Vic Toews

[Access to Information, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our Federal Accountability Act contains the most extensive amendments to the Access to Information Act since its introduction in 1983.

Sixty-nine new institutions are now accountable to Canadians through that act. For the first time, Canadians can see how these institutions spend tax dollars.

As for that individual getting the job done, the only thing he has been is in the way of ensuring that Canadians get to see the economy working and get to see the stimulus package we have introduced in the House.

[Access to Information, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we are the ones who fought for the rights of Canadians to know how their government operates, opening up the Canadian Wheat Board, the CBC, and dozens of other institutions to the Access to Information Act.

Where was that individual? He was opposed to those openings.

[Finance, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, first, let us put the statement of the Minister of Finance in context. He was referring to the comments of the Auditor General, who acknowledged that in these kinds of exceptional situations there may well be mistakes.

However, I can reassure Canadians that we have a plan in place to ensure the money is followed closely and yet is in the hands of Canadians so there is a real stimulus to our economy, no thanks to the Bloc and NDP, who are voting against these initiatives.

[Access to Information, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, again, that member is misleading the public.

In fact, in 2007-08 the government processed a record number of requests, an increase of 38% over the last five years. The reason is we have opened up the books. We have opened up the Wheat Board, despite the fact that members like the member for Wascana or the member for Malpeque opposed the opening up of the Wheat Board. They wanted that money spent in private. We want farmers and others to know how their money is being spent.

[Access to Information, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows well that it is the public service that makes the decisions in respect of the release of the information.

We know that under the prior government, it had the CAIRS program, which in fact was a mechanism to manipulate the release of information.

This government got rid of the political interference in the release of information. Furthermore, this government opened up the crown corporations. The CBC, the Wheat Board and others are now directly accountable to the people who pay the bill, the taxpayers.

[The Economy, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this is another classic example of that member speaking out of both sides of his mouth. In fact, what all opposition members have said is that we need the stimulus package in place in a hurry. What did that member say? He said that the NDP favoured a significant spending program for shovel-ready infrastructure projects. Those members say that on the one hand. On the other hand, they are doing everything they can to stop the implementation of the plan.

[The Economy, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, last month this government set out an ambitious multi-year action plan to stimulate the economy and support Canadians during these difficult global economic times. I am thankful the Liberals are supporting the budget in order to help Canadians.

What disturbs Canadians is the fact that NDP members said no to helping Canadians even before they saw the budget. They have been fully briefed on what this stimulus package means. They are simply playing politics with the lives of Canadians.

[Privacy, February 25th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have that question.

Our government is committed to safeguarding the personal information and privacy rights of Canadians. The Auditor General and the Privacy Commissioner work together with us to ensure that occurs.

I am proud to say that our government has already begun taking action to address those matters. We are taking action. We are showing leadership. I am proud to be a part of the government that values the privacy of Canadians.

[Pay Equity, February 25th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, employers have a responsibility to ensure that pay equity is implemented in the workforce. Unions have a responsibility. That will be done in a proactive way with two parties cooperating to ensure that women achieve pay equity in the workforce.

This is not just an issue of women's rights. This is an issue of family rights to ensure that families have appropriate income and that people are taken care of properly.

[Pay Equity, February 25th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the first proactive pay equity legislation was introduced in Manitoba in 1986. It was followed by Ontario and Quebec. The member for Toronto Centre had a great deal to do with the implementation of that legislation in Ontario.

We are simply following the recommendations of the Liberal task force in 2004 that said proactive pay equity legislation was needed. Women should not have to wait for 15 or 20 years in order to have their complaints resolved.

We are getting the job done.