Tony Clement

[FedNor, March 26th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I want to reveal to the House that our new government of course is committed not only to development across Canada but to development in northern Ontario, unlike the current leader of the Liberal Party, who during his leadership campaign wrote off northern Ontario and many other parts of Ontario by saying that in general people should simply move to where the jobs are.

Not only has this government announced five years of stable funding for FedNor, something the previous government never did, we have also announced well over $16 million of investments in northern Ontario this last year alone. I call upon the hon. members opposite from northern Ontario, wherever they are from in northern Ontario, to--

[Health, March 22nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, this was a very tragic situation and our hearts go out to the family involved in this particular situation. As the hon. member does know, I am sure, the regulation of these kinds of products are left with provincial agencies and with the provincial colleges.

The hon. member is trying to draw a tenuous, specious link between this tragedy and her own public policy issue, which is in fact a non-issue because, as the hon. member knows, or should know, the amount of export from this country to the United States is down 50% in one year alone.

The hon. member, quite frankly, is trying to tie one issue to another, which is a tragic issue. She should stick to the facts and not try to--

[Health, March 21st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I first want to congratulate the hon. Minister of Finance for creating a national mental health commission to help Canadians who need help to deal with this challenge.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association had this to say, “This is an important first concrete step toward getting a mental health strategy for Canada”. The Mood Disorders Society of Canada said, “We applaud the government on this important decision”.

We got the job done. The Liberals, in 13 years, did not get it done. Why will the Liberals not support and help those living with mental illness?

[Health, March 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, that is totally incorrect. I have confidence in the competence of all AHRC members. I can state that they represent a wide variety of opinions. I can also say that there is, of course, far more going on there than there was under the former government. There is now more direction and more protection for women in this context.

[Health, March 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, as far as the composition of this commission is concerned, what is clear is the importance of having a diversity of opinions to represent Canadians. The people have a variety of skills in order to address complex issues. The agency can consult whomever it wishes for assistance with its research and responsibilities.

[Children, March 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the question is premised on a complete fiction. This government is supporting kids' services. We have done it in terms of our tax policy. We have done it in terms of our social spending. We have done it in terms of our first nations and Inuit policy. That is the record of this government.

The Liberals' record is a record of cuts, a record of making sure that their friends were covered, but when it came to the delivery of social services for the average Canadian or for the at risk Canadian, they did not deliver. That is their record.

[Children, March 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I can certainly assure the House that the hon. member's facts, figures and assertions are completely incorrect. We support our funding for children. We support, in particular, the children at risk in aboriginal and Inuit communities.

All I can say is that after $25 billion of social service cuts by the previous Liberal government, provinces found it more difficult to deal with social services issues. First nations communities found it more difficult. That is the Liberal record. Our record is considerably brighter for the future of Canadians.

[Health, February 20th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, as Canada's health minister I am committed to protecting the health and safety of all Canadians. As soon as I was informed last week of the potential risks associated with the levels of mercury in canned albacore tuna, I instructed my officials to issue an advisory in addition to the one published back in 2002.

Yesterday, Health Canada did issue that advisory informing Canadians, especially pregnant women and young children, to limit their consumption of albacore canned tuna. Light tuna is not affected by this advisory. I want to encourage Canadians to continue to eat tuna. We have acted to ensure that Canadians are safer.

[Chemicals Management Plan, February 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to do so. Indeed, earlier today, through the challenge to industry, the new Government of Canada is moving on with separating 15 to 30 substances every three or four months and publishing the list in the Canada Gazette.

Industry is required to provide information on any of these substances in its possession within six months. The onus is on the industry to do this to show that these substances are safe for the environment and for human health.

This government is acting to protect the health of Canadians and to protect our environment, and we are proud to do so.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. members knows, this is an incredibly serious issue and a dire situation. I can assure this House that Health Canada is on the scene with medical professionals. Indeed, we have additional funds this year alone to, unfortunately, deal with suicide crisis intervention services.

Of course, the previous Liberal government's record in terms of the treatment of first nations was appalling. We are attempting with alacrity to clean up that mess. However, in the meantime, we are going to be there for the citizens of Canada on that particular reserve, as indeed for all reserves.