House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 50% of the vote.
Government Appointments June 7th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, we know that Canadians need a strong, independent appointment process, and that is why we reformed to an open way the appointments process in this country. After 10 years of excessive partisanship by the former Conservative government, we know that picking the best people for the jobs regardless of their backgrounds, people who reflect the full diversity of this country, is what Canadians expect. That is exactly what we are delivering.
Intergovernmental Relations June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, everyone in the House is well aware that I say the same thing in French and in English. I always take the same approach, which is to give Canadians what they need and respond to their concerns, rather than constantly reopening the Constitution. That always has been and always will be my position. I made that commitment to Canadians.
Intergovernmental Relations June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, the member is well aware of my position on the Constitution. We discussed it extensively during the 2015 election debates.
All Canadians know that I was elected to defend growth for the middle class and to help Canadians deal with real issues, not to fall into the black hole of endless constitutional debate. That is what the NDP had to offer during the last election. We ran on a platform of growth for the middle class and real change.
Government Appointments June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect us to appoint highly qualified people to these positions. That is why we went through an open, merit-based appointment process that reflected Canada's diversity. All Canadians were welcome to apply. We are proud of the process we put in place, and we are proud that it led to such a positive appointment.
Government Appointments June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, we put in place an independent nominations process that works on merit, that looks at who is going be the right person for the job.
We know that Canadians deserve appointments across government that reflect the full diversity of our country, and that is what we have stayed focused on.
We look at merit-based appointments, and we are moving forward in a way that keeps Canadians' trust.
Public Safety June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, what has not changed is the Conservative propensity to politicize things that really should not be politicized.
We take the safety of our community, of our children, extraordinarily seriously. That anyone would suggest that any parent or any person in this House would not take the safety of their children seriously is quite frankly shameful.
Taxation June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, the last election campaign was fought on two very different visions of the economic growth this country needed.
The previous Conservative government spent its time on boutique tax credits and advantages for the wealthiest one per cent, while we knew Canadians needed real growth that would support the middle class, needed investments in infrastructure that were long overdue, needed the kind of support for a forward-thinking economic and environmental vision that went together.
These are the things Canadians asked for. They asked for real change. That is exactly what they got.
Taxation June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, we are very proud of the fact that we lowered taxes for the middle class and raised them on the wealthiest 1%.
Unfortunately, the party opposite chose to vote against the idea of raising taxes on the rich and lowering them for the middle class. We will continue to look for ways to create more opportunities for the middle class and to stimulate economic growth that will help the middle class and those working hard to join it.
National Defence June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the Leader of the Opposition's new duties have not kept him from his daytime TV-watching.
The fact is that we take very seriously the importance of both protecting Canadians' rights and defending our safety at the same time.
We committed to Canadians in the last election campaign that we would get that balance right, that we would make sure that, always, we are defending Canadians' rights and protecting our communities at the same time. That is what Canadians expect. That is what we will do.
National Defence June 6th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, we are always proud of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who serve their country, both here in Canada and abroad, to defend our values today, just as they have done for decades.
We owe it to our soldiers to give them all the equipment, assistance, and tools they need, as well as the support they need when they come home, so that they can continue to bravely defend our values and share them with the rest of the world.
We will continue to work to be worthy of the service performed by these brave men and women every day.