It's only a matter of time.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 54% of the vote.
Supply February 26th, 2004
It's only a matter of time.
Food and Drugs Act February 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am worried about the unintended consequences. As the saying goes, “the road to Hell is paved with good intentions”.
Has the member given any thought as to how much government it will take to enforce this thing, to monitor and check businesses to ensure that all ingredients are correct? Are we talking about 150,000, or 100,000, or 10,000 or 50 new civil servants? How much will that cost?
Reinstatement of Government Bills February 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, if we are going to deal with the democratic deficit, we have to reform the system. It just seems to be so obvious that one measure that should be in place is that the date of the election should be legislated. That is so basic. It should not be something left for gerrymandering or for political insiders to time the market and call the election when they think it is best for them. In a democracy it should be legislated. Many democracies have that. We are way behind the eight ball on that.
What would my learned friend have to say about legislating the date of elections rather than leaving it to backroom politicians to pick the most convenient time for an election?
Resumption of debate on Address in Reply February 4th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am certainly concerned about the member's comments about Mr. Romanow and his report. I come from that province. During the Romanow regime, 53 hospitals were closed in that province.
In my particular riding today, in the city of Prince Albert, we have lost 16 doctors who we cannot replace. A third party has been monitoring our health care system and giving a report card. The average waiting period in Saskatchewan for surgery is now 29 months. Imagine taking a car to a service station and being told to bring it back in 29 months for the engine to be fixed or repaired. For MRIs, 22 months are the highest waits for what should be automatic, like an X-ray machine, especially if one has cancer. Most Saskatchewan people are going to Minot, Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta to get their MRIs.
Does the hon. member for Burnaby--Douglas think governments should be prohibiting people from gaining MRIs from Minot, Edmonton and Calgary private clinics for the betterment of their health--
Specific Claims Resolutions Act November 4th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I am curious about the member's comment about this taking time.
The Liberals have been governing this country for a long time, virtually the entire 20th century. The aboriginal system in Canada is a Liberal product. Almost 100 years after slaves in the United States were freed after a terrible civil war, it was a Conservative, John Diefenbaker, who, with the bill of rights, gave first nations people the right to vote. By the early 1960s, the Liberals in their wisdom could not see that aboriginal people should have the right to vote. They have kept this paternalistic system in place that has created the many problems today.
The member said that we need more time. A philosopher once said “Justice delayed is justice denied”.
Within the next 5, 10 or 15 years will we finally have all the claims settled or will it continue to be a never-ending process? Fifty or a hundred years from now will some Liberal member still be saying that it takes time to sort these matters out? Could the member give us any indication when land claims will be resolved so there will be no more justice delayed in this country? Will that happen in my lifetime?
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency October 30th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals wax eloquently when they talk about helping small businesses. The reality is that the Liberals take care of their rich friends first.
Why is the Atlantic innovation fund making contributions to a very large and wealthy corporation when the money was intended for small and medium sized businesses?
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency October 30th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the industry minister's conflict of interest problems continue. One of the supposed purposes of the Atlantic innovation fund was to assist small and medium sized businesses with research and development.
In July 2002 the government announced its very first commercial recipient: a $700,000 contribution to J.D. Irving Ltd.
Does the Minister of Industry consider this company to be a small business or is it just a payback for a fishing trip?
Hockey October 30th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, it is a principle of law that everyone is entitled to equal treatment before the law without discrimination.
Federal tax collectors have been busy auditing and assessing Saskatchewan Jr. A hockey teams. These actions threaten the very existence of that league. Now it is discovered that the federal tax collectors have not been auditing and assessing more than 120 Jr. A teams in the other provinces.
The people of Saskatchewan are again wondering, why is the Liberal government attacking rural Saskatchewan? This discrimination violates all notions of fairness.
The actions of the Liberal government are a direct attack on Saskatchewan amateur sports. It is a direct attack against the dreams of the players, their parents, their fans and the communities.
It is an attack on Canadian unity. The Liberal government should be very much ashamed of itself.
Supply October 28th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, in my comment I want to reflect on a situation that occurred in our province of Saskatchewan this past year. A 12 year old girl was sexually assaulted. Three men in their twenties were charged. The trial took place in Melfort. One man was convicted and two were acquitted.
The decision to acquit those two individuals was very controversial in Saskatchewan. The public backlash was massive and it united aboriginal and non-aboriginal people.
In the trial, the defence used by the accused and the instructions to the jury on the matter referred to the matter of the age of the victim. The argument used was that they believed she was 14 or older when she was in fact 12 years of age.
I recall the Minister of Justice saying on that particular issue, when we had a motion before the House on it, that it was far too complicated to be dealt with here, that it was a very complicated issue. I would suggest that the inaction of this government caused a huge injustice in that trial and that perhaps two individuals are walking free in our society today who should not be.
Does the member now see the merit in looking at this age of consent and moving it up to a reasonable level, to at least 16, for one purpose, that of protecting our children from abuse and from sexual assaults like that in the case to which I have just referred?
Supply October 28th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I think one of the cornerstones of freedom of expression is that individuals should have the right to realize their full potential. However, I think we all understand that this is not an absolute right. The Criminal Code defines the limits of that right. That is why we have offences dealing with stealing, assault, murder, fraud and numerous other offences, which I guess to the criminal is their freedom of expression. However, we draw the line on these sorts of things.
I am really puzzled why the government does not deal with exploitive child pornography in the same way it deals with other criminal behaviours and put it squarely in the Criminal Code so that our children are protected from this sort of thing.
I think the member has some legal experience and I would be curious what his comments might be on that, because I cannot for the life of me see the distinction between other types of criminal behaviour and criminal behaviour in respect to child pornography matters.