Deepak Obhrai

[Natural Resources, May 30th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, we have been in this Parliament, hearing from the Liberals about helping the national economy. We know they give good words, but on jobs and taxes it remains that you have broken so many promises. Our concern and the concern of Canadians is whether you will keep this promise and ensure that oil gets to tidewater so people can be employed in Canada.

[Natural Resources, May 30th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, unemployed Canadians want to get back to work and support their families. The natural resources of Alberta have to get to the international market. Canadians are very concerned that British Columbia politics may hinder the Trans Mountain project. We know the Prime Minister has said the facts and evidence are there, but facts and evidence are also there that the Liberal government has broken so many promises.

Will this be another promise the Liberal government will break? Can we trust the Prime Minister on this?

[Business of Supply, February 23rd, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I just want to warn you that I am going to be speaking in my second language.

If you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to see the clock at 5:30 p.m.

[Business of Supply, February 16th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to see the clock as 5:30 p.m.

[Business of Supply, February 2nd, 2017]

When I participated in the debate in Quebec City, I tried very hard to speak French. A lot of people had a lot of comments on that, so I am going to try one more time to speak in French.

Mr. Speaker, if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to see the clock at 5:30 p.m.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, November 14th, 2016]

With regard to government expenditures on media monitoring and all such contracts which have been in place on or since November 4, 2015: what are the details of all spending, broken down by each department and agency, including (i) the nature, (ii) the scope, (iii) the duration, (iv) the contract for media monitoring, (v) the names of the contracted services provided, (vi) the file numbers?

[Canada Pension Plan, November 14th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I have stated time after time that there are different ways to look at it. Yes, seniors are suffering and nobody denies that. However, there are ways to look at it, to address those seniors who are facing hardship. Not all seniors are facing it, but for those who are, CPP hopefully will address all seniors out there. Let us now look at other ways to address those seniors who urgently need help.

[Canada Pension Plan, November 14th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, we had consultations, out of which we came up with the pooled retirement pension plan to allow others to join a pension plan. The Canada pension plan is a unique pension plan. It was brought in to ensure that it was one way of retirement, but not the only way.

The problem with Canada pension plan is that the premiums are paid by the employers and the employees. If we raise it too much, it becomes a hindrance to the expansion of the economy. It becomes a hindrance to the expansion of small business, which is the engine of the economy.

We need to come up with a plan. I did mention for the member that there was an experiment going on now in Ontario, done by Senator Hugh Segal, to look at how we could have a fixed minimum income, which is one of the ways to look at it. We should be exploring other options to see how we can provide good retirement benefits for all.

[Canada Pension Plan, November 14th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, as I stated, CPP is one of the vehicles of retirement, but it is not the only vehicle. This whole notion of abolishing it or doing whatever, it is one of these things, but it cannot be a burden on the businesses and it cannot be a burden on workers. That is what we should come up with. That is why we oppose this thing.

I stood in the House about 15 or 16 years ago discussing the same issue about the viability of CPP.

[Canada Pension Plan, November 14th, 2016]

My cellphone is ringing again, Madam Speaker. I am sorry.