House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Member for Nepean--Carleton October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the RCMP officers on Parliament Hill work hard. They have a difficult responsibility and they do an outstanding job. They deserve our full support.
The member in question has spoken to this. I should point out that the member is a hard-working member. He delivers for his constituency. He makes an excellent contribution to this place and is a big asset to the government.
Government Contracts October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the fury and bluster of the member opposite, while entertaining, is not factual.
Let us be very clear. We brought in the Federal Accountability Act. It imposes tough obligations on a variety of people in government and outside government. If there are any issues that are of concern, people who break the rules should face the full force of the law because that is how it is in this country.
Government Contracts October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I think we have addressed this in previous questions. What I can say is that the minister has given great detail with respect to the issues involving the individual in question.
I can say that this government's first order of business was to pass the Federal Accountability Act, tough ethics reform, tough anti-corruption measures. We eliminated the role of big money in politics; we eliminated corporations, unions and $5,000 donations. Now we have a more open, transparent and ethical campaign finance system.
Israel October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, no, I do not. We completely reject the Liberal candidate's view. It is the latest attempt by the Liberal Party to try to hector the State of Israel and make political points on it.
Let me very clear. Israel is Canada's friend and ally. Our Conservative government supports Israel in its daily struggle against the anti-Semitic death cults that the Jewish people face each and every day, terrorism wanting to drive them into the sea.
Like all countries facing armed terrorist attacks, Israel has the right of self-defence, and our government will always support Israel in the exercise of that right.
Government Contracts October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. The member calls this Varin fellow a Conservative organizer. She is wrong. That is not true and the member opposite knows it is not true. The individual has never been a member of the Conservative Party. He has never been an organizer in the Conservative Party.
I do know that the member for Bourassa received campaign contributions from the individual when he was sitting in a very powerful position around the cabinet table.
Government Contracts October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, there is so much in that question to which I have to respond. Let me be crystal clear. The minister did not discuss the awarding of the contract with the individual in question. When the individual in question told the minister that he had won a federal government contract, as the minister would on any number of cases, he congratulated him. That does not constitute a discussion on a contract.
Member for Nepean—Carleton October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, for the member opposite, for whom I have a high regard, the people in his constituency and mine sent us to Parliament to work on their behalf. They sent us here to focus on things that are important, like jobs and the economy. They sent us here to make Canada safer by getting tough on crime and terrorism.
Let us focus on the priorities of the people of Canada and not these trivial matters.
Member for Nepean—Carleton October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I do not share the premises of the question of the member opposite. Let me be very clear. The member in question has apologized. I think we should move on and discuss the real priorities of Canadians, such as the economy and keeping Canada safe.
National Defence October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, it is not about anything of the sort. We have the responsibility to ensure that our men and women in uniform, those in the air force, have the equipment they need to do their jobs. We cannot ask these men and women who serve Canada so bravely to get into planes that were designed in the 1970s. In 2020 and beyond, we will need new aircraft so that these men and women can keep Canada safe and protect our sovereignty. That is why the previous government was involved in this contract, and that is why this government is seeing it through.
The Economy October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we were pleased to see 37,000 new full-time jobs. We are concerned when we see the number of part-time jobs going down. That is why we remain focused on jobs and the economy. But there are two distinct visions: our vision of low taxes that attract business, attract investment, and create jobs; and the vision of the coalition members opposite, who want to raise taxes that would kill jobs. That is the choice that Canadians have before them in this debate on the economy.