Devinder Shory

[Taxation, February 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, since coming to office, our government has made it a duty to ensure that Canadian families have the support they need to grow and thrive. This is why our Prime Minister announced that we would be putting hard-earned money back into the pockets of Canadian moms and dads with our family tax cut plan and the enhanced child care benefit.

Soon, families in my riding of Calgary Northeast will receive just under $2,000 annually per child under the age of six. When it is added up, a family with five children will receive nearly $60,000 by the time their children turn six years old.

However, notwithstanding his lack of experience, the Liberal leader has shown that same old Liberal Party arrogance by pledging to reverse our tax breaks. The Liberals would take this money away from Canadian families.

Unlike the members on that side of the House, we will continue to stand up for hard-working Canadian families.

[Public Safety, December 8th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are extremely concerned about the threat posed by terrorism.

Yesterday, the radical terrorist organization known as the Islamic State issued a propaganda video including a Canadian who has travelled overseas to engage in terrorist activities. This individual commanded all those who live in Canada to either pack their bags and travel to Islamic state or to follow the example of the terrorist who attacked Canada in late October.

Could the Minister of Public Safety please update the House on what our Conservative government is doing to protect Canadians?

[Public Safety, December 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred in late October are a reminder that ISIL is a very real threat to Canadians. It is the reason that we are working to strengthen the tools available to the police and the intelligence community in the areas of surveillance, detention, and arrest.

The protection of Canada from terrorists act is just the first step in our efforts. We will not overreact, but we will not under-react either. I was shocked yesterday to see the NDP oppose this common sense legislation to give our security agencies appropriate powers with robust oversight. The NDP members for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, Alfred-Pellan, and Compton—Stanstead need to explain to Canadians why they do not support giving our security agencies the tools they need to do their jobs.

This is further proof that the NDP simply cannot be trusted on important matters of national security.

[Calgary Northeast, November 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, two weekends ago the residents of Calgary Northeast were appalled when a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while waiting at a bus stop.

Last Friday, I joined with over 300 community members from diverse backgrounds to show strong support for the victim, her family, and the entire neighbourhood at a Glow in the Dark Vigil, held at the same spot where the terrible assault took place.

I commend Taradale residents Karine Ruiz and Rochelle Christopher for organizing the vigil and I also thank Khalil Karbani, Noshy Karbani, Tonie Minhas, and the Taradale Community Association for assisting the organizers. I also thank the numerous Calgary Northeast community leaders, including Don Monroe from Skyview, Greg Steiner from Saddle Ridge, Gurinder Sidhu from Sikh Temple, and Rakesh Jaswal from the Hindu Society for their support to the community of Taradale.

[RED FM Radiothon, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and commend the stellar fundraising efforts of RED FM radio station in Calgary Northeast and Surrey this November 6, which raised $1.6 million in one day.

During the fundraising radiothon, the Indo-Canadian community of Calgary Northeast and other Calgarians donated over $870,000 to Peter Lougheed Hospital for premature babies and neonatal care. The Surrey radioathon raised around $725,000 for acute stroke care at the Surrey Memorial Hospital.

A big thanks to the donors for their open-hearted generosity. The entire staff and management at RED FM radio did a fantastic job reaching out to donors. Congratulations go specifically to president Kulwinder Sanghera; vice-president and general manager Bijoy Samuel; Calgary news director Rishi Nagar; and the Surrey news director, Harjinder Thind.

Well done, RED FM radio. Keep up the good work.

[November 6, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker,147 years ago, November 6, 1867, was the first day of the first session of the first Parliament of Canada.

As we mark this anniversary, we are reminded of the responsibility we carry, as members of this House, to leave Canada a better place than we found it.

Also today, millions of Sikhs around the world are celebrating the 546th birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first guru. It is a very special day to celebrate his teachings and share his message of peace and respect for all faiths. As he said, before becoming a Muslim, a Sikh, a Hindu, or a Christian, let us become a human first.

On behalf of myself and the entire Shory family, I extend my best wishes to all those marking this auspicious day.

[Terrorism, November 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians were shocked by the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred on October 20 and October 22 near Montreal and in Ottawa which claimed the lives of two Canadian Armed Forces members.

Canadians from coast to coast to coast came together, not only to mourn but to also deliver a message: “We will never be intimidated by these cowardly and despicable actions”.

Our allies, such as the President of France and the U.S. Secretary of State, have stood by us, recognizing these heinous acts as terrorist attacks.

Canada has never and will never bow to aggressors who wish to change our way of life. Our Conservative government understands the seriousness terrorism poses to the world and within Canada.

We will not be intimidated and we will continue to fight terrorism in all its forms.

[Foreign Affairs, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, ISIL terrorists are creating chaos in the Middle East and inciting violence that has sadly reached us on home soil. Canada has joined our international partners in providing military assistance and humanitarian aid to stop the further spread of ISIL and to ensure the humanitarian crisis does not worsen.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs please update the House on how Canada continues to work with our allies to stop the lSIL terrorists?

[Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member from the Liberal Party that its prime minister took a huge group of people overseas for photo ops. That I understand.

Let me say that I have been to India with our Prime Minister and with our Minister of International Trade, and when we sit at those tables we talk about what is in the best interest of Canadian people and business. That is why it takes some time.

We do not sign junk agreements for the sake of signing agreements. We definitely work hard to make sure the agreements are signed with the intention and results that would be in the best interests of Canadians and Canadian businesses.

[Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP has a long proud history of working against trade. I understand it is finding it very difficult to support this good agreement.

As a matter of fact, the NDP tried its best to gut this legislation in committee. It would have sent us back to the renegotiation table, which would basically put us off trade with South Korea. The U.S. has some deadlines, which come into action on January 1.

This agreement would benefit virtually every province and territory. I am from Alberta. Whether it is on agriculture or industrial goods or forestry, this agreement would help every province and territory, including Quebec.