On Parliament Hill

With the return to Parliament this week, I look forward to working with the many newly elected MPs.

I urge the new government to continue with some of the important measures that were introduced under the previous government. During our time in office, we concluded free trade negotiations with more than 40 countries. Now, as Canada’s Official Opposition, we will continue to push for expanded free trade.

Earlier this year our Conservative team, led by Minister Ed Fast, concluded negotiations on the most important free trade deal since NAFTA – the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP. It will create good Canadian jobs, grow our economy and is being supported by our allies including President Barack Obama. I believe that Canada should ratify the TPP agreement, so we can begin to reap the benefits.

With the global economy remaining unstable, ensuring that there are good jobs for Canadians is very important. Recently the federal government gave us a fiscal update that is concerning.

In September of this year, our federal government had a surplus of $1 billion. Just a few months later, and after a change in government, they are now facing a $3 billion deficit. I urge this new administration to continue with the previous government’s goal of maintaining fiscal responsibility and ensuring that our children’s financial future is secure.

Fiscal responsibility must be a goal for all Parliamentarians, regardless of their political party.

Throughout this next session of Parliament, I look forward working with the Honourable Rona Ambrose, our new leader of the Official Opposition. I am confident that she will strike the right balance between keeping the Liberal government accountable while working with them to ensure that the needs and best interest of Canadians are being met.