Lawrence Cannon

[Mirabel Airport Property, June 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I understand my colleague's eagerness to get things done. Obviously, in the course of his term and that of the Bloc Québécois, he asked many questions on this topic. We are working very hard on this file in an attempt to bring it to a successful conclusion. The Canadian government has taken on this role and it is the mandate of the Conservative members from Quebec. We resolve files, which is something the Bloc Québécois has never managed to do.

[Mirabel Airport Property, June 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, I had the opportunity to answer my hon. colleague's question. I indicated at the committee that we are in the midst of discussions, not only with Montreal airport authorities, but also with the people affected.

I also said that we would make our announcements and conclude these discussions by the end of the summer.

[Business of Supply, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I am always fascinated when I hear my Bloc Québécois colleagues shout from the rooftops, as they are doing now and did during the election, that they are defending Quebec's higher interests, as if their way of thinking is clearly unique and must reflect what Quebeckers are thinking.

My colleague just indicated that, after running an election campaign, cutting taxes and the GST and listening to what Quebeckers asked us to do, we on this side of the House delivered the goods.

So I am always surprised when I hear my Bloc colleagues say that they are defending the interests of Quebeckers. To my way of thinking, if they are defending Quebeckers' interests, they should be able to deliver the goods too. The fact is, they have never been able to deliver the goods.

My question is this: can my colleague explain how his actions and his positions have helped get things done for Quebec?

[Canada Post Corporation, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I find it strange that, this morning, the member have every opportunity to ask questions of Canada Post's management; yet, knowing full well that she could not get answers to these questions, she is coming here seeking other answers. The answers she is looking for rest with the people at Canada Post.

[Canada Post Corporation, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as we know, Canada Post is responsible for delivering mail to Canadians. Equity is not the issue here. What is expected of Canada Post is timely delivery. It is expected to be an efficient organization which plays a role in the community and is, of course, sensitive to its needs, while fundamentally giving Canadians the assurance that it is doing its job.

[Canada Post, May 31st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I want to inform the House that I, along with the Prime Minister, will be meeting with the head of Canada Post to discuss the issues and, obviously, the options that will be put forth for rural residents and drivers.

We are very sensitive to the problems raised by our colleagues, not only on this side of the House but our colleagues on the other side of the House.

[Port Facilities, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her question, which is not only extremely interesting, but also extremely important. I have been provided with information on these incidents. I have asked officials in my department to look into the matter. We will develop a number of options shortly that will, I hope, meet the needs of her constituents and everyone in the region.

[Canada's Commitment in Afghanistan, May 17th, 2006]

I must add that the Prime Minister explained very clearly in his statement the reasons why we are in Afghanistan. We are there because President Karzai asked us to renew the mission.

The leader of the Bloc Québécois asked for an explanation and he got one. He said we acted too quickly. We know that for the four years the Liberal Party was in power, they were in a position to provide an explanation, but they just beat around the bush. We have enough information to move forward and justify our participation, information that comes directly from President Karzai, as well as from our NATO allies and other partners over there.

My question for the leader of the Bloc Québécois is this: If he supports these values overall, why is he again reneging on his promise to support our forces, our troops in Afghanistan?

[Canada's Commitment in Afghanistan, May 17th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the statement made by the leader of the Bloc Québécois deserves our full consideration. The leader of the Bloc Québécois began by stating that what is at issue is basically whether to prolong the mission. I understand, and I agree with him that that is exactly right. However, he spent 15 or 20 minutes contradicting what he said at the beginning. He called the Prime Minister irresponsible. I wonder what this is really about.

Some time ago, the leader of the Bloc Québécois asked for a debate on this issue. Now we have one. He asked for a vote. We have had one.

[Agriculture, May 17th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, while farmers have had a hard time making ends meet over the last 13 years, this government respects farmers and is committed to taking action. This is why this government, in Bill C-11, is bringing in an amendment to lower the revenue cap. The amendment will pass on savings to the farmers of Canada, who, everybody knows, need it. They will be getting $50 million.