Paul Dewar

[Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act, May 11th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, I want to focus on what is happening with foreign affairs, one area where this budget is quite regressive, although there are many. My colleagues have talked about the process itself and the fact that this is not a budget bill but an omnibus bill that is very ominous in what it would do in terms of regulation.

There is one area that we have not discussed as much as I think we should and that is the killing of Radio Canada International. A previous government tried to do this and it was resuscitated. Radio Canada International is our voice in the world. Every commonwealth and G8 country has it. The government is killing it in this budget.

The member has a responsibility when it comes to international affairs. How can she stand by and watch as our voice is being silenced on the international stage?

[Aerospace Industry, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, two years ago RADARSAT-2 was vulnerable and was going to be shut down. The government said it was going to be saved. The government said it would put finances to ensure we saved this important technology. Now we hear it is going to be cut. Will the government stand behind our technology and our sovereignty and finance RADARSAT-2 and -3, yes or no?

[Aerospace Industry, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, he might want to stick to the little piece of paper in front of him. It would be safer for him.

Two years ago, the Prime Minister announced funding for new RADARSAT-2 —

[Citizenship and Immigration, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know about the first part of that response, but he might want to check the record and apologize to Canadians after that.

Taking health care away from the most vulnerable is unethical, it is wrong and will cost Canadians more. When chronic diseases do not get treated, when preventive care cannot be accessed, people end up in the ER. The government knows that. Who pays? Canadians and taxpayers together.

Can the government tell us how much more this will cost the Canadian health care system by denying this right to the most vulnerable?

[Ministerial Expenditures, May 4th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, hard-working Canadians expect their elected officials to be prudent and sensible with their money.

There is no excuse for racking up $600,000 in overtime fees alone, yet the President of the Treasury Board decided to point fingers at an NDP government, which is more fiscally responsible and prudent than the Conservatives are.

Will the Conservatives pledge to learn something about financial wisdom and manners from the NDP government in Manitoba?

[Ministerial Expenditures, May 4th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, yesterday the President of the Treasury Board alleged that his government's wasteful use of drivers and limos is par for the course for government. He assumed the Manitoba NDP government uses drivers and cars as wastefully as his government, yet in Manitoba none of the ministers have cars and only the premier has an assistant whose duties include driving.

I have a very basic question. Will the President of the Treasury Board get up and apologize and clear the record and clear his name and the reputation of the NDP government?

[Foreign Affairs, May 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, today SNC-Lavalin will face its shareholders, engulfed by scandal. Money laundering, fraud and corruption are among the shocking allegations facing the company.

A distinguished member of this House once said, “High ethical standards for Canadian enterprise are not up for negotiation”. Do members know who said that? It was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Will the government be reviewing its business with SNC-Lavalin?

[Foreign Affairs, April 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend Swiss officials laid charges against a former vice-president of SNC-Lavalin over very serious concerns about corruption, fraud and money laundering in North Africa. It is clear that something is amiss at SNC-Lavalin. Just months ago, the Conservatives sold off Canada's nuclear company, AECL, to the same business. Were they aware of the problems at SNC-Lavalin when they decided to hand over AECL at a rock-bottom price?

[International Trade, April 27th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, from softwood lumber to buy American, Conservatives have a very poor track record as negotiators. Instead of spending their time on these bizarre anti-NDP propaganda tours, why do they not negotiate some responsible trade deals?

[International Trade, April 27th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, New Democrats are in favour of trade. What we are opposed to is selling out Canada.

Canada was built on trade. We believe in trade deals that are actually good for our communities and businesses. However, from softwood lumber to buy American--