Mr. Speaker, the proposed Canada-wide system is decentralized, but Quebec's participation is entirely voluntary. It is our constitutional responsibility to strengthen Canada's economic union. That is important at a time like this.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Securities January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the proposed Canada-wide system is decentralized, but Quebec's participation is entirely voluntary. It is our constitutional responsibility to strengthen Canada's economic union. That is important at a time like this.
Securities January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, at a time when the international community is thinking about better international regulation, we must have better national regulation in Canada.
As for the Canada-wide securities commission, we are clear: participation is voluntary. If Quebec does not want to take part, it has that option. But many other partners want such a commission, and their participation will also be voluntary.
Trade January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, for any country, protectionism is a serious concern during such an economic crisis. I have been prepared for some time. Protectionism must be avoided during a global downturn. It is an ongoing process in the American Congress. We will see further changes, plans and proposals.
United with every country in the world, we will insist that the United States respect its obligations with respect to the World Trade Organization.
Trade January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, this is precisely why in December the Premier of Ontario and I made it clear that we are working together and working with our colleagues in both the outgoing and now the incoming administration to ensure that we are on the same page in terms of helping the auto sector and to ensure that we bring our share of any restructuring package to the table and preserve those jobs in Canada.
It is precisely what we are doing. We are doing it in lockstep. Our officials talk daily to their counterparts in the United States and we have a great partner in the Government of Ontario in this endeavour.
Trade January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the last time I looked the United States Congress was independent of embassies. However, this is obviously a serious matter and of serious concern to us.
I spoke to our ambassador about it yesterday and I know that countries around the world are expressing grave concern about some of these measures that go against not just the obligations of the United States but, frankly, the spirit of our G20 discussions.
We will be having these discussions with our friends in the United States and we expect the United States to respect its international obligations.
International Relations January 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to inform the House that President Obama will be visiting Ottawa on Thursday, February 19.
This will be, as all Canadians know or are delighted to learn, his first foreign visit as President of the United States. This is a testament not just to the size of our trading relationship and the closeness of our alliance, but also to the strength of our friendship. I look forward to an important and productive working visit.
The Budget January 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker the veterans independence program amendments were made a couple of budgets ago. I do not know how the leader of the NDP managed to miss that, but I guess he voted against it.
It is quite interesting to hear the leader of the NDP say that he is now against tax reductions for Canadian businesses. He said that in the campaign, but I remember a month ago he was all prepared to support those.
The Budget January 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, if the leader of the NDP would read the budget, he would see that there is substantial help for workers, for the unemployed and for the vulnerable. There is lots of money for social housing, to help stimulate our construction economy and in fact for every one of the causes he has named.
The difficulty is the leader of the NDP chose to oppose the budget before he read it. He should read it and he should help us pass it.
The Budget January 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, this budget increases employment insurance benefits and training funds for workers and the unemployed. With regard to pay equity, we have adopted the approach used by Manitoba's NDP government.
The Budget January 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, this budget meets needs from one end of the country to the other. Many interest groups in Quebec recognize this and I encourage the leader of the Bloc to heed those Quebeckers.