Ralph Goodale

[Canada-U.S. Relations, February 13th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in less than a week President Obama will make his first foreign visit and we are very glad it will be to Canada. However, Canadians are anxious to know what is on the agenda. What will the Prime Minister raise with the new President? Canadians do have a right to know that.

We are suffering through the worst recession since the 1930s. Just this week we have had devastating reports about job losses, bankruptcies, housing drops, and now a trade deficit. Out of all of that carnage, what will the Prime Minister say to the President to help fight U.S. protectionism and save Canadian jobs?

[Airline Crash, February 13th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, a tragic plane crash occurred last night near Buffalo.

Fifty people were killed.

We all express our sincere sympathies to their families and loved ones.

The Buffalo airport is frequently used by Canadians just across the border. Could the government inform the House whether any Canadians were involved in last night's tragic accident? What do we know at this point?

I would like him to respond in both official languages.

[Business of the House, February 12th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, to the government House leader, I wonder if he could inform us of his plans for the business days in the House immediately ahead. Obviously, those plans have changed a bit since he last reported to the House, so I would be interested to know what he has in mind for the rest of this week and for the first week, at least, after the parliamentary break. Specifically, I wonder if the government House leader could tell us which days he intends to allot as supply days.

I would point out, secondly, that the government's first probationary report, with respect to its budgetary and economic performance, is due on or before March 12. I wonder when the government will be tabling that report.

[The Budget, February 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the hon. minister could just repeat that.

[Business of the House, February 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this being Thursday, I would like to ask the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to indicate the business for tomorrow and next week.

In particular, when will the budget bill be formally introduced and on which days does the minister propose to have it debated.

Second, will there be another allotted day next week?

[Request for Emergency Debate, February 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order to deal with just a brief procedural item. I wonder if, among House leaders and whips, there is agreement that, with respect to the emergency debate that you have just announced for this evening pertaining to the situation in Sri Lanka, the normal provisions with respect to no dilatory motions, adjournments, in the usual form, that those rules would apply to the proceedings with respect to Sri Lanka this evening.

[Points of Order, February 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, could I ask the government House leader to reflect on this issue for a few moments? While the minister may not have made a direct quotation, the subject matter is obviously one of enormous public interest.

In order to lay this issue to rest and to satisfy any public concern that may exist, would the minister please consider the point that the documentation she has could be very useful in resolving this matter once and for all? It would be a public service to table that document.

[Trade, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, he should tell the BDC in Saskatoon to get its straight.

U.S. protectionism is about to make Canada's recession a lot worse. It is not good enough for those Conservatives to say they expect the Americans to live up to their obligations. The track record is not encouraging. On softwood lumber, the Conservatives capitulated. On the grain trade, despite 20 rulings in Canada's favour, the Conservatives caved in. On the oil sands, they let the Americans prohibit Canadian products.

How can we have any confidence that the government will actually fight for Canadian producers and exporters?

[The Economy, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, if they knew it all in advance, the plan certainly did not work. The Conservatives have to stop the spinning. The jig is up. The truth is out. Bafflegab will not work any more. Canadians and this Parliament are demanding the truth, complete accountability and real performance for a change.

For example, the Conservatives say that their budget will help small businesses to get loans through the Business Development Bank. However, since the budget, the BDC in Saskatoon is telling businesses that nothing has changed. It will not deal with those businesses because they were not customers in the past.

What kind of help is that?

[The Economy, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the latest economic figures confirm a deepening recession in Canada. Real domestic product fell by 0.7% in November. Manufacturing and all major sectors are all sharply down.

However, while this was happening in November, and Canadians could feel that pain, the Conservatives were saying that they would still have five more surplus budgets. Their numbers were bogus and they knew it.

Does the government, now on probation, finally realize that it has to start telling the truth to its parole officer in this Parliament?