Lost his last election, in 2011, with 36% of the vote.
Taxation October 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the finance minister has it wrong again. He did not answer the question.
Another taxpayer, Don from Ta Ta Creek, also wrote the minister. He said: “Your policy of high taxation is virtually killing small business. I would like to invest and expand my business but because of heavy tax I have decided to sell out and move”.
How is any entrepreneur going to be persuaded to invest in the country when the tax burden is literally breaking the back of small business?
Taxation October 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are saying that taxes are far too high. Cheryl in Burlington wrote to the Minister of Finance this summer and said: “As a stay at home mother of four small children the tax system is unfair. We are penalized because we believe that we are best to care for our children, not daycare”.
When will tax discrimination which puts purchased daycare over parent care end?
The Late William Kaye Lamb October 14th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I want to commemorate the passing of William Kaye Lamb, librarian extraordinaire, who organized our nation's history as founder of the National Library of Canada.
Born on May 11, 1904 in New Westminster, British Columbia, he died August 24, 1999 in Vancouver at 95 years. He was an author and taught history at UBC. In 1934 he was appointed B.C. provincial archivist and in 1940 became UBC chief librarian.
Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1948 appointed him dominion archivist. Lamb then created the National Library and drafted the National Library Act of 1952. He proposed Canada's National Library and Archives which opened in 1967. Before retiring from the National Library in 1969, he oversaw the first computerized library catalogue in the country.
In his last days, a chief joy was sending out his trademark typewritten memos to fellow scholars. Though work took him all over the world, a piece of him will always be in Ottawa. He will be remembered as a British Columbian who was a great builder of Canada.
Petitions June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is that parliament enact legislation such as Bill C-225 so as to define the statute that a marriage can only be entered into between a single male and a single female.
Petitions June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions that I am presenting on behalf of my colleague from Medicine Hat. The first one asks that parliament take all necessary measures to ensure that possession of child pornography remains a serious criminal offence and that federal police forces be directed to give priority to enforcing this law for the protection of children.
Divorce Act June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Justice mailed a rather incredibly insulting document flogging the government's strategy on child custody in the Divorce Act and urging MPs to use it in their summer householders.
It said the best interests of children must be the highest priority, but nowhere is there mention that the minister will delay this so-called high priority well into the next millennium. That is the real story.
Why is the minister willing to wait three more years? Why is she willing to let thousands of children suffer in needless custody disputes? The joint committee gave the plan. Where is the legislation?
Committees Of The House June 9th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, in response, pursuant to Standing Order 35(2), Reform members of the official opposition support some of the recommendations contained in the report of the subcommittee on family taxation. However, we are disappointed that its recommendations do not go far enough.
The official opposition recognizes the value of parenting and would like to ensure that the federal government treat Canadian families fairly. Among other things, the official opposition advocates extending the child care expense deduction to all parents, converted into a refundable tax credit available to all families, and that the spousal amount be increased from the current $5,918 to $7,900, levelling the field. We would also implement across the board broad based tax relief.
These measures are a start to addressing the unfairness in the tax code with respect to its treatment of Canadian families.
Questions On The Order Paper May 13th, 1999
With respect to the restoration of the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver, what are the amounts of the federal government's financial contributions, including low interest or interest free loans, tax incentives or grants?
Royal City Musical Theatre Company April 28th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the Royal City Musical Theatre Company is alive and well in my riding of New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby.
Unlike the big production theatres, the Royal City Musical Theatre Company is primarily made up of volunteer talent. The theatre is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a lavish production of Rogers and Hammerstein's classic The King and I .
My wife and I had the privilege to see this production. I can say that it is visually stunning, with colourful costumes, exquisite dancing and wonderful music with singing to match.
The spin-off to businesses that the Royal City Musical Theatre Company brings to New Westminster is worthy of accolades, but it is the quality and professionalism of the productions which have earned this amateur group the respect of patrons from all over British Columbia and the United States. It is estimated that over 19,000 patrons will see The King and I this year in New Westminster between now and May 2.
The theatre is certainly fit for a king and is testimony of what a community can do without much government help. Congratulations to director Ed Harrington, choreographer Dolores Kirkwood and musical directors James Bryson and Lloyd Nicholson for giving opportunity for Canadian talent and for New Westminster to shine.
Questions On The Order Paper April 27th, 1999
For each of the years 1994 through 1998, could the Department of Justice provide exact numbers of how many divorces in Canada were handled without the intervention of the courts?