House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Veterans Affairs December 9th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, unlike that party, we provide benefits both to families and to veterans.
The hon. member makes reference to a court case that is actually a court case against a previous Liberal policy. In any case, we have repeatedly enhanced the benefits under that policy to the tune of some $5 billion, opposed every step of the way by the Liberal Party, which voted against all of those benefits.
It can keep voting against those benefits for veterans. We will keep bringing them forward.
Veterans Affairs December 9th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I could give thousands of examples of where we have streamlined back office support, including, of course, eliminating photocopy and processing clerks in place of digital medical records.
There is the difference. The NDP wanted to keep bureaucrats to do nothing but process and delay payments to veterans under a program it actually voted against. On this side, we cut down the bureaucracy. We deliver service to the veterans.
Veterans Affairs December 9th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, we understand the NDP's position very well: that party wants to protect the jobs of bureaucrats at Veterans Affairs and it is opposed to veterans' services.
Let me tell members, in line of this question, precisely what I am talking about. In fact, in the veterans independence program, the department cut 100 people whose only job was to process small claims from veterans, which are now allowed automatically. That is what we did. At the same time, we increased benefits under the veterans independence program. The NDP voted against that.
Justice December 9th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, very simply, this is a report of the United States Senate. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the Government of Canada.
Public Safety December 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the member for Papineau is mistaken.
We all know that Marc Lépine singled out women for his slaughter. One can never understand why somebody would ever act like that.
This week we will remember those 14 lives that were so tragically snuffed out. This government will continue its commitment to work against criminals, to crack down on crime, and also to support victims and prevent these kinds of horrific actions.
Veterans Affairs December 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the government has enhanced funeral services for our veterans through successive budgets. We have also enhanced the contributions to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Every time we have enhanced these benefits and services for veterans, the member for Papineau and his party have voted against them. The Liberal Party is all about rhetoric. Our government is about action and services.
Veterans Affairs December 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I note that the government has enhanced funeral services for our veterans through successive budgets. It has also enhanced the contributions to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Guess who stood in their places and voted against that? The member for Papineau and the Liberal Party, once again. Veterans are not fooled. They know all they get is rhetoric from the Liberal Party. They get actions and services from this government.
Health December 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, as the House knows, the government has committed to that, and the minister and the department continue to meet with the victims association.
However, it is good to know that the NDP will hire more bureaucrats at Veterans Affairs. What it will not do is vote for enhanced funding for the community war memorial program, enhanced benefits under the earning loss and supplementary retirement benefit program. The NDP will not vote for the financial support program. It will not vote for career transition services, for mental health services, for disability awards and allowances. That is the difference between the rhetoric over there and the action here.
Veterans Affairs December 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the items I just listed are not political rhetoric. They are real services and programs for our veterans.
The rhetoric is from these guys, who when actually faced with doing something for veterans, vote against them every single time. We deliver.
Veterans Affairs December 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I am obviously not going to comment on matters before the courts. What I can say is the following: The substantive matter is a measure passed by the previous government, and supported by all parties in this House, including the NDP.
The reality is that this government has enhanced veterans services in numerous ways. We brought in the Canadian Forces income support allowance, which the NDP voted against. We brought in the veterans bill of rights, which the NDP voted against. We brought in compensation on the Agent Orange issue, which the NDP voted against. There were enhancements to the veterans independence program, which the NDP voted against. I could go on.