Vic Toews

[Government Expenditures, March 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the specific vote 35, $3 billion are to be spent on the specific programs or projects that are set out in the economic action plan. It is a broad range of projects and programs on which the money can be spent.

There is also the building Canada fund and other funds to which we will have access once the Liberal senators decide to pass that budget. We would urge them to pass it because Canadians are depending upon that money to stimulate our economy.

[Government Expenditures, March 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the government has indicated how that money will be spent. It is set out in our economic action plan. There are clear criteria by which that expenditure will be governed. Treasury Board will be reviewing those expenditures. We hope to move that money out of the door after April 1, if the budget passes. I would urge the Liberal senators to get that budget passed.

[Points of Order, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I did not say that and I would challenge the member to in fact find that on the record.

However, I would point out for the record that the member for Beaches—East York has been yelling and screaming throughout question period. I note it was mentioned by the Minister of Finance at the beginning of question period. That has not stopped. She has continued to carry on in what I would consider a very unacceptable way.

I do not know what the problem is. Maybe someone with other expertise might be able to determine what that problem is.

[Status of Women, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in fact what we have done is to ensure that unions and employers cannot bargain away pay equity issues during collective bargaining. In fact, the member stood by and is voting against legislation that ensures that women achieve pay equity on a timely basis and that unions and employers do not bargain away pay equity rights during collective agreements.

[Status of Women, March 9th, 2009]

I know the member for Beaches—East York has an issue. Maybe she can speak later, but she just keeps on whining and yelling. It is very difficult for me to speak in these kinds of circumstances.

[Status of Women, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this government thought it was wrong that women would have to wait for 15 or 20 years to achieve pay equity in the workforce, so we brought forward legislation that was in fact partly inspired by the Liberal task force on this issue in 2004.

In fact, we ensure--

[Government Spending, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear in our comments in respect of that fund. We have indicated that the projects in respect of which this money will be spent have all been spelled out in the budget, and we appreciate the support that the Liberal Party gave us in that respect. We would ask that the Liberals encourage their colleagues in the Senate to get it through the Senate as quickly as possible.

[Pay Equity, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to let those kinds of cheap, sexist comments slide. I am interested in ensuring that pay equity is achieved by women in this country in a timely fashion. That is what our government has committed to. That is what that member has failed to do over the last number of years. We are getting the job done.

[Pay Equity, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I agree that pay equity is not a negotiable matter. It is in fact a human right that we will respect. I am wondering where that member was over the last 15 or 20 years when these complaints were not being resolved. She said nothing. Our government is getting the job done.

[Government Expenditures, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member is speaking about two entirely different funds. One deals with the building Canada fund; the other one, vote 35, deals with the broader objectives, the type of objectives that the member is talking about to help the community. Those objectives are outlined in our economic action plan.

The Liberals in the Senate need to get the job done, to get it passed so we can help those people.