House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 47% of the vote.
Environment October 28th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, that is the story with everybody except Canadians. Scientists and economists at home and abroad agree that developing strategies in meeting targets to reduce greenhouse gases can actually be a powerful job creator. If the Canadian government were doing its homework, it would know that jobs must be an integral part of any effective climate change strategy.
Will the Prime Minister bring to Kyoto plans that maximize jobs and economic opportunities for Canadians?
Environment October 28th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.
Watching this government unveil its position on climate change is a little like watching a slow strip tease. First the Minister of the Environment talks vaguely about targets. Then the Minister of Natural Resources hints at carbon taxes. Now perhaps the Prime Minister is finally ready to perform.
When will the Liberals stop dancing around this issue and show some leadership? When will the Prime Minister let Canadians know what Canada's position on the climate change crisis will be at Kyoto?
Taxation October 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, they may actually get somewhere in this pre-election flurry.
When he was an MP the Nova Scotia premier voted for the blended sales tax. He now admits that the BST is hurting Nova Scotians. The Prime Minister on the other hand is busy gloating that he has worked the bugs out of the BST, that it is a great tax.
Will the finance minister be meeting with the Nova Scotia premier to reminisce about the days when they were BST boosters together in the Liberal caucus, or will he instead get down to business and undo the BST and the damage it is causing to Nova Scotians?
Taxation October 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.
Nova Scotia's premier is back in Ottawa. This former Liberal member of Parliament is now telling anyone who will listen that he left federal politics to try to undo the damage caused by four years of disastrous Liberal policy.
Can the finance minister confirm that he will today discuss with the Nova Scotia premier ways to undo the damage of cuts to education, undo the damage of cuts to health care and undo the damage being caused to Nova Scotians by his blended sales tax?
Labour October 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, that is the problem. Labour and environmental standards are always an afterthought with the government. The Liberals have become wimps when it comes to protecting our labour and environmental standards in trade deals.
When asked about Canada's failure to fight for tough standards in the MAI, the trade minister said he does not want the binding version, the Cadillac version. If clean air, clean water, decent wages and safe working conditions are the minister's Cadillac model, imagine what his economy model must look like.
Will the trade minister instruct our negotiators to stand up for Canadian workers and a clean environment when they meet next week in Paris to continue negotiations on the MAI?
Labour October 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, in July the trade minister gave assurances that Canada was fighting to protect our labour standards in negotiating the multilateral agreement on investment.
A leaked document now reveals that the minister was giving these assurances at the very same time Canada's negotiators were sitting on the sidelines in total silence. It was left to the United States to propose tough labour and environmental standards. This government sold us out on NAFTA. It is now selling us out on the MAI.
When will the Minister for International Trade stop using labour and environmental protection as bargaining chips for international investors?
Health October 22nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the National Forum on Health said that cuts were coming too far and too fast.
Canadians are paying a terrible price for the finance minister's cuts to health care. They are paying with their health and they are paying with their pocketbooks. Canadians are right to be worried that health care will not be there for them when they need it.
Will the finance minister agree to correct his mistake and cancel this year's reckless and irresponsible cut of another $1.2 billion out of health care for Canadians?
Health October 22nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the disastrous effects of the finance minister's mistake in slashing $1.2 billion out of health care this year becomes more and more evident.
Canadians are shocked to learn that the federal government is now the lowest contributor among major health care funders. The latest figures reveal that the federal government used to pay 35% of health care costs with individuals paying 24%. Today as a result of Liberal cuts those numbers are reversed with individuals forced to pay over 31%.
When will the finance minister admit that his excessive cuts are leading us directly to two tier American style health care?
Education October 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I have heard of selective hearing but that beats all.
The minister knows perfectly well that his scholarship fund will not even start for three years and when it does, less than 10% of students who need help will get it.
Yesterday we learned that the minister had miscalculated, that he had made cuts he did not need to make to balance his books. Good education is the key to good jobs in this country. Will the minister cease the rhetoric, put his money where his mouth is and restore education funds recklessly slashed at the expense of Canada's students?
Education October 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, right across this country, university students, faculty members and administrators are telling the finance minister that post-secondary education is in trouble and that he is making a serious mistake by cutting another $550 million out of education this year. No wonder we have skyrocketing tuitions, massive student debt and a serious brain drain.
Will the finance minister admit to his mistake and commit today to fix it? Will he establish accessibility as a national standard in education?