Robert Gordon Kitchen

[Business of Supply, March 9th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I commend the member for the excellent work she has done on veterans affairs, and I congratulate her on becoming the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs.

You talked a bit about family. I understand, and maybe—

[Business of Supply, March 9th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I was particularly interested in hearing the member talking about the motion that we passed last night, dealing with PTSD and mental health issues. I am glad to see that we have had unanimous support for that.

Being involved with the veterans affairs committee, a lot of times, as we study mental health, veterans have talked about issues of identity loss and trust. I am wondering if the member would agree with this. By taking away what was agreed to for the soldiers before they went into theatre, taking it away from them now, that has a major impact on that trust level, when they come out of theatre, the trust level they might have for the people sending them there.

[Taxation, February 24th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, in 2016, Saskatchewan lost 6,000 full-time jobs. Agriculture employment is down 19% year over year. At a time when my constituents are struggling to find work, the Liberals are forcing a carbon tax that will affect vulnerable Canadians. These constituents need to be able to feed their families and heat their homes without worrying about paying more taxes. Why are the Liberals trying to pay for their reckless spending at the expense of hard-working Canadians?

[Taxation, February 17th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, southeast Saskatchewan is in the midst of a jobs crisis and thousands of my constituents are out of work. The Liberals are making things worse by forcing a carbon tax on families who are already struggling to put food on the table.

A carbon tax will increase costs for our farmers and ranchers. Middle-class Canadians will have to pay significantly more now just to keep operating. Why will the Liberals not stand up for hard-working Canadians and abandon their foolish carbon tax?

[Ski Day, February 10th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, next Wednesday, February 15, is not only Flag Day but also ski day on the Hill.

This wonderful event provides an opportunity for parliamentarians to come together and recognize the importance of physical activity for Canadians, while enjoying some cross-country skiing and other winter activities.

Ski day on the Hill is also a fun way to raise awareness about National Health and Fitness Day, which takes place this year on June 3. I encourage all communities across Canada to proclaim National Health and Fitness Day and join us in making Canada the fittest nation on earth.

I would also like to thank Senator Nancy Greene Raine for her tireless work in putting this event together, and for her continued advocacy and promotion of physical health for Canadians.

As the critic for sport, I invite all Canadians to bundle up, head outside, and get active in whatever way works best for them. For those of us sitting long hours in these seats, I encourage members to get up off their behinds and join me in taking one activity off their Participaction 150 Play List.

[South Saskatchewan Selects Football, February 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize some of my young constituents who have been chosen to travel to Florida at the end of this month as part of the South Saskatchewan Selects football program. Skyler Patterson, Chase Fillmore, Keith Allin, Tiki Umbach, Cash Cuthbert, Clay Gust, Blair Gust, and Xander Shayne, all from Weyburn; and James Knibbs, Hunter Eagles, Lucas Rooks, and Clayton Fornwald, of Estevan, have all been selected from a variety of age groups to participate. All of these athletes have been training hard throughout the year to earn this honour.

The South Saskatchewan Selects have been competing against players from the U.S. in an international championship for five years in a row. The players will also receive high-level coaching while in Florida to help improve their skills.

Congratulations to all the participants, hopefully our future Riders, and best of luck in the championship game.

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act, February 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, with the implementation of a carbon tax and the impact that will have on our farming industry, it is a big worry in Saskatchewan. It is going to drive up the costs of everything, from fuel to equipment to fertilizer, et cetera. Those costs will put us into the position of selling our wheat and our canola at higher costs than the U.S. Therefore, the huge impact the carbon tax will have on the province is a big concern for the people of Saskatchewan.

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act, February 3rd, 2017]

Yes, I do, Mr. Speaker. We need to continue to work with these organizations and ensure that all of the issues are looked at, including patent issues, et cetera, and focus on keeping those costs down throughout Canada.

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act, February 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, when the bill comes into force, we expect that the Liberal government will honour the commitments it has made.

As we look at the issue of pharmaceuticals, we recognize the patent agreement will stay the same when it comes to Canada and how things are done in our country.

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act, February 3rd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, the southern part of my riding sits on the U.S. border and it makes up half of the province. We have established a trade corridor, and a huge amount of trade goes back and forth across that border. CETA provides the opportunity to allow for U.S. goods to come into Canada, like NAFTA, but also extends that into Europe. I see that as a win-win situation.

I tell everyone in my riding that our province is an export province. It exports wheat, coal, gas, and potash. Many people have moved to other countries, but some have come back to the riding and we want to keep them there.

I see CETA as a win-win situation. It will create jobs and that is what we want to see.