Mr. Speaker, I want to go on the record to say that the Liberal member who asked a question immediately walked out. That shows his commitment to this question.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 48% of the vote.
Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I want to go on the record to say that the Liberal member who asked a question immediately walked out. That shows his commitment to this question.
Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the minister for answering many of the questions on this bill, as the NDP critic mentioned the other night at midnight when I spoke on this bill and gave the government's position.
What is important is that Canada has been a very strong contributor toward the damages of the remnants of war, mines and cluster munitions. The minister just mentioned the $200 million. I was in Cambodia earlier this year, where I saw a massive effort being made in war countries in removing mines and cluster munitions that have been left behind and have been injuring children. I have been to Mozambique and saw how much damage has been done to livestock, as well as to young children playing there, as well as in Angola. The Government of Canada is very proud to support all the things it has supported, over and above this bill. We should not look only at this bill but the larger picture of what Canada has been doing.
I would like the minister to elaborate on what Canada has done in meeting the goals in the bill but that are also part of Canada's core foreign policy.
Foreign Affairs June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, Canada is pleased to take a leadership role. Canada is a world leader in the protection and promotion of rights of women and girls. We continue to focus on concrete measures in the different lives of women and children around the world. We will continue doing this on the international stage. However, most important, we have to comply with our laws in our country and that is what we will do.
Foreign Affairs June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Canada is pleased to take a leadership role in the resolution of this important topic about gender violence. Canada is a world leader in the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls. We continue to focus on concrete measures aimed at improving the lives of women and children around the world.
Ethics June 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, what I do not understand, quite clearly, is what the problem is with the New Democratic Party that every time we start to do anything good for Canada, it opposes it.
Speaking about this Airbus, it will carry Canadian national symbols. I do not understand why those members have a problem with Canadian national symbols.
Conservative Party of Canada June 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, recently we have been called trained seals and it has been said we do not have any choice in representing our constituents. Let me set the record straight. It has been a privilege to represent my constituents who elected me based on the policies we put forward. These policies are made by grassroots members and elected members together. This is teamwork. We do not campaign on our personal agendas.
During my time in Parliament, since 1997, both in opposition and government, I have had numerous opportunities to put views forward and have input in public policy. Through caucus and direct access, we can influence policies on behalf of our constituents. This is teamwork. This approach is what makes one a very effective representative. It has been an honour and a privilege to do this.
Let me say, this statement is mine, my own sentiment and not approved by the PMO, or anybody else.
Science and Technology June 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, let me repeat what I just said.
Since 2006, our government has provided more than $9 billion in new resources to support science, technology and the growth of innovative businesses.
Our government is extremely proud of the world-class work our scientists and researchers do. However, we recognize that good science cannot exist in a vacuum. It must be effectively communicated and shared with Canadians and the greater scientific community, and we do this in many ways.
Our government has supported new initiatives that highlight the work of federal scientists and make that widely available to the Canadian public. Canada's federal scientists also publish thousands of peer-reviewed reports and articles and participate in interviews directly with the media.
Our government will continue to support our scientists and researchers to ensure that the benefit of federally performed science is fully realized by all Canadians.
Science and Technology June 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government is extremely proud of the world-class work that our scientists and researchers do. They help us achieve key social goals, such as improving public health, ensuring the safety of food and products, building strong and vibrant economies all across the nation and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for future generations.
Since the Prime Minister launched our country's science and technology strategy starting in 2007, we have made substantial investments to strengthen Canada's research advantage. In fact, since 2006, our government has provided more than $9 billion in new resources to support science, technology and the growth of innovative businesses. These investments have helped to attract and retain talent, support excellence in science, bring discoveries and innovation to the marketplace and build science and technology infrastructure.
Now I will point to recent successes.
Last fall, the National Research Council of Canada flew the world's first civilian jet powered 100% with biofuel. Last year, Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics played a role in supporting the discovery of the Higgs Boson subatomic particle. This year, Astronaut Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian to take command of the International Space Station.
These achievements have made headlines at home and around the world. They represent just a few of the many Canadian scientific accomplishments of which we can all be proud. However, we know that good science cannot exist in a vacuum. It must be effectively communicated and shared with Canadians and the greater scientific community, and we do this in many ways.
Each year, scientists at federal departments and agencies publish thousands of peer-reviewed articles, research reports and data sets. These materials are available to other scientists, Canadians and to the scientific community around the world. These findings are shared at scientific conferences at home and abroad.
Federal departments and agencies also participate in thousands of media interviews each year. Through our action plan of an open government, we have committed to engage Canadians through open information, open data and open dialogue. We recently launched the Government of Canada open data portal, which provides a one-stop shop for federal government data, making thousands of federal data sets freely available to the public. Open communication of science provides evidence on the results of Canadian federal investments.
Canada's world-class federal scientists and researchers have pushed forward the frontiers of knowledge and improved development for Canadians. Communication of their work plays a crucial role in achieving these goals.
Employment Insurance June 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, let me just say what we would like to focus on.
In a fragile economy, it is the EI changes that will connect Canadians with available jobs. The hon. member seems to forget that EI reforms are there to help workers, not hamper them. We have removed disincentives to ensure people are required to find jobs and find them more easily, and that they are rewarded for their efforts. We fully sympathize with Canadians who have lost their jobs and are making a genuine effort to find employment in the region but are unable to obtain it. These Canadians can be certain that EI will continue to be there for them. This is a priority for the government.
Employment Insurance June 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, let me just start by saying we want to encourage people to look for jobs and reward them for doing so. For that reason, we have removed disincentives to work from employment insurance and for this we have been criticized.
The opposition parties have been recklessly misleading Canadians. I would like to assure the hon. member it is not our intention to punish EI claimants or to harm any of our regional economies. On the contrary, and this is something we have been saying all along, we want all Canadians who want to work to be able to work.
We have increased funding to programs that help young people and people with disabilities get work experience so they can develop and make use of their skills and meet employer needs. We are enhancing learning and labour market information so people can make better, more informed education and career choices. We offer apprenticeship grants and tax credits to encourage students to pursue careers in the skilled trades. We provide significant support to increase the labour market participation of people with disabilities, youth, aboriginal people and older workers. We invest over $10 billion annually to support post-secondary education.
I think it is time that the opposition stops misleading Canadians about the facts regarding skills training and employment insurance reform.
Since 2006, this government has stayed focused on what matters most to Canadians, that being jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.