House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was liberal.

Last in Parliament October 2000, as Reform MP for Okanagan—Coquihalla (B.C.)

Won his last election, in 1997, with 53% of the vote.

Statements in the House

National Defence October 20th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence wants to be informed if an access to information applicant is a member of parliament or a member of the media. He does this and he demands this so that he can be prepared for question period.

The information commissioner's report to me stated that this practice is not consistent with the Privacy Act. Why is the Minister of National Defence singling out members of parliament and members of the media and putting his interests above the interest of the privacy of all Canadians?

Points Of Order October 19th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, during question period I made reference to a report from the information commissioner. I would like to seek unanimous consent to table that report.

National Defence October 19th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, the minister told his executive assistant to tell departmental officials not to respond to access requests until the minister's spin doctors were finished with them.

The information commissioner said in his letter to me that this action was improper interference. Improper interference is very serious for a minister of the crown.

I will ask the minister again. Why did he put his own political interests above that of the right of Canadians to access to information? Why?

National Defence October 19th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, access to information is a fundamental right of all Canadians.

I have in my possession a letter from the information commissioner which reveals that the Minister of National Defence routinely delayed release of access by several months so that his staff could prepare speaking notes for the minister.

Why did the Minister of National Defence put his own political interests above the legal rights of all Canadians?

Speech From The Throne October 13th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the leader of the New Democratic Party in her response to the throne speech. I would like to ask one brief question. We heard the leader of the NDP talk about the programs and the spending which the federal government plans to undertake. We also heard of some programs that she and her party would like to see added to that list.

Exactly how much higher would the leader of the New Democratic Party like to see Canadian taxes go?

Petitions June 10th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, the people of British Columbia are concerned about the Nisga'a agreement and therefore are calling on parliament to reject the agreement.

There are 1,000 signatures today and by the time the House returns there will be over 100,000 from the people of British Columbia.

Petitions June 10th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to rise today, pursuant to Standing Order 36, to present a petition not only from the residents of Okanagan—Coquihalla but from all across British Columbia who draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: “Whereas a majority of Canadians are in favour of a fair agreement with the Nisga'a people that is complete and equitable to all Canadians; whereas there are court cases presently outstanding”—

Questions On The Order Paper June 9th, 1999

With respect to AIDA and the tree fruit industry: ( a ) what is the percentage differences in gross margin levels among commodities, e.g. perennials, tree fruits, vs. annuals, grains; ( b ) can the government provide an example of the relative use of eligible and ineligible expenses for two different commodities such as grain and tree fruit; ( c ) can the government provide an example of the benefits a tree fruit farmer would be entitled to under AIDA, should back to back below average returns be experienced in the base period, in comparison to that of a single year of below average returns; ( d ) can the government provide data which would compare the inclusion of negative margins in the reference margins but reducing to zero in the claim year to that of reducing negative margins, to zero for both the base period and the claim year; ( e ) can the government provide information to show if AIDA recognizes the special problems of perennial crops such as the little flexibility to switch commodities and varieties?

Penticton Airport May 14th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the 4,000 people of Okanagan—Coquihalla who signed a petition demonstrating their concern over the future of the Penticton airport. Their voice was key to averting an economic disaster in the south Okanagan.

This week the Minister of Transport announced that the Penticton regional airport will remain open under the management of the Department of Transport. This is not a long term commitment.

The federal Liberals bungled the transfer of the airport to the city of Penticton from the beginning. They appointed a negotiator unacceptable to all parties, which forced the collapse of an agreement in principle. The Liberals made a delicate Indian lands claim the responsibility of a municipal government to negotiate, clearly a federal responsibility. At the last minute they changed safety regulations that would have added $450,000 per year to the operating costs of the airport.

The people of Okanagan—Coquihalla came to negotiate the transfer of the airport in good faith. The next time they expect the federal Liberals to do the same.

Transport May 7th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, the economic artery to the south Okanagan is about to be cut off. Talks between Transport Canada and the Penticton Indian band over the land claim against the Penticton airport site are at an impasse. We are now just eight days away from the next transfer date and the Penticton Indian band is still opposed to the transfer of the airport to the city of Penticton.

When will the government act and appoint a mediator to end this deadlock for the south Okanagan?