House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 74% of the vote.
Housing May 28th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, while that member talks about a national housing strategy, we have been out there doing things nationally to ensure that those who are most vulnerable have a roof over their head. In fact, there are over 3,500 projects across the country from province to province. We are taking action while they are talking about the possibility of taking action.
The paradox is that those members voted against all of the measures that we have taken to help those who are homeless.
Souris School May 25th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations on the 100th birthday of the Souris School in Weyburn, Saskatchewan and to pay tribute to all the students, teachers, principals, parents and volunteers who had a part to play in shaping the history of the school.
The celebration that I attended on Friday, May 21, was about more than the three-storey brick building, although it embodies the school's rich history. While throughout the years the school faced its fair share of challenges, these were all looked at with fondness.
Indeed, this celebration was about fond memories, friends reminiscing, sharing a statement like: “Mrs. Sprout taught me how to read”, “Mrs. Jenkins taught me how to write”, and “Mrs. M.J. was my all round favourite”.
We were reminded of the satisfaction of teachers having a hand in the development of young minds and that is the bottom line. As Oliver W. Holmes once said, “Once the mind has been stretched by a new idea, it will never again return to its original size”.
Congratulations to Souris School on reaching 100 years. What a remarkable achievement.
National Child Benefit May 14th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, I welcome this opportunity to table, in both official languages, the Federal, Provincial and Territorial National Child Benefit Progress Report for 2007.
Petitions May 10th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, finally, I have a petition respecting legalizing euthanasia in Canada.
The petitioners, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to reject Bill C-384, which relates to the issue of legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Petitions May 10th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the next petition is with respect to fixing the employment insurance program by having the hours set at 360, increasing the benefits duration to 50 weeks and increasing the benefits to at least 60%, using workers' best 12 weeks of earnings.
Petitions May 10th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, in the next petition, the petitioners call upon the House of Commons and Parliament to support Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry).
Petitions May 10th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I have a series of petitions to present.
The first is a petition to the Government of Canada to support the universal declaration on animal welfare.
The petitioners, residents of Canada, petition the Government of Canada to support the universal declaration on animal welfare.
Poverty May 6th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have invested billions of dollars in housing for seniors and housing for those with a disability. We have helped those who are homeless. We have added $1.9 billion over five years for them. We have enhanced the national child tax benefit, the child tax benefit itself.
Here is what Deb Matthews, then the Ontario minister of children and youth services, had to say:
...I was happy to see...initiatives that will directly improve the quality of life and the standard of living for kids living in poverty. The increase to the WITB will directly help low-income families. Thank you for that.... The increase in the CCTB is also appreciated.
A number of initiatives to help those—
Poverty May 6th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have done a number of things to help those who are unemployed and those who need more income. We have introduced the working income tax benefit to make work pay and to help low-income Canadians over the welfare wall.
Here is what the member for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour had to say:
I support very much the direction on the WITB. I think improving the working income tax benefit is a very positive thing.
We put about $3,000 in the hands of every average Canadian by our tax reductions. It is something this member should support.
Fairness for Military Families (Employment Insurance) Act May 6th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the numbers provided by the minister have obviously been looked at. As I mentioned before, the desire is to cover all those who would be affected and that no one would be left behind. We will certainly be prepared to do whatever it takes to accomplish that.
The dollars are an estimate year to year. The numbers affected are not substantial. If we were to ensure that no one would be missed, the costs would not go up significantly. We will again have a look at that when we discuss the matter in committee.