House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Natural Resources October 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, an email was sent inappropriately. It was from a crown corporation, from a port authority. That was inappropriate and that has been acknowledged. The Ethics Commissioner was asked to look into this.
While we are focused on jobs and the economy, while we are focused on H1N1, while this government is focused on creating jobs and fighting crime, all the Liberal Party can do is try to force an unnecessary election and engage in some very nasty muckraking. That is regrettable.
Natural Resources October 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, our government takes these allegations seriously. We pride ourselves on accountability and ethics. That is why we strengthened the powers and responsibilities of those arm's-length agencies that are charged to investigate these matters.
The minister continues to cooperate fully with the Ethics Commissioner. The minister is following and will follow the commissioner's rulings and guidance on this very important issue.
Government Advertising October 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the independent Ethics Commissioner will speak to these issues, but I do have in my possession an email sent from the House of Commons office of the member opposite inviting people to “donate to Martha's leadership debt at www.liberal.ca/donate”. I wonder whether doing partisan fundraising right here on Parliament Hill would meet the ethics standards that she and her leader have been speaking of so strongly in recent weeks.
Government Advertising October 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have been working very hard on rolling out the economic action plan. We have an important responsibility to Canadians to report back. That was spoken of by the member opposite.
I like the member for Willowdale. I enjoy her interventions in this place. I wanted to ask her a question. Would she tell me whether it would be appropriate or inappropriate for a certain Liberal leadership candidate to use her MP office to raise funds for her leadership campaign? Would she think that would be appropriate?
Government advertising October 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I regret the tone of the member opposite.
We are working tremendously hard on creating jobs and opportunities. We are working hard on tax reductions. We are working hard on putting credit into families and small businesses in every corner of the country. We are working hard with the government of Ontario and provinces from coast to coast to coast to ensure that infrastructure projects are rolled out. We are focused on jobs. We are focused on the economy.
All we have seen from our friends in the Liberal Party has been the push for an early and unnecessary election in September and now more political games. That is regrettable.
Government advertising October 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have shown responsibility as mandated by the House to report back to Canadians on our economic action plan, and we are doing just that.
When it came to health care we had a choice. We could have followed the example of the previous Liberal government and cut health care by $25 billion, which led to hospital closures and substantial reductions in services, or we could take a different path, the path that the Prime Minister has taken, showing an unprecedented commitment to public health care, something that was absent in the previous Liberal government.
Questions on the Order Paper October 22nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, in response to (a), Transport Canada has not received a request for financing from any organization with respect to the renovation of the landing strip at the Saint Hubert airport.
In response to (b), not applicable.
In response to (c), not applicable.
In response to (d), not applicable.
In response to (e), not applicable.
With respect to infrastructure, in response to (a), we received a letter from the mayor of Longueuil, dated March 26, asking about the building Canada plan.
In response to (b), not applicable.
In response to (c), as of June 18, 2009, no announcements have been made concerning this project.
In response to (d), as of June 18, 2009, no announcement has been made concerning this project.
In response to (e), projects are selected on the basis of merit through a federal-provincial-territorial negotiation process. As of June 18, 2009, no announcement has been made concerning this project.
Infrastructure October 20th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we take our responsibilities very seriously. Our government is making major investments in all regions of the country to ensure that our bridges are safe. We transfer money to the crown corporations responsible for the bridges. These corporations are required to operate openly and transparently. If the member has any further information, she should make it public in the House right now.
Infrastructure October 20th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as I said moments ago, this government recognizes the importance of operating openly and transparently. A crown corporation awarded a contract, and that corporation operates at arm's length from the government. This government is committed to ensuring that all corporations operate openly and transparently. If the Bloc member has any further information about this, she should tell the House immediately.
Infrastructure October 20th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have been working hard on construction projects, big and small, in every part of the country. The Minister of Finance came forward with an important initiative, the home renovation tax credit. These are some of the smallest projects right across the country in the homes of families. We are providing a bit of support for families to help improve their homes and make them more energy efficient, safer and better able to meet the demands of their family.
Maybe if the member for Malpeque spent less time polishing doorknobs and more time working for his constituents and worrying about jobs and opportunity, we would get further in our country.