Marc Garneau

[McGill University, October 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of having great universities in my riding. Today I rise to salute one of them: McGill University.

McGill University was recently named one of the world's top 25 universities by the prestigious Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings. McGill ranked 18th in the world for 2009 and was the top public university in North America and the top Canadian university. McGill is also the only Canadian university to have been in the top 25 for six years running.

McGill's life sciences program is ranked 10th in the world. From William Osler to Wilder Penfield to Brenda Milner, McGill's contributions to medical science are legion.

I would like to congratulate the principal and vice-chancellor of McGill, Professor Heather Munroe-Blum, and all the world-class academic staff, outstanding students and alumni for this truly remarkable achievement and prestigious recognition.

[The Conservatives, October 2nd, 2009]

No, Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives do not deserve the confidence of Canadians.

They have turned their economic stimulus program into a vehicle for cronyism that is as bad as it was in the darkest, bluest days of the old régime before the Quiet Revolution.

On their watch, the condition of the road in front of one's is once again directly related to whether one voted for the right party during the last election.

In Quebec, Conservative ridings are getting almost three times more infrastructure funding than other ridings.

This kind of cheap cronyism no longer belongs in Quebec. We thought that we had seen the last of it 50 years ago, but half a century later, the Conservatives are reviving all the old skulduggery.

We knew that the Conservatives' social values were outdated by a century or two, but now it is clear that their political values are just as archaic.

[Science and Technology, September 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, there may be a pattern here.

Yesterday we heard that the office of the Minister of State for Science and Technology suggested to officials at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council that its future funding was at risk if it did not agree to a second funding review of a conference on the Middle East.

I want to be very clear that I am not questioning the second review; I am questioning the use of pressure tactics by one of the minister's officials against an arm's-length academic research council.

Why is the minister intimidating public officials by threatening to cut their budgets?

[Industry, September 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask about the government's intimidation tactics when dealing with private and public institutions.

Last December during Hanukkah celebrations, an aide to the Minister of Industry tried to block our leader from attending a non-partisan event at a Jewish school for disabled children in Toronto. When this became public, the government said it was taking the issue very seriously, but it would not provide details.

Could the minister provide those details today, or are we to infer that his office did in fact interfere?

[Yom Kippur, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, today the Jewish community in Canada and around the world is celebrating the most important holiday of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.

It is a day set aside for atonement, a day when those of Jewish descent refrain from work, fast and attend synagogue. They come together to remember the year that has passed and to reflect on the year that is to come.

The traditions of Yom Kippur have been celebrated by Jewish Canadians for generations. It is an occasion that has enriched Canada's diversity and given pause to all Canadians to reflect upon the remarkable contributions that the Jewish community has made and continues to make to the Canadian mosaic, to its social, cultural and economic fabric.

On behalf of all Liberals, I extend my warmest wishes to all Jewish Canadians celebrating Yom Kippur today. May good health and happiness be theirs in the year ahead and always.

[Nortel, September 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I was referring to the minister's decision with respect to the wireless assets of Nortel.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Industry dismissed the possibility of reviewing whether the sale of Nortel's wireless assets was in Canada's best interests. Even though the price paid was well above $1 billion Canadian, he maintained that the actual value was no more than $182 million, and that it would therefore not be necessary to review the transaction.

Even though the stakes are high and it would only be prudent, the minister simply said no.

Is this a good way to protect Canadian interests?

[Nortel, September 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, the second auction of Nortel assets earlier this week dealt with its Enterprise business and the winning bid from a U.S. firm was for about $1 billion Canadian.

I was informed on Wednesday that the winner had notified the Canadian government that it was fully aware its purchase was subject to review under the Investment Canada Act because of its size and that it was ready for it. I am glad that that U.S. company is fully aware of how it works.

I would like to ask the minister one more time why he does not realize how it works.

[Industry, September 17th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the prosperity of Canada depends on the knowledge economy. We all know that the knowledge economy hinges on intellectual property. It is the core and heart of the issue. When there is a possibility that this property could leave the country, we must ensure that there is a net benefit to Canada once its value reaches a certain threshold. The consequences are dire. It is a question of prudence. The sale of Nortel wireless assets is an example of this.

Do the Conservatives understand what is at stake here?

[Industry, September 17th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, Liberals welcome foreign investment. As I said a while back, if we play in the big leagues, we follow the rules and we do not step in unless it is necessary. However, sometimes there are good reasons to fight for Canadian interests and the government cannot be trusted to do that.

Nortel's wireless assets drew three large international bidders and the winning bid was over $1 billion. That says something about the value of those assets.

Why is the minister refusing to review the sale, using the flimsy excuse that the assets are only worth $149 million? Given the stakes, every other country would certainly have called for a review.

[The Internet, June 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Conservatives for this invitation, but I am not sure about the member's answer, so I will repeat my question.

In a free and open democracy in the 21st century, in an innovative and progressive knowledge economy, no tool is more paramount than the Internet. The Internet is the backbone of today's free flow of ideas and sharing. My party, the Liberal Party, supports the principle of an open and competitive Internet environment.

Do the Conservatives support the principle of net neutrality?