House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Government Priorities December 7th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, women, like all Canadians, benefit from this government's policies. We are not spending only in the areas mentioned by the Leader of the Opposition; we are also spending on health and education. We are also spending to reduce taxes and to provide benefits to families. All of these programs are important to Canadian women.
The Economy December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I hope the leader of the NDP goes home tonight and actually listens to his question. Having said the government's policies are a failure, he demands that we extend them.
The NDP is a party that voted against the economic action plan, now understands that it is a success and wants us to move forward. As we have said, we will be flexible in dealing with our partners on the stimulus deadline.
The Economy December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, there is a big difference between our government and the opposition coalition, and our objection to tax increases. On the contrary, we support tax cuts and will continue lowering taxes, and we are achieving positive results compared to others. Unlike other countries, our economy has created jobs over the past year and a half. We have created 430,000 jobs in Canada thanks to our tax cuts.
The Economy December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to answer a question about jobs. Unlike other advanced industrial economies, Canada's economy has recouped almost all of the jobs lost during the recession. In fact, there are 430,000 more people working today than there were a year and a half ago.
In terms of the stimulus program itself, we know for example that 200,000 jobs have been created just through the work sharing in the EI program alone.
I think this is a record to be proud of. That is why we are strongly supportive of Canada's economic action plan. We are obviously working with our partners to finish stimulus projects.
Afghanistan December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the objective of our policies is to protect the Afghan people and the safety of our soldiers. At the same time, we must ensure that prisoners are treated in a manner that respects our international obligations. According to our information, that has happened in all the cases referred to by the Bloc leader.
Afghanistan December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as I said, when Taliban insurgents kill and injure Canadian soldiers and it is suspected that these Taliban are under 18, there are special procedures. There is supervision and special detention. We have not been informed of any cases of abuse of these prisoners.
Seniors December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, guess what? Unlike the previous Liberal government, this government can equip our armed forces and can put criminals in prison and also support our senior citizens.
In terms of the particular matter the Leader of the Opposition raises, there was a court decision that was intended to reserve GIS for those who are the poorest and vulnerable. Some changes were made administratively in HRSDC that may have overreached that objective and the minister has made clear that she has cancelled those changes.
Seniors December 1st, 2010
Of course, Mr. Speaker, completely the opposite is correct. This is the government that has increased the age credit for our senior citizens. It has increased the pension deduction for our senior citizens. It has allowed the historic decision to allow seniors to split their pension income. It has allowed those who receive the guaranteed income supplement to earn even more money.
This government has an unblemished record of increasing benefits for our senior citizens. Unfortunately, in every single case, it has been the Liberal Party that voted against these benefits for our seniors.
Seniors December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that is not at all the case. This government has been the most successful in increasing seniors' incomes in Canada. I am thinking, for example, of the historic decision to allow income splitting for seniors who receive pensions.
Unfortunately, the Liberal Party voted against these measures for our seniors.
Afghanistan November 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as I have said, there are special procedures in place for those who may be under 18 years of age and there are special detention facilities. All of this is publicly available information that is on the website.
I find it very unfortunate to hear these kinds of attacks on the job being done by Canadian troops and Canadian diplomats in the field. It is without any information. I think the hon. member's party got a message from the Canadian public last night that they do not appreciate this kind of questioning.