John Baird

[Points of Order, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I do rise as well in the defence of the member for Winnipeg, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, the Minister of State for Democratic Reform.

Yesterday, I raised in the House an issue of $10.00 being charged to participate in a conference call by the member for Kings—Hants, the Liberal finance critic. I want to report two things.

The Minister of State for Democratic Reform had the following happen to him.

He answered the main line and it was a recorded message from the hon. member for Kings—Hants indicating that, “You have been selected to participate in a live telephone town hall meeting today at 6:45.”

I want to defend the Minister of State for Democratic Reform. He has never donated $10.00 to the Liberal Party of Canada.

[Points of Order, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on another point of order.

I want to clarify my comments when I talked about the Canadian Labour Congress quote. I was not suggesting that it endorsed the budget, it was just to comment that it had said, and I quote:

This is a win for every senior living in poverty in Canada and we're proud to have played a significant role in that campaign on their behalf.

[Points of Order, March 23rd, 2011]

It is to respond.

[Ethics, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, these slanders and outrageous implications by the member for Bourassa will not create a single job. They will not help a single senior living in poverty. They will not help volunteer firefighters and they will not help health care workers.

That is what our budget does and the Liberal Party should get behind it. It is the right thing for Canadians.

[Ethics, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I would say to my friend from Bourassa that he has a rather interesting use of vocabulary and a different sense of the word than I would have thought, and certainly in relation to this file.

Here is what we know. Serious allegations were raised with the Prime Minister. He did the right and proper thing, and immediately referred the matter to the three relevant authorities. I hope they will do two things. I hope they will conduct an investigation into the matter. Second, I hope they will use the full strength of Canadian law on anyone who broke it.

[Ethics, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it is not unusual at these climate change negotiations to invite a variety of people representing industry, environmental groups, labour groups, first nations, Inuit or Métis people.

I remember, when I was minister of the environment, even inviting the member for Parkdale—High Park. The difference is that with these delegates we generally elect them to spend the whole time there and not go home halfway through the meeting.

[Ethics, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, there have been serious allegations raised around Mr. Carson. The matter has been correctly and immediately referred to the relevant authorities. We expect every single Canadian to obey the law. This is an important law. It's a law that is so important that we made it a matter of first priority to table it, pass it, and push through caucus. We believe that everyone who breaks the law should face the full force of the law.

[Ethics, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it is the leader of the Liberal Party who is showing contempt for Canadian voters. He does not accept the fundamental democratic principle that the person with the most votes wins elections. He wanted to establish a coalition government with the Bloc Québécois and the NDP and now the coalition is back again. That shows utter contempt for Canadians.

What should be the right thing for Canada is to get behind this low tax plan to create jobs, more hope and more opportunity.

[Ethics, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, we will not tolerate anyone breaking the law.

We brought in tough reforms to make Canada's government more accountable. We believe in those reforms. We brought in the five-year ban on lobbying. When these allegations were brought to our attention, we immediately informed the authorities. That was the right thing to do.

Another right thing to do would be for the Leader of the Opposition to put aside his calls for the government to raise taxes by $6 billion and get behind our job-creating economic action plan contained in the budget.

[The Budget, March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party cannot find billions of dollars for these fighter jets and cannot find billions of dollars for these alleged prisons he talks about.

Let us look at what Canadians are saying about the budget.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation said, “The government should be commended for standing up to the opposition calls to undo job-creating business tax relief”.

The Canadian Labour Congress said, “This is a win for every senior living in poverty in Canada”.

Environmental Defence said, “We applaud the decision to renew funding for the Chemicals Management Plan”.

These are good benefits to Canadians. He should set aside his own ambition and stand up for Canada.