Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of Orwellianspeak in this House over the budget. The budget contains the words “long-term sustainability”, yet it contains within its pages the provision that would remove the protection of fish habitat from the Fisheries Act and instead replace

Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act  Madam Speaker, I would like to put a number of facts to my hon. colleague for his comment. First, he and other members of the government have said they do not believe it is fair to foist the economic problems of today on the generations of tomorrow. They have also commented tha

Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act  Madam Speaker, when I was elected by the good people of Vancouver Kingsway in 2008 to come here, I was told by the people who operate this place and have a lot of experience here that our prime function as parliamentarians was to scrutinize and approve spending of government. The

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first is a continuing campaign by the 100,000-strong Canadian Fijian population that is calling for the establishment of a high commission or regular consulate in the Republic of Fiji Islands. They point out that Canadians

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present is part of 55,000 signatures collected from people all over British Columbia, and in particular Vancouver Kingsway. They are concerned about Enbridge's proposed northern gateway project. They point out that with the 40th a

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will just ask this. The Conservatives constantly stand up and say they received a strong mandate from the Canadian people. They did not receive a mandate from the Canadian people to make changes to old age security because they never campaigned on it. To use it in

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the interesting thing about this debate is it concerns the demographics of the baby boom. The baby boom in Canada did not sneak up on us. We have seen it coming for decades. Knowing that the population is aging and will peak with people who were born in 1964, one of

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-415, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (appeals). Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill that addresses an important issue that exists in our immigration law, with thanks to the seconder, the member for Saint-Bruno—Sa

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I rise on budget day to express some of the important priorities of the people of Vancouver Kingsway. We need secure affordable housing. Mr. Speaker, I cannot hear myself—

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I rise on budget day to express some of the important priorities of the people of Vancouver Kingsway. We need secure, affordable housing. Having a home is a basic need that makes employment, raising a family and building community possible. We need accessible qua

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Madam Speaker, as I mentioned in my speech, the Liberals opposed the free trade agreement with the United States, campaigned on it in the 1980s and said in the 1990s that they would withdraw Canada from NAFTA. I am just wondering if he could inform the House what the Liberal pos

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Madam Speaker, it is a fair question from the hon. member. Before I get to his specific question, the hon. member said he disagreed with most of what was in my speech. I spoke about building trade agreements between Canada and the rest of the world that are based on principles t

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Madam Speaker, certainly I can list countries that I think Canada should be pursuing agreements with. These would be countries that are world leaders with respect to the environment, labour standards and human rights. Countries like Sweden, Norway or Denmark would be a good start

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to stand in this House today to offer my comments on Bill C-24, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Panama, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Panama and the Agreement on Labo

Financial System Review Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to share my colleague's comments that it is really a stretch to watch the Conservative government stand in the House and claim credit for the banking industry's strength over the last recession. It was the Conservative Party members in the 1990s who pushed for