House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 41% of the vote.
Government Appointments November 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the member does not appear to be familiar with legal rules.
Mr. Pelletier is currently instituting proceedings before the Superior Court, but we are a very long way from a ruling. Once a ruling is made, we will see what the court has decided. However, it is neither for the member nor for me to anticipate the outcome of those proceedings.
At this point, no money has been paid to Mr. Pelletier and no money will be paid to him, unless we are forced to do so by the court.
Government Appointments November 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, did I hear the word “bandit”?
Government Appointments November 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the member should know that Mr. Pelletier has proceedings before the Superior Court of the Province of Quebec and the court will determine that. Those proceedings have been going on for a while now, so let the court decide. It is not for him or for myself to decide.
Sponsorship Program November 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the grounds on which Mr. Pelletier was dismissed in March 2004 are as valid as ever. That is why this morning I have initiated a process which will allow Mr. Pelletier to be heard and to provide us with reasons why he ought not to be dismissed on those grounds.
Obviously, Mr. Pelletier no longer has our confidence to chair the board at VIA Rail.
Sponsorship Program November 17th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we are getting into the business of third-hand information. It is hearsay, rumours. This kind of treatment of politicians, of anyone for that matter, is unacceptable. There is nothing more harmful than rumour, because it cannot be proven. That is exactly what the leader of the Bloc said. It was a statement made in the case of André Boisclair. It should apply in everyone's case. He should listen to his leader, who is seated in front of him.
Sponsorship Program November 17th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, Hélène Scherrer was categorical. She said she had never received money from Marc-Yvan Côté. I would point out to the member that in a society, attitudes fraught with hypocrisy and innuendo are not to be tolerated. If there is evidence, let it be known, do not let the rumour mill run. Rigour is required at all times. That is what his leader said to Le Soleil in defence of André Boisclair. The very same rule should apply here.
Airports November 17th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about a $5 billion tax cut on rent. That is an awful lot of money. For the whole country it is $8 billion and for Toronto alone it is $5 billion.
The airport has problems in the short term because of its debt level. We did not incur its debt level; the administration did. It also has a problem with revenues because it does not use the concessions enough. It is at 20% of revenues and it should be at about 40%.
The airport's problem is that its rent is only 14% of the cost. The rest is debt service. We will help the airport address that problem--
Airports November 17th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, if there was a prize was exaggeration, the hon. member would win it.
Frankly, the Government of Canada has reduced the rent for the Toronto airport by $5 billion over the next 50 years.
There are short term problems at Toronto airport because of the high debt and the fact that the concessions do not bring in enough revenue. Usually, the revenue is about 40%. In Toronto it is at 20%. There is a lot of work to be done there. In the short term, we are examining, at the request of the GTA caucus, how we could help Toronto airport up front. It is very difficult at this time.
Sponsorship Program November 16th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, if the deputy leader of the Bloc Québécois wants to name names, let him do so. But if he just wants to continue tarnishing reputations then he needs to stop. Justice Gomery has spoken. I know they are not happy with Justice Gomery's findings. They want to re-write the report. It is too late. The inquiry is over and Justice Gomery has presented his findings. The rest is nothing more than muckraking. They are trying to tarnish reputations without having the courage to name names. That is their problem.
Sponsorship Program November 16th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, did you notice his abuse of parliamentary privilege, his attempt to tarnish the reputation of certain MPs? It is terrible and unfounded. It is simply appalling.