House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
The Senate January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I gather the change announced by the leader today is that unelected Liberal senators will become unelected senators who happen to be Liberal.
In fact, his leader in the Senate said the following in response to his announcement: “I'm not a former Liberal. I'm a Liberal and I'm a Liberal senator”. He also said, “I suspect that not a great deal will change”. That has to be the understatement of the year.
Veterans Affairs January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, once again, this government's record, not only of increasing services to veterans and funds for veterans, is unprecedented. So is our support for the men and women who actively wear the uniform of the Canadian Forces, and we will continue to serve them.
Veterans Affairs January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, veterans have access to in-person services not just in a few service centres, but at 600 points of service across Canada.
It is important that we state the facts and ensure veterans get these facts. This government is increasing points of service for veterans from a very few number of offices, the 600 points of service across the country. I know why the unions and the NDP oppose that, but this is in the best interests of veterans. They can play politics; we are going to keep delivering services to veterans.
Veterans Affairs January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, what the leader of the NDP will not accept is that sometimes government officials and bureaucrats make mistakes. When that happens, it is up to the elected government to make sure they do the right thing, which is what the minister has done in this particular case.
More generally, when we have a small number of duplicative veterans offices that have a very small case load, it makes a lot more sense—I know the unions do not like it—to have 600 points of service for veterans that will be closer to that—
Veterans Affairs January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition raises that question because of course it is unacceptable.
As soon as the minister heard about that, he immediately said it was unacceptable and ordered a change. That is the kind of work we get from this minister.
Veterans Affairs January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the minister has apologized for the events of yesterday, but the fact of the matter is that this government and this minister have increased services for our veterans without precedent.
It is an important priority for our government—it always has been—to protect those who wear the uniform and who once wore the uniform, which is why we have overwhelming support for veterans and we will continue to serve them.
Veterans Affairs January 29th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the minister has already apologized for yesterday's events.
The record of this government and this minister is clear. Our government has increased services for veterans without precedent and we will continue to do so.
Ethics January 28th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, once again, the RCMP has looked into that matter and been clear, as I have been, that I did not know that.
Ethics January 28th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the documents that the official opposition leader is referring to indicate that Mr. Wright did not inform me of this matter.
Ethics January 28th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the RCMP has already been clear that I had no knowledge of this, as I said. We will obviously leave that investigation to the RCMP; they are responsible.