House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 38% of the vote.
41st General Election December 3rd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, a comprehensive proposal from the government will be forthcoming shortly.
The fact is that the Federal Accountability Act passed through the House in 2006. In that act we eliminated any donations by corporations and unions, and yet knowing that the NDP still accepted thousands of dollars in illegal donations from unions.
The real question is, can it follow the law?
Elections Canada November 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we have promised to look at some reform to election laws. I have said that a comprehensive proposal will be put forward in due course. What really hurts Canadians' confidence in our electoral system is when they hear about scandals such as the NDP accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal donations. Then NDP members stand up in the House and continue to make false allegations, which they know are not true.
41st General Election November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I have said in the House before, a comprehensive package will be put forward in due course. I find it surprising that the hon. member is so concerned about election laws when it was his party that took hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal donations from the big union bosses.
41st General Election November 2nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I think what is disturbing to all Canadians is that the NDP accepted $340,000 in illegal donations. This is a concern. It is for that reason that we are bringing forth a comprehensive proposal and that proposal will be brought forward in due course.
Democratic Reform October 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, voters made this decision, and that is the way democracy is supposed to work. We have already promised to look at some reforms to our election laws, and a proposal will be coming in due course. As for the Supreme Court of Canada's decision, it states of the Liberal candidate: “[W]e reject the candidate’s...attempt to disenfranchise entitled voters and so undermine public confidence in the electoral process”.
Democratic Reform October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, 52,000 in Etobicoke Centre followed the rules, cast their ballots and today had their democratic decision upheld. The decision of the Supreme Court of Canada states:
...we reject the [Liberal] candidate’s attempt to disenfranchise entitled voters and so undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
There is no allegation of any fraud, corruption or illegal practices. Nor is there any suggestion of wrongdoing by any candidate or political party.
The courts have confirmed that it was a fair election.
Political Loans Accountability Act September 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to see co-operation in the House, which is somewhat unique, to move the bill forward and close the loopholes that need to be closed.
However, it is unfortunate that instead of working with the other parties to move the bill forward and close these loopholes, the members of the Liberal Party have decided to side with their insiders who have yet to pay back their unpaid debts from their leadership races. Despite six years of leniency from Elections Canada, those individuals have not paid these debts back.
Why does the hon. member not believe that it is important to take big money out of the political process? What the bill does is get unions and their big money, corporations and wealthy individuals out. It closes that loophole.
Ordinary Canadians are expected to repay loans with strict rules and guidelines. The same should apply to politicians. Why do the Liberals not believe that?
Political Loans Accountability Act September 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the co-operation we have had to move the bill along to the committee stage where all parties will be able to work on it. This is a great step. I would ask if we could have the same type of co-operation on other bills. It would be very constructive.
Is the hon. member willing to offer the same co-operation on the Senate reform bill, Bill C-7? Let us at least move it from this place into committee. We could discuss the bill and work on it there. Could we have that commitment on other bills?
Political Loans Accountability Act September 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, my colleague made a very good speech and provided an explanation of the bill as well.
It is great to have this co-operation with the opposition on moving this bill forward. We would like to see this co-operation on other bills, including the Senate reform bill. We would like that bill to move forward as well.
We cannot blame Canadians for having a perceived sense of undue influence on politicians if they see unions, wealthy individuals or corporations lending money and that money never really being paid back. It is essentially an abuse of a loophole.
How does the member see this bill building and ensuring trust in our democratic institutions?
Democratic Reform September 21st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, our government tabled the Senate reform act in order to limit the terms of senators and to give Canadians a say in who represents them in the Senate.
We, on this side of the House, are committed to making the Senate more democratic, accountable and representative of Canadians.
This legislation is already before the courts.