House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 28% of the vote.
Thomas McKaig December 12th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I applaud the outstanding volunteer efforts of Mr. Thomas McKaig of Bramalea-Gore-Malton.
Working with CESO, the Canadian volunteer advisers to business, Mr. Thomas McKaig travelled to Panama to conduct a pre-feasibility study for a non-profit association contemplating a world cargo distribution centre.
Mr. McKaig's study will serve as a springboard for feasibility studies to follow for this world class facility.
Immigration December 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of immigration.
The minister of immigration recently announced that it was the intention of the minister to increase the number of business class immigrants coming from India.
My concern is that according to a story in the Globe and Mail , this increase will come from around Bombay and will not include areas such as Punjab. This situation is of grave concern to the many constituents in my riding of Indian descent. What is the basis for the new business immigration strategy?
Petitions December 7th, 1994
Madam Speaker, the fourth petition asks Parliament not to amend the human rights code or the charter of rights and freedoms in any way which would indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the Canadian Human Rights Act to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase of sexual orientation.
Petitions December 7th, 1994
Madam Speaker, the third petition asks to amend the laws of Canada to prohibit the importation, distribution, sale and manufacture of killer cards in law and to advise producers of killer cards that their products destined for Canada will be seized and destroyed.
Petitions December 7th, 1994
Madam Speaker, in the second petition the petitioners pray that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada pertaining to assisted suicide be enforced vigorously. They request 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 December 7th, 1994
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour of presenting four petitions.
In the first petition, the 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 the born human being to the unborn human being.
Pearson International Airport December 6th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport. Transport Canada has more than doubled the parking meter rates at Pearson International Airport terminals 1 and 2, hiking the rates from $3 per hour to $8 per hour.
Will the minister explain why such huge increases are being levied on the travelling public at a time when disposable income is on the decrease?
World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to participate in the debate on Bill C-57, an act to implement the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization.
I would like to reflect today on how important the adoption of this legislation is to the economy of Canada in general and to the economy of my riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton in particular.
In order for this government to meet its objective of creating jobs and improving the economy of Canada, it must enhance the ability of the nation to export to the rest of the world. The legislation before us will play an essential role in improving Canada's access to the ever-growing international markets. By
creating a more open and stable international trading environment, the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization will generate and increase Canadian exports and investments.
Canadian governments have long recognized the importance of efforts to liberalize trade. Canada ranks among the top trading countries in the world.
Over the past two decades Canadian exports have grown faster than exports from Europe and at about the same pace as U.S. exports. The free trade agreement signed with the U.S. in 1989 has resulted in an annual gain in real income in the range of 2.5 per cent.
Every region and every sector of the Canadian economy has benefited from the liberalization of Canada's trade with its most important trading partner.
A recent study by the C.D. Howe Institute on the effects of the FTA concluded that Canada's exports to the United States over the first three years of the agreement performed the strongest in those sectors that were liberalized by the agreement, particularly non-resources based manufacturing.
Bramalea-Gore-Malton is in a region of the country that depends most significantly on non-resource based manufacturing. Provisions of this bill dealing with agriculture are extremely significant in that for the first time the agriculture sector will be brought under the rules-based multilateral regime.
The significance of these changes will be reflected in my riding in the improvement of market opportunities for processed foods. We must support this legislation to ensure that Canadians will be able to take advantage of improved access to markets.
In the industrial products sector, for example, the Uruguay round agreement provides for reductions in the tariffs by one-third and tariffs in 10 sectors have been eliminated entirely.
In terms of improving trade opportunities, Canadian exports to the European Union will benefit from tariff reductions of almost 60 per cent. Tariffs on Canadian exports to Japan will be reduced by 70 per cent.
These tariff reductions will have a significant impact on companies in Bramalea-Gore-Malton that export to either Europe or the emerging markets of the Pacific rim.
Better access, reduced tariffs and a competitive attitude recognizing the worldwide opportunities presented will be the cornerstone of growth in the future.
This bill is also significant to my riding because for the first time trade in services and trade related intellectual property are brought within the framework of multilateral rules. These rules will provide a stronger basis for the development and transfer of technology.
The agreement promotes continued liberalization of trade in services and intellectual property in an area estimated to be worth some $2 trillion annually. Increased growth in this sector is anticipated and in fact corporations within my riding are well placed to benefit from expanding opportunities in these sectors.
It is significant that the negotiations leading to the establishment of a World Trade Organization benefited greatly from the process of consultation that has taken place.
The business and agricultural communities, as well as the provinces, were closely consulted throughout the course of the negotiations. The fact that prior consultation was designed into this process means that the results reflect the realities of doing business in all regions of the nation.
The legislation before us is extremely important as the World Trade Organization will replace the existing GATT. The World Trade Organization along with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will now operate in concert as the foundation of a worldwide financial and commercial structure. The significance of this should not be underestimated as the development of new global trade rules and negotiations aimed at furthering liberalization of trade worldwide will now be provided with a forum.
My support of this bill reflects not only the benefits that will accrue to my riding, but the benefits that Canada as a nation will no doubt enjoy. I urge my fellow members to support Bill C-57 and swiftly move to the establishment of the World Trade Organization.
Team Canada November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and Team Canada have shown the way to Canada's success.
The recent signing of billions of dollars worth of trade with China and Indonesia will ensure growth for Canada's economy. Business in the years to come will depend on gaining access to the ever increasing markets of the Pacific rim.
I ask my government to initiate a Team Canada approach to establish new economic ties with other nations. I encourage the organization of a trade mission in the Team Canada style to open up these tremendously important new markets to the goods and services that we produce in Bramalea-Gore-Malton and indeed in every riding in Canada.
Frank McKechnie November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure and a privilege to rise in the House today to acknowledge the contribution to municipal politics of one of my constituents, Mr. Frank McKechnie, who has the distinction of being one of the longest serving municipal councillors in Canada.
Mr. McKechnie has been elected by the voters of ward 5 a total of 16 times and has been a councillor for over 36 years. His service to Mississauga has been outstanding and his continued success at the polls illustrates the affection of his constituents and the trust placed in him.
I salute the continued electoral success of Mr. McKechnie and commend him on his service to Mississauga.