House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 46% of the vote.
The Prime Minister February 22nd, 2007
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed the worst fears of the majority of Canadians who did not want to hand over a majority to the Conservatives. The Prime Minister will do anything to hang on to power, even accuse and convict without trial a member of this House.
Why should Canadians trust him when he is ready to tarnish a person's reputation for no reason? How far is our Prime Minister prepared to go?
The Prime Minister February 21st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, all those who are watching this question period and those who will read the transcripts of this question period will know what the Prime Minister's intention was. It is very clear. This is unparliamentary.
Today he is trying to completely change the story. We even asked him, at first, how he could put his ideology ahead of judicial independence.
Then he made allegations about an hon. member of this House, who was democratically elected, and he is not even able to apologize—
The Prime Minister February 21st, 2007
Fortunately we were here to prevent him from saying even more, Mr. Minister of Transport.
Will the Prime Minister apologize for what he dared to do in this House?
The Prime Minister February 21st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, a prime minister is supposed to represent all citizens in this country, all Canadians. We expect a prime minister to behave like a head of state. Today, the Prime Minister uttered words unbefitting a prime minister.
Foreign Credentials February 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives came into power, the provinces were already involved. There was a $263 million budget on the table, a secretariat was formed, and a symposium had even been announced.
What have the Conservatives done since they have been here? They made one electoral promise, one announcement in the budget and, yesterday, an announcement that they will make another announcement.
How can the minister explain to new Canadians that the Conservatives let a year slip by before taking action?
Foreign Credentials February 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have mislead new immigrants by having them believe that they would quickly resolve the matter of recognizing foreign credentials. Today, the Prime Minister and his minister are hiding behind the provinces and professional associations to justify their inaction. A year has gone by and there is no concrete result.
Why has the minister not kept her promise to new Canadians?
Justice February 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the decision to impose his ideology on the judicial appointment process goes far beyond criminal justice. The Conservatives are clearly opposed to the rights and freedoms protected by the Canadian Charter.
The Prime Minister feels that we are granting too many rights to victims of discrimination, to minorities and to women.
Is the Prime Minister prepared to rise in this House and say loud and clear that he supports equality for women and free choice?
Justice February 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, a few months ago, the Conservatives made ideological cuts to certain programs, such as the volunteer support program, the court challenges program and the literacy program. Now, the Prime Minister wants to once again impose his right wing ideology by appointing only judges who share his philosophy of social repression.
Could the Prime Minister tell us which of our rights judges will stop defending? Those of women, or those of minorities?
Judicial Appointments February 14th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government has infiltrated the judicial appointment committees to better advance its right-wing ideology. This is a direct threat to hard won rights: women's right to equality and free choice, minorities' right to be treated fairly, the right to same-sex marriage.
The stakes are too high to be dismissed. This is something never before seen in Canada. Will the government accept the proposal from former Justice L'Heureux-Dubé, to hold a public debate in which average citizens would be involved?
Judicial Appointments February 14th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, former Supreme Court Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, has criticized the Americanization of our justice system following the changes made by the Conservatives for the selection of judges. She said, “Changing the composition of these committees...introduces what I think to be a rather pernicious element, which is the ideology of the candidate”.
Why does this government want to skew the role of the committees in favour of ideological appointments? What will be the next step in the Conservative plan? Electing judges like they do in the United States?