Lost his last election, in 2006, with 35% of the vote.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 13th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as has been said often in the House, the Prime Minister said he was informed that the member for Newton—North Delta wanted to cross the floor. The Prime Minister said no offer was to be made. No offer was made.
I understand that the Bloc has contacted the RCMP regarding this matter. If the member has any further information, she should provide it to the RCMP.
Business of the House June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will continue with the opposition motion. I wish to designate Tuesday, June 14 as an allotted day, which means that the main estimates shall be dealt with that day.
Tomorrow we will begin report stage of Bill C-43, which is the first budget bill. This bill will be our priority until it is disposed of. When Bill C-48, the second budget bill, is reported from committee, it, too, shall be given our top priority.
There are discussions among the parties concerning the early disposal of Bill C-2, the child protection legislation; Bill C-53, the bill respecting proceeds of crime; and possibly Bill C-56, the Labrador-Inuit legislation.
The other pieces of legislation that we can anticipate debating in the next week are: Bill C-26, the border services bill; Bill S-18, the census legislation; Bill C-25, RADARSAT; Bill C-52, the Fisheries Act amendment; Bill C-28, the Food and Drugs Act amendments; Bill C-37, the do not call legislation; Bill C-44, the transport legislation; and Bill C-47, the Air Canada bill.
Bill C-48 June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question is absolutely false. In fact, there are ministers who have already agreed to appear before the committee. The committee is the master of its own destiny. If it is going to request that ministers appear before the committee, they will.
In fact, I know that ministers would be very pleased to go in front of the finance committee and defend not only in form but to convince the Conservatives to support the legislation because it provides additional money to post-secondary education, affordable housing and foreign aid. It is good policy and they should support it.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it sounds as though the hon. member across the way is conducting his own investigation. I do not understand why they sent a letter to the RCMP to ask for an investigation.
If the Bloc and the hon. member have information that they feel would assist the RCMP in an investigation, and would in fact assist the RCMP in determining whether there should be an investigation or that there is anything to investigate, then I would suggest that the hon. member provide that information to the RCMP.
Member for Newton—North Delta June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said that he was informed that the member for Newton—North Delta wanted to cross the floor. The Prime Minister was very clear. He said that no offer was to be made. None was.
I understand that the Bloc leader himself was out scrumming yesterday, indicating that he had contacted the RCMP regarding this matter.
The RCMP itself will determine whether there is anything to investigate. I would suggest that if the hon. member does have any information to provide, he provide it to the RCMP.
Audiotaped Conversations June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, what I find really unfortunate is that the member gets up every day and smears members' reputations in the House and does a disservice to this institution itself.
I find it unbelievable that the member, along with the leader of the official opposition, continues to make assertions based on tapes that have been proven by numerous audio experts to have been manipulated, and not only supports the member, but according to reports, actually condones the taping by the member for Newton—North Delta.
Audiotaped Conversations June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member said, the Prime Minister was informed that the member for Newton—North Delta wanted to cross the floor. The Prime Minister said that no offer was to be made. The hon. member did not cross the floor and no offer was made. In fact, as the Prime Minister said, the government will cooperate fully with the Ethics Commissioner.
The difficulty with the member opposite is that he cannot accept yes for an answer.
Extension of Sitting Hours June 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 27, I move:
That, during the ten sitting days ending on June 23, except on any Friday, the sitting shall be extended to 12 midnight.
Audiotaped Conversations June 8th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Leader of the Opposition sees nothing wrong in defending a member who has altered tapes. Jack Mitchell stated:
These tapes have been edited. This is not a maybe. This is not something that's unexplained. This is not, “Oh, this is odd”. This is a definitive statement. The tapes have been edited.
The member opposite stands in his place and defends these tapes. John Dooher said:
This sounds to me, not only that this is an edit, but an edit done with something very crude.
He is an audio expert. The Leader of the Opposition sees fit to defend that. I do not understand why.
Audiotaped Conversations June 8th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, this question is coming from a member who supports tapes about which, frankly, every day more concerns are raised regarding their authenticity. Expert after expert comes forward and says these tapes have been changed in some way. The hon. member across the way does not have the courage to stand in his place and say that the member of Parliament from his party was wrong. What he does is stand in his place and defend something that is indefensible.
The Prime Minister made it very clear that no offer was made.