Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, going hand in glove and in a fashion similar to how we are being respectful of the provinces, health transfers currently are on an escalator of 6% per year, and that will be transferred over to GDP. However, the decisions on health care remain in the hands of the provinces.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, first, to set the record straight, the social transfer is also on an escalator and has been for several years. It was established by one of Hon. Jim Flaherty's budgets. I want to be very clear that this social transfer continues, it is on an escalator and it will meet GDP as well.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will start by saying that is categorically false. Of the jobs that have been created since 2009, as a mentioned before, over 1.1 million, 80% of them, are in the private sector and over 65% of them are well-paying jobs. Those jobs have been created by Canadian industry because we have created the opportunity, the stimulus, for job creation in Canada.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for her question. The parliamentary secretary is doing outstanding work, both in the area where she supports me, labour, and also in western diversification. As I mentioned before, the provincial labour ministers and markets are seeing the reflection of what is changing on the ground.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my comments, I think it is very clear that the provincial labour ministers and provincial governments know their provincial labour markets. The system, as it is right now and as it has been for almost two decades, creates opportunities whereby Canadians in the provinces where they work are treated fairly and the same.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has asked the House to agree to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Let me begin by asking this. Is this really the best way to help low-income Canadians? There are a number of reasons why the government does not support the motion and I welcome the opportunity to set some of them out.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, I want to be very clear here. I have heard from victims' families directly. They want action and that is precisely what we are delivering. Today I was pleased to stand in the House and table our action plan to address family violence and violent crimes against aboriginal women and girls.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, the opposition opposed our budget action of a $25-million investment toward making sure that violence against aboriginal women is combatted. It opposed matrimonial property rights. We are here and focused on making sure that the rights of victims are dealt with.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, these are terrible crimes against innocent people and our thoughts and prayers are with those families, as well as with the victims. However, I want to be very clear. How dare the opposition raise this when it opposed budgets for shelters, when it opposed the $25 million that we have invested—

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, these are terrible crimes against innocent people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The RCMP has said in its own study that the vast majority of these cases are addressed and solved through police investigations. We do not need yet another study on this topic.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, these are terrible crimes against innocent people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. As I just mentioned, the RCMP has said in its own study the vast majority of these cases have been addressed and are solved through police investigations.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I want to be very clear, this government has demonstrated leadership on this file outstandingly; in fact, our Prime Minister has. We know that whether it be GIC appointments or whether it be the public service, our numbers have escalated since we became government.

Hon. Jim Flaherty  Mr. Speaker, I ask everyone to pause and look at their dictionary this morning. Under “Irish” they will see a leprechaun with a twinkle in his eyes and fierce determination behind them—my good friend. It is with sadness that I stand in this place of honour today to pay tribute to a great national leader, a colleague, a mentor, my champion, and a very close friend, the Hon.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, to reiterate what has happened in previous economic action plans, one item was the government's most substantive investment in 25 years, augmenting the GIS and the OAS, ensuring that low-income senior Canadians are provided with the opportunity to be better supported.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, similar to myself, the hon. member has a rural riding. I know in my riding of Simcoe—Grey, whether it be in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, or Elmvale, the issue of ensuring that young apprentices are supported is top of mind. The dinner table conversation that took place about only going to university is changing to college because of those great opportunities when one graduates to have a well-paying job.