House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Ethics February 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister asked the leader of the NDP to help the Conservatives pass legislation that would do two things: one, allow for elected senators; and two, allow for term limits for the Senate.
What did the leader of the NDP do? He blocked it. He stopped this legislation from moving forward, and that is a disgrace to taxpayers.
Ethics February 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, we have committed to ensuring that all expenses are appropriate, that the rules governing the expenses are appropriate and that the Senate will report back to taxpayers. It has done so. We take these issues tremendously seriously and that is why the Senate has retained outside support to ensure that the integrity of the system is respected.
Human Rights February 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is quite regrettable that the member opposite chooses to take the view of affairs that way. This government has made human rights the cornerstone of our foreign policy. Promoting Canadian values is something that is tremendously important. No country has spoken more loudly on human rights, religious freedom, or on the important rights that women and gays have right around the world, than this government.
We are very proud of our Office of Religious Freedom. It is a fundamental freedom. It promotes pluralism, which is a fundamental Canadian value, and we make no apologies for standing up for this important human right.
Foreign Affairs February 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to report to the House that Canada is meeting all of its international development commitments. We are spending significant amounts of money to help pull people out of poverty. Canadians can be tremendously proud of the leadership of this government, the leadership of the Prime Minister, particular on the newborn and child maternal health initiative, an initiative that is achieving some of the best results of any international development mechanism anywhere, and it all comes from Canadian leadership.
Points of Order February 13th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, in reference to a question I received from the member for Winnipeg Centre, we should take this issue very seriously. If there is a zombie attack, Canadians need to be well prepared. They should stock up on first aid kits, monster trucks, canned food and water, and I am not going to stand in this place and not warn Canadians that if the NDP had its way, Canadians would have to pay a carbon tax on each and every one of those—
Foreign Affairs February 13th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the member and all Canadians that I am “dead-icated” to ensuring that this never happens. I want to say categorically to this member, and through him to all Canadians, that under the leadership of this Prime Minister, Canada will never become a safe haven for zombies, ever.
Foreign Affairs February 13th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, that is a good question.
A good question. Tough, but fair.
I want to thank the member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound for the leadership that he has shown on this issue. Once again, the member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound is showing real leadership for his constituents, and indeed all Canadians. I am very happy to say the government will be standing solidly behind this member and his effort to stop the Americans from stealing all our clean water.
Foreign Affairs February 12th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Don Valley East for his leadership on this issue.
This reckless and provocative test marks a serious, misguided threat to regional peace and security. What makes it even more unconscionable is that many North Korean people are starving to death while their government misallocates resources on a nuclear weapons program. We are disappointed that North Korea's leaders have continued along this irresponsible path of placing nuclear weapons above the well-being and health of their own people. Canada will work with our international partners to pursue all appropriate actions and sanctions against this rogue regime.
Employment February 4th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I wonder why the hon. member has all sorts of great advice and ideas of what could be in the budget. Imagine what this country would have looked like if the Liberal Party got that fifth term it was looking for.
We feel for the families who are struggling to pay the bills. That is why our government's top priority is the economy and creating jobs. The Conference Board report ranks Canada first in the G7. The report also confirmed that Canada's record on intergenerational income mobility is quite good.
Employment February 4th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this government has taken unprecedented action to improve job creation and economic growth in this country. We have seen over the past two and a half years the creation of more than 900,000 net new jobs.
We recognize that the job is not done. We are consulting widely. I can assure the member opposite that anything we can do to ensure people get the right training to enter this labour force will be done so that we can continue with the economic growth that has made Canada a leader in the G7.