House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2008, with 42% of the vote.
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the immigration minister has a responsibility to uphold the rule of law. Yet she failed to report the fact that she had a deportee working for her. We know it is not because she is incapable of working the phone. After all, she made a call to get a minister's permit for her stripper friend.
Why the double standard when it comes to her Liberal friends? Why did the minister not report this individual to her own department?
Citizenship and Immigration November 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it looks like the minister is getting help from her friend on dancing around the question.
The citizenship and immigration minister's lack of credibility must have been common knowledge during the election as a man wanted for deportation by her own department delivered pizza and brazenly hung out at her campaign office. It is almost as if the minister put out a sign, “Help me get elected and I'll let you say in Canada”.
Why does the minister believe that the rules apply to everyone but her Liberal friends?
Eid November 15th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, last month I rose in the House to wish all Canadian Muslims and people of Islamic faith a successful Ramadan. With the conclusion of Ramadan, Muslims are now celebrating Eid.
Eid ul Fitr is a period of joy and thanksgiving. Muslims show their joy for the health, strength and opportunities of life which Allah has given them to fulfill their obligations of fasting and other good deeds during the month of Ramadan.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada, led by President Mobeen Khaja, a successful eighth annual Eid celebration at Queen's Park in Toronto on November 19. This year the association will be honouring former Ontario Premier Bill Davis.
Since its inception, the association has been actively pursuing its mandate of building bridges of understanding between Muslims and other faith groups and projecting the proper image about Islam and its values.
On behalf of Canada's official opposition, may I finally add to all my brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith, “Eid Mubarak”.
Paralympic Games October 27th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, last month two great Edmontonians achieved their Olympic dreams. I am of course talking about Danielle Peers and Ross Morton, both Paralympians who brought home medals from Athens this summer. I would like to take a moment to congratulate them.
Danielle is a member of Canada's women's wheelchair basketball team. Our team brought home the bronze medal, beating out the United Kingdom. Ross is a member of Canada's men's wheelchair basketball team and returned home with the gold medal after facing tough Aussie competition.
This is an outstanding achievement on both their parts. I would like to thank them and thank all Canada's Paralympians for the great job they did in Athens.
On behalf of Canada's official opposition, I would like to congratulate them and I look forward to meeting with all of Canada's great Olympians next week when they visit Parliament.
Broadcasting October 26th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, not only is the Liberal government manipulating and censoring public and private broadcasters, now it is moving on to the primary schools. The pupils at École du Bois-joli de Trois-Rivières have just learned this to their great amazement, as their amateur radio station was brutally and arbitrarily shut down.
When will the minister reassure these exemplary parents and teachers by renewing their broadcasting licence?
Broadcasting October 21st, 2004
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, we know that Michel Decary, from Ms. Scherrer's office, also met with the chairman of the CRTC.
What explains this frantic shuffle between political authorities and the chairman of a so-called independent tribunal over this short period?
Broadcasting October 21st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, besides the two ministers, we learned today that Ruth Thorkelson, from the PMO, met with the chairman of the CRTC on the eve of the hearings concerning CHOI FM.
What was the Prime Minister's advisor doing at the office of the chairman of the CRTC?
Broadcasting October 20th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, the Minister of Canadian Heritage proclaimed her innocence, but that same day, she fussed over the CBC's content. The next day, it was the Minister of Foreign Affairs who was selling off Canadian television audiences to Italian politicians.
When will Liberal ministers stop their manipulation and censorship of public broadcasting? When will Canadians finally be free to choose?
Broadcasting October 20th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage maintains that no ministerial influence is being exerted on the CRTC. It has been confirmed that both the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Ms. Scherrer broke the rules and met with the president of the CRTC.
Were these just social meetings or were they used to influence the decisions about CHOI-FM?
Ramadan October 19th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, Muslims around the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The month of Ramadan celebrates when the Holy Qur'an “was sent down from heaven”.
The fast of Ramadan lasts an entire month. It is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend time with their families and communities.
During Ramadan, strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. At sundown the fast is broken with a prayer and a meal called iftar . After the meal Muslims spend time visiting with family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.
Ramadan is a time to focus on family and faith. I hope all Canadians take time to experience and learn more about the Islamic faith.On behalf of the official opposition, I would like to wish all my Muslim brothers and sisters a very successful Ramadan and a joyful celebration of Eid.