House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 49% of the vote.
Mining Industry October 30th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, since taking office, we have implemented a tax policy that benefits companies. We are also in the process of cutting red tape and we have an open investment policy.
One thing is certain: imposing a $21 billion carbon tax on Canadians will not keep jobs here in Canada. On the contrary, this tax would drive up the price of everything, and we would no longer be competitive at all. So, we will not impose this tax.
Census October 29th, 2012
On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, we took action on this file. I agree with my colleague that it is unacceptable to send people to jail for not filling out a census.
Therefore, we improved the system, and as I said now, the data will provide useful and usable data for the users.
Regarding the methodology used, if the members opposite want to ask more questions of the organization, they have to address them to StatsCan.
Census October 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I just told the hon. member, Statistics Canada has already indicated that the survey will produce useful and usable results that will meet users' needs. If the hon. member has any more questions about Statistics Canada's method, I invite him to ask his questions to that organization directly.
Census October 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the member should pay attention to what StatsCan has already said, the fact that the national household survey will yield useful and usable data that will meet the needs of users. It is the same thing for the census.
If the member opposite has questions concerning methodology, I invite him to ask questions directly of StatsCan.
Gasoline Prices October 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we have already strengthened the Competition Act and given the Competition Bureau more authority. Lawsuits have been filed in the Thetford Mines and Victoriaville regions. This is proof. These are results. We also created a fairness monitor position for gas prices. These are measures that we have put in place and that are working.
Is the hon. member getting her numbers for fixed gas prices from the same place she is getting her numbers for her party's $21 billion carbon tax? That is what this tax would cost Canadians, and that is unacceptable.
Gasoline Prices October 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, with the improvements we have put into the law, there were prosecutions in the past year in Thetford Mines and Victoriaville in Quebec. This is evidence.
I can assure my colleague that Canadians will not pay a fixed price on gasoline that is fixed through a job-killing carbon tax of $21 billion that the NDP would put on their shoulders. They will never pay it.
Gasoline Prices October 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, first I must remind my colleague that we reduced the GST by two points and after that, strengthened the powers of the Competition Bureau and brought in the Fairness at the Pumps Act. In addition, when the Competition Bureau finds evidence of behaviour that violates the Competition Act, it does not hesitate to take law enforcement action to protect competition and consumers.
I must remind the member that it is his party that wants to put a $21 billion carbon tax on the shoulders of Canadians. We will not do that.
Questions on the Order Paper October 26th, 2012
With regard to the government’s decision regarding the acquisition of the firm Macdonald, Detwiller and Associates by Alliant Techsystems Inc. under the Investment Canada Act, and in response to (a), (b), (c) and (d), the confidentiality provisions of the act do not permit the minister to discuss specifics of the case. As referenced in section 36 of the act, all information obtained in the course of the administration of the act is privileged.
In response to (a), in general terms, to approve an application, the minister must be satisfied that the proposed investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. In making his decision, the minister carefully considers the information submitted by the investor in light of the six net benefit factors listed in section 20 of the act. The six factors listed in section 20 are, first, the effect of the investment on the level and nature of economic activity in Canada, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the effect on employment, on resource processing, and on the utilization of parts, components and services produced in Canada and on exports from Canada; second, the degree and significance of participation by Canadians in the Canadian business or new Canadian business and in any industry or industries in Canada of which the Canadian business or new Canadian business forms or would form a part; third, the effect of the investment on productivity, industrial efficiency, technological development, product innovation and product variety in Canada; fourth, the effect of the investment on competition within any industry or industries in Canada; fifth, the compatibility of the investment with national industrial, economic and cultural policies, taking into consideration industrial, economic and cultural policy objectives enunciated by the government or legislature of any province likely to be significantly affected by the investment; and sixth, the contribution of the investment to Canada’s ability to compete in world markets.
In response (b), as is standard practice, the minister consults federal departments as appropriate, affected provinces or territories and the Competition Bureau. The act, section 19, also requires that the director of investments provide the minister with specific information to assist in the net benefit determination. This includes the information contained in the investor’s application for review, written undertakings and other information, and representations from affected provinces and territories. At Industry Canada, the director of investments is supported by a deputy director and the personnel of the investment review division. The list of personnel in the investment review division is available online at: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ica-lic.nsf/eng/h_lk00058.html.
The response to (c) is the same as the response to part (a).
In response to (d), in general terms, the act, section 19, requires that the director of investments provide the minister with specific information to assist in the net benefit determination. This includes the information contained in the investor’s application for review, written undertakings and other information, and representations from affected provinces and territories.
Questions on the Order Paper October 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, Statistics Canada cannot fully complete the request because the labour force survey, LFS, does not measure the number of jobs created, as has been requested, but measures employment or the number of people employed in a given period.
To obtain employment numbers, a geocoding exercise would be required to produce data for a specific federal electoral district, such as Scarborough—Rouge River, as this level of geography is not readily available. Also, the labour statistics division, LSD, would recommend using a 12 month average for these data because the sample size is not large enough to produce reliable monthly estimates for smaller geographical divisions. Even with a 12 month average, there might not be enough samples for some of the breakdowns required.
Foreign Investment October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the member should talk about what the chamber of commerce is thinking about NDP policies: anti-trade, anti-investment and a carbon tax of $21 billion on the shoulders of Canadians that would raise the price of everything, including gasoline and groceries. Did the NDP ask that question of the chamber of commerce?