Mr. Speaker, I trust I will have some latitude as this is my maiden speech.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 36% of the vote.
Canadian Wheat Board Act February 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I trust I will have some latitude as this is my maiden speech.
Fisheries February 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, on Friday the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans refused to turn over foreign observer reports. He claims he does not want to break the law when there is absolutely no law that prevents him from turning over those reports.
Why is he covering up for foreign vessels, for nations, while they are decimating our stocks? We are demanding the minister release these reports now. When do we get them?
Points Of Order February 6th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the minister of fisheries read directly from the letter from Mr. Fortier in answering my question in the House. I would ask that the letter be tabled in the House today.
Fisheries February 6th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, it is appalling and disgraceful that this minister can stand before the House after four years of this government's doing nothing and be proud of its position. The government is no further ahead today than it was five years ago. Canada's chief ambassador has quit because he has no confidence in this government.
What is this government going to do? When is it going to do it? Does it have a plan? What is it doing? The fishermen of British Columbia have no confidence in this government.
Fisheries February 6th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, Yves Fortier has quit as Canada's chief Pacific salmon negotiator. Why? Because he knows the United States is not ready to change its negotiating position and most important, he has not received the support he needs from this government.
If Canada's ambassador does not believe in the government's process, how can British Columbian fishermen believe in this government? Will the minister tell B.C. fishermen how they can expect to have any confidence in this government?
Fisheries December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, let me tell members about the diplomatic process this government is engaged in. The minister of fisheries is down in Washington right now announcing that if there is no deal he is cutting Canadian quotas by 40% to 50%.
Who is this government standing up for, Canadians or Americans? Which is it? When is the government going to get on its feet and do something for Canada?
Fisheries December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the minister of fisheries in Washington just announced that if there is no deal with the U.S. by the start of the next fishing season he might have to cut Canadian quotas by 40% to 50% for the 1998 northern B.C. fishery.
When is the government going to stand up for Canadians and British Columbians and fight for us? The minister is down in the United States giving our quotas to the Americans. When is he going to stand up and do something?
Fisheries November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, when the federal Treasury Board writes a paper called “Getting Science Right in the Public Sector”, one can only assume something is wrong. It is this. When science conflicts with politics in the fisheries department, politics rules. We know that Liberals ignore Canadian fishermen. We know the minister ignores his own scientists. Will the minister listen to his own Treasury Board and take the politics out of science?
Veterans November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the veterans of Canada, particularly the Koncentration Lager Buchenwald Club.
Remembrance Day is not yet a week old and the government has apparently forgotten the sacrifices of Canadian airmen wrongfully imprisoned in Buchenwald concentration camp during the second world war.
I call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Liberal government to turn up the political pressure on Germany to ensure the few remaining veterans of this horrible experience receive their long overdue compensation for the atrocities committed against them at that time.
Now is not the time to weigh trade treaties against what is right and wrong. Of 15 countries affected, 11 have achieved satisfaction from the Germans, 2 have acted unilaterally and the fourteenth, the U.S., is pressing the matter vigorously. Canada is dead last, 15 out of 15, in getting the matter resolved. We must act now.
Fisheries November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am from British Columbia, just like the minister of fisheries. I am representing the people of British Columbia and they are insulted to be called foolish.
The people of British Columbia have heard talk for five years from this government and they are sick and tired of it. They want action. When is this minister going to get up off his seat and do something for the people of British Columbia?