House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Justice February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we are always willing to work with members of each political party to advance government bills. The answer to his question is yes, absolutely. Bill C-39 has been before a House committee for eight long years and we are ready to take action. Welcome aboard.
Government Spending February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are working hard to create jobs, hope and opportunity. We have taken many measures to rein in spending at the Board of Internal Economy.
If the member opposite has any advice or counsel for the other place, I would encourage him to take it there.
Canada-U.S. Relations February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to aviation security, each country has sovereign rights to set the rules for its own country. The United States understands this is the case with Canada, and we have a lot of respect for the case there.
On this issue, we brought forward a piece of legislation for full, open and public debate, just as the NDP requested. I know members will be very satisfied. They will have additional time to debate that measure in the House of Commons.
However, one thing members can count on when the Prime Minister meets with President Obama is that he will put the interests of Canada and the interests of Canadian jobs as the first and foremost priorities. Members can count on that.
Canada-U.S. Relations February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I think the Prime Minister will build on the excellent relationship that this government has with the Obama administration. We will work hard to ensure markets for Canadian products, whether they be automobiles, whether they be forest products, whether they be our natural resources. It means more jobs. It means more opportunities. It means more hope.
We are pleased with the 460,000 net new jobs that have been created. Today's numbers show almost 70,000 net new jobs. That is good news, but it is not enough. We need more. That is why the Prime Minister is fighting for Canadian workers, is fighting for the Canadian economy. We will get even more results to build on the great successes this finance minister has delivered for Canada.
Canada-U.S. Relations February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, let me say very directly to my friend from Ottawa Centre, one thing that he and the New Democratic Party can count on is that the Prime Minister will always put the interests and the well-being of Canada first in his discussions.
Since we took office, we have focused on creating jobs, creating hope, creating opportunity. That involves more open and more secure trade. That means keeping our shared border open to trade and investments and closed to security and terrorist threats. This is tremendously important, whether it is for the forestry worker or for the auto worker. We are going to continue to work hard to ensure that we have more trade, more opportunity. We have to build on the great success that we enjoy with trade today.
Canada-U.S. Relations February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I say to my friend from Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, I can stand in my place and say that the leader of my party has never called America his country.
This question is just a deliberate attempt to try to change the channel from the good news we heard this morning that some 69,000 net new jobs have been created in Canada. The Minister of Finance presented a plan, Canada's economic action plan, to create jobs, to create hope and to create opportunity. The plan is working. Let us not change course.
Canada-U.S. Relations February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this party and this government need to take no lessons from the Liberal Party when it comes to importing American values into Canada. Our party and government are always prepared to stand up and to do what is best for Canada and we will continue to do so.
We have $1.6 billion of trade each and every day. This is important for forestry workers, for auto workers and for others who depend on that trade. We are committed to working with the Obama administration to ensure that those Canadian jobs are protected. That is strong leadership.
Canada-U.S. Relations February 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I can tell the member opposite that Canada will always put Canada's interests first, and our government feels very strongly about that. That means keeping our shared border open to trade, open to investment and closed to security and terrorist threats.
Some $1.6 billion worth of trade crosses our border each and every year. It is tremendously important for auto workers, for forestry workers and others right across the country, and we will continue to work to ensure that these jobs are protected and expanded.
Points of Order February 3rd, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite made a campaign commitment during December 2005. The House was prorogued at that time.
The reality is that the Liberals had four terms and could not get it done. If they had just had that fifth term, I am sure they could have got it done.
Business of the House February 3rd, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we are working hard to make Parliament work. I know that when it comes to Bill C-49, the Liberal House leader and his caucus want to kill Bill C-49. They do not want to send it to committee. We will call Bill C-49 for debate. We will call it for a vote and we look forward to members going on record to take their positions on that very clearly.
The government continues to make Parliament work and has been able to move our legislative agenda forward this week. I thank all members of the House for passing Bill S-6 Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act, which would get rid of the faint hope clause, and make its way through the House of Commons. I think that was a good day. There were a number of victims' representatives in the gallery and I was very proud of that, as I think all members should be. We also passed Bill C-48 Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act, which will move to the other place.
Today we will continue the debate on the report stage of Bill C-46 Canada-Panama Free Trade Act, Following Bill C-46, we will call Bill S-10 Penalties for Organized Drug Crime Act, and Bill C-55 Enhanced New Veterans Charter Act.
Next week we will continue with the unfinished business from this week, plus Bill C-57 Improving Trade Within Canada Act; Bill C-50 Improving Access to Investigative Tools for Serious Crimes Act; Bill C-12 Democratic Representation Act; and Bill C-20 An Action Plan for the National Capital Commission, .
To respond to the Liberal House leader's question, we will have opposition days scheduled for Tuesday, February 8 and Thursday, February 10, which would be for the Bloc Québécois.
I also will be giving priority to any bill that is reported from committee so that we can continue to move the legislative agenda forward.