House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was reform.

Last in Parliament April 1997, as Reform MP for Lethbridge (Alberta)

Won his last election, in 1993, with 53% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Main Estimates February 20th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

I was wondering if the estimates that have just been tabled are in order considering a motion that was passed by this House approximately one year ago. This motion gave direction to this House as well as to components of the legislative branches of government.

Today in raising this matter, I think it is the first time that the motion could be put in its context and be applied to the business of the House and in this case, the business of supply.

To remind us, back on December 11, 1995, we passed a motion in this House of Commons that reads in part as follows:

Whereas the people of Quebec have expressed the desire for recognition of Quebec's distinct society;

(2) the House recognize that Quebec's distinct society includes its French-speaking majority, unique culture and civil law tradition;

(3) the House undertake to be guided by this reality;

Mr. Speaker, that is the part of the resolution which I want you to take under consideration, "that the House undertake to be guided by this reality".

The fourth part reads:

(4) the House encourage all components of the legislative and executive branches of government to take note of this recognition and be guided in their conduct accordingly.

Mr. Speaker, that is the item I am raising in this point of order, as to whether this motion has been considered in the process of determining the presentation of supply to the House. Mr. Speaker, I refer you to Beauchesne's sixth edition, citation 553:

Every question when agreed to assumes the form either of an order or a resolution of the House. By its orders the House directs its committees, its Members, its officers, the order of its own proceedings and the acts of all persons they concern;

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask if you considered what the motion's procedural significance had on the receivability of the supply here today and would have on other bills, motions, amendments, questions and other proceedings that are going to be placed before the House. If you read the motion that was passed by this House as I did, the government and this House must take the reality that Quebec is a distinct society into consideration in all that they do.

On page 16972 of Hansard , the Prime Minister tried to clarify the motion when he said to us in this assembly:

Once it is passed, this resolution will have an impact on how legislation is passed in the House of Commons. I remind Canadians that the legislative branch will be bound by this resolution, as will be the executive branch.

Today the minister is a representative of the executive branch.

This is a real, dynamic recognition, recorded in the very heart of our country's government.

Considering that the distinct society motion has been in effect for over a year, those so ordered by this House have had sufficient time to take the reality that Quebec is a distinct society into consideration when planning budgets and drafting bills, including any change as to how the proceedings of this House conform to that order.

It is our responsibility at this time to ask those so ordered by this House how they have considered the motion. You, Mr. Speaker, by virtue of this motion have been ordered to do so. The minister who just tabled the estimates has been so ordered. While under those orders did he confer upon Quebec any rights, any privileges or benefits not conferred upon the other provinces of Canada? That is a very key question.

In conclusion, many Canadians agree that Quebec is a distinct society. However, they are concerned with the impact it would have on them if it were entrenched in the Constitution. They are also concerned with having this reality, as the Prime Minister described it, recorded-

Points Of Order February 18th, 1997

Every one of us in here heard what Doug said.

Points Of Order February 18th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, my point of order is with regard to the ruling to my hon. colleague for Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt. I would like you to review why that decision was made-

Points Of Order February 13th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, my point of order is based on practice and precedent and may refer to article 438 of Beauchesne's. It is with regard to the minister of defence during question period referencing material that was sent from the commission of inquiry relative to Somalia to the Privy Council. The minister read extensively from that document.

I believe practice and precedent indicate that the document should be now tabled in the House for the surveillance of not only members but the general public.

Sugar Industry February 13th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, the NAFTA and World Trade Organization were supposed to result in freer trade with the United States. Yet for Canada's sugar industry the opposite has occurred.

In 1995 the Americans ignored the spirit of the WTO and slapped heavy tariffs on Canadian sugar exports. Access to American markets fell by more than 60 per cent. The result: Rogers Sugar is closing its Winnipeg operations with a loss of 82 jobs.

But this is not the only sugar subsidy to prosper in the free trade era. The re-export program for sugar-containing products, which the U.S. agreed to discontinue in accordance with the NAFTA agreement, continues to thrive and subidize for more than a year after its promised termination date of January 1996. Special consultations to resolve the matter have gone nowhere, making it clear the Americans will not terminate the program until we force their hand.

I call on the government to stand by its promise to request a NAFTA panel and to kill the U.S. re-export program. And the sooner the better.

Naming Of Member February 12th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, the matter is with regard to the subsequent action of my colleagues with regard to this matter.

Petitions December 11th, 1996

Mr. Speaker, the other petition with 25 signatures deals with a national highway system in Canada.

Petitions December 11th, 1996

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions and I will be very brief.

The first two petitions bear 2,889 signatures and call on Parliament to have our present laws on obscenity strengthened, demonstrating the will to protect the men, women and children of Canada from pornography's impact and thereby also fostering recognition and treatment for sexual addictions which most often have been fuelled by the use and impact of pornography.

Madd Canada December 3rd, 1996

Mr. Speaker, you may have noticed that many of my colleagues are wearing red ribbons on their lapels this week. I would like to take this opportunity to tell Canadians about the significance of these ribbons.

This past Saturday MADD Canada launched its annual red ribbon campaign. MADD is asking people to place these ribbons on the antennae of their vehicles as a reminder to practise safe and sober driving at all times, but especially during the holiday season.

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness, of friends and of family, but too often party functions and social gatherings associated with the holiday season end in tragedy. The women and men of MADD Canada, many of whom have suffered their own personal tragedies, want to make sure that for others the holiday season will continue to be a time of joy and happiness rather than of mourning and regret.

On behalf of all the members of this House, I wish to express my gratitude and support for MADD Canada and wish them the best of luck in their red ribbon campaign.

Business Of The House November 28th, 1996

Mr. Speaker, to facilitate our planning in the Reform Party and to assist the government as much as we can, my understanding is that the Minister of Health will be introducing a major piece of legislation on Tuesday, the tobacco legislation.

I would like the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader to indicate whether there is any other legislation like that or major bills yet to be introduced that we are not aware of so that we can work them into the plans of the House and facilitate things the best we can.