House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 31% of the vote.
Committees of the House June 17th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development concerning the situation at Rights & Democracy entitled “Rights & Democracy: Moving Towards a Stronger Future”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Committees of the House June 9th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the previous vote, and I would like to be included in this vote. I am in favour of this motion.
Medical Isotopes June 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, at a time when the world is turning to nuclear energy to fight global warming and provide personalized medicine, Canada is turning away from it. The Prime Minister has said that Canada will stop producing isotopes and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited has laid off employees at Chalk River. We are failing our researchers and destroying our international leadership in the process.
Can the Minister of Health explain why her government is sacrificing this bastion of research that is so essential to the present and future health of all Canadians?
Medical Isotopes June 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as a doctor, I have a question for the Prime Minister. Health Canada has a program for health professionals under which all Canadian hospitals can import isotopes from Israel as long as Lantheus, a company accredited by Health Canada, carries out quality control. However, this kind of piecemeal approach is impossible to manage.
Why does the government not issue blanket authorization to import generators from France, as it did in 2008?
Medical Isotopes May 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, since the Chalk River facility closed, the isotope shortage has been getting worse by the day, to the point where sick people are being deprived of essential care. One solution to this shortage would be to get isotopes from Israel though a Health Canada approved company called Lantheus.
Why does the Minister of Health refuse to try this very obvious solution, which would save lives?
Interparliamentary Delegations May 6th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian parliamentary delegation of the Canadian branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie respecting its participation in the conference of presidents of the Americas section of the APF, held in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana, on March 11 and 12, 2010.
In addition, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian parliamentary delegation of the Canadian branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie respecting its participation in the meeting of the political committee of the APF held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on April 7 and 8, 2010.
Petitions April 28th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I wish to table two petitions signed by people in the Montreal area, including people from my riding of Pierrefonds—Dollard.
The petitioners call upon the Canadian government to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.
Prostate Cancer March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Prostate Cancer Canada does remarkable work raising awareness about the importance of preventing this disease that strikes one Canadian man in six.
Prostate cancer is still the most predominant form of cancer in men. However, 90% of prostate cancer cases are curable if they are detected and treated in the early stages. That is why it is essential to increase and support prevention and research efforts to one day eradicate this disease. I believe we will achieve that goal one day with the efforts being made by Prostate Cancer Canada.
On behalf of all my colleagues in the Liberal caucus, we are proud to pay tribute to all Canadians dealing with this disease, including the ones in this House, by wearing the ties and scarves that symbolize Prostate Cancer Canada. Through their courage and determination, these men are proving that this cancer can be fought.
Tibet March 10th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, today we are commemorating the 51st anniversary of the national uprising in Tibet, when Tibetans opposed the presence of Chinese communists on their territory.
The failure of this uprising led to the repression of the Tibetan people and ultimately to the exile of the Dalai Lama, who is still exiled to this day.
I want to highlight this sad event to remind Canadians that we must defend our cultural diversity and tolerance of differences.
It goes without saying that I support the people of Tibet who are working to achieve freedom, because unfortunately they continue to live in fear and are unable to freely practice their religion.
To our friends in Tibet, I want them to know that Canadians are standing by their side in the hopes that real progress will be made soon.
Rights & Democracy March 9th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have abused their power and reorganized Rights & Democracy to reflect their own ideology. They have dismissed employees, appointed to the board of directors people who were far from being the unanimous choice, and refused to consult the opposition parties on the appointment of the new president.
Will the Conservatives stop interfering and give the board of directors the necessary latitude to respond to every request to appear from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs?