House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2011, with 50% of the vote.
Taxation April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, for greater clarity, hockey helmets will be covered under the tariff relief in the budget, but let us talk about the hypocrisy of the NDP. It is this government that has reduced taxes over 150 times so that we are leaving $3,200 more in an average family's pocket. Every step of the way, the NDP, every single member, voted against those tax reductions. They should be ashamed of themselves for this hypocrisy. They ought to start supporting measures for Canadian families.
Aboriginal Affairs April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, thousands of aboriginal women in our country are at a disadvantage. When going through a divorce, they can suddenly be banned from their home or watch as their property is sold without their consent and without receiving any of the funds.
That is why we introduced legislation to provide matrimonial property rights for first nation women.
This bill will allow judges to make emergency protection orders in situations of domestic violence. Every other Canadian has that right, but the NDP and Liberals are opposed to aboriginal women having that same right.
The leader of the NDP and the leader of the Liberals should apologize for instructing their caucus to vote against these rights.
Whether it is on reserve or anywhere else in Canada, I am proud to say that our Conservative government continues to stand up for the protection of women and children everywhere.
Points of Order April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I do not often rise on points of order, but I just cannot remain seated after hearing what the member for St. Paul's screamed out in one of her uncontrolled outbursts, which we hear time and time again in question period.
When the Minister for Status of Women was speaking, the member for St. Paul's was disrespectful in the words she used to try to indicate that aboriginal women who do not have the same rights as other Canadian women ought to go and find shelters as opposed to getting the same rights as all the women here have.
I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, because of the out-of-control outburst by that member every single day, that you might consider putting a camera that way so that when we make points of order, you can actually discipline her for once.
Boston Marathon Bombings April 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the attacks in Boston that targeted innocent civilians are a tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, Boston and all Americans. The law enforcement officers who are now investigating this heinous attack are working around the clock, and we hope that they will soon be able to bring the person or persons responsible for this attack to justice.
While the Liberal leader wants to talk about the root cause behind why the perpetrator launched this attack, we know that what is really important is getting this person or persons off the street so that they do not kill or injure any more innocent people. Regardless of the motives behind this attack, there is simply no root cause that can justify the killing and maiming of innocent civilians. This behaviour must be condemned unequivocally wherever it occurs. We will always stand with the victims and against this kind of senseless, violent attack.
Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act April 17th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I stand for victims today. I stand for those victims who are afraid, who have been kicked off reserve, who have begged us as a government to provide them with the same rights as all other Canadian woman. I stand for those victims who were kicked off reserve, who were sent into cities, who became exploited in the sex trade, whose children were taken away, and who will not come forward because of the fear of people on reserve who do not agree with giving them rights. Those victims are who we care about. That is what this bill is about.
I am ashamed of that side for not supporting it.
Business of Supply April 15th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask my colleague from the finance committee a very simple question and I would like him to answer it.
First, he talked about the general preferential tariff regime, which has not been altered since the 1970s, when it was created to help companies in poor countries. Since the 1970s, there are countries like China, India, Brazil, and we could go on and on, that are no longer poor countries. They are in fact what the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters would term as the new industrial powerhouses.
Therefore, could my colleague simply answer why he believes China, India, Brazil and these other industrial powerhouses deserve a special tariff like other countries that are poor?
Business of Supply April 15th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I care about how it affects Canadians and Canadian families. In fact, Canadian families are benefiting from about $3,200 total every single year of tax income that used to be collected. Under this government, we have been able to reduce taxes 150 ways so that they could keep that money in their own pockets.
The general preferential tariffs is a regime that has not been looked at since the 1970s, and it was meant for poor countries where there are companies working so that we could help them. The budget will change that, so that booming economies like China, India, and Brazil are not benefiting from what was intended for poor countries. Essentially, individual Canadians and Canadian families, while we are working with the Retail Council of Canada, will see that consumers will benefit from lower costs of goods, thanks to measures that--
Business of Supply April 15th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I repeat that there are no tax increases in budget 2013.
What is the hon. member talking about? He is talking about what we do on this side of the House, which guarantees that our tax system is fair. At the moment, our tax system has a number of loopholes that need to be addressed. It is unfortunate that the hon. member is not supporting the government in its efforts to close those loopholes.
That is what we are talking about in budget 2013. We intend to close tax loopholes. We intend to make sure everyone pays their fair share. We do not want to see people take advantage of a tax system that has not been reviewed, and the general preferential tariff regime has not been reviewed since the 1970s.
It is ridiculous that the opposition would create this kind of controversy when the government is doing the right thing. Canadians believe it, we believe it, and we will continue on that path to make sure it happens.
Business of Supply April 15th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary is absolutely correct. I, as well, was in my constituency for the last two weeks, and it was probably the number one positive measure I heard about time and time again. The skills training we have invested in by creating a Canada job grant, by ensuring we are going to provide some opportunities for apprentices—not only in federal construction projects but by encouraging provinces and territories to also expand by using apprentices in their construction and infrastructure projects—was tremendously received. I never heard a single naysayer with regard to the skills training we intend to provide.
Internships are also in the budget. We have so many good measures to help Canadians connect with jobs. I encourage everyone at home to read the budget so they can take advantage of it.
Business of Supply April 15th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
People who live in Manitoba—where I am from—or who live close to the border often experience transport problems between the two countries. Our measures for the transport of goods, whether we are talking about imports or exports, have received the support of small, medium and large businesses.
I would like to read a short quote from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
I will read it in English so that my colleague can understand exactly what it said without paraphrasing or translating. It said:
Overall, this is a good budget for small business. [The minister] has done a solid job by remaining on course to eliminate the deficit while announcing some important measures for Canada's entrepreneurs.
It mentions measures such as the expansion of the EI hiring credit, and it goes on and on.
We have never seen such support from our stakeholders as we have in budget 2013.