House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 49% of the vote.
Government Programs April 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, this program has seen unprecedented demand. It has been successful. A lot of money will continue to be invested over the next year. It is very ironic that a Liberal would talk here about waste. If he really wants to talk about waste, there was a spenders' conference in Montreal this past weekend. I would focus on that if I were him.
Government Programs April 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, ensuring the program operates within its existing budget demonstrates the prudent fiscal management Canadians have come to expect from this government. This government's commitment to energy efficiency is clear. After launching the program in 2007, we expanded its budget under the EEP, allowing thousands more Canadians to take part.
While we are reviewing the program, Canadians will continue to undertake renovations and benefit from a grant, generating a further decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Democratic Reform April 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that is ridiculous. Six majorities and they have accomplished nothing. I can see that this is shameful. We have done a great deal more in four years than they have in 20 years. That is because they have isolated Quebec in the opposition. Let me be clear: the Bloc Québécois logic is so twisted that, to create division, it sets aside its fine principle of fairness. That is shameful and is not an honest argument.
Democratic Reform April 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that is completely untrue.
My colleague knows as well as I do that there are 75 seats in Quebec even though the population is not growing as quickly as that of other provinces. If the Bloc achieved its goal, Quebec would have no seats. It would have no seats here, in the House of Commons.
The real political setback here was caused by the Bloc, which has isolated Quebec and kept it in the opposition for the past 20 years. That does not make for a strong voice.
Medical Isotopes March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, my colleague knows very well that we are dealing with a global crisis that requires a global solution.
The government has taken on a leadership role by bringing together a group of leading experts in order to better coordinate the world's supply of isotopes.
This government's priority is to tell AECL to get the reactor up and running again as quickly as possible. Furthermore, we have other sources to diversify the isotope supply and our budget has earmarked generous investments of $48 million.
That is how we will ensure a sustainable future for the supply of isotopes.
Medical Isotopes March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we promised to right the mistakes made by the past Liberal government and ensure Canadians have access to an affordable and stable supply of medical isotopes.
We carefully considered the panel's advice and have already begun to act on its recommendations by investing $48 million to diversity sources of isotope supplies to enhance the supply chain.
The government is making sure Canada remains a world leader in the area of medical isotopes. Canada has some of the greatest minds in the world, and we are giving them the tools they need to find tomorrow's solutions today.
Medical Isotopes March 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. This is a global problem that requires a global solution. The government has shown leadership by establishing a high level group to deal with the problem. A group of international medical experts is improving coordination of the strategy.
This is unprecedented because, previously, the reactors were competing against one another and there were no discussions. Our budget allocates $35 million to research in order to identify alternatives, plus $13 million to clinical trials. Once again, the Bloc does not support the budget.
Nuclear Energy March 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, our goals are clear. We want to ensure energy security in Canada, while at the same time taking into account the taxpayers' ability to pay.
In the process, it is also important to always seek to ensure a viable future for Canada's nuclear industry. That is what we are doing; that is all. They should stop their scare tactics and fearmongering. We are doing the responsible thing in restructuring that company.
Taxation March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we had one of the worst recessions since the 1930s. We were the last ones to enter into that recession and we will come out of it stronger. We never offloaded the deficit onto the provinces and municipalities.
We maintained our social and health transfers. Moreover, before that, we corrected the fiscal imbalance. As we can see, the economic action plan is working. Last Friday, I was in Stanstead with the Prime Minister, where we paid tribute to Pat Burns. An arena is being built there to help young people and to promote amateur sport.
This is action, not just empty rhetoric.
Taxation March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the situation is clear to me: 10 tax loopholes were eliminated by our government. I am saying it the way it should be said. I hope that this time they will understand. Ten tax loopholes were eliminated by our government.
The members across the way should stop opposing the budget. They should rise and support it. Then, they will see concrete results.