House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 39% of the vote.
Highway Safety November 14th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the government has confidence that the tunnel is safe. We look forward to working with our partners to ensure that the safety of federally-owned assets are secure.
If the member is serious about safety, I wonder why his party voted against all the investments we have made in the infrastructure for the transportation around Montreal. The NDP has voted against every budget. If it were serious, it would support this government.
Fair Representation Act November 3rd, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. For the record, I appreciated that there would have been unanimous consent in the House but I refused that consent to allow my vote. I appreciate the sentiment for accommodation but, a the end of the day, the rules are the rules and they must be followed, regardless of who the individual is or why the individual missed the timing, which is why I refused the unanimous consent.
I do appreciate the sentiment of the House, which was to allow the vote. It makes for an interesting philosophical debate, and I am thankful.
Fair Representation Act November 3rd, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I was going to rise on the same point of order. Although some members of the House may not have noticed, I sneaked in just after you began the vote. I concur that perhaps in this case my vote should be withdrawn.
Atlantic Canada November 2nd, 2011
Mr. Speaker, in fact the government has invested over $520 million in Marine Atlantic and has improved the ferry service dramatically. It has been über-successful.
The other parties have voted against all our measures to improve Marine Atlantic service, which is a great boon for the economy and for the people and culture of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
Why do those members hate Nova Scotia and Newfoundland?
Rail Transportation November 1st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this government has provided unprecedented amounts of funding for rail infrastructure throughout Canada.
If the member were really sincere about representing the people of Toronto, he would have stood and voted with this government on all our historic investments for infrastructure. Why does the member hate Toronto?
Rail Transportation November 1st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, after 13 long years, Canadians called for closure on a Liberal government. One of the reasons they did that is that the Liberals refused to do anything with rail for 13 long years.
Our government has worked with great success with stakeholders to improve the supply chain of shipments for everyone involved in the economy, from the railways to marketing facilitators. With regard to the facilitator, an announcement will be made shortly.
Business of Supply October 31st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.
I would like to just say that Canadians are very fortunate to have someone who believes so passionately and is so effective in creating wealth and prosperity in a sustainable manner for Canadians.
I reflected on his opening comments about how members of the NDP seem to have a pattern of putting down our natural resource industries. On one hand, they claim to represent something in the environmental area or claim to support labour, when in fact their environmental policies would put a lot of union workers out of work. Or, they do not recognize the value that the natural resource industry has.
Canadians are very frustrated with the apparent hypocrisy of the NDP on all issues dealing with natural resources.
I wonder if the minister could elaborate on his vision for the natural resources industry in Canada and also point out why Canadians are so frustrated with the NDP's position on natural resources?
Business of Supply October 31st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, if the member is so supportive of the mining industry, why, in the last Parliament, did his party introduce legislation that would essentially shut down the mining industry?
That is a contradiction by the NDP and that is why Canadians are so perplexed and cynical about the NDP position. On the one hand NDP members say they want to protect the environment to the nth degree. They do not believe in the ability of remediation for mining sites or the ability to have a proper balance between resource extraction and the environment. It is really just NDP members spouting off rhetoric that has no basis in reality.
I wonder if the member could reconcile the many extremes of the NDP. It is like an octopus. NDP members have eight or nine positions on everything but stand for nothing.
Business of Supply October 31st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, does the parliamentary secretary think that what the NDP is trying to do is shut down the natural resource industry in Canada? I know the member for Nickel Belt is sensitive to this. However, if we look at the NDP record from the last Parliament, that party brought forward not one but two bills that would essentially eliminate the natural resource industry from competition, first, on the ability of mining companies to base themselves in Canada and, second, on the environmental regulations which were so stringent they would shut down the industry.
I wonder if the member could comment on what he thinks the NDP's motive is in the big picture.
Questions on the Order Paper October 21st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), VIA systematically reviews its operations to ensure that it carries out its business in the most efficient way possible. Stations are regularly reviewed to ensure that the station personnel matches the demand at the stations. This will result in an increase in personnel at a specific station or a decrease in personnel. Currently there are no plans to close Guildwood Station.
With regard to (b), there are no plans to close Guildwood Station or reduce the services available at that stop at this time.
With regard to (c), in 2010, 37,686 passengers either got on or got off at Guildwood Station, or an average of 103 passengers per day.
With regard to (d), currently two full-time employees and one part-time employee work at Guildwood Station.
With regard to (e), when reviewing efficiencies in the passenger rail network, VIA's objective is to eliminate activities that do not add value for customers. VIA constantly reviews its personnel assigned to stations to ensure that the service matches demand.
With regard to (f), as a crown corporation, VIA is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. In its review of operating expenses, the corporation may decide to change a feature of its operations such as station stops. VIA then brings the proposed change to the minister for approval. No request was made by VIA to close the Guildwood station.