Mr. Speaker, I vote yea.
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Lost his last election, in 1997, with 3% of the vote.
Royal Canadian Mint Act May 30th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I vote yea.
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Business Development Bank Of Canada Act May 30th, 1995
I vote yea, Mr. Speaker.
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
York Region Senior Games May 30th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was pleased to attend the opening ceremonies of the York Region Senior Games being held in Whitchurch-Stouffville, the federal riding I have the privilege to represent.
The games are held annually in the York region and provide senior citizens with an opportunity to participate in numerous sporting events. From badminton and bowling to golf, tennis, swimming and even triathlon, seniors from across the region engage in extremely competitive matches. The winners of events at the games will go on to compete internationally in their respective sports.
These games, jointly sponsored by the federal new horizons program and the Ontario Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation, provide many seniors with an outlet for physical fitness as well as the opportunity to establish and maintain friendships with their extended community.
I wish each and every competitor success and, more important, a good time over the course of the senior games.
Interest Rates May 17th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, once again we are seeing the Canadian dollar fluctuating on any given week. Last week the dollar surged to a half year high of more than 74 cents U.S. This week the dollar has lingered near the mid-73 cent level.
The Bank of Canada's response is to once again jack up its rate for the first time in almost two months. High interest rates are having a devastating effect on our economy.
For more than a year and a half I have consistently been emphasizing that we must have lower interest rates. The interest rate must come down even if we are faced with a slight increase in inflation. The bogeyman of inflation did not succeed before; it killed the growth of our economy.
A country that is fully employed with some inflation would be better than what we have now. We have a 9.4 per cent unemployment rate that does not include 700,000 part time workers who cannot find full time jobs. We have a triumvirate of destruction of the economy in this country namely-
Veterans May 10th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, celebrations were recently held all across Canada and in parts of Europe honouring the thousands of veterans who fought in the second world war.
In my constituency I was privileged to take part in ceremonies held in Markham and Stouffville commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the second world war. It was indeed an honour to meet with these veterans and talk about their many memories of the battles that were fought.
During these conversations an extremely disturbing problem was brought to my attention by a group of veterans. They informed me that the Sunnybrook Medical Centre Veterans' Wing, located in Toronto, has recently raised the monthly in-residence rent by 35 per cent. This is having a major impact on some 300 veterans who reside in this clinic. I was extremely saddened by this news. These veterans gave the ultimate gift to our country and now they seem to be left to fend for themselves.
I urge the government to immediately intervene in the matter. These veterans simply cannot afford such a dramatic increase in their cost of living expenses.
India May 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, during the recent Easter break I had the privilege of visiting India to meet with various senior government officials.
India is a country that is growing rapidly. The economic development that I personally witnessed was phenomenal. The economy is booming at an extraordinary rate of 8 per cent per year. India is rapidly becoming an economic tiger of all developing countries.
Throughout my meetings with cabinet ministers of the Indian government and the chief ministers of several important provinces the discussion always centred on developing closer trade ties between Canada and India. Canadian expertise and technology combined with India's pool of manpower would create tremendous job opportunities for both countries.
This desire was not only expressed by senior politicians but by industrialists I had the pleasure to meet with as well. The interest is there, and I call on the government to work diligently toward developing an increased trade level with India. There are limitless opportunities and there can be no doubt that both countries will greatly benefit.
Petitions April 6th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am presenting a petition signed by petitioners in the Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville area. These petitioners call on Parliament to reduce the deficit by cutting wastage and reducing the overall expense of every government department by at least 5 per cent.
Petitions April 5th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am presenting a petition signed by petitioners in the Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville area.
These petitioners call on Parliament to reduce the deficit by cutting wastage and reducing the overall expenses of every government department by at least 5 per cent.
Gun Control March 30th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the nation's capital, long considered one of the greatest capital cities in the world, has been rocked by bank robberies, armoured car heists, drive-by shootings, and most recently the shooting of two police officers.
Most, if not all, of the criminal acts have been done with the use of illegal firearms. We have to rid our streets of criminals and the government's crime control legislation is a step in the right direction.
I have long supported tougher punishment for anyone convicted of using a firearm in the commission of a crime. To this end, the government is proposing a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison in addition to a lifetime prohibition against possession of a restricted firearm.
While I commend the government for the initiative it is not a strong enough message. Last April I proposed to the justice minister a 10-year mandatory sentence. My proposal is hard line and will send the right message to all criminals in the country.
Petitions March 29th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am presenting a petition signed by petitioners in the Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville area.
These petitioners call on Parliament to reduce the deficit by cutting wastage and reduce the overall expenses in every government department by at least 5 per cent.