John Baird

[Public Works and Government Services, October 21st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, those allegations are quite ridiculous.

We need to be very clear. The first action this government took upon taking office was to finally eliminate the role and influence of big money in Canadian politics; no more union contributions, no more corporate contributions, and we significantly reduced the amount that individuals could contribute.

We reported to the House just yesterday that Bloc Québécois members of Parliament had been given campaign donations and then acted within five months in support of those same companies. We do find it interesting that they would continue to pursue this line of attack.

[Potash Industry, October 21st, 2010]

As I said, Mr. Speaker, this government will only approve such takeovers where there is a net benefit to Canada.

I am pleased to talk about the Liberals' record on foreign takeovers. I think they had a foreign takeover of the Liberal Party just last year.

[Potash Industry, October 21st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, this government will continue to do the right thing. In fact, we are the only government in living memory that had the courage of its convictions to stand up for Canada when it came to one foreign takeover and that was one more that we did not approve that the previous Liberal government did approve.

The Leader of the Opposition should know that during the 13 long years the Liberals were in power, they never once, not once ever, refused a foreign takeover.

We have a good record on this. We will continue to stand up for Canada and do the right thing.

[Potash Industry, October 21st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister said yesterday was completely accurate.

The Minister of Industry will continue to follow all of his obligations under the Canada Investment Act. We will only approve any takeover that is in the best interest of Canada. That is something we take very seriously.

This country can depend on the Prime Minister standing up and doing the right thing.

[Notice During Adjournment Period, October 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, if you were to seek it, I believe you would find unanimous consent of the House for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding Standing Order 54(2), during adjournment of the House the week of November 8, 2010, that time provided for the filing with the Clerk of any notice be no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 2010.

[Status of Women, October 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, it would be funny if it were not so sad. When we look at the outrageous comments made by so many of the members in the Liberal Party about the former minister for the status of women, we wonder how they can even get up and ask such a question.

[Status of Women, October 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely ridiculous. Let us look at the facts. The Minister of Natural Resources, throughout his time in politics, has always conducted himself with great integrity. He is an outstanding constituency representative, a strong voice for Quebec, and a great public servant for Canada.

[Public Works and Government Services, October 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we have nothing to hide. The real question is this: will Nicola Papiccio be invited to this same committee so that the members can ask him what he did with his grants? He made a $500 donation to the official spokesperson in order to get an endorsement for a hefty grant for one of his businesses. That is the real question.

[Public Works and Government Services, October 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that one of these participants signed a cheque for the election campaign of the Bloc's official spokesperson. Then, just five months later, he received an endorsement for an application for a hefty grant from the Department of National Defence for one of his businesses. I should ask the same question of the Bloc. Can a Bloc member be bought for a mere $500?

[Public Works and Government Services, October 20th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have news for our friends in the Bloc Québécois. One of the people who attended the cocktail party, Nicola Papiccio, signed a $500 cheque for whose election campaign? It was for the election campaign of the member for Saint-Jean, the Bloc critic. Just five months after receiving $500, the member wrote an official letter to the Department of National Defence asking for financial support for whose company? Mr. Papiccio's. How shocking.