House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Conservative Party of Canada February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this government meets with literally thousands of people every year to hear their ideas and suggestions on how we can build a better and stronger Canada.
Just in the last few months, I have had the great privilege to meet with Jewish groups, Sikh groups, Muslim groups, Hindu groups and, I want to say something remarkable, I have even met with a few Christian groups.
Conservative Party of Canada February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I understand this group, MY Canada, had a reception on the Hill, and there were a few Bloc Québécois members at it.
Securities February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we will follow the letter of the law that requires the Minister of Industry, with certain financial transactions, to conduct a review. We have said in the past that we believe the act needs modernizing so it can be more transparent. The Minister of Industry can be counted upon to do the right thing. He did the right thing on potash and he will do what is required on this important issue.
Securities February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this government stands up for the Canadian economy each and every day, but will follow the law accordingly. The Minister of Industry will always stand up and do the right thing for Canada.
I wish the New Democratic Party would join us in bringing the economy into an even more competitive shape by cutting taxes, cutting regulations and making Canada a magnet for jobs, investment, and opportunity. We need the NDP aboard. Let us hope it will do the right thing on the budget.
Securities February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, last week we learned that the Bloc Québécois wanted to work with the government to strengthen criminal legislation. I thought that was remarkable. Now we are getting questions about capital markets and capitalism from the New Democratic Party. It appears that the New Democratic Party is now standing up for big banks on Bay Street. That is quite interesting.
Here is what we will do. We will follow the existing legislation that the government is mandated to do. If it requires a review, the Minister of Industry will conduct one. The one thing members can count on with the Minister of Industry is that he will do the right thing for Canada.
Government Spending February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, can we afford to let down victims of crime? The answer is an unequivocal no.
Just before question period, the Liberal Party was working to obstruct criminal justice legislation that would help Canadian victims.
Let me give members an example. A while-collar fraudster can steal the retirement benefits of literally thousands of Canadians and be eligible for parole after only one-sixth of his or her sentence.
The Liberal Party wants to stand behind these white-collar fraudsters. I can tell members this government, this party, will never do that. We are fighting hard for victims and we make no apologies.
Government Spending February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, what we get is that Canadian families need to have mom and dad working. They need to have health care. They need to have important quality services. That is why this government made a really stark decision.
Back in the last recession, the Liberal Party eviscerated public health care in this country. It cut back health care by $25 billion. I know that because the Liberal member for Toronto Centre was the biggest critic of that Liberal government when it cut health care.
That is why we are putting more money in the hands of provinces, so they can hire more nurses, doctors, and deliver better health care for Canadians.
Government Spending February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the member for Papineau talks about justice policy. Our government believes that dangerous offenders should be locked behind bars. People who sexually abuse children and who do serious crime should face serious time.
We strongly believe that community safety is an important priority for this country. For far too long, lax policies brought in by the previous Liberal government have not ensured that our communities are safe. We are putting victims first and we make no apologies for that.
Government Spending February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, these tax policies have already been legislated by this Parliament. Who supported those tax policies? The Liberal Party of Canada.
Let me be very clear. We are going to do everything we can to create jobs, hope and opportunity. That is why a competitive tax structure is so important.
Something is going on in Canada that is simply not happening in other parts of the world. That is why Canada is creating so many jobs, but the work is not done. We must remain focused. The very best social program for Canadians is full-time employment. That is why we are staying focused.
Government Spending February 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, here is what we do understand.
We understand that the Canadian economy has created 460,000 net new jobs. We understand that a lot of Canadians are still looking for work and we must remain focused on job creation in the economy. We believe that a competitive environment for Canadian business will be very important to that job creation.
We are making Canada a magnet for jobs, for investment, and for opportunity. That is why Catherine Swift, the president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, supports our economic plan on taxes.