Peter Braid

[Business of Supply, January 27th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as the member of Parliament for Kitchener—Waterloo, I am proud to come from a community that has one of the strongest local economies not only in the province but in the country. It is a local economy with diversified strengths. It has strength in advanced manufacturing, in financial services, and in our technology and innovation sector. When I hear the opposition claim that we as a government are putting all of our eggs in one basket, I laugh out loud.

I want to ask the parliamentary secretary if he could please speak to the important diversification of Canada's economy.

[Infrastructure, December 12th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, picture this: our government has made record investments in public transit by investing over $8 billion since 2006. This includes, of course, the Ottawa LRT under the advocacy and the leadership of our Minister of Foreign Affairs. Public transit is an eligible category under every component of our new Building Canada plan. Public transit is an important investment for infrastructure. It helps to create jobs, make our cities more livable, and enhance the quality of life.

[Infrastructure, December 12th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the new Building Canada plan has been open for business since March. Under that plan, the provinces are empowered to identify their infrastructure project priorities and in fact are responsible for doing so.

We are pleased that we received the list from Ontario this week. We have been waiting for that list. Ontario has an infrastructure envelope over the next decade of almost $11 billion. We look forward to working closely with them and to collaborating with Ontario to renew infrastructure.

[Infrastructure, December 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the municipalities believe it has been like Christmas since this Conservative government came to power in 2006 with respect to infrastructure. In 2007, we established the Building Canada plan. In 2013, we extended that plan and created the new Building Canada plan, the longest and largest infrastructure investment in Canadian history. It has been open for business since March, and numerous projects have already been approved, representing hundreds of millions of dollars.

It is this Conservative government that is making record investments in infrastructure, renewing infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for Canadians.

[Infrastructure, December 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, that was a very inappropriate question as we approach Christmas, I might add.

Our government believes that in certain circumstances, there are appropriate infrastructure projects for which P3s are applicable. Why do we believe that on this side of the House? It is because we are concerned about value for taxpayers. P3s offer value for taxpayers. They stretch the taxpayer dollar.

It is this Conservative government that is renewing infrastructure and enhancing the quality—

[Infrastructure, November 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are doing. Since we formed government we have tripled our investments in infrastructure. The new building Canada plan is the largest and the longest infrastructure investment in Canada's history.

I have not even mentioned the gas tax fund, which delivers $2 billion directly to municipalities every year, and this includes arts and culture.

[Insurance Industry, November 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today members of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association are in Ottawa. They are meeting with parliamentarians to discuss critical issues, such as pensions and long-term care, that impact the lives of all Canadians.

Insurance companies across Canada play a vital role in our economy, ensuring financial security and protection for over 26 million Canadians. In my riding, Equitable Life as well as Sun Life, Manulife, and FaithLife Financial are all major employers. They are also strong and dynamic partners who give back to the community through volunteer and charitable initiatives.

The CLHIA is a strong voice for the sector, providing leadership on social policy issues and demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the well-being of families and communities. I thank the members of CLHIA for contributing to our nation's prosperity.

[Taxation, November 17th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is giving more money to parents, but the Liberals and the NDP want to use that money to create more bureaucracy. We are cutting taxes, but the Liberal leader wants to raise taxes.

Our plan helps 100% of families with kids, but the NDP plan would help only 10% of families. The average benefit of our family tax cut is over $1,100, and every family will now receive nearly $2,000 per child.

The moms and dads should have that money because they know what is best for their children. They do not need their government telling them how to spend it.

[Infrastructure, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that modern and efficient public transit keeps our cities among the best in the world in which to live. That is why we are making record investments in infrastructure, as explained earlier. We have also made record investments in public transit. Those projects include Waterloo region public transit, Ottawa LRT, and new streetcars for the TTC in Toronto.

[Infrastructure, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the preamble to that question is entirely incorrect. This Conservative government is making record investments in infrastructure: over $53 billion over the next decade in predictable, stable funding. That includes $2 billion disbursed through the gas tax fund alone. We are working very closely with provinces and with municipalities. We are getting the job done.