James Moore

[Air Canada, March 26th, 2012]

Oh, he does not like it, but that is the truth, Mr. Speaker.

The reality is that the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities is showing leadership on the Aveos question, just as we have shown leadership on the broader Air Canada question.

As I said, we have put forward the responsible approach to dealing with Aveos to ensure that the Air Canada Public Participation Act is reviewed and enforced. Also, we want to ensure that Air Canada remains a healthy air carrier and continues to serve all Canadians.

[Air Canada, March 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I see from the energy of the leader of the Liberal Party's question that it is pretty clear, given what we saw over the weekend, that the job he is most concerned about is his own.

The fact is—

[Air Canada, March 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, he should, as I said, refer to the comments that were made by the Minister of Transport on this very item, where he said that we will be taking that responsible action.

However, to be clear, on the issue of both Aveos and Air Canada, if both opposition parties had their way, the legislation that we put before Parliament would not have passed; Air Canada would have been grounded; hundreds, if not thousands, of people would have lost their jobs; and tens of thousands of Canadians would have been stranded around the world.

On both Aveos and Air Canada, this government is taking the responsible and effective approach, the exact approach that Canadians expect from this government.

[Employment, March 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Leader of the Opposition missed the statement that the Minister of Transport made earlier today where he said exactly that: The Air Canada Public Participation Act is the law. The law is the law. The minister is asking the transport committee to step forward and investigate this matter to see what the best approach would be going forward.

With regard to jobs overall and the economy, our government is leading and showing the way forward, with over 610,000 jobs created and the lowest taxes in 50 years. These benefits are being seen all across the country.

The Leader of the Opposition may not like the fact that we are getting results but Canadians know it and they understand that our government has the right way forward.

[Employment, March 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we will certainly seize the opportunity afforded by our budget to continue moving in the right direction and building on our success.

The Leader of the Opposition wants to talk about the importance of economic growth for young Canadians. The reality is that since the worst point of the recession through until today, over 610,000 net new jobs have been created and over 90% of those are full-time, well-paying jobs in every region of the country. We are going in the right direction. At the same time we have lowered taxes to the lowest point they have been in 50 years.

We are putting more power and money and influence into the pockets of individual Canadians so they can choose how they want to live their lives rather than the big government, central control approach that is the hallmark of the NDP.

[Employment, March 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, to begin, I would like to congratulate the member for Outremont on his success at the New Democratic Party leadership convention. He has certainly accomplished something impressive.

In answer to his question, as my hon. colleague should know, our government has already created over 600,000 jobs thanks to our economic action plan to fight the crisis. We have already created more jobs than any other G20 country, nearly 90% of them full time. There are new jobs in every part of the country. We have done well, and we will keep doing more of the same with our next budget.

[2015 Pan Am Games, March 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we are certain that the 2015 games will indeed be a success for Torontonians and all Canadians. What we have put forward is a substantive commitment on behalf of taxpayers.

If he has any concerns with regard to our approach on transparency, when it comes to international sporting events, he needs to look no further than the efforts we made with regard to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where we showed remarkable transparency, brought other governments to the table, showed to Canadian taxpayers how money was invested to ensure that the games were not only a success on the field of sport of play, but also a success for taxpayers.

We want to work with all the partners and ensure there is comfort among taxpayers with all the money that is being invested to ensure this is a winning event, not only sporting wise but also for taxpayers.

[Broadcasting Industry, March 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the process has just started. An announcement was made this morning, and the process is now under way. Naturally, the CRTC will be involved in this process. If my colleague and his counterparts also wish to be involved in the process, they can take part in the public hearings, as this is now the CRTC's and not the government's responsibility.

[Broadcasting Industry, March 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the aspiration for an acquisition has been announced but there is a process that will unfold. The CRTC will be involved in the process and, within the CRTC process, as my hon. colleague should know, will be the opportunity for the public to make its views known. If my hon. colleague is a citizen and wants to make his views known he will have the opportunity to do so.

[Copyright, March 15th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, that is entirely ridiculous. With regard to our copyright legislation, there are all kinds of Canadians and organizations that support our bill because we have struck the right balance between what is in the best interests of consumers and the best interests of creators.

He says that the creative industries do not support our bill. He is entirely wrong and he should know that. He was on the legislative committee that saw countless presentations before the committee of organizations that supported our legislation. The Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations said, “From coast to coast, artists have been hit hard by unchecked Internet piracy. That is why we enthusiastically back this government's legislation”.

They are supporting our bill because it works, it is balanced, it is responsible, and that is why we presented it. That is probably why those members are against it.