House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 28% of the vote.
Petitions October 18th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is signed by 40 of my constituents who pray and request that Parliament not amend the human rights code, the Canadian Human Rights Act or the charter of rights and freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the human rights code to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orientation.
Petitions October 18th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure today to present three different petitions from my constituency.
The first is signed by 33 of my constituents who pray that Parliament enact Bill C-206 at the earliest opportunity so as to provide a statutory foundation for a national witness relocation and protection program.
Saugeen First Nation October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the chief of the Saugeen First Nation signed a declaration claiming authority over 300 kilometres of shoreline up to 11 kilometres out into the water around Bruce Peninsula.
Chief Kahgee claimed sovereign status under international law. The chief said he will start today to implement fishing season quotas, issue commercial and sports licences, and analyse resources. The department of Indian affairs has known about this for over three years.
Can the minister tell the House his plans to prevent this subversion of the legitimate authority of the Government of Canada?
Lac Barriere Reserve October 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the reserve is near Maniwaki and this study has had $300,000 spent on it. That is my understanding.
The concern is that there be a written report made available to the band members and to the public. Could the minister please confirm that the written report will be made available, and will he tell us when?
Lac Barriere Reserve October 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the investigator looking into allegations of sexual abuse at the Lac Barriere Reserve was expected to present his report by August 31. I have in my possession a work plan to confirm this fact.
Can the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development tell the House if the written report is complete or when it will be completed?
Lac Barrière October 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the investigator working with the commission de la jeunesse into allegations of sexual abuse at Lac Barrière reserve is expected to present a draft report to the band today.
The total cost of this is anticipated to exceed $300,000. There is concern that the investigator will provide a copy to the band but present only a verbal whitewash to the public. A verbal report is not good enough.
Could the minister assure the House that the public will get a written report rather than the most expensive speech it has ever paid for?
Transport September 28th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, air travel is convenient but can be risky, particularly on the rugged, inaccessible and unpredictable west coast.
It is with deep regret, shock and sadness that I rise to extend my deepest sympathy to the families of the eight individuals who perished in the crash of the single engine turbine Otter aircraft in Campbell River last night.
I know my colleagues will join with me and that the prayers of this House are with the bereaved families.
We also want to let the survivors and their families know that our thoughts are with them.
Point Of Order September 20th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order to call your attention to irregularities in the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
For your information, Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I sought remedy within the committee to the problems which arose and we were unable to achieve or obtain adequate satisfaction.
Although committees are creatures of this Chamber, I understand they are masters of their business within limits prescribed by the standing orders. Your Honour has recognized that Speakers have always been hesitant to interfere in the proceedings of committees of the House.
However, as Speaker Fraser explained in a ruling on March 26, 1990, at page 9756 of the Debates :
The Speaker has often informed the House that matters and procedural issues that arise in committee ought to be settled in committee unless the committee reports them first to the House. I have, however, said to the House that this practice was not an absolute one and that in very serious and special circumstances the Speaker may have to pronounce on a committee matter without the committee having reported to the House.
Also there is Your Honour's ruling of June 20, 1994 at page 5582 of the Debates .
Mr. Speaker, this committee has a history of past irregularities, including the case to which I have drawn your attention. The irregularities from yesterday are as follows.
First, as soon as the clerk's gavel fell I submitted a motion to elect a chairman. As Your Honour knows, under the standing orders the first item of business for an organizational meeting is the election of a chair for the committee. However the clerk acknowledged my speaking and asked me to wait until he had read his first item of business. I asked that he recognize that I had given notice of a motion. After the clerk read the item of business he proceeded to recognize someone else first.
Second, once the chair was elected my colleagues repeatedly attempted to move a motion to elect a vice-chair, but the chair appeared to be intent on stalling so that a motion to elect a member of the Bloc could be put forward by the Bloc or by the government for the so-called opposition vice-chair.
The chair stalled by insisting that we were to consider motions for government vice-chair. This is a false distinction. The standing orders do not recognize a government vice-chair per se. The standing orders only require that two of the three positions go to the government side.
As soon as a motion to elect a vice-chair is put forward, whether to elect a government or opposition member that motion is surely in order. The chair made it clear that he was accepting no motions from the Reform.
Third, once a member of the government moved to elect the Bloc to the vice-chair, my colleagues and I asked for debate on the motion. We were not only cut off; we were not allowed to debate at all. As Your Honour knows, Standing Order 116 makes clear that there is no limit on debate on a regular motion in committee.
Fourth, when we put forward a motion to overturn the election of the Bloc member as vice-chair, the chairman refused to entertain the motion, which was surely in order. The chairman then summarily adjourned the meeting.
We appeal to you, Mr. Speaker, to uphold the standing orders and our rights. This kind of conduct by committee chairs is surely less than acceptable. Are the committees and their chairs obligated to conduct their business according to the standing orders and according to the rules, or can the standing orders and the rules be ignored or changed at any committee chair's whim?
Aboriginal Affairs September 19th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, everyone agrees that Camp Ipperwash is going to be turned over in an orderly fashion. That is not the question.
The minister of Indian affairs stated that he would not involve himself in situations where there were illegal activities. The people who have not been involved at all in any of this are the residents of the town who have to live with the consequences.
Yesterday the Minister of National Defence stated that negotiation is better than enforcement of the law. Why is the government so obviously refusing to enforce the laws of Canada? Why this double standard?
Aboriginal Affairs September 19th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the residents of the town of Bosanquet at Ipperwash are the victims of an illegal occupation. The town feels betrayed by the federal government and wants the laws of Canada enforced. The town issued a press release yesterday directed to the federal government and is considering legal options.
Why do federal ministers continue to refuse to meet with the town?