Supplementary Estimates (A) June 5th, 2013

Mr. Chair, I can attest to the fact that the form of this bill is the same as that passed in the previous supply period.

Supplementary Estimates (A) June 5th, 2013

moved:

That the supplementary estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, be concurred in.

Main Estimates, 2013-14 June 5th, 2013

Mr. Chair, yes, the presentation of this bill is identical to that used during the previous supply period.

Main Estimates, 2013-14 June 5th, 2013

moved:

That the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, except any vote disposed of earlier today and less the amounts voted in Interim Supply, be concurred in.

Government Advertising June 5th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member, as is consistent with the public accounts, that advertising represents 0.3% of government spending, less than that in fact. It is the responsibility of governments to communicate on important programs and services available to Canadians.

Unlike the previous Liberal government, when we allocate money to advertising, it actually goes to advertising.

Government Priorities June 5th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I thank Monique for her question.

I will say that advertising is an essential means for informing Canadians about important issues, such as temporary stimulus measures, tax credits and public health issues.

I would say, of course, that our rates of advertising are much lower than those of the previous Liberal government, and we will continue to do so to make sure that the taxpayer is defended.

Public Works and Government Services June 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, that is false. As President of the Treasury Board, I can say that the Minister of Public Safety has a responsibility to verify that due diligence has been exercised with regard to the contract. In response to the criticisms by the Auditor General's office about the contract that the Liberals awarded unfairly, our government launched a new request for proposals for the relocation contract, using a fair and transport process .

I would say that we have done everything according to proper procedure.

Telecommunications June 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the hon. member for the question because it shows how connected he is to his local community and is representing its views.

We on the government side are happy to see this new wireless code. It puts consumers first. It addresses the key issues such as contract length and the exploding roaming charges, and some of us are aware of those, and other data charges as well. These are steps in the right direction.

I can assure the chamber that this government will continue to foster greater competition to provide Canadians with more choices at better prices in every region of this country.

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1 June 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I am not here to tell the opposition how to conduct its affairs. I would just say that in my experience as a parliamentarian, which goes back to 1995, quality matters as much as quantity, in a lot of cases. The hon. member might want to talk to his research department or the various staffers who work for the NDP and work on that as we move forward in this parliamentary session.

The case was made. Various organizations from western Canada, central Canada and eastern Canada came forward saying that this bill is necessary. Probably municipalities in the hon. member's own constituency came before us and said that they need this bill to be passed and that it is important for their municipalities to attract new growth, jobs and opportunities by having the infrastructure in place. Business organizations, mostly small and medium enterprises, probably in the honourable member's own constituency, came before us and said that they need this bill passed.

The hon. member is incorrect when he says that we did not have that kind of say, that kind of debate and that kind of discussion. The jury is back in, and it is saying that this bill is necessary. That is what these groups and organizations representing millions of Canadians are saying.