Václav Havel  Mr. Speaker, on December 18, 2011, former president of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, Václav Havel, passed away. Havel once said, “I really do inhabit a system in which words are capable of shaking the entire structure of government...”. Indeed, it was the words of Have

Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to be back in the House after our hiatus over the new year. It is always a great pleasure to hear my colleague from Saint Boniface, Manitoba so clearly articulate our government's plan for jobs and growth. The contrast between this side of t

Afghanistan  Mr. Speaker, in July of this year Canada's combat mission in Kandahar successfully concluded. Canada's engagement in Afghanistan is now focused on four new key priorities: investing in the future of Afghan children and youth; advancing security, the rule of law and human rights;

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, not long ago, Canada's natural resource industries were considered the old economy. No more hewing of wood and drawing of water for us, we were all going into that new information economy. Our natural resource industries have come roaring back and are now the backbo

Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery Rebuilding Act  Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to Bill C-308, the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery rebuilding act. I would like to thank my colleague for introducing Bill C-308, which prompted this important discussion to take place on fisheries rebuilding; however, I will not be support

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, those of us on this side of the House certainly agree that nothing comes for free, but, having said that, the benefits of dismantling the board and allowing farmers marketing freedom will greatly outweigh any costs that may occur. Transitions for many people and ch

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, members on this side of the House, especially those of us representing rural agricultural constituencies, will take a backseat to no one in defending our communities. In terms of canola, I, too, am a strong supporter of public research and very much agree with the

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend is exactly correct. Specialization and selling it to niche markets and doing things that no one else is doing is the way to success for a small business. I have been privy to some commercial secrets from some constituents of mine, so I cannot talk to

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to speak to this historic legislation which is opening such an exciting time for farmers in my home province of Manitoba and right across western Canada. Contrary to what the members opposite think or say, our government was elected on a platform t

Democratic Reform  Madam Speaker, the Liberals said only a few weeks ago that our government's fair representation act seemed like a fair bill. The bill moves every province closer to representation by population. It provides fair representation for faster-growing provinces, while at the same time

Holodomor Memorial Day  Mr. Speaker, on November 26 I encourage everyone to commemorate the victims of the Ukrainian genocide of 1932-33. In 2008, this day was enshrined in legislation as Holodomor Memorial Day after a bill was introduced by my distinguished colleague from Selkirk—Interlake. The Holodo

Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act  Madam Speaker, there is no disconnect between the facts and our performance. One need only look at who is in government in Ontario: the poster child for a high tax economy that does not create jobs. Ontario used to be the engine of the Canadian economy and could be still, if the

Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act  Madam Speaker, I share the member's concern regarding the choice the Manitoba government has made. The Manitoba NDP government chose to build a hydro line along the west side of Manitoba that will cost an extra $1 billion to build, rather than the shorter east side line. The ex

Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act  Madam Speaker, one of the things that is evident, when one looks at environmental indicators around the world, is that as a country gets richer the environmental indicators get better. There is no trade-off between wealth creation, economic growth and environmental quality; they

Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honour to rise in the House in support of Bill C-13, the keeping Canada's economy and jobs growing act. It is also an honour to follow my friend from Richmond Hill, who so eloquently stated the reasons why the bill is so important for our country.