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[Situation in Syria, May 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to give my colleague an opportunity to talk about a motion that was passed unanimously in the House of Commons. The motion followed a study by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development on the situation in Syria.

The hon. members of the government may need to be reminded of the recommendations made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the resolution that my colleague presented in committee. I would like him to talk about the recommendations that the government passed.

[Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1, May 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague a question about securities.

The Supreme Court ruled that creating a national securities regulator would infringe on provincial jurisdiction. Therefore, according to the Constitution, securities regulation falls to the provinces.

Why is the government choosing to go against the Supreme Court decision? Why does the budget include measures to continue working towards a national securities regulator when the government knows that the provinces are opposed to the idea and have jurisdiction over securities regulation? Why does this government not respect provincial jurisdictions?

[Foreign Affairs, May 2nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is paying the price for the Conservatives' repeated foreign policy errors.

Qatar is taking advantage of the Conservatives' lack of credibility on the international stage by trying to claim the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is based in Montreal.

If the Conservatives cause this UN organization's headquarters to move, the city will lose a thousand jobs and $119 million in spinoffs. The city's prestige, reputation and influence are also at risk.

Why should Montreal have to pay for their diplomatic incompetence?

[Foreign Affairs, May 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Conservative management of international affairs is getting more embarrassing by the day.

Canada has been disengaging more and more since its disgraceful failure to obtain a seat on the UN Security Council, and major world powers have been handling global peace and security in the meantime.

Recognizing that the Conservatives' bad policies are hurting our chances, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that Canada would not make another attempt to get a seat.

Why is he ducking his international responsibilities? When will things change?

[Committees of the House, April 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I want my colleague to share her opinion on a rather important issue so that she can shed some light on the contradictions in the government's talking points.

On one hand, the government is saying that there are long wait times, that the immigration system is in critical need of reform and that new programs need to be created because the current system is not working. On the other hand, the government is cutting aid to immigrants and shutting down embassies like the office in Buffalo, for example. There are some real contradictions there.

The parliamentary secretary just said that the system needs to be reformed because wait times are too long. However, another parliamentary secretary will say that, unfortunately, we need to find cost savings and that the only option is to cut resources.

Could my colleague comment on these contradictions?

[Respecting Families of Murdered and Brutalized Persons Act, April 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to say to my colleague that I hope he will not hold it against me.

The member will not hold a grudge against me because he knows that I respect him and he is a really good member of Parliament.

As a law student, and because I have so much respect for our institutions, I think it is important to bring the debate back to the question of international law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Both of my colleagues mentioned these at the outset. I think it is important to take a step back to ensure that our laws fall in line with international law, on the one hand, as well as basic human rights, on the other hand. Otherwise, I think we would be making a serious mistake.

I can understand the sensitivity and the emotions surrounding this bill. I want my colleague to know that we support him and we understand why victims are so sensitive, but we really need to avoid destroying and completely dismissing our justice system.

We need to focus on the importance of the fundamental principles that make up our values and our justice system, which is recognized around the world. Many nations look to Canada as a model for their own principles of justice and criminal justice systems.

I think it is really important to highlight the fact that this bill might be in conflict with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and our international obligations.

I am pleased to have had the opportunity to speak to this bill.

[Business of Supply, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize for bothering my colleague. Now, I would like to show Canadians just how hypocritical the Liberals are and how they are playing politics at Canadians' expense.

Today, the Liberals should not be going after the NDP; rather, they should be going after the Conservatives, who refuse to listen to first nations and Canadians. I would like to say this to my Liberal colleagues: Shame on you guys for attacking the official opposition when we are trying to defend Canadians. You should attack the government for not listening to Canadians.

[The Budget, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to hear what my colleague thinks about VIA Rail's budget being cut in half.

Everyone knows that the train was responsible for Canada's development. The Canada we know today would not exist if not for the railway out west. Regional economic development and northern development—which is close to my colleague's heart—depend on railways.

How does the member think that cutting more than 50% of VIA Rail's budget will negatively affect economic development?

[Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, March 19th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are pretty trigger-happy when it comes to ridiculous attacks.

Our leader went to Washington to talk about our joint priorities with politicians and influential business people.

It took no time at all for the Conservatives to start frothing at the mouth. Then things went from bad to worse. They accused the NDP leader, a great Canadian, of every possible evil.

However, they have a short memory on the other side of the House. Ten years ago, their leader criticized Canada's position on the war in Iraq. That is not very loyal.

The leader of the Canadian Alliance told anyone who would listen that Ottawa absolutely had to invade Iraq.

He was not talking about jobs or the economy in Washington. He was not talking about the environment, security or peace. No, he criticized Canada for not joining the war in Iraq.

When we go abroad, it is to defend our jobs, to talk about the economy and to protect our environment, not to promote conspiracy theories about non-existent weapons of mass destruction.

That is the choice Canadians will have in 2015.

[Northern Jobs and Growth Act, March 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that my colleague is talking about the right to self-governance, but what about the right to affordable housing or to food? When it comes to the north, we are not just talking about governance, but the whole issue of neglect that the government refuses to deal with.

I would like my colleague to speak more about the fact that negotiation must be done in good faith, and it is not just by introducing a bill that every problem will magically disappear.