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Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal on Business of Supply

Replying to Gord Johns (NDP)
“Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, Commissionaires is still the largest employer of Canada’s veterans, and it is a not-for-profit. The government has been meeting with GardaWorld as recently as July, but Commissionaires cannot even get a meeting with the minister, who has not met with Commissionaires since the spring. I am hoping my colleague can share a bit of insight on why the government is refusing to meet with the Commissionaires. If there is an issue about needing to increase the amount of veterans who are working for Commissionaires, that should be a conversation the minister is having. Taking that away and giving it to a private company instead is privatization that has crossed the line. It is over the top. When the member talks about veteran employment, I will tell him what it is like in my riding. In Courtenay, where the Commissionaires is, 60% of those who work for Commissionaires are veterans. I am hoping my colleague can explain why the minister refuses to meet with Commissionaires.”

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Mr. Speaker, I have, and I have said this in my comments, an immense amount of respect. I acknowledge the incredible work Commissionaires has done through the years. I believe Commissionaires will continue to be able to provide employment opportunities for veterans. I look to it, as a non-profit organization, to continue to grow. I also recognize there is a genuine attempt by the Commissionaires to employ even a higher percentage of veterans. When I think of those war veterans from World War II who I marched with, side by side in parades, there are many things they talked about regarding freedoms and the type of—