House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 23% of the vote.
International Mother Language Day Act February 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, a report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the Conflict of Interest Act was presented.
I rose to ask to present the official opposition's dissenting report and I was not recognized. Therefore, I am asking for your consent to do so right now.
Rail Transportation January 31st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the railway is vital for the economic development of the Pontiac RCM. Nonetheless, CN has started lifting the tracks. It took an injunction to force CN to keep the line intact. The community's concerns are clear.
Will the Minister of Transport finally intervene in order to find a solution, listen to the community and guarantee the future of this section of rail line, and especially the economic future of the region?
Employment January 31st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, my riding of Pontiac has been abandoned by the Conservative government. Just think of the forestry industry, which has received no assistance; employment insurance reform, which has impoverished seasonal workers; the appeals to the municipal infrastructure fund, which have been turned down; the cuts to the public service, which are making families insecure; the protection of lakes and rivers, which has been sabotaged; the recent cuts to Canada Post; and the list goes on, Mr. Speaker.
My constituents are proud people and are not asking for charity. They just want to work. What is the federal government doing to stimulate my region's economy? Nothing. It would rather spend $14 million on bogus advertising to justify its lack of action. The NDP has a real jobs plan. We will provide tax breaks to businesses and create jobs by modernizing infrastructure. In Pontiac, jobs are disappearing and wages are declining. We need solid leadership, and that is what the NDP's job creation plan offers to all Canadians.
Public Service of Canada January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, a witch hunt is not fairness.
The reality is that intimidation is going on within federal departments. This intimidation needs to stop right away, and the President of the Treasury Board needs to rein in his managers.
Shop stewards in the federal public service are being subjected to a fear campaign. We know about the Conservatives's anti-union stance, so we can imagine where the directive came from. These intimidation tactics do not belong in the workplace.
Will the President of the Treasury Board issue a directive to his managers and protect the right of free speech of our public servants?
Public Service of Canada January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, time and again we have seen the government's lack of respect for public service employees. Now the Conservatives are turning to a fear campaign. The Conservative government is trying to clamp down on whistleblowers. Public service representatives are reporting intimidation and monitoring. This is simply unacceptable.
Will the minister condemn these practices, rein in his managers and protect the right of free speech of our public service employees?
Questions on the Order Paper January 27th, 2014
With regard to pensioners’ contributions to the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) for retired public servants: (a) does the government intend to double or increase plan premiums; (b) is it accurate to say that PSHCP contribution rates (as a percentage for the pensioner and the government) are the result of an agreement between these two parties and, if so (i) when was this decision made, (ii) what is the rationale for this possible increase, (iii) how will the government go about implementing it; (c) what real savings will result from this premium increase; and (d) have studies been carried out in this regard, (ii) what were the findings?
Government Advertising January 27th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about taxpayer money.
It is completely ridiculous. The Conservatives are running ads to promote programs that do not even exist. Advertising Standards Canada has indicated that these ads constitute false advertising. The Conservatives have not put a single penny into TV advertising to make people aware of the importance of getting the flu shot, for example. Conservative propaganda is more important than public health. Will the Conservatives stop wasting money on improving their image?
Government Advertising January 27th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, how much of our money is the current government going to waste? That is the question that people in my riding are asking. They are sick of seeing these non-stop economic action plan ads on TV. Yet, the Conservatives keep spending our money on them. The $10 million that was budgeted to brag about it was not enough. They blew that budget, spending $14.8 million of taxpayer money on blatant self-promotion. When is it going to stop?
Ethics December 10th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this morning we witnessed a travesty of democracy: another Conservative attempt to cover up for a scandal-plagued Prime Minister. Our ethics committee is considering an NDP motion to study Ben Perrin's infamous disappearing emails. Conservatives once argued for open government, but now they prefer to debate in the shadows, away from the public view.
This morning, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister led the effort to make sure that the Conservatives can continue to keep Canadians in the dark.
The Conservatives' contempt for democracy and transparency continues to grow. They misled the House and Canadians. They made Parliament into a circus with their stories about pizza. They applauded the Prime Minister when he washed his hands of a crime committed in his own office by his own staff.
As time goes by, Canadians are realizing more and more that they deserve better than a government that is constantly wheeling and dealing. They deserve an alternative to the old party that is jaded by power and has lost its principles in an effort to hold on to that power. The alternative is the NDP.
Supplementary Estimates (B), 2013-14 December 9th, 2013
Mr. Chair, I would like the President of the Treasury Board to confirm to the House that the bill is in its usual form.
(On clause 2)