Financial Literacy Leader Act  Mr. Speaker, I noticed in the course of this debate that the Liberal member for Kings—Hants voiced some very similar concerns to ours regarding the bill. I am wondering if the member could remind us what the objections are and perhaps how he would see that these could be remedied.

Financial Literacy Leader Act  Mr. Speaker, we proposed six amendments to this bill that were all rejected. The one that interests me most is the advisory board. Could the hon. member could tell us a bit about the advantages of having an advisory board added to the legislation?

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I rise to present two petitions signed by citizens from all around the metro Vancouver area. The petitioners call for the Experimental Lakes Area to be saved. As the science and tech critic for the NDP, I have met a number of delegations that are trying to save this wonderful international research facility.

Jobs and Growth, 2012  Mr. Speaker, I note the member is from Red Deer and was elected in 2008. Now that we are talking about the budget, I notice something is missing. When you campaigned, I am sure, from door to door in Red Deer, you probably took your platform with you. In the 2008 Conservative platform—

Jobs and Growth, 2012  Mr. Speaker, page 23 of the Conservative platform says, “Prohibiting the Export of Raw Bitumen to Higher Polluting Jurisdictions”. It says, “A re-elected Conservative Government will prevent any company from exporting raw bitumen”. I do not see that in the current budget. Could the member explain why that has not been included and why he has broken his promise to his constituents?

Points of Order  Mr. Speaker, I retract any unparliamentary language, although in his statement the House leader had his own untruth so I think the game continues.

Member for Lethbridge  Mr. Speaker, since returning from the summer session, Conservative MPs have been sullying this House with fabricated policies and outright untruths. The member for Lethbridge is the perfect example. Instead of representing his constituents in this House, he knowingly aids his Ottawa bosses in propagating these falsehoods.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, I really do not think Parliament was created for us to ask real questions and to get stock answers back. Bills are then forced through without any real debate before Canadians get a chance to look at the details. We should pause and try to respect the institution we are in.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, I did have the great pleasure of sitting down with the president of MDA to talk about RADARSAT specifically, and he was beside himself. There are really six phases to this contract. The government has agreed to the first five and cut the money for the final phase of the contract, which would put the satellites in the air over our Arctic, and it is only through satellite technology that we can do surveillance over the Arctic.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, I really think this is an abuse of Parliament. The measures in the budget are important for Canadians, whatever we think of them. These really need to be debated. In their effort to rush through measures through the industry committee, the latter's members seemed to be making a major error with the SR and ED tax credit.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to stand and speak today to Bill C-45, the second omnibus budget implementation act. As with Bill C-38 this past spring, New Democrats oppose Bill C-45 on both content and process. This bill continues on the path set by Bill C-38, which puts more power in the hands of cabinet ministers and guts environmental protections.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, I have a question about what is missing in the budget implementation act. On page 32 of the Conservative 2008 platform entitled “The True North Strong and Free”, under the heading “Developing a Cap and Trade System to Cut Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions” it promises that a re-elected Conservative government will implement the cap and trade system between the years 2012 and 2015.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, I listened to the speech and I have read the budget and the budget implementation act. What seems to be missing is a promise from the 2008 Conservative platform. On page 23 of this platform, it says, “A re-elected Conservative Government led by Stephen Harper will prevent any company from exporting raw bitumen”.

Science and Technology  Mr. Speaker, weak excuses and political spin are one thing, but hard facts are another, and facts are not like Conservatives. Facts do not lie, and that is why we rely on empirical research and invest in R and D. However, Conservatives reject facts, reject science and they are recklessly firing over 90 of Canada's top researchers.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition to the House. Right now in British Columbia there is a large movement taking place right across the province called “Defend Our Coast” and we have hundreds of citizens stopping in front of MLA's offices telling them what they think about saving our coast from oil spills.