Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague about a question that was asked previously by his colleague related to the consumer protection aspects of Bill C-29. Would the member not agree that a national framework for consumer protection, with rules and regulations relating to the banking industry, would be a step forward for his constituents in British Columbia?

Points of Order  Mr. Speaker, in 20 seconds or less, I was just wondering if I could clarify your ruling with respect to the member for Beaches—East York. My understanding is that the rules say “contemporary business attire” in the House. I think today—

Points of Order  Excuse me, but the rules are for contemporary business attire. Mr. Speaker, the rules have changed in workplaces since 1987, the last time the Speaker, I believe, ruled on this issue. I am wondering if the Speaker would consider reviewing this rule and sending it to the procedure and House affairs committee to revise it, as many workplaces today no longer require men to wear ties.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with an amendment.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree that Castro was a dictator. We all agree that Castro abused human rights. Castro was not a good man, period. However, the same is true of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, for whom the previous prime minister, Prime Minister Harper, made very similar comments to those our current Prime Minister made with respect to Castro.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, a dictator is a dictator is a dictator, whether communist or not. Let me be clear. For me, Fidel Castro was a dictator. Fidel Castro was a loathsome individual who ruined the lives of many, many people and was a human rights abuser. Fidel Castro was not a good man. I want to be clear.

Committees of the House  Madam Speaker, as the chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, I want to say a couple of words on our fifth report and its recommendation to the House not to proceed further with Bill C-242. I also want to thank my colleague, the member for London—North Centre, for bringing forward an idea that I think all parties had agreed had merit.

Canada Pension Plan  Madam Speaker, I totally agree with my colleague from Sherbrooke. This is not a tax. As I said in my speech, I see the employer's contribution as a sort of raise for the employee, since that money will go to the employee and not the Government of Canada.

Canada Pension Plan  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Sherbrooke for his question. Yes, absolutely, an enhanced pension plan will help give our seniors a secure future. It is important to note that the government has already improved the guaranteed income supplement by 10% this year. In other words, poor seniors will have almost $1,000 more in their pockets.

Canada Pension Plan  Madam Speaker, from what I am hearing, most residents in my riding, whatever their income level, are pleased with the proposed changes to the CPP. I note, however, that many residents in my riding are also happy with the TFSA. I personally make use of it. It is a good vehicle. The question that was raised was whether the TFSA needed to be doubled.

Canada Pension Plan  Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House to talk about the amendments the government is planning to make to the CPP. I call upon all my colleagues to consider all the debates we have heard on this issue over the last many days. One of the things that strikes me the most in this debate is that we are failing to recognize the achievement of reaching an agreement with all nine provinces that have opted into the CPP.

Canada Pension Plan  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his English, which has improved considerably since he was elected. Congratulations. My question is about the example he gave of a 75-year-old retired man who will see no increase to his Canada pension plan benefits. To me, that says we should do something about the Canada pension plan faster.

Leonard Cohen  Mr. Speaker, this Saturday I was at the Dorshei Emet synagogue in my riding. At the end of the service, the rabbi pulled out his guitar, and we all sang Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. The song brought tears to my eyes because I knew the same scene was being repeated in churches, synagogues, and at gatherings across Canada and across the world, because his music unites us all.

Canada Pension Plan  Mr. Speaker, I do not want to impugn blame to anyone. I do not think that is useful for me. I just want to talk about why, as the member said, we need to do something now. I was lucky enough, as mayor, to recognize at one point that we needed to update our municipal pension plan.

Canada Pension Plan  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague very much for his question. I would say that we managed the economy very well during the Chrétien-Martin years. It was during those years that things turned around. I am not criticizing the Conservative government that preceded us. I am not saying that that government mismanaged the economy.