James Moore

[Employment Insurance, April 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we are taking the responsible approach to managing Canada's economy, which includes a robust employment insurance system that is there for Canadians when and where they need it.

The Premier of New Brunswick has raised concerns. We work with him, as we work with premiers across the country, which is also why our government was entrusted from a minority up to a majority government while increasing our representation in the province of New Brunswick. New Brunswickers understand that we understand the balance between creating jobs, ensuring the employment system is there, and ensuring long-term prosperity for the Canadian economy.

[The Environment, April 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is sad that the Leader of the Opposition does not understand comparative or competitive economics.

The fact is that the Keystone XL project will create jobs on both sides of the border. This project is projected to create over 140,000 jobs in Canada. Just because it will create jobs in the United States does not mean it does not create jobs in Canada. This is a fallacy left over from NDP economics when those members fought against the FTA and fought against NAFTA, and they continue it again today.

At their convention they said they took socialism out of the preamble of their constitution, but it is clear that it is alive and well in NDP economics.

[The Environment, April 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the reason the Minister of Natural Resources is in Washington is to fight for Canadian jobs and to protect our environment. This is in perfect, clear and stark contrast to the reason New Democrat members of Parliament have gone to Washington, D.C.: to fight against Canadian interests; to fight against the creation of Canadian jobs; and of course, to come back here to Ottawa and offer no plan with regard to climate change.

Our government is very proud of our dual-track record of standing up for Canadian jobs, standing up for Canadian exports, but also protecting Canada's environment.

[Canadian Heritage, April 23rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, staffing decisions made internally within a museum are up to the museum board and management.

The NDP, time and again over the years, has condemned this government for not investing enough in culture, and here we are trying to invest $25 million to build up the largest museum in all of Canada and to create the Canadian Museum of History.

Unlike the New Democrats, we are proud of Canada's history. We want to promote Canada's history and have a better understanding of Canada's history in our schools, and this museum will be something incredibly special as we head toward Canada's 150th birthday.

Rather than criticizing spending money on our largest national museum, the hon. member should be applauding it and getting on board with upgrading Canadian history.

[Questions on the Order Paper, April 19th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to (a), the fine of $495,000 to Pecon Software Ltd., the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, CRTC, issued a notice of violation on October 2, 2012. In order to comply with international service requirements, the CRTC filed the documents with the Indian government’s Ministry of Law and Justice, the central authority for extrajudicial service of documents. The CRTC cannot proceed with these matters legally until Pecon Software Ltd. has been legally served. According to the Convention for Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, the Indian central authority is required to provide the CRTC with an affidavit attesting to the fact that they have legally served the documents to Pecon Software Ltd. The documents were received by the central authority in India on October 5, 2012.

The CRTC is now working with the Canadian High Commission in India to facilitate communications with the ministry and ensure the service of documents. Once the Indian ministry has attested to the fact that the documents have been served, Pecon Software Ltd. will have 30 days to pay the penalty or file representations with the CRTC.

With respect to (b) and the fine of $12,000 to Avaneesh Software, the CRTC issued a notice of violation on October 2, 2012, and Avaneesh Software accepted service of the notice and accompanying documents. Avaneesh has submitted representations as per subsection 72.07(2) of the Telecommunications Act, and a violation and review panel will be held to determine if the violations set forth in the notice of violation occurred and whether or not to uphold the administrative monetary penalty. The matter has yet to be reviewed.

[Canadian Heritage, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, formed in 1968 in Toronto and still selling out concerts to this very day, Rush has become one of the most influential bands in Canada's history. Songs like Freewill, Tom Sawyer and Closer to the Heart are known and loved by all Canadians. The band's fame extends well beyond Canada. Rush's international popularity will have indeed been recognized and will be formally recognized today as Rush is inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On behalf of all Canadians and I think all members of the House, we want to wish Rush all the best and congratulations on their success and their recognition today.

[Taxation, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have never stood with us in lowering taxes on Canadians. They have never stood with us on every one of our budgets where we have lowered taxes, time and again. The average family in Canada pays $3,200 less in taxes because the Conservatives are in government in this country.

Again, the hypocrisy of the Liberals is really quite something. They come to this House and say we need to do something to support Canadian manufacturing, and then they beg the government to put in place a special deal for China to dump goods into this country. It is outrageous.

[Taxation, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, our government is lowering taxes for Canadians. That is what we are doing. We have lowered the GST, the tax on small and medium-sized businesses and the taxes on seniors. In every single one of our budgets there are tax cuts. Even budget 2013 has lower taxes, which means more money in Canadians' pockets so they can decide how to live their lives.

[Taxation, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I know in the last couple of days the new Liberal leader has expressed an interest in getting to the root causes of things. The member opposite used the word “lying”. Well what is clearly not true is any attempt to suggest that this government has done anything other than lower taxes time and again for Canadians. We have lowered taxes on investment; we have lowered taxes on small business. We have raised the personal exemption for even paying taxes, taking thousands of low-income Canadians and seniors on fixed incomes off the tax rolls altogether. In every single one of our budgets, time and again, we have defended the interests of lowering taxes for Canadians.

[International Trade, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is referring to the Canada-China FIPA, which is designed to protect the interests of Canadians who want to make investments in China.

The purpose of this agreement is to protect Canadians and their interests. That is what we are doing.

The NDP does not seem to understand what these agreements do, which is protect the interests of Canadians who are doing business in China.

New Democrats made the exact same criticisms about FTA and NAFTA, and chapter 11 of NAFTA. They were wrong. That protected the interests of Canadians doing business in the United States.

What the Canada-China FIPA agreement does is protect the interests of Canadians doing business in China. This is about protecting Canada. The hon. member should stand up for it.