Peter Van Loan

[Committees of the House, November 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the basis of that question is entirely false. There was no inappropriate conduct on the part of the chair, in fact the chair has undertaken to get to the bottom of what happened by discussing this with House of Commons security, which is overseen by our Sergeant-at-Arms.

We believe very strongly that House of Commons committees should be open to members of the public and in particular to members of our Canadian armed forces, who do so much to defend us and have done so much in the past. If there is any party, any government that has ever supported them strongly and wants to see them have a say in the future of the country, it is this party.

[Committees of the House, November 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we believe strongly that all House of Commons committees should be open to the public and that certainly applied to the case in question. That was a decision that was made by House of Commons security, not a decision made by the committee chair. In fact the committee chair said that he would speak with House of Commons security to determine why that decision was made. Our government certainly wants to see that all Canadians have access to the way that Parliament works.

[Points of Order, November 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I never like to rise on these kinds of points of order. However, during question period the member for Manicouagan made an offensive gesture with his hands. I know we have talked about people giving a particular kind of wave. This is different kind of offensive gesture. I am advised it was actually captured on the cameras, so Canadians all across the country saw it.

I would ask that the member for Manicouagan apologize for the gesture he made to the House.

[The Economy, November 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister has been practising very sound management of the Canadian economy, including our fiscal situation, which is why we have the strongest fiscal position of any of the major developed economies. Our net debt to GDP ratio is 33%. The net debt for the G7 average is 80% compared with our 33%. In fact, our deficit has been cut in half under our economic action plan. Those are results being delivered by our Minister of Finance and Prime Minister.

[Intergovernmental Affairs, November 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and this entire government have worked closely together with the provinces to ensure that the priority of Canadians, which is the economy, receives the attention it needs. We have seen that in the results, which are partly the consequence of the 250-plus meetings and discussions the Prime Minister has had with premiers. In the past year alone, more than 50 of those meetings have taken place. We have had a very positive, constructive relationship.

The result is that Canada has one of the best economies of the major developed countries. We have seen it with over 820,000 net new jobs created. We have seen it with a very strong fiscal position. We will continue to stay focused and continue to work with the provinces on that.

[Business of the House, November 22nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is true that we have experienced some disruptions yesterday and today as a result of efforts by the Liberal Party to disrupt our agenda. I was puzzled as to why it was happening right now at this time. However, a news story just broke, which gave me some insight into it, where the young member for Papineau said that:

Canada isn't doing well right now because it's Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda. It doesn't work....

When he was asked if Canada would be better served if Quebeckers were in charge rather than Albertans, he said:

I'm a Liberal, so of course I think so.... Certainly when we look at the great prime ministers of the 20th century, those that really stood the test of time, they were MPs from Quebec... This country--Canada--it belongs to us.

Obviously, the Liberals do not want to see the Conservatives governing, advancing our agenda or advancing our budgetary agenda. Therefore, I think that answers the NDP House leader's question as to why we are facing these delays right now in the House. However, we will carry on, Albertans and all, and the rest of the country, with Conservatives from coast to coast in this government trying to advance the agenda that Canadians believe in.

We will resume the second reading debate on Bill S-2, the family homes on reserves and matrimonial interests or rights act, this afternoon. Tomorrow we will conclude report stage of Bill C-27, the first nations financial transparency act, and third reading will take place on Tuesday. We will start second reading debate of Bill C-47, the northern jobs and growth act, on Monday and the debate will continue on Wednesday.

The finance committee is working very hard to go through Bill C-45, the jobs and growth act. I commend them for their efforts. Our budget implementation legislation contains important measures, such as extending the hiring credit for small businesses, expanding tax relief for investment and clean energy, helping Canadians save for retirement with pooled registered pension plans and improving the registered disability savings plan.

However, I do confess that it does not include the NDP's carbon tax or its proposal for a 1% GST increase. Perhaps that is why its members are opposing it. In any event, we hope to start report stage consideration of Bill C-45 on Thursday, if at some point the Liberals give up on their disruptive delay objective and agree to allow someone other than the member for Papineau to have some say in running the country.

[First Nations Financial Transparency Act, November 22nd, 2012]

moved:

That, in relation to Bill C-27, An Act to enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations, not more than one further sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration at report stage of the bill and one sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration at third reading stage of the said bill; and

That, 15 minutes before the expiry of the time provided for government orders on the day allotted to the consideration at report stage and on the day allotted to the consideration at third reading stage of the said bill, any proceedings before the House shall be interrupted, if required for the purpose of this order, and in turn every question necessary for the disposal of the stage of the bill then under consideration shall be put forthwith and successively without further debate or amendment.

[41st General Election, November 21st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is perfectly normal for senators and members of Parliament to have one residence in their riding and another here in Ottawa. We have asked the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration to ensure that senators are complying with Senate policies and to take corrective action if they are not.

[First Nations Financial Transparency Act, November 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, first nations of course have asked for greater accountability and transparency from their governments, and we believe that first nations, like all Canadians, deserve transparency and accountability from their elected officials.

Thus I must advise that an agreement has not been reached under the provisions of Standing Order 78(1) or 78(2) concerning the proceedings at report stage and third reading of Bill C-27, An Act to enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations.

Under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), I give notice that a minister of the Crown will propose, at the next sitting, a motion to allot a specific number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of proceedings at those stages.

[Foreign Investment, November 20th, 2012]

Credible and foreign investment.