House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 71% of the vote.
Pay Equity March 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, one cannot bargain away those rights at the collective bargaining table. The member knows that and the member is simply making up these statements.
The other point that she raised is about the independent tribunal. There is an independent tribunal that will review these matters as well in the legislation, exactly as it is in the Ontario and other legislation.
Pay Equity March 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, what is of concern to people concerned about equity in the workplace is that women are waiting 15 and 20 years in order to have complaints resolved. We have said that there needs to be a proactive mechanism to ensure that these complaints are dealt with on an ongoing basis through the collective bargaining situation, as it is done in other provinces.
The member, in fact, is well aware of the Liberal 2004 study that looked at this issue and recommended this model. We are implementing it.
The Economy March 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, that is a remarkable statement coming from an individual and a party that has contributed nothing in terms of any positive ideas toward stimulating the economy. That is the disappointment. Now that member and his party are standing in the way of allowing this money to flow to Canadians so that these important projects can take place. That member should reconsider his position, vote for this budget and help the families in his constituency.
The Economy March 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the allegation that the special budget fund that has been set up is without conditions is certainly not correct. This fund is governed by the same conditions that all of our budget money is governed by and the projects or programs must be economic plan initiatives included in budget 2009 and passed by Parliament. The appropriates checks and balances must be in place. Treasury Board approval must be obtained. Existing requirements on accountability and reporting must be met.
Access to Information February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as the House is well aware, this government is committed to openness and transparency with respect to government operations.
We brought in the FAA, which contains the most extensive amendments to the Access to Information Act since its introduction in 1983.
We are the ones who fought for the rights of Canadians to know how their government operates, opening up numerous institutions to the access to information system, and we will continue to ensure that ours is the best system in the world.
Access to Information February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, that is another prime example of the member of the NDP speaking out of both sides of his mouth. The member consistently fought against access to information for crown corporations. Consistently he voted against it. Now he says to open it up.
I am surprised that he has not seen what our legislation has done. In fact, it brought 69 new institutions under the access to information regime.
It is about time he woke up, read the act and co-operated with the government on economic measures that will assist his constituents.
Conservative Government February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I am more than happy to invite that member to any briefing that he wants about what this $3 billion actually means. It does not remove any of the criteria. It removes none of the criteria and the reporting that this government needs to make to the Parliament of Canada, as requested by the Leader of the Opposition, will be done and it will include the $3 billion.
I would invite that member to get on board so that we can help his constituents, even if he does not want to help them.
Conservative Government February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have nothing to hide, which is why we have come to the House and asked for $3 billion in order to move it ahead of the June schedule so the money can get into the hands of Canadian companies in order to stimulate the economy.
It is the members of the Bloc Québécois who are stifling our ability to get the money out. Let them explain to their constituents why their jobs are in jeopardy and why this government is trying to help them.
Access to Information February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as I recall, it was that member and his party, along with Liberals and New Democrats, who opposed the opening up of the Access to Information Act to include more crown corporations. We opened up access to the Wheat Board, the CBC and dozens of other institutions. The members should have worked with us to ensure that there was access. We got the job done. They refused to do it.
Access to Information February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I must correct the member. The decision to release or protect information is not driven by the political people. It is driven by the government department that has a staff of public servants who are trained in the Access to Information Act. In fact, our government increased access to government information. We have seen, in 2007-08, an increase of 38% in requests over five years.