House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2015, with 40% of the vote.
Mortgage Insurance June 20th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, just before the recession, this government rolled out the red carpet for American companies that specialize in mortgage insurance. They invited the very companies responsible for the crash in the United States' housing market. With Bill C-3, the government is planning to take this risky policy even further.
Why should taxpayers have to assume the risks run by these American companies?
Criminal Code June 16th, 2011
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-232, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals).
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Jeanne-Le Ber for seconding this bill.
This bill would better protect animals from intentional cruelty. Clearly, animals are sentient beings; they are not property. This bill would take the provision about animal cruelty out of the property section of the Criminal Code.
We have seen far too many examples of animal cruelty that escape the current laws. This bill would increase the likelihood of conviction for animal cruelty.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Government Spending June 14th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the government could not be less clear, but the Parliamentary Budget Officer was very clear. The government does not have a plan. Sure, it is promising to kill the deficit, but how and what will the consequences be? Ask any premier, doctor, professor, patient or student what happened when the Liberals cut the deficit in the 1990s. It was not pretty.
I have a simple question. Will the minister show us his plan or is he hoping for some Oz wizardry?
Government Spending June 14th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this government promised Canadians a magic trick: a painless reduction of the size of government. The real plan is to make major cuts. Yesterday, the Parliamentary Budget Officer expressed his concerns. Other experts have said that these cuts will have serious consequences. The government cannot tell Canadians what it plans on cutting, maybe because it does not even know itself.
Why is the government playing Russian roulette with public services?
Employment June 13th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, that is simply not good enough.
Last week the minister joked about the Wizard of Oz, but what is no joke is his failure to create jobs. Millions of Canadians are struggling. Hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts to profitable banks and big oil make no economic sense and create no jobs.
Instead of just leading Canadians down a yellow brick road, will the government step out from behind the curtain and tie corporate tax incentives to real job creation?
Employment June 13th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the latest employment numbers show that, despite what the government is saying, the employment crisis is not over. There are still 1.4 million Canadians without work, plus hundreds of thousands working part-time because they cannot find anything better. Three out of five unemployed people will not receive any help.
Why is the minister refusing to support Canadian families that need help returning to the workforce?
The Budget June 13th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member for Pontiac on his speech and on his election.
I heard him say that 60% of the Algonquin people in his community do not have access to clean water, a basic right and a basic necessity that people the world over need to have. In a country as rich as Canada it is quite shocking that members of his community do not have this basic right.
I would like to ask my colleague what feedback he is getting from his constituents when they learn that the government is going to be giving $15 billion a year in corporate tax cuts in the budget and yet it is also going to be chopping another $11 billion out of our public expenditures? What kind of reaction is my colleague getting from his constituents?
G20 Summit June 9th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the G20 was announced for downtown Toronto with just four months warning. Toronto businesses were given little notice and almost no information. Toronto shop owners lost millions from the G20 but the government dragged its heels on compensation and then wrapped the process in red tape. A year later, they are still waiting.
When will Toronto businesses be fully and properly compensated for damages and lost revenue from the G20 calamity?
The Budget June 7th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, she should tell that to the millions who are unemployed or underemployed. It is simply not good enough.
The government's plan for billions in corporate tax cuts means only one thing: cuts to programs and services that Canadians rely on, cuts to seniors living in poverty and cuts for struggling families, or is it really cuts to health care? These cuts are not worth the cost.
Will the minister cancel his reckless across-the-board corporate tax giveaways and invest in the things Canadians count on, like health care, infrastructure and the small businesses that create jobs?
Will he do that?
The Budget June 7th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the government is trying to scare people with the deficit issue. However, a year ago, the minister's deficit projections were off by $13 billion. He has changed his mind three times in six months. He lacks credibility.
Before cutting programs and services, should the Minister of Finance not put his books in order and give the people the real figures?