Stephen Harper

[Veterans Affairs, November 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, once again, that is not completely accurate. What the Auditor General has said is that he examined the mental health program. He said that the government had good programs, one in particular, rehabilitation programs being delivered in a timely manner. In the case of the disability benefits program, 94% of applicants are being found eligible.

However, the hon. member is right to observe that in some cases it has taken a long time, through a difficult and cumbersome process that is not necessary. The department recognizes that and for that reason the department will implement recommendations to improve those processes.

[Northern Development, November 25th, 2014]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, a full recitation of the facts is a little bit different.

As has been noted, there has been about a 25% increase under Nutrition North in the shipping of healthy foods to the north, something we are spending over $60 million a year on. The price of the average family food basket has dropped by about 6%.

The Auditor General has noted that there needs to be better information in place to monitor performance of the program in some aspects. The ministry has obviously accepted those recommendations.

[Veterans Affairs, November 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, let us be accurate in terms of what the Auditor General said.

He looked at two government programs. He noted that Veterans Affairs has put in place important health supports for veterans. In the case of the rehabilitation program, he observed that it is working well. In the case of the disability benefits program, 94% of veterans are being found eligible for those mental health supports.

The Auditor General did note that the process is unnecessarily long and difficult. For that reason, the department has accepted those recommendations.

[Veterans Affairs, November 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General said:

Veterans Affairs Canada has put in place important health supports for veterans, and the Department is providing timely access to the Rehabilitation Program.

Furthermore, 94% of veterans are eligible for the disability benefits program. The Auditor General noted that the process for the program is slow and complex, and the department has accepted his recommendations.

[Intergovernmental Relations, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I was told that the Government of Canada was represented at that conference. What is more, we are always interested in hearing people's ideas, not only about Montreal but about all regions of Canada.

[Infrastructure, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the facts laid out in that question are completely wrong. The government announced in the last two budgets the largest infrastructure program in Canadian history, some $70 billion over the next decade. The unfortunate reality is the Liberal Party voted against those infrastructure plans.

That is the difference. On this side we are investing in infrastructure. On the other hand, all the Liberals want is tax hikes to pay bureaucracy.

[Access to Information, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it was this government that modernized the system by bringing some 70 agencies and organizations under access to information that were previously not under it, something opposed by the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party not only opposed that Accountability Act, it opposed union transparency and it opposed transparency for people living on first nations reserves.

We have nothing to learn on transparency from the Liberals.

[Health, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government's record is clear. It is quite different from that of the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, which cut transfers to the provincial health care systems.

On the contrary, we have increased these transfers every year, and they will continue to increase in the future.

Our record is unparalleled and quite different from that of the party across the way.

[Health, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this government is transferring record amounts of money to the provinces for health care. Those 6% increases are continuing exactly as scheduled.

In the future, they will continue to increase by a minimum of 3%. Frankly, most years they will be much more than that. This government's record is unparalleled when it comes to supporting our health care system.

[Child Care, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the NDP is absolutely wrong. We promised and we have delivered benefits and tax cuts, putting more money in the pockets of taxpayers across Quebec and throughout Canada. The NDP wants to take those benefits away from Quebeckers. Our government will make sure that the money makes its way into the pockets of Quebeckers.