House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Taxation November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely not true.
Every family with children—more than 4 million Canadian families—will benefit from the announcements I made last week. That is the truth.
The truth is that the Canadian public will object to the Liberal Party's plan to take away not only the benefits for families, but also the benefits for seniors. Canadians want money in their pockets, and that is what the Conservatives will give them.
Taxation November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, that is 100% wrong. Every single one of the four million-plus Canadian families with children will benefit from this plan. When the Liberals go to the people of Canada and tell them they are going to take away all of those benefits, they are going to find that out.
Taxation November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party is just simply wrong on every fact that he mentioned in that particular statement. The reality is that the measures I announced last week will help every single Canadian family.
We know that the Liberals are against those tax reductions for families, just as they were against the same tax reductions for senior citizens. We know they want to take them away from our families and our senior citizens, and we will never support that on this side of the House.
Taxation November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, obviously we never like to see job losses. These are the decisions of individual companies. It does not, of course, change the reality that we have had 1.1 million net new jobs created in the Canadian economy since the recession.
While we are talking about help for Canadian families, last week I announced an important series of measures that benefit every single family with children in this country. Of course a big part of that is reducing taxes for Canadian families. That is what Canadian families want. What Canadian families know does not work, will not work, and what they do not want are the tax hikes proposed on them by the NDP.
Ethics November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the member has not been a member of the Conservative caucus for some time.
On this side of the House, we act promptly on the facts, the real facts that are available to us, not on speculation, not on rumour. We have taken the appropriate action. It is now up to the leader of the NDP to take the appropriate action on the money he and his party took improperly from this House.
Ethics November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the member in question has not been a member of the Conservative caucus for some time.
Our position in these kinds of matters in the past has been absolutely clear. When there is this kind of case, we expect the member will be suspended without pay. I know you, Mr. Speaker, are going to rule later, and that is our position. Other matters will be referred to the committee.
In the meantime, while we take the appropriate moral actions on these cases, the NDP tries to keep the money.
Ethics November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, my point, once again, is that the government has already dealt with this matter through legislation already passed, not affected by anything at the committee today, that the NDP opposed.
When we are talking about NDP opposition, maybe the reason they oppose it is that the hon. leader and his party still have not done anything to repay the over $1 million they took improperly from the House of the Commons.
Ethics November 4th, 2014
Again, Mr. Speaker, the legislation I was referring to was passed in the budget implementation act in the first half of this year, which the NDP—
Ethics November 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should realize that the government has already passed legislation indicating that, should a member be suspended from the chamber, the case is that he ceases to participate from that point forward in the MP pension plan.
That has been the fact. I guess the NDP does not remember that because, in fact, it voted against doing that.
Mr. Speaker of the Senate, Mr. Speaker of the House of Commons, hon. members and senators, distinguished guests.
Mr. President of the French Republic, yesterday I had the pleasure of welcoming you to Alberta, my home province. Today, we are very honoured to welcome you to our Parliament.
Before reaching the highest office in your country, you, too, lived the life of a parliamentarian for nearly 20 years. We are therefore very touched to have you with us this morning. On many occasions since you were elected president in 2012, I have personally appreciated your wisdom and courage during a time when the global economy has been in serious turmoil. As you know, we are not out of the woods yet.
However, Mr. President, your presence here with a large and important business delegation, as well as the recent conclusion of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, show the world that we are determined together to move forward in creating jobs, growth, and prosperity for our citizens.
I also find it reassuring to know that our countries have modelled enlightened collaboration based on shared values during these difficult global times. Our discussions in Banff confirmed that, internationally, Canada and France share the same commitment to multilateralism, democracy, human rights and good governance.
We also confirmed the vitality of the enhanced cooperation agenda, which we developed last year. The agenda covers the economy, defence, political dialogue, culture, academics and science.
Happily, we also share the same perspective regarding the major international security issues on which France and you, Mr. President, are global leaders. The tragic events that took place just steps away from here less than two weeks ago reminded us that even our most sacred democratic institutions are not immune to murderous rampages inspired by terrorist movements. Your country also recently bore the pain of the cruel and senseless murder of two of your citizens in Algeria, an act we deplored and condemned.
I am therefore pleased that we had the opportunity yesterday to strengthen our resolve and revisit our strategy to eradicate the most virulent centres of the terrorist scourge, particularly on Iraqi territory, where both of our air forces are engaged.
In addition to discussing the jihadist threat in several countries, we also talked about the brazen aggression by Vladimir Putin's troops in Ukraine, as well as other urgent matters: climate change and the terrifying spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa. We are committed to working on these challenges together.
These will, of course, Mr. President, only add to the long and proud history of Canada and France working together for common values and against the great threats to our civilization. Just over four months ago, on a Normandy beach, with more than 20 other heads of state and government, you and I celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Allied landing, the beginning of the end of the Nazi oppression of Europe. To us Canadians, that anniversary, along with the centennial of the start of the First World War this year, remind us, with a solemn pride, that a young country on two occasions did not hesitate to come to the aid of the old continent from which most of its population originated.
More recently, we also took part in the G7 summit in Brussels and then in the NATO meeting in Wales. These recent meetings, one inspired by historic collaboration and the other concerned with the challenges of the present and the future, are, I believe, a clear demonstration that the relations that join Canada and France are both long-standing and far-reaching.
Mr. President, compared to Europe, which is so much older, Canada may seem like a young country. However, France and Canada's shared history began nearly five centuries ago, when Saint-Malo explorer Jacques Cartier arrived on our shores. He was the one who chose the name Canada for these lands, which were still unknown to Europeans at that time. Ever since, the great journey of the French language in North America has continued. I can assure you, Mr. President, that all Canadian francophones feel the same pride in and the same hope for their language, culture and institutions that your ancestors felt when they came here.
All Canadians are grateful for the friendship and solidarity you have shown us with your visit to Canada.
I now have the privilege of inviting you to address this chamber.
Dear friends, Mr. President François Hollande.
[Applause]