John Baird

[Infrastructure, March 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is absolutely incorrect.

What we are doing, for example, in his own province is working constructively with the McGuinty government. Let us look at what his own former colleagues at the Ontario legislature have to say.

Liberal MPP Dave Levac said,

This is the kind of co-operative venture that produces the most effective and efficient projects any level of government could hope for.

Let us look at what Liberal MPP Jeff Leal had to say: There is no doubt that residents will notice the positive impact of these improvements almost immediately.

I could go on.

MPP Kim Craitor said,

This is a great day for all of us.

I can understand why the member was tossed out of the Liberal caucus at Queen's Park and sent packing.

[Transportation, March 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, that gentleman comes from a party whose notion of nation building was to cut $25 billion from our hospitals and doctors. It was to bring in the sponsorship scandal, probably the biggest destruction to national unity, certainly in my lifetime.

We have an important economic action plan. Step by step, we are getting it done, but I implore, I beg my friend from Eglinton—Lawrence, could he go down and talk to the Liberal senators and tell them to stand up for hope, to stand up for opportunity, to stand up for new jobs, and to support our economic action plan?

[Transportation, March 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure this was right at the top of the priority list, if they had only got that fifth term.

We are working constructively with the Government of Quebec and with my premier, the Premier of Ontario. We recently announced we were moving forward with a study to look at the cost of this important project. We are committed to working with my premier and the Premier of Quebec to constructively evaluate this project.

The one group of people standing in the way of help for the unemployed is a group of people down the hall, the Liberal Senate. He should get them to act.

[Business of Supply, March 10th, 2009]

You're going to hurt my feelings.

[Infrastructure, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member of Parliament for West Nova has been working hard with our Prime Minister and the premier of Nova Scotia to help provide important, badly needed funding to help rebuild Highway 101, which has been dubbed by many locals as Canada's deadliest highway.

These important investments in infrastructure show that we can work cooperatively with provincial governments and that we can get things done. Hopefully we are not just creating jobs, but making a safer transportation system for the people of West Nova.

[Infrastructure, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we are planning to spend billions of dollars on infrastructure and more investments made under our building Canada plan. That is an important initiative.

The Minister of Finance, in response to the unprecedented economic challenge we are experiencing, has come forward with a number of programs to provide additional stimulus, an additional shot in the arm. That is exactly what those resources will go to fund, things like our $4 billion community stimulus fund, things like our RInC program, things like our important investments in the environment.

If the Liberal Party cannot be part of the solution, it should step aside, get out of the way and let the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister get the job done.

[Infrastructure, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we will leave no dollar behind.

[Airline Industry, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, that would depend.

[Infrastructure, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, some 24 months ago, my premier and the Prime Minister made an important announcement for that subway project. The simple reason why the funds have not flowed is because the shovel is not in the ground. The province has not spent any money. We do not give blank cheques to projects that have not proceeded.

When those projects do begin to spend money, the invoices will be fully paid within 30 days. The good news is, thanks to the leadership of the Premier of Ontario and the Prime Minister, that project is about ready to go and that will be a big shot in the arm for Toronto's economy.

[Infrastructure, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, funds under building Canada do not lapse, so that will be good news for the member opposite to learn. They are rolled over to subsequent years. Projects do take time. We cannot just begin to construct a subway system overnight. Engineering work has to be done and we need to seek the necessary approvals.

When municipalities and provinces spend money on infrastructure, they can invoice this government, and the commitment from this minister and this government is that those invoices will be paid within 30 days.