Ken McDonald

[Corrections and Conditional Release Act, October 23rd, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, could the minister highlight what he sees as the key benefits of getting this to committee, where people involved in the correctional system can testify at committee, tell their stories and let the committee make any amendments deemed necessary from those witnesses giving information?

[Business of Supply, October 2nd, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that a lot of has been said, and we understand the reason it has been said. In an answer just now, the member said that a healing lodge was not a medium-security facility by its nature. Is he now advocating as well that we change the healing lodge designation from medium to minimum security and that anyone who is there considered medium now be put back into the regular so-called gates, razor wire, chains, whatever? Is that what he is advocating for as well when it comes to the healing lodges?

Healing lodges were supported by the former government and the program was expanded by the former government. It supported the healing lodge being designated a medium-security facility.

[Business of Supply, October 2nd, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I know my colleague highlighted the fact of it being the rule of law and that we really do not want politicians getting involved in judicial matters. Could she expand on that a little before we end the debate? I was listening intently to her speech, but I was not reading the newspaper while I did it.

[Business of Supply, October 2nd, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I have a small, simple question for the member opposite, who at one time sat on this side of the House, as he mentioned.

Why did the same member not speak up in 2014 when this person, this inmate, was moved from maximum security to a medium-security facility? A medium security facility is what she is in right now. Why did he not speak up then, as a member of the governing party?

[Committees of the House, September 24th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague keeps referring to investment uncertainty in Canada when it comes to natural resources, especially the oil sector. If there is that much uncertainty, why has offshore oil in Newfoundland and Labrador seen unprecedented bids by companies that have never before been involved in exploration there, but are now investing millions and millions of dollars in bidding on parcels of land to do exploration. How does he square that circle?

[Accessible Canada Act, September 24th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if my colleague, as a member of Parliament, could tell this House what she sees as the greatest benefit of Bill C-81 coming forward in the near future.

[100th Anniversary of The War Amps, September 19th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, this summer I had the chance to meet many incredible people throughout my riding. Today, I would like to recognize a young man I met for the first time.

Jay Felix is a 16-year-old constituent of mine from Paradise. I met Jay thanks to the War Amps and its 100th anniversary commemorative envelope campaign. Jay was born with a partial hand, and has been a member of the War Amps child amputee program since he was two years old. He remains active with the organization today, and was asked to present me with its 100th anniversary commemorative envelope and pin.

This highlights the great impact that War Amps has had on this country over its 100 years, and shines a spotlight on the moments and milestones in history that unite us as a nation.

It was such a pleasure to hear Jay's story and to see what a great ambassador he is for War Amps Canada. Congratulations War Amps, and I thank Jay and his mom Cindy for being such great members of our community.

[Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Implementation Act, September 18th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, the member spoke about losing jobs and the risk of the unemployment statistics. The unemployment rate in my home province is 16%.

Ocean Choice International is a company located in my riding that employs hundreds of middle-class workers. This company sees the trade agreement as a good thing. It exports some 100 million pounds of product to 35 different countries. CETA enabled it to increase its volume to that point.

I wonder if the member could comment on why this company should be held back from increasing its volume through this agreement as well.

[Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Implementation Act, September 17th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I hope my colleague's speech will encourage the ratification of the CPTPP.

I want to ask him a question about the benefits to the middle class and those working hard to join it. I will add to that by talking about what the CETA agreement did for businesses in my riding. Ocean Choice International is a fish processing company that exports almost 100 million pounds of fish to 35 different countries. It told me that the CETA agreement made a big difference to it in accessing those markets and opening doors. That business creates hundreds of middle-class jobs.

Could the member comment on what this agreement will do in creating middle-class jobs and those working hard to join it?

[Canada Summer Jobs, June 20th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, as the school year winds down, kids across the country are gearing up for their jam-packed summer vacations. Students from kindergarten to post-secondary have big plans for the summer, and for many older students in my riding, those plans include their summer jobs.

Thanks to the Canada summer jobs program, 526 students from across Avalon will have meaningful and exciting work this summer. This totals over $1.2 million in investments in the youth of my riding, who will work as camp counsellors and soccer coaches and at festivals and seasonal shops, where they will all learn, grow, and have fun. This is an important investment, and I am proud of our government's commitment to keep investing in our youth.

On that note, I would like to wish all students and teachers in Avalon a safe and happy summer holiday. I ask everyone to be extra cautious as they drive around at this time of year and to have an eye out for kids as they are busy playing and enjoying their time off.

Happy summer vacation to one and all.