House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 44% of the vote.
Public Safety December 6th, 2012
And yet, Mr. Speaker, the RCMP itself is worried that the Conservatives apparently want to reduce firearms control to just a few lines in the law.
The public has the right to be protected and the police need these tools to protect them. The assistant commissioner, Pierre Perron, has stated that the changes proposed by the Conservatives would limit the police force's ability to do its work.
Why does the Prime Minister now want to limit the police's ability to do its work and protect the public?
Public Safety December 6th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the Toronto Star informs us this morning that the Conservative government plans to weaken gun control laws even further.
Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians if that is indeed the case?
Violence Against Women December 6th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, 23 years ago today, 14 women were assassinated at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. They died because they were women. This tragedy left an indelible mark in the hearts of Canadians and every year we pause a moment to commemorate the memory of these innocent victims.
Tragically, violence against women continues today in many forms. In Canada, certain women are particularly at risk, including aboriginal women, immigrant women and seniors, but no woman is free from violence.
The fight to end violence against women is everybody's responsibility.
On this, the National Day of Remembrance, we must ask ourselves what we can do as individuals and as a society to bring an end to violence against women.
Today, let us renew our commitment to make Canada a place where all women can live safely and securely.
We must work together to build a country that is safe for all Canadians.
Aboriginal Affairs December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, four years ago, the Prime Minister worked together with Jack Layton to draft an historic apology to first nations for the residential schools tragedy. However, an apology is only words if it is not followed by actions.
The Conservatives have failed to live up to their promise to build a new relationship with first nations. Yesterday, first nations leaders were on Parliament Hill calling for action.
Will the Prime Minister take the first step by handing over the millions of documents currently being withheld from the residential schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Yes or no.
The Economy December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, for a week now, the Conservatives have been unable to answer a very simple question. The Minister of Finance's recent economic growth projections were lowered to 2.1% for this year. The latest data from Statistics Canada show that economic growth would have to be around 4% this quarter to reach this target. No one thinks that will be the case.
Will the Prime Minister once again adjust the incorrect economic growth projections his Minister of Finance made just three weeks ago?
Justice December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the government has been sitting on this for two years. It has not done anything. All the work that has been done is unanimous. The legislation has been drafted. The only mention members will find, and after question period we will be glad to supply copies of it, is in a fundraising letter.
Is that what the Conservatives' tough-on-crime agenda is about: fundraising and letting Canadians die on the roads because they will not act?
Justice December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, constitutional experts, from Peter Hogg to the Law Society of Alberta, have said that random breath testing complies with the charter. In 2009, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights unanimously recommended random roadside breathalyzer checks. In 2010, the Minister of Justice himself put forward a plan for just that. However, the only mention of drunk driving we have seen from Conservatives since was in 2010. It was in a fundraising letter.
Why will this tough-on-crime Prime Minister not crack down on the number one cause of crime-related deaths in Canada?
Justice December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, every year more than 1,250 Canadians die as a result of drunk driving. In 2010, Conservatives proposed changes to the Criminal Code to allow for random roadside breathalyzer tests.
Random breath testing has been studied by everyone, from provincial governments to legal scholars to members of Parliament. Evidence from countries like Australia, New Zealand and Ireland shows that random breath testing will not only save provincial governments money but will save at least 200 lives a year.
Why has the government failed to act on its own proposal to prevent hundreds of deaths from drunk driving?
Aboriginal Affairs December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, for generations, the first nations have suffered the consequences of the federal government's bad faith.
Four years ago, the Prime Minister worked with Jack Layton to publicly apologize to the first nations on behalf of the government for the residential schools tragedy. This was a defining moment in our Parliament's history.
Unfortunately, the government is currently fighting in court to keep millions of relevant documents secret. There will be no truth and reconciliation if the truth is intentionally hidden.
Can the government act in good faith for once and make these documents accessible? That way, we will have access to the truth.
The Economy December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, two years ago, the Conservatives predicted that, in 2012, this year, Canada's economic growth would reach 3%. However, the Conservatives have had to admit that they were completely wrong. Job prospects are therefore not as good.
At the same time, the employment insurance eligibility rate has fallen to its lowest level in 10 years. There are 350,000 more unemployed workers now than there were in 2008. When people work, they work fewer hours, and so when they lose their jobs, they are less likely to be eligible to receive employment insurance benefits.
How can the Conservatives justify this situation, which is what is truly happening?