Safeguarding Canada's Seas and Skies Act  Mr. Speaker, to begin, what strikes me in this debate is the deafening silence of the Conservatives despite their claim that this bill is important for the protection of the environment, for the Canadian economy and for the protection of Canadians. It seems my Conservative friends have nothing to say about their own legislation.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, one thing is certain: Quebeckers and Canadians want to know the truth because they deserve the truth from their Prime Minister. The Minister of Justice, who is well-placed to speak to the actions of the key players in the Senate scandal, said, “I've known Nigel a long time, he's a very principled individual, he's somebody who is honest”.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is so tough on Mike Duffy that he asks Conservative members to pay for his lawyers. That is not right. Is the Prime Minister aware of other cheques that people from his office or from the Conservative Party wrote and sent to Nigel Wright? Are there other cheques?

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, I am fascinated by the incredible ridiculousness of the answers we are hearing from the Conservative Party. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister confirm that all—and I mean all—of Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen's expenses were legitimate, justified and appropriate, yes or no?

Respect for Communities Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my Conservative colleague for his question. My impression, unfortunately, is that he listened to my speech rather distractedly. The essential aim of what I am proposing is to ensure that people do not inject drugs in parks or laneways where children go to play soccer with their neighbours.

Respect for Communities Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Since obtaining its majority mandate, this government has proven to be blind and driven by ideology. Furthermore, it has difficulty dealing with something as basic as reality. When reality is not aligned with its ideology, this government ignores facts, studies and science because it wants to go in a particular direction.

Respect for Communities Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her very simple question. In a democracy, should elected representatives listen to the people? Quite simply, I believe they should. Unfortunately, the government is not listening to the people or the scientists. The government likes to muzzle scientists at every turn.

Respect for Communities Act  Mr. Speaker, first I want to inform you that I will be sharing my time with the exuberant, energetic member for Newton—North Delta. This issue affects us all, but perhaps more particularly those of us who are lucky enough to be parents. I live in a fairly densely populated urban area, where our children ride around on their bikes and play with their friends in the sandboxes in the park or with neighbours in the lane behind our house.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we refuse brown envelopes. On the other side, they hand them out. That is the difference The Prime Minister is playing innocent—poor thing—when he says that it is unacceptable that Mr. Duffy misled him about the source of his repayment. However, if that is so unacceptable, why was it the staffers in his office who suggested this ridiculous fabrication to Mike Duffy and these lies to journalists?

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, I have to make a confession. I also tell stories to my children in the evening to help them sleep. However, I certainly do not do that in the House of Commons. This weekend in Calgary, the Reform base out west will really be thrilled to see the gang opposite showing the same attitudes and behaviours as the Liberals during the sponsorship scandal.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, on the weekend in Calgary, will there be a panel to provide an historical perspective of a time when the bunch opposite still had principles, perhaps with videos of the good old days when the Conservatives could talk about ethics without making the entire country roar with laughter?

Employees' Voting Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, if the government really wants to improve the labour market and families' living conditions, it should instead protect the rights of workers. It should strengthen our communities, not try to undo what little progress the middle class has made. However, it is sad to see that, after failing to revive the economy, the Conservatives are giving up on creating and maintaining good jobs.

Employees' Voting Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, there is no reason to worry. Unions are not afraid of competition when it is done fairly and equitably and when there is truly a balance of power. The NDP and I agree that this private member's bill, Bill C-525, is—

Employees' Voting Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, unions are not afraid of competition when it is done fairly and equitably and when there is truly a balance of power. Unfortunately the government is targeting that balance. The NDP and I agree that this private member's bill, Bill C-525, is sadly a new way for the Conservatives to trample workers' right to unionize.

Employees' Voting Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Wetaskiwin for his bill and the debate he is bringing before the House. I would also like to congratulate him on being re-elected two years ago in his riding. I believe that he won 81% of the vote. That is quite impressive, I must say.