Rodney Weston

[The Economy, June 15th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government did what we said we would do with the next phase of Canada's economic action plan.

Our government is focused on what matters to Canadians, jobs and the economy. To complete our recovery, we must implement the next phase of Canada's economic action plan, a low-tax plan for jobs and growth.

Canada's economy has grown now for seven straight quarters, with nearly 560,000 new jobs created since July 2009. While that is positive news, too many Canadians are still looking for work and the global economic recovery remains fragile.

Canadians gave us a mandate to stay focused on the economy and pass measures aimed at strengthening both our economic recovery and our country. We will follow through on these commitments.

[Government Expenditures, March 1st, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, today the President of the Treasury Board tabled the 2011-12 main estimates.

These estimates demonstrate our commitment to reduce government spending. They also show that we are not balancing the budget on the backs of hard-working taxpayers like the Liberals did in the 1990s.

Would the President of the Treasury Board please explain how we are on track to balance the budget?

[Taxation, February 15th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party has a plan to raise taxes. He is openly and unambiguously calling for a $6 billion tax increase, not a tax freeze but a tax hike.

The Liberal leader is demanding that his new tax hike be included in the next budget. If we do not support his plan to hike taxes, he will vote against the budget to force an election that Canadians do not want.

His reckless and dangerous tax hike proposal will stop our recovery in its tracks and it will hurt job creation. No wonder he is proud to call himself a “tax and spend“ Liberal.

Canada's continued job growth shows our economic action plan and our low tax agenda are achieving positive results for Canadian families.

Our government believes in keeping taxes low. We need to continue with our low tax plan to create jobs, not the Liberal leader's high tax agenda, which will stall our job recovery, kill jobs and set hard-working families back.

[Canadian Coast Guard, February 10th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, there is no greater sacrifice Canadian citizens can make than when they put their duty ahead of their own safety in service to our country.

Could the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans inform the House of the latest steps taken by the Canadian Coast Guard to honour our Canadian heroes?

[Saint John Harbour Bridge, December 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, for more than four decades the tolls on the Saint John Harbour Bridge have represented an inequity that has existed for Saint John residents, but everything is about to change. At long last, the Saint John Harbour Bridge will be toll free.

The Prime Minister and Premier Alward recently announced that an agreement had been reached to resolve this issue once and for all. The time has finally come when the people of greater Saint John will be treated in the same manner as the rest of the province.

Our government is cancelling the outstanding debt of $22.6 million and investing $17.5 million toward the upgrades that are currently under way. This commitment will result in the tolls being removed from the bridge, which is a key component of the Atlantic gateway, and will become part of our provincial highway system.

The co-operation that has been demonstrated between the federal and provincial governments will remove the only toll remaining on the highway system in the province of New Brunswick and it will result in Saint John being treated fairly.

[Ferry Services, December 1st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that yesterday this government announced an investment to extend ferry services in eastern Canada.

Our government understands the importance of these ferry services to the local communities and the economy. They are a vital link between our eastern provinces and are crucial to the economic health of the region. I am pleased that our government will assist in providing safe and effective transportation for the many people in these communities who depend on it. I am proud that we are supporting our eastern transport, trade and tourism industries.

In addition to yesterday's commitment, we have also made significant investments in the regional transportation system, including: substantial funding for the highway and road network in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I; significant support for the Confederation Bridge; and further investments in regional air and other marine transportation services and facilities.

I am proud to say that this government is standing up for eastern Canada after years of Liberal inaction.

[Government Spending, November 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, every day Canadians have to make difficult decisions to manage the family budget. They expect their government to do the same.

Budget 2010 introduced tough measures to restrain government spending, including a freeze on departmental operating budgets and a freeze on salaries of ministers, MPs and senators.

Can the President of the Treasury Board please tell the House what other efforts are under way to restrain spending?

[The Economy, October 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's economic action plan is lowering taxes, helping to create jobs and boosting our economic growth in communities right across Canada, and it is getting results. Over 22,500 projects are under way or completed in communities across Canada. Canada has created over 420,000 net new jobs since July 2009. Clearly Canada's economic action plan is working.

Could the Minister of Finance please tell the House just how effective Canada's economic action plan has been?

[Leader of the Bloc Québécois, October 6th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Bloc Québécois is praising himself as the “driving force” in the Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition. This is a coalition that has policies that would be devastating for our economy. It has a partner that aims to break up our country.

Would the minister comment on the recent revelations regarding the role of the Bloc Québécois in the coalition?

[New Brunswick Election, September 29th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate premier-elect David Alward and his Progressive Conservative team on their decisive victory in the province of New Brunswick on Monday.

New Brunswickers have chosen an extremely talented team of MLAs to work for them at the Legislative Assembly in Fredericton.

This marks the first time in New Brunswick history that an incumbent government has not been re-elected to a second term.

On a more personal note, I have known Premier Alward since 1999 when we were first elected and served together in the provincial legislature. He is an honest, decent and hard-working individual whose passion and commitment for New Brunswick is unwavering.

On this side of the House, we look forward to working with Premier Alward and his team on issues important to New Brunswick.

Together, we will get things done and deliver for all New Brunswickers.