Laurin Liu

[Science and Technology, October 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the government can no longer deny that its muzzling of scientists and cuts to science are undermining Canada's international reputation.

The NDP is not the only one saying this. In an open letter, a broad coalition of 800 prestigious researchers from 32 different countries have spoken out against the Conservative government's attitude toward its scientists.

When will the Conservative government heed this warning and stop treating its scientists like enemies?

[Industry, October 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, actions speak louder than words.

Ten years ago, the government negotiated with drug companies to extend the monopoly period on new drugs. In exchange, the companies were supposed to invest 10% of their revenue in research and development in Canada. The reality is that only 4.5% of that revenue was invested in 2013.

Why does the minister not implement measures to make sure these companies keep their promises?

[World Food Day, October 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, October 16 is World Food Day. The 2014 theme, “Feeding the world, caring for the earth”, was chosen by the UN General Assembly to increase the visibility of family farming and smallholder farmers.

Small farms in Canada feed entire cities and are at the heart of our rural economy. Unfortunately, 8,000 family farms have disappeared under the Conservatives, and two million Canadians run the risk of malnutrition. The UN has even expressed concerns about food security in Canada's aboriginal communities.

The NDP has developed a pan-Canadian food strategy to strengthen the system that takes food from the farm to the fork by way of our processors. Canadians deserve policies that help everyone eat well. Canadians deserve an NDP government that will stand up for family farms.

[Science and Technology, October 8th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the group Evidence for Democracy revealed today the extent to which federal scientists are isolated. The organization gave 15 departments a failing grade when it comes to protecting federal scientists from political interference.

The Conservatives have used internal media directives to muzzle our scientists and ensure that their disturbing opinions remain hidden away.

When will the Conservatives stop their war on our scientists?

[Citizenship and Immigration, October 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by residents of Boisbriand who are worried about Canada Post's decision to eliminate home delivery service to five million households. The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to reject Canada Post's planned service reductions and explore other options for updating the crown corporation's business plan.

[Housing, October 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, he did not answer the question. Shame.

The fact that the federal government has announced that it will be pulling out of and no longer investing in social housing means that low-income households will have less access to this type of housing. In some cases, rent can go up by as much as $200 to $500.

Much like the NDP, the Association de promotion et d'éducation en logement de Saint-Eustache is calling for renewed subsidies. Housing is a right. Why is the government turning its back on those with inadequate housing?

[Labour, October 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in violation of provincial labour codes, many businesses are exploiting unpaid interns. It is appalling.

However, the situation is even worse for interns working in areas under federal jurisdiction. They have no protection, not even against sexual harassment.

Will the Conservatives support my private member's bill to provide minimum protections to interns working in federally regulated businesses?

[Health, September 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, 50% of people in the Lower Laurentians do not have access to a family doctor.

I took part in several meetings in the region to talk about underfunding in the health sector. All of the participants agreed that by cutting the $36 billion federal transfer, the Conservative government will just make things worse.

Do the Conservatives realize that their short-sighted cuts will make it harder for the people of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles to get the health care they are entitled to?

[Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, September 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we do our homework for every free trade agreement. We studied this agreement with South Korea and we decided to support it even though the agreement is not perfect. We believe it can produce rather significant economic spinoffs for Canada.

However, the Conservative government negotiates free trade agreements with all sorts of countries, including undemocratic ones such as Honduras, where journalists and workers are murdered. In committee, witnesses told us that the free trade agreement with Honduras would only make matters worse when it comes to the serious human rights problems in that undemocratic country.

Is there a country the Conservatives do not want to negotiate a free trade agreement with? What are the criteria? Will they do their homework next time?

[Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, September 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I think that the Liberal members need to stop toeing the party line.

In March 2012, the NDP rose in the House to vote in favour of the Canada-Jordan free trade agreement. I imagine that the Liberal member was unfortunately not there that day either.

I also want to point out that the Liberals supported the Canada-Honduras free trade agreement. Honduras is a country where the government was recently overturned in a coup d'état and journalists are regularly murdered.

Is there a free trade agreement that the Liberal Party will not support?