Lawrence Cannon

[Canada-U.S. Border, April 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the act will ensure that the Government of Canada has the necessary powers to grant approval to build new international bridges and to impose the necessary terms and conditions to protect public interest.

Also, the legislation will help to ensure that our bridges are safe and that the federal government has the ability to ensure national security and to protect the vital trade links on which our economy is based.

[Infrastructure, April 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I reiterate the same comment that I made a couple of moments ago. We will have to wait for the Minister of Finance to table his budget. We will know at that moment the answers and responses.

[Infrastructure, April 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raises a question that we addressed during the last campaign. As everyone knows, we are committed to change. Canadians voted for change. I invite the hon. member to wait for the Minister of Finance's speech on May 2.

[International bridges and tunnels act, April 24th, 2006]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-3, An Act respecting international bridges and tunnels and making a consequential amendment to another Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Ministerial Accountability, April 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, basically I will repeat what I said moments ago. Of course, all provisions governing ethical behaviour of members on this side of the House and the applicable regulations will apply in her case. I will determine whether or not the allegations brought forward by the member are reasonable and founded.

[Ministerial Accountability, April 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the person in question is the Director of Communications for my office. She does the work for which she is paid and she does an excellent job.

[The Conservative Government, April 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the former member of this House demonstrated with his knowledge and experience that he was highly qualified for the position. He expressed an interest, and NAV CANADA decided to choose him.

[Airports, April 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is very interesting that the hon. member speaks of accountability and transparency. As we all know—it has been repeated here over and over in the past few days—for many years, the Liberals did nothing. We intend to do something about it.

[Airports, April 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as this is also my first speech in the House of Commons, I would like to thank the member for his question. I would also like to thank my constituents for giving me the opportunity to represent them here.

The member is referring to a program that was introduced by the former government. He has provided another example of the consequences of that government's failure to act. The old program was not designed to address the issues he raised, so it is currently under review. Once we have made a decision, we will announce it.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, April 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, needless to say, I will be looking toward my right on numerous occasions, so the member need not worry. I will be listening with a lot of interest to the questions that are raised.

The question posed on access to information is a very interesting one. In my previous professional political life I had the opportunity of pursuing that piece of legislation in the Quebec national assembly. We had the opportunity as a government to adopt a measure that extended to the private sector elements or dispositions of our provincial legislation for the public sector.

I reassure the member that the government's intention is not to cover up access to information. On the contrary, the government, through the President of the Treasury Board when the piece of legislation will be known, will be able to demonstrate, without any doubt, that what we want to do is bring transparency into the government operations. We want to bring in accountability and all these values and notions that we share on this side of the House and certainly that my hon. colleague shares. We will be able to see that the government wants to pursue that endeavour with as much vigour and ingenuity as he has suggested.