Rona Ambrose

[Public Works and Government Services, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the member might be disappointed to find out the media monitoring services are used and accessed by the government but that they are also used and accessed by the opposition.

They are there because on this side of the House, we do want to be aware of all of the media reporting about our members of Parliament, because we are very proud of the work they are doing. They appear in many articles across the media, doing excellent work on behalf of the government, and we are happy to receive those clippings.

[Public Works and Government Services, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I will leave the characterization of the former Liberal government's actions to the member opposite.

However, as the member knows, these actions did occur under the former government. Since this is still before the court, I am not going to comment any further.

[Science and Technology, May 8th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Montreal Science Centre will continue to be a part of the federal government presence in Montreal's historic district.

Today Canada Lands announced that former astronaut Julie Payette is the new chief operating officer at the Montreal Science Centre.

Ms. Payette, an engineer and a veteran of two missions in space as one of Canada's astronauts, will be leaving the Canadian Space Agency later this year to join the Montreal Science Centre.

As my colleague at Industry Canada thanks her for her work at the Space Agency, I am very pleased with her decision to join the Montreal Science Centre. I see great potential in the Montreal Science Centre and in the Old Port of Montreal, and her presence, I am sure, will add to that.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to giving aboriginal women the same rights and protection as all Canadian women. For over a quarter of a century, aboriginal women living on reserve have been without access to the legal rights they deserve. Our bill would protect thousands of women and children. In situations of family violence, it would allow judges to enforce emergency protection orders and remove a violent partner.

The truth is, emergency protection orders save lives. How the Liberal Party and NDP leaders can whip their members to block this legislation is incomprehensible to us.

[Search and Rescue, May 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that decision has already been made, and the funding has been allocated. The procurement process started last year. It is ongoing and it will be very competitive. We have a fairness monitor in place. The process is transparent and ongoing. We have been doing industry engagement over the last few months.

[Ethics, April 30th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is true that while the Liberals defended unacceptable spending at this independent crown corporation, we did call in the Auditor General to do a special investigation. Today the Auditor General agreed with us that there were problems with hospitality and travel expenses at the Old Port of Montreal and reaffirmed that we did the right thing by placing the Old Port of Montreal under new management with Canada Lands.

While the Liberals defend waste and unacceptable spending, our government is ensuring that tax dollars will be protected.

[Public Works and Government Services Canada, April 23rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the framework that is in place ensures that any companies or individuals convicted of illegal activity are therefore banned from bidding on federal contracts. In fact, the integrity framework has already rendered certain companies ineligible to do business with public works.

We review any reports of improper practices by companies and the member can rest assured that we will not hesitate to take any action against these companies.

[Public Works and Government Services Canada, April 23rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, this kind of work goes on consistently, which is why our government recently put in place a more robust regime to examine these kinds of contracting issues through our integrity framework.

Under this framework, the government has put in place measures to ensure that companies or individuals convicted of any illegal activity are banned from bidding on federal contracts. In fact, our integrity framework has already been successful in rendering certain companies ineligible to bid on contracts with public works.

We will review, and we continue review, any reports of improper practices by companies.

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 23rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government believes in sending a very clear message that family violence and violence against women, wherever it occurs, cannot be tolerated. That is why we have introduced the matrimonial property rights legislation to protect thousands of first nations women and children. Our legislation would finally allow judges to issue emergency protection orders and remove a violent partner from the home.

Emergency protection orders save lives. They are essential to protect women from domestic violence. Yet, shockingly, the Liberal leader has asked his caucus to vote against extending these rights to aboriginal women. He needs to reverse his position now.

I am proud to say that this government will continue to fight for the rights of aboriginal women.

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we have introduced a bill that could protect thousands of aboriginal women and children from violence. The bill responds to calls from victims, from the United Nations and from Amnesty International. It even responds to the Manitoba NDP government, whose legislation unanimously supports the bill, yet last night the Liberals and the NDP shamefully voted against giving aboriginal women rights that are afforded to all other Canadian women.

How can the Liberal and the NDP leader explain this unbelievable paternalism?