Dick Harris

[Member for Cariboo—Prince George, June 18th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, that is what we get when we leave this place, a nice hug from the minister.

After 7 elections and 22 years, all I can say is that it has been quite a ride and an experience that not every Canadian gets a chance to do, but those who do are very fortunate indeed.

I want to thank my wife Annie for her constant companionship throughout these many years. She is amazing.

I thank my constituents of Prince George—Bulkley Valley and Cariboo—Prince George for their support and those beautiful margins they always gave me.

I want to thank Jeanne, Theresa, Soraya, and Victoria. I call them my wonder women, and they made me look good, and even better when I could not be in the riding.

I thank my colleagues in the House, my Conservative colleagues and my colleagues across the way. I have just been accused of being a tiny bit partisan, but we know how this is played.

I thank the incredible House of Commons staff and all the friends I have made.

I head to Osoyoos, B.C., where the snow never falls, the sun always shines, and the golf season is 10 months long. I thank everyone very much.

[Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, May 29th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party has just announced a major plank in his platform. He said, “We're looking at an expansion and a mandatory expansion of the CPP of the type that [his friend] Kathleen Wynne put forward in Ontario”.

He is promising to impose a payroll tax hike that would cost someone earning $60,000 over $1,000 out of their take-home pay.

The Liberal leader promises to raise taxes on the middle class and kill jobs. On this side of the House, we cut taxes and we create jobs.

[Public Safety, May 1st, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this chamber, the opposition parties decided to filibuster the proceedings of the House. Led by the NDP member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley, the opposition parties shamefully chose to trash the RCMP Hill security members as the subject of their filibuster. They chose to criticize the RCMP and complain about being held up on their trip to the House for a mere few minutes due to the security measures deemed necessary by the RCMP to protect the precinct of the Hill.

RCMP officers have a job to do and they do it every day with the potential always that they may find their lives at risk to protect us.

I want to counter the amateur experts in the opposition and put on record my praise and appreciation of the RCMP and the job it does to protect us, and, yes, that protection also includes those opposition members who so recklessly scorned the RCMP yesterday.

[Points of Order, November 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. During the members' statement period, the member for Winnipeg Centre, like his colleague from Timmins—James Bay, displayed his contempt for how we are to behave in the House.

In his member's statement, he opened by making references to kings losing their heads, and then went on a tirade directed at the President of the Treasury Board. Following his S.O. 31, he sat down and immediately made slashing gestures across his neck to his colleagues.

That was an appalling display. Given the world that we are living in, I think the member probably regrets that and wants to make an apology.

[Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto's Law), November 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I took a lot of exception to the member's use of the term “rich old white people”. It was the disdain in his voice when he uttered that comment. He may not like rich people and he may not like old people, but the House of Commons is no place for him to voice his disdain for that group. Parliament represents rich people and old people. If they happen to be one and the same, maybe they worked for it. That member should be ashamed of himself for using that term in such a derogatory fashion and should apologize.

[Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto's Law), November 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have a hard time understanding the NDP sense of justice when it comes to sentencing for crimes that are committed.

The NDP seems to blame the government. In fact, it is because sentences from the judges who sit on the benches, in so many cases, do not reflect the severity of the crime. I will give a good example, and I know this one personally.

Up until the year 2000, the sentence for killing while impaired was 0 to 14 years. The sentences given were always in the one- to three-year range. That was expanded to zero to life in prison, where factors were present. The average sentence given is still one to three years. No matter how many times someone has been convicted or suspended, if they are out driving and kill someone, they are still getting the same sentences.

Something is not being addressed here.

[Retirement Congratulations, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, imagine the dedication needed to remain employed with one company for 39 years. Imagine how lucky that company would be to have someone who is both dedicated and success-driven for that length of time. Such is my friend George Roach, who has just retired after 39 years with the Royal Bank. George served in many divisions of the bank and is well recognized for leaving the achievement bar far higher than when he arrived.

George Roach was a born banker and a leader. He was continually recognized by the bank for his successes, greatly admired by everyone who worked for him, and trusted and respected by his clients.

May George and Margie enjoy every moment of their well-earned retirement and spend lots of time with their family and friends. May all of their shots end up on the short grass, and may they always keep a real good scotch well within reach. Enjoy my friend.

[Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2, October 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, that was interesting at the least. It is important to understand that infrastructure generates economic activity and that is exactly why, since forming government in 2006, this government has invested more money in infrastructure spending than any other government in the history of our country. We are proud of that, and we understand the value of investing in infrastructure. That is why we are committed to investing even more.

However, we will not invest this money on the Liberal schedule, because they have shown very clearly in the past that they do not have a schedule that makes sense. We will be investing it on our schedule because it does make sense and it is going to go directly to infrastructure that is badly needed in our country. We understand that, and we are going to do it.

[Forestry Industry, September 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the forestry sector is vitally important to the Canadian economy and particularly to my riding of Cariboo—Prince George.

Our Conservative government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth. That is why we have made unprecedented investments to renew and sustain Canada's forestry sector.

Could the Minister of Natural Resources update the House on what action we are taking to promote this important economic sector?

[WestJet, September 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I want to quote from a recently stranded Canadian:

So as Canadians, most of us already know how awesome Westjet is. But when you're in a line up of...15,000 people in 34 degree temperatures with no shelter or food and Westjet pulls you out of that line...you [have got to love them even more].... We arrived at the Cabo San Lucas airport...to a very...grave situation.... [The hurricane] hit on Sept 14 and tourists were stranded for...days...with little water and food at their resorts. The line up of people trying to fly out was miles long.... Suddenly we hear “Westjet?? Canadian? Come with [us]...”.... Westjet took every Canadian, whether [they] booked...with them or not, and got us home. ...snacks and water in every seat. They gave us free food. They paid for our hotel, taxi and food in Calgary. ...Tim Hortons at the lineup...handed out...with smiles. I will never be able to say a big enough thank you [to WestJet]. What an amazing company.