Marc Garneau

[Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, October 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to go to the member's riding. It is a beautiful riding. In fact, I caught myself thinking would it not be nice if this might one day become a Liberal riding. I have to admit that went through my head.

However, I want to commend him on his homework. This is a man who obviously has looked at how the agricultural economy of his riding will benefit from this. I congratulate him for being very much aware and he provided many examples of different products that stand a good chance of making it into South Korea, so that is a great thing. He is obviously doing his homework.

Has he had a chance to look at the trans-Pacific partnership and does he see good opportunities coming forward with respect to that potential future trade agreement?

[Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, October 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleague for pointing out that this is so important for Canada's middle class, the opportunity, through this free trade agreement, to grow our exports, our businesses and even to create jobs. We in the Liberal Party have always supported that part of it. We are a pro free trade group.

However, there is an interesting point here to look at. Unfortunately the member had to point out the fact that we started this nine years ago under a Liberal government, and that it actually took nine years, and hopefully we will pass it very soon, for this free trade agreement to occur, our first free trade agreement in Asia.

When other countries like the United States and others start after us, why do they manage to come up with a free trade deal sooner than we do? What is it? Is it that they hustle more than we do? Is it that they want it more than we do? Why has it taken us nine years?

I share the member's concern that when we negotiate for the trans-Pacific partnership, we will behind the eight ball again, unless we change the way we approach free trade deals.

[National Defence, October 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the deputy director of CSIS raised concerns to Parliament about the agency's ability to effectively monitor the 90 people who are currently identified as potential threats to Canadian security. Yesterday, the RCMP commissioner said that if they put all of their resources on the 93 people being tracked they would not be able to do anything else.

Could the minister inform the House whether new measures, new resources have been put in place recently to ensure that we can effectively carry out these important responsibilities?

[National Defence, October 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the deputy director of CSIS raised concerns about the agency's ability to effectively monitor the 93 people who are currently identified as potential threats to Canadian security. Yesterday, the RCMP commissioner also spoke about the lack of resources for carrying out these national security investigations.

Could the minister tell the House what plans are in place to ensure that our security agents have the resources they need to effectively carry out their responsibilities?

[National Defence, October 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago the minister testified at committee that there were 80 individuals known to have returned to Canada after being involved in terrorist activities abroad. Section 83.181 of the Criminal Code, brought in under the Combating Terrorism Act, makes this a criminal offence. Why have they not been charged?

[Health, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the facts are clear. The World Health Organization asked Canada to provide personal protective equipment a full month before the government finally cut off the sale.

Why sell this equipment in the first place? Why the delay in stopping its sale for a month? When will the government get its act together on Ebola?

[Health, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, while Ebola is ravaging West Africa, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States and aid agencies are calling for personal protective equipment for health workers fighting this disease.

Despite this request, the Public Health Agency of Canada auctioned off $1.5 million worth of equipment for $30,000. Why did the government sell this equipment at a discount instead of sending it to the people who desperately need it?

[Public Safety, October 9th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, at the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security meeting, the minister confirmed that the government is aware that 80 individuals have returned from overseas after participating in terrorism-related activities. The minister told us that those individuals pose a threat to our society, that they have broken Canadian law, and that they all should be put behind bars.

What is he waiting for? What exactly is it going to take for those individuals to be put in jail?

[National Defence, October 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister told us that he will re-examine our combat mission in six months to determine whether the Islamic State has been sufficiently degraded. In light of that, I have an important question.

In concrete terms, how does the Prime Minister plan to measure the degradation of the Islamic State to the point where we can say “mission accomplished”?

[Royal 22nd Regiment, October 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal 22nd Regiment, a regiment that has served Canada with pride and great distinction.

I have a very personal connection to the regiment as my father served with them for most of his career, having commanded the 3rd Battalion, and his father Gérard served with the Royal 22nd Battalion, the predecessor to the regiment, during World War I.

The Royal 22nd Regiment has served with distinction in every major Canadian military engagement, including both world wars, Korea, Afghanistan and multiple peacekeeping missions.

Championed by Wilfred Laurier, the Royal 22nd Regiment, a French-speaking regiment, served in many of World War I's major engagements.

I am sure all Canadians join me in paying tribute to the Royal 22nd Regiment, our famous Van Doos.