House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 33% of the vote.
Finance May 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I rarely agree with the Minister of Finance, but this time, he is right. They will be in a deficit position. We had a surplus. I agree with him.
The Department of Finance's “Fiscal Monitor” reported a surplus of $7.5 billion at the end of February, but the government is still announcing a huge deficit.
Will the government be posting a $13-billion deficit just for March? I would like the Minister of Finance to respond.
Dairy Industry April 21st, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the problem is not overcapacity. The problem is being able to export our products to the United States.
There is another unsustainable sector: dairy production. For a long time now, dairy producers have been calling on the Liberal government to solve the diafiltered milk problem. Losses are adding up to millions of dollars per week. It is getting harder and harder for dairy producers, and it is all because the processing industry has very little respect for its partners who produce milk.
Will the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food show us that he is taking this problem seriously? Instead of just talking about international trade, can he come up with solutions?
International Trade April 21st, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the situation in the aluminium industry in Quebec is troubling. The Americans are imposing an emergency tariff of 50% on all aluminium imports. Quebec produces 66% of the aluminium imported into the United States.
Meanwhile, instead of dealing with this problem, the Prime Minister prefers to work on his image, by sparring in a boxing ring in New York.
Can the Prime Minister tell us why he would rather bask in the limelight in Brooklyn than fight for the aluminium industry?
The Budget April 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the current and former parliamentary budget officers have spoken out about the government's lack of transparency in its budget. In 15 years, there has never been as little information as there is now.
We hear rhetoric, but we are not getting facts. Canadians are realizing that they cannot trust this government.
Why is the Prime Minister refusing to give all the information to the parliamentary budget officer and set the record straight with Canadians?
The Budget April 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the parliamentary budget officer confirmed that the former Conservative government left the current government a budget surplus.
The Prime Minister and his Minister of Finance are now the only ones who can acknowledge that fact. Earlier, the government said it trusts the parliamentary budget officer.
Why, then, will the Prime Minister not admit that we left an operating surplus for the current year?
Taxation April 19th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, that is not what the parliamentary budget officer is saying .
At the time, we introduced Bill C-377 on union transparency. We believe that Canadians who pay union dues have the right to know how their mandatory dues are spent by union bosses. For us, it is about transparency and accountability.
Why does the Prime Minister want to prevent union members from knowing how their hard-earned money is spent?
The Budget April 19th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, Canadians still have 40 million good reasons.
The Liberal government has completely broken its promises on transparency. Just last week, the parliamentary budget officer said that he did not have everything he needed to do his job properly and evaluate such things as job creation. He did not have the right figures.
Now, the former parliamentary budget officer is adding his voice to the mix and saying exactly the same thing, that there is a lack of transparency. He said there was a reason behind this lack of transparency. It is important.
Why did the Prime Minister break his promise to be transparent—
Finance April 18th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, a former budget watchdog said Saturday what our official opposition has been saying for the past few weeks, that the government lacks transparency. He said, “When you don't see the details, usually somebody is trying to hide something. There is a reason for the lack of transparency”.
Canada cannot trust the government. Does the Prime Minister have something to hide? Why the lack of transparency?
Finance April 18th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, we recently warned Canadians that the Liberal government's excessive spending would be tough to pay for without raising taxes. Canadians will end up paying those taxes in the future. On Saturday, the former parliamentary budget officer sounded the alarm and confirmed what we have been saying for some time. He warned people about possible tax hikes to cover growing deficits. Canadians are realizing that they cannot trust this government.
Will the Prime Minister tell us which taxes he plans to raise to cover the cost of his out-of-control spending?
Ecuador April 18th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, on the same topic, it is important to remember that Saturday marked an historic event in the province of Manabi, Ecuador. A Quebec family who had been living there for a short time tragically lost two of its members. On behalf of the official opposition, we wish to offer our deepest condolences to the friends and loved ones of this bereaved family.
Can the government give us an update on the situation?
What can Canada to do support this country, which has declared a state of emergency?