House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 33% of the vote.
Taxation October 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are pessimistic about the Prime Minister's announcement. He tried to sugar-coat it by renaming his new tax, but everyone knows it is a carbon tax. This is pretty bad news for taxpayers, who are already paying enough.
Will the Prime Minister promise Canadians that the cost of groceries, gas, and heating will not go up because of his new carbon tax? Can he give them that guarantee today?
Taxation October 4th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I can understand that the provincial premiers wanted to meet with the former prime minister. He did a lot for them. However, in one year, the Liberals created more problems with the provinces than we did in 10 years.
It is too bad that Canadians' tax burden keeps getting worse. It is great to meet with the provincial premiers, but making decisions without them is disrespectful.
Will the Prime Minister come to his senses, stop pickpocketing Canadians, and just drop this notorious carbon tax?
The Environment October 4th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not expect the government to ask them for more money to pay for its promises.
Carbon pricing means bigger government and more money taken out of Canadians' pockets. What the government is suggesting is a great example of how the Prime Minister is interfering in provincial business. A carbon tax is a bad idea, and Canadian taxpayers will be the ones paying the tab. We said it yesterday and we will say it again today: the government should get out of the way and let the provinces do their job.
Will the Prime Minister leave provincial politics aside and let the provinces make their own decisions in their own jurisdictions?
The Environment October 4th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, a number of provincial environment ministers left the conference disappointed in the Prime Minister's decision.
They were stunned to find out that they were being forced to accept carbon pricing before the end of the talks. This is another example of the government's encroachment on provincial jurisdiction and its lack of respect for the provinces and for certain conditions. The federal government is making decisions for them.
Will the Prime Minister stop interfering in areas under provincial jurisdiction and leave matters up to the provinces, which are in the best position to make decisions?
Health October 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, during our 10 years in power, nobody ever heard any of the provincial health ministers attack the federal government.
Not long ago, we said that we would reduce the provincial transfer increase from 6% to 3%. That must have been a pretty good idea because the Liberals are doing the same thing. We want them to respect provincial jurisdiction. This government is showing contempt for the Canadian federation by interfering in areas under provincial jurisdiction, such as the environment, by imposing a carbon tax, and health.
Will the government stop encroaching on provincial jurisdiction?
Health October 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, when we came to power in 2006, following 10 years of inaction on the part of the previous Liberal government, we signed a 10-year softwood lumber agreement. That deal expired last year, with a one-year grace period. The reality is that we continued working on a new deal. The former minister worked hard to move forward on this. It is the Liberals who have been dragging their feet for the past year.
Last week we saw the federal Minister of Health and Minister Gaétan Barrette shake hands. It is a good thing it was in September, because it looked as icy as a February morning in Roberval. It was very cold.
I have a good idea that might warm things up a bit. How about the Liberals mind their own business? This is a provincial jurisdiction.
Will the government respect—
Softwood Lumber October 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I was pleased to participate in the convention of the Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités. The 1,100 people in attendance strongly welcomed the creation of a committee composed of former mayors from our caucus to compensate for the fact that economic development is no longer important to the government. Hundreds of people voiced their concerns. The economies of 135 municipalities depend on the softwood lumber agreement. As children would say, there are nine more sleeps until October 12.
Will the Prime Minister sign a softwood lumber agreement and save 400,000 jobs in Canada?
Health September 28th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, let me give another good example. When I was the minister of intergovernmental affairs, my mandate was to ensure that provincial jurisdictions were respected.
I looked for the mandate letter for the minister of intergovernmental affairs. The Prime Minister is the minister. I would have guessed his mandate letter would include ensuring that provincial jurisdictions are respected. However, I did not see that in the mandate letter.
Will the Prime Minister let the provinces do the work that falls under their jurisdiction, namely infrastructure, social housing, education, and health? It will be a long list in a few months. Will he let them do their work?
Health September 28th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Health said she is looking forward to meeting with her counterparts, the provincial health ministers. I have some good news for her: I know that one of them, the Quebec minister of health, is very keen to speak to her in person. He is going to tell her that putting conditions on transfer payments to the provinces is simply not how the Canadian federation works.
I hope the Prime Minister plans to bring his minister into line and ask her to respect those responsible for delivering health care in Quebec, specifically the doctors, not the politicians, and ensure that provincial responsibilities are discharged by those who have the authority, in this case, the provincial health ministers.
Softwood Lumber September 27th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, it is important that we see results. It is all well and good for the government to discuss the matter, hold 70 consultation panels, and travel all over the country engaging in political posturing, but it has not achieved any results. Actions speak louder than words.
For now, there are no results. What the minister said is all well and good, but the agreement expired last year. There has been a year's grace. We hope that the government will quickly sign an agreement. We need more than just idle talk. We need action.
When will we have an agreement?