Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act  They know that for every job that is created, there is a positive ripple effect for businesses, families and for our communities. It is clear that budget 2012 is excellent news for Canadians and British Columbians. As I have already outlined, the comprehensive measures it contains will grow our economy, create jobs and prosperity, but budget 2012 also provides a stable framework for federal and provincial programs.

National Revenue  It was this government that introduced the taxpayer bill of rights as well as the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman to provide Canadians with a clear statement of their service rights and a venue to voice concerns. I understand that the minister has recently become aware of some troubling videos that do not meet our high expectations of CRA staff.

Finance  Speaker, this week, the Minister of Finance said that government would not mandate the use of the banking ombudsman for dispute resolution. This goes against the clear best practices laid out by the World Bank and even G20 consumer protection finance principles that he signed. Instead, banks will be allowed to police themselves, leaving the ombudsman no choice but to close its doors.

Official Languages  As to the bill he mentioned, which I discussed this morning at the Standing Committee on Official Languages, the government has not yet made a decision. However, I want to make it clear that it is our government, with our Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality, our appointments and our commitments, that will continue to protect and promote both French and English within the Government of Canada.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General's report makes it very clear that cabinet had F-35 costing very similar to the PBO as long ago as 2010. The deputy minister of National Defence today repeatedly avoided responding to the question of who authorized the release of the lowball number.

National Defence  When we asked the Parliamentary Budget Officer whether the Conservatives deliberately provided false costs, he clearly answered “yes”. If only the Conservative ministers could provide such clear answers. I will try again. What is the total cost of the F-35s?

National Defence  Again, Mr. Speaker, let us be clear on the facts. This is a 15-year memorandum of understanding which Canada has entered into. The obvious intent here is to replace aging CF-18 fighter aircraft in years to come. We are now looking at a more comprehensive way to ensure that there is greater reporting and transparency to Parliament, to the public.

National Defence  Today, when the PBO was asked if the government was seeking to mislead Canadians about the real cost of the F-35s, he gave a clear and simple answer, yes. Is there any minister on that side of the House who is honest enough to stand and take responsibility?

Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act  It is probably a horse running in the fourth, but then again Fort Erie is closing the slots and that may actually do away with the raceway, so there may not be any horses there anymore. It is abundantly clear, and this parliamentary secretary knows it, that this one-term funding that has been dropped in for this one budget year will disappear. He knows it and so does the minister. It will disappear.

Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act  I support charities and I sit on a board or two. I have done that for years. I think it is clear that some charities are not respecting the rules regarding political activities. It is necessary to do that because Canadians expect their charitable donations to be used for those particular purposes and not for some political purpose or some economic purpose beyond the mandate of that particular charity.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Clearly you're suggesting that the government maintain existing sanctions, or at least what's left. I'll start with this question. We've seen some clear signs of change with respect to democratic freedom, we know, with Aung San Suu Kyi being in parliament yesterday, and the elections. I'm wondering if you could give us some insight into the status of other rights issues in Burma, specifically as they relate to freedom of the press, freedom of religious practice, freedom of movement.

Justice committee  Just to be clear, if there's an unlawful assembly or riot, anyone in it is committing an offence, whether they're wearing a mask or not.

Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, when it comes to jobs, it is very clear across the world that Canada is looked at as an example of success following a recession that touched us all. When we look at the statistics, the IMF and the OECD look at Canada as being one of the countries that will see the strongest growth going forward.

Justice committee  The BCCLA would like to express its concern and opposition with Bill C-309 and its attempt to increase criminal sanctions for those who wear masks or face coverings at riots or unlawful assemblies. To be clear, the effort here is not to create a new offence; it's to create more significant penalties or sanctions for those who wear masks at unlawful assemblies or riots. So it's someone who's already committed some kind of crime.

Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act  The opposition would effectively kill jobs in sectors where there is huge potential for economic growth, such as the natural resource, oil and gas sectors. A clear example of the NDP's intentions is the fact that it actually sent representatives to Washington at taxpayers' expense to oppose the Keystone pipeline, a project that will create thousands of jobs in North America.