Public Service of Canada  Mr. Speaker, as I said, we thank the Parliamentary Budget Officer for his report. On page 3 of his report, it confirms that public servants take, on average, 18 days of paid and unpaid sick leave per year. This rate of absenteeism is unacceptable. That is why we are committed to introducing short- and long-term disability plans, which will help public servants get healthy and back to work.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, it is a great question and I am happy to answer for the hon. member. On this side of the House, we are proud to have heard and listened to the calls of Canadian business owners. Here is a concrete example of how we have helped. The one-for-one rule has resulted in allowing pharmacy technicians to transfer drugs to other pharmacies, a practice previously restricted only to pharmacists.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, we certainly know that Canada Post is an important institution in this country, and it is good to have the debate. Canada Post lost $129 million before tax in the third quarter alone, and that is despite growth in parcels. If home delivery is as expensive as is said, then to continue with that service is going to cost Canada Post a lot more money.

Protecting Taxpayers and Revoking Pensions of Convicted Politicians Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak to Bill C-518, an Act to amend the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act. When I became elected as a member of Parliament, one of the first messages that I heard loud and clear from the citizens in my area was the need to take action on gold plated MP pension plans.

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2  The hon. member for Kootenay—Columbia.

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2  I will inform the member that the tradition of this place is to allow members to have a wide amount of discretion. I imagine the member will continue his speech on the theme of the debate.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 65, 67, 71, 72, 81, 85 and 95.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 68, 69, 70, 73, 74, 77, 86 and 98 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled immediately.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

Government Response to Petitions  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to eight petitions.

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2  I, too, was quite interested in the member's speech, Mr. Speaker. I certainly appreciate her enunciating some of the principles that are in the economic action plan for this year. It seems that the opposition members, regardless of what is in a particular budget, will say either that the government is not doing enough, or, as in this case, that the government is trying to do too much.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, usually I would thank the member opposite for his speech, but I really do not feel he has actually addressed some of the concerns raised by the member for Kitchener Centre or the official opposition member who spoke previously. Opposition days are to provide an opportunity for opposition parties to bring forward things, but if they do not construct a rational set of facts to debate, if they make their facts up or throw out allegations, as the member for Kitchener Centre said, and smear people, we will not respond.

CBC and Public Service Disclosure and Transparency Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to share the government's position on Bill C-461. Bill C-461 was introduced in the House on November 5, 2012 by the member for Edmonton—St. Albert. As we now know, this bill has generated a fair bit of discussion. I believe that is healthy in any democratic society.

Supporting Non-Partisan Agents of Parliament Act  Mr. Speaker, I am quite happy to be here tonight. That kind of talk is why I am here tonight. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to provide the government's response to Bill C-520, An Act supporting non-partisan agents of Parliament. Our government is committed to the principle of political impartiality of the public service, agents of Parliament and officers of Parliament.

Respect for Communities Act  Mr. Speaker, I have been to Vancouver several times over the past few years, and I have looked into this issue. Has the member actually ever been to Vancouver and seen the people on Hastings and seen whether the policy he is espousing in this House matches the reality that is on the ground?