Navdeep Bains

[Aerospace Industry, April 4th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, we always have and we always will continue to defend the aerospace sector. This sector is so critical to the Canadian economy. It contributes $28 billion to our national economic prosperity. Over 211,000 jobs are connected to the aerospace sector.

That is why we made a repayable contribution worth $372.5 million in research and development, which will help secure up to 1,300 good-quality jobs. We will never shy away from focusing on investing in Canadians, focusing on supporting the aerospace sector, and growing the economy and creating good-quality jobs.

[Aerospace Industry, April 4th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, we have a plan, and it is working for Canadians. That plan is to make sure that we focus on jobs.

Since the member opposite talked about jobs, in the last seven months there were 250,000 good-quality jobs created from coast to coast to coast. There were 900 jobs at Bell Helicopter, plus an additional 100; GE Welland, 220 jobs; Thomson Reuters, 1,500 jobs; GM Canada, up to 1,000 engineering jobs. Most recently, at Ford, 800 good-quality jobs were secured because of this government's investment in the automotive sector.

[Aerospace Industry, April 4th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, the investment that was made, the repayable contribution of $372.5 million, was to promote research and development, and the strings were very clear. It will help create 1,300 good-quality, high-value-added jobs. That is exactly what our government has committed to doing.

We are focused on innovation and on the aerospace sector. We want to support the small- and medium-sized ecosystem of businesses that are connected with that industry. We are going to continue to invest in the sector and make sure we create good-quality, high-value-added jobs.

[Questions on the Order Paper, April 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the government’s announcement to provide $372.5 million in repayable loans to Bombardier, the particulars of the contribution cannot be provided as the final agreement has yet to be finalized. In addition, information that is commercially confidential and/or sensitive cannot be publicly released.

These types of contributions are subject to ongoing reporting requirements throughout the project’s life cycle, including the repayment phase.

The Government of Canada is committed to the long-term viability and success of the Canadian aerospace sector, and an announcement of support for Bombardier will help secure thousands of high-quality jobs for Canadians across the country.

The aerospace industry is one of the most innovative and export-driven industries in Canada and contributes over 211,000 quality direct and indirect jobs for Canadians and $28 billion annually in gross domestic product to Canada’s economy. Bombardier is Canada’s highest private sector investor in research and development, and its position as an anchor company in the aerospace sector is vital for the success of nearly 800 suppliers in Canada.

The Government of Canada is proud to support leading-edge technology and job creation, while enabling Bombardier to grow as a globally competitive company for years to come.

[Public Safety, April 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, we have never compromised and never will compromise on national security. Let me be clear. We did not overturn a cabinet order. The previous government mismanaged the process, which is the reason why it ended up in court. We pursued a rigorous process. We did our due diligence. We did our homework and we examined all the facts by our national security agencies.

Again, I would like to remind the member opposite that we made a decision that was in our national interests and we stand by our decision.

[Aerospace Industry, April 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, we actually reduced the tax rate for middle-class Canadians by asking the wealthiest 1% to pay a little more. However, I do understand the concerns raised by the member and Canadians with regard to compensation. As members know, the company is taking action in this regard. However, more importantly, the investment that we made was to support the aerospace sector. The $372.5-million repayable contribution is going to help create 1,300 research and development jobs. This will create more opportunities going forward.

We will continue to support the sector. We will continue to support good-quality jobs.

[Automotive Industry, April 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Oakville has done a great job as the auto caucus chair. He is correct. We are supporting the automotive sector. We extended the automotive innovation fund. We changed the terms for more investments, which resulted in a $500-million investment by Honda in Alliston, Ontario, which will help secure 4,000 jobs. Last Thursday, along with the Prime Minister, Ford announced a $1.2-billion investment in the Windsor Essex plant and in creating a new connectivity centre, which will help create and secure 800 jobs.

We are growing the economy. We are growing the automotive sector and creating good-quality jobs.

[Foreign Investment, April 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. We never have and we never will compromise on national security.

I also want to take this opportunity to highlight that we did not overturn a cabinet order. The previous government managed the process so poorly that it ended up in court. We followed a rigorous process. We examined all the facts from our national security agencies, and the law was followed.

We acted on the full record and advice given to us by our national security experts. Like I said, we never have and we never will compromise on national security.

[Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, March 22nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge for his leadership on this file.

Last week, I was in beautiful British Columbia and saw first hand the diversity of this innovative economy, especially the vibrant clean tech sector.

The member opposite has highlighted the leadership role that B.C. is playing in clean tech, with the number of companies, the number of jobs, and these are good-quality jobs that, on average, pay $84,000. That is why our government invested $58 million in clean tech jobs. This is about addressing the problems of tomorrow and creating good-quality jobs today.

[Small Business, March 21st, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for St. John's East for his question, his hard work, and his leadership. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all 32 MPs from Atlantic Canada for their leadership and hard work, and for really driving the Atlantic growth strategy.

As part of this strategy, we have expanded the accelerated growth strategy. This is a one-stop shop that will help small businesses grow and expand in that region. We have identified 28 companies as part of this pilot initiative. This is very important for Atlantic Canada. This is very important for growth and jobs.