David McGuinty

[Political Activism, March 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Ezra Levant, who stepped aside for the Prime Minister and ran his last campaign's war room, sponsored her national tour.

The University of Ottawa Conservative club organized Tuesday's speech.

A former PMO and current Conservative assistant planned her reception at the Rideau Club

Rainer Knopff, co-author of the Prime Minister's firewall letter and a repeat and generous Conservative donor, is organizing tonight's speech in Calgary.

It is simple. Either the Prime Minister endorses her views or he does not. Which is it?

[Political Activism, March 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Ann Coulter, the intellectual leader of the North American reform-conservative-republican movement, has the right to make her views known. In fact it is important for Canadians to be exposed to her obscene, radical and intolerant thinking, which underpins the extreme right.

Given her views are completely out of step with mainstream Canadian values, will the Prime Minister stand here today and, without equivocation, publicly denounce her views while explaining to Canadians the link between his party and Ann Coulter?

[Petitions, March 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is an honour to rise in the House today to present a petition on behalf of many constituents in my riding of Ottawa South. I would like to recognize the ongoing hard work and dedication of countless members of the Riverside United Church and the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, particularly Mr. Norman McLeod, who took the time to personally meet with me on this important matter.

The petitioners express grave concern with the government's decision to cut funding to KAIROS with no warning or explanation. They call upon the government and the Minister of International Cooperation to reverse their decision, restore KAIROS' long-standing relationship with CIDA and reinstate its funding.

KAIROS is the human rights and ecological justice organization of the Canadian churches. Since 1973, KAIROS and its predecessor coalitions have helped Canada act on its overseas aid obligations by channeling matched CIDA funds to human rights and women's groups in Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. It is a privilege to table this petition on behalf of my constituents.

[Airline Security, March 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, security personnel who keep us safe in our airports across Canada, like the airport in my riding of Ottawa South, should not be berated and bullied by arrogant Conservative cabinet ministers.

The Prime Minister now says that members of his cabinet need new special rules. He is missing the point. The problem is he will not enforce the rules we have. He is telling Canadians that there is one set of rules for him and his ministers and another set of rules for everyone else.

Why the double standard?

[Airline Security, March 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian aviation regulations define a level three incident as violent, argumentative, threatening, intimidating or disorderly behaviour. February was a difficult month for security officials at Canadian airports—two ministers, two instances of aggressive behaviour in flagrant violation of the rules that apply to ordinary citizens.

Why is the Prime Minister rewarding ministers who put the safety of Canadian travellers at risk?

[Airline Security, March 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian aviation regulations define a level 3 incident as “violent, argumentative, threatening, intimidating or disorderly behaviour”.

First, the Minister of State for the Status of Women had a massive airport meltdown and slandered the people of Prince Edward Island. Now we learn that the Minister of Veterans Affairs tried to break the rules by taking a bottle of tequila onto an aircraft, was refused, and then became so belligerent that security almost called the RCMP.

Why is there one set of rules for the Conservative team and another set of rules for everyone else?

[Oscar Peterson, March 18th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the National Arts Centre just kicked off a fundraiser to honour Oscar Peterson, arguably the greatest jazz man of all time.

Peterson grew up in Montreal in humble circumstances and rose to the top of his art.

Generations of Canadian musicians have been influenced by his talent, and so it is appropriate that the NAC should commemorate his distinguished career.

Oscar Peterson made generations of Canadians dance, cry and pause to reflect, especially at his many appearances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

His music is part of the cultural history of Quebec and Canada. His personal story will continue to inspire Canadians and to honour our society.

I encourage Canadians to contribute to the National Arts Centre campaign and to discover or rediscover the music of this great Quebecker and Canadian.

[The Environment, March 15th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the Copenhagen accord stipulates that greenhouse gas emissions have to be reduced according to scientific data. The accord calls for measures to be consistent with scientific data. The United States and the European Union are proposing major increases in funding for climate research.

Why is the Conservative government, which signed this accord barely three months ago, refusing to renew funding for the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences? What exactly is the government opposed to, scientifically speaking?

[Environment Canada, March 15th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, 50 months and 3 ministers later, the bullying, intimidation and censorship continue unabated in Environment Canada.

First, a young communications officer is hauled off in handcuffs. Then, a scientist is ordered not to publish his global warming theme novel because it would coincide with the slashing of climate change programs. Now, an internal Environment Canada report confirms that scientists are being muzzled, unable to share their findings with Canadians.

Why does ideology consistently trump evidence and why this deliberate policy of censorship?

[Business of Supply, March 15th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to the minister's comments, both in the chamber and outside. In fact, I listened to his entire remarks. It was probably the most interesting episode of revisionist history, certainly of economic history, I have heard in the House in my six short years here. I want to ask the minister a couple of pointed questions.

First, I would like to ask him to explain to the Canadian people why overall expenditures under the federal Conservative government increased by 19% in the government's first 36 months in office. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, a source the minister has cited, that is the largest single increase in federal government spending by any government of any political persuasion in Canadian history, this at a time when the government inherited a $13 billion surplus and drove this country to the verge of a deficit before the economic situation occurred.

Second, could the minister tell us exactly whether it has spent $200 million or $225 million so far on advertising the government's economic action plan?