Mike Allen

[Committees of the House, December 7th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the hearings that we held on NAFO were interesting. There were many tremendous witnesses on both sides and I thought they gave some very compelling arguments. When Phillip Saunders, dean of law at Dalhousie University, was talking about the 200-mile limit, he had a concern. He said:

I've tried to work through the scenarios in which it would become a real problem, and I find they mostly require an awful lot of steps to take place before something really bad could happen. Because the Canadian government holds complete control.

That was stated by a number of other witnesses who came before the committee as well. They said that nobody could come inside those limits unless they are actually invited by the Canadian government. Nobody could think of a scenario, unless someone was talking about science, for example, needing help. Could the member comment on that?

[Disposition of an act to amend the Excise Tax Act, December 7th, 2009]

I hope you're not saying an Allen would tell a lie.

[Disposition of an act to amend the Excise Tax Act, December 7th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I listened to my hon. friend and just about every comment she made was a provincial comment. It was related to details of a bill that is the responsibility of the provincial government of Ontario.

Jack Mintz talked about the savings and creation of 591,000 net new jobs. He talked about exempting educational services, groceries, basic health, prescription drugs and child care. The HST would not be applicable to those.

What I find interesting is that the member is having a debate here in the House of Commons when it is enabling legislation. Does she not think maybe she should be in Toronto arguing the other side of this?

[Petitions, November 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by a number of residents of Tobique—Mactaquac as well as the riding of Fredericton who are asking the government to issue a new Canadian volunteer service medal, called the Governor General's volunteer service medal, for cadets, reserve forces and regular forces who have served since 1947 but who are not eligible for the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for those who served September 1939 to March 1947 or June 1950 to July 1953.

[Economic Recovery Act (Stimulus), November 16th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for at least itemizing a number of things, both for and against, and also for her support for this bill.

I must ask the member, as she was talking about the $400 billion we gave away in tax breaks to profitable business, who does she think takes a tax break but a profitable business? Who does the member think keeps people working in this economy, but profitable businesses?

I want to ask my hon. colleague, does she really believe that the right thing to do is to overtax Canadian businesses, both small and large, so they do not have the capital to hire the people we need working in our economy?

[Justice, October 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we know that organized crime is flourishing with the advancement of modern technology and Canadians also recognize the violence associated with it.

Our government has implemented a comprehensive approach to combatting organized crime and gangs in this country. For two years, we have fought the opposition to pass identity theft legislation that will give police the tools they need to fight this lucrative activity.

I am pleased that our government's Bill S-4 has received royal assent and will soon be the law of the land. Could the Minister of Justice tell the House what this will mean for Canadians?

[Investigative Powers for the 21st Century Act, October 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, at the conclusion of his speech, my colleague talked about modern investigations. One could conclude that Canadians might want to jump to the next conclusion and be concerned about what this might mean for law enforcement. Would law enforcement officials be able to monitor everyone's Internet, email or cell phone use if that happened to be the case?

I know that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans understands how important it is to maintain a proper balance involving public safety, privacy and our rights and liberties.

I was wondering if my colleague could take a moment to comment on that. Does he see that as a concern in the bill if law enforcement is able to monitor everyone's email, Internet and cell phone activity?

[Bill C-311--Climate Change Accountability Act, October 8th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague opposite for his comments and speech. I found his comments regarding a plan quite interesting.

I would like to take him back about 12 years ago to Kyoto. The government of the time went to Kyoto to sign an international agreement on the back of a napkin without a plan. Even when it came to implementation, it did not even know what it was doing.

Then we get to 2006 and we have seen emissions rise that whole time. Therefore, there was absolutely no plan.

I find it a little bit rich to be lectured on the lack of a plan from the Liberals of that time.

The parliamentary secretary gave a long list of initiatives. We talked about transmission, the east-west grid and our renewable plan.

How does the member have any credibility in talking about a plan when the Liberals did not have a plan on Kyoto?

[Bill C-311--Climate Change Accountability Act, October 8th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate our government's tangible actions on the ground to make a difference.

I would like to talk about the electricity grid. I agree with my colleague that it is going to be important for us. Eastern Canada has a tremendous amount of renewable power which, through a proper grid, can be used not only in eastern Canada but also potentially could be exported to other areas, including the U.S. northeast. There are great opportunities.

I was reading an article this morning about the struggle the U.S. is having with its climate change bills in Congress and in the Senate. The real challenge is if the U.S. will be able to get those bills passed. The member for Ottawa South was talking as though this were a no-brainer, but it is not.

Given the challenges and the importance of our working together as an international community, I would ask the member, what folly is in Bill C-311?

[Riding of Tobique—Mactaquac, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the summer presents a good opportunity to visit with our constituents and to participate in many events in our ridings.

This summer I had the opportunity to attend the Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards and Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards ceremony in Moncton.

Paul Hanson of Northampton in Tobique—Mactaquac was honoured as a Caring Canadian for his tremendous service to his community, his church and to veterans, for which he also received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation Award this year.

In addition, Roméo LaFrance was honoured for his long-term service to people with intellectual disabilities in the Grand Falls region.

Allison MacEacheron of McLeod Hill received her Gold Award based on activities that included her community service as a volunteer at the local seniors home.

These awards recognize the unselfish dedication of the people who give of their time to make our communities better places in which to live. What is also heartening is that young people gain a sense of community through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

I congratulate all the recipients and extend my heartfelt thanks to them for making a difference in the lives of others.