House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 46% of the vote.
The Environment February 29th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that in the environment committee over the last month and a half, the NDP time and time again has heard from witnesses that its plan is all hot air, with no action, and it would not stand up to a constitutional challenge.
We now have a government that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. It is real. Why is the NDP voting against real action on climate?
The Environment February 29th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, it is ironic that the member is going to be voting against the budget, a budget that provides $500 million for modern public transit and will contribute to cleaner air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The NDP is guilty of the sin of green-washing, with false bills and false proclamations that it cares about the environment, but when it has an opportunity to vote for a cleaner environment it is constantly voting against good environmental practices.
Afghanistan February 26th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to the Bloc member, who said that Canada has done its fair share in Afghanistan. We have done more than our share, but the job is not complete.
The Bloc is attempting to make this a political issue. It is not a political issue. It is humanitarian issue. He talked about wanting to see human rights protected, but he wants to pull out by 2009. I have a question for the member. What will happen to those women who are starting new businesses and to those little girls who are going to school? We heard from the member for Prince George—Peace River that two little girls were killed just recently. What was their crime? Going to school.
If the Bloc plan is to pull out in 2009 and abandon these people, what does he imagine will happen to these women? What does he imagine will happen to these little girls? When President Karzai came to Parliament, he shared what has happened, which was that the Taliban cut off the heads of grandmothers and killed the women and little girls.
As for talking about human rights, what does the member imagine will happen to these people in Afghanistan if we pull out and abandon them? What does he think is going to happen to them? Talk about human rights.
This is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue. Canada is doing the right thing. Why is the Bloc abandoning these people?
Afghanistan February 26th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State's comments reminded me of a town hall meeting I held on Afghanistan. A young woman, who was one of the panellists, spoke of similar things.
The Secretary of State shared with us how the women asked Canada not to leave until the job was done. What would happen if Canada did leave? Members of the Bloc and NDP say that Canada should leave right away. If we did leave, what would happen to the women and the freedoms they now experience? What would happen to the little girls who are able to go to school?
Simonds Elementary School February 25th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Langley, students at Simonds Elementary School composed some lyrics and music to celebrate our beautiful community. I would like to share one of the songs about Langley, written by Ms. Rogers' and Ms. Lewis' grades 1 and 2 classes.
The Salmon, Nicomekl, and the Fraser River
Flow through our community
We have parks and we have playgrounds
Where you can come and play with me.
We've got bike trails; we've got hike trails,
We can ride our horses to.
If you come and live in Langley
We'll share all these things with you
These bright young students capture the welcoming spirit of Langley. I would like to congratulate Simonds Elementary School and all its students for their fine display of talent. I also invite everyone to visit beautiful Langley this year and help us celebrate the 150th birthday of British Columbia.
The Environment February 15th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that this government has turned the corner on no action. This government is a government of action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cleaning up the environment.
Unfortunately, we have a contest between the Bloc and the NDP on who can be Captain Bluster. In reality, the Bloc has never got it done.
The Environment February 15th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, blue-green algae is a very serious problem in Canada. I look forward to an announcement that will be made today and I encourage the member to wait. It will be a good announcement. It is another example of this government getting things done and cleaning up an environmental mess left by the previous government.
The Environment February 15th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong. The turning the corner plan is absolute reductions and those reductions are 20% by 2020. That is the toughest plan in Canadian history.
The big question is why the Bloc is opposed to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In reality, it has never done anything to help the environment.
The Environment February 15th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the government does have a plan. It is the turning the corner plan. It is the first time in Canadian history where we have a plan that has mandatory targets and it includes all industries. All the major polluters and emitters of greenhouse gas emissions will need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and that includes the oil sands.
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act February 8th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I am a neighbour to the west of Abbotsford and we also have similar issues. In my previous life I was a loss prevention officer with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
Has my colleague had an opportunity to question insurance companies? An addiction to crystal meth is one of the major drivers for auto theft.