House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2021, with 44% of the vote.
Health June 2nd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the health minister falsely claims that the science on Insite is mixed and, therefore, we should get rid of it. This gives me a bad feeling of déjà vu.
Was this not the tactic of big tobacco and Conservative climate change deniers to block needed action for so long: claim there is a scientific debate when, in fact, the scientists agree there is none?
Will the minister stop imposing his right wing ideology on Canadians, respect the court ruling and let Insite continue to save lives?
Business of Supply May 28th, 2008
Mr. Chair, I could agree that the minister--
Business of Supply May 28th, 2008
Mr. Chair, the B.C. government, of which I was a part, put in a place a successful rebate program of tax incentives for fuel efficient vehicles. The current federal government brought in the eco-auto rebate with much fanfare in a recent budget, then flip-flopped and reversed it.
Its main environmental initiative in the last budget was to cancel that new program. Is it now no longer the government's policy to encourage the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles?
Business of Supply May 28th, 2008
Mr. Chair, I asked that question because I have quite an interest in sewage. The environment minister talked about billions of dollars for sewage treatment.
As the provincial environment minister, I ordered new scientific monitoring that led to the requirement to treat the sewage in Victoria and the capital regional district.
When I was looking at what money was available from the $33 billion what I discovered was this: $1.3 billion of that supposed $33 billion was actually new and going to the cities. So $1.3 billion over seven years means $200 million a year for the entire country of Canada which means $28 million at most for the province of British Columbia.
The sewage treatment plant facility that is underway for Victoria right now is a billion dollar project. To the finance minister: Will he acknowledge that it was the Liberal government that committed funding and signed agreements for the gas tax and the GST rebate accounting for over one-half of the supposed new $33 billion fund?
Business of Supply May 28th, 2008
Mr. Chair, my question is about the $33 billion building Canada fund. How much of that fund was new money that will go directly to cities and municipalities?
Bill Reid Artwork Theft May 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, Canadians in Vancouver Quadra and across the country are aghast at the theft from the Museum of Anthropology at UBC of gold artwork by the late Haida artist Bill Reid. The late Bill Reid, a native artist rooted in the Pacific northwest, is one of Canada's most important artists of the 20th century.
The 12 works by Reid displayed in the showcases included bracelets, brooches and cufflinks. It is their cultural value more than their monetary value that makes the disappearance of these works of art such a great loss.
Though the RCMP is conducting an investigation, it is still a very real possibility that this artwork could be lost forever. On behalf of my constituents and the people of Canada, I call on the government to match the $50,000 reward offered by the University of British Columbia for information leading to the intact recovery of these cultural treasures.
Health May 9th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the government continues to ignore mounting scientific evidence proving the efficacy of the safe injection site in downtown Vancouver. Instead of acknowledging the success of this program, the Minister of Health has left its future hanging in limbo. This is an ideological attack against people who desperately need our help.
Scientists, health experts, the province, the city and the police all support the Insite program. Why does the minister believe his personal bias should trump the health and safety of Canadians?
Conservative Party of Canada May 9th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I came to Ottawa to work on public policy, but unfortunately the Conservative government has mainly served up scandal to chew on.
Last week when the Conservatives were reeling under their election financing scandal, they must have said, “First Mulroney-Schreiber, then the Cadman bribe, then NAFTA-gate, then the finance minister's juicy contracts”. By last Friday they surely felt that at least it could not get worse. They were so wrong. How they must long for those delicious days when all they had to worry about was the Prime Minister's voice on an audio tape describing how agents in his party were authorized to offer a bribe to a dying man; or Brian Mulroney, they must miss those happy times when the ethical scandals were centred on Mr. Mulroney and all they had to do was stonewall an inquiry. It turns out it is a lot more difficult to stonewall an RCMP raid.
As Conservative MPs head home for the weekend, I wish them well. Perhaps next week, policy rather than a banquet of Conservative ethical problems will be on the House menu.
CBC Radio Orchestra May 7th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the many residents of Vancouver Quadra who have shared with me their frustration and dismay about the unfortunate termination of the CBC Radio Orchestra.
This orchestra is a national cultural treasure with a 70 year history of delivering the very best in classical music, both recorded and live. Although based in Vancouver, the CBC Radio Orchestra belongs to all and serves all Canadians.
Like the mandate of the CBC itself, the orchestra focuses on Canadian cultural content, including the many Canadian classical musicians who have played in the orchestra and the Canadian composers who have been showcased over the years.
The CBC urgently needs increased stable funding, as was recently recommended by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. If the government implements this recommendation, Canadians could continue to enjoy the benefits of a cherished and noble institution, the CBC Radio Orchestra.
The Environment May 5th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, Canadians were horrified by the gruesome deaths of 500 ducks at Syncrude tailings pond. This type of ecological disaster will only happen more often as Alberta's oil sands develop beyond control.
The president of Syncrude describes the Prime Minister as a very good supporter of the oil sands.
Will the Prime Minister become a very good supporter of the planet and commit today to using his government's authority under the Migratory Birds Convention Act to immediately prosecute this crime and any future incidents of this kind?