Access to Information  Mr. Speaker, I can refer the hon. member, as I would any hon. members in the House, to the fact that we have been publishing online all of the information of the public accounts. All of the supplementary estimates, all of the main estimates are available online. They can be cross-referenced for the first time.

Access to Information  On the rights of Canadian journalists, Mr. Speaker, the Access to Information Act is for all Canadians, not just journalists. I want to assure Canadians of that fact. Indeed, the Access to Information Act has been a success. There were 54,000 access to information requests completed last year.

Access to Information  Mr. Speaker, as I already said, the government processed a record number of access to information requests, released a record number of materials, and had an improved turnaround time. Our government has processed nearly 54,000 access to information requests. That represents an increase of 27%, or over 10,000 more requests than last year.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the Canada School of Public Service does not issue bids. However, the director’s name was Christian Charlebois, Application Development, Support and Database Management. With regard to (b), an email was sent to ADRM Technology Consulting Group Corp.

Holiday Celebrations  I would be happy to, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes I feel that in this place festiveness is the only holiday from the traditional airing of grievances. Of course, we know that Canadians love to decorate around the holiday season. This week I sent out a message to all public servants, letting them know that they should feel free to festoon their workplaces around this holiday season.

Access to Information  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raised the more general issue. Let me cite some statistics. In fact, the responses to access to information requests have gone up by around 40%. There were six million pages released last year alone, which is an increase of two million pages. I would say to the hon. members that the access to information law is there for the public, for members, and for the media of course.

Access to Information  Mr. Speaker, every agent of Parliament is responsible for managing the funds that are allocated to them by Parliament. That is part of their role and responsibility. If any particular agent of Parliament has a problem with that, he or she can make a submission to the Treasury Board, and we would be happy to consider it.

Regional Economic Development  Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to commend the hon. member for Sault Ste. Marie for the great job he is doing representing his constituents and representing the values and interests of northern Ontario. I share with him in that capacity, as well. In fact, the hon. member for Kenora, the minister responsible for FedNor, is in Sudbury as we speak, making another announcement for community investment, for jobs and opportunity in northern Ontario.

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2014-15  Mr. Speaker, yes, the form of this bill is identical to that used in the previous supply period.

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2014-15  moved that this bill be concurred in.

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2014-15  moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2014-15  moved that Bill C-45, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2015 be read the first time. (Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2014-15  moved that the bill be read a second time and referred to a committee of the whole.

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2014-15  moved: That the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, except any vote disposed of earlier today, be concurred in.

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2014-15  moved: That Vote 1b, in the amount of $8,400,358, under VETERANS AFFAIRS—Veterans Affairs—Operating expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, be concurred in.