House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Public Safety February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, we already have a rigorous system of oversight on our national security and police agencies. Specifically on intelligence, we have the Security Intelligence Review Committee, which is a robust mechanism for independent, expert, third party oversight. It functions very well. We are proud of the work it is doing.
What we have to tackle now is making sure our police and security agencies have the power necessary to tackle terrorism and violent jihadism, and that is what we are doing.
Taxation February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, our priorities are cutting taxes and increasing the universal child care benefit for all Canadian families.
I know very well that the Liberal Party has been opposed to these policies for a long time. It wants to raise the taxes paid by Canadian families. That is quite the opposite of our policies.
Taxation February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, what this government is doing is bringing in tax reductions and benefits for every single Canadian family, including the expansion of the universal child care benefit so that we not only raise the amount of money we give for those with children under six but also give benefits all the way up to the age of 17. There is the expansion of the children's fitness tax credit, giving more deductions for expense costs that families incur, and, of course, the family tax cut to ensure that single-income families are treated fairly under the tax system.
We know the Liberal Party wants to raise those taxes on 100% of those Canadian families. We are going to cut taxes for Canadian families.
Taxation February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, let me just talk about some of the recent things that I have announced, such as the new programs for small business financing and expansion of those programs. That was something this party supported and something the NDP voted against.
I announced record new investments in federal infrastructure to aid federal infrastructure investment over the long term. The NDP was opposed to that.
We introduced new measures for apprentices to make sure apprentices are trained for the jobs that are available. The NDP voted against that.
All the NDP members do is sit there with their arms crossed, demanding high debt and high-tax policies. We are never going to embrace those.
Employment February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear. We have created 1.2 million jobs since the worst recession hit the Canadian economy. The vast majority are full-time, well-paid, private sector jobs. The statistics are very clear on that.
We stand for tax cuts and job creation, and we oppose the NDP's plan to raise taxes and kill Canadians' jobs.
Employment February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, this government reduced the small business tax rate, and the NDP voted against it. This government made more businesses eligible for the small business tax rate, and the NDP voted against it. That is why the CFIB called the leader of the NDP's policies dumb and anti-small business.
The reality is this. We have, notwithstanding the challenges of the world around us, created 1.2 million net new jobs. Even The New York Times says we have the most prosperous middle class in the world. Everybody knows that all the NDP wants to do with the economic crisis is use it as an excuse to raise taxes on the middle class.
Employment February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, speaking of Mr. Kelly, he complimented the fact that the government has already cut small business taxes, something the NDP actually opposed. It is not surprising Mr. Kelly would compliment the NDP when it actually embraces Conservative policy after the fact, but what he did say about the NDP's unique policies is that they were stupid, dumb, and anti-small business.
We are cutting taxes for 100% of Canadian families, and the New Democrats would raise taxes for 100% of Canadian families.
Employment February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, over the past few months I announced a number of economic initiatives with our economic action plan to cut taxes to ensure that jobs are created. We will carry on despite the uncertainties of the global economy.
Now is not the time for NDP policies, policies that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said were stupid and anti-small business.
Foreign Affairs January 28th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Etobicoke Centre for his question and for his ongoing interest in and commitment to this particular issue.
Today the government announced additional support to assist Ukraine as it works to rebuild itself into a prosperous country, free from Russian aggression.
This additional support will assist Ukraine's newly elected government to stabilize the economy and stimulate sustainable growth.
We will continue to condemn the ongoing military aggression by the Putin regime, which is solely responsible for the violence and disruption.
Veterans Affairs January 28th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party knows full well that the government is not going to comment on matters before the court other than simply to observe that in this case, the government is defending a decision of the previous government, supported by all parties in the House of Commons.
Since coming to office, since the previous government imposed the new veterans charter, this government has enhanced veterans' services and programs to the tune of some $5 billion, opposed every step of the way by the Liberals and the NDP. We are proud of those actions and will obviously look at what more needs to be done as we continue to support our veterans.