House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 64% of the vote.
Petitions March 16th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured once again to rise in the House pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present a petition on behalf of constituents of the riding of Kent. They pray that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide, or active or passive euthanasia.
Petitions February 10th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present a petition with several hundred names on it.
The undersigned citizens of Canada draw the attention of the House to the following: that because the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act will provide certain groups with special status, rights and privileges; that because these special rights and privileges would be granted solely on the basis of sexual behaviour; that because inclusion will infringe on the historic rights of Canadians such as freedom of religion, conscience, expression and association; therefore the petitioners call upon Parliament to oppose any amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which provide for the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation.
I support the petition.
Petitions December 13th, 1994
Madam Speaker, I am honoured once again to rise in the House under Standing Order 36 on behalf of the hon. member for York South-Weston and his constituents.
The undersigned residents of Canada draw the attention of the House to the fact that individuals convicted of first degree murder are sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 25 years. Those convicted of second degree murder can be sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for 15 years or more.
Section 745 of the Canadian Criminal Code allows murderers to apply for a reduction in the number of years of imprisonment notwithstanding having been tried, convicted and sentenced in a court of law. Individuals convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison can become eligible for parole after serving 15 years by virtue of section 745 of the Canadian Criminal Code.
Therefore the petitioners request that Parliament pass legislation to remove section 745 from the Canadian Criminal Code. I agree with the petitioners.
The Canadian Bouquet December 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, June 4, 1992, I informed the House of my constituent Mr. Michael Reynolds and his contribution to Canadian unity, "The Canadian Bouquet".
The painting is a collage of the provincial and territorial flowers of Canada. This picture of beauty and unity is symbolic of the greater unity of the people of Canada. A pledge of unity was also drafted and accompanied the nearly 25,000 prints sold to raise money for charity.
The pledge reads:
We the people, for love of country and in recognition of 125 years of Canadian Confederation, make this pledge. Until the seasons cease to change, each new spring will bring forth the flowers of "The Canadian Bouquet" in a united Canada.
Today more than ever Canadians must reaffirm their commitment to the very best country in the world. This pledge and print aim to serve that purpose.
Petitions November 28th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured once again pursuant to Standing Order 36 to bring you several hundred names of constituents of the riding of Kent who wish to draw to the attention of the House the following.
Whereas the majority of Canadians respect the sanctity of human life, and whereas human life at the preborn stage is not protected in Canadian society, therefore your petitioners pray that Parliament act immediately to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to unborn human beings.
Petitions November 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to once again rise in the House pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present several petitions bearing many hundreds of names on behalf of constituents of Kent, Lambton, Sarnia and Essex. The petitioners wish to draw the attention of the House to the following.
The majority of Canadians are law-abiding citizens who respect the law. They respect the sanctity of human life and believe that physicians should be working to save lives, not to end them.
Therefore, the petitioners pray that Parliament ensures that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.
Petitions November 16th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the second petition from my constituents states that human life at the preborn stage is not protected in Canadian society. Your petitioners pray that Parliament act immediately to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to unborn human beings.
My last petition from the constituents of Kent states that whereas human life at the preborn stage is not protected in Canadian society, your petitioners pray that Parliament act immediately to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human human beings to unborn human beings.
Petitions November 16th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions today. The first petition pursuant to Standing Order 36 is on behalf of my constituents who call on our government to say the same thing in power that we said while in opposition, namely that we support a world class domestic ethanol industry that is renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly, creating jobs and helping our rural areas.
A $200 million dollar ethanol plant in Chatham awaits a federal decision of support. It would be 20 times larger than any other plant now in Canada.
Petitions November 4th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I rise again to present a petition on behalf of my constituents who are calling on the government to support ethanol and especially the world scale ethanol plant slated for Chatham, Ontario.
This brings the total signatures from my riding to over 11,000, a tremendous show of support for this environmentally friendly, job creating and renewable fuel industry.
Wallaceburg November 4th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the good news continues as we courageously climb out of the recession.
The town of Wallaceburg in my riding is leading the way. Seventeen of 24 local industries either have expansions under way or are planning one in the near future. Just a few examples: AAR-KEL is adding 2,000 square feet; Durachrome is putting on a 15,000 square foot addition; and Accurcast leads the way with a new 32,000 square foot expansion with new die cast machines.
The growth in the industrial area of this community bodes well for a brighter employment picture. Wallaceburg is the sparkplug of Kent county's economy. I applaud local workers and industry leaders for their confidence in the future.
Liberal policies are working to instil a new spirit in Canadians. It is truly good news.