Tony Clement

[Telecommunications, March 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as we have already indicated, we announced in the budget that we will provide funding for this Internet access program through grants. We support Canadians, from coast to coast to coast, who need Internet access and our program.

We have another program, the broadband program, with $200 million for rural and remote Canadians, for access as well.

We are on the side of Canadians who choose to live in rural and remote communities.

[Telecommunications, March 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already said in the chamber today, the money was always in the budget and the money was always going to be allocated to the groups that had the money in the first place. Therefore, our position has not changed.

I am quite surprised the member cares so deeply about this issue since she voted against the budget in the first place.

[Telecommunication, March 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, what I can confirm to this House is that we have a multifaceted strategy. Part of it involves the Internet and part of it involves broadband services. Perhaps the hon. member should learn the difference between the two. It is important to understand the difference.

We have a $200 million program designed to serve those living in the most remote, most rural communities in our country. We are supporting people in those communities and we will continue to do so.

[Telecommunication, March 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as I said before, funding is provided for this program is our 2010 budget. That initiative is still included in our budget.

I should also add that we support Canadians living in rural areas, and it is important that they have access to the Internet and to wireless services.

We are supporting these rural and remote Canadians, and we will continue to do so.

[Telecommunications, March 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, indeed, I can confirm that this particular Internet access program is being funded. It has been funded in budget 2010. The funding was always there. This program works hand in glove with our overarching strategy to make sure that not only Internet but broadband services are available to rural Canadians and Canadians in remote communities as well.

We believe in Canadians all across this country having better access to Internet and broadband services, and we are acting on it.

[The Budget, March 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, of course we were saddened to hear of this decision but it is actually contrary to what is happening on the ground in many other parts of the country. There were 21,000 new jobs in February alone.

I was in Hamilton yesterday helping to open a brand new facility that the federal government, in part, funded. It will be a great world-class facility when it comes to cardiac and stroke care. That will add new jobs in the health service field. New business will come into Hamilton. That is what we are doing for Hamilton.

[Shipbuilding Industry, March 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we are currently taking part in a consultation process with stakeholders from the shipbuilding industry. The shipbuilding strategy will be a national strategy that will benefit thousands of individuals across Canada. We support this industry and I am convinced that this industry has a bright future in Canada.

[Aerospace Industry, March 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, our government has actively supported the aerospace sector since coming to power. Let us not forget that it was our government that created the strategic aerospace and defence initiative. In addition, we have already invested over $400 million in the aerospace sector. We support the sector because it represents our country's future.

[Afghanistan, March 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, since the very start of our engagement in Afghanistan we have been building the institutions of the Afghan government, including better prisons, better training for Afghan authorities and better training for the military. This part of the core of our mission and it is part of the mission that we are particularly proud of.

[Afghanistan, March 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, when there were credible witnesses, we took action in the best interests of both Canadians and Afghanis.

Three years ago, we concluded a new agreement on the transfer of detainees with the Afghan authorities. It is better than the one concluded by the previous Liberal government.

We are taking action in the best interests of both Canadians and Afghanis.