John Baird

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we are very focused on infrastructure projects right across the country. We are working hard with our provincial, territorial and municipal governments.

We would not have had the amount of success on infrastructure spending or the type of co-operation we have with the provinces if it were not for the leadership of the Prime Minister, who has put politics aside and is getting the job done.

[The Environment, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we have projects that have been approved and are under way right now to get dirty diesel powered generation off the generation mix of Canadians, and to get more clean hydroelectricity to Canadian homes.

We have provided significant support in Prince Edward Island for more wind power, thanks to the good work of the Minister of Fisheries. We are undertaking significant initiatives in every corner of the province to make Canada greener and to assist in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, something that we believe is a key priority not just for Canada but indeed the entire world.

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, many of the infrastructure projects that we have supported and are under construction right across the country are designed and focused to improve our environment.

Let me give two specific examples. Right around the country we are doing a lot of waste water treatment plants. That leads to cleaner water, which is a key priority for Canadians. The Prime Minister made important announcements in Yukon and northwestern British Columbia to get more clean electricity onto the grid. That will get rid of dirty diesel power. It will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and it will make our air cleaner.

That is something that is a priority for this government and that is something we will continue to do in every corner of the country.

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I do agree with the leader of the NDP that far too many Canadians are experiencing some real challenging times.

That is why this government brought forward the economic action plan. That is why we are working to cut taxes, to put more money in the economy, and to allow more credit to be available to Canadians to help them make purchases. That is why we have made some pretty substantial changes to the employment insurance system, so that there will be more hope and opportunity for people in the future.

What we cannot do is simply see some signs of a fragile recovery and move on. We have to stay focused on the economy, stay focused on job creation, and stay focused on passing much needed reforms to the employment insurance program in this House of Commons.

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, maybe we have just seen the Liberal Party's new Quebec lieutenant. For a while there, we thought it was going to be the member for Toronto Centre because all of the Liberal Party's decisions about Quebec are made in Toronto.

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this government brought forward a comprehensive economic action plan to ensure that we created jobs, to ensure that we put some hope and some opportunity back into it.

Liberals ask, “Where is that plan?” I should mention that they voted for it for 10 months in a row.

We are hard at work. We are focused on the economy. We are working together with our political opponents, whether they are Liberals, whether they are Conservatives, and maybe we could see a little bit of unity come from the Liberal caucus, particularly in the province of Quebec.

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to report that in the great riding of Markham—Unionville, the city of Markham applied for 14 infrastructure stimulus grants and does anyone know how many were approved? All 14 were approved.

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell the House what is happening right across the country.

Infrastructure projects are being tendered; contracts are being issued; shovels are in the ground; engineers and architects are at work. We are working hard with the provinces, with the territories, and with the municipalities in every corner of this country to get the job done.

What Canadians expect is for all of us on this side of the House and that side of the House to work hard, to focus on the economy, to create jobs, and not plunge Canada into an unnecessary and self-interested election, which is what the leader of the Liberal Party would have us do. That is not in the best interests of Canadians. That is only in the best interests of the Liberal Party.

[The Economy, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister was very proud to announce on behalf of the Canadian government and to report to all taxpayers is that 90% of the initiatives contained in the economic action plan are indeed under way.

When it comes to measures to allow more credit for Canadians, when it comes to tax cuts for Canadians, when it comes to infrastructure projects, this government is working hard to get the job done. Our number one job is to focus on the economy and to focus on jobs. The Liberals' number one job seems to be to focus on an unnecessary election. That is disgraceful.

[Economic Action Plan, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I do apologize to my colleague and friend from Mississauga South.

Pursuant to an order of the House of Commons dated February 3, 2009, I have the honour to table the third report on Canada's economic action plan.