House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Intergovernmental Relations March 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the shortage of labour, especially the shortage of workers with particular skills, is a growing problem across the country.
We are consulting not only with the provinces, but also with businesses and other economic stakeholders, in order to deal with this critical problem and ensure Canada's long-term prosperity.
Correctional Service Canada March 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that prisoners are people who have been found guilty of criminal offences by independent courts. Society must take action.
The reality is that, unfortunately, aboriginal people are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than other Canadians. That is why we are taking our responsibility to protect Canadian society seriously, and looking at other measures.
Status of Women March 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this week we are celebrating International Women's Day. I am proud to say that more than 40% of deputy ministers—the people who run the public service—are women. We obviously also have more and more female ministers and members of Parliament, who do an excellent job for our government.
National Defence March 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the government has been very clear. In response to the Auditor General's report, we have laid out a process for the procurement of the next generation of Canadian fighter. That involves looking at all the options and also ensuring that we receive a full range of independent advice.
The most important thing for us is that when the CF-18s reach the end of their life expectancy, that there be aircraft there for our men and women in uniform.
Public Safety March 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party cites examples that clearly go before my memory. In terms of the history, I will leave him to those things.
What I can say in terms of some of the specifics he raised regarding the former chairman of SIRC, as is well known, the particular allegations, that will be subject to a legal process, have nothing to do with his role as chairman of that federal entity.
Intergovernmental Relations March 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, in his first question, he said that we are doing nothing about employment. Now he is asking us not to do anything about employment.
The reality is that we are consulting with the provinces and with all economic players across the country.
It is a considerable challenge for Canada's economy to cope with the loss of job skills. We are determined to move forward to improve our economic performance and job creation.
Employment March 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I am perplexed by the question from the Liberal Party. This is a party that has voted against the targeted initiative for older workers, voted against the Helmets to Hardhats initiative, voted against the long-tenured worker program, voted against the apprenticeship incentive grant, the apprenticeship completion grant, the Canada student grants program and the youth employment strategy. Of course, I could go on and on.
We are creating jobs in the country. We clearly need to create more, and I hope the Liberal Party will be supportive of these kinds of job creation initiatives.
Intergovernmental Relations March 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, in terms of job skills, we are currently consulting the provinces as well as all of the economic players in Canada.
The loss of jobs and the loss of skills are significant problems for the Canadian economy. These losses will increase as time goes on, and we are determined to take action to tackle this issue.
Democratic Reform March 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this government is in favour of elected senators, and I have appointed elected senators whenever I have had the opportunity.
Once again, the leader of the NDP knows full well that the provinces are not going to abolish the Senate. They are on the record on that. He knows the Senate will exist, so why will he not agree to elected senators? It is because we know, as the New Democrats tried in 2008-09, they want to name their own senators.
Democratic Reform March 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this government has made it very clear that we favour reforming the Senate, including having elected senators. That is something I have named whenever I have had the opportunity.
It is interesting to see that the NDP leader's position is that the provinces should abolish the Senate, except he knows full well the provinces are not going to abolish the Senate.
I do not know why he would not be honest with the Canadian people. If the Senate is going to exist, which it is, why would he not take the position of the NDP Premier of Manitoba, who said, “If there is going to be a Senate of Canada, I agree that future senators should be chosen through an election process”.