Peter MacKay

[Pensions, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, what nonsense and rhetoric. The member would know about helicopter rides. He took one to his cottage when he was premier of Ontario.

Our government is committed to protecting the OAS for our current seniors and future seniors.

Let me refer to another document the member might be familiar with, although he was in another party at the time:

[T]he future affordability of our public pension programs is challenged by major demographic and economic changes that have occurred since these programs were developed in the 1960s.

What is the source of that statement? The 1996 Liberal budget.

[Pensions, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is a bit rich coming from that member to be on a high horse about political affiliations given his past.

Let us be clear. There is not a single recipient of old age security today who is going to lose a red cent, and that would be a Liberal red cent, as a result of any future contemplated changes.

Let us contemplate the words of another individual:

Everybody recognizes that demographic changes in our society mean that we will have to make changes to ensure that our pension system remains sustainable for future generations of Canadians.

Who said that? His predecessor, Jean Chrétien.

[Public Safety, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat that Canada does not condone the use of torture and does not engage in this practice.

What the hon. member opposite appears to be indicating is that, under no circumstances, if information came into the possession of Canadian officials that would stop the death, a mass death perhaps, such as a bomb threat at the Air Canada Centre, that we would be forced to refuse to use any information that would save lives. That is not the position of this government.

[Public Safety, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's position, the Conservative government's position, has always been clear. We do not condone torture. We do not engage in torture as a country. CSIS, its employees and all of our defence security officials are clear on that and they are bound by Canada's laws. Our government expects all of our officials to abide by those laws.

We will always protect Canada's security and Canada's human interests.

[Government Policies, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, of course none of that is true. We have taken responsible positions, whether it be with the economy, whether it be with respect to the treatment of seniors or whether it be with law and justice issues, which is all about protecting victims in this country. We are making fiscally prudent decisions that will preserve our social network well into the future.

[Search and Rescue, February 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, first, let me say that we are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Burton Winters and our condolences go out to the young man's family, his friends, and his entire community.

With respect to when we will have more answers, I met with the Chief of the Defence Staff this morning. I have asked him to have a full investigation into all the circumstances around this tragic death. We should have answers this week.

[Search and Rescue, February 7th, 2012]

Again, Mr. Speaker, government assets are used for government business, and I think it is commendable that the Associate Minister of National Defence, I, and others want to see the good work of the men and women in uniform who are defending our interests at home and around the world.

We are very proud to be with them in the field, where they work, where they train, and we will not apologize for it.

[Search and Rescue, February 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is the same answer. Government business uses government assets. That applies to all ministers of this government. When we do government business, government assets are often used.

[Search and Rescue, February 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I have answered this question many times in this place and outside this place.

I use government assets for government business and that is it.

[Government Contracts, February 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, that kind of histrionics is absolutely inaccurate.

As I mentioned a moment ago, we give our Canadian Forces the best possible training to prepare them for mission success, to prepare them for very complex, dangerous overseas missions in some cases. When it is our special forces and our military police, we want to ensure they are best prepared to take on those challenges.

I will never apologize for providing the necessary resources to give them that best opportunity to succeed and come home safe to their families with the pride and the support of this government and the Canadian people behind them every time.