Lost his last election, in 2006, with 34% of the vote.
Petitions February 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, in the final petition over 500 citizens in my riding of Cambridge and surrounding areas draw to the attention of this House their concerns with the issue of nudity in public places.
The petitioners pray that Parliament clarify and reinforce the relevant sections of the Criminal Code to ensure that these laws will meet the reasonable limit test under the charter of rights and freedoms.
Petitions February 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the next petition, which contains 130 signatures, calls on Parliament to enact legislation protecting health care providers from having to take part in abortions or in referrals for such procedures.
Petitions February 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, in the second petition 25 concerned citizens in my riding call on Parliament to ask the minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to protect the future of housing co-operatives in Ontario.
The petitioners request that the minister only negotiate with his provincial counterpart under publicly declared principles established with input from co-operative housing stakeholders.
Petitions February 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have the privilege to present four petitions to the House.
In the first petition 40 citizens of my riding of Cambridge wish to draw to the attention of the House their concerns for the sanctity of life.
The petitioners pray and request that Parliament retain current provisions in the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide and that Parliament not sanction the aiding of suicide or euthanasia.
Nagano Winter Olympics February 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to two young athletes from my riding of Cambridge who represented Canada at the Nagano Winter Olympics.
Luke Sauder, a six-year national downhill ski team member and a regular on the World Cup circuit, gave it his all for Canada in his trademark crazy Canuck style.
As a member of Canada's 5,000 metre short track relay skating team, Derrick Campbell helped bring Canada a gold medal in the last event of the Olympics.
On behalf of the constituents of Cambridge, I congratulate Derrick and Luke on their tremendous efforts. Their determination, pride and dignity are what made this Canada's greatest ever winter Olympic team.
Transfer Of Offenders Act February 18th, 1998
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-360, an act to amend the Transfer of Offenders Act (removal of foreign offenders).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce my private member's bill which seeks to make amendments to the Transfer of Offenders Act. This bill was developed in conjunction with amendments to the Immigration Act.
The goal is to facilitate the deportation of non-Canadians convicted of crimes. This bill will assist the crown in the removal of such criminals.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Immigration Enforcement Improvement Act February 13th, 1998
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-321, an act to amend the Immigration Act (improvement of enforcement in the case of those who commit offences).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce my private member's bill known as the immigration enforcement improvement act, which died on the Order Paper when the 35th Parliament was dissolved.
I first introduced this bill following the 1994 Toronto murders of Georgina Leimonis and police constable Todd Baylis. The bill died on the Order Paper and I am asking for unanimous consent to send this bill back to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.
Huntington Society Of Canada February 13th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to congratulate the Huntington Society of Canada on its 25th anniversary.
Located in my riding of Cambridge, the Huntington Society is a national network of volunteers and professionals working to find a cure and treatment for Huntington's disease. Huntington's is a hereditary brain disease which strikes between the ages of 30 and 45, for which no cure has yet been found.
On behalf of my constituents, I congratulate the Huntington Society for its 25 years of dedicated and tireless work.
Middle East February 9th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Gatineau for refreshing our memories with regard to who supported Iraq in the war against Iran.
I am pleased to rise today to debate the recent invitation to Canada by the United States of America to participate in possible military action in the Middle East. While I understand what our American neighbours and allies are asking, I feel I do not have enough information to lend my support to what is being asked of us.
In the past I have supported requests for Canadian participation in peacekeeping missions but this is not a peacekeeping mission. This is a unilateral military action led by the United States against Iraq and supported by Britain.
Unlike the gulf war seven years ago, this proposed military operation is not in response to an Iraqi invasion of another country. As a matter of fact when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 it was six months later that a U.S. led a coalition against Saddam Hussein.
Why rush into this when diplomatic solutions are still a possibility? Seven years ago neighbouring Arab states supported the military offensive against Iraq. Today the very same Arab states, which are most at risk if Iraq continues to stockpile chemical weapons and weapons of mass destruction, do not support military action.
Clearly this is not an internationally sanctioned effort by the United Nations. France, a major European country which seven years ago took part in the U.S. coalition against Iraq, has distanced itself from a possible military strike. Russia and China, two large and important members of the security council, have in recent days made strong statements against waging war against Iraq.
Were this an internationally sanctioned effort by the United Nations I would be more likely to support our involvement. I share the frustrations of American and British allies who have been unable to resolve the Iraqi situation with diplomatic efforts. I share their concerns that a madman like Saddam Hussein has been stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. I agree that the world must act to address the problem, but it would be preferable if the world agreed on a common course of action.
After all, will not the dropping of American and British bombs on chemical and biological weapons release the very same chemicals into the air, harming or even killing innocent civilians, especially children? Perhaps other efforts should be undertaken before we proceed with military action.
I understand that some of the Arab states have been trained to negotiate an agreement whereby a second UN inspection team, one that is not as offensive to the Iraqi government, could be appointed to inspect those sites which the American land team is being precluded from accessing. Perhaps this is another diplomatic measure which should be considered.
However I firmly believe that the decision to launch attacks on Iraq should be taken by the United Nations Security Council and not by the White House. We live in an international community whereby the actions of one nation can impact on the lives of many. Unfortunately there appears to be little consensus among many of our allies.
This morning I received a copy of a letter to the prime minister from the Islamic Humanitarian Service. Its head office is located in my riding. In the letter it stated that Saddam Hussein, the tyrant, will be unaffected personally if military attacks are carried out. However innocent civilians will be the biggest victims of such an attack. In recent days the French foreign minister has made similar comments. The problems of starvation and disease will be intensified while Saddam Hussein will continue to live in comfort.
They are absolutely correct. Ordinary people have suffered since the gulf war in 1991 but Saddam continues to live in luxury.
The Islamic Humanitarian Service appealed to the prime minister to oppose the whims of the United States. They have asked that Canada maintain an independent foreign policy and stay out of the conflict. This is the message I have been hearing all day from constituents in my riding of Cambridge. I share their view.
Let us not rush into sending our brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces into a war before all diplomatic solutions have been exhausted. Unless there is a decision by the United Nations Security Council to proceed with military force against Iraq, Canada should not contribute troops or be part of it for oil or anything else.
Housing February 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
The government has announced that it is extending funding for the residential rehabilitation assistance program, the emergency repair program and the home adaptations for seniors independence program. Why is the federal government extending these programs at this time and where is the money coming from?