House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this government was elected on a promise to restore balance to the budget, to continue to build on hope and opportunity and to create jobs. Part of that, of course, is to review the spending of all departments, and that includes our friends at the CBC. We have asked them to participate in this and they have done so in a way that maintains the CBC's ability to reach all Canadians in all parts of the country and perform its mandate in both official languages.
Regional Development October 24th, 2012
I just said, Mr. Speaker, that hosting an international exposition in 2025 is not going to create jobs and opportunity and a lasting legacy in the city of Toronto that is needed today.
Instead, we have incredible members, like the members for Don Valley East and Don Valley West who are working hard for infrastructure, the members for Willowdale and York Centre who are talking about transit. We have the member for Scarborough Centre who has brought important crime legislation to the House. We have the member for Pickering—Scarborough East who has also worked very hard on the Rouge Park, and we have the members for Etobicoke Centre and Etobicoke—Lakeshore who are fighting every single day for jobs and investment in the city of Toronto. That is what we are doing.
Regional Development October 24th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, it is quite clear that these international expositions no longer leave the lasting legacy of job creation and economic growth. Therefore, the investment that would be required of hard-working Canadian taxpayers to support such a project would not be prudent at this time. Instead, the Minister of State (Sport) has been rolling out a $500 million investment in the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, and the Minister of the Environment has undertaken a $130 million new national park in the city of Toronto. This is the only government to realize its $500 million investment in the waterfront.
Canadian Heritage October 22nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, how ironic a question. In the same vein, the member is talking about forgetting about our historic connection to the monarchy.
On this side of the House, we know and understand what Canadians want. They want to talk about the history, the events, the places and the people that have made this country great. Contrast that to the opposition, with separatists sitting in their party making 29 donations to separatist parties. We will never apologize on this side of the House for investing in arts and culture. We will never apologize for doing all of those things and celebrating all of the things that have helped make this the best country in the world in which to live.
I would remind the members why they sit in this place: to defend the best country in the world in which to live and not to talk it down every chance they get.
Canadian Heritage October 22nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we know that investments in the cultural sector are very important to the Canadian economy. That is why we have made historic investments in this sector.
Unfortunately, every time we make these investments—as we did last week, when we invested $25 billion in the new Canadian Museum of History—we know that the NDP will vote against them.
Perhaps if we had a museum of tax and spend and highlighted such classics as an increase in the GST, increase in taxes for families and the ever-unpopular $21 billion carbon tax, then maybe we would get some support.
Telecommunications October 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I have said on two occasions already, this is a decision made by the CRTC, an independent agency of the government, and therefore there is no legal opportunity for cabinet to overturn this decision.
Telecommunications October 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the CRTC held public hearings on this. It heard from over 9,000 people. It made its decision yesterday. This is an independent agency of the government and, as such, cabinet has no legal ability to overturn this decision.
Telecommunications October 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as the member mentioned, the CRTC made a decision yesterday after holding public hearings. The CRTC is an arm's-length agency of the government and, as such, the government has no legal ability to overturn this decision.
The Pillars October 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize six remarkable physicians who have dedicated their lives to the thousands of Canadians in the Markham Stouffville area.
Tonight our community will be celebrating “The Pillars”, which is an event to recognize these physicians. It will take place, as I said, in my hometown of Stouffville. It has been with their unwavering devotion, compassion and quality care that these doctors have advanced their field and gained their outstanding reputation in our community.
I would like to congratulate Dr. John Button, Dr. Douglas Brodie, Dr. Donald Petrie, Dr. Donald Smith, Dr. Glenn Graham and Dr. Jack White, and thank them for their services to our community and for the integral role they have played in our community.
Moreover, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Dr. John Button who is also the recipient of a Diamond Jubilee Medal, which was awarded in our community on June 16.
These doctors have performed extraordinarily well in our community, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
Business of Supply October 16th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. In the member's response to me he said my question was irrelevant because it was six parliaments ago. He is now referencing a bill in another legislature that was five parliaments ago. Clearly that is not relevant either. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to have him talk about something that is actually—