Paul Calandra

[Ethics, May 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, this government has the utmost respect for Canadians taxpayers. That is why we have reduced the use of Challengers by 80% since we have come into office.

The only people we are having trouble finding are the people who supposedly work in the NDP offices. We are not sure if they work in Quebec, in Montreal, or in Saskatchewan. Apparently the Leader of the Opposition says they actually work in Ottawa, and apparently it is all the Clerk's fault.

New Democrats should repay taxpayers the millions of dollars they use for illegal offices across this country to further their party's agenda.

[Ethics, May 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the government has the greatest respect for Canadian taxpayers and has reduced use of the Challenger jet by 80%.

It is because we have the utmost respect for taxpayers that we reduced the use of Challenger jets by 80%. I contrast that to the NDP, which still has not accounted for some $3 million worth of taxpayers' money it used to open up illegal offices. It could make a start by returning that money to Canadian taxpayers.

[New Democratic Party, May 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, first he set up partisan satellite offices with House of Commons resources; then he championed letting people vote without any form of identification. Clearly the Leader of the Opposition knows that the NDP can only win an election when rules are lax and never enforced.

Montreal's La Presse newspaper has uncovered the latest NDP scheme. The Quebec NDP is a registered provincial Quebec party that does not field candidates. Its leader says his priority is actually the 2015 federal elections, not provincial politics, but the provincial Quebec NDP raises money in Quebec and under Quebec election finance rules, registered provincial parties can claim up to $20,000 in subsidies from Quebec taxpayers.

The Leader of the Opposition should not use his phantom Quebec wing to quietly raise money provincially, get matching funds from Quebec taxpayers, and then cross-subsidize the federal NDP's political operations.

Will the Leader of the Opposition commit to following the rules for a change?

[Ethics, May 26th, 2014]

Again, Mr. Speaker, this question concerns contracts at the municipal and provincial level.

As members know, one of the first things we did when taking power in 2006 was eliminate big money and big unions from the political process by banning contributions. At the same time, we also know that, of course, the Leader of the Opposition held back information for 17 years, which would have really been of assistance to the commission.

We will continue to support Canadian taxpayers moving forward with good policies that tackle corruption.

[Ethics, May 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, none of these problems concern the federal government. This question concerns contracts at the municipal and provincial level. What is more, it is very important for the commission to continue its work. Anyone found guilty should face the full force of the law.

[Telecommunications, May 16th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as members know, our wireless policies are designed to benefit Canadian consumers. I am pleased to report that as a result of the 700 MHz spectrum auction recently, Canadian consumers will benefit from a fourth carrier in every region of this country.

In addition, Canadians will know that the costs associated with wireless have gone down by some 20% while at the same time employment in this sector has increased by some 25%.

We will continue to put the focus on Canadian consumers. We will continue to put the focus on putting money back in the pockets of hard-working Canadians and improving employment opportunities across sectors.

[Whitchurch-Stouffville Revitalization, May 16th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge my hometown of Whitchurch-Stouffville for being one of three Canadian cities to be chosen for the Benjamin Moore Main Street Matters revitalization program.

The Benjamin Moore program was created to help revitalize downtown areas by redesigning and painting the exteriors of local businesses to enhance the small-town charm of these historic main streets. The program emphasizes the importance of maintaining these stores, as they represent the heart of main street and the communities that surround them.

In the spring of 2013, towns around North America cast votes online for which main streets would be chosen to be revitalized. Out of 20 North American cities chosen, our little hometown of Whitchurch-Stouffville was one that was victorious.

On May 13, Benjamin Moore kicked off the facelift, with the first brush stroke on the Stouffville Florist.

I congratulate my hometown, and I look forward, as do all the residents of Whitchurch-Stouffville, to this very exciting revitalization.

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2014]

Again, Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we respect the independence of the CBC to make its own decisions, decisions that are important.

Also, of course, there is a mandate that the CBC has to fulfill. We understand that. There is a mandate to meet its obligations in French and English for official language communities. We know that aboriginal communities across this country, in rural and northern parts of this country, depend on CBC Radio. We understand how important that is.

That is why the government provides over $1 billion in resources to the CBC. That is why, since coming to office, we have made sure it has the resources it needs. That is why we have invested in arts and culture, and that is why this sector is doing so well. That is why there are jobs being created in Etobicoke—Lakeshore. That is why there are jobs being created in Newmarket—Aurora, to support this industry.

I am very proud of that. I am proud of the artists and proud of what Canadians have accomplished. I only wish the opposition would be as proud as we are on this side.

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this is the problem with the opposition. That question itself, I could actually use that question. I wish I could broadcast that to all Canadians, so they could truly understand the difference between the opposition and the government.

To them, money is meaningless. It is nothing. It does not matter because it is other people's money, but to the people in my riding who work hard, day in and day out, to put money in their pockets so that they can invest in their future and their children's future, invest in their business, and put a little aside for their retirement, an extra dime means a lot.

We are fighting an election in Ontario based on the fact that the Liberal government of Ontario wants to take some $200 out of the pockets of Ontarians. It might be a little thing to them, but higher taxes kill jobs, and when jobs are killed, there is less tax being paid.

One of the important things a government can do, one of our chief objectives, is to make sure we have enough money to invest for Canadians and their priorities. One of the priorities is the CBC, and that is why we are providing it with $1 billion.

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the member is quite correct. Obviously, the world of broadcasting has changed.

I am able to listen to my community radio station on my BlackBerry from my office in Ottawa. It is a small community radio station that reaches about 40,000 people, but through the Internet I am able to listen to it and ensure that I know what is going on in my community.

In particular, CBC is also taking a look at other avenues. Its music site allows Canadians to see the latest in Canadian music. It has put a lot more of its collection online. It has put some of the historical material it has online.

The member is quite correct in the fact that private small, medium and large business creators, particularly in this industry, have had to make adjustments as the dollar has changed and as competition has increased. Groups such as Cinespace in his riding have done that very well. It has succeeded and is among the best.

I commend not only the member for his hard work in supporting that job creator in his riding but also that studio for the exceptional work it does. It makes Canadians proud, not only in his community but around the world.