Yvon Godin

[Committees of the House, November 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, this was the longest study on official languages undertaken by Parliament. I can certainly say that it was longer than the study of the budget. It took a year and several months to conduct this review.

We approve this report, but we have some reservations. We are going to table a supplementary opinion to address certain omissions, inaccuracies and weaknesses in the scope of the recommendations, particularly with regard to funding, seniors, the media, health, the language industry, literacy, second language, early childhood and other areas.

We recommend that the government renew this roadmap in 2013 and take it seriously. When we met with community representatives, they told us that they really wanted the roadmap to be renewed for another term in 2013.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I have been here in the House of Commons for many years. We have studied a number of free trade bills. I remember that the Liberals were against free trade during the time of Brian Mulroney and they voted against it. But when they came to power, they were in favour of it. My memory is good and that is what I remember.

We also talk about fair trade. The Conservatives are constantly telling us that we have always voted against it. Perhaps we will be in power in 2015 and we will be able to negotiate an agreement that would benefit both big business and workers. The existing free trade agreements always benefit major corporations but offer nothing to workers. I would like to hear what my colleague has to say about that.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, November 2nd, 2012]

With regard to the Summit of the Americas: (a) what is the role and what are the responsibilities of Canada regarding the official languages of the Summit and the official languages of the documents; (b) what are the official languages of the Summit; (c) what are the official languages of the documents; (d) how are the official languages of the Summit and the official languages of the documents determined; (e) does the Summit have language policies and, if so, what are they; (f) how much are Canada’s financial contributions to the Summit in the following areas, (i) total financial contribution, (ii) language, (iii) the French language, (iv) the English language, (v) translation and interpretation; (g) why are all official documents of the Summit process not available in French; and (h) why is there not a French version of the Summit website?

[National Defence, November 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the President of the Treasury Board, having awarded a $645,000 contract to KPMG to analyze the costs of purchasing the F-35s, has confirmed that this independent analysis was nothing but a cut-and-paste copy of the report by the American Department of Defense. The KPMG report was to have been made public in July.

Where is the KPMG report and why must we pay for data that already existed? Why?

[Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, October 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we know that the priority is the economy. The purpose of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is to promote the economy in the Atlantic region. But rather than help businesses, the Conservatives are using the agency to make partisan appointments. They fired over 100 employees and slashed aid to businesses and organizations by 25%. They are stalling economic development all over the Atlantic region.

Why are the Conservatives going after communities in the Atlantic region?

[Jobs and Growth, 2012, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the member said employment insurance was there for people to find jobs and opportunity. I found opportunity in 1972. I came from a family of 11 people, who left home and went to work in northern Ontario. Is that what the member is saying, that everybody has to leave Atlantic Canada to work in the west? Is that what he is saying?

The minister clearly said that is not what she wants. She did not want people to travel more than an hour from home. She said she did not want to hurt the seasonal industry or workers, yet the member is saying people should go find jobs. I would like the member to clear that up. Is he saying the same thing as the minister or is he going his own way?

[Jobs and Growth, 2012, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I do not know what this has to do with the budget. This is off topic. We are in Canada not in the United States. The budget has nothing to do with the United States.

I would like the member to stay on the budget, in the same way he asked me to do a few minutes ago.

[Jobs and Growth, 2012, October 30th, 2012]

I do not know any more, Mr. Speaker, if it is in the bill, out of the bill, close to the bill.

With regard to foreign workers, does he find that foreign workers accepting 15% less in wages compared to other Canadians is discriminatory with this type of formula?

[Jobs and Growth, 2012, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, on the same point of order. I would just ask for clarification.

If there is a bill in the House, I cannot see why we cannot talk about what is not in the bill to correct certain measures. It is a bill on—

[Jobs and Growth, 2012, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I have never in my 15 years as a member of Parliament received so many calls from employers saying this is hurting their industries. Their industries are respectable. Their jobs are seasonal. They are losing their people. I have never received so many calls. As a matter of fact, I never received any before, but I have received many since the spring.

Canadians like our lobster. Canadians like our cod fish. Canadians like all our fish. They love to come to the Atlantic as tourists, and we welcome them. The government is hurting all of those industries.