House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was children.

Last in Parliament September 2008, as Conservative MP for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo (B.C.)

Won her last election, in 2006, with 39% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question No. 52 January 27th, 2003

As part of the Implementation plan for the Kyoto Protocol as called for in the motion adopted by the House on October 24, 2002, is the government guaranteeing that energy taxes will not be increased in a bid to reach its Kyoto targets?

Veterans Affairs December 12th, 2002

Mr. Speaker, that is good news and I appreciate that.

While the minister is in such a good mood, let me point out that Al Trotter did not only fly half of his 44 missions. He flew all of them. He did not serve only half of his time in a prisoner of war camp. He served all of it.

Why will the minister not consider giving these veterans every penny that they have earned?

Veterans Affairs December 12th, 2002

Mr. Speaker, let me get something straight before I begin. The Canadian Alliance forced the government to register sex offenders. It did not do it on its own and it is doing it wrong. The justice minister is right. He is transparent. On this side of the House, we can see right through him.

My question is for the Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Trotter and two other veterans have yet to see their cheques. When will these honourable men receive the $20,000 that the minister promised them?

Petitions December 10th, 2002

Mr. Speaker, my second petition is from the residents of Savona, British Columbia.

The petitioners ask that the community of Savona, British Columbia not be moved out of the riding of Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys as proposed in the boundary redistribution plan.

Petitions December 10th, 2002

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present two petitions today. The first petition asks that Parliament focus its legislative support on adult stem cell research to find the cures and therapies necessary to treat the illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.

Veterans Affairs December 4th, 2002

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister of Veterans Affairs for this long awaited announcement. Although this sum is half the amount stated in Mr. Trotter's grievance, it is a positive recognition for Mr. Trotter and others like him. What they have accomplished and the trauma they have gone through in service to our country is something that cannot go unrecognized.

I am pleased to see the minister properly regarding Mr. Trotter's situation as an exceptional circumstance with an ex gratia payment.

In the year that I have worked with Mr. Trotter on this issue I have grown very fond of him. Al is an exceptional man who during and peace conducted himself with integrity and honoured his contract with Canada. He was recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross and other medals too numerous to mention for his courage and his devotion to duty. He served his country and lives his life with passion and valour. I am pleased to see that his fellow countrymen supported his efforts to right this wrong.

Al will be proud to know that through his efforts the veterans affairs minister is committed to provide to prisoners of wars and others who find themselves in similar circumstances recognition for their service.

On behalf of Al Trotter, I would like to thank all the Canadians who wrote, e-mailed and called the minister and to the newspapers, television and radio stations who took this issue from coast to coast. It is heart-warming to see this issue, one wrapped in Canadian values, history and honour, resonate with the Canadian public. Without their help and support, I do not believe I would be making this statement in the House today.

As I stated, this ex gratia payment, while not fully recognizing Mr. Trotter in accord with the intent of the original POW benefit, does give us hope that the government holds our military in high esteem and that it does acknowledge the important part these men and women played in our today and in our children's future.

Kyoto Protocol December 3rd, 2002

Mr. Speaker, it was refreshing to hear someone who thinks the same way that I do and who has obviously looked into this in great detail. I have one question for the member.

Would he ever consider ratifying a protocol knowing full well that he could not meet the targets in it and also understanding fully that there are huge penalties to pay for implementing it and not being able to follow through?

Kyoto Protocol December 3rd, 2002

Mr. Speaker, I beg your pardon. I have all due respect for the Chair and I will address my question through you.

Ratification of Kyoto carries a heavy price tag. It addresses CO

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only. It does nothing to improve the health of Canadians, contrary to what the minister may have suggested earlier.

Could the member please explain how ratifying Kyoto without certainty of targets for large emitters is going to reduce risk?

Kyoto Protocol December 3rd, 2002

Mr. Speaker, that was a very interesting speech. The member said some very positive things. The unfortunate part is that my colleague is right in that none of the things that he mentioned as being important are covered under the Kyoto protocol.

My question to you is twofold.

Petitions December 3rd, 2002

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by constituents of Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys. The petitioners are asking Parliament to ensure protection of our children by taking all the necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify child pornography and that exploit children be met with swift punishment.