Mark Warawa

[Food For Famine Society, October 17th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the House and all Canadians that in my riding of Langley, British Columbia, there is an exciting event happening as a result of yesterday's United Nations World Food Day.

At Langley Secondary School students are hearing about the plight of children in many parts of the world, such as the Horn of Africa. Tragically, children are dying every day due to extreme malnutrition.

A Langley organization, the Food for Famine Society, in partnership with World Vision Canada, is challenging secondary students and the community to raise awareness and to raise funds so that the Food for Famine Society can produce and provide ready-to-use therapeutic food free of charge to the starving children.

This is a great example of how Canadians of all walks of life are making a wonderful difference in our world. Way to go, Langley.

[Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act, October 5th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it is good to be reminded of good things as well as the low tax programs of the government.

Has the member ever seen a time when the NDP or the Liberal Party have not wanted to have tax increases?

If we look at the GST, when a Liberal member said that we should do something for the people who are struggling with their finances our government promised to lower the GST from 7% to 6% to 5%.

I would ask the member about the history of the NDP. Did the NDP support it? Did the Liberals support it? Has there ever been a tax they did not want to increase?

[Petitions, September 28th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present a petition for a number of residents in my riding of Langley.

There are a number of severe, potentially life-threatening conditions that do not qualify for disability programs because they are not necessarily permanent or because of waiting lists for surgeries, which lengthen the recovery time.

The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to adopt legislation to provide additional medical EI benefits for people who find themselves in such conditions, benefits at least equal to maternity EI benefits.

[Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act, June 25th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it is a continuing pattern of that member interrupting so that he can make a statement and be involved in debate. It is inappropriate. It shows disrespect to Parliament and it should not continue.

[Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act, June 25th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about email messages. I received a phone call from a local businessman who has an art gallery. Unfortunately, as a result of the union action and the NDP action, the flyers for a great event at the art gallery could not go out. The businessman expressed his concern, as did many others.

The longer the NDP delay this process with their filibuster--all Canadians are quite disgusted by the filibuster going on here--and the more the NDP speak on it, the more Canadians realize that the NDP have ideologies that are basically self-serving and serving their union leaders instead of Canadians.

Why do the NDP disrespect Canadians so much, after they were elected?

[Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act, June 24th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to the member's speech.

As the member well knows, our government is concerned about the effect that the Canada Post work stoppage is having on the Canadian economy and the economic recovery.

A number of emails and BlackBerry messages have been shared. I have had numerous messages, but I think it is important that I share this one with the member and would ask for her response.

This is from a constituent who owns and operates two helicopter companies, and therefore pays corporate taxes as well as personal taxes. She asks me to speak on her behalf in Parliament with regard to the current postal strike. She wants them sent back to work, as this is seriously affecting her business in terms of receiving payments from her customers and sending payments to her vendors. She should not have to incur more costs to do business, like paying FedEx or Greyhound bills, just to be able to keep operating.

Why is the NDP trying to block the process of back to work legislation? They are basically closing the doors on this opportunity. Why are they doing that and hurting the Canadian economy? Why are they disrespecting the majority of Canadians who want this settled?

[Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act, June 24th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, just days ago we had a promise from members opposite that decorum would be returned to this House. As my colleague was trying to answer questions, there was a great degree of heckling from the other side. That is not what was promised, so we need the return of decorum in this House.

[Resumption and Continuation of Postal Services Legislation, June 23rd, 2011]

Madam Speaker, I listened intently to the member across the way.

It was about half an hour ago that members of the NDP were praising Copenhagen. I have to give the NDP credit for being consistent. Those members have consistently, over the year, tried to do things that would not be good for the economy and would increase taxes for Canadians.

I think of the Liberals. Back in 2007 they wanted to have a carbon tax. In 2008 they praised the carbon tax. In 2009 they wanted a carbon tax, and again in 2010. We have heard from the NDP today that it would like to have a carbon tax similar to what Copenhagen has.

Those members are not happy with the gas prices now. Do they want them higher? Does the Liberal Party still want to have higher taxes for Canadians?

[Hockey, June 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, for four decades, British Columbians have rested their hopes in their hockey heroes.

In 1982 it was King Richard and Stan Smyl, led by Roger Neilsen and his white towel. We knew they would never surrender.

In 1994 it was Trevor, Kirk and Pavel taking us to game 7. We had never been so close.

Last year during the Olympics we saw what winning hockey gold could do for Canada.

Vancouver has waited since 1915 to see hockey's holy grail come back to the west coast.

I know what I will be doing tonight; I will be watching the hockey game.

We are all Canucks. Go, Canucks, go!

[March 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, what the member neglects to share is this government sent a delegation of Canadians to Copenhagen and Cancun, and Liberals were part of that delegation. Were they constructive in working for the interests of Canada and global greenhouse gas emission reductions? No. They were out protesting. When they were not protesting, they were leaving these very important conventions early. It was this government that worked hard, with our international partners, to draft the new Copenhagen accord.

We are getting it done. Emission levels are already going down and we are committed to continue. We will be focusing on the major emitters, the transportation sector and helping homes become more efficient. We are getting it done.