Business of Supply  We do not underestimate the qualities of Andrew Bennett. I have known Dr. Bennett since he worked at intergovernmental affairs, when I was the minister. I know that he is a solid professional, dedicated to the missions entrusted to him. However, the government has a duty to choose the best approaches, especially for an issue as crucial as defending freedoms.

Intergovernmental Affairs  She is refusing to share scientific information even though the best marine mammal experts work for the federal government. How can the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, if this government has one, tolerate such bad federalism? This is detrimental to informed decision-making about the environment and the economy. We have had enough of the federal government's silo approach; we want co-operation.

Intergovernmental Affairs  Mr. Speaker, investments postponed to 2019, that is the truth. The letters the federal Minister of International Trade exchanged with Newfoundland and Labrador on the CETA-releated seafood industry agreement are crystal clear. The minister promised a transition fund to help the industry, but never mentioned that it would be dependent on a demonstrated loss.

Intergovernmental Affairs  Mr. Speaker, once again, against all logic, the government is patting itself on the back for working with the provinces to address the enormous infrastructure gap, but that is not really what is happening. Three-quarters of the building Canada fund will not be handed out until 2019, but the provinces need to improve their infrastructure, stimulate the economy and create jobs right now.

Intergovernmental Affairs  Mr. Speaker, since Laurier, Canadian prime ministers have seen fit to meet regularly with their provincial counterparts, as a group, in addition to bilateral meetings. That went without saying. It goes without saying in any civilized federation. It goes without saying, except for this Prime Minister.

Infrastructure  That is a shameful accusation that the member cannot sustain outside, Mr. Speaker. When the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs launched the new building Canada fund on March 28, he said that the provinces and municipalities “may now apply”. Emphasis on the word “now”. However, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities website indicates that funding agreements with the provinces and territories have not been negotiated yet.

Health committee  We are not the provincial government; we don't have the same ability to intervene on these files, but I'm sure you have an idea about the federal government's specific role. I was the minister of intergovernmental affairs long enough to know that sometimes people put all their hopes in the federal government when the federal government has little means to intervene. But this does not mean we cannot find a way to intervene that would be helpful.

Champlain Bridge  Mr. Speaker, I would like to give the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs the opportunity to assure the House that he will honour his commitment to release his business plan for the Champlain Bridge by the end of the year, which is just a few weeks away.

Champlain Bridge  Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs promised to release his business plan for replacing the Champlain Bridge by the end of the year, which is just around the corner. I want to give the minister and the government an opportunity to assure the House that they will keep the minister's promise and release the business plan in 2013, by the end of December.

Intergovernmental Relations  Every provincial premier has criticized this bad federal initiative undertaken at the expense of workers and the Canadian economy. Will the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs finally get down to work? Will he make his colleagues work with the provinces and not against them?

Intergovernmental Relations  Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs has a knack for breaking cabinet solidarity for the wrong reasons. After giving his support to Quebec's so-called “charter of values”, more aptly named the “charter of shame”, he is now claiming, against all logic, that a single vote is enough to break Canada apart following a referendum.

Intergovernmental Relations  Speaker, you can hear how scared they are of the new Liberal leader. My question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. The free trade negotiations with Europe seem to be entering their final sprint and have an impact on buying locally and the cost of drugs. Under our Constitution, once a treaty is ratified it cannot be implemented in provincial jurisdictions without the consent of the provinces.

Intergovernmental Relations  Not surprisingly, this does not sit well with them and there has been an outcry. This government finally has a Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, so he should rise and tell us how he plans to clean up the mess the latest budget has made of our federation, especially in terms of job training, an area in which collaboration is essential to success.

Intergovernmental Affairs  What other ridiculous policies do the Conservatives plan to get the provinces to pay for? My question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada.

Pensions  Mr. Speaker, to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, if there is one in the government, to delay the old age security to 67 years of age would provide the federal government a meagre three-tenths of one percent of the GDP in 2030.