House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 27% of the vote.
Government Advertising February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, it is the responsibility of this government to communicate important programs and services to Canadians. Advertising is a key way for the government to reach a large number of Canadians on important issues. The Ethics Commissioner has said that an MP's role is to inform constituents about government initiatives and programs, and that is what we have been doing. We are fulfilling our responsibility to inform Canadians about important programs and initiatives.
The Economy December 10th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, last night by voting full confidence in our Conservative government's priorities, the Liberals once again admitted that our economic action plan was on track and working. Securing the recovery and creating jobs for Canadians is our number one priority. We will continue to focus on completing the economic action plan and balancing the budget.
National Holocaust Monument Act December 8th, 2010
Madam Speaker, I wanted to ask if we may see the clock at 6:30 p.m.
Justice December 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, while our government is working to make our streets and communities safer, the Liberal-led coalition has a different priority: the need for bilingual judges.
Why is that the Liberals' priority when there is so much to get done?
Because of Liberal stalling, victims continue to wait for legislation that would eliminate pardons for dangerous offenders, put in place mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences, eliminate the faint hope clause, stop Clifford Olson from collecting cheques from taxpayers and end house arrest for serious crime.
I call on all opposition parties to stand with this government to finally put victims first and support our efforts to make our streets safer.
Government Spending December 3rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, since 2006, spending on temporary workers has been consistently below 1% of personnel costs. It was even lower in 2009 and 2010.
The majority of temporary workers are hired for contracts of less than 36 weeks, and only 78 extensions were given to contracts beyond 48 weeks.
Government Spending December 3rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, our Federal Accountability Act is the blueprint for more accountable, open and ethical government. It represents this government's contract with Canadians to clean up government and ensure that the disastrous financial scandals of the Liberal years are never repeated.
As a government, our focus is always on accountability and ensuring value for money. Taxi vouchers are only used for official government business.
Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question allows me to explain the largest debt in Canadian history measured by deficit to equity ratio was actually in 1984 after successive Liberal governments were in power. It was over 8%, compared to 5% today.
The Liberals and the opposition over the past two years have been encouraging us to spend even more money. So it is not as a result of anything they have been doing.
However, I explain what we have been investing in. We paid down $40 billion of debt prior to the recession, which placed us in a very strong position to tackle the recession when it actually happened. We cut over 100 taxes, putting over $3,000 back into the pockets of the average Canadian family. Over one million lower income Canadians are no longer on the tax rolls. We have allowed income splitting for seniors. We have doubled the age credit amount for seniors. We have raised the age for converting RRSPs to RRIFs from 69 to 71 years. We have introduced the tax free savings account which almost 5 million Canadians have taken advantage of.
I have much more if the House would like me to continue.
Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Canada's economic performance and recovery during the global recession has made us the envy of the world. In fact, the World Economic Forum has called Canada's banks the soundest in the world for the third year in a row. The IMF says that Canada is leading the G7 out of the recession. As the member mentioned, Euromoney magazine named Canada's finance minister, finance minister of the year in 2009.
However, that is not all. I will give the House more quotes. For example, the Economist called Canada “an economic star”. Standard & Poor's said, “Of the other G7 countries, Canada is posting the best fiscal results. Canada also best weathered the financial crisis and is now well-positioned to continue to outperform”.
Let us not stop there. The BBC said, “Nowhere is immune, but by most key measures the Canadians are coming out of this crisis in a league of their own”.
Why is that? It is because our government has focused on helping Canadian families get ahead. We have indexed the working income tax benefit. We have allowed registered retirement savings plan proceeds to be transferred to a registered disability savings plan on a tax deferred basis. We have cut red tape. We are helping registered charities with--
Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that this government believes strongly in expanding the markets for Canadian goods. That is why our Prime Minsiter made record-breaking trips to Asia last year and went to India and China. He was able to get approved destination status for Canada, something that, after 13 years, Liberal governments were unable to achieve. This will result in hundreds of millions of dollars coming to Canada through increased tourism and trade with those two rapidly growing important nations.
Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague opposite that billions of dollars have been spent on helping those who are underprivileged in our society. We have also cut over 100 taxes putting over $3,000 a year back into the pockets of the average Canadian family. Over one million lower income Canadians are no longer on the tax rolls. We have allowed income splitting for seniors. We have doubled the age credit amount for seniors. We have raised the age for converting RRSPs to RRIFs from 69 to 71 years of age, which is a huge benefit to seniors who can now defer having to pay taxes for another two years. We have also introduced the tax free savings account and almost five million Canadians have already opened accounts. We are taking action to help those who are underprivileged in our society.