House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
Regional Development November 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, here is how this union-paid study came up with its conclusions. It excluded any of the job losses in the national capital region. That is where 58% of the jobs are when it comes to the public service.
If the NDP members are aspiring to government and have been listening to this stuff, they have a long way to go. Canadians can rest assured that we will be managing the economy and the public service in the best interests of Canadians.
Regional Development November 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I have three points. In the first place, we have been very clear that every region across the country will retain their proportion of federal jobs. That was true before, and it is now true after.
The hon. member mentions a study. We are talking about an NDP-aligned, left-wing, so-called think tank. It is just pure bunk. Please do not get sucked in by this left-wing think tank. If the unions paid for this, they and their union bosses should want their money back. This is ridiculous.
Government Priorities November 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I can tell the hon. member something else about our economic action plan. It has helped generate 820,000 net new jobs for the people of Canada, 90% of them full-time. We are doing so in an environment where there is increased instability throughout the rest of the world. We are doing so in a way that makes sure that we can get back, in the medium term, to balance. We are making sure that we are investing in our infrastructure and are investing in science and research. We are on the right track, and Canadians know it.
Regional Development November 20th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we are on track when it comes to making sure that government spends within its means. We are doing so because that creates jobs and opportunity in the private sector, including in northern Ontario.
We have a great record in Thunder Bay and the surrounding region. FedNor and other federal agencies have been working with local proponents to create new jobs and new opportunities and research in the mining sector and other natural resource sectors, including forestry. We are proud of our record in Thunder Bay. We will continue to work with local officials to make sure that we get more jobs and opportunity there.
Questions on the Order Paper November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the Treasury Board Secretariat, TBS, uses data from the regional pay system to track employment numbers for the federal public service, in particular those departments and agencies named in schedules I, IV and V of the Financial Administration Act.
Data on employees and payroll for the Canadian Forces, CF; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP; and crown corporations is maintained by each organization.
With regard to (b), there are several reports published throughout the year that contain employment statistics for the core public administration and/or federal public service. These include the annual report to Parliament on employment equity in the public service, the annual report to Parliament on official languages, and the Clerk of the Privy Council's annual report to the Prime Minister on the public service.
Also, there are several factsheets published on the Treasury Board Secretariat website, http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/res/stats/hrs-srh-eng.asp, that contain the latest statistical information on the federal public service work force. These factsheets are reported as of March of each year and are updated annually.
Aggregate payroll and employment data for the Canadian Forces up to March 2012 is available publicly through Statistics Canada.
With regard to (c), while some statistical information can be generated at other times, reports are usually generated as of March of each year to ensure consistency and comparability.
With regard to (d), yes, employment statistics are available from the TBS on tenure, including indeterminate, term, casual, or student; work schedule, including part-time or full-time; province and city; gender and age, et cetera. TBS compiles these statistics and some are available on the TBS website.
As contractors are not considered government employees, TBS does not collect data on them.
The CF and RCMP data are not available by tenure. The data does distinguish between types. For the CF, it distinguishes between reservists and regular force. For the RCMP, it distinguishes between civilian members and regular members. The RCMP data is also available by province and gender.
Employment November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, after the implementation of budget 2012, we have the same proportion of jobs in every region as before.
I could say to the hon. member, though, that we are taking our situation seriously. We want to make sure that we can deliver as good or better services to Canadians across this country on core public services. Certainly over 70% of our reductions are in back office operations and operational savings.
We are meeting that commitment as well, far better than the risky plans of the NDP were it to be in power.
Employment November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I announced on Friday, I can say that we have kept our election promises and that we have succeeded in cutting the number of jobs in the public service.
We have met our first year targets. We think this is important to respect the taxpayer and also to give public servants the certainty of their position going forward. We are being respectful but at the same time it is critically important for the future of our economy that we meet our targets when it comes to government spending.
Intergovernmental Affairs November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we continue to get accolades from around the world for our treatment of the economy. Canadians agree with those international experts.
KPMG ranked Canada the most tax competitive economy amongst mature markets, and indeed the numbers speak for themselves. Canadian business investment increased by 9.4% in the last quarter.
The numbers are in. Our plan is working. We cannot afford the risky plans of the NDP.
Finance November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, here is what Canadians care about when it comes to numbers: 820,000 net new jobs since the depths of the recession, and 90% of them are full-time jobs. That is how our plan is working.
However, the NDP persists with its risky plans. Not content with a $21 billion carbon tax plan, now we find them last week talking about $6 billion annually in GST hikes. That is not the way to grow the economy. That is not the way to serve Canadians.
Finance November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, our government's goal is to balance the budget by 2015.
Our objective is to balance the budget in 2015, and we are on track to do so and balance the budget over the medium term. We have a clear plan to balance the budget. We are eliminating waste.
At the same time, while our plan is clear, is working and we see 820,000 net new jobs, the NDP continues with its risky plans, not only for a $21 billion carbon tax but also for $6 billion in HST taxes.