Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Mr. Speaker, my colleague has expressed very well why his party and mine believe that this is a bad deal for Canada as well as Colombia. The NDP does not believe that the free trade agreement between Canada and Colombia will promote human rights and improve conditions in Colombia.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, people of northern Manitoba rely on winter roads to get what they need. Usually the roads are open for over eight weeks. This year, due to a mild winter, they have been open for much less. Despite the Conservatives' denials, climate change is real, and the consequences, especially in Canada's north, are serious.

Telecommunications  Mr. Speaker, first, the government sends letters to groups in rural communities telling them they are no longer getting funding for Internet access. Now we see the government flip-flopping. What is going on? For many in rural and remote communities, the community access program is key for Canadians to access online resources for services, training and jobs.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I would like to make a direct appeal to the Prime Minister. Residential school survivors and their families have looked to the Prime Minister and Canada's national apology as a sign of hope. That hope now hangs in the balance. For 10 years, survivors and their families have looked to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation for support as they try to move forward.

Aboriginal Healing Foundation  Madam Speaker, in 2008 Parliament made history with its apology to residential school survivors. This moment set our country on a new path. Healing has been an integral part of that path for aboriginal peoples. For 10 years survivors and their communities have looked to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation for healing and hope.

THE BUDGET  Madam Speaker, the member across referenced some of my colleagues in the House, colleagues who have stood and fought for their constituents, along with all New Democrats, whether it is in terms of employment insurance or pension. However, if we are talking about seniors, we would like to see a real commitment from Canada's government when it comes to seniors, whether it is looking at support for the guaranteed income supplement, pension plans or standing up for a stronger pension plan in both the private and the public sector.

THE BUDGET  Madam Speaker, I found it interesting to hear the member's commitments, on behalf of his party, to research and innovation in the budget. Over this past year, I have been very involved in working with a number of organizations, certainly students and researchers, regarding the attacks specifically on the social sciences and humanities.

THE BUDGET  Madam Speaker, I heard the hon. member emphasize investments in science and technology and post-secondary education. However, we in the NDP feel that even in the area of post-secondary education, this is a budget that fails to help Canada move forward. One way it fails is by not really helping post-secondary students across the board.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, residential school survivors struggle every day with the agonizing trauma of their experience. The minister knows that the Aboriginal Healing Foundation has been critical in providing support in terms of counselling the survivors and their families. In my riding alone, 18 projects in 17 communities, depend on this funding.

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Timmins—James Bay, somebody who, along with many of our colleagues, certainly from northern Canada and northern Ontario, has been very clear about the way in which this is impacting so many of our regions. He brings up an excellent point.

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, when we talk about democracy, democracy is debate. After all, we have this space to debate, to discuss policies that will go forward. I respect that not all parties feel this is perhaps essential, but from what I understand, in elections, that is the mandate we are given.

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, it sounds like a broken record in here. Every time we hear a Conservative get up and ask a question, we hear the same thing about respect. As we all know, the carrot that was provided to the provinces of billions of dollars was a clear indication of the way in which the federal government has very much encouraged this process and supported this process.

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Yes, Mr. Speaker, talking about relevance, why do we not talk to some of the students in our region and find out the costs that they will incur with this new tax and then we can talk about relevance. I am familiar with the region my hon. colleague represents and I am going to get to aboriginal people which has extreme relevance to this debate, so stay tuned and hopefully he can pay attention.

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with my colleague from Burnaby—New Westminster. People watching, people listening, may be wondering why an MP from Manitoba would be getting up to participate in a debate that is so very much focused on two of our provinces. It is with a real concern and it is in solidarity with my colleagues from B.C. and Ontario that I stand to point out that not only is the process by which the government is ramming through and silencing any opportunity for debate a problem but it is really the substance of the harmonized sales tax that is a real problem.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to present, signed by Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The petitioners ask the Government of Canada to initiate a commission of inquiry to conduct a judicial review into Canada's state of national aviation safety. These are the voices of Canadians who are concerned about the government's wish to recede from the role that it should play in ensuring that our aviation systems are safe.