Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With respect to the Budget 2006 commitment to begin arming border guards: (a) how many Canada Border Services Agency officers have been trained and equipped with firearms as of April 23, 2012; (b) how much money was spent on related personnel, training and support programs in (i)

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to Canadian soldiers participating in nuclear testing in the United States: (a) what was the purpose of sending Canadian soldiers to participate in nuclear testing in the United States; (b) what, if any, disclosures were provided to participating Canadian soldiers out

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to veterans’ affairs, in each year since 2006 inclusively: (a) how many requests for assistance were made to the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program; and (b) of those, how many in each year were accepted, and how many were rejected?

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to the Department of Veterans Affairs, what were the legal costs incurred by the government with respect to the case of Manuge v. Canada, decided as Supreme Court of Canada docket 33103, broken down by: (a) pre-trial costs; (b) costs related to proceedings at the Fede

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, on page 221 of the budget, the government stated, “The regional distribution of employment in the federal public service will be largely unaffected by the implementation of the departmental spending reductions”. Federal jobs, it said, would be reduced by 4.8%. It is

CANADA-PANAMA ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT  Mr. Speaker, I do not fully agree with the hon. member. It is very important to protect human rights and workers' rights, but it is also important to have a good trade environment. Both are important. We have to take both these interests into consideration. This is all about ba

CANADA-PANAMA ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT  Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party is and always has been supportive of free trade and of anything that serves to break down barriers between countries, as long as concerns with respect to environmental matters, taxation and human rights are addressed. It is important to break down

CANADA-PANAMA ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT  Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. It almost seems as though it is a reflex in this Parliament to introduce legislation and then limit debate. It somehow has become automatic, and that is most unfortunate. In the course of my remarks I indicated my concern over the lack

CANADA-PANAMA ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak on Bill C-24. The Liberal Party has long been in support of opening new markets on the basis of fair trade. We will be supporting this particular legislation. We do have some concerns, given the obvious bipartisan support, that this is y

CANADA-PANAMA ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT  Mr. Speaker, my question relates to concerns expressed in this and previous Parliaments with respect to Panama being a locale for money laundering and a tax haven. My concern specifically relates to the protracted negotiations that went over some eight years before the United S

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of residents of Prince Edward Island who are concerned over the plans with respect to fleet separation and owner-operator policies. They point out that these policies have been the backbone of the Atlantic inshore fishery for ma

RCMP  Mr. Speaker, for five years, the Conservatives have battled disabled veterans, including Dennis Manuge, in court to justify pension clawbacks. The disabled vets prevailed. For the last four years, Royal Canadian Mounted Police veterans have been locked in a similar law suit aga

Animal Protection  Mr. Speaker, it is disturbing to read stories about animal abuse in Canada. Animals are, for millions of Canadians, an essential component of family life, forming special bonds that are valued and endearing. Whether it is a seeing eye dog or a German shepherd providing services

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today, each of which may sound a bit familiar given the petitions that have already been presented today. The first one is on behalf of residents of the greater Ottawa area, including Gloucester, Nepean and Orléans. The petitioners

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from some residents of Prince Edward Island who are concerned about anticipated changes in the owner-operator and fleet separation policy affecting the midshore fishery in Prince Edward Island and on the east coast. The petitioners rightly poi