Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet

[Housing, October 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the worst part is that the minister is acting as though he really cared about first nations.

In 2009, the entire program supported 620,000 households at a cost of $1.7 billion. After cutting $100 million, the government still has not decided whether to renew its social housing agreements. That will affect more than 200,000 households.

Will the government protect its operating agreements and prevent the loss of social housing, or will it once again ignore the needs of the most disadvantaged?

[Housing, October 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, let us continue with the topic of underfunded programs. Today, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities asked the Conservatives to do something about the lack of rental housing in Canada. More than 1.5 million families are in dire need of housing, but the government is refusing to renew the agreements between social housing agencies and CMHC.

Will the Conservatives start listening to the NDP and the FCM, implement a housing strategy, and renew the agreements?

[Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 2, October 24th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the members for Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord and Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques have demonstrated that labour-sponsored funds support SMEs. As my colleague pointed out, SMEs are strong economic engines.

The Conservatives are creating obstacles for small and medium-sized businesses by undermining these funds.

Does my colleague think that the Conservatives are truly good economic managers, as they claim to be, or is this simply a charade?

[Rail Transportation, October 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the rail transportation of oil has not just doubled or tripled; it has multiplied by 280, but the rules have never been changed.

The Lac-Mégantic tragedy reminded the government that it was asleep at the switch. The accident that occurred in Alberta over the weekend is yet another reminder of the urgent need to act, but practical measures have still not been taken. DOT-111 railcars are still being used and there is still no plan to phase them out. We need more inspections and better regulations to keep people safe.

When will this be done?

[Canadian Economy, October 17th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the second answer did not answer my question either. I was not talking about affordable housing or that program. I was talking about the long-term agreements that CMHC signed between the 1970s and 1990s that are now expiring. That is not at all the same thing.

Could the member please answer my question this time?

[Canadian Economy, October 17th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the answer I got to my previous question had nothing to do with the question I asked. I will try again.

I mentioned the long-term agreements between CMHC and groups—for example, co-operatives—that will be expiring soon. The government has not yet renewed these agreements. As I was saying, groups of people could end up on the street very soon.

I would like to know why the Conservatives have no plan to fix this problem.

[Canadian Economy, October 17th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I listened to the throne speech. I have spoken to the minister about the end of the long-term agreements between CMHC and groups like co-operatives many times. Many of these agreements are expiring soon. People could end up on the street if the agreements are not renewed. There is absolutely nothing about this in the throne speech. There is not much about housing in general. What will be done for these people? Why is there nothing in the throne speech about this?

[Pensions, June 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Prince Edward Island just proposed an action plan to improve pension plans. However, the Minister of Finance does not seem interested in hearing about it. He could not even bother to free up a few hours to hold a meeting he promised six months ago to move forward with reform of CPP and QPP.

Instead of going to a photo op at the Guinness museum in Dublin, why did the minister not take some time to meet with his provincial counterparts?

[Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act, June 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would point out to my hon. colleague that an increasingly large proportion of contraband tobacco is coming in from other countries, but maybe he already knows that.

Was that taken into consideration in the drafting of this bill? If so, exactly which clauses refer to that fact?

[Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act, June 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues.

I would like to ask my colleague's opinion on the fact that we are members elected by the people. We are here to legislate. We were elected as legislators, but the last word goes to the other chamber, the Senate, which was not elected but can make the final decisions.

This bill, which would amend the Criminal Code, comes from the unelected other place.

What does he think of that?