The Budget  Mr. Speaker, this budget is a missed opportunity. Unfortunately, it does not deliver on the priorities of the people in my riding, and I think many Canadians feel the same. They feel they were not included in this budget. I mentioned to the member that I met with the mayors and councils of both cities and both villages, and they have serious concerns over their infrastructure needs.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member asked about priorities and spending. Certainly New Democrats promised a fully costed platform during the election. I was very proud of what we put forward to Canadians. There was a focus on health care, child care, and home care for seniors. There were supports for jobs for working-class families and for small business investments.

The Budget  Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Essex. I am honoured to share with the House my riding's concerns and hopes in response to the federal budget. The people of Port Moody, Coquitlam, Anmore, and Belcarra are excited to be free from over a decade of Conservative rule.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to the spread of the Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) virus and the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard: (a) is the Minister aware that, despite public statements by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that they had been unable to reproduce the ISA virus test results produced by the Kibenge laboratory at University of Prince Edward Island on British Columbia farmed and wild salmon, the only retesting that was done did produce similar results; (b) is the Minister aware of any government actions to delay, obstruct, or discredit research related to the growing body of scientific evidence regarding the presence and impacts of the ISA virus and other aquaculture-related viruses, in Canada; (c) what measures will the Minister take to respond to the threat posed by this virus following the recommendations of the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River; and (d) will the measures in (c) include (i) ending the delays in authorizing the full implementation of the Strategic Salmon Health Initiative, (ii) removing impediments to the development of a new screening test for the ISA virus at the Kibenge laboratory in the Atlantic Veterinary College, (iii) authorizing a scientifically rigorous, publicly credible program with active involvement of First Nations and non-governmental scientists to sample farmed and wild fish for use in studying the presence and impacts of the ISA and other aquaculture-related viruses?

Ban on Shark Fin Importation Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-251, An act to amend the Fisheries Act and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (importation of shark fins). Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce Bill C-251, An act to amend the Fisheries Act and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (importation of shark fins).

Fisheries Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-228, An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (closed containment aquaculture). Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill, seconded by my good friend, the member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley, which would strengthen the Fisheries Act by requiring British Columbia fish farms to move from harmful open-net pens to safe, closed containment systems.

Marine Transportation  Mr. Speaker, does the minister really believe that technology alone can replace these communication centres? It is simply not the case. In fact, over the weekend the Victoria station went down, leaving Georgia Strait, Howe Sound, and Vancouver harbour completely unprotected. This was not the first communication failure either, but still the government seems determined to shut down the Comox station.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I want to put the Conservative motion into a broader context. We cannot forget the seven straight deficits that the Conservatives ran. We cannot forget that they sold off public assets. We cannot forget that they made massive cuts to departmental budgets. They made those cuts on the backs of hard-working Canadians.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, just to correct, first, Port Moody—Coquitlam is more of a suburban, perhaps more urban than rural riding. However, we do face many concerns. There are some low-income earners and they will not benefit, unfortunately, by the tax cut, whereas the higher-income earners, as it turns out, will, under the Liberal tax cut.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my speech, the Speech from the Throne itself was very thin. It was short on timeline and detail. Yes, there are many priorities. I mentioned the inequality gap, and I think that needs to be addressed. We need to know the details on housing. That is a concern across the country.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with my colleague from Windsor—Tecumseh. Although this is not the first time I have spoken in the House in this session, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Port Moody—Coquitlam, Anmore, and Belcarra for the trust and support they have shown in electing me as their member of Parliament.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, a recent study by Oxfam showed that 62 of the world's richest billionaires have as much wealth as half of the world's population. Evidence of the gap between the rich and rest of us continues to grow. Income and wealth inequality is one of the biggest challenges of our time.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member for Yukon on his re-election to the House. I welcome him back and appreciate his comments and concern touching on those communities across the country that do not get the support or attention they need and deserve. The member talked about child poverty.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's intervention. She spoke about Canadians who were working hard just to make ends meet and that they were living from paycheque to paycheque. She spoke about investing in the right kind of people. Oxfam recently released a study which highlighted that the gap between the rich and the poor was growing around the world.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells on his inaugural speech and I welcome him to the House. It is great to have him in here, providing his perspective. He talked about talking on the doorstep to the electorate, citizens, and individuals and hearing the concerns that they raised.