House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
Government Expenditures May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the member knows, or should know, that each department, every year, must table in its public accounts each item of spending in the public accounts. That is legally obligated. That is what each department does.
If the hon. member wants to play word games, he can do so, but the facts are there for parliamentarians. If his caucus members from the years from 2001 to 2009 did not ask the right questions, then that is their problem, not the problem on this side of the House.
Labour May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, there is only one taxpayer. We represent the taxpayer's interest in this government.
We are not going to have a situation with crown corporations, who ultimately come to government if their bills exceed their ability to pay them. They come to government. We are not going to allow them to have a situation where they have collective bargaining, which is over and above what is fair and reasonable for the taxpayers to pay.
That is our position. They are free to oppose it and to side with public sector unions' interest. We will side with the taxpayer interest.
Labour May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the government has the ultimate financial responsibility for crown corporations. We must ensure that these costs are sustainable. As the government, we are responsible for crown corporation and the public service.
I would say to the hon. member that his hon. leader's track record in provincial politics is very clear.
The hon. member is shaking his head, but the facts are on the table. They did exactly the same thing in the Quebec government that we are doing here, and he was part of that government.
Privacy May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I get perturbed. When I was in his riding, announcing federal funds for excellent projects in Timmins, he was gushing with his praise for me and our government. This is a different line of attack by the hon. member in this House from when he is in Timmins, I might add.
However, I would assure the hon. member that discussions are ongoing with the Privacy Commissioner and we await her advice and counsel on these issues.
Government Advertising May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, in fact, government spending on advertising was 46% lower in the last year reported than in 2009-10. That is a fact. I find it curious that the hon. member would raise these issues since, when the Liberal Party wanted to do advertising, it took illegal funds from the public sector and other unions.
Government Advertising May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as I have already indicated, advertising is an essential means for informing Canadians about important issues, such as temporary stimulus measures, tax credits and public health issues.
We have been very clear. It is an essential part of any government's job to communicate to the public. This represents 0.3% of government spending.
Government Expenditures May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the answers to the hon. member's questions are found in the public accounts and the estimates in the years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Those were tabled before this chamber. They were debated by parliamentarians. Either she or her predecessors took part in those debates. It is a matter of public record and the Auditor General's findings speak for themselves.
Government Expenditures May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this is a direct quote from the Auditor General, “We didn't find anything that gave us cause for concern that money was used in any way it should not have been.”
He confirmed at committee that the anti-terrorism fund that he was reviewing was purely an internal government reporting process and that the shortcomings, which we acknowledge, did not prevent parliamentarians or Canadians from scrutinizing spending through the estimates process and through the public accounts process.
Those are the facts.
Government Expenditures May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I will be very accurate with my quotations from the Auditor General. He said a number of things, both in public and to the committee as well. He had said, “We didn’t find anything that gave us cause for concern that the money...was used in any way that it should not have been.”
He confirmed that opposition characterization of these funds as “lost” is inaccurate. He confirmed that this money went through due diligence at the departmental level and was conveyed to Parliament for review and approval.
Those are the facts. Everything else is just their--
Labour May 2nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I will say it again. The government has the ultimate financial responsibility for crown corporations, and we must ensure that their finances are sustainable. This is not a revolutionary idea. The NDP leader was part of a provincial government that required crown corporations, including Hydro Québec, Loto-Québec and Télé-Québec, to obtain political approval for negotiating mandates. This is nothing new.