Susan Truppe

[Taxation, May 8th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, our government does support this motion and will consider this proposal in future budgets. I would just like to point out that our Conservative government has spent nine years reducing taxes on Canadian families. They know it is our government that puts money back in their pockets.

[Taxation, May 6th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party has shown his priority for middle class families, high taxes.

Instead of a family tax cut, he introduced a family tax hike. The Liberal leader will raise taxes on families earning less than $60,000, who use tax free savings accounts. The Liberal leader admitted that he needs to raise taxes to fill the $2 billion hole in his plan.

The Liberal leader will have no choice but to raise taxes, including taking away income-splitting for pensioners and taking away the tax free savings accounts entirely.

[Taxation, May 1st, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, we know the Liberals and the New Democrats like big deficits and higher taxes. My constituents in London North Centre know that it is only our Conservative government that will lower taxes for the middle class.

When I was speaking to middle-class families in my riding last weekend, they told me that they were looking forward to receiving benefits from the family tax cut and especially the enhanced universal childcare benefit.

Our plan is helping 100% of families with kids put almost $2,000 back in their pockets. We are focused on keeping more money in the hands of the real experts: moms and dads.

[Liberation of the Netherlands Ceremonies, April 29th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the liberation of the Netherlands, in which Canada played a crucial role, was an important part of the allied effort to free the people of Europe from tyranny and oppression.

Our government recognizes the importance of commemorating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and will be sending an all-party delegation, led by the Minister of Veterans Affairs. Over 60 veterans who helped liberate the Netherlands will be participating.

Unfortunately, one veteran, Mr. Art Boon, who was invited as a guest of the Dutch government, is unable to be accompanied by his son, a teacher. This is because the Avon Maitland District School Board has refused Rick Boon's request for unpaid leave to travel with and provide care for his father. This is absolutely shameful. I once again call upon the school board to do the right thing and reverse this decision.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, that member knows full well that we do not need a national inquiry. What we have is an action plan which the minister tabled in September of last year.

We will continue to work with communities to develop safety plans, to raise awareness and take measures to empower aboriginal women and girls. We are developing more community safety plans on and off reserves, including in regions identified specifically by the RCMP. This action plan will engage men and boys. It will raise awareness to break intergenerational cycles of violence. It will address underlying causes of violence through structured training initiatives.

We on this side of the House stand up for aboriginal women and girls.

[Taxation, March 24th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, it should come as no surprise that our Conservative government is the only one that stands up for middle-class Canadian families. Through our low-tax plan for families, our government is helping 100% of families with children to receive the benefits they need so that they can put their hard-earned money toward their own priorities.

We have doubled the children's fitness tax credit, enhanced the universal child care benefit, and now implemented the family tax cut. All parents, including single parents, will benefit from our family tax cut. That is more than 4 million families and more than 7 million parents.

Meanwhile, the Liberals' and the NDP's idea for Canadians is high taxes and high debt. They will take away our benefits and implement a job-killing carbon tax that will raise the price of everything.

The facts are crystal clear. Only our Conservative government can be trusted to keep money in the pockets of Canadian families.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, our government has already taken significant action in this area. It is important to remember that many of these recommendations are outside federal jurisdiction.

Since coming to office, we have passed more than 30 criminal justice and public safety initiatives, including tougher sentences for murder, sexual assault, kidnapping and mandatory prison sentences for the most heinous crimes. The opposition voted against these bills.

We also closed a 30-year legislative gap by ensuring hundreds of thousands of first nations people living on reserves get the same human rights protections as other Canadians for the first time by including them under the Canadian Human Rights Act. That member voted against it.

[Taxation, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, tax season is approaching, and the tax-free savings account is another example of our Conservative government fulfilling its promise to keep taxes low. It is a way for Canadians to save for retirement, their kids' education, or a down payment on a house.

We are proud that 11 million Canadians of all ages and income levels have opened an account allowing them to save tax free.

According to CARP, TFSAs have particular value for retirees who can no longer contribute to RRSPs, and for lower income earners who do not benefit as much from tax-deductible RRSP contributions.

However, the NDP voted against the tax-free savings account, and the Liberal leader wants Canadians to pay more taxes. Perhaps he does not understand that ordinary Canadians cannot rely on a big trust fund.

The facts are clear. Only our Conservative government can be trusted to keep taxes low.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 9th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, these are terrible crimes against innocent people. The RCMP itself has said in its own study that the vast majority of these cases are addressed and solved through police investigations. We do not need another study on top of the 40 that we already have. What we need is for the police to catch those responsible and ensure they are punished.

Now is the time, not for more talk but for action. The minister tabled her action plan last September and it is a very good action plan. It would help address and combat violence against aboriginal women and girls.

[International Women's Day, March 9th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Minister of Status of Women who last week led Canada's celebrations of International Women's Day and Week with the theme “Strong Women. Strong World. Improving Economic Opportunities for All”.

The good news is that educational achievement among women has increased their economic opportunities, yet they remain under-represented in many sectors.

That is why our government has made significant investments through Status of Women Canada in projects that support women in skilled trades and women entrepreneurs. On January 8, the Prime Minister announced that the Canada apprenticeship loan is now accepting applications.

Throughout this year, I invite all Canadians to celebrate the tremendous achievements and potential of young women and girls.