Stephen Harper

[International Trade, June 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is nothing. Our analysis of the negotiations to date indicates that they are at a very preliminary stage. It is important for Canada to be part of the negotiations.

We believe that trade is very important to the Canadian economy. I am well aware of the NDP's aversion to any kind of international trade. It is an ideological aversion. It is in the best interests of Canadian families for our exports to have access to global markets, especially in growing regions such as the Asia-Pacific region.

[International Trade, June 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the government has made no such commitments. We have indicated for some time that Canada was more than willing to aspire to the same high ambitions that other members of the trans-Pacific partnership have.

I know the depth of the NDP's ideological aversion to trade, but on this side of the House we believe very strongly that the Asia-Pacific region is a growing region. It is very necessary for this country to not just be part of this process, but to make sure we are able to increase exports in order to create jobs and growth for Canadian families.

[Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, June 14th, 2012]

Excuse me, Mr. Speaker. I was here the entire time and I can inform the leader of the Green Party that I am here now.

[Ethics, June 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the hon. member for Peterborough has submitted all of his information to Elections Canada.

In fact, that report was certified several years ago. The member of Parliament not only won that election but has since won a subsequent election. He serves his constituents and this House honourably, and I think we all should treat each other with a little more consideration than that.

[Federal-Provincial Relations, June 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. As I just said, we consult regularly across the country, not just with provincial premiers but people who represent the public interest. This government obviously respects provincial jurisdictions. One of the results of these consultations is the superior performance of Canada's economy.

[Federal-Provincial Relations, June 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, of course this government consults regularly across the country, not just with provincial premiers but with all affected Canadians.

There were literally hundreds of consultations done in preparation for this year's economic action plan. I believe the fact that we do those kinds of consultations explains why the economic policies of this government have been so strongly supported by Canadians, and have shown such good results for the Canadian economy.

[The Environment, June 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as the report notes, the Government of Canada has made increased progress toward its commitments to the actions it has undertaken over the past year. The government will look at additional actions. The reality, as I said before, is that when this government came to office, the emissions of greenhouse gases were increasing rapidly. Under this government, emissions of greenhouse gases have actually begun to decline and this government has done that while our economy continues to grow. We have every intention of continuing down this path.

[The Environment, June 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, I note that the report indicates that the government made considerable progress last year with respect to its targets.

There are obviously other actions to be considered. However, the reality is that emissions in Canada were increasing rapidly when this government came to power. Today, however, our greenhouse gas emissions are declining. We intend to continue down this path.

[Syria, June 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question.

The actions of the Syrian regime and the violence against its own citizens are completely unacceptable.

We have been working very hard, Mr. Speaker, as you know, with our allies to impose binding sanctions with other United Nations actors through the UN Arab League peace initiative. We encourage all to work together to implement that initiative. We encourage Russia and others to join with us to apply binding sanctions against what is a murderous regime. This is unacceptable to Canadians and, I believe, to the broader international community.

[The Budget, June 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we have 750,000 net new jobs that have been created. On this side of the House, we have the lowest debt ratio in the G7, and by a country mile.

In terms of power and corruption, I notice that the man who said that he would never run for the permanent leadership of his party is now, apparently, prepared to accept it, which I guess proves, down in that corner of the House, lack of power can corrupt.