Sean Casey

[The Budget, June 9th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Vancouver South has indicated that this budget will help diversify our economy.

In Prince Edward Island, in order for any economy to be diversified, we will need to attract industry. The only industries that we will be able to attract in the current environment are industries that are not heavily dependent on low-cost electricity. We have sub-sea cables in our province which are at capacity, are 40 years old and the government refuses to support them.

Does the concept of economic diversification include all the provinces?

[The Budget, June 9th, 2011]

Madam Speaker, the hon. member spoke passionately about the environment and economic growth. It is in that area where I wish to pose a question.

In my riding of Charlottetown, in fact in Prince Edward Island, we have become a leader in green energy, but our aspirations in that area have been limited by the refusal in the budget and in the throne speech to provide any support for a cable between the mainland and Prince Edward Island. This is something that was committed to by the Leader of the Opposition and has been committed to repeatedly by our party in various election campaigns.

Given the hon. member's passion for the environment and for economic development, I would ask for his comment on the omission of any commitment in the budget on this particular initiative.

[Veterans Affairs, June 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, Fabien Melanson, a 15-year Canadian veteran who served twice overseas, has started a hunger strike in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs in my riding of Charlottetown. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mr. Melanson has tried to have government take ownership of the trouble created when a clerical error caused a lapse in his benefits.

My question is for the Minister of Veterans Affairs. What will the government do to ensure that this veteran gets the compassionate treatment he so rightly deserves?