John Baird

[Prison Farms, June 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I want to put the agenda of this government on the table. Its jobs open opportunity. Our single focus is on the economy and to return Canadians to work.

We are excited by the results we have seen. Since last July, we have seen more than 300,000 jobs created, and we are proud of that.

[G8 and G20 Summits, June 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government is proud to be hosting the world in the great region of Muskoka and the great city of Toronto. According to Tourism Toronto, it says that this summit will be a huge boost for the local economy. Terry Mundell, the president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Hotel Association, says:

In terms of bookings, this is the single largest event we've held in probably a decade. This is our economic stimulus package. It is a huge, huge economic boost.

In addition to the 3,500 media outlets that will be in Toronto and Muskoka to tell the story of our great country, we will see some great benefits and we are very proud of that.

[G8 and G20 Summits, June 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, let me assure the member opposite that the entire process is managed by the professional members of the public service. They work to ensure that everything is done in a fair and transparent fashion. Our goal is to ensure that taxpayers get value for money. That has always been the hallmark of our government and it always will be.

[CANADA-COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT, June 11th, 2010]

Glad the Liberals showed up for work.

[CANADA-COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT, June 11th, 2010]

Oh my God, the Liberals are back. We were just about to make Jack Layton the leader of the official opposition.

[CANADA-COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT, June 11th, 2010]

Unanimous consent to resolve that Jack Layton is the leader of the official opposition, agreed.

[Government Programs, June 11th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as part of Canada's economic action plan, we are making infrastructure investments with municipalities, with the province, and Parry Sound—Muskoka. We are also making important economic investments in every part of the country.

We are investing in the city of Toronto. We are investing in the Royal Ontario Museum, not far from the member's riding. We are investing in the Art Gallery of Ontario, not far from the member's riding. We are investing in a new cultural centre in Regent Park, not far from the member's riding. That is all the federal government is doing to support culture in the city of Toronto.

[Standing Committee on Finance, June 11th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I share the view of the deputy leader of the New Democratic Party which is that securing Canadians' pensions is important and that we should work in a non-partisan way to advance that cause. I also strongly agree with him on the great work done by the finance committee and its chair, the member for Edmonton—Leduc.

The government has launched consultations with the ministers of finance from around the country to look at what we can do to secure the future retirement pensions of Canadians. It is something that I think is a priority for all of us.

[G8 and G20 Summits, June 11th, 2010]

How much did you pay for the almond-scented soap?

[G8 and G20 Summits, June 11th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, again the Liberals want us to follow their example. Let us look at the Liberal caucus.

One Liberal member is pocketing tens of thousands of dollars by bilking taxpayers for her taxpayer-subsidized home. Another one is being criminally charged for refusing to take a breathalyzer. Another one is pimping himself out on the Internet to try to lobby the government with foreign interests. Now we find out the Liberal leader is forcing taxpayers to pay for his fruity-fresh almond-scented soap.

We have no lessons to take about from the Liberal Party.