House of Commons Hansard #46 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was palliative.

Topics

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

1:45 p.m.

Liberal

Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to address Bill C-14. This bill is a response to the Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous ruling in the case of Carter v. Canada. The Supreme Court mandated that the Government of Canada create a framework for the provision of medical assistance in dying within a year of the ruling. That time lapsed on February 6, 2016, and an extension was granted until June 6, 2016.

The Supreme Court gave our government a short time in which to study this challenging and historic issue. I have listened to constituents who have argued passionately on both sides of this debate. I have struggled with the moral and ethical implications of this legislation. I understand that this is an emotionally charged and challenging topic.

Civilized societies have always recognized the sanctity of life. Countries around the world have legislated against the taking of another person's life. Historically, the taking of life has been considered to be the worst of crimes. The issue of medical assistance in dying poses a complex challenge to all Canadians because it brings together several different and difficult issues. There are questions of charter rights and personal freedoms. There are questions of protecting the vulnerable and responding to those who are enduring intolerable pain. There are theological, moral, and ethical considerations.

As well, this issue is an emotional one, fraught with the feelings of those who take strong positions on either side of the debate, and leavened by the feelings of those people who are experiencing such grievous suffering that they no longer wish to continue living.

Another element is purely economic, whether it is the pressures of inheritance or financial instability or the overwhelming cost of health care during the end of life. While we do not like to cite these utilitarian perspectives, their existence cannot be denied.

As well, this debate touches upon one's vision of a just society, whether one feels that ultimate justice involves complete choice or whether one feels that justice is best served by sometimes limiting the avenues available to a person so as to keep open the possibility of a happier tomorrow, a more desirable future, one that can be looked forward to rather than dreaded. I feel that this legislation finds a balance between these two perspectives, allowing choice to those who wish to end their grievous suffering and are already far along the path to dying and protecting those who may be vulnerable.

The ruling in Carter v. Canada was expressly limited to a competent adult person who clearly consents to the termination of his or her life. Furthermore, the Supreme Court of Canada did not find that there was a right to medical assistance in dying for minors or persons with psychiatric disorders. I was greatly relieved that these provisions were not included in this legislation.

To ensure that the path to the end is as fair and secure as possible, it is imperative that we accompany any legislation for medical assistance with enhanced support for palliative care. All parliamentarians have stories to share with respect to their engagement with people. We have interactions that have a profound impact upon us and never leave us.

On the campaign trail, I had the opportunity to visit a number of long-term care facilities. On one of these occasions, after the candidates gave speeches, there was an opportunity to mingle. I approached a man, who handed me a piece of paper. It was a petition for more personal support workers. He had tears in his eyes as he asked me to sign the petition. I sat with him and he explained his situation. He was there caring for his wife, who was beside him in a wheelchair. She had endured a serious stroke. This man was not advocating for his wife, as he was there every waking hour to take care of her, but he was advocating for others whom he witnessed daily not getting the care they needed. This was just not fair, not right, and clearly not just.

We have serious work to do in palliative care, which is connected to home care. Our government has pledged $3 billion to home care, and I am strongly encouraged by the health minister's commitment to see that high-quality home care is accessible to all Canadians. I look forward to engaging my colleagues in these debates and fighting for greatly enhanced palliative care for Canadians.

I have spent the last 20 years working with youth as a chaplain in high schools in Hamilton and Ancaster, Ontario. During this time, I have walked with thousands of students as they have negotiated the difficult terrain of adolescence and early adulthood. Their struggles are real, and the burdens they carry through family difficulty, personal struggles with identity, emotional pain, loneliness, rejection, or alienation are all real.

Young people face a complex and often overwhelming world in their physical neighbourhoods, in the relationships they inhabit, and in the virtual worlds in which they are thrown head first, often not ready. One only has to look at the terrible cases of online bullying that have removed the joy from the lives of young people and replaced it with sadness, depression, and in some cases suicide. I believe in our youth. I have spent my life believing for them and in them when they have sometimes stopped believing in themselves. I have made it my life's work. Amazingly, although their worlds sometimes sombred into darkest night and they feared that any light might have been extinguished forever, together we found a glimmer, a flicker that with love, inclusion, acceptance, and safety grew into a flame and then a roaring fire, not only of hope but of a desire to change the world, to bring healing to others who suffer and are rejected. These same teenagers have now stepped up and become leaders with a conviction to change the world. If assisted dying had been available to them when they were in the depths of their depression, they might not be with us today.

I am pleased that this legislation does not include mature minors, and I call for a renewed focus on creating a better, happier, more secure, and stabler world for our young people, online and in the physical world.

I have debated the morality of the question of medical assistance in dying. There are many who believe that in good conscience they cannot support assisted dying. For those who feel this way, I wish to address the issue of conscience.

People often equate conscience with values and beliefs. While conscience most certainly includes these, it also is much more complex. Conscience is at the very core of who we are as people. Conscience deals with reality. It appreciates the facts that are before us. The facts here are that the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that medical assistance in dying is a charter right. We are not faced with the question of whether we allow medical assistance in dying; rather, we are faced with the question of in what conditions we will allow medical assistance in dying.

In my view, the bill before us is narrow in scope and respects the charter as interpreted in Carter v. Canada. Bill C-14 fulfills the legislative mandate delivered by the Supreme Court in a way that meets the charter but attempts to protect the vulnerable and the powerless. Although we can never fully protect the vulnerable, we can do our best. This is what Bill C-14 does.

Finally, I wish to affirm my support for respecting the personal values and beliefs of doctors and nurses and the mission statements upon which some institutions were created.

As the Minister of Justice has said, and I quote:

To this end, as I have already mentioned, my colleague, the Minister of Health, will be working with her counterparts to bring forward a coordinated system for linking patients to willing providers.

As is outlined in the government preamble to this bill, the Government of Canada has committed to developing non-legislative measures that will “respect the personal convictions of health care providers”. As the Minister of Health has indicated, “Practitioners will have the right to choose as their conscience dictates”.

I will continue to fight for the protection of the rights of morally objecting physicians and institutions while ensuring access for patients to their charter rights.

In light of all of these arguments, I stand in this House today in support of this fair and thoughtful legislation.

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes it possible for a person to ask a doctor for help committing suicide. If the doctor refuses because the person does not meet the criteria, that person can go to plenty of other doctors to get help.

Does the member agree that we need some rules around that practice of going from doctor to doctor?

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, I will always respect the conscience rights of doctors. As the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice have both confirmed, what we are speaking about here is the issue of accessibility. It has been made clear in this legislation and in the comments of both ministers that accessibility is an important issue. We will ensure that our consultations with provincial and territorial partners will provide accessibility that will be open to all Canadians who wish to pursue medical assistance in dying.

In Canada, we have approximately 77,000 physicians and more than 360,000 registered nurses. For me, it is not going to be a matter of having to go from physician to physician. I think that, with the brilliant work of our Minister of Health, accessibility will be available to people, and there is no question of conscience rights becoming an issue because of the accessibility point.

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

NDP

Pierre-Luc Dusseault NDP Sherbrooke, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her speech.

I was wondering whether, like her colleague, she thinks that the bill does not go far enough. Does she have concerns about compliance with the Supreme Court decision that this bill responds to? Does she think that the bill goes far enough? Does she share the same concerns as her colleague who spoke earlier? Perhaps the bill is not enough. Perhaps it is too limited in scope. Perhaps it does not fully comply with the Supreme Court's decision.

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON

Mr. Speaker, as I made clear in my speech, I think that this bill does go far enough with respect to the Carter v. Canada decision.

I expressed concern with respect to one area, which is minors and psychiatric care, and I am glad to see that the legislation does not include minors and psychiatric disorders. This stems from my work with youth.

I have worked with youth over the past 20 years, and I have seen them struggle through very difficult times. I have been with them in their darkest days. I have taken those same youth to the Dominican Republic on mission trips, and I have seen how the experience of working with the poor has turned their lives around.

My focus would be on ensuring that youth receive the support they want and that those who are at the end of their life, through palliative care, also receive the support they need and deserve.

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague from Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas on her excellent speech. I very much appreciate the conversations I have had with her on this subject, and I appreciate what I have learned from her in her experience with working with teenagers.

With respect to conscience rights, there have been a lot of comments already from the other side that conscience rights should be included in this bill and that we should find a way to include them in the Criminal Code. What is the member's position on that?

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, I believe that the conscience rights of physicians and practitioners will be protected, and that is based on the assurances we have been given by both the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health.

The other issue I would like to raise with respect to that is that I am cautious of introducing into legislation any restrictions or precedence with respect to conscience rights, because I think that would set a very dangerous precedent.

Gaetano GaglianoStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of a great Canadian, Mr. Gaetano Gagliano.

Mr. Gagliano was an entrepreneur, a visionary, and a person of deep faith. His story is one of 70 years of marriage to Giuseppina, resulting in 10 children and 51 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He uniquely was a member of the Order of Canada in his adopted country and received the highest honour as a citizen of his birth country of Italy.

After World War II, a young Gaetano emigrated from Italy. He set up shop in the basement of his rented home in 1956 where he founded a printing shop named after Canada's patron saint. Today, St. Joseph Communications is Canada's largest private communications company.

Gaetano, at the remarkable age of 86, founded Salt and Light media and TV, Canada's first Catholic television network, now supported by Pope Francis.

Gaetano lived his entire life with God squarely in the centre of it and was an example to many.

Multiple SclerosisStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON

Mr. Speaker, as many of us know, walks were held in communities across Canada yesterday to bring awareness to and raise funds for the fight against multiple sclerosis.

I had an opportunity to attend the MS walk in my home of Lindsay, where over $10,000 was raised.

I would like to congratulate the volunteers and participants not just in my riding but across this great country, including Rheanon Antoniak from Fenelon Falls. This brave woman not only suffers from MS, but she also has been the honorary chair and top fundraiser for three years in a row at the Lindsay walk.

According to the MS Society, approximately 100,000 Canadians, mostly ages 15 to 40, suffer from MS. MS unfortunately is known as Canada's disease. We have the highest rate of people suffering in the world.

I can personally attest to the effect this disease can have on families. My mother passed away in 2013 after a decade of battling a progressive form of MS.

Sadly, there is currently no cure for MS, but each day, researchers are learning more about what causes this terrible disease and—

Multiple SclerosisStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

The hon. member for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.

Abbotsford Sports Hall of FameStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Jati Sidhu Liberal Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate Dean Arsene and Courtney Inman for their induction into the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame, and the five teams and 13 individuals who were recognized by the Wall of Fame.

The Wall of Fame honours up-and-coming athletes from the ages of 14 to 25 who had outstanding years in their sport. They are recognized with a plaque in the Legacy Sports Centre for one year.

These athletes have displayed perseverance and dedication in sport which helped them accomplish amazing feats.

Congratulations to the athletes who were recognized last Saturday. It is a wonderful example to young people to stay active in their daily lives, and that practice and commitment in what we love to do can help us accomplish our goals.

Asian Heritage MonthStatements By Members

2 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, for over a century, Asian people have been coming to Canada and contribute to the rich multicultural tapestry of Canada.

This month, Canadians will have the opportunity to learn about the diverse Asian cultures in celebration of Asian Heritage Month.

ExplorAsian has brought together different organizations and has created a month-long program filled with great events from music and art shows to thought-provoking documentaries and film festivals to highlight the historic struggles Asian Canadians faced and their many achievements.

To kick things off, this past weekend I attended the opening of Van East's very own award winning Chinese calligrapher Master Wai Yin Lau's art exhibition which showcased six distinct Chinese calligraphy art forms at the Chinese Cultural Centre.

The Chinese Cultural Centre will also host the Together Art Festival, featuring performances from Korea, Japan, China, and Polynesia on May 28.

I encourage all Canadians to take part in the many activities in their own community to learn about and celebrate Asian Canadian culture and history.

Battle of the AtlanticStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the honour of laying a wreath at the Centennial Flame on behalf of Surrey's veterans to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic.

Throughout World War II, convoys battled storms, submarines, and air strikes, keeping Britain's lifeline open. Brave Canadians in our navy, merchant marine, and air force helped Britain endure and set the stage for the liberation of Europe.

This was my dad's war. As an ASDIC operator, he would go “ping happy” listening for U-boats on the HMCS Kincardine and HMCS Galt, two tough little corvettes that could, in his words, “roll on wet grass” as they shepherded the runs from Halifax and Sidney.

It was uncomfortable and dangerous. One in seven of our merchant mariners, over 1,600, were killed or wounded, as were over 2,000 in our navy and air force. As we know, many of them were just kids.

I hope the House will join me in honouring these Canadians who fought the longest battle of the war; they fought it well and they won.

100 Mile House WranglersStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the 100 Mile House Wranglers on an outstanding season. The Wranglers are not only champions of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and the British Columbia Junior B division, but the boys from 100 Mile House also lassoed the western Canada championship, the Keystone Cup.

The road to victory was hard fought, but not without a lot of support from back home. When they travelled to Esquimalt, Wranglers fans actually bought 40% of the tickets. The Wranglers then went on to defeat the Kimberley Dynamiters in five games to secure the crown in Regina.

In the words of one local reporter, “People as far away as Thunder Bay, Ont. and all through the West know these 22 lads, who have represented 100 Mile House so well with their respect and their community-mindedness, never gave up and they will work hard every minute of every game”.

Last week's parade and tailgate party was a fitting tribute to the Wranglers players and the organization. Well done, Wranglers. They are the champions of the west.

VolunteerismStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

John Aldag Liberal Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Speaker, I recently met two amazing volunteers in Langley City.

The first is Pauline Knight, who turned 100 in February. Pauline still volunteers for the Langley Senior Resources Society in Langley City, as she has done for 24 years.

The second volunteer is Rob Ross. Children have always been important to Mr. Ross. As a retired teacher and principal, along with being a father to his own children, Mr. Ross became a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley 40 years ago. Since that time he has made the difference in the lives of an astounding 14 “littles”, many of whom still play an important part in Rob's life.

Speaking of volunteers, Mr. Speaker, I invite you, my colleagues, and all Canadians to enjoy our community Cloverdale style. The 70th annual Cloverdale Rodeo, the second-largest community rodeo in Canada, and 128th Country Fair, run from May 20 to 23. With all the components of a great community celebration supported by countless volunteers, there will be activities for all ages and interests.

Midget Hockey ChampionshipStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Alaina Lockhart Liberal Fundy Royal, NB

Mr. Speaker, Quispamsis, New Brunswick, played host to the TELUS Cup last week, and what a week it was. The cup was the end of the season's journey that began last fall with 152 teams seeking to be crowned Canada's national midget hockey champions.

True to epic storytelling, Canada came together to watch the hometown heroes, the Saint John Vito's, battle against the pride of Ontario, the North York Rangers, in the finals. This was the first time that a New Brunswick team had reached that level. As one of the thousands of fans at the qplex last Sunday, I was moved as the crowd rose to its feet to applaud the Vito's for the last full minute of the game as the team achieved a silver medal standing.

I would like to congratulate all the players, the organizers, and the sponsors, with a special mention to the event chair, Aaron Kennedy, for the spectacular success of the tournament.

I thank the Saint John Vito's for reminding us that hockey truly is our national sport, building character, promoting teamwork, creating lifelong friendships, and bringing communities together.

Parliamentary Forum on Religious FreedomStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK

Mr. Speaker, today leading scholars, faith leaders, diplomats, and members of the public will come to Parliament Hill for the fifth annual Parliamentary Forum on Religious Freedom.

The four previous forums touched on specific issues regarding the right to freedom of thought and belief. Each was thought provoking and challenged participants to recommit to new and different ways to this fundamental human right.

This year promises to be no different. This year's forum is entitled, “Religious Freedom or Secularism? A World Safe for Diversity: Living with our Deepest Differences”. We will explore whether an increasingly secular world can, or will, continue to support the notion that all people should be free to decide what they believe, should be able to daily practise their belief, and should be able to change their belief if they choose. This year, leading apologist, author, and social critic, Dr. Os Guinness, will deliver the keynote address. He brings decades of expertise and wisdom to this ongoing debate.

Canada sees these freedoms as essential. However, the way forward is not always clear. That makes tonight's discussion all the more important.

Buddhist New YearStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, last Saturday evening, I participated in an event organized by the Laotian community in my riding of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. Over 400 people were in attendance. I had the opportunity to celebrate the Buddhist new year, which involved smiles, good food, and cultural dancing. Did you know that this is the year 2559? The Laotian community in Boisbriand embraces the Canadian values of inclusion, openness, and hospitality that are so dear to all of us.

I would like to tip my hat to the president of that community, Manivanh Dougmala, and commend her for her great leadership. For over 35 years, she has been helping Laotian immigrants integrate into the Montreal area. It is leaders such as Ms. Dougmala who help us create a welcoming and hospitable environment and country for newcomers to Canada.

Keep up the good work, Ms. Dougmala, and happy Laotian new year. Happy 2559.

Status of WomenStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Anju Dhillon Liberal Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC

Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Barreau du Québec, I am pleased to point out that 75 years ago, in 1941, women won the right to practise law in Quebec.

This did not happen overnight. In 1915, Annie Langstaff was the first Quebec woman to obtain a law degree from McGill University. Despite all her efforts, she was never able to practise law. On April 29, 1941, Quebec's Loi sur le Barreau was finally amended, and the first four women were called to the Quebec bar association in January 1942.

Since that time, women have advanced to become approximately half the lawyers in the province. In doing so, they pay tribute to the groundbreaking women who successfully fought for change 75 years ago.

William H. JarvisStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of the Hon. William H. Jarvis, who passed away last week at the age of 85.

Bill was first elected to the House of Commons in 1972 for the riding of Perth—Wilmot. He would go on to serve in this House for the next 12 years, always tending to the needs of his riding and to his constituents. In 1979, he was appointed to cabinet as the minister of state for federal-provincial relations.

After leaving elected politics in 1984, he continued to serve his country, and his party as president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1986 to 1989.

I am sure all hon. members will join me in paying tribute and in expressing our condolences to Bill's family, including his wife Louisette, his children Richard and Elizabeth, and their mother Vivian.

While we may mourn the loss of Bill, we can certainly pay tribute and honour his legacy and his dedication to this House, his country, and his constituents.

Vision Health MonthStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON

Mr. Speaker, May is Vision Health Month, a month to celebrate the contributions of blind and partially sighted Canadians, and thank those who are reducing barriers, improving accessibility, providing eye health care, and doing or supporting innovative research in the area of vision loss.

Close to half a million Canadians live with significant vision loss. Over the next decade as our population ages, vision loss among Canadians is expected to rise by nearly 30%. Over five and a half million Canadians have one of four major eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts.

However, being blind or suffering vision loss should not limit anyone in Canada. This month, CNIB, with its head office in Don Valley West, is asking Canadians to open their eyes to blindness. They will be sharing truly visionary stories of Canadians who are living with vision loss, demystifying what it means to be blind.

Please join me in commemorating Vision Health Month.

Saskatchewan Book AwardsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Erin Weir NDP Regina—Lewvan, SK

Mr. Speaker, the night before last, I attended the 23rd annual Saskatchewan Book Awards, which recognize authors and publishers in our province.

My former professor, Raymond Blake, was nominated for his book, Lions or Jellyfish: Newfoundland-Ottawa Relations since 1957. I believe that he would have won an award had there been a category for best title.

I was very proud that my colleague from Timmins—James Bay won two awards for his book, Children of the Broken Treaty, published by University of Regina Press. This book provides chilling insight into how Canada, through breaches of treaties, broken promises, and callous neglect, denied first nations children their basic human rights.

Tragedies at Attawapiskat in his riding and at La Loche in my province underscore that we must do better.

IranStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Clement Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

Mr. Speaker, today is the beginning of Iran Accountability Week here on Parliament Hill, which I am proud to co-host alongside Senator Linda Frum.

The objectives of this week are to bring more awareness to the Iranian regime's transgressions, including being the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism, its nuclear ambitions, aggressively jailing political opponents, and an egregious track record on human rights.

We will be giving a voice to the victims of the Iranian regime while informing parliamentarians, the media, and Canadians of the atrocities committed in Iran. Hamas and Hezbollah are listed terrorist entities in Canada and have both received critical support from Iran.

Iran's constant threat to the peace and security of the state of Israel is something that should be concerning to all members of the House, and to all Canadians, as Ayatollah Khamenei has constantly called for the destruction of Israel.

We will be hosting numerous events this week, such as a speakers evening with experts about Iran discussing the regime's transgressions. All are welcome.

Yvon CharbonneauStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a great man who just passed away, Yvon Charbonneau. He was my friend and was a friend to many members in this House.

Yvon was truly a great mean. He was generous and principled, and he was guided by noble values. Most importantly, he had the courage to defend those values. Yvon advanced some very important causes throughout his career as a trade unionist, a member of the Quebec National Assembly, a member of Parliament, and an ambassador. Yvon always managed to bring about change.

When I succeeded Yvon as the member of Parliament for Honoré-Mercier, I knew that I had big shoes to fill. I used the word “succeeded”, because it is possible to succeed Yvon, but no one can ever replace him. He was irreplaceable.

I thank him for his friendship and his invaluable advice. There will always be a little piece of him in everything I do here.

Goodbye, Yvon. Rest in peace.

FinanceOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Sturgeon River—Parkland Alberta

Conservative

Rona Ambrose ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Prime Minister's own Department of Finance has confirmed that—drum roll, please—Conservatives left a healthy surplus for Canadians. It is undeniable fact, but, sadly, instead of following our lead of low taxes, balanced budgets, and job creation, the Prime Minister is raising taxes, spending recklessly, and has no plan to create jobs.

If the Prime Minister will not admit basic facts, how can we trust him to run our economy?