Christian Paradis

[Aerospace Industry, February 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be more wrong. The reason we commissioned a report by Mr. Emerson was precisely to ensure that Canada could position itself and remain a world leader. Canada ranks fifth among the major aerospace manufacturers. Canada has a favourable tax environment and good support programs, such as SADI.

I urge the NDP, instead, to start working with us and abandon its absurd ideas, like the idea of a $21.5 billion carbon tax. That carbon tax would kill the aerospace industry; it would kill the manufacturing sector in general, and would have serious repercussions for Canadian families.

[Aerospace Industry, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question and for his involvement in this file over the past 30 years.

I am proud to inform the House that we are bringing back a piece of Canada's technological history, the first Canadarm, which was part of the Endeavour mission.

It is now on its way to the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, where it will soon be on display for all Canadians to see. Canada's highly competitive aerospace and space industries are major contributors to our economy, and the Canadarm is just one example of our world-class Canadian companies' capabilities.

[Aerospace Industry, February 12th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a leader in the aerospace sector. For that reason, we asked David Emerson to produce a report to help us better position ourselves in the future of the aerospace industry in Canada and abroad.

It is important to look at the major decisions that have been made, for example the Constellation RADARSAT mission, a major mission that will make our country a leader in cutting-edge satellite technology.

We are also committed to the international space station program until 2020, which has resulted in Chris Hadfield being the commander—

[Telecommunications, February 12th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that the CRTC is currently holding hearings on the development of a national code on wireless services.

The member talks about protecting Canadians, but we reduced taxes 140 times, which amounts to an average of $3,000 in savings for Canadian families. The NDP opposed the GST cut, the universal child care benefit, the home renovation tax credit, the children's arts tax credit, the children's fitness tax credit, the textbook tax credit, the job creation tax credit.… I will run out of time. These are all initiatives that the NDP voted against. They have to be accountable to Canadians for that. They voted against their will.

[Telecommunications, February 12th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, ensuring trust and confidence through the protection of Canadian consumers is essential to the growth of our economy. This is why we took key steps to address consumer concerns that fall under federal jurisdiction. As my colleague mentioned, the CRTC is currently conducting public proceedings on the national wireless service consumer protection code.

On top of this, I want to remind the House that we have cut taxes over 140 times, putting an average of $3,000 back in the pockets of Canadian families. This is real action.

[Tourism Industry, February 8th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that view is quite pessimistic because Canada is highly competitive in tourism. That is why our government has launched the federal tourism strategy.

I would remind my colleague that we are on the right track. Tourism-related spending has increased in Canada over the past 13 consecutive quarters despite the economic slowdown.

Increasing numbers of jobs are being created in the tourism sector, and we are welcoming increasing numbers of tourists from China, India and Brazil, which shows that the tourism industry is doing well.

We will be continuing on that path.

[Aerospace Industry, February 8th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth.

If my colleague paid more attention to this file, she would know that, a few weeks ago, we announced Canada's participation in the very important and cutting-edge RADARSAT Constellation mission. We are world leaders in satellite technology.

We are very proud of Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian astronaut to command the international space station.

By the way, Canada's participation in the international space station program until 2020 was announced in the 2012 economic action plan. Thanks to our plan, we have commanders like Chris Hadfield, whom we are very proud of.

[Consumer Protection, February 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth.

Since coming to office, we have taken action to protect consumers. Contrary to my colleague's claims that accessing the Internet is not important, it is. It is very important; it is today's new technology. I invite the NDP to join the 21st century.

When we adopted the broadband program, the NDP opposed it. This proves that the NDP is completely out of touch with reality.

[Co-operatives, February 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we know that co-operatives are an important driver of Canada's economy. That is why we accepted the recommendations put forth by the committee that was struck, in particular the recommendation that responsibility for co-operatives be transferred back to Industry Canada.

I would remind my colleague that, as he is aware, the Business Development Bank of Canada also announced an investment fund for co-operatives.

[Intergovernmental Affairs, February 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois has achieved nothing in the House in over 20 years. The Bloc has not been able to resolve anything. We have resolved some major issues: the fiscal imbalance, a seat for Quebec at UNESCO, sales tax harmonization and the Old Harry offshore oil reserve. That is action, and we will continue in that same direction.

I want to reassure Quebeckers and Canadians. The one thing we will not do is engage in the same old constitutional bickering, because no one wants that. We are open to advancing the federation, but not if that means engaging in the same old constitutional bickering.