Wladyslaw Lizon

[The Economy, November 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, over the last six years, Canadians have trusted and can continue to trust this Prime Minister, this Minister of Finance and this government with our economy. As a result, what they have and can continue to count on is a record that Canadians can be proud of, including 820,000 new net jobs, 90% of which are full time, and the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the G7. In addition, the IMF and OECD project Canada to have among the strongest growth in the G7. These are only a few examples of this government's proven record with respect to the economy.

On the other hand, the only thing that Canadians can count on from the NDP is a $21 billion carbon tax with a bonus 1% increase on the GST.

Our record or the NDP's experiments, the choice is clear.

[New Democratic Party of Canada, November 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as the House learned yesterday, the NDP and Exxon have aligned in support of the NDP leader's $21 billion carbon tax. Why is Exxon supporting the NDP leader's plan? It is because a carbon tax would allow gas companies like Exxon to charge Canadians more at the pump, 10¢ a litre to be precise.

On this side of the House, we think that Canadians give enough of their hard-earned dollars to government and do not want gas stations and the NDP imposing higher carbon taxes and prices on Canadians. That is why we will continue to fight the Exxon-backed NDP carbon tax.

[New Democratic Party of Canada, November 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, next week, members of Parliament will travel back to their ridings to speak with their constituents on the things that matter most to them. I can assure members that we will not hear a call for higher taxes.

Canadians are pleased with our government's low tax plan for jobs and growth and for lowering the price on almost everything with our 2% cut to GST.

What they do not want to see is the NDP's proposed carbon tax that would raise the price on almost everything. Its sneaky tax scheme would have Canadians spend more of their hard-earned tax dollars on gas, groceries and electricity.

Why does the leader of the NDP want hard-working Canadians to pay for his $21 billion carbon tax?

[Foreign Affairs, October 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to deepening our relationship with the dynamic and growing countries of the Asia-Pacific. Canada and Hong Kong enjoy a rich and diverse relationship and strong trade and investment ties. Family and cultural ties between Canada and the Philippines are growing every year. Nearly 500,000 people of Filipino origin now call Canada home.

Could the minister please share with the House how our government is building on our strong ties with these countries?

[Small Business, October 22nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, in a period of global economic instability, small businesses across the country continue to face challenges. They need our continued support.

Unfortunately, the only ideas we hear from the NDP involve just that, a $21 billion carbon tax that would be devastating to small businesses. Small businesses simply cannot afford the NDP high-tax agenda.

Can the Minister of State (Finance) please tell Canadians how our economic action plan 2012 will help small businesses?

[Rotary Clubs, October 22nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the good work done by Rotary clubs across our great country.

In my riding, the Mississauga Centre Rotary Club has worked hard to better our community for over 30 years. I have had the pleasure of going to many of its events and seeing first-hand the good work it does for seniors and many charitable causes, and the hard work and dedication of its board members and all volunteers.

Since 1985 Rotary International has put a focus on eradicating polio, a disease that still afflicts too many people and of which too many people are still at risk. Rotary has given over a billion dollars to help this cause, but there is still much to be done. I am pleased with our government's Pennies and More for Polio initiative to match donations to Rotary Canada through CIDA. Funds are also being matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

I hope that with our contribution to this global effort we can finally end polio.

[Veterans Affairs, October 15th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government has made great strides in cutting red tape to ensure Canada's veterans receive the hassle-free service they deserve. We have already significantly reduced the amount of time it takes for veterans to receive decisions regarding their disability benefits. Through our plain-language initiative, letters explaining benefit decisions are now easier to understand and we are simplifying the reimbursement process for the veterans independence program.

Would the minister update the House on other ways our government is cutting red tape for veterans?

[Chief of Peel Regional Police, October 15th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, together with many of my fellow Peel MPs, I had the honour of attending the swearing-in ceremony of the new chief for the Peel Regional Police, Jennifer Evans. Chief Evans has served in many capacities with the Peel Regional Police since she joined in 1983, including as a front-line officer and criminal investigator. She has worked tirelessly to bring justice in a number of cases and has also served with the Ontario coroner's office and the provincial ViCLAS centre.

Chief Evans is the sixth chief of Peel Police and the first woman to hold the office. It is a great step forward for the outstanding police service of my region. Under her expert guidance and leadership, I am sure that the Peel Regional Police service will continue to move from strength to strength. Chief Evans has my fullest congratulations. I am sure that all of my hon. colleagues from the Peel region and across the country join me in wishing her the best.

[Business of Supply, October 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I did not really hear a question from the hon. member. I will give an example from the riding I am proud to represent, Mississauga East—Cooksville.

At this moment, employers are looking for workers, paying $16.00 an hour to start for jobs that do not require any real skills. Believe it or not, there are no takers. They are having a hard time finding workers. There is work there.

The notion that somehow people are better off staying on employment insurance than working is really very bizarre.

I will mention one more thing. There are other initiatives that we have put forward: youth employment strategy; EI hiring credit; apprenticeship incentive grant; targeted initiative for older workers; tool tax credits; pan-Canadian framework for foreign credential recognition; and the foreign credential recognition market loans program. The opposition voted against all these initiatives. Why?

[Business of Supply, October 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, when people go on employment insurance, there are incentives in the new program for them to go and find work, if it is available in the region, and many people do. Many people are not aware of the fact that there is work there. If there is no work, this program does not change. The benefits that are now proposed by the program are still there for those who will be out of work. Therefore, I do not fully understand why there would be a concern.

The program has incentives for Canadians to look for work, find work and earn money, while they are on EI benefits.