House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2011, with 27% of the vote.
Ethics April 27th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Chronicle Herald is reporting that Rahim Jaffer and the former minister for the status of women took advantage of a government trip to take a side trip to a resort in Belize, against the advice of officials, for some unofficial business of their own.
Can the Prime Minister tell us whether his ex-minister took advantage of a government trip to Belize to deal with personal interests?
Lobbying April 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Lobbying Act is still full of holes. It still allows stealth lobbying and does not keep former Conservative members from lobbying the government. One huge hole in the act is the 20% rule, which means that lobbyists does not have to register unless their direct lobbying activities constitute more than 20% of their time.
Will the government amend the Lobbying Act to ensure that all lobbying activities are covered in the act?
Lobbying April 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives promised to require that ministers register their dealings with lobbyists. Once they came to power, they backed down. Only the lobbyists are required to register such contacts. It is impossible to know for sure which minister met with which lobbyist. If they had respected their election promise, Rahim Jaffer's kind of lobbying, secret lobbying, would be illegal.
Will this government, which preached transparency, amend the Lobbying Act to force ministers and their staff to disclose their dealings with lobbyists as they promised in 2006?
Guaranteed Income Supplement April 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, a number of groups representing seniors are on Parliament Hill today demanding justice for the thousands of destitute seniors. They are calling for a $110 per month increase to the guaranteed income supplement and full retroactivity for amounts that were not claimed on time, a measure that the Conservatives supported when they were the opposition.
When will the government improve the guaranteed income supplement and help our poorest seniors?
Old Age Security Act April 22nd, 2010
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-516, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (application for supplement, retroactive payments and other amendments).
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to introduce this bill, which would increase the guaranteed income supplement paid to our poorest seniors and ensure that pension benefits are paid to individuals whose spouse or common-law partner has died.
The Bloc Québécois believes that the living conditions and dignity of seniors are not only major issues for society but are also matters of social justice.
Since income is the most important determining factor in a senior's well-being, we, as a society, must ensure that our seniors have a decent income that enables them to participate fully as citizens.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Ethics April 21st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, who supports transparency, must shed light on the number of contacts his government had with the unregistered Conservative lobbyist, Rahim Jaffer.
Is the Prime Minister willing to provide the list of all meetings that he, his ministers, his parliamentary secretaries and their staff had with Rahim Jaffer?
Ethics April 21st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives attacked the Liberals on ethics, they promised to ensure that ministers would register their contacts with lobbyists. They have never made good on their promise. Only the lobbyists are required to register such contacts. Therefore, it is impossible to compare the lists and determine who is telling the truth.
Will the Prime Minister acknowledge that, had he kept his election promise, we would at least know how many ministers met with Rahim Jaffer, the Conservative lobbyist?
Ethics April 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, according to the Prime Minister's informant, the Conservative couple allegedly had dummy companies created in for them in Belize. The scheme would allow Rahim Jaffer and the former status of women minister to make money without being bothered by Revenue Canada. The minister allegedly even used a government trip in July 2008 to complete this transaction.
Did the Prime Minister at least verify this information?
Ethics April 14th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, since the government is refusing to come out with the facts, we have to rely on the media to learn more.
We have learned that the minister's dismissal was prompted by the actions of a private detective. Bribery, drug use and trafficking are allegedly central to the revelations in the hands of the Prime Minister's Office
Can the government confirm what information was forwarded to the RCMP?
Ethics April 14th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner has refused to examine the allegations concerning the former Minister of the Status of Women. She maintains that such matters do not fall within her mandate. Shady business relations, drug trafficking, bribery, the use of Parliamentary assets for questionable purposes are all matters within the authority of the RCMP.
Because these are serious allegations that are criminal in nature, does the government acknowledge that the specific information provided to the RCMP should be revealed to clear the air?