Lawrence Cannon

[Tackling Violent Crime Act, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that we are now debating an NDP amendment, not this point. My colleague is all over the place with this, but she is not actually debating the issue in question.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you call her to order, so that the debate can remain relevant to the topic.

[National Capital Commission, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the National Capital Commission recognized it had made a mistake with the historical interpretation, and made changes to reflect the facts and not to interpret Canadian history.

Beyond that, I think we were able to set the record straight, and at the same time, ensure that on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the national capital we can celebrate as Canadians the choice of Ottawa as the capital of Canada.

[Montreal Planetarium, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, when I hear the sovereignists talk about keeping one's word, I cannot help but think of René Lévesque and Jacques Parizeau, of the Quebec government, who went back on their word to officials. So much for keeping one's word.

When the Government of Canada makes a commitment and when this government promises to do something, we deliver the goods. That is the big difference between us and the Bloc Québécois opposition members.

[Montreal Planetarium, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his interest in this project. As he mentioned, the Government of Canada together with the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal and private enterprise are reviewing this matter. I hope that we will find a solution in the very near future.

[Manufacturing Sector, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, last year in Canada, because of economic activity, business has created more jobs than ever. Clearly, instead of saying that Quebec is losing jobs, we should be saying that Quebec has created 69,000 jobs.

Let us look again at what the Quebec federation of chambers of commerce has said about the economic statement. The federation welcomes the economic update by Canada's Minister of Finance. The federation is satisfied with the measures to help Canadian companies.

[Manufacturing Sector, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I invite hon. members to consider what has been done. If they looked at the plan introduced today by the Government of Quebec, through the premier and the economic development minister, they would see that it includes provisions to expedite the elimination of the tax on capital in Quebec. Which government first gave the provinces tax incentives in the 2007 budget, so that they could do this? We did. That is action.

[Manufacturing Sector, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, if the Bloc Québécois could agree to work with us, we would be able to implement the measures we proposed in the economic statement immediately, particularly those measures that will reduce the tax burden for individual Quebeckers and for businesses in Quebec. The Bloc members have opted to leave $12 billion on the table.

[Manufacturing Sector, November 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I must remind the member from Rivière-du-Nord that in our economic statement, this government clearly indicated its intention to support and assist not only the manufacturing sector, but also the forestry sector.

Need I remind my hon. colleagues that in our economic statement, we brought in some very specific tax measures to accomplish exactly that? And what is the Bloc Québécois doing? The Bloc Québécois continues to categorically oppose those measures.

[Airline Security, November 22nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada did respond to the United States and we urged the U.S. to exempt all Canadian overflights.

In our official comments to the U.S. government we stressed the need to measure threat and risk, recognize existing security initiatives such as passenger protection, and we have stressed the value of privacy and individual rights.

There are excellent security grounds for the proposed security flight program to exempt all flights to and from and within Canada that overfly the United States. In fact, the U.S. already exempts more than 75% of domestic flights from Canada that overfly the United States.

[Canada Post, November 20th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but I did not hear the end of the hon. member's question.

Nonetheless, I believe she is concerned about the fact that we have to continue to support Canada Post in its efforts to maintain rural service. That is something this House and the government support. We will continue to support Canada Post in its service delivery.