Mr. Speaker, I just want to let the hon. member know what my colleague, the Minister of International Trade, said. He said that the policy the Liberals had before was knee-jerk politics of the worst kind. That is what he said.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 59% of the vote.
Manufacturing Industry May 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I just want to let the hon. member know what my colleague, the Minister of International Trade, said. He said that the policy the Liberals had before was knee-jerk politics of the worst kind. That is what he said.
Corporate Takeovers May 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised at that kind of question because the hon. member must know about the Investment Canada Act.
Under section 20 of the Investment Canada Act, when there is a foreign investment or a foreign takeover in this country, this is what we look at to be sure there are net benefits for Canadians: we look at the effect on economic activity, the effect on competition, the participation by Canadians, the effect on research and development, and also the effect on all the industrial base in this country.
Each time we have a foreign investment, it must be good for Canada.
Manufacturing Industry May 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the measure my hon. colleague is referring to will cost taxpayers $1.3 billion over three years. If she believes this is nothing, I suggest she take an economics course.
It is important to mention that the unemployment rate in Quebec decreased by 1.2% in April and is now at its lowest level ever. That is what Conservative measures have done.
Manufacturing Industry May 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, this government's approach is to help the industry. We are taking steps to help manufacturers, and our actions are in line with what the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology hoped to see us do for manufacturers. In fact, yesterday, Perrin Beatty had this to say about the government's response to the committee's unanimous report: “The government's response to the recommendations...show that it is listening to Canadian manufacturers, and delivering for them at a time when manufacturers need it most”. The opposite is true of the Liberals and the NDP, who voted against the budget, against progressive measures for manufacturers.
Manufacturing Industry May 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, what we are doing is simple: we are putting money back in the pockets of Canadian entrepreneurs and manufacturing industries. We are also reducing taxes and making sure there is a competitive environment for these industries. We believe that manufacturers create jobs. That is what the Canadian manufacturers federation is telling us and what all Canadians are telling us.
The most important thing to remember is that we have policies that are producing real results. Why? Because the unemployment rate here in Canada is at its lowest level in 30 years.
Manufacturing Industry May 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I have a press release in my hand from the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition. It said today that this government has acknowledged that manufacturing is the core driver of our economy with its commitment to follow up on practically every recommendation that the industry committee made.
The good news is that today I announced at a press conference that this government will follow all the recommendations that the industry committee gave us at the beginning of February.
Telcommunications May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that this government does have the interests of rural areas at heart, contrary to what she just said.
Why? In our plan, only major urban centres will be deregulated in the near future. The status quo is in effect for rural centres and remote areas of Canada. We believe that these regions must have competitive rates. We did not deregulate these regions because there is no competition in these regions at present.
Corporate Takeovers May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, we will listen to the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada. It said today that the intake and economic productivity is all together. It is saying that the sponsorship scandal by the former government was very disturbing to our economy.
That is why we have legislation that is accountable and transparent. We do not have any scandal in this government.
I want to add it is why Canadians said to the former government that it was time to change. We have changed the policy here--
Corporate Takeovers May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am very surprised that the member opposite did not read the budget. It was in the budget. We said in the budget a couple of weeks ago that we are going set up a competition panel to review all the competition policy in this country. So I am very surprised at this question.
We have the Investment Canada Act and we will respect the act.
Corporate Takeovers May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised at the NDP leader's question about acquisitions by foreign interests here in Canada. Let us talk about the automobile industry. Everyone is concerned about the future of the auto industry. Nevertheless, there has been a lot of foreign investment in that industry, and the NDP did not oppose those investments. We now have a law in Canada, the Investment Canada Act, which ensures that Canadians benefit from foreign investment. That law will be respected.