Steven Fletcher

[Energy Efficiency Act, May 6th, 2009]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[Political Financing, April 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our government is following through on its commitment to increase standards of accountability and transparency in political financing.

Yesterday our government reintroduced legislation to ensure that political loans are subject to the same scrutiny as other political contributions. This bill will help fight the perception that wealthy individuals can still buy influence and that the rules can be skirted easily if one has enough money.

The bill makes changes to the Canada Elections Act that will create uniform and transparent rules for the use of loans and limit the influence of wealthy individuals on the political process. It is time to ensure full transparency in political loans.

[Government Assistance, April 24th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the President of the Treasury Board is on the ground with the public safety minister in Manitoba talking to stakeholders, talking to the victims of the flood. We are on the ground, we are getting the job done.

I think the province and the federal government are working very well together, along with first nations. Thank goodness that we are getting the job done for Manitobans.

[The Economy, April 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, all Manitobans, including students, faculty, staff and athletes, will benefit from a major investment in the sports facilities at the University of Manitoba. This is a $35 million project with the province of Manitoba and this government to ensure there are necessary upgrades to sporting facilities and new sporting facilities at the university.

This is part of our $12 billion stimulus that will help all Canadians.

[Criminal Code, February 27th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I just want to commend the member for Kildonan—St. Paul for bringing forward this bill. It is something she has been very passionate about since before she was elected.

I also know the member is the mother of a large number of children and has a unique perspective, because one of her children is in the police service.

Could the member explain the impact the bill would have not only on the victims, but also on their families? Perhaps she could explain the punishment factor as well, because that is very important when it comes to justice.

[Points of Order, February 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I was asked a question in question period, dealing with voter identification. After question period, there was a big kafuffle about my answer.

You may recall, Mr. Speaker, that there were problems with the microphones and with identifying me. In that confusion, I said there was “all party support” for the voter identification bill, but that is not what I meant to say. What I meant to say was “all party report”. If I had more time, I would have certainly recognized the fact that the NDP did not support the government initiative. Other parties did, but not the NDP.

I regret the confusion. I assure the House that it will not happen again.

[Points of Order, February 10th, 2009]

Again, Mr. Speaker, I was talking about recommendations in an all party report of the committee on procedure and House affairs.

[Points of Order, February 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, what I was referring to was the voter identification measures passed in the last Parliament that were recommended by all party support. I am sorry that member seems to have a challenge hearing what I am saying but that is not a defence.

[Elections Canada, February 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it is nice to be heard and all Canadians will be heard through the voting process, which is exactly what this government has ensured by ensuring there is integrity in the voting system. All party support for our colleagues on the committee on procedure and House affairs was followed through on by this government. Perhaps they are sad that they only get one vote but everyone gets one. We are pleased to ensure that our country remains strong, democratic and free.

[Electoral Representation, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, one does not need a degree in math to see that 75 seats today is the same as what will be the number of seats in Quebec in the near future. We will ensure that all Canadians, including Quebeckers, are well represented in this chamber.

Again, I look forward to working with all parties to ensure that the principles of Canadian democracy are maintained and enhanced.