House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 72% of the vote.
Air Canada April 3rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the member is a little late because we are already working on this file very diligently. The government is very concerned about the recent Air Canada situation, and we are watching it very closely. In fact, one of the issues raised is the pension plan.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, the member for Macleod, is working on this file. We should expect to hear something shortly, so pay attention. We will get the job done as we get every job done for Canadians.
Infrastructure April 3rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hard-working member for the best question of the week. Indeed it is the best question because we have the best answer and the best news for Canadians.
This morning out on the front lawn on Parliament Hill, Canada's transport and infrastructure minister actually announced that as of Wednesday, April 1 this government doubled--that is right, it doubled--the federal gas tax transfer to municipalities from $1 billion to $2 billion. This money is going to Canadians. Also, we will be accelerating the payment schedule. We are moving up the first transfer from July to April this year. That is right, it will be three months earlier, in order to do a better job for Canadians.
Public Safety April 3rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House and all Canadians that safety and security of Canadians is this government's number one priority and we are getting the job done. We support the recommendations of the Auditor General and agree that we need better tools to help ensure the safety and security of air travel and our government is committed to doing so. This message will remain clear in every province and every territory across Canada.
What will not remain clear is the Liberal leader's message, because it seems to change from town to town, from city to city and from province to province.
Quebec Bridge April 3rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have taken real action in Quebec in relation to infrastructure funds, in relation to transportation, and working with the provinces and our municipal partners to make sure we get funds flowing to Quebec as soon as possible, and that we increase and make better the quality of life for Quebeckers.
Some examples of this are $210 million for smaller communities in Quebec under the building Canada fund, $200 million for larger centres under the building Canada fund, and $11.75 million for water filtration plants in Lévis, Quebec.
We are getting the job done for Quebeckers and we are giving them a better quality of life.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I did not receive an answer to my previous question. I am simply asking why the member voted to move the bill out of committee, if there were such deep flaws. I am sure he has a colleague behind him from the NDP giving him advice on it. Why did he vote to move the bill on, out of committee and into the House if there were such deep flaws? He raised his hand. It was unanimous. All the members around the table realized the importance of the Olympics and the importance of the bill.
Why yesterday was it good and today it is not? Is he playing politics?
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The member has referred to letters from farmers who oppose the bill. I would like him to produce those. I have not seen any. I would like him to produce all these letters that he suggests oppose the bill. If he is going to refer to that in the House, I think it is fair that he provide those to us.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I did have an opportunity to talk to the member while speeches were going on. I tried to answer a couple of questions he did have that he was not able to do his own homework on, and I provided specific information in relation to the Privacy Act and one of the concerns he had. In fact, we cannot go against the terms of the Privacy Act, and the government cannot. I want to make sure I put that on the record so he clearly understands that the balance between the two cannot be compromised. The Privacy Act protects Canadians and their privacy, and we are going to continue to do that. So, that is not an issue on this particular question.
It is good to see the NDP members stand up for big business like agri-retailers. I really appreciate that because we hear a lot of them talking about farmers. I think they should let me stand up for my constituents, just like all of the Conservatives will continue to stand up for farmers across this country, the only party in this House that has done so. Indeed, I have a huge portion of farmers in my riding and I have heard clearly that they are in favour of this legislation.
However, I do wonder why he is putting off such an important piece of legislation. We have heard from members, from expert witnesses, who have come forward to say that we need this for the Olympics. Why would he put this back on the burner when I have already satisfied those questions?
My question for him today really is this. Why did he vote in favour of moving this particular bill out of committee and into the House? Because it was unanimous. If he were to check the record, he would see that he actually voted to move this out of the committee. I asked him three times if he had an opportunity to talk about a compromise on any particular l piece of legislation that the government could live with. He never talked to me before he put through his amendments. He never talked to me after he put through his amendments. He talked to me today, after it is back in the House. So what more can we do? We listen, we act, and we are reacting. But we have to do this in the best interests of Canadians, and I wonder why he supported this bill at committee to move it on if he is not supporting it today. He is playing games.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 March 23rd, 2009
Madam Speaker, I cannot tell the member for sure whether or not it would deal with all of these aspects, but as he knows, I would be more than happy to get back to him on that particular question because it is such a large gambit.
I will tell him that what does deal with the military is the response mechanism itself, which is so important, and that is the ability for first responders to get on the scene and to have the information necessary to deal with the incident. If indeed there is a dangerous chemical spill or something else happens, they will be able to deal with it so there will be minimum damage. I know that is there because they will be working with their partners in the provinces and territories to make sure that they respond in such a way that the minimal impact is had on Canadians.
We have had some horrendous spills and some difficulties over the past decade or two. The bill will deal with those specifically in the way that we clean up those messes and try to get to a point where an ounce of prevention actually deals with the pound of cure before we have to worry about the cure.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 March 23rd, 2009
Madam Speaker, I thank the member, another hard-working member of the House, for that question. Not only does it deal with protecting Canadians but it also means that Canadians can continue to enjoy the great quality of life we have.
I did use some of these examples, but I would like to bring them out again. One particular example refers to municipalities continuing to provide safe drinking water to their citizens. That means they can transport up and down the highways. They can bring those chemicals necessary for doctors and patients, and safe drinking water for all Canadians. They can do so safely because they will have these security checks. We will know who is carrying them and they will be authorized to do so.
We need to make sure that we have a plan in place if there is an accident. We need to make sure that those people who would cause harm do not cause harm because they are not able to transport. Finally, we need to make sure we continue to have the great quality of life and those things we need. That is very important for Canada.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 March 23rd, 2009
Madam Speaker, I want to thank this particular member for her hard work on that committee. It is hard work to go through these very task-filled bills, decide what is in the best interests of Canadians and make balanced decisions like we did in that committee. In fact, we voted on it and passed it through to this place.
I would also like to say that we heard from experts. In fact, before this particular bill, as parliamentary secretary, I heard from some experts who were fearful of the situation of the Olympics because of their ability to respond to chemical spills, cordon off areas, and deal with particular issues that arise. They have clearly indicated to me and to the committee that this is necessary. In order to keep Canadians safe, they must be able to respond to an incident by secluding that particular area and making sure that they can find those dangerous chemicals and the terrorists who are handling them. It is very important for the Olympics.
I would add that not only is it important for Canadians and international visitors to feel safe here but it is also important for the world to recognize that Canada is one of the safest places in the world and the best place in the world to live. For us, it is all about keeping Canadians safe and making sure our international reputation stays as strong and secure as it is.