Wai Young

[Taxation, June 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians everywhere are celebrating an important milestone. Yesterday marked tax freedom day, the day when Canadians have earned enough to pay the taxes they owe to all levels of government for the entire year. This is over two weeks earlier than under the former Liberal government.

Our Conservative government has reduced the overall tax burden on Canadians to its lowest level in nearly 50 years, saving the typical family over $3,000. In addition, over one million low-income Canadians are now completely off the tax rolls.

This is great news for Canadian families, who welcome this extra money in their pockets.

On behalf of the people of Vancouver South, I urge our opposition colleagues to stop playing games and pass budget 2012 so that we can continue to keep taxes low, create jobs and keep British Columbia and Canada on the path to long-term economic prosperity.

[Human Trafficking, June 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a despicable crime that preys upon vulnerable women and children.

Our government has taken strong action on this file, such as supporting the private member's bill put forward by the member for Kildonan—St. Paul to implement mandatory minimum sentences for those who are convicted of child trafficking, as well as supporting the RCMP in their “Blue Blindfold” campaign to raise public awareness.

However, we can do more, which is why we committed during the last election to delivering significant resources to combat this terrible crime. We are working to ensure that young female immigrants who arrive in Canada alone are protected from illegitimate work. We are supporting organizations that provide assistance to victims and we are implementing a national action plan to combat human trafficking.

I am very pleased today to see the Minister of Public Safety announce a $25 million national action plan, which will help to finally put a stop to this terrible crime.

Canadians can count on our government to always put victims, especially those who are among our most vulnerable, first.

[Points of Order, May 17th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to apologize for my words to the member opposite.

[Points of Order, May 17th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I will leave it up to your good auspices to determine.

[Points of Order, May 17th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I believe very firmly that parents have the responsibility for their children and what they can publicly view.

Today, I have a group of school children from my riding from Osler school, an elementary school, here visiting Parliament. To hear that they might be exposed in a children's museum, the science and technology museum--

[Post-Secondary Education, May 15th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on jobs, growth and future prosperity. Today we announced new measures to help part-time students access post-secondary education and training.

Would the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development please update this House on what she is doing to ensure that Canadian students and their families can access post-secondary education and training?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2012]

Madam Chair, in his opening remarks, the minister mentioned the legacy of care initiative started by this government. This government will spend some $52.5 million over five years to establish a legacy of care initiative to improve the quality of life for seriously injured personnel and their families.

Is the parliamentary secretary able to tell this committee of the whole how important this initiative is to the Department of National Defence?

[Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, May 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I already noted in my speech that we are going to be increasing environmental protection by checking on pipelines not only 100 times but 150 times. We are also going to double the number of inspections from three to six. These are tangible, precise and specific safety features. We are also demanding the use of double-hulled oil tankers down the coast.

These are specific safety features in the bill that would strengthen environmental protection.

[Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, May 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, in the fragile global economy, our country needs to look toward Asia-Pacific countries to expand our markets. In doing so, there will be some historic changes in how the world's economy will be restructured.

It is so important for us to invest in skills training, education, entrepreneurship and innovation, so we can then direct these areas of the different sectors in Canada to work toward expanding our trade for a stronger economy in the future.

[Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, May 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I disagree with the hon. member on the opposite side. This government has lowered taxes for the average Canadian to the tune of $1,000 per family. That will put more money in their pockets for the additional credits they can do in arts and other areas.

At the same time, we have also increased transfer payments to the provinces. This is a consistent formula that the provinces can depend on and it provides an excellent framework for educational institutions, health sectors, et cetera to plan on.