Government Operations committee  I would like to know your opinion, in particular, as to whether or not other savings could be found in the Office of the Prime Minister given this climate of austerity.

Status of Women committee  That's amazing, given that we're in budget austerity. Doubling a budget is quite good.

Government Operations committee  I really do not know the reason for the 180-degree turn in that decision. However, I can imagine that, in a major austerity program, it is difficult to coordinate an exercise like that in the budget and the reports on plans and priorities at the same time.

Government Operations committee  Well, I know that members on the executive...and I've been in cabinet rooms. When they sit down and start talking about austerity, and they're looking at strategic operating reviews, they're looking at a very different framework, a program activity framework that's very real, not a communications tool. Everybody needs to see that information.

Agriculture committee  There is similarly no system in place for the fresh produce industry to compensate cattlemen for this risk reduction step. We understand that times of austerity are not the best times to ask government to consider a new spending program. However, we are in a unique position here in Canada, and the math makes sense. Canada is poised to take advantage of increasing world demand for food, and it will serve us well to adopt innovative on-farm food safety technologies to meet consumer demands.

Finance committee  You said in your statement that austerity measures in Europe would dampen growth in Europe. Would your assumption be that austerity measures or government cuts in Canada would have a similar effect? Second, you also advocated heavy investments to strengthen productivity.

National Defence committee  To go back to this issue of smart defence, my figures show that there are only five countries in the alliance that spend less on defence as a percentage of GDP than Canada does, and that we're on a par with Denmark and Germany, with every other ally at a higher level. That's just on this question of percentage of GDP. At a time of austerity and deep cuts potentially in the United States and definitely in many parts of Europe, do you think Canada should stick with, increase, or reduce the defence commitment it has to remain ready for the challenges we now have identified?

Agriculture committee  I just have a last question for you. We've talked about austerity measures, and it was alluded to, again by my colleague, Mr. Storseth, about a willingness to see a wage freeze if it would cause an increase in inspectors. Would you see that as a prudent thing to do, or you would support something like that?

Agriculture committee  But this is a time of austerity, and everybody's looking at what they can do to help out the greater good. Would you, today, be willing to say that you and your union would be willing to agree to wage freezes if it meant more inspectors?

Finance committee  With all levels of government—school boards and municipal, provincial, and federal governments—talking austerity and restraint, it is increasingly important that the charitable sector be supported as we are called upon to rise to meet the growing needs for our services. Statistics Canada has identified six top reasons Canadians offer for making a donation: compassion toward those in need; personal belief in the cause; contribution to the community; being personally affected by the cause; religious beliefs; and the income tax credit.

Finance committee  Thank you very much. Mr. Alexander, you mentioned the fact that as we go along, we'll be getting into budget austerity. Do you feel that the charitable organizations will have to take more on, in terms of service, in terms of having smaller programs, smaller funds, and having to do the work in the field?

National Defence committee  Do you feel that the additional cost associated with an F-35 aircraft compared with a Super Hornet, for example, is really worth it? In this period of fiscal austerity, considering there's a threat of economic crisis, do you find that this investment is worth it?

Business of Supply  This is not the time to invest in oil and in fighter jets. It is not the time to impose an austerity budget. The Conservatives are questioning our ability to invest in social programs. I would respond by asking them these two questions. How can we not invest in social programs? What could be more important than the health, security and dignity of Canadians?

Committees of the House  Despite all of that, in this majority report there are more tax cuts for big corporations as of January 1. There is also an austerity program for investments and there are cuts to the services that poor and middle-class families depend on. What we on this side of the House have talked about in our minority report is public investments, a green economy, and programs that help Canadian families.

Fair Representation Act  In New Brunswick, the government—also a Conservative government—is also leading by example in these times of fiscal austerity and reducing the number of electoral districts. What does the Minister of State for Democratic Reform have to say to explain his government's lack of consistency? Nothing. The only flimsy argument he could find was that we cannot reallocate seats in the House because we would pick winners and losers.