Stephen Harper

[Aboriginal Affairs, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I would disagree with the hon. member and I guess just about everyone else. I think the hon. member for Toronto Centre is right where he belongs.

In terms of the specific question, this government has made it very clear at every stage that it has been and will continue to respond to the immediate needs of that community. Part of that response is not simply to expend public funds, it is to make sure that, for all Canadians but particularly for the people of that community, help gets to the people who actually need it, and that we are accountable for doing that.

[Phone Calls to Mount Royal Constituency, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I utterly reject the facts and the allegations made in that question.

The truth of the matter is that the people of Canada have elected a Conservative government. They sent a very clear message to the Liberal Party.

I note that in a recent public opinion poll the people of Canada continue to believe that this country is moving in the right direction, that we are creating jobs and growth, and that is what we will continue to do.

[Phone Calls to Mount Royal Constituency, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I utterly reject the premise and the so-called facts in that question.

[Search and Rescue, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it was the opposition that said that the aircraft was used for personal reasons, when it is clear that the minister used it on government business.

[Port of Montreal, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, that appointment is the responsibility of the Port of Montreal's board of directors, and the board made its own decision in this case.

[Search and Rescue, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition claims that the aircraft was used for personal reasons, but it is clear that it was used for government business.

[Search and Rescue, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, of course I have already answered this question. The minister said that his use of the government aircraft was for government business and that clearly was the case.

[Aboriginal Affairs, December 1st, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the NDP, which has voted against investments in this community and elsewhere, this government has made tens of millions of dollars of investments in this community, infrastructure investments of over $50,000 for every man, woman and child. It is obvious there continue to be needs.

The government is working to fulfill those needs, but they are twofold. There is a need, obviously, for more services and infrastructure. There is also clearly a need for better management. The government will ensure both of those things are dealt with.

[Aboriginal Affairs, December 1st, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the department responded right away to the urgent needs. However, the community has many needs. More services are needed. The government has already invested a lot of money. There is a need for better management of public funds, and the government is going to take responsibility for ensuring that those needs are met.

[Aboriginal Affairs, December 1st, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the government actively responded to the community's needs right away, and not just now. Over the past five years, the government has invested over $90 million in this community. However, clearly, a significant part of our responsibility involves ensuring that the people in these communities are receiving the full benefit of this funding.