House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 59% of the vote.
Furniture Industry December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, it appears my hon. colleague has not read the latest budget we tabled in the House. We reduced taxes and income taxes for all Canadians and for businesses to help them become more competitive.
I am currently in talks with the textile industry.
This government cares about the textile industry and will see what it can do to help in the near future.
Government Programs December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the community access program is sunsetting on December 31. Right now we are working on that. I can assure the member that all communities will have access to the Internet and to broadband.
Telecommunications Industry December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, here is what Jim Shaw of Shaw Communications had to say about the reform we are putting forward.
We agree entirely with [the Minister of Industry] that the interest of consumers must come first.
That is what we are doing for Canadians. They are going to benefit from more competition, lower prices and better services.
Telecommunications Industry December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, we know this. I read what the president of Cogeco said yesterday and I would like to quote him. “Thanks to the low operating costs of its Internet phone service, Cogeco will be able to compete with the old monopolies in the event of a price war”.
Cogeco and all other businesses in the telecommunications industry are ready to face the competition and even engage in a price war, which, in the end, would benefit consumers.
Telecommunications Industry December 12th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I am again going to say the same thing. It is very clear that what we want to do is give Canadians the freedom of choice. That is most important. We believe that individuals should be able to choose the services they want at the price they want. We will not touch the rural and remote areas in this country.
Telecommunications Industry December 12th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise here today to explain to my hon. colleague what happened yesterday.
The government made a proposal yesterday that would allow all Canadians to benefit from competitive telephone services. It is not right that Canadians cannot benefit from competitive prices in 2006, and the reform we are currently proposing to Parliament is a pro-consumer reform.
We believe that consumers will benefit from increased competition, with no negative effect on the industry in Canada's remote areas.
Telecommunications Industry December 12th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we presented a proposal for reform so that all Canadians might benefit from competition. In cities where competition exists, it is not normal for a government body to be setting rates.
Accordingly, the market will now set the rates. Consumers will benefit from competitive prices, better service and, in the end, the telecommunications industry will provide services that meet consumer needs.
Telecommunications Industry December 12th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the question is clear, and the response will be equally so. In the document we released yesterday, this government has no intention of changing any of the regulations in Canada's outlying regions. The status quo will remain, and the regions will enjoy reasonable and competitive rates.
Competition Act December 7th, 2006
moved for leave to introduce C-41, An Act to amend the Competition Act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Community Access Program November 27th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, it is strange that my opposition colleague should ask the question now, given that the program ended in September. The previous government decided to abolish this program. We brought it back, ensuring that it would be available for Canadians in the future.