Leona Alleslev

[National Defence, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, actions speak louder than words. The Prime Minister may say that he stands for women, but his actions show that he is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

His chief of staff knew about the allegations of sexual misconduct against General Vance, his defence minister knew, the entire senior leadership of his department knew, but he did nothing for three years.

Why did the Prime Minister fail to act on allegations of sexual misconduct at the highest level in Canada’s military?

[National Defence, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's statement to the media today regarding what he knew about the nature of the allegations against General Vance contradicts everything we have heard so far. Multiple witnesses have testified at the defence committee that the allegations were sexual misconduct. The Prime Minister's staff were copied on emails from the Privy Council Office that specifically stated sexual harassment.

Does the Prime Minister really expect Canadians to believe he knew nothing about the allegations against General Vance?

[Taxation, April 23rd, 2021]

Madam Speaker, COVID-19 has left our frontline workers stretched to the limit. Retired nurses from across Canada have come out of retirement to lend a hand, but because they are currently receiving pensions, portions of their old age security benefits will be clawed back as they breach the threshold. Their skills and knowledge are invaluable during this pandemic, but they are being forced to choose between receiving benefits and providing care.

Could the minister ensure that retired nurses are not punished financially as they serve in Canada's hour of need?

[National Defence, April 22nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, a brave woman came forward to report sexual misconduct allegations against General Vance to ensure the defence minister had this critical information. She knew that the situation was too serious to get wrong and that only the minister could make it right, but he did nothing for three years. The minister will not assume responsibility. He denies any wrongdoing and refuses to accept that he has failed those in uniform.

Will the defence minister honour his sworn obligation and admit he has been derelict in his ministerial duties?

[The Environment, April 21st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, climate change is real. Constituents in my riding and across Canada are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions at home and abroad.

Canadians know that an environment plan that is realistic, proportional and achievable is long overdue. Over five years, the Liberals have made grand pronouncements but failed to deliver concrete results. Canada has the highest environmental standards in the world, but we must do more.

A Conservative plan with a carbon border tariff would deliver results. It would reward industries for their emissions reduction innovations while incentivizing other nations to strive to meet Canadian standards. If other countries were to adopt Canadian practices, worldwide greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 25%.

Real progress on climate change will come when Canadian companies can remain competitive and other countries move closer to Canada's world-class standards. Only the Conservative plan would secure our environment and our future.

[The Budget, April 20th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, we understand completely that with COVID we need to have some short-term investments and my colleague has outlined a fair number of them. However, there remain some long-term foundational, structural issues in this economy and in Canada that need to be addressed. These are things like our competitiveness, the flight of foreign capital, our regulatory frameworks, which are holding us back, and our tax structure.

Could my hon. colleague give us some insight into why these foundational, structural changes are missing from the budget? What does he think we should be doing to address them?

[Committees of the House, April 20th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the proceedings at defence committee are both reprehensible and unparliamentary. The defence committee chair has unlawfully used her authority to subvert the will of the committee and frustrate its ability to conduct the critical study into the allegations of sexual misconduct in the military.

As a former officer, she swore to put service to country ahead of her own personal gain, yet she has turned her back on women in uniform by preventing the committee’s work.

Will the member for Kanata—Carleton inform this House when she will urgently resume the defence committee?

[The Budget, April 20th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, a budget must do two things. It must be a short-term response as well as position a nation for the long term.

The constituents from Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill have consistently told me over the last six years that they are concerned about our taxes being universally unfair, our declining competitiveness, the drastic flight of foreign capital and regulatory frameworks that are affecting our ability to position ourselves at home and abroad. We are losing jobs to the U.S. and we cannot seem to get anything built. My constituents are worried that tomorrow will not be better than today.

Could the hon. member comment on the key foundational changes in the budget to address those elements?

[Canada Revenue Agency, April 16th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, April is personal tax season and with the deadline fast approaching, Canadians are feeling overwhelmed. Lockdowns, business closures, layoffs and job loss are only a few issues that have made tax filing more complicated and time consuming than ever before. Accountants, tax consultants and individuals in my riding and across the country are pleading for more time.

Will the minister urgently address this unnecessary added stress and extend the annual tax filing deadline?

[The Economy, April 15th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's economic recovery and future prosperity are under threat.

The government's failure to quickly secure and distribute COVID-19 vaccines has placed the health and safety of Canadians at greater risk while we fall further behind economically. The government's inability to prevent the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline or reverse the decision to suspend Enbridge's Line 5 threatens Canada's oil and gas industry and the nation's energy supply.

On the government's watch we have seen the drastic reduction in foreign capital investment; the heavy losses of steel, aluminum and auto jobs; and the punishing trade barriers and tariffs placed on Canada by both China and the U.S. The Prime Minister refuses to admit that Canada's situation is dire and that his government is responsible.

Canadians fear that tomorrow will be worse than today and our children's future will be worse than our own. Canada's only path to securing the future is with a Conservative government.