House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 46% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs June 7th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are very concerned about the fact that the Prime Minister of Canada is always very quick to adopt the same positions as the President of the United States.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister came to the rescue of President Bush in his disagreement with Russia over the missile defence shield.
Based on the Prime Minister's attitude, are we to understand that he intends to reverse Canada's position and that he wants Canada to join Bush's missile defence shield?
Festivals and Special Events June 5th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec has confirmed exactly what I said. Why does his colleague not transfer the $30 million to him, since she is not capable of deciding on criteria at this time? Why does she not transfer the money to him? He has criteria and he has clear objectives. The festivals could have the money this summer. Why not honour the promise they made in the budget? Why not have an interim procedure for giving the festivals the money this summer?
Festivals and Special Events June 5th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities believes that festivals contribute to the economic development of all regions and is therefore calling urgently for the money earmarked for festivals to be distributed. But the Conservative government and the Minister of Canadian Heritage are turning a deaf ear.
Why does the Minister not adopt the solution suggested to her and transfer the money earmarked for Quebec to her colleague at Canada Economic Development, who has a program for festivals and who would be able to deliver the funds this summer?
Festivals and Special Events June 1st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the government does not realize the importance of the festivals in Quebec. They are not just important cultural activities, they are also important economic and tourist activities for all the regions of Quebec. I am thinking of the Tadoussac music festival, the truck rally in Notre-Dame-du-Nord, the Rimouski jazz festival. The minister does not want to transfer money to Quebec. Three months later she still does not have any criteria.
Why does the Minister of Canadian Heritage not trust her colleague at EDC to deliver the program? Is rivalry between two ministers going to penalize the regions?
Festivals and Special Events June 1st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, we have found a simple solution to help the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women resolve the issue of festivals for this summer. The Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec already has a grant program for festivals, with very specific criteria and very clear objectives.
Why does the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, in order to avoid the looming crisis, not transfer Quebec's share to her Economic Development Canada counterpart, who could immediately deliver the program to all the regions of Quebec?
Access to Information May 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Information Commissioner was quite clear in his most recent report.
He singles out the Privy Council Office, the Prime Minister's own department, as one of the government's least transparent institutions. Instead of showing leadership, the Prime Minister is setting a bad example.
It is one thing for him to want to have complete control over his cabinet and even journalists, but for him to also try to hide information from the public is unacceptable.
Why does the Prime Minister not only want to control information, but also hide it from the public?
Access to Information May 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, first the Conservatives broke their promise to reform the Access to Information Act. Then when they tabled their discussion paper, the former information commissioner said it would make government less transparent, not more. Now, when the new commissioner calls the Prime Minister's own department, the Privy Council Office, the worst access to information offender, something is wrong.
Will the Prime Minister admit that he runs the most secretive government this country has ever seen?
Afghanistan May 8th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, that is a new way to do foreign affairs policy in the government, to read the paper.
Canada's combat mission in Kandahar ends in February 2009 and the Minister of Foreign Affairs has the responsibility to inform our allies that they must be ready.
Has the government been in any discussion with NATO concerning the end date of the combat mission? Can the Prime Minister confirm that he is now negotiating with our allies concerning the rotation of our troops?
Afghanistan May 8th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs met with his NATO counterparts. He must have discussed our mission in Afghanistan. The bad management of this mission is just one of the reasons Canadians no longer have confidence in their government.
Did the Minister of Foreign Affairs inform his counterparts that Canada's mission in Kandahar will end in 2009, and that it is time for our allies to start getting ready?
Afghanistan May 8th, 2007
That was a good quote, Mr. Speaker.
Last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs met with—