Tall Ships in Hastings—Lennox and Addington  Mr. Speaker, grab your tricorn hat. I have spotted a great event on the horizon in Hastings—Lennox and Addington. Eleven tall ships from around the world are dropping anchor in Bath this July 7th to 9th at the historic Fairfield-Gutzeit House. This hearty celebration of Canada'

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Madam Speaker, The Globe and Mail has called the current sequencing of the estimates bad, to the point of absurdity, and said that it is a discredited practice that has only served to keep MPs in the dark about how tax dollars are being spent. When the member is studying the main

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Madam Speaker, the member opposite likes to talk, as the previous member said, a little fiction. I would like to remind the member about some of the investments our government has made in infrastructure, billions into innovation, into the Canada child benefit, where $5.9 million

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Mr. Speaker, since we are on the topic of deficits, our government believes in making strategic investments in our country so we can become more productive and move more people into the middle class and those working so hard to get there. We are investing $184 billion in infras

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to draw to the attention of the House the background and merit of certainly recently appointed senators selected under this government's reformed appointments process. Unlike the previous government, we have made it a priority to only appoint ind

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Mr. Speaker, Senator Mégie exemplifies just what our government's merit-based appointments process is aimed at; Canadians with diverse backgrounds, compelling qualifications, and bold contributions to Canadian society. A member of the Order of Canada, Senator Mégie's career encom

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Mr. Speaker, to quote Senator Pate's maiden speech, she said, “I have often found myself driven either by rage or despair as I've tried to address that which I could not and will never accept”. The entire chamber rose to applaud her fearlessness after delivering this speech. Her

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Madam Speaker, I am very supportive of the members in the red chamber and the work they are doing. It is a testament to their independence that they have come back to the House with outstanding amendments and recommendations on different bills. In fact, they came back with some v

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for giving me the opportunity to talk about the outstanding backgrounds that these senators bring to the chamber, whether it is finance, or dealing with indigenous issues, women's issues, tax issues, all of them. It adds to robust d

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Madam Speaker, the question allows me to shine a light upon this really outstanding process that has selected highly respected, well-thought-of experts in their fields to be now part of the Senate. That would never have happened previously, especially in the previous government.

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Madam Speaker, I would remind the member of the benefits of the Westminster-style democratic system we have in our great country. We have a chamber that provides sober second thought. It is by appointing such qualified individuals as we have under this new process that we enable

Main Estimates, 2017-18  Madam Speaker, once again I appreciate the opportunity to address the question. I think the member misses something very important, and actually I am very disappointed in his negative, cynical view of the Senate and its ability to be that chamber of sober second thought. We have

Canada Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, I have the highest level of regard for my colleague across the way. We served on the environment committee together. I appreciate his passion. However, we have a Prime Minister in this country who has truly made himself accessible to so many Canadians from small tow

Canada Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, I find it rich to hear members on the other side talk about fundraising and how they are so lily-white about everything they do. A member on the other side was talking in the same manner, when in fact, she would have barbecues, and the barbecues would be open to th

Canada Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, I will retract that. There was a barbecue hosted at Senator St. Germain's ranch. The original barbecue was open to the public, but then there was a special tent set off to the side for special Conservatives, who would pay $1,000 to have the then prime minister come a