Christian Paradis

[Census, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the national household survey, the national collection response rate was 69.3%, well above the target of 50%. The number of households responding to the 2011 national household survey was greater than that of the mandatory 2006 long form census.

That being said, I prefer to rely on the experts. Statistics Canada has said that the NHS will yield useful and usable data that will meet the needs of the user. I appreciate the member's opinion but I prefer to rely on the experts.

[Manufacturing Industry, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, once again, we sympathize with what is going on in the London area with EDM. As we said earlier, we will continue to work toward economic growth and job creation.

That being said, if we follow the NDP's advice, the almost $270 billion that we have had in foreign investment in Canada over the past five years of our government would have never occurred and our economy would have suffered because of it.

We welcome foreign investments to create jobs and economic growth.

[Industry, February 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the member should get her facts straight.

I would remind the member that raising the capital cost allowance rate for locomotives was unanimously supported by the industry committee in February 2007, including by the NDP member for Windsor West. That cost allowance was eligible for people who bought locomotives, not for the ones who built the locomotives.

The member should not mix up anything here. We empathize with what happened but it is a matter for the Ontario legislature.

[Industry, February 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the decision by Electro-Motive Diesel to close the plant in London and we sympathize with the workers affected by this sad decision and their families.

That being said, I just want to reiterate for the member that this issue falls entirely within the powers of the Ontario government and there was no ability for the federal government to intervene.

We will continue working to create jobs and opportunities for workers in London and all across Canada.

[Foreign Investment, February 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, let us be consistent here. Our economic action plan has created more than 600,000 net new jobs in Canada. When we make such targeted investments in order to make economic growth last in Canada, what do those members do? They keep voting against such investments. The hon. member can get all worked up here and cry foul.

We empathize with these families. What they are going through is terrible, but they can rely on the government to do the opposite of what those members are advocating, which is to increase taxes by more than $10 billion. That is irresponsible and it makes no sense.

[Foreign Investment, February 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, first, we sympathize with the workers. We have empathy for them. What is happening to them is not funny. It is terrible. However, we must continue to take measures that can promote economic growth and create jobs. That is why we have adopted tax credits for hiring workers. We have also adopted an accelerated capital cost allowance rate of 50% to allow investment. We have put more money into workforce training and skills development. We continue to take measures to promote more openness on the markets in order to create jobs and economic growth. However, those members keep voting against such measures.

[Foreign Investment, February 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, about Caterpillar, the member is talking about a deal American to American, so this transaction was not reviewable under the ICA.

However, in the London area, for example, we recently announced a contract with General Dynamics that protected 2,200 jobs. We will continue down that road. We will keep a low fiscal framework and we hope those members will vote with us to ensure we can ensure economic growth and job creation.

[Research and Development, February 3rd, 2012]

Madam Speaker, obviously I empathize with the Montreal employees affected by this bad news. However, as we know, AstraZeneca's cuts to research and development activities worldwide, including in Canada unfortunately, is a business decision based on the global situation.

Nevertheless, AstraZeneca will continue its research and development activities in Canada in conjunction with our universities and other stakeholders. I would remind members that we have invested more in research and development than any other government in Canada's history, and the party opposite has always voted against these additional investments. We will continue along this path.

[Government Communications, February 3rd, 2012]

Madam Speaker, as I said yesterday regarding Statistics Canada, I understand the individual wants to seize an opportunity to work in the private sector, since the data is free.

I want to reiterate that we thank him for his years of service in the public sector.

That being said, we have been improving the system with things like the national household survey. With regard to this, the national collection response rate is now at 69.3%, well above the target of 50%.

[Canadian Food Inspection Agency, February 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our vintners make one of the best ice wines in the world. Canada signed the World Wine Trade Group Agreement on labelling rules in order to facilitate international trade and to prevent fraudulent sales to protect our producers. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been consulting the industry and all other stakeholders since 2009. We therefore encourage the industry to continue taking part in those consultations. No decisions have been made to date. Once again, we encourage producers to take part in the consultations that are under way.