Public Services and Procurement  Mr. Speaker, 800 workers have lost their jobs at the Davie shipyard because Quebec has been hoodwinked by the federal government. Any day now, we are expecting a call for tenders to go out for the maintenance of seven Halifax-class frigates in the current fleet. Curiously, though, it seems that the criteria have been set in such a way that Davie will not be eligible to bid on the work, specifically because one of the conditions is that the shipyard docks be free of ice all year long.

Public Services and Procurement  Speaking of icebreakers, Mr. Speaker, the clock is ticking for Quebec. The St. Lawrence needs icebreakers now, next year, and for many years to come. However, it seems that Seaspan, currently in Vancouver, has been incapable of delivering the only icebreaker that has been commissioned so far on schedule.

Canada Elections Act  I suppose it is more of a right to wrap it up, Mr. Speaker. Does anyone know what percentage of Canadians support and have confidence in politicians and their promises? It is 3%. I am sure everyone will agree that the people are not exactly giving us top marks. There is definitely room for improvement when it comes to the bonds of trust between us and our constituents.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, there is nothing in the budget for the 800 Davie workers who are out of a job, but a government that runs an $18-billion deficit can hardly plead austerity. This is a political choice, and the government can take action if it wants to. It is even giving up revenue by protecting tax havens for the super-rich and allowing Internet giants to avoid collecting taxes.

Canada Elections Act  Madam Speaker, I hope so. Virtue, good deeds, and good political decisions are not the exclusive domain of a single party. I think that good ideas can come from across the spectrum and that we must draw from what is good and what was good in the past. With regard to the legislation that was passed by the Liberal government of Jean Chrétien, I think that it transcended party lines and was a good measure and a good way to break free from the unfortunate situation with the sponsorship scandal.

Canada Elections Act  Madam Speaker, the goal with that is to achieve consensus, to compromise, because we know there are parties in the House that are bound and determined to keep the current system in place. Essentially, I think this gets us closer to a more democratic, more grassroots way of doing things.

Canada Elections Act  Madam Speaker, what we are proposing is moot, because essentially the part dealing with the limit in question remains untouched and is still currently in effect, as far as reimbursement is concerned. The response is therefore redundant. We are not changing anything. It is already on the books.

Canada Elections Act  moved that Bill C-364, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak today to Bill C-364, which I hope will have the support of all the parties in the House.

Public Services and Procurement  Mr. Speaker, in order to do its job, the navy needs three supply ships. It ordered three from Seaspan, but we have learned that this shipyard will not be able to deliver any until 2027. Operational needs remain the same, however. The same number of interim supply ships is still needed for the next 10 years, as confirmed by an internal memo to the deputy minister of defence.

Public Services and Procurement  Mr. Speaker, while other shipyards in Canada are unable to turn out a ship, Davie delivers the goods. Yesterday, the Minister of National Defence said he had already ordered two more supply ships to meet the navy's needs. The problem is that Seaspan cannot start building them until 2023 and cannot deliver them until 2027.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, it is just the same old empty rhetoric. The opposition asks questions but always gets the same talking points in response. I want to come at this from a different angle. My question is for the defence minister. How does he expect to be able to defend three oceans with only a single supply ship for two fleets, and why is he jeopardizing 800 jobs in Quebec when Quebec produced the jewel of the Canadian fleet at low prices and on time?

Davie Shipyard  Mr. Speaker, I seek the consent of the House to move the following very modest motion. I move: That the House deplore the loss of 800 jobs at Davie shipyards in Lévis by the end of the year.

Public Services and Procurement  Mr. Speaker, the clock is ticking for the 600 workers at the Davie shipyard who will be out of a job within days because of the federal government. Winter is here. We urgently need icebreakers on the St. Lawrence, and the navy desperately needs two more supply ships, including the future ship Obelix, to achieve its mission.

Public Services and Procurement  Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I asked the House to agree to the Quebec National Assembly's unanimous request to award the Davie shipyard its fair share of Canadian contracts. The 40 phantom Liberal MPs from Quebec refused. I will give them a second chance. Meanwhile, their colleague, the member for Central Nova, announced that Quebec would get nothing because the Liberals have 32 Atlantic Canadian MPs who are great advocates for their region.

Public Services and Procurement  Mr. Speaker, I once again seek the consent of the House for the following motion: That this House recognize the expertise of the Davie shipyard in Lévis, which represents 50% of the country's production capacity; and That it call on the government to adjust its national shipbuilding strategy—