Kevin Lamoureux

[POOLED REGISTERED PENSION PLANS ACT, May 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, my question for the member is in regard to pensions in general. In regard to the pool itself, we have all recognized, in particular those within our party, the importance of the CPP, the GIS and the OAS and how it is critically important that the federal government demonstrates some leadership that would ultimately see the level of money seniors receive increase, and that we continue to lobby to ensure we have a retirement option at age 65.

Even though this bill is far from perfect, it is a tool that some seniors might be able to use. Many provincial governments are on side with this. Why would the member oppose this particular tool, albeit small, for some individuals who would be able to benefit from it? Why would the NDP oppose that?

[POOLED REGISTERED PENSION PLANS ACT, May 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleague to comment on the bigger picture of pensions.

We recognize that this would assist very few Canadians. No doubt, it would be of great assistance to those few. However, there is a great deal of concern for the pensions of all Canadians; in particular, the government's decision to increase the age of retirement, through OAS payments, from 65 to 67.

The member commented on the importance of pension issues. Surely to goodness he would recognize many of his constituents, some would argue most of his constituents, would still say we should provide the opportunity for people to retire at age 65 instead of at age 67. Would he agree with me that changing that retirement age from 65 to 67 would be the wrong direction?

[POOLED REGISTERED PENSION PLANS ACT, May 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I always appreciate my colleague's passion and caring attitude when it comes to dealing with seniors in Canada. I appreciate her comments with respect to why the House should deal with the issue of pensions, whether it is the GIS, OAS or CPP. These are good solid programs that are the cornerstone of our pensions going forward.

With regard to the budget, the member knows that the government has increased the age of retirement from 65 to 67. She has spoken a great deal on this issue. Maybe she could provide comment on what responses she has received. Many of our colleagues in the House, particularly those on the opposition benches, have stood up on virtually a daily basis to bring forward petitions on this issue. Canadians are quite upset with this element of pensions. This bill is all about that.

[Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, May 29th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, that is the reason I stood up. I understand that the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism was offended by language I had used in heckling him. I would like to withdraw the word that I used. It was indeed unparliamentary and I will just leave it at that.

[Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, May 29th, 2012]

On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

[Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, May 29th, 2012]

That is a lie. That is a lie.

[Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, May 29th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, the minister has a problem with reality. The reality is that the government has again moved time allocation which prevents individuals from being able to participate.

This is not the first bill. We are talking about 20-plus bills. The government does not respect the need to have legitimate debate. That minister brought in fraud legislation that made detention mandatory for at least 12 months. It was because of due diligence by the opposition that we were able to get the minister to back down and make the change that took that 12 month detention down to 14 days in terms of judicial overview.

The responsibility of opposition members is to hold the minister and other ministers accountable for the mistakes that they make. The minister is great at spin. He likes to talk and is critical of the Liberal Party. The minister has to take responsibility for his actions but he has a difficult time doing that. That includes issues such as this bill and that includes issues such as the backlogs. He is the minister who has caused the problem—

[Canada–Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, May 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am wondering to what degree the NDP will have credibility on the issue of free trade agreements. On the one hand, when we look at 2015, it will be saying that it supports fair trade but that it does not support free trade agreements, and yet hundreds of thousands of Canadians have benefited immensely. I cited the potato industry in Manitoba.

Canada is an exporting nation and we are very dependent on our ability to trade worldwide. That is what generates jobs and wealth.

After listening to members of the NDP, there is a difference between the NDP and the Liberals. We see the value of freer trade agreements.

Contrary to what the member's colleagues would have said on the front benches, if, for example, the amendments the NDP proposed in committee had passed, would the NDP members then have supported the bill in the House?

[Canada–Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, May 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I ask the member her thoughts on the issues of human rights, labour legislation and environmental concerns. She comes across as being fairly passionate in terms of freer trade maybe not being able to deal with those types of issue in these bilateral agreements.

My question to the member is related to countries like China, which exports billions of consumer products and dollars to Canada. I am sure she would have concerns related to those three issues. What would she suggest Canada do with those countries we currently trade with, where there are those types of concerns, or does it just apply to those countries where there are agreements in place?

[Canada–Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, May 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this afternoon the member's colleague made it very clear that the only free trade agreement the NDP would ever support would be a free trade agreement put in by an NDP administration. Otherwise, it does not support free trade agreements.

Having said that, the member made reference to other options. One of the successful demonstrations of how free trade or expanding borders can really help was when former prime minister Jean Chrétien had a team Canada approach, in which he took stakeholders from industries outside the country in an attempt to sign up a wide variety of different types of contracts and so forth, thereby increasing trade. I am wondering if the member would support that sort of initiative that former prime minister Jean Chrétien took.