Vic Toews

[Crown Corporations, November 16th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, today I reminded crown corporations and other public organizations that they should not hire lobbyists to communicate with the government.

Agencies within the federal sector need to examine all their spending to ensure taxpayers receive value for their money. The use of consultant lobbyists for communicating and lobbying the federal government is an unnecessary use of public funds. These interactions should be conducted directly and without use of publicly funded lobbyists.

Our government promised to protect taxpayer dollars and clean up lobbying and we have kept those promises.

[The Environment, November 16th, 2009]

In fact, Mr. Speaker, together with our partners at all levels, our government is taking unprecedented action to eliminate duplication and streamline the environmental assessment process. As one former NDP premier said, “one project, one approval”. We think that is sufficient and it works.

[Public Service of Canada, November 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong.

Our government is committed to a strong and effective public service for Canadians. The annual report of the Public Service Commission that was tabled last month confirmed that.

Why does the member not take it up with the Public Service Commission, which confirmed the independence and the strength of our public service?

[Government Performance Reports, November 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in order to inform parliamentarians and Canadians on the government's overall performance, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, on behalf of departments and agencies, 92 performance reports for 2008-09 and their companion piece, a report entitled, “Canada's Performance”.

[Public Accounts of Canada, November 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table today, in both official languages, the Public Accounts of Canada, 2009.

The Government of Canada is committed to sound financial management and reporting. I am pleased to note that for the 11th consecutive year the Auditor General of Canada has provided an unqualified audit opinion of the Government of Canada's financial statements. I have the documents here.

[Supplementary Estimates (B), 2009-10, November 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the document speaks for itself. If that member has any evidence that there is any impropriety, let him bring it forward.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, October 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our government supports hard-working men and women in law enforcement. That member and others have consistently voted against measures that would assist the RCMP and other police forces in the country to get the job done.

We in fact are working very hard to ensure that law enforcement not only has the legal support and legislative support, but that it has the appropriate resources in place.

[Justice, October 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his hard work.

The best way to fight gangs and organized crime is to disrupt the criminal enterprises on which they depend. Our government legislation, Bill C-26, which has been held up in the Senate for four months, would do just that.

Our legislation would add new penalties in the area of property theft and, more specifically, the serious crime of auto theft. This would have a positive impact on my home province of Manitoba and right across Canada. Why are the Liberal senators holding it up?

[Natural Resources, October 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the material that was provided to me indicates that we were thanking the particular homeowner for participating in the eco-energy retrofit homes program. In order to help the particular homeowner save even more money, it asks that homeowner to consider the home renovation tax credit. I think that is what every taxpayer wants, especially in a time of recession.

Instead of that member voting against programs that help the ordinary working Canadian, he does that.

[Natural Resources, October 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for providing me with that information ahead of time.

In response to the issue about whether this is objective or not, the letter itself that went to a homeowner here talks about the home renovation tax credit saying:

[It] may make it possible for you to save even more on your home retrofit, as well as on other renovations not eligible under the ecoENERGY Retrofit—Homes program. For more information on the Economic Action Plan please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca