Stephen Harper

[The Environment, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, if the member keeps leading with her chin, I am prepared to keep going for it.

This government, the Minister of the Environment, has taken important steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this country including, most recently, a comprehensive plan to gradually eliminate coal-fired electricity in this country, which is the biggest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. We are doing that without imposing taxes on carbon.

The NDP, in the name of environmental progress, wants to take money from Canadian taxpayers to spend. We will not let them do that.

[The Environment, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, in the quotation from the member, it is clear that the government would not impose a tax on carbon. It is quite the opposite.

The difference is simply this. No plan ever proposed by this government has involved raising revenue and taking money from Canadian consumers.

They have in their platform, right in black and white in their financial tables, a $20 billion hit on Canadian consumers and households, something this government will never do.

[The Environment, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for highlighting the difference between our approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the NDP's desire to put a carbon tax on everything.

The green shift of the Liberal Party only proposed $15 billion worth of carbon taxes and the NDP members want $20 billion worth of carbon taxes, something the economy cannot take and something Canadians will never accept.

[Omnibus Legislation, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I respect the rulings handed down 20 years ago by the Speaker of the House of Commons. We have before this House a very comprehensive economic action plan and I hope Parliament will support it.

I understand that the Liberal Party wants a separate legislative package for MP pensions so they can get a special deal and a special process. We are determined to act comprehensively across all economic matters.

[Omnibus Legislation, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party is correct in observing that this procedure was debated some 20 years ago and decisions were taken at that time. The government is acting within the spirit and letter of those decisions.

We are very proud of the fact that we have before the House a very comprehensive economic action plan to which this government is responsible to the House of Commons. These are important measures to ensure that the Canadian economy continues its superior performance among developed nations.

[Food Safety, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, what I said was it was not politicians who did food inspection. It is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The government has provided resources to that organization, which has taken in this incident a number of progressive steps to deal with this problem at the factory, up to and including the shutting down of the factory.

The government's priority, as is the CFIA's priority, will be to ensure that factory is not reopened until such time as it operates safely.

[Food Safety, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is not the minister who does food inspection; it is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that does food inspection.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's first objective is to ensure Canadian food is safe. That is why it has taken a number of steps, including and up to shutting down the plant, which will not be reopened until the food is safe.

All these matters are following the practices the government put in place, subject to review when this incident is concluded.

[Food Safety, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for dealing with this situation. Once this incident is concluded, all the facts and the situation will be reviewed.

The CFIA is doing its job.

[Food Safety, October 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as I said several times, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for dealing with this situation.

It is very clear that the safety of our food is the CFIA's priority and that this plant will not reopen until the CFIA is able to confirm what is happening.

[Food Safety, October 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I will address a gross inaccuracy in that question.

The House will be aware that today the president of the Food Inspection Agency specifically expressed concerns about the promptness with which the company had provided certain information to inspectors. Under Bill S-11, the CFIA would get increased power to get that kind of paperwork for the company. That is precisely why it is needed.

The Auditor General has powers to look at a whole range of government agencies, but we do not direct the work of the Auditor General.