House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
The Environment December 8th, 2009
Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. We are in Copenhagen working hard for a strong and effective agreement to fight global warming. We are in Copenhagen because it is in our national interest to be in Copenhagen. We are in Copenhagen to work with our partners and not to play partisan games.
We are in Copenhagen standing shoulder to shoulder with the Obama administration to seek a meaningful agreement that will deliver the goods for our environment, and we welcome the NDP aboard our fight.
Afghanistan December 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, let us be very clear. When our Canadian men and women in uniform, doing an outstanding job in incredibly difficult circumstances, are presented with credible information in this regard, they act. They have acted in the past. They did an extraordinary job. In the circumstances which the Leader of the Opposition described, it was not even a Canadian detainee, but they still did the right thing. They still acted. That is why we are so proud of our men and women in uniform.
Afghanistan December 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, let us be very clear. Let us talk about the facts.
The then vice chief of the defence staff, General Walter Natynczyk, a decorated war hero, someone who has served our country in uniform for decades, stated very clearly more than two and a half years ago that the Afghan in question was not detained, was not captured by Canadian Forces, and he repeated that statement yesterday.
I ask the Leader of the Opposition why he cannot trust General Walter Natynczyk.
Afghanistan December 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I think the characterization that the member opposite makes is quite an exaggeration, even a fabrication, of the actions of this government.
We have seen our military men and women in uniform do an outstanding job. We have seen our outstanding members of the public service, both here and in Afghanistan, work hard to ensure that we bring peace and stability to a very difficult part of the world.
Our officials and our military have always, when presented with credible and substantiated evidence, taken the appropriate action.
Infrastructure December 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the member for Essex for all his work on infrastructure in both Essex and in the City of Windsor.
Last week the Detroit River international crossing project received the necessary federal environmental assessment approval. This is a huge step forward to a new bridge that would be a bridge for trade, a bridge for jobs, and a bridge for southwestern Ontario. This is another example of this government stepping up with billions of dollars of support, even when projects are not in a Conservative riding.
When this project goes ahead, it will create literally thousands of jobs in Windsor and Essex, and they are in this country, which really needs a shot in the arm.
Disability and Health Benefits December 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I think all of us know that long-tenured workers have had difficulty transitioning into new jobs and often need more long-term training.
We have made unprecedented investments in training, including training specifically for long-tenured workers, to help get Canadians back to work. We have made unprecedented investments to help those who, through no fault of their own, have fallen on hard times and lost their jobs.
The minister will continue to work with all members and all Canadians on achieving real results for these Canadians who need help.
The Environment December 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I say very directly to my friend, the leader of the NDP, that not a single tonne of carbon is reduced when he runs down Canada and repeats those mischaracterizations of the position of the Canadian government or the actions of our country.
We are committed to working with the Obama administration. We are committed to working with our partners at the UNFCC in Copenhagen to get a strong, effective agreement that delivers the goods for Canada, that delivers the goods for the environment.
Canada, as a rich country, is prepared to do its part and we are looking forward to a successful negotiation in Copenhagen.
The Environment December 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, our government, our minister and our Prime Minister will continue to work very hard to produce a solid agreement in Copenhagen. Canada will do its part. We will continue to work with the provinces, with industry and with non-governmental groups to come up with an agreement that will really benefit our environment.
Afghanistan December 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, let me be as clear as I can. When Canadian Forces personnel, when Canadian officials, are presented with clear and substantiated evidence, they have always acted.
Let us be very clear on another point. The Afghan in question was not a Canadian detainee, and our men and women in uniform did the right thing. They should be honoured for that contribution, honoured for their sacrifice. The member opposite should apologize to those men and women in uniform.
Afghanistan December 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, for more than three years, we have seen the Liberal Party and the members opposite smear our brave men and women in uniform.
The Chief of Defence Staff, a man who has bravely worn the Canadian uniform for decades, has been abundantly clear. He issued a statement more than two and a half years ago, stating that the Afghan in question was not detained, was not captured and was not transferred by the Canadian Forces.
The Leader of the Opposition should be up on his feet commending the work of our troops and the contribution they have been making under difficult circumstances, and stop this fearmongering.