House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 77% of the vote.
Rail Transportation March 7th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I want to clarify something for my hon. colleague because he may not understand the prairie farmers. What they really have a problem with is service. That is why we put a professional panel in place to deal with rail service in our country. I have the report. We will be announcing our next steps to that report very soon.
Air Canada March 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question, but the Minister of Transport, actually answered this question earlier this week.
Air Canada has continued to insist that it is going to maintain its operations and overhaul centres in Winnipeg, Montreal and Mississauga. Its application is before the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Air Canada is committed to making certain that there will be no job losses, so we will hold it to that.
Strengthening Aviation Security Act February 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if there was a question there.
A significant amount of debate has gone on with respect to this piece of legislation. Canadians' interests will not be served by us continuing to reiterate the kinds of concerns that the opposition has, which are not based on fact but based on hyperbole and fearmongering.
Canadians know full well that we are linked with the United States. It is our greatest trading partner and has been our greatest ally in every war and every battle we have ever fought. We are linked from that perspective. If Canada was attacked by terrorists, the Americans would defend us. When Americans are attacked, we do the same.
This is where we are at when it comes to flying over U.S. airspace and knowing who is in those planes that could potentially cause harm to either American or Canadian citizens. The right to know who is in those planes should not be of that large a concern to my hon. colleagues.
It is important for us to get this legislation through. We encourage debate to be completed, so we can get on with other business of the nation.
Strengthening Aviation Security Act February 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, it is a very important piece of legislation that we have before us. It is important that it be passed in the sense that Canadians have the ability to move freely internationally, particularly into and over the United States.
What the United States is actually asking for in this piece of legislation is the information of those who fly over its airspace. It is a sovereign nation. It has been attacked by terrorists. It very much has the concern of who those people are who are flying over its airspace in those planes. It has nothing to do with personal information and the fearmongering that we are hearing from my hon. colleague and others in debate. This is absolutely ridiculous. It is a matter of who is in the plane. The U.S. wants to know that and rightfully so. It has a valid concern in that sense.
When 85% of our international travel is actually into the United States, it is important that we not compromise from that perspective. We have concessions with the United States on flying from Canadian point to Canadian point over U.S. airspace and there is no real concern.
This is an issue that we are dealing with in an effective way and we encourage the House to support this. The fearmongering that we get from the other side has nothing to do with Canadians' interests. This is all about politics and that is unfortunate, although we are in a political arena and we should not be surprised by it.
Strengthening Aviation Security Act February 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I move:
That this question be now put.
Champlain Bridge February 15th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, as I have said, there is a report coming which was commissioned by the Province of Quebec and ourselves on the future of the Champlain Bridge.
We have invested significantly, $212 million, in the bridge to make certain that repairs are looked after and the bridge is safe.
I can report to the House that the bridge is absolutely safe.
Champlain Bridge February 15th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House and all Canadians, particularly those living in the Montreal area, that the Champlain Bridge is absolutely safe. There is a study taking place at the present time. We are looking forward to the results of that study by Quebec and the federal government. We will have better information once that report is in our hands.
Canada Post Corporation February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House and my hon. colleague that Canada Post has already acted.
If she is finding inappropriate products in her perusing of the Internet, then she should bring them to my attention and we will have Canada Post deal with them.
Canada Post Corporation February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, if this is exactly the truth, then I will do a full investigation of it. If they are just toys, then they are just toys. However, if it is something that is not appropriate for a crown corporation to be advertising, then appropriate measures will be taken.
Airport Security February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague's question allows me to explain to the House just how we are standardizing our standards at our international airports with our international partners right across the world, including the United States, and how we will do it in a more efficient way.
We will reduce the hassle, we will be much smarter and we will have better security. This is all about being family friendly and ensuring that we target those people who are more serious threats and the items that are more serious threats, all the while ensuring that passenger comfort and quicker lines are achieved.