House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Points of Order November 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I, the House leader of the Bloc Québécois, the House leader of the NDP and especially my friend from Ottawa South, the Liberal House leader, are really working hard to try to increase the level of decorum and debate in this place. I would suggest the statement that the member has just made is not in keeping with that commitment. It says more about her than it does about her party.
The Environment November 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, like the member, her constituents, and the first nation group involved, we are deeply concerned about the reports that we have learned of. I have spoken to my deputy minister, and Environment Canada officials will be on the ground tomorrow to get a first-hand look at the situation.
Anything affecting water quality, migratory birds, fish habitat, or wildlife causes us significant concern. We have a panel that is looking at water quality in Alberta. We look forward to the work that the panel will do and the recommendations it will bring forward.
The Environment November 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have always been proud to talk about what our government has done for the environment. Our government took part in negotiations for the Copenhagen accord. We have harmonized our targets with those of the United States. We are going ahead with a continental standard for greenhouse gas emissions from new cars. We have proposed regulations regarding the renewable content in gasoline. We have proposed regulations regarding waste water treatment. We are working hard to protect the environment and we will continue to do so.
The Environment November 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to be asked by the Prime Minister to be the environment minister, particularly because of the opportunity to work with my friend from the Bloc Québécois once again. That was a great privilege of mine.
We are going to go to Cancun as a government and we are going to strongly support the Copenhagen accord. What else can we do with respect to showing leadership, particularly on getting rid of and phasing out coal-fired electricity-generating stations? We are going to talk about the $400 million in financing that Canada has put forward to fight global warming. We are going to talk about adaptation. We are going to talk about mitigation and we are going to continue to push to move the ball forward.
Points of Order November 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the government, on behalf of the member for Cypress Hills—Grasslands, I want to offer our sincere apology to the member for using his last name in this chamber.
Office of the Prime Minister November 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I think all members of the House will regret seeing the minister move on to a different career. He made an outstanding contribution to Canada and an outstanding contribution to his constituency.
We all know the member is a decent man with great ethical standards. He sought the advice and counsel of the independent Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner who approved his actions.
Office of the Prime Minister November 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, if that member had had his way, someone as talented and as capable as Paul Martin would never have been able to come to Ottawa and serve Canadians, or the Hon. Belinda Stronach, which is much the same thing.
We think it is incredibly positive that someone would give up a lucrative career to come to the nation's capital and make a commitment to public service. I wish we had more Canadians like that.
Mr. Wright has sought and followed all of the advice and counsel of the independent Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. He will be making a great contribution to the people of Canada.
Taxation November 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I think the member opposite is demonstrating his ethical standards by the content of that question.
Taxation November 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, this government has been very clear. If Canadians are using Swiss bank accounts to avoid paying income taxes, we will use the full force of Canadian law and the new agreement that the Prime Minister successfully negotiated with the Swiss authorities in the last few weeks.
Every Canadian should be paying his or her fair share of taxes. Last year our government collected over $1 billion in uncovered and unpaid tax from hidden international accounts and assets. That shows we are not just talking, we are actually acting on ensuring that the Canadian tax system is fair.
Taxation November 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I regret that the member would come to this place and ask that type of question. That type of question is worse than a drive-by smear. It is a hit and run.
This government has consistently worked to tackle tax evasion. The Prime Minister in the last few weeks was in Switzerland signing a new accord with Switzerland so that we could clamp down and ensure that every Canadian pays every single cent of tax that is required. That is the fair and right thing to do.