Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve legitimate questions.
The reality is, not that version of reality, but reality—
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 43% of the vote.
Government Appointments May 24th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve legitimate questions.
The reality is, not that version of reality, but reality—
International Trade May 23rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government continues to expand Canada's role in the Americas. Under our government, Canada has signed trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, Honduras and Panama, all agreements opposed by the NDP.
The NDP cannot hide from its anti-trade record. It even sent an anti-trade mission to Washington to lobby against Canadian jobs.
Our Conservative government continues to develop new opportunities to grow Canadian exports and create Canadian jobs.
South Shore Organizations May 10th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as the member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margaret's, I rise to recognize the new and inspiring partnership between organizer Al Sullivan's David Atkinson Memorial Bonspiel for Cancer and the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore.
Together, the memorial bonspiel and the foundation will raise funds dedicated exclusively to helping South Shore cancer patients. I am proud to stand in the House to recognize them today.
I would also like to acknowledge the South Shore's own Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association. The association meets on a monthly basis as a place for people who have served at sea. It is 130 members strong and growing. Whether their legacy was with the navy, the merchant marines, the Canadian Coast Guard or the RCMP's marine division, members of the Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association are all united by their love of the sea, their honourable service and, as any of them would put it, the salt water in their veins.
These Nova Scotians and the organizations they represent honour both their communities and all of Canada.
Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor April 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, we would be happy to have support from the NDP on trade. We would be happy to have their support on any portion of our trade policy.
Our gateway policy has allowed for gateways in central Canada, on the west coast and on the east coast that are helping to pursue Canadian trade opportunities abroad. That member and that party vote against those opportunities every time.
International Trade April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, number one, the hon. member knows that Canadians are protected in Canada. Number two, he also knows that Canadian exporters and Canadian investors in China need protection. That is what this FIPA does. That is why we are supporting it.
International Trade April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, what this investment treaty does is give equal rights to Chinese investors in Canada and to Canadian investors in China, no more and no less. The members opposite can try to spread whatever rumours they want. They need to back that up with facts. They do not have the facts.
International Trade April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, that is clear, patent nonsense. The hon. member himself knows he is incorrect when he is making those statements in the House of Commons. What this agreement does is give Canadian investors in China the same protection that Chinese investors will have in Canada. There are equal rules for both parties; it is as simple as that.
International Trade April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is ironic that the NDP leader and the New Democratic Party are asking for a special break for Chinese exporters, for Chinese exports coming into Canada.
At the same time, they are asking that Canadian companies working in China should not be protected at all.
Business of Supply April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the member for Malpeque would be more than interested in exporting more oysters, lobster, and seafood to China in particular.
The hon. member, in his career before politics, did a lot of work in Asia, a lot of business in Asia and a lot of work particularly in China. In his earlier answer, he spoke a little about the need for a long-term vision, continuity, and the security of a regulatory regime. That is what the FIPA offers the Chinese.
What is the potential that we can generate from that, not just for business today but for tomorrow and in the future?
Business of Supply April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I was following the hon. member's debate, and the question I have is with respect to the FIPA and first nations being before the courts.
The hon. member was speculating that levels of government somehow do not have the ability to regulate in their own right. The hon. member knows that is incorrect. There is nothing in this treaty that would negate treaty rights or aboriginal rights or municipal rights or provincial rights.
I would like the member to rise in the House and admit that those rights are protected and that there is nothing in this treaty that would prevent them from regulating in their own interests.