taxes will go up again, and at a time when Canadians simply cannot afford it. According to a recent survey, half of Canadians are barley getting by each month when they should be getting ahead.

Instead of paying for costly Liberal failures, Canadians should keep more of their money that they earn. The Conservatives offer Canadians a better choice in 2019: a Conservative government that will balance budgets and lower taxes to create well-paying jobs that help Canadians get ahead.

[Petitions, February 22nd, 2019]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of constituents in my riding of Haldimand—Norfolk who are concerned about the lack of funding to help international women and girls living in extreme poverty attend school.

This petition calls upon the government to increase Canada's funding to combat extreme poverty and to help these women and girls get an education.

[Justice, February 22nd, 2019]

Madam Speaker, the Criminal Code states that any attempt to obstruct a judicial proceeding is a crime.

On September 4, SNC-Lavalin learned that its criminal trial would go forward. On September 17, the former AG told the PM that she would not interfere in that trial. Now we have learned that three months later, the PM's principal secretary and the Clerk of the Privy Council continued to have discussions with her about interfering.

Is it ignorance or arrogance that keeps the Liberals from realizing just how much this looks like obstruction of justice?

[Justice, February 8th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, the attorney general's responsibilities include upholding the rule of law and speaking truth to power. It is a pillar of our democracy that our system of justice be free from even the perception of political interference.

Yesterday the Prime Minister's Office was accused of trying to interfere with a criminal prosecution against SNC-Lavalin. In December, Gerald Butts discussed a special deal for SNC-Lavalin with the former attorney general. A month later, she was fired.

What was said in that meeting?

[Petitions, January 28th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, the second is from Canadians who, like me, suffer from thyroid disease and need to take specific medication to regulate their thyroid. They call on the government to ensure equitable access to all thyroid drugs approved by Health Canada, and for doctors to be educated on various other treatments that exist to help thyroid patients.

[Petitions, January 28th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, on this first day in the new chamber, I am very pleased to rise to present two petitions I received from Canadians. The first one calls on the government to listen to Canadians and to abandon its recently implemented job-killing carbon tax.

[Christmas, December 11th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, 'tis the season for traditions. In my home, it is opening the stockings and funning and feasting with family. In my riding, it is Santa Claus parades, Christmas concerts and the lighting of the parks that mark this special season.

Here at work, we celebrate with Santa for the kids, trees in our offices and flipping the switch on the spectacular Parliament Hill lights show. The halls of Centre Block sparkle with red-ribboned trees and garlands, and of course, there is always the MP for Cape Breton—Canso's annual irreverent version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. They are all part of what makes this House feel like a home. As this will be the last Christmas in this chamber for most of us, let us hope that many of these traditions we hold dear will continue in the new place.

I wish all my colleagues here and all my constituents, from Long Point to Lowbanks, from Caledonia to Kelvin and Courtland, a happy Christmas, happy holidays, and a wonderful new year.

[Points of Order, December 7th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I am. As I understand it, there is a protocol and procedure that would affect this. If the amendments are to be debated subject to a point of order, then the point of order needs to be discussed and decided upon before proceeding with the amendments. I am sure the experts at the table would be able to verify that for you.

[Finance, November 30th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are going to have to pay $23 billion next year just for the interest on the country's debt and they are going to borrow $20 billion to pay for it. That is like using one credit card to pay off another. Every sensible Canadian knows that is a recipe for financial disaster.

To fix the problem, the Liberals need to keep their promise to Canadians to balance the budget. When will they?

[Committees of the House, November 29th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to present the 75th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs that deals with petitions, both electronic and paper.

The ability to petition Parliament is an entrenched constitutional right that dates all the way back to the Bill of Rights, 1689, and was a cornerstone of the Westminster parliamentary system that we enjoy here in Canada. In fact, it was only the right to petition that allowed the Famous Five women to succeed in getting women defined as persons, which allowed them to be appointed to the Senate of Canada. While it has taken over a year to get to this point, I am pleased that this report recommends restoring the right to petition to those with visual impairments.

Therefore, I request the unanimous consent of the House to adopt the following motion. I move that the 75th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, entitled, “Approval and Updating of the House of Commons Electronic Petitions System”, which was presented to the House on November 8, 2018, be concurred in.