House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 49% of the vote.
Manufacturing Industry May 11th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we must not increase the tax burden on businesses, as the NDP is proposing. More regulation has the exact opposite effect. Canada is now considered the best place to do business. In Quebec, 23,000 net new jobs have been created. In the manufacturing sector, 24,000 net new jobs have been created. We are seeing results.
Doing the opposite, as the NDP is proposing, would kill the economy. I can assure Canadians that we will never go down that road.
Aerospace Industry May 11th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, measures have been taken to ensure that massive investments were made in the area of science and technology and that there is a brain gain rather than a brain drain. The figures show this to be true.
To come back to RADARSAT, we have been very clear. We are committed to this project. This project is very large and important but it has to be delivered to Canadians in a cost-effective way. That is what Canadians expect: good management by their government.
Aerospace Industry May 11th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, it is quite clear we are committed to the RADARSAT project, and this is the bottom line. This is a very important project that we will deliver in the most cost-effective way.
Aerospace Industry May 10th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, we are committed to the RADARSAT project. We are taking it seriously and we are going to deliver this project in the most cost-effective way. It is a matter of sound cost management.
As I was saying, we are taking concrete measures. Instead of cutting in science and technology, as they did in the past, we have invested more. In fact, we are investing $1.1 billion over five years. I wonder how they are going to vote. It is time, in fact, to hold a meaningful vote on the budget implementation.
A review of the space and aerospace sector has also begun. This is a first in Canadian history.
Aerospace Industry May 10th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the member was right in quoting me, because we are committed to this project and we will deliver it in a most cost-effective way.
We are taking action for the space sector. For the first time, we launched a review for the aerospace sector to make sure that we remain a leader in the world. This is real action.
Aerospace Industry May 9th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to the RADARSAT project and we are working on delivering in a cost-effective way. I wonder how the member will vote on all of these measures.
I want him to know that we launched a review of the aerospace and space sector to make sure that we keep the leadership position in the future.
I wonder where the member was when we launched the $1.1 billion with respect to science and technology.
Aerospace Industry May 9th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada plays a key role in the Canadian aerospace industry. Budget 2012 confirms that Canada will continue to participate in the International Space Station mission.
What is more, we are taking concrete action. We launched a review of the aerospace industry and the space sector in general to keep our leadership position. That requires vision. We are giving ourselves the tools we need now to keep this leadership position.
Questions on the Order Paper May 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, in 2006 the federal government announced $26 million in funding over a five-year period for the Canadian Tourism Commission, CTC, to leverage the 2010 Winter Games for Canada.
In the commission’s 2010 annual report, pages 15, 16 and 17 outline the programs and activities associated with this funding. Page 41 of the report includes a chart of the available Parliamentary appropriations for the fiscal years 2008-09 through to 2011-12, as estimated.
In addition, $2.7 million of the 2010 Winter Games funding was received in the fiscal year 2007-08.
The CTC’s 2010 annual report is available at the following link: http://en-corporate.canada.travel/sites/default/files/pdf/annual_report_2010.pdf.
Official Languages May 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I do not know where my colleague opposite has found that I have made such promises or commitments, but I have never publicly committed to anything of the kind.
One thing is clear—and I repeat—it is out of the question to skirt around a process that is so crucial and important. That is why we are taking the time to set up this committee in a correct and thoughtful manner. Then when we are ready, we will announce it.
Official Languages May 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, French is an issue of critical importance that we take very seriously on this side of the House. That is why we are not going to rush into taking a hit-and-miss kind of approach, as suggested by the NDP, with bills that are written on the back of a napkin.
We have said we will be setting up the committee to assess whether there are in fact problems relating to the language of work in businesses that are subject to federal legislation. We are going to do it correctly and we are going to do it thoughtfully.