Gerald Keddy

[Stanley Cup, June 21st, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a young man from South Shore—St. Margaret's, a hockey hero, and a Stanley Cup winner, Brad Marchand.

I had intended to get on the record earlier but, frankly, all my colleagues from British Columbia had used up all the oxygen in this place bragging up Vancouver.

I do recognize a great effort by the second place team in the league but in Nova Scotia and, in particular, in South Shore—St. Margaret's, the Boston Bruins are number one.

Brad Marchand's career includes two gold medals for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships and now, at 23, he has a Stanley Cup ring.

I congratulate Brad and his family.

The only this could have been any better is if Glen Murray, another Boston Bruins player from South Shore—St. Margaret's, had not retired. Then, we would have had the Stanley Cup visiting in two communities in South Shore—St. Margaret's, not just one.

[Supporting Vulnerable Seniors and Strengthening Canada's Economy Act, June 15th, 2011]

That got my attention.

[The Budget, June 8th, 2011]

I probably do not have enough time for all, Mr. Speaker, However, the one that concerns me the most is the misrepresentation on the marine station sub-centre. I guess it is in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Search and rescue is a serious subject. I do not know if the hon. member has ever had to depend on search and rescue or ever seen search and rescue, but I have. I can tell the member that I do not care where the phone call comes from at all. I want to ensure that a boat, or a chopper or a plane can get out there. That is the whole purpose of search and rescue. It is not about who receives the call.

The search and rescue centre in Halifax handles everything from one side of Greenland down to the American line. It handles all the Gulf of St. Lawrence. How can it do that if the member's theory is correct?

[The Budget, June 8th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the hon. member back to the House of Commons and congratulate her on her re-election.

However, I would like to correct the record on a couple of points.

[International Trade, June 8th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, allow me to congratulate the member for Kildonan—St. Paul on her re-election to this House.

Canada's position on seals is a completely separate matter from ongoing negotiations with the European Union over our comprehensive economic trade agreement. Furthermore, the EU ban on virtually all Canadian seal products is inconsistent with the EU's international trade obligations. That is why the Canadian government has initiated the WTO dispute settlement process and we will be moving ahead with our WTO challenge.

[Protection of Beneficiaries of Long Term Disability Benefits Plans Act, March 11th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to my hon. colleague across the way who spoke well on this subject but he somehow wants to put all the blame for this tragic situation on the government side of the House.

He has introduced a private member's bill, which I think he serious about. He wants to help solve a difficult issue facing Nortel pensioners. I do not disagree that they are facing a difficult situation.

However, this falls under provincial jurisdiction and it is the province's responsibility to fix this very difficult and tragic issue that affects the lives of many individuals. I would like an answer from the member but I do not want to hear about what the government has not done. I would like to know if he has talked to his provincial Liberal colleagues in Ontario and asked them to fix this tragic situation and help the individuals involved?

[International Trade, March 11th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada believes that engagement rather than isolationism is the best way of supporting change in Honduras. Canada works with like-minded countries, international organizations and governments worldwide to support improved respect for human rights and international humanitarian law and to lay the foundations for peace. Free trade between Canada and Honduras will benefit not just Canadians, but Hondurans alike.

[Hockeyville, March 11th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the well-known Antigonish arena on its position in the top ten in the Kraft Hockeyville contest on CBC. I would like to encourage all of my fellow MPs to go to the CBC website and cast a ballot for this storied hockey temple. It is Nova Scotia's only entry to crack the top ten and is fitting of that honour.

With an army of volunteers, the arena ices teams from Timbits to the Junior A Antigonish Bulldogs of the Maritime Junior Hockey League to the St. Francis Xavier X-Men. These teams and those of every age group imaginable call it home ice.

With our votes the Antigonish arena could be this year's Hockeyville and benefit from $100,000 from Kraft Canada dedicated to upgrading the arena. Then all of Nova Scotia could show Canada how much we truly are Hockeyville when the Antigonish arena hosts an NHL pre-season hockey game and a CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. All Canadians will be proud.

Hockey began in Nova Scotia, and now I ask all hon. members to help bring it back.

[International Trade, February 18th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell the member what our government is committed to.

We are committed to promoting free trade, opening new markets and creating jobs for Canadians, unlike the member opposite and his party who are committed to creating higher taxes and having jobs leave Canada for the rest of the world. We want jobs to stay in Canada.

[International Trade, February 18th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. The member is simply incorrect in his entire statement.

Canadian manufacturers compete with the best in the world. They can count on our government to continue to open markets and allow them to do this. A trade agreement with the European Union could boost Canada's economy by $12 billion. That includes improvements for sectors across the Canadian economy.

Negotiations are ongoing. There is no agreement yet. The hon. member and Canadians can rest assured that any agreement will be in the best interests of Canadians.