Parm Gill

[Veterans Affairs, October 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government has a strong record when it comes to providing the benefits and the services for Canada's veterans. We have created more than 600 points of service access for our veterans. We have doubled the funeral burial services benefit. We will continue to stand up for Canada's veterans. It is the NDP and the Liberals who have voted against virtually every single benefit we have brought forward to help our veterans. I would encourage them to support the government and support Canada's veterans.

[Veterans Affairs, October 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government has made substantial investments to support Canada's veterans, including almost $5 billion in new additional dollars since taking office.

This funding has been put toward improved financial benefits, world-class rehabilitation, and tuition costs to help veterans transition to civilian life. While our government is making improvements in veterans' benefits, it is the Liberals and the NDP who are voting against new funding for mental health treatment, financial support and home care services, such as lawn cutting, snow shovelling, and cleaning homes.

[Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, October 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, this coming Sunday, people around the world will be celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.

Diwali is the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life.

Bandi Chhor Divas commemorates the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji , from prison and his subsequent arrival in Amritsar during the Diwali festival.

It is a time of great joy, celebration, and light. It is when the whole family and friends get together to enjoy wonderful food, company, and fireworks.

As we all gather with our families and friends to celebrate, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to wish everyone celebrating around the world a very happy, healthy, and prosperous Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.

[Veterans Affairs, October 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for Northumberland—Quinte West for his hard work for Canadian veterans.

In fact, according to the Veterans Ombudsman, a 24-year corporal who is medically released from the military will now receive upwards of $2 million in total financial benefits because of improvements our government has made. What is more, a veteran who is injured in the line of duty will now have up to $75,000 for university or college tuition for retraining and certification programs.

Our government is focused on helping veterans transition to civilian life, and we will continue to do that.

[Eid al-Adha, October 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish Muslims around the world a happy Eid-al Adha. Eid-al Adha is about sacrifices.

This week I had the pleasure of attending a marvellous celebration of Eid on the Hill. Members of the Muslim community travelled a great distance to attend the celebration on the Hill, including members from my own riding of Brampton—Springdale.

Canadian Muslims continue to make an incredible contribution toward our great nation. I often meet with Muslim businessmen, women, faith leaders, and hard-working families who play a vital role. Individuals such as Kamran Ali, Aqeel Akram, Tahir Khan and Safdar Hussain constantly go out of their way to help others. One of the wonderful initiatives they have taken on is to provide aid to the less fortunate in the region of Peel by helping pay for funeral and burial services.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to wish Muslims around the world a happy Eid Mubarak.

[Veterans Affairs, October 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, there are now 600 additional points of service across the country available to Canadian veterans. A critically injured veteran no longer has to drive to a district office. Our government now sends a registered nurse or case manager to visit them in the comfort of their own homes.

[Veterans Affairs, October 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government has made substantial investments to support Canada's veterans, including almost $5 billion in new, additional dollars since taking office. This funding has been put toward improved financial benefits, world-class rehabilitation and tuition costs to help veterans transition into civilian life.

While our government is making improvements to veterans benefits, Liberals and the NDP have voted against new funding for mental health treatment, financial support and home care services.

[Veterans, October 17th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian veterans who are injured in the service of Canada do not drive to visit government offices. We meet them at a place of their choosing. Canadian veterans need a nurse in the privacy of their own home or a doctor in the privacy of their own doctor's office. Only the opposition is calling for veterans to drive to a district office in the first place. We on this side of the House are working to make life easier for veterans while respecting their privacy.

[Human Rights, June 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a tolerant and accepting nation, but the one thing that must never be tolerated is religious and cultural discrimination.

The decision by the Quebec Soccer Federation to ban Sikh kids from taking part in soccer for wearing a turban is outrageous and contrary to the values of equality that our nation holds dear.

Directly because of this ban, over 200 Sikh kids are banned from playing organized soccer in Quebec.

The Canadian Soccer Association has suspended the Quebec Soccer Federation from all national games because of this ban.

I applaud those who have voiced their opposition to this unfair and offensive policy in the interest of fairness and equality, including the Dollard Soccer Club, the Pierrefonds Soccer Association, and the under-14 Brossard soccer team.

I would like to call upon all of my hon. colleagues to join with me in condemning this discriminatory policy by the Quebec Soccer Federation.

[Canada Revenue Agency, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP is not on the side of Canadian taxpayers. The New Democrats advocate higher taxes for hard-working families and allow MPs to sit in their caucus despite tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes. In spite of this total lack of credibility, left-wing groups with ties to the NDP suggest that Canada will resist efforts to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance at the upcoming G8 meeting.

Could the Minister of National Revenue please set the record straight and clearly state our government's position ahead of next week's G8 meeting?