Economic Recovery Act (stimulus)  Mr. Speaker, the member spoke about the CPP and about how one of the measures in here would allow people to access that a bit earlier. I am just wondering if she has any comments to make or worries with regard to whether people who are on CPP disability would find themselves at a disadvantage, and that long term care programs or insurance programs would force them to apply for CPP earlier.

Economic Recovery Act (stimulus)  Mr. Speaker, I am going to build on the previous question. The member from the Liberal Party actually talked about the biggest deficit in Canadian history, but let us not forget that it was supported by the Liberals. The Conservative member talked about reducing taxes and how his government has been able to do that.

Economic Recovery Act (stimulus)  Mr. Speaker, I agree with him that the home retrofit program is not beneficial to everybody, but it is beneficial to some people. Would he not think that it would have been better if the Conservatives has tied that in to greener housing and the retrofit strategy as opposed to allowing people to build docks, which does not really do much to contribute to a greener environment?

Harmonized Sales Tax  Mr. Speaker, it is the first day of October and in northern Ontario, indeed across the province, it is getting colder. However, what is really giving people the chills in this province is the government's HST scheme. The recession has hit families across northern Ontario hard and now the government wants to slap them with an extra 8% tax on their heating bill.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, it is interesting that the previous speaker mentioned broken words from the government. Let us not forget, though, about the broken promises from the Liberals when they were the government of the day and continue with their broken words and broken promises with the Conservatives in the way that they have supported them during this whole time.

Business of Supply  I will take that back, Madam Speaker. I apologize. I guess I should have said took without asking.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, I certainly was a little confused for a minute. I thought perhaps the member had the wrong notes in front of him because he talked more about stimulus than with regard to Bill C-23. The Canada-Colombia free trade agreement is of great concern to not only the NDP but as well to many people within Canada and abroad.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, I find it quite interesting that the member mentioned that the government is rehashing old announcements. I guess that it has learned from the previous Liberal government which did that on a number of occasions. Regarding Bill C-23, in May the steelworkers were on the Hill lobbying Liberal MPs, asking them to honour the commitment they made in June 2008, demanding that there be an independent, impartial and comprehensive human rights impact assessment before Canada would consider entering into a free trade agreement with Colombia.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance has decided to stimulate the economy by having families and consumers pay more taxes. The Liberals are also in favour of harmonizing the sales tax. That means that gas, heating and even funerals will cost more. People living in northern Ontario and British Columbia do not want tax increases.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government does not understand the extent of the problem in northern Ontario. The Constance Lake First Nation lost its post office in November 2008. People have to travel 80 kilometres to mail a letter or pick up their GST rebate. With another gas tax, it will cost more.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Mr. Speaker, this discussion certainly takes it to hear. The member for Saint Boniface made some comments a few minutes ago. I would like to share this, and maybe the Liberal member could comment. There are serious issues about what she had indicated, touting the amazing work of CIDA in Colombia.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Mr. Speaker, I hope I may have a moment to read a letter I just received from Brent Mansfield, from Vancouver. My Bloc colleague may have some comments on this. In the letter, he says: I myself was in Colombia for the month of August, including a 10 day delegation investigating the effects of free trade with Colombia.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank the Bloc member for her speech. She certainly made the point that a free trade agreement with Colombia should not move forward, especially because of the atrocities being committed there against unionized workers. A number of accusations have been made against the Colombian government, including accusations of murder, which is a serious problem and cause for concern.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, I am glad the member was able to see the devastation across my riding with regard to some of these small communities. I am sure the community members and leaders are very thankful for the tax dollars the government has put back into their community, because, all in all, it is their tax dollars.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, I do not think this will be new news to anyone, but many of my communities have been quite devastated. Opasatika, Smooth Rock Falls and White River were one industry towns. Most of those communities are one industry towns. As soon as that closed down, the wood allocation still was allowed to go elsewhere, which has really put these communities in a bind.