House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2008, with 35% of the vote.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police April 16th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the simple fact is the RCMP officers deserve better. They deserve the full support of Parliament, they deserve the full support of the minister and the minister is letting them down.
Why is the government only concerned about talking when it comes to supporting the police in Canada and not interested in walking the walk and calling a full public inquiry now? Do the job.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police April 16th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, will the minister explain how a powerless investigator, who has no legal authorities, helps RCMP officers find out exactly what happened to their pension fund and their insurance fund? The minister's investigator is acting under no known statutory authority whatsoever.
When will the government call for a full judicial inquiry that would have the legal authority to call witnesses and records, as this official opposition has called for since day one?
Royal Canadian Mounted Police March 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that the minister listen to this question.
The public safety minister is now in an uncomfortable ethical quandary. The testimony at the committee yesterday has impacted and will impact on his ability to properly perform his duties as public safety minister for Canadians, considering the RCMP review is involving the minister himself.
Is it not imperative for the integrity of this investigation and the institution of the RCMP to have the minister step aside at this time? Perception is as important as reality.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police March 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the investigation announced by the public safety minister today falls far short of a full independent public inquiry.
In light of the shocking revelations made at the public accounts committee yesterday, more now than ever Canadians need to be assured of the integrity of our national police force.
Given that the public safety minister is overseeing the probe he just announced, how can Canadians be assured of the independence of this very serious investigation?
The Budget March 26th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this debate and ask my colleague about something that affects my community, and I am sure hers, and that is medical research in this country.
We have invested much in our peer reviewed research through the granting councils. Medical research is big in my community, with five research institutes, and the impact of not having sufficient funds to do the ongoing research that is used throughout Canada and even throughout the world in effect will contribute down the road to us losing these highly skilled individuals in our communities.
On another point, I would like to raise the issue that this budget takes away the harm reduction strategy that has been there since the time before Liberal governments, back into previous incarnations of other governments. That has been taken out of the way that drug policy is done in this budget.
I would like the hon. member's comments on both of those areas.
Petitions March 22nd, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I have in my hand a petition from thousands of people across Canada, including those in my city of London, Ontario, who are petitioning Parliament to enact legislation to ensure that all Canadian development assistance contributes to poverty reduction, that it takes into account the perspectives of the poor, and is consistent with Canada's human rights obligations.
I support the petitioners and I think it is important that Parliament and all parties pay attention to the request of the petitioners.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act March 21st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I was here for the last vote, but I was not here for the one before it.
Afghanistan March 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, four prisoners are missing and Canada has no guaranteed system in place to ensure that prisoners are receiving proper treatment.
The government and the defence minister owe Canadians and the House of Commons an explanation about what steps the government has taken to ensure that prisoners are not being mistreated. More particularly, what is the government's plan if there is evidence that prisoners are being tortured?
Afghanistan March 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, Britain and The Netherlands have agreements in place that allow them to verify that transferred prisoners receive proper treatment, but Canada does not. When will the defence minister take steps to give Canada the same authority as Britain and The Netherlands?
The Prime Minister February 26th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, he does not understand the neutrality of the Public Service and the respect it deserves not to be pulled into partisan politics.
Last week, the Prime Minister used an article from The Vancouver Sun to launch an attack against a private citizen and a member of this Parliament. The Prime Minister has a duty to determine the facts before going carelessly ahead with allegations.
Did the Prime Minister verify the information, or does he not care about whether smears are true? Is he ready to apologize today to this member of Parliament?