Industry committee  Of course, here in Canada we've been renowned around the world for our handling of this global crisis that we've gone through and the fiscal prudence of the government's handling of this over time. What argument would you make to a regular Canadian constituent of ours sitting in their living room going over their taxes for why we should take $2 billion of their money, really, and hand it over to the Canadian Space Agency for the things you're talking about?

Veterans  We have witnessed this in the past and now unfortunately we are seeing it again. Canada's first contingents of regular Canadian troops arrived in Afghanistan in January 2002. Since then, thousands of our young men and women have served in some of the most horrific and trying battle conditions seen in years.

Petitions  The petitioners note that the so-called recovery still means that a large number of people are unemployed. It is important to have a social safety net to help regular Canadians through tough times and therefore reforms to the EI rules need to be made. The petitioners suggest eliminating the two week waiting period, reducing the qualifying period to a minimum of 360 hours of work, allowing self-employed workers to participate in the plan, raising the rate of benefits of 60%, basing benefits on the best 12 weeks in the qualifying period and encouraging training and retraining.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Okay. I understand that some refugees actually have dental coverage, whereas regular Canadians do not. Are you aware of that ?

Information & Ethics committee  I was part of an e-consultation in 2002-2003 when I chaired the subcommittee on persons with disabilities. It was quite extraordinary to see the response of regular Canadians, particularly those affected in terms of the future of CPP disability. The future of CPP disability seemed somewhat arcane to some people, but we were astounded by the response we got, and astounded that well over 95% of the participants said they would do it again when that e-consultation was evaluated.

Enhanced New Veterans Charter Act  As I have also raised, the government has turned a blind eye to the changing demographics associated with our veterans. Canada's first contingents of regular Canadian troops arrived in Afghanistan in January 2002. Since then, thousands of our young men and women have served in what has been some of the most horrific and trying battle conditions seen in years.

Business of Supply  Now before the courts are their alleged illegal practices to further their own aims and ambitions. In the process, it is the regular Canadians who have some faith in the democratic system and who want to do something better who get caught up in their mess and their scheme. It shakes the confidence of all Canadians in terms of their participation in the political process.

Aboriginal Affairs  Speaker, first nations chiefs and councils still do not have to publicly disclose to their band members how much money they make. On-reserve residents, regular Canadians, and our Conservative government say that is wrong. There needs to be more transparency and accountability. Surprisingly, the national chief is still dismissing private member's Bill C-575.

Safe Streets and Communities Act  By delaying the bill, the opposition is proving yet again that it is totally out of touch with the priorities of regular Canadians. It is my sincere hope that having contemplated all of the benefits that I have outlined--benefits both to our internationally acclaimed immigration system and also to vulnerable individuals from around the world--hon. members on both sides of the House will see fit to support Bill C-10.

Official Languages committee  In terms of the amounts you receive, are you able to separate things and determine which amounts come from the Roadmap and which come from the regular Canadian Heritage programs, for example?

Veterans Affairs committee  My question is this: how do the transition to civilian life and the various benefits you've started to outline, which we'll hear more about later, differ, if at all, between regular Canadian Forces personnel and reservists? Are there differences? If so, what are they?

Justice committee  Well, this is part of the problem, I suppose, and part of our general concern. The power of citizen's arrest requires a regular Canadian citizen to hopefully have some knowledge of the law, but if they don't, then they're on their own in determining certain things in this provision. Has in fact a criminal offence been committed?

Bill C-11 committee  This is why over 50,000 people have signed the OpenMedia.ca petition to not lock down the Internet. We're not talking about pirates here. We're talking about regular Canadians and their regular use of the Internet. The purpose of this amendment is to create a blanket protection under clause 47 for violation breaking or other evasions of a digital lock for any legal purpose.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think all Canadians are watching this issue. They need to put it in their perspective, as Minister Toews is a regular Canadian citizen. How would a regular Canadian citizen feel if they were threatened—had not had just offensive language used toward them, but threatened—with no act or no result to counter that threat?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We believe that politicians have a responsibility to manage their funds prudently and to make sure that they are borrowing and spending within the means of their campaigns. Regular Canadians must manage their own household budgets, and it is incumbent on politicians to do the same. I hope you will support this bill. I would be pleased to answer your questions.