Nycole Turmel

[Pensions, February 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives remain vague about their proposal to overhaul old age security. People are really worried because the government is refusing to answer the question and to be specific.

I will ask a specific question. Will the Conservatives change the eligibility age for old age security? Will the age increase from 65 to 67, yes or no?

[Foreign Affairs, February 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians were disappointed when the UN Security Council failed to deal with the crisis in Syria after a veto from Russia and China.

Will the Prime Minister raise this issue in China? What pressure will he exert? In the meantime, the United States has closed its embassy in Damascus and pulled American diplomats out of Syria. Will Canada also recall its ambassador?

[Pensions, February 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, what Senator Boisvenu said does not make any sense. This is just another reason to abolish the Senate.

On another topic, the Prime Minister has been beating around the bush for two days. Is he going to cut old age security benefits or not? Will people have to wait until they are 67 or not? We want an answer.

[La justice, February 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, that is not good enough. What Senator Boisvenu did is against the law: we cannot call on people to kill themselves. This is clear. The death penalty debate has been closed in Canada for decades. Why are the Conservatives reopening old debates?

[La justice, February 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is against the law to counsel or encourage someone to commit suicide. That is precisely what Conservative Senator Boisvenu has done by saying that there should be ropes available in every jail cell.

Does the Prime Minister support his senator's comments? If not, what does he plan on doing about this?

[Pensions, January 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister surprised everyone, including government experts, by targeting the old age security benefit. A report commissioned by this government shows that Canada is not facing a crisis related to the funding of public pension plans. I am referring to the Whitehouse report. I would advise the Prime Minister to read it.

Why does the Prime Minister want to reduce the deficit at the expense of the retirees of today and tomorrow?

[Pensions, January 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, seniors are worried about their future, but they are also worried about the future of their children and their grandchildren. Yes, they will not retire for a long time. We know that. However, today seniors know too well how difficult it can be to make ends meet. Our seniors have worked hard to give a better life for future generations.

Why is the Prime Minister going to make it harder for them by cutting the OAS?

[Aboriginal Affairs, January 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I just met with National Chief Shawn Atleo as a follow-up to the crown-first nations gathering held exactly one week ago.

Could the Prime Minister inform the House of the specific steps his government will take to honour commitments made to first nations last week? Would he provide us a timeline for implementation of those commitments? Also, will there be action in the upcoming budget for first nations?

[Government Programs, January 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think that answered my question.

We know full well that the next budget will be about choices. The government could choose to help seniors and strengthen the pension system, but instead, it will continue to give big companies tax cuts. Billions of dollars have been and will be spent on megaprisons and F-35s that do not work, and seniors will end up footing the bill. That shows a real lack of respect for our seniors who have given so much to Canadians.

Seniors want to know why this government is putting them on the chopping block first. Why make that choice?

[Government Programs, January 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister went to Switzerland to tell a millionaires' club that the Conservatives are planning to slash old age security benefits. That is offensive and insulting to seniors. Rather than tackling poverty among seniors, the Conservatives are attacking seniors themselves.

Why does the Prime Minister want to cut old age security benefits? Why?