Peter Braid

[The Environment, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the new building Canada plan is open for business. It has been open for business for many months. As we know, provinces identify their infrastructure project priorities. We look forward to receiving those project priorities from provinces across the country, including Quebec. Many projects have already been received and have already been approved. We are working closely with municipalities and provinces to deliver Canada's largest and longest infrastructure plan in our nation's history.

[Public Works and Government Services, September 22nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, I will certainly be crystal clear. This project is a priority for Quebec City. We know that. It was a priority for the former government in Quebec, and it is still a priority of the current government in Quebec.

On February 27, 2014, the hon. Minister of Infrastructure confirmed that as a federal government we have also prioritized the ice oval project under the 2007 building Canada fund. Recreational and sports infrastructure are still eligible categories, as I explained earlier, under the largest component of the new building Canada plan, the gas tax fund. Combined with the GST rebate under the plan, this represents close to 70% of the new funding.

We have delivered the largest and the longest infrastructure plan in Canadian history. We will continue, as a federal government, to work very closely with our municipal and provincial partners, and we will continue with these important investments, renewing infrastructure across the country, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for Canadians.

[Public Works and Government Services, September 22nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to refresh my colleague's memory on the ice oval project in Quebec City.

As always, we look to the provinces, territories, and municipalities to prioritize infrastructure projects that are important in their respective regions. The former government in Quebec prioritized this project in its budget, and it is still a priority for the current Quebec government.

There was money available for Quebec under the 2007 building Canada fund. The hon. Minister of Infrastructure, on February 27, 2014, confirmed that we as a federal government have also prioritized this project under the 2007 building Canada fund. The money has been set aside, so when Quebec City is ready to move forward, we will be there to support it.

I would also like to point out to my colleague opposite that recreational and sports infrastructure is still an eligible category under the largest component of the new building Canada plan, the gas tax fund. The gas tax fund and the GST rebate represent close to 70% of all the new funding in the new building Canada plan.

I would also like to remind my colleague that it is this Conservative government that made the gas tax fund permanent. Unfortunately, the NDP voted against that. It is also this Conservative government that doubled the gas tax fund, from $1 billion to $2 billion. Again, unfortunately, the NDP voted against that.

It is this Conservative government that indexed the gas tax fund going forward, which will add close to $2 billion to the gas tax fund over the next 10 years. Once again, true to form, the opposition across the aisle voted against it. In fact, the NDP has voted against almost all of our measures to increase infrastructure funding to provinces, territories and municipalities. However, thanks to our Conservative government, provinces, territories, and municipalities can now rely on predictable sources of funding for their infrastructures priorities and, as I mentioned, this includes the ice oval in Quebec City.

[Infrastructure, September 22nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I see that the Liberals did not have the opportunity over the summer to attend summer school to brush up on their math skills. It was only the summer of love over there, perhaps.

The new Building Canada plan is open for business. This is the most significant investment in infrastructure in our nation's history. We are working closely with our municipal and provincial partners. Applications are being received and being approved, including the twinning of Highway 16 in Saskatchewan.

[Infrastructure, September 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member on his by-election victory. I welcome him to the House. I regret to inform him, however, that the preamble of his question is incorrect.

We are making record investments in infrastructure. The new building Canada plan is a $53 billion plan over the next decade with stable, predictable funding. It includes the gas tax fund, which our government has doubled, made permanent and is universally praised by municipalities.

We look forward to working with our partners to renew infrastructure.

[Infrastructure, September 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are out of touch on infrastructure as well.

The new building Canada plan is open for business. This is the most significant investment in infrastructure in our nation's history. We are working very closely with our municipal and provincial partners. Applications are being received and projects are being approved. We are getting the job done.

[Infrastructure, June 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the new building Canada fund is open for business. The new building Canada fund includes the provincial and territorial infrastructure component. This is where municipalities can apply for projects. They initially apply to provinces. Provinces establish these processes. Why? It is so that the provinces can identify their own infrastructure priorities. Applications are being received. One has already been approved. It is a major transit project in Edmonton. We are getting the job done.

[Infrastructure, June 19th, 2014]

I will begin by suggesting, Mr. Speaker, that this Conservative government has no lessons to take from Liberals with respect to infrastructure investments.

Since 2006, our investments in infrastructure have nearly tripled. Moving forward, those record investments will continue: over $53 billion in stable, predictable funding.

There are no framework agreements. Yes, that is correct. There are no framework agreements because none are required. Let us get the job done.

[Infrastructure, June 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, here is the update on the new building Canada plan.

The gas tax fund has been doubled. It has been made permanent, and will be indexed moving forward. The new building Canada fund is open for business. Applications are being received. One project has already been approved by the federal government, an important public transit project in Edmonton.

The hon. member may not be aware, but project applications have already been received by his home province of Prince Edward Island.

[Infrastructure, June 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, once again the member is incorrect. He is misleading the House.

Here is the approach of our Conservative government with respect to infrastructure: We are making record investments. We have doubled the gas tax fund. Municipalities and provinces identified their own infrastructure priorities. We are spending within our means, and we are balancing the budget within the next year.

On this side of the House, we will take that approach to the bank any day.