House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was continue.

Last in Parliament September 2008, as Liberal MP for Sudbury (Ontario)

Lost her last election, in 2008, with 30% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Committees of the House June 16th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, a report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates entitled “Passport Canada: A Model to be Reviewed”.

This is a report on the issuance of passports for Canadians across the country, in particular Canadians in regions who have no access to emergency passport services.

Mining Research Centre June 3rd, 2008

Mr. Speaker, the Sudbury area is the largest mining site in the world.

For many years, a consortium of government, education and private mining sector players has been working to establish an international mining research centre in greater Sudbury at Laurentian University. Recently the minister responsible for FedNor announced that he would not be going forward with funding for this centre. This is unfortunate, as all other partners have agreed to fund the project together.

While we look to other ministries for funding, I ask the minister responsible for FedNor to reconsider his decision. This important opportunity to innovate should not be missed. I encourage all involved to continue working together to make this project a reality.

International Aid May 26th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, that is the first time we have heard this fact. Could we know when the decision was made to have these contributions be retroactive to the date of the disaster?

International Aid May 26th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, I thank the NDP for the accolade. I know Sudbury has turned around and done a great job.

Now we are on to the question. In response to the tsunami that hit south Asia on December 26, 2004, the Liberal government announced matching funds four days later and made them retroactive to December 26.

The government's announcement for matching funds for Burma only covers three weeks of donations, starting on May 15, two weeks after the disaster.

We know the majority of funds are given in the first 72 hours of a disaster. The cyclone hit Burma May 2. Why are the contributions not retroactive to that date?

The Environment May 6th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, the Alberta government refuses to take any action and denies the very seriousness of this catastrophe. The Prime Minister has the legislative means at his disposal, not only under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, but also under the Fisheries Act.

If this is as serious as the Prime Minister claims, will he use his authority and take the necessary measures? What is he waiting for?

The Environment May 6th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, in one breath the Prime Minister acknowledges the seriousness of the 500 waterfowl that perished in a toxic pond in Alberta's oil sands, but his actions do not back up his words. This incident requires more than the government simply looking into it.

Given that these 500 ducks represent only a fraction of the wildlife that perishes each year near the oil sands, will Syncrude face charges under the migratory birds act?

Committees of the House May 1st, 2008

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates entitled “The Right Pay for Valuable Employees”.

Over the last few years, we have heard many stories of people who were not being paid on time or who were not receiving the amount that they were entitled to because of certain challenges within the pay system. I am happy to say that we have a unanimous report, with all members of different parties agreeing that, because these are our employees and they are so valuable, we have made certain recommendations. We ask that the government respond within 120 days.

Ethics April 14th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, the Cadman affair has caused problems for the Prime Minister but the problems are of his own making. If the Prime Minister had simply put a stop to Conservative attempts to offer Mr. Cadman a bribe, he would not be facing these repeated questions.

What were those financial considerations for Mr. Cadman, which the Prime Minister referred to explicitly on the tape?

Ethics April 14th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, tapes seem to be the Conservatives' nemesis. The Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) was taped speaking about the Sikh community. Senator Angus was taped speaking about Bill C-10. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons was taped speaking about homosexuals. The Prime Minister was taped speaking about the Cadman affair.

Why do they say one thing in private and another in public?

Committees of the House April 2nd, 2008

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates in relation to its study on the implementation of Justice John Gomery's 19 recommendations.

The committee strongly recommends that the government immediately embark on a formal study of Justice John Gomery's 19 recommendations arising from the commission of inquiry into the sponsorship program and advertising activities and report back to the House of Commons within six months on how it intends to address the recommendations, including those recommendations that it rejects.