House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
Nuclear Energy March 30th, 2010
No, Mr. Speaker. Indeed the hon. member raises a question about the application, perhaps, of the Investment Canada Act. What I can say is, based on our considerations, even if the Investment Canada Act is not applicable in this case, this government would review that situation, which is a speculative situation, certainly with the best interests of Canada and Canadians.
Pensions March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to review this bill in the best interests of Canadians. That is precisely what the Minister of Finance announced, I believe, last week. We are consulting with Canadians and will get back to the chamber at the earliest opportunity.
Canada Pension Plan March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member should be aware, this government is already reviewing the provisions of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. We are asking Canadians for their input as well through the process that the Minister of Finance has set up.
What we will not do is adopt the policies of the Liberals across the aisle based on their taxapalooza conference of the past weekend where they want to tax everything and anything. That is not good for pensioners, not good for seniors and not good for the people of Canada.
The Budget March 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I assure this place that when I was in Prince Edward Island to announce the knowledge infrastructure program, the response of Islanders was very positive.
They knew this was an investment in innovation, an investment in the students of P.E.I. They knew this government was putting its money toward good projects that were going to make a difference for innovation and competitiveness in P.E.I. That is the response I got from Islanders, and the hon. member should be ashamed of himself.
The Budget March 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to reply to the hon. member in more detail upon reviewing the situation.
I can tell the House that there has been a series of discussions with the government of P.E.I. about how to allocate the knowledge infrastructure program to maximize the positive impact for that province, and it has been done in collaboration with the province of P.E.I. This government has been four-square in making sure the province of P.E.I. has its fair share.
I can assure the House that this program is very well received in the province of Prince Edward Island.
Mining Industry March 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, this is a matter under provincial jurisdiction. The provincial minister of labour is involved in that. It would not help matters if I became involved as well.
The hon. member is incorrect. I have not met with Vale Inco officials, maybe on one occasion since I was first elected to this place. In fact, I have met with union officials more often than I have met with company officials.
Pharmaceutical Industry March 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to update the hon. member in this chamber.
Indeed, we have had discussions with the pharmaceutical sector. It knows what is required to move that step forward, which frequently involves the provinces signing off that this is the right thing to do in terms of their budgets.
If the hon. member is suggesting that we should override the provinces, including the province of Quebec, he should stand in his place and say so. In the meantime, we are looking for a national solution that involves the provinces and territories.
Aerospace and Defence Industry March 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that partners were announced from across Canada. We provided in-service support for the Hercules tactical airlift fleet, which is an IRB contribution of $617 million. That is not only good news for our Canadian Forces, it is good news for the aerospace and defence industry across the country. It means more jobs and more opportunity for Canadians.
Our strong IRB policy ensures that all regions benefit from major defence procurement. After the 10 lost years of the Liberal government, that decade of darkness, we are doing what we can for the Canadian Forces.
Industry March 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has been in this place for many years. He of all people should know that in terms of dealing with the strike and intervening in the strike, that is a provincial responsibility. If he feels so strongly about it, he should resign from this place and run for the Ontario legislature and deal with it there.
Telecommunications March 17th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, what I said inside and outside this place was that this program had been funded and was funded in the 2010 budget. That is the issue of the day.
There has been a change in the funding envelope, but the people are not concerned about that. They are concerned about ensuring that rural Canadians and remote Canadians have access to the Internet.
When it comes to the rural broadband program, this government is acting. After 13 years of neglect from the other side, we are actually funding access for broadband for rural and remote Canadians, and we are proud of that. It is good for Canada.