House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 45% of the vote.
Employment Insurance May 26th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, whenever the issue of employment insurance is raised, we get the impression that the minister lives on another planet.
He may keep saying that everyone loves his reform, the fact remains that three out of every four young people who are jobless do not qualify for employment insurance benefits.
Will the minister finally admit that, because of his reform, 75% of young Canadians who lose their jobs are left to fend for themselves?
David Levine May 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I understand that it hurts them to be reminded of their past and of what is currently happening to francophones and to Quebeckers.
Since the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is waxing eloquent, the Prime Minister said as he did that, if the problem of independence were resolved, there would be no more problem in the Levine matter. In the minister's opinion, will the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms not apply to sovereignists so long as we exist?
David Levine May 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, so now what is happening to Mr. Levine is our fault. Really, I have seen it all.
Today the Prime Minister laid it on a little thick saying that, if the sovereignist question were resolved—
David Levine May 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this weekend the Prime Minister found that the hue and cry over David Levine was, and I quote “rather artificial and unacceptable”.
Will the Deputy Prime Minister not acknowledge that the Levine affair is first and foremost a political attack against freedom of opinion and that the last time this fundamental right was abused in Canada was during the October crisis, when the Trudeau government arrested 500 Quebeckers without grounds?
David Levine May 14th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, does the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs realize what he just said?
Does he not understand that he just sent the message to all sovereignists in Quebec that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, which prohibits discrimination based on political beliefs, does not apply to them? That is what he just said.
David Levine May 14th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister is missing the point.
We are not asking the federal government to interfere. We are simply asking the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, who made some unfortunate statements, to give us an explanation.
Will the minister not admit that his ministerial responsibility is not to add fuel to the fire on an issue such as this one, but rather to strongly condemn those who want to prevent someone from getting a job because of his political beliefs?
Calgary Declaration May 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the minister fails to understand that the Calgary declaration is viewed as dangerous because the members opposite wish to create the illusion that there will something in it for Quebec. That is what is dangerous.
If the House of Commons resolution to recognize distinct society has any value, how does the government explain that it did not rely on it when it came time to create the millennium scholarships program, which tries to force Quebec into the same mold as the other provinces and ignore its specificity?
Calgary Declaration May 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister announced on the weekend that, if the Calgary declaration was approved by the provinces, he would use it to amend the House of Commons resolution on distinct society.
My question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Is this not proof that the Calgary declaration is largely irrelevant, because ultimately it will be used to amend a House of Commons resolution that is completely worthless because it was introduced purely to please the Prime Minister and ease people's consciences?
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I must remind the Prime Minister that his statement that he was the first willing to provide compensation is incorrect. Yesterday, I read out a resolution approved by the National Assembly on December 2. I ask him not to repeat such nonsense.
Why is the Prime Minister keeping his mind closed and refusing to try to find a solution for these victims, as his colleagues are doing? What is making him so stubborn?
Hepatitis C May 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, under pressure from this House, the public in general and victims of the disease, the position of the premiers has moved in the right direction in the past week.
Ontario and Quebec have announced their intention to compensate hepatitis C victims not covered by the first settlement. Other premiers are considering the issue. But the Prime Minister of Canada, the principal player, is not budging.
Why is the Prime Minister putting off assuming his responsibilities and adopting a more humane attitude?