Parm Gill

[Veterans Affairs, October 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action.

First and foremost, I would like to thank that member and all opposition members for working in a very non-partisan way to come up with a unanimous report. Let us not forget all sides agree that the new veterans charter is a great foundation upon which Canadian veterans can be supported, while the benefits and investments for veterans are being increased by more than $4.7 billion since 2006. Our government agrees with the vast majority of the recommendations, both in spirit and intent.

[Veterans Affairs, October 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government has a strong record when it comes to supporting Canada's veterans, our men and women in uniform, unlike the Liberals' decades of darkness.

Let me read a quote from the Conference of Defence Associations, which represents 51 associations across Canada. It says it, “is very pleased that action will be taken, in the first stage, to immediately address important issues affecting Veterans who are seriously ill or critically injured, and their families”.

[Veterans Affairs, October 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the member opposite to put those political games aside. As I just noted, the government agrees with the vast majority of the committee's recommendations.

Because of the leadership of our Prime Minister, our government will continue to build upon our strong record of new investment to support Canada's veterans.

We have invested almost $5 billion in additional dollars since taking office. It is the NDP and the Liberal Party that have voted against virtually every mission that we have been brought forward.

[Veterans Affairs, October 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the member and the opposition parties for working in a non-partisan fashion to produce a unanimous report.

Let us not forget that all sides agree that the new veterans charter is a great foundation upon which we can support Canadian veterans.

While benefits and investments in veterans' well-being have increased by more than $4.7 billion since 2006, our government agrees with the spirit and intent of the vast majority of the committee's recommendations.

[Veterans Affairs, September 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Equitas lawsuit wants to throw out the new veterans charter completely, which is not something that a single reputable veterans group has called for. Furthermore, these costs reflect employee salaries of the Department of Justice spread across all departments.

I would encourage the member opposite and the Liberal Party to stop playing politics when it comes to Canada's veterans and to start supporting the initiatives put forward by our government.

[Veterans Affairs, June 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Wild Rose for the question and his hard work on this file.

Indeed, the average monthly financial benefit that an injured veteran may be eligible for is between $4,000 to $6,000 a month, and in some cases injured veterans are receiving a total income that exceeds $10,000 a month.

Our government is committed to ensuring that our injured veterans and their families have the support they need and deserve. Unfortunately, the members opposite have voted against virtually every single initiative that our government has brought forward to help Canada's veterans.

[Criminal Organization Recruitment of Youth, June 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today with great pride to announce that my bill, Bill C-394, which will help protect our youth being targeted by gangs, received royal assent yesterday and has now become law.

This new law allows the law enforcement officials to combat the rapid growth of street gangs across our country. Criminals who seek to recruit innocent Canadians into gangs will now face jail time of up to five years.

I am overwhelmed by the support this bill has received from Canadians across our great nation.

We all know it is not very often we see a private member's bill pass and become law. Since 1910, only approximately 250 private members' bills have been passed, and I am truly honoured that my bill has received such wonderful support.

As a proud father of three children, I am overwhelmed by the passage of this legislation, and to know that this bill will protect our children and punish those who seek to harm them by bringing them into a life of crime.

[Criminal Organization Recruitment of Youth, June 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today with great pride to announce that my bill, Bill C-394, which would protect our youth being targeted by gangs, has passed its final reading in the Senate and will receive royal assent tomorrow.

This legislation would allow law enforcement officials to combat the rapid growth of street gangs across our country.

The bill would also make it a criminal offence for the recruitment or solicitation of individuals into criminal organizations.

The bill would introduce jail time of up to five years and a mandatory minimum jail time of up to six months for those who recruit youth under the age of 18; youth, our most innocent and vulnerable citizens, who are being coerced and at times forced to embark on a life that no Canadian should ever experience.

As a proud father of three children, I am overwhelmed by the passage of this legislation and knowing that the bill would protect our children and punish those who seek to harm our children by bringing them into a life of crime.

[Arts and Culture, June 17th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, on July 1, the audiovisual coproduction agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of India will come into force. It will allow producers and creators to combine their resources and expertise to develop audiovisual co-production projects contributing to the economies of both countries.

Canada takes pride in being a world leader in audiovisual treaty co-production. In the past 50 years, Canada has signed audiovisual co-production treaties with 53 countries.

In the past 10 years alone, Canada has produced close to 681 audiovisual co-productions, with total production budgets of close to $5 billion.

In 2012-13, Canada's audiovisual sector generated almost $6 billion to the Canadian economy and created approximately 130,000 jobs.

As always, this government strives to promote jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. Canadians are disappointed that the anti-trade and pro-carbon tax NDP cannot say the same.

[Veterans Affairs, June 9th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I was honoured to return to the shores of France alongside our Prime Minister, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Minister of National Defence, and other parliamentarians to express our endless gratitude and to pledge that we will never forget those who served.

It was a great privilege and humbling experience to stand alongside almost 100 veterans of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy on Juno Beach to honour those who served and to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Lest we forget.