House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 46% of the vote.
Research and Development November 27th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, that did not answer my question. It is not just the CFI that is at risk, but so is the community access program, a program that gives Internet access to the most remote communities in Canada.
Does the minister not know that if one does not have Internet access one is just out of the game? Research, innovation, education and Internet access, does the minister not understand the importance of these investments or does he just lack the clout at the cabinet table?
Research and Development November 27th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, Canada has world-class scientific research facilities, but the key federal program that has made that possible, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, runs out of cash today.
Since 1997 the CFI has leveraged more than $11 billion in research. There was nothing in the budget, nothing in the economic update, and the minister has even dropped the word “innovate” from the department.
Does the minister have a plan to continue the Canada Foundation for Innovation?
Status of Women November 10th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, here is yet another broken promise by the minority Conservative government.
During the last election the Prime Minister signed a pledge to work for the equality of women, but last month the government did just the opposite. Not only did it cut 43% of the budget of the department for the Status of Women but it removed equality from the mandate of the women's program.
Why did the Prime Minister break his promise to the women of Canada?
Business of Supply November 1st, 2006
Mr. Chair, let me ask that question again. Will the minister commit to honouring part of the Ontario agreement, the labour market partnership agreement, that was signed in November with the Ontario government for $1.4 billion over six years, which addresses apprenticeship programs, new Canadians, literacy, workplace skills development, programs for aboriginal Canadians, barriers to employment for older workers and persons with disabilities?
Will the government honour those agreements that were signed with the Ontario government, with the Saskatchewan government and with the government of Manitoba?
Business of Supply November 1st, 2006
Mr. Chair, let me simplify the question. Will this minister commit to funding the labour market partnership agreements for Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba? The Prime Minister, the leader of the Conservative Party, indicated in the last election that those commitments, those agreements, would be fully honoured.
Business of Supply November 1st, 2006
Mr. Chair, maybe the Minister of Finance should indicate that to the minister responsible, Minister Bentley, that this agreement will be fully funded. I am sure he would be happy to hear that. As of today, he had not heard that this funding would flow toward the Ontario agreement and the labour market partnership agreements.
My second question is this. If he is going to honour those agreements, is he going to honour the labour market partnership agreements for Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well?
Business of Supply November 1st, 2006
Mr. Chair, it says, “we will be fully funding this agreement”; that is the Canada-Ontario agreement.
When will the government honour the Canada-Ontario agreement, the labour market partnerships in particular?
Business of Supply November 1st, 2006
Mr. Chair, as a member of Parliament from Ontario, I always made it a point to fully appreciate the agreements that were made by my leader and my prime minister.
Let me explain the letter. The letter is from Stephen Harper to Dalton McGuinty, dated January 18, which is during the election, which commits--
Business of Supply November 1st, 2006
Mr. Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Etobicoke North and the member for Winnipeg South Centre.
Is the minister aware of the letter from the leader of the Conservative Party, dated January 18 to the Premier of Ontario?
Intellectual Property October 25th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization released its annual report containing a bleak measure of Canada's international competitiveness.
Patents show our strength at turning our research and development into commercial success and indicate where the new jobs will come from.
Right now Japan, the United States, China, Russia, India, Sweden and Brazil all have better records in terms of patents filed. Canada ranks 30th in the world.
Will the government introduce a competitiveness strategy in its economic update and will it include a measure to improve Canada's record of performance on patents?