Frank Valeriote

[Automotive Industry, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, news in the auto industry goes from bad to worse. Chrysler has laid off another 1,200 people. GM's auditors have expressed substantial doubt about its viability.

Canada has the best auto workers in the world and we believe we can build a vital, prosperous auto sector. What Canada needs today, as it has for the past two years, is a real national auto strategy. Instead what we have is reactive policy from the government.

Why does the government refuse to cooperate on a Canadian auto strategy?

[Committees of the House, February 26th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and for clarification, I would like to seek unanimous consent to replace the motion adopted earlier concerning a subcommittee on the auto industry with the following:

That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology create a subcommittee whose membership will be composed of five (5) members, with two (2) from the Conservative Party, one (1) from the Liberal Party, one (1) from the Bloc Québécois, and one (1) from the New Democratic Party, and that the Chair be from the Conservative Party; that the sub-committee have all the powers and authority of the Standing Committee, to undertake a study of the crisis faced by the automotive industry in Canada, with the understanding that any legislation referred to the full committee take precedence over the work of the sub-committee, that the sub-committee not meet at the same time as the full committee, that the sub-committee report its findings and recommendations to the main committee no later than March 24, 2009, and that the main committee present the report to the House no later than March 31, 2009.

[Business of Supply, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been discussions among the parties and for clarification I would like to seek unanimous consent to replace the motion adopted earlier concerning a subcommittee on the automotive industry with the following motion: That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology create a subcommittee whose membership will be composed of five members with two from the Conservative Party, one from the Liberal Party, one from the Bloc Québécois and one from the New Democratic Party; that the chair be from the Conservative Party; that the subcommittee have all the powers and authority of a standing committee to undertake a study of the crisis faced by the automotive industry in Canada with the understanding that any legislation referred to the full committee take precedence over the work of the subcommittee; that the subcommittee not meet at the same time as the full committee; that the subcommittee report its findings and recommendations to the main committee no later than March 21, 2009; and that the main committee present the report to the House no later than March 31, 2009.

[Committees of the House, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, discussions have been continuing among the parties. If you were to now seek it, I think you would find unanimous consent for the following motion, which I would indicate to the Speaker is being seconded by the member for Willowdale. I move:

That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology create a subcommittee whose membership will be composed of five (5) members consisting of two Conservative members, one Liberal member, one Bloc Québécois member and one NDP member, named after the usual consultations with the Whips, with all the powers and authority of the Standing Committee, to undertake a study of the crisis faced by the automotive industry in Canada, with the understanding that any legislation referred to the full committee take precedence over the work of the sub-committee, that the sub-committee not meet at the same time as the full committee, and that the sub-committee report its findings and recommendations to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology by March 21st, 2009.

[Committees of the House, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, discussions have taken place with all parties and I believe you will find unanimous agreement for the following motion: That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology create a subcommittee whose membership will be composed of five members consisting of two Conservative members, one Liberal member, one Bloc Québécois member, and one NDP member, named after the usual consultation with the whips, with all the powers and authority of the standing committee, to undertake a study of the crisis faced by the automotive industry of Canada, and the understanding that any legislation referred to the full committee take precedence over the work of the subcommittee; that, the subcommittee not meet at the same time as the full committee; and that the subcommittee report its findings and recommendations to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology by March 21, 2009.

[Automotive Industry, February 24th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it gets worse. There is no leadership from the government today and yesterday the Minister of Finance demonstrated that he does not understand his own budget.

It is clear the Canadian secured credit facility is not in Bill C-10 but it can and must be implemented by the Conservative without further delay. It did it for the banks last November. Why can it not do it now for the auto sector and consumers? Canadians will lease or purchase cars if they have access to credit, which is the other side of the auto industry solution.

Will the minister commit to the immediate creation of this credit facility?

[Request for Emergency Debate, February 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate being given this opportunity. I am certain that you are aware of the importance of the auto sector to Canada's economy. The auto industry has rightfully received a considerable amount of attention on the floor of the House, particularly in recent months.

General Motors and Chrysler presented plans to the government on Friday, requesting substantial funding and plans for reorganization that will touch the constituencies of many members in the House. The industry tells us that sales are down 23% over one year, 15% in December alone, and production is down 50%. In fact, 250 to 300 dealerships may be closing their doors. General Motors has indicated that it will be forced to reduce its Canadian workforce to 7,000 employees by 2010, a dramatic change from its 20,000 employees in 2005.

Today, Statistics Canada released figures indicating that the decline in the auto sector led to the significant decline in retail sales in December. Retail sales were down 5.4% in December to $33 billion, the largest monthly decline in over 15 years. Clearly, this is an issue that requires the urgent consideration of the House. I think it is imperative that we have an opportunity to have that debate today. Thousands of jobs have already been lost.

My riding of Guelph is home to a significant auto parts industry and the crisis in the auto sector touches many jobs right across Guelph's local economy. People are frightened and they are looking to the government for action at this critical time. I believe that Canadians expect us to share their priorities. Emergency debates provide a venue for Parliament to discuss those issues that are of critical importance. Thousands of jobs are on the line right now and it is imperative that Parliament be engaged in that debate.

If ever there were facts that give definition to the word emergency, they would be these. I would ask that we have this debate immediately.

[Automotive Industry, February 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the minister knows that answer is wrong. The minister was fed details of the plan submitted by the auto industry weeks before last Friday's formal submission. There was no new information given to the minister that would justify delaying his promise to provide guaranteed financing so people could buy or lease cars. The offer made last December is not and need not be part of the budget implementation bill. His delays are killing the industry.

I ask the minister again, when will he fulfill his promise to auto retailers and consumers?

[Automotive Industry, February 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the crisis in Canada's auto sector is going deeper. Sales are down 23% over one year, 15% in December alone. Production is cut in half. Some 250 to 300 dealerships are at risk of closing their doors, all good jobs lost. Banks are not lending money to buy cars.

The government promised to step in months ago. We need action now. It cannot wait. When is the government going to deliver on its commitments for access to financing so people can buy or lease cars?

[Automotive Industry, February 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, General Motors is cutting 10,000 jobs. Canadian production has fallen 50% in one year. In Guelph, auto parts manufacturer Linamar has also cut salaries. The crisis in the auto sector translates into job losses in every corner of Canada, leaving communities devastated. The auto industry is still waiting for the terms of the commercial secured credit facilities to stimulate leasing and purchases.

Why is the government dragging its feet on the auto file? What can it possibly say to the people of Guelph who are losing their jobs?