House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 27% of the vote.
Consumer Protection November 25th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, unlike New Democrats who only talk about protecting consumers, it is our Conservative government that has taken action.
We have banned unsolicited credit card cheques, limited anti-consumer business practices, and ensured that pre-paid cards never expire. We have also introduced rules requiring clear disclosure of terms in credit card contracts and applications.
Sadly, New Democrats have opposed every one of our consumer protection measures.
Consumer Protection November 25th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, we welcome the commitments, which represent a meaningful long-term reduction in costs for merchants that should ultimately result in lower prices for consumers as well.
Why is the NDP opposed to an approach that would see a reduction in VISA and MasterCard fees by approximately 10%? That is good for consumers and it is good for Canadians.
The Economy November 21st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, federal support for the provinces has reached historic levels of nearly $65 billion, and will continue to grow every year. Federal support for health, education, and social services has increased by over 56% since we formed government. We have also made changes to ensure that transfers grow in line with the economy, allowing the program to remain affordable and sustainable.
On top of this, I am happy to say that we are on track to balance the budget and to have a surplus next year.
The Budget November 21st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, since the depths of the global recession, over $1.2 million net new jobs have been created in Canada. We have one of the best job-creation records in the G7. Small businesses have been clear that payroll taxes are the number one killer of jobs. Our plan lowers premiums for small businesses so that they can invest in priorities and create jobs.
At the same time, Canadians know that the Liberals would hurt jobs by increasing taxes with their high-tax-and-spend schemes.
Aboriginal Affairs November 17th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, to answer my colleague's question, our government has dedicated significant resources toward providing fresh water for on reserve first nations. We have made significant progress to date and we will continue to do so.
As I have said, the health and safety of first nation communities, including timely effective support in times of emergency, is a top priority of our government. We appreciate that this is a difficult situation for some first nations in Alberta and we continue to work closely with the province, first nations emergency management and public health system partners to support Alberta first nations emergency management activities.
We recognize that for those still out of their home communities as a result of flooding in 2013, this is a difficult time. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada is working with the affected first nations, Alberta Emergency Management Agency and other partners, and is making progress toward our mutual goal to help people return home safely as soon as possible.
Our government continues to work to ensure the health and safety of Alberta's first nations and all Canadians.
Aboriginal Affairs November 17th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak to the question of the hon. member for Edmonton—Strathcona. Let me begin by assuring the hon. member that the health and safety of first nation communities is a top priority of our government. We are committed to ensuring that first nation residents have access to emergency assistance services at the same level as those available to Canadians living off reserve.
In the case of the recent flooding in Alberta on the Siksika reserve, our government took swift action working with the Province of Alberta to ensure that the community's immediate health and safety needs were being met. We were in regular contact with regional first nation leadership, and officials also visited the community to ensure that it had the support it needed in that very difficult time.
Our government, through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, has an agreement with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. This allows Canada and Alberta to work in partnership to support Alberta first nations in certain emergency situations, such as natural disasters. Under this agreement, our government provides the Alberta Emergency Management Agency with an annual funding base of $680,000 for the 2013-14 fiscal year, and the agency provides emergency management services for Alberta's 45 first nations, as it does for all other communities in the province.
In addition, the agency works closely with Alberta first nations to build emergency management capacity within their own communities. This is done through a variety of activities, including training and support for emergency planning and preparedness. In additional preparedness work, this fiscal year our government will provide funding to five first nations in Alberta to support them in the development of wildfire mitigation strategies. This is a further example of our government working closely with first nations to build capacity on reserve. Our government continues to partner with Alberta Emergency Management, first nation leaders, and other emergency partners to help support the emergency recovery needs of the affected communities.
Furthermore, I want to inform the House that our government has taken action to streamline the process of funding emergency management on reserve and to ensure that first nations, provinces, and territories have improved access to emergency funding when needed by putting in place a single window for securing funding for first nation emergency costs. This single window came into effect on April 1, 2014, with all eligible emergency management costs on first nation reserves now being reimbursed by one department, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
In order to help implement all that I have just described, our government is making significant investments to protect the health and safety of first nations on reserve. To that end, economic action plan 2014 provides $40 million over five years starting in 2015-16 for disaster mitigation programming in first nation communities. Our government believes that all Canadians deserve to feel safe and secure in their homes no matter where they live. That is why we are actively working with our partners to ensure that first nations on reserve in Alberta met this rigorous standard.
The Economy November 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, as we have continually said, the global economy remains fragile and events that occur outside of our borders can affect Canada. Fluctuating oil prices have implications on the economy. Our government remains on track to return to a balanced budget in 2015.
As the Minister of Finance stated yesterday, a full update of the economic and fiscal outlook will be provided on November 12.
The Economy November 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians, growing the economy and creating jobs.
While monthly employment numbers can be volatile, more important is the long-term trend. Since coming to office, our government has had the best job creation record in the G7. We are leading in economic growth. In fact, on a relative basis, we have created almost 20% more jobs than our closest competitor. Since the depth of the global recession, over 1.2 million net new jobs have been created.
However, Canada is not immune to the economic challenges beyond our borders. That is why our Conservative government is working hard to help create jobs and economic growth.
Taxation November 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians: economic growth and job creation. While monthly employment numbers can be volatile, more important is the long-term trend. Since coming into office, our government has had the best job creation record in the G7 and we are leading in economic growth. Since the depth of the global recession, over 1.2 million net new jobs have been created. However, Canada is not immune to the economic challenges beyond our borders. That is why our Conservative government is working hard to help create jobs and economic growth.
Taxation November 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, after today's announcement on job creation, our record is over 1.2 million net new jobs created since the end of the recession. This is the best job creation record in the G7. In fact, we have created almost 20% more jobs than our closest competitor. Our economic action plan is working. While the opposition continues to focus on high-tax and high-spend schemes, our government will continue to focus on job creation and economic growth.