House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Pensions October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we are in the consultation stage on this and a number of other proposals. It is inaccurate to say that millions of Canadians are not protected. All Canadians have access to the public pension system, which is very important in this country. We have improved this system with our reforms in previous budgets and I hope the New Democratic Party will support such measures in the future.
Pensions October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we will obviously examine all suggestions.
I would point out that this government has made a large number of proposals to assist the senior citizens in this country, not just the pension reforms announced yesterday, but various improvements to tax credits, to income splitting for our senior citizens, a number of measures through budgets.
I would point out that in the past, the New Democratic Party has voted against virtually all of these measures, so I hope that will change in the future.
Pensions October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I note that the NDP did welcome the changes brought forward by the Minister of Finance yesterday and, as we have indicated many times, we continue to look at ways of improving the pension system in this country. We will be open to all suggestions moving forward.
Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, thanks to the changes our government has brought in, donations to political parties are very strictly limited, and those limits were respected in this case.
Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the answer is clear. This contract was awarded in a transparent and open manner. All the rules were followed.
Health October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I did not see things that way and I was here.
The fact is that yesterday questions were posed about adjuvanted or unadjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women. As the Minister of Health said clearly, both are considered safe by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.
Health October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, there is no contradiction in informing the public about the economic action plan and also informing them about H1N1. Information on this has been and continues to be widely available to the public through ourselves, the provinces, the federal and provincial health officers across the country and, of course, local medical officials.
A vaccination campaign is under way and all Canadians are encouraged to take precautions, to take measures of prevention and to take measures of treatment where necessary.
Health October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, this government has spent over half a billion dollars on the information campaign on influenza AH1N1.
Clearly, it is important that everyone receives this vaccine. That is what the Chief Public Health Officer has stated. The provincial chief public health officers are saying the same thing. We encourage everyone to get this vaccination.
Canadian Forces October 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the government is not here today to correct all the wrongs of the past. The government is here to learn from the past and make sure we have a better future.
I can say that we are very proud of every single man and woman who wears the uniform of the Canadian Forces.
Afghanistan October 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as we have indicated, as soon as we learned about the concrete allegations, with proof of torture in Afghanistan, we changed the procedures and concluded a new treaty with the Afghan government. We made proposals and took action two and a half years ago. These issues are behind us.