Yasmin Ratansi

[Canada Revenue Agency, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in an interview this morning, Irvin Leroux recounted a tale of abuse by the Canada Revenue Agency which drove him to financial ruin. This was made worse after the member for Cariboo—Prince George, on the advice of the former revenue minister, encouraged him to sue the CRA under the false assurance this would result in an out-of-court settlement. They did this simply to serve the Conservatives' political agenda.

Why did the government make the problem worse for Mr. Leroux by making him promises it could not keep?

[Business of Supply, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his thorough analysis.

We heard the member for Markham—Unionville quote the Governor of the Bank of Canada. With the deepening economic crisis and Canadians going through the recession, how would this help the people who need access to credit, for example, who need to put a roof over their heads or need money for food? How do we find relief for these people? I am sure we have all heard complaints from constituents who have lost their jobs that they do not have any money. How does this help protect those who are vulnerable?

The government has spoken about the economic stimulus and that it will create jobs, but not a single job has been created. People need money and jobs. How does the hon. member think this will help the vulnerable?

[Business of Supply, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Markham—Unionville for his excellent analysis. I am glad we are not in the same position as the United States.

Within this economic environment, could the crisis have been avoided? For example, people access credit because they do not have jobs. Could the government that inherited the best economic record from the Liberals, an unprecedented surplus of $13 billion, that inherited the lowest unemployment rate and the envy of the G8, have done better in protecting the jobs of today and creating jobs of tomorrow by investing in innovation and by ensuring that we protected jobs in the auto, forestry and manufacturing sectors? The government has closed the barn door after the horse has left.

I would like to have the member's analysis of how this could have been avoided because people only access credit cards and get into trouble when they do not have jobs.

Before the member answers, there are students from Woodbine Junior High School who have come to watch the debate.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canadian group of the Interparliamentary Union respecting its participation at the annual parliamentary hearings at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States of America, from November 20 to 21, 2007.

[Organ Donor Registry Act, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek the consent of the House to revert to reports from interparliamentary delegations. I missed one of my reports.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canadian group of the Interparliamentary Union concerning its participation at the Women and Work--Seminar for Chairpersons and Members of Parliamentary Bodies Dealing with Gender Equality and other committees addressing labour issues in Geneva, Switzerland, December 6 to December 8, 2007.

[Contraband Tobacco Products, April 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, criminal gangs are raking in huge profits in the illegal trade of tobacco products which flow freely across the Canada-U.S. border. This is costing the treasury $2.8 billion, but it also costs the minister's own province of Quebec $300 million. While the RCMP is trying to stop this criminal activity, the CRA is giving licences to operators linked to organized crime.

Will the Minister of Public Safety talk to the Minister of National Revenue and stop this farce?

[Employment Insurance, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, over a month ago, I asked the minister in the House about difficulties in accessing EI benefits. I was assured that extra staff would be brought in to handle the increase in applications. Yesterday I spoke to Julie, who was in tears because she had been unable to get information on her payments in order to pay rent next Wednesday.

People who have lost their jobs are at risk of eviction because they cannot access EI and pay their rent. What is the minister going to say to Julie next Wednesday?

[ProAction Cops & Kids, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in 1991, John Bitove Sr. established ProAction Cops & Kids, which brings together local police with kids at risk in the communities of Durham, Hamilton and Toronto.

ProAction Cops & Kids provides the opportunity for police to establish positive relations with kids and help create an environment of mutual understanding and respect. For example, TROOP is a week-long camping program for youth who may not have ever camped or taken a canoe trip in their lives, and to have fun with police volunteers from their own communities.

Crime prevention is the best way to protect society and youth at risk. I congratulate ProAction Cops & Kids and thank all police officers for their volunteer efforts.

[Controlled Drugs and Substance Act, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her thoughtful analysis. When I was young, my parents always used to say that prevention was better than cure.

Many civil society organizations have asked us to help in the infrastructure. For example, organizations, like ProAction Cops & Kids, get the kids together with the police in very at-risk communities. I remember having it brought to my attention that it was during the Harris era that the after-school programs were shut down.

The hon. member gave the analysis that it costs $45,000 to keep one criminal in jail. That $45,000 would be well used for after-school activities. Is jail a solution? The member gave an analysis that the United States, which incarcerates the largest number of people, still has not been able to keep it safe or prevent drug abuse. I would like to have her analysis of what sort of infrastructure funding the government should do instead of going into ideological jail building.