John Baird

[Infrastructure, February 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this is quite remarkable. Just last week he was saying there was not one project out the door. Now he is citing 26 of them where he is unhappy with their distribution.

The Leader of the Opposition says he is impatient. We have had quite a week.

[Infrastructure, February 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to work constructively with provinces, municipalities and other federal partners to ensure that these funds are spread out in various regions of the country. We think that is important.

I can report for the member for Parkdale—High Park that the government is committed to working constructively, not just with the Government of Ontario, where we have a McGuinty who is doing a good job in helping us create jobs and opportunities, but we are working constructively with the mayor of Toronto on these important issues as well.

We are pleased to note in the budget that Union Station is one of the important infrastructure investments that this government would make.

[The Budget, February 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member for his speech. He made a number of insightful comments. I want to talk about two things he raised, one being credit.

The Minister of Finance has done a lot to tackle that issue, working with many others. He spoke about that in his constituency. Whether it is with large enterprises, small or medium sized ones or individuals, this continues to be a significant challenge in my riding of Ottawa West--Nepean.

The member also spoke about infrastructure. The public service has done a huge amount of work putting together an infrastructure package and doing what we can to speed up approvals. I congratulate the Minister of Finance and Adam Chambers from his office who worked very hard on this.

[The Budget, February 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member for Nepean—Carleton, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, for an excellent speech. I agree with him that essential services to Canadians are important at this time of economic uncertainty. I also agree with him that we are here as representatives of the people. Certainly in my case of Ottawa West—Nepean, which is next door to his constituency, I am here to speak for those who perhaps do not have the loudest voice. I thought he gave an excellent speech. He fights hard for his constituents, and we are certainly very grateful.

[The Budget, February 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to working with provinces, municipalities, community groups and others to make things happen on infrastructure spending.

If we do not have the confidence of the member opposite, let me say that if he is concerned about municipalities being able to step up to the plate, he should just look at what one of our colleagues in the House of Commons said:

If presented with the opportunities, a municipal government will find the dollars to match federal and provincial contributions.

Who said that? The Liberal member for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe.

[Infrastructure, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member said it has been on the minister's desk since early last year. I have only been the minister for two months.

I can indicate to the member opposite that we would be very pleased to look into his project and give it fair consideration.

The good news is our budget. We have a new program called RInC, and it sounds as though this project just might be eligible.

[Public Works, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have known this member for many years and I am shocked at that kind of language. He wonders why he does not get any claps from his own members when there is that kind of language.

[OC Transpo Strike, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we were all tremendously pleased that members of the House were able to work in a co-operative manner to get the buses back on the street, including the work of the Minister of Labour, the member for Ottawa—Vanier and the member for Ottawa Centre, as well as many other members.

To put together legislation that can be supported by all members of the House is good news and that was obviously one of the key reasons the city and the union came to an agreement on a proposal that had been refused just 48 hours before. The federal mediator had been pushing this idea since December 9. We are all pleased that this is over and it shows that we can work together in a spirit of co-operation.

[The Budget, January 30th, 2009]

Absolutely not, Mr. Speaker. We are working constructively with the provinces, with the municipalities, on projects around this country. I am particularly pleased to tell the member that we are working very cooperatively with my friend and my premier, Dalton McGuinty.

[The Budget, January 30th, 2009]

Absolutely not, Mr. Speaker.