House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 23% of the vote.
Petitions May 26th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a petition calling on the Government of Canada to adopt international aid policies that support small farmers, especially women, in order to recognize their vital role in the struggle against hunger and poverty. The petition also calls on the government to ensure that Canadian policies and programs are developed in consultation with small farmers.
Public Works and Government Services May 15th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, in early April, Public Works and Government Services Canada apparently found legionnaires' disease bacteria in the water at the Place du Portage III building in Gatineau. However, the minister found out only yesterday.
Thousands of public servants have been exposed to the bacteria for more than a month, and no one at Public Works and Government Services Canada saw fit to notify the people working there.
Why did Public Works and Government Services Canada keep this under wraps for so long? Is the minister going to do something now to protect all the public servants at Portage III?
Income Tax Act May 13th, 2015
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-677, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (post-traumatic stress syndrome).
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce in the House this bill which, for the record, was inspired by a veteran in my riding, Mr. Daniel Bélanger.
This bill would provide financial assistance to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome by making them eligible for the medical expense tax credit and the disability tax credit.
I hope that my bill to help our heroes will be supported by all members of the House regardless of their party affiliation.
The bill has one aim, which is to help the heroes of our country, who are suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, get some financial relief for themselves and for their families when it comes to tax time. They deserve it and we should be supporting this bill as we go forward. I hope to have the support from all members of the House.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Public Service of Canada May 13th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, when the minister's mind is already made up, we do not call that collective bargaining.
The Conservatives have no respect for workers or the right to collective bargaining. The Supreme Court was clear. This is a charter right. However, the government is doing whatever it wants. In an unconstitutional move, the government is tossing out this right that is guaranteed to thousands of public sector workers.
Why is the government attacking public sector workers' right to free collective bargaining?
Ethics May 12th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives came to power by promising to get rid of the Liberals' cronyism and corruption.
Our Constitution is very clear: senators must reside in the province they represent. Evidently, senators appointed by this Prime Minister, such as Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Carolyn Stewart Olsen, did not meet that criterion.
In recent weeks, we have repeatedly asked how the Prime Minister can justify these appointments. That is a simple question. It is not a matter that is before the courts. We are talking about one of the Prime Minister's main responsibilities. Instead of answers, Canadians get only evasive and ridiculous comments from this government.
We have a Prime Minister who hides from the truth, and his parliamentary secretary refuses to answer even the simplest of questions. Conservatives are showing their disrespect for this House and for Canadians. In the next election, Canadians, just like the people of Alberta, will have an opportunity to vote for the change they want, and they will actually get it.
Petitions May 7th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition.
Hundreds of Canadians are calling on the government to reduce taxes on feminine hygiene products because many impoverished women cannot afford them. That would be a positive thing.
Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 May 5th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I do not doubt the sincerity of my hon. colleague across the way, but the government really has its head in the sand on this. I do not know how the member can ignore the hundreds of emails she has been receiving from constituents, hers and others from across the country, who are expressing profound disappointment in the government and profound worry about what this bill means for our civil rights. We are talking about experts across the country. We are talking about people who really know how legislation should be crafted.
Hundreds of my constituents have contacted me. They are worried about this particular bill. I feel a responsibility to listen, and I think the government should also be listening.
How can she explain that the government just will not accept Canadians' opinions on this bill and change this badly drafted legislation?
Agriculture and Agri-Food May 4th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, community members in Shawville mobilized themselves, along with the Pontiac Agricultural Society, in order to erect the most beautiful stables in at least a 100-kilometre radius. These stables will welcome competitors from all over on Canada Day and during the Shawville Fair.
I would like to take this opportunity to say hats off to all those who made this incredible project possible.
Agriculture is important. The New Democrats believe this industry should be strong, and we are working to help farmers, for example, by supporting the demands by milk and cheese producers to protect their supply management systems.
We agree that food labels should contain more information, and we are looking for solutions to the problems facing bees and other pollinating insects that are so important to agriculture.
The public can count on the NDP to develop a national food and buy-local strategy and to implement tax measures to help small farmers grow and remain competitive.
The Economy April 30th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, for the past nine years, the Conservatives have done nothing but turn their backs on the people of the Outaouais. With their savage cuts to the public service, they have deprived thousands of workers of a steady income and poisoned the work environment for thousands more.
Refusing to back down, they even went as far as blocking the bill to protect Gatineau Park that was sponsored by my colleague, the member for Hull—Aylmer. That was one year ago today. The purpose of the bill was to provide legal protection to one of the most visited parks in Canada, a park that is truly at the heart of the identity and the economy of the Outaouais. There is a reason this bill was supported by experts and thousands of Canadians.
During the debate, the Conservatives and their Liberal friends told us that they had a better plan for our park—and we are still waiting.
Government Advertising April 27th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, Conservative ministers seem to be using events paid for out the public purse to boost the visibility of their party's candidates. We saw a Conservative candidate from British Columbia on hand to greet a foreign dignitary at the airport. The Minister of National Defence even played photographer. This same candidate attended official events with the Minister of State for Social Development and the Minister of Veterans Affairs.
Why is the government using public money to promote Conservative candidates?