Lost his last election, in 2006, with 34% of the vote.
Justice April 16th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice.
Illegal and dangerous home grown pot operations have become serious problems in my riding and in other cities in Canada. What is being done at the federal level to help local authorities deal with this problem?
Immigration April 15th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
A study by a University of Toronto professor shows that Canada is squandering the talents of skilled immigrants. The cost to our economy is $15 billion a year.
What is the minister doing to make sure that qualified professionals, like doctors, can work in the areas in which they are trained and in which there are shortages?
Donald Shaver April 10th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, Donald McQueen Shaver, agriculture visionary and chair of the Canadian Farm Animal Genetic Resources Foundation, was recently inducted into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame.
The founder of Shaver Poultry, with five local farms and franchises in 94 countries, he is a leader in the preservation of biodiversity and genetic conservation in the agriculture sector.
A former commander of a World War II tank regiment he always fostered pride, loyalty and community. An honourary colonel in the Highland Fusiliers he has served on area hospital and university boards and various service clubs. He continues to provide his vast knowledge to developing nations as a member of the United Nations food and agriculture organization committee.
I know all members will join me in congratulating Donald Shaver on this recent honour.
Education April 9th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. In 1998 the federal government established the Canada study grants. Since then tuition fees, rental housing and capital costs for things like computers and books have risen.
Will the minster expand the Canada study grants to make extra funding available for students with the highest needs?
Conestoga College March 18th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the last three years Conestoga College has been ranked first out of 24 Ontario colleges on its performance indicators.
In recognition of its high number of graduates who are working and employers who are happy with the education of their workers Conestoga College has been awarded a gold medal. For the second year in a row Conestoga College had the lowest student loan default rate of any community college.
Only one of two Ontario post-secondary institutions to be registered by the international quality standard Conestoga College continues to work closely with local industry. Currently, Conestoga College is working toward the introduction of two new applied degree programs and is positioning itself to become a polytechnical institute.
Clearly Conestoga College is the best Ontario college and continues to produce highly trained and qualified employees in my riding of Cambridge.
Research and Development March 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, recently the NSERC-COM DEV industrial research chair in filter and switch technologies was established at the University of Waterloo.
COM DEV International Ltd. of Cambridge and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada each put up $1 million over five years to establish this research chair. This is an investment in the future. It will help develop the next generation of filters and switches for the wireless and satellite technology fields and will keep Canada on the cutting edge of telecommunications research. COM DEV is a leader in Canada's aerospace electronics industry and has once again shown its outstanding community leadership.
I welcome the positive role played by the federal government in supporting leading edge R and D in Canada.
Organized Crime February 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, over the last year illegal, homegrown pot operations have risen.
These organized crime operations are a serious danger to the public. Electricity is being diverted by wires that are not insulated properly and can be live. Recent fires in Waterloo region were caused by attempts to bypass hydro meters. The ground around these operations can also be electrified, especially if wet.
To address this serious problem, local city councils have asked that: a mandatory five year sentence be imposed on those convicted of using homes to grow marijuana; the criminalization of marijuana be maintained; and the proceeds from homegrown operations be passed on to local police.
I call on all members of the House to take a stand against the dangers of homegrown pot operations.
Petitions February 18th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have the privilege to present to the House a petition signed by close to 200 constituents of my riding of Cambridge. The petitioners wish to draw to the attention of the House that the residential school system was a product of federal government policy.
The Anglican Diocese of Huron has spent almost $1.5 million in lawsuits even though it never owned, operated, administered or contracted to deliver federal government education services at the Mohawk Institute. Therefore the petitioners pray and request that parliament resolve the issue of residential school litigation outside the court system and that the federal government assume full responsibility for the Mohawk Institute lawsuit.
My constituents call on parliament to act before the Anglican Diocese of Huron and other Anglican dioceses are brought to ruin.
Justice February 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, today the House has been discussing an issue of great importance to Canadians.
The solicitor general has already said that he wants to keep improving the Canadian Police Information Centre to protect Canadians from known sex offenders.
Is he willing to consider sex offender registry legislation to impose a solution on jurisdictions with a responsibility for criminal justice?
Petitions February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have the privilege to present to the House a petition signed by more than 650 concerned constituents from the riding of Cambridge.
The petitioners wish to draw to the attention of parliament that it is unethical to use human embryos for stem cell research. Adult stem cell research holds great potential but does not pose serious ethical questions.
Therefore the petitioners pray and request that parliament take steps to ban human embryo research and to allow federal tax dollars only for promising ethical research that does not destroy human life.