House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 40% of the vote.
Veterans Affairs May 6th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as we stand in the House on the 60th anniversary of VE Day and especially these times of recognition of the bravery of the men and women who served this country and the world, I cannot get into the individual discussion of particular files.
Let me just assure the member when the Minister of Veterans Affairs returns from doing Canada's business with regard to the recognition of those brave men and women, that I will bring it to her attention.
Commercial Bankruptcies May 5th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member, the caucus and the government for caring about the vulnerable workers, men and women across this country. It gives me pride today to be able to announce that we will introduce a wage earner protection program that will help people who have lost their jobs through bankruptcy get all of the money that is due to them, unlike the Conservatives who, I just heard a half hour ago, would introduce a payroll tax to help those people recover their wages. That is absolutely shameful.
On this side of the House we believe in protecting men and women who work hard each and every day. We have listened to them. Labour leaders want this and we will deliver today.
Pay Equity May 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the government firmly believes in the fundamental principle of equal pay for work of equal value. We put in place a review of the legislation and the task force has reported with 110 recommendations.
I am now developing a number of options with stakeholders and people to fully implement the recommendations of our task force. We believe women in the workplace need to be totally inclusive. Pay equity is a fundamental value in which we in this government believe, not over there in that party.
Housing May 3rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her tremendous support. This caucus and cabinet have made it possible to sign a historic $602 million agreement with the province of Ontario, a Liberal government that believes in people and housing unlike a previous Conservative government that did not care diddly-squat about people and housing in Ontario.
Our partnerships with municipalities, not for profit housing, cooperative housing and the private sector will deliver 20,000 units to the people of Ontario. This party stands for housing. That party stands for nothing.
Housing April 18th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, I do not think CMHC's surplus is scandalous. In fact, Canadians are buying homes in record numbers. They are able to afford homes and they are able to renew their mortgages at the lowest interest rates possible. That is good economic policy.
I have indicated that I am looking at options on how we can take some of those CMHC surpluses to ensure that we help more homeless people and people seeking affordable housing. That is what we would like to do. I do not want to do what the BQ is doing and that is to destroy a federal institution that helps all Canadians.
Housing March 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, let me thank the member, our caucus and the cabinet for making housing a priority in this country.
Yesterday we announced that rent supplement agreements will now be part of the affordable housing initiative. This will allow provinces and municipalities to get on with helping those people find vacant units in cities and so on. We are determined to house Canadians. We are determined to help those most in need in society as opposed to that party over there that could care less.
We will do more for Quebec and the other provinces.
Labour March 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, this country takes no back seat in terms of supporting workers' rights around the world. We are working and have adopted five of the eight international labour organizations. We are moving with the provinces to ratify those workers' rights protocols. We are doing everything possible to ensure workers' rights are protected.
As for Wal-Mart, that is a provincial jurisdiction. In the provinces of Quebec and Saskatchewan, the provincial ministers are working on those issues right now.
Employment Equity Act March 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, chapter 44, section 20, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2004 annual report of the Employment Equity Act.
Housing March 11th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, since 1999, the government has invested $1 billion for the homeless and for people who could potentially become homeless. Since 2001, we have committed another $1 billion toward affordable housing.
We have been working diligently with all of the provinces and have, so far, signed with Quebec, B.C., Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. We continue to work with all the provinces on a cost share basis because $700 million are still available in the pipeline for the provinces to house those people who are looking for affordable housing.
Airline Industry March 11th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we on this side also feel for those employees of Jetsgo who have potentially lost their jobs. There are protections under the Canada Labour Code, part III, which will protect their wages and protect their vacation and severance pay. I know that the airline attendants have protections under the collective bargaining process.
With regard to the bill, the House will decide whether or not the bill should go forward to the committee. We believe that we have already put in place protection for workers with regard to their rights for wages and so on.