Lost her last election, in 2008, with 33% of the vote.
Petitions April 30th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I have several petitions. The first one relates to euthanasia.
The petitioners request that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide should be retained without changes and enforced in order that Parliament not sanction or allow the aiding and abetting of suicide or euthanasia.
Gun Control April 29th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, like many Canadians, I awoke this morning to the horrifying news that 32 people had been cruelly murdered and countless others injured in Tasmania last night.
Tasmanians have not had the benefit of gun control laws like those in Canada. Automatic and semi-automatic weapons are freely available. While people are licensed, their guns are not registered.
Canadians can take some measure of comfort knowing they have done their part to ensure that in Canada we have a gun control system second to none. Canadians elected a government that campaigned on tougher gun control, a government that delivered. Canadians supported a justice minister who remained courageous and MPs who voted for reasonable protections.
On behalf of my constituents and all Canadians, to those who lost a loved one and to those who are recovering from their injuries, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Middle East April 26th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, in an earlier answer, the House greeted with tremendous relief the news from the Minister of Foreign Affairs that there was an interim ceasefire agreement in the Middle East.
My question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. How will Canada play a constructive role to ensure that this ceasefire is more than just an interim agreement so that the people in that area can live in safety once again?
Department Of Health Act April 22nd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I note with some interest that the member mentioned our country's blood supply system. The important Krever inquiry has been put into place because the Liberals in opposition called for it and saw fit to put it in place.
The member's colleague from Port Moody-Coquitlam discussed the blood system at some length earlier in the debate. I want to assure all members that a safe and secure blood supply system is of critical importance to me as well. It is an issue I am fairly familiar with. It has been a horrible piece of our history which we need to address.
Both members have forgotten, or perhaps they have chosen to overlook the fact that this government is taking a leadership role on the issue of the blood supply system. On March 11 the Minister of Health announced his initiative to put a plan of action in place in order to be prepared when Justice Krever submits his final report. On the interim recommendations of Justice Krever, the Minister of Health has already put in place a number of those recommendations to make sure the system is cleaned up.
This is a leadership issue. That is what the Reform members and many Canadians have called for, leadership. In the course of this debate I have not heard what the Reform Party would do on this critical issue. Perhaps the members opposite could share very specifically with this House their proposals to improve our blood supply system. What is the member's idea for what we can do to show leadership? What would he do on the blood supply system if he were in government?
Points Of Order March 28th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, in the last campaign a lot was made about the decorum in this House by the third party. I think it is telling that the response of the members opposite when I raised the
point of order with you acknowledges that they knew the member used that word and they continued to use it and that terminology.
Points Of Order March 28th, 1996
I do not think that is appropriate.
Points Of Order March 28th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, often in these points of debate, privilege and order there are a number of shots that are sent back and forth across the House. Unfortunately I heard the member for Okanagan-Shuswap refer to our chief government whip as a jackass.
Burlington Youth March 28th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Burlington youth. Our government has placed a great deal of importance on demonstrating our confidence in Canada and Canadians, especially young Canadians.
In the riding of Burlington I have had the honour of presenting eight graduating secondary students with an award which recognizes their outstanding contribution to their school, to our community and to Canada.
The recipients of the Paddy Torsney, M.P. Citizenship Award last fall were: Stephen Chiu, Lisa Dawn Moody, Angela Minnett, Danielle Buick, Jessica Kristina Hodgson, James Roberts, Jennifer Craig and Aimmie Halchuk.
Colleagues, please join me in congratulating these fine young Canadians. They are up to the challenge of our future. They are our future.
Petitions March 18th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition which contains some 35 names, mostly from the Etobicoke area.
The undersigned Canadians are opposed to the approval of the synthetic bovine growth hormone, otherwise known as BST, the drug injected into cows to increase milk production.
The petitioners call on the government to keep rbGH or BST out of Canada through legislating a moratorium or stoppage on rbGH use until the year 2000 and to examine the outstanding health and economic questions through an independent and transparent review.
The Budget March 18th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, Canadians breathed a sigh of relief once again after the tabling of our finance minister's budget. Our government's third budget does not contain any individual or corporate tax increases. According to the minister's forecast, the federal deficit will be $17 billion or 2 per cent of the GDP for the 1997-98 fiscal year.
The Minister of Finance has shown that it is possible to manage public finances strictly without increasing the taxpayers' burden in order to secure a better future for all Canadians.