John Baird

[Government Contracts, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear: there is no big money in federal politics in Canada. We eliminated big money. We stopped unions from donating to political parties. We stopped businesses from donating to political parties.

There are two separate issues, completely different. The mention of an investigation made by the then minister of public works in the House on December 8 was not in reference to the RCMP inquiring into the work on the West Block. It was in reference to a public service investigation of a proactive disclosure of wrongdoing in the workplace, which was unrelated to both the West Block and the Sauvé contract.

[Government Contracts, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, it was our government that brought in the Federal Accountability Act, the toughest anti-corruption legislation in Canadian history, in response to years of Liberal scandals.

Let me be clear. The Minister of Natural Resources, both in his current job and his former one, has always acted in an ethical fashion. He is an example of ethics and accountability in this government, and the Canadian people are lucky to have him working on their behalf.

[Government Contracts, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is the one that brought the Federal Accountability Act—some very strong legislation—to the House of Commons. Our government follows all the rules. That is absolutely essential, after all those years of Liberal scandals. Government officials, not Conservative ministers, look after contracts.

[Government Priorities, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian families depend on quality health care, and Canadian families can depend on this government to provide financial support to the provinces and territories to provide that health care. Whether we are talking about hospitals, cancer care, home-care services, or long-term care, our transfers to the provinces are providing a lot of hope and opportunity to people who must rely on our publicly funded health care system.

At another time, it was the Liberal Party that cut health care transfers by $25 billion. These families that the member speaks of do not need cuts of that kind.

[Government Priorities, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the economy is still fragile. We were pleased with the 37,000 net new full-time jobs that were created, as was announced this morning. However, we were disappointed that a number of people lost jobs, particularly part-time jobs.

We remain focused on the economy. The last thing this fragile economy needs is the Liberal plan to raise taxes on job creators. That would kill jobs and do a lot to hurt the Canadian economy.

That is why we are going to continue to have a low-tax jurisdiction in Canada: so that we can have jobs for Canadians and provide good services to people.

[Government Priorities, October 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the first comment made by the member opposite. We are all very fortunate to call Canada home and to live in this great country.

I think the single biggest thing we can do to support those whose families are experiencing difficult times with respect to their health is to provide a strong health care system.

That is why this government has increased transfers to the provinces by some 30%, recognizing that health care is an important priority. We are going to continue to do that during the next few years.

[Business of the House, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the questions from my friend, the member for Ottawa South. I do have to admit from time to time that I am called upon to respond to certain questions that are asked by the opposition. There are not as many as there used to be, thanks to the appointment of the new Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, who I think is doing a fine job. The new Minister of Transport has a big challenge to tidy up the department. The only minister who has a bigger challenge to deal with is the new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

On the issue of decorum, I think there has been some degree of success. I will congratulate the Liberal House Leader . He has perhaps been more successful than I have in reining in the number of interjections during question period, and I undertake to him and to the House to continue to work in that regard. I think there has been a considerable reduction in interjections. Sometimes the members of the government or members of the opposition will bring out those types of interjections, but I will commit to continue to work with him and with our colleagues in the Bloc and the NDP on reducing them. I think we have met with some success. We do have more room to grow, but I will commit to continue to work in that regard. In many respects, that was a big part of the motion the House adopted last night, the motion standing in the name of the member for Wellington—Halton Hills, and I see him smiling at me now.

Much work has been accomplished, but much work remains to be done in that regard.

When government orders resumes after my statement, we will call Bill C-36, the consumer product safety bill. We have an agreement to send it to committee after one speaker per party, and I will be moving the appropriate motion in a few minutes.

I should point out that if we cannot come together to try to protect children and keep them safe, we do not have any place here. I am very pleased with the consultations with all parties on that. I think they will be welcomed, particularly by Environmental Defence, which has been championing these issues for some time.

Following Bill C-36, we will resume the debate which began this morning on Bill C-47, sustaining Canada's economic recovery act. Other bills scheduled for today, if necessary, are Bill S-9, tackling auto theft and property crime, and Bill C-39, ending early release for criminals.

Tomorrow, we will continue with the business before us today.

Next week, as the member noted, is a constituency week.

When we return we will continue, if necessary, with Bill C-47. The Canada-Panama free trade agreement is also on the agenda.

Thursday, October 21 shall be an allotted day, as I have told our friends in the Bloc Québécois.

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, with respect to Bill C-36, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, a member from each recognized party may speak for not more than 20 minutes on the second reading motion of Bill C-36, An Act respecting the safety of consumer products, following which the said bill shall be deemed read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Health.

[Office of the Prime Minister, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wright has consulted and sought the counsel of the independent Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, and he will follow all of the counsel she gives him.

This individual will be required to establish a blind trust. In respect of that blind trust, he will not be regularly briefed on the success or failures of his financial holdings. That happened under a previous Liberal government, and it was known as a “Venetian blind trust”.

[Office of the Prime Minister, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, that is quite the question.

We think it is tremendous that someone who has been incredibly successful outside politics and government has agreed to take a leave from his career and come to Ottawa, our nation's capital, to make a contribution to public life.

Thank goodness that in the past successful business people like Paul Martin and Belinda Stronach were prepared to make that same sacrifice in support of our country.

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Bourassa says that he does not give out large contracts, but there was a time when he held a very powerful position in the Government of Canada, not only being a senior minister in the Chrétien government, but in the Martin government he was the president of the Privy Council. Of course the Privy Council is the central operating agency of the government. I wonder when that cheque was dated. Was it when this government was in power or was it when he was sitting around the cabinet table?