Bruce Stanton

[Copyright, June 12th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, we know that copyright reform in Canada is long overdue. Canadian consumers need to have reasonable use of the latest technologies without fear of infringing copyright law. Under the current laws, Canadians run the risk of being sued for the everyday use of the products and services that they buy.

Could the Minister of Industry confirm to the House that the bill he tabled today ensures that Canadian consumers will no longer be treated like criminals for the everyday use of things like time shifting their television programs or copying CD music to their iPods?

[Petitions, June 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from a number of constituents in my riding who have a considerable interest in the problems with water levels in the Great Lakes, particularly the upper Great Lakes. The petitioners point out their concern about the continued erosion of water levels around the upper lakes and the kind of trouble this is going to create for shoreline landowners as well as the economy. I present this petition in order for the government to take a close look at it.

[Petitions, June 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present to the House today.

The first petition is very similar to previous petitions that have been presented here this afternoon in relation to Darfur. The petitioners draw the attention of the Government of Canada toward the grave situation in Darfur and encourage the government to consider all measures it can take to help ease that situation and the suffering there. In particular, the petitioners urge the government to work with other members of the international community, especially China, to do what they can.

I would also like to point out that one of my constituents, Janine Powell, was instrumental in organizing and managing the petition process in Simcoe North. I congratulate her for her efforts in this regard.

[Tourism, June 3rd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, this week is Tourism Week in Canada. What a great way to shine a spotlight on a vibrant industry, one that is growing here at home and is helping lead economic growth globally.

Tourism is a $70 billion a year industry here in Canada. Expenditures on tourism have been growing for 18 consecutive quarters.

The number of visitors from overseas was up 9% in the first three months of this year. Why? Because we are improving access to Canada by building on the 70 air services agreements we currently have and taking steps to improve access at air, sea and land border crossings.

More Canadians are travelling in their own country. Why? Because our healthy economy and lower taxes are giving Canadians more disposable income.

Yes, Canadian tourism industry leaders have buckled down and made great strides in a highly competitive and unprotected global landscape. Our government is helping them and we will continue to take the right course to advance this critical industry for the Canadian economy.

[Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act, May 15th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the member is aware that the Tsawwassen First Nation has been really without a substantive land base for many years. This is because treaties, of course, in B.C. have not been signed. Is this not in fact a good first step in moving us in the right direction?

[Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act, May 15th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the member would describe for us how the non-members who are still living on Tsawwassen lands would have their rights protected under the treaty. If there is time, perhaps he could shed a little light on what economic benefits will come from this first nation final agreement.

[Business of Supply, May 8th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I wonder if there might be unanimous consent of the House to see the clock at 5:30 p.m.

[Trent-Severn Waterway, May 8th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, in October 2006, I presented a motion in the House to evaluate the future of the Trent-Severn Waterway and last week the Minister of the Environment delivered some welcome news to the people who live in and around the waterway.

Could the minister please tell this House how the government has shown its commitment to the future of this national treasure?

[Liberal Party of Canada, April 18th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, leadership means that when one makes a decision, one sticks to it. Leadership means having a vision and a plan of how to get there. Leadership means recognizing the truth from fiction. These are all things that the Liberal Party is sorely lacking.

The Liberals are out of touch with the issues that matter most to Canadians. They choose to focus on scandals that do not exist, and cheap smear jobs based purely on fantasy. They just do not get it.

Thankfully, our Conservative government does get it.

We recognize the issues that are important to regular citizens and we have taken concrete action. For example, continuing with our strengthening of justice legislation, just this past week we moved to toughen penalties for auto theft. We are making life more affordable for working families, and we are taking action to improve the health of Canadians.

While the opposition continues to demonstrate its lack of leadership, this government is getting the job done.

[Immigration, April 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, our ability to attract the best and brightest from around the world is a great advantage for Canada, for our economy, and for our way of life, so I am glad that our government is taking great strides to get more skilled workers here sooner and reunite immigrant families faster.

When the Liberals were in office, Canada's immigration queue went from 50,000 to 800,000 people. Skilled workers and family members who would bring great advantage to Canada were facing a six year wait time and just giving up on Canada.

Again it is a Liberal problem we are going to fix, just like we cut the $975 Liberal landing fee in half and righted the historic wrong of the Chinese head tax.

Our government is acting to help newcomers succeed. We are going to reduce that backlog so more skilled workers and families can build a great future here in Canada.