Lost his last election, in 2000, with 39% of the vote.
Broadcasting Act April 25th, 1997
I join you, Mr. Speaker, in thanking the staff of the House who, all along this session, showed an assiduous and efficient professionalism. I think the official opposition must salute the employees of the House and all members of the staff for their excellent qualities and especially their eagerness to serve the men and women who elected this Parliament.
Broadcasting Act April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, is it because I moved the amendment?
Broadcasting Act April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I could not have spoken to this amendment, since I moved it at the end of my speech. I never spoke on this amendment.
Broadcasting Act April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I would like first of all to speak on the amendment.
Broadcasting Act April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I would ask you to check if there is a quorum.
Chinese Community April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the Chinese community has constituted an important part of society in Quebec and Canada since the arrival of the first Chinese immigrants in 1858. Their participation in railway construction and in both world wars are but two of many examples of their inestimable contribution to all sectors of our society.
Yet the legislation permitting exclusion of persons of Chinese origin was abolished only on May 1, 1947. This week we shall be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Citizenship Act, which finally enfranchised Chinese-Canadians. In order to commemorate the abolition of this discriminatory act, and to encourage equal opportunities to participate in, and contribute to society, the Chinese Canadian Council is organizing a series of events this week.
I join with them in recognition of these generations of Quebecers and Canadians of Chinese origin who fought against discriminatory legislation and battled for citizenship.
Canada Endangered Species Protection Act April 24th, 1997
Theirs is a no society, a negative society.
Canada Endangered Species Protection Act April 24th, 1997
Democracy has spoken on the other side; the name of democracy on the other side is no.
Canada Endangered Species Protection Act April 24th, 1997
I can finish my speech in five minutes.
Canada Endangered Species Protection Act April 24th, 1997
The minister will determine his own powers. I heard my Liberal colleague react, obviously, because the truth is not always pleasant to hear. Earlier, the hon. member for Mégantic-Compton-Stanstead welcomed our colleague, who will probably be appointed senator one of these days. The Liberals need people to get a majority in the Senate and ensure they control the proceedings. They need people who are dedicated, and our colleague, this very lively Acadian, will probably be one of several future senators, and more power to him.
Not only will the minister determine who will be appointed, but the bill on threatened and endangered species also says that the minister even has the power to decide which species will be designated as threatened or endangered. No ifs or buts. Some provinces and organizations across Canada have been involved in this for a long time, since 1978, but I will get back to that. And the minister proposes federal legislation that did not exist before.
Provincial legislation exists in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba. But for the first time, the federal government goes and walks all over an area which, as far as jurisdiction is concerned, belongs to the provinces. So what does it do? It not only tables legislation but gives the minister the power to circumvent everyone and decide for himself which species will be designated threatened or endangered.
He will also have the power to decide whether or not to implement recovery plans once species are designated. He will have the decisive vote.
Madam Speaker, you are signalling my time is up, although I thought I had 20 minutes. May I have the unanimous consent of the House to finish my speech? If there is unanimous consent, I would like to continue my speech.