House debate  moved that Bill C-53, an act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, be read the first time. (Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)

House debate  moved that the bill be read the second and referred to committee of the whole.

House debate  moved: That the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, except any Vote disposed of earlier today and less the amounts voted in Interim Supply, be concurred in.

House debate  moved: That Vote 1, in the amount of $69,584,548, under Senate — Program expenditures, in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, be concurred in.

Concurrence in Vote 1—Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada  moved: That Vote 1, in the amount of $45,942,822, under Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada — Program expenditures, in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, be concurred in.

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Mr. Speaker, we are making important investments with which I believe the hon. member would be in agreement. Investments in public transit and green infrastructure are part of these estimates. She mentioned the Naylor report. There are investments in the post-secondary institutions strategic investment fund, the SIF fund, which is specifically investing in post-secondary research infrastructure across Canada.

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise in the House tonight and participate in this debate. However, I found it curious that the hon. member, who had been a member of the previous government, has a very selective memory when it comes to the fiscal record of that government. The Harper government inherited the best fiscal situation of any incoming government in Canadian history, a $13 billion surplus.

Government Accountability  Mr. Speaker, we have a great respect for the work that the parliamentary budget officer does on an ongoing basis. We work closely with the parliamentary budget officer, and we will continue to do so. It is notable that in terms of his work with the Department of Finance, he was provided with the information requested.

Government Accountability  Mr. Speaker, I first want to respectfully correct the hon. member. He said that I had been a Conservative. In fact, I had been a Progressive Conservative. Since that party dropped the “progressive” moniker, both in name and reality, I chose to join a party that I am very proud of, the Liberal Party, which continues to give me the opportunity to serve and work on behalf of all Canadians, even the hon. member.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, we have lowered taxes for the middle class. We have made important investments in infrastructure in every community in Canada. Frankly, it is very important to continue to invest to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for the middle class across Canada. We will continue to do so.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, since December 2015, Canada's unemployment rate has dropped to 7.1%. We have created 250,000 jobs in the past six months. Our plan is working well and that is why we must continue to make investments and create jobs for the middle class. We will do what is fair for all Canadian families.

Public Service Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, it is clear that there have been 16 hours of debate in the House on this matter. There are amendments both from this place, the House, and the other place, the Senate. There have been four committee hearings at which 25 witnesses were heard, but that is also built on the consultations done across the country under the previous government by the RCMP, which I understand were quite extensive.

Public Service Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, one of the findings of the consultation was the desire among RCMP members to have one national union representing them. Ultimately, that decision will be made by them. It is important we move forward to enable that to occur. For the leader of the Green Party, with whom I have worked for a long time and for whom I have tremendous respect, the Supreme Court decision was over two years ago and the previous government did not act.

Public Service Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for the important work she did on sexual harassment in the RCMP. It was pioneering work at the time. She undertook an important leadership role. Every member of the House, regardless of partisanship, understands it is absolutely essential that the RCMP be a healthy workplace free of harassment and sexual violence.

Public Service Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, under our government, committees of the House have become more independent. I was here for almost 10 years in opposition when the Harper government ran committees of Parliament as branch plants of ministers' offices. That was unacceptable then, and we have rendered committees more independent of the government.