Steven Blaney

[Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1, May 2nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the member frequently mentioned youth in his speech.

Youth and their future are at the heart of the economic action plan's 2013 budget. For example, the Canada job grant will help match our job-seeking youth with the additional training they need. Adequate training will help them find a job.

Why is he opposing the economic action plan and all of the measures it contains for internships and support for entrepreneurs? Not only would it allow our youth to gain the experience they need, it would also allow them to work for businesses and gain the skills that will help them find jobs and contribute to our country's prosperity.

Why is he opposing the economic action plan, given that it is a tool for our youth?

[Veterans Affairs, May 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Oxford for reminding us that Canadians fought in the biggest battle in history against Nazism and totalitarianism. Nearly 4,600 men and women who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canada's merchant navy and the Royal Canadian Navy sacrificed their lives.

Let us take the time to revisit this page in history where Canadians served with distinction so that we can live in a free and democratic country.

[Veterans Affairs, April 16th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Don Valley West is right. They were young and reckless. Along with more than 15 countries with the United Nations 60 years ago, they fought in Korea for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law against communism. Today, the Minister of National Defence and I presented a certificate of recognition to our great Canadian Korean War veterans to show our deepest gratitude and recognition for their many sacrifices.

I thank our Korean War veterans.

[Veterans Affairs, April 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Sault Ste. Marie for his question as well as for his work on the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Today, the Minister of National Defence and I announced a new Canadian Bomber Command honour, which pays tribute to those Canadians who fought for peace, freedom and democracy through their service in Bomber Command. Over 50,000 Canadians served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Bomber Command operations and close to 10,000 made the ultimate sacrifice. I invite all members to pay tribute and to never forget.

[Business of Supply, March 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciated the member for Saint-Laurent—Cartierville's arguments for an effective House of Commons and Senate.

The NDP wants to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Can the member comment on how important the Senate is to the regions, minorities and Quebec? The NDP wants to do away with one of Quebec's advantages in our federal parliamentary system.

If the opportunity arose, would the member support limiting senators' terms to foster renewal and greater effectiveness within the Senate?

[Veterans, March 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is very important to remind the House that we take the confidentiality of veterans' files very seriously. I would like to read a quote:

Veterans Affairs Canada has sent a clear signal that privacy is vital to its operations....the Department is moving from reacting to privacy issues to proactively addressing them.

Who did I quote? The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

We will continue to protect our veterans' privacy.

[Veterans Affairs, February 27th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to the Liberals, who cut programs and benefits for veterans, let me assure the member that we are investing in our veterans at record levels.

Regarding the funeral and burial program, members do not have to take my word for it. They can just listen to this: “These measures...were adopted to ensure that the delivery of the Funeral and Burial program for our Veterans remains at its present level of quality”.

Who said that? It was the Last Post Fund, ten months ago.

[Veterans Affairs, February 26th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Durham for the great question. He is a man who is serving in the House and who has proudly served in our Canadian armed forces.

Yesterday I was pleased to announce a new tool that is being piloted with veterans to help identify and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. This new self-assessment tool builds on our partnership with the University of British Columbia. It is a soldier-to-soldier, veteran-to-veteran approach. It is happening here, now, in Ottawa.

PTSD Coach Canada is one more step forward in our veterans transition action plan that continues to deliver concrete results for our great Canadian veterans.

[Veterans Affairs, February 26th, 2013]

I was just saying, Mr. Speaker, that the Liberals cut the Last Post Fund program, and we are maintaining this funding while finding administrative savings. Ten thousand veterans are benefiting and have benefited from this program. This program, actually, is being maintained and is fully funded.

Will the Liberals support the $130 million I will be seeking for veterans?

[Veterans Affairs, February 26th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals cut the Last Post Fund program, but—