House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 46% of the vote.
Employment Insurance January 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the government, I intend to act on the commitment made in the Speech from the Throne that the employment insurance program must continually adjust itself to the labour market and the needs of workers. This is what we are currently doing.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Enforcement Act December 7th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I move:
That Bill C-27, an act to regulate and prohibit certain activities related to food and other products to which the acts under the administration of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency apply and to provide for the administration and enforcement of those acts and to amend other acts in consequence, be referred forthwith to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Citizenship and Immigration December 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, Canadians support our immigration program. Canada is a land of immigrants. It has been such in the past and will continue to be in the future. This program is very important for the future of our country.
Our Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is currently working with all her provincial partners to improve this program from coast to coast to coast.
Citizenship and Immigration December 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I would once again encourage the hon. member of the opposition to be very careful in her judgments and to also maintain respect for her colleagues in this House, who have a variety of responsibilities. There are no grounds at this time to think that our colleague, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, is not fulfilling her responsibilities completely. On the contrary, we are extremely proud of what she is doing at this time.
Citizenship and Immigration December 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in the system by which we administer our public service and our senior public service, it is standard practice for changes to take place in the upper echelons from time to time. Moreover, the events of yesterday are the result of several deputy ministers taking retirement or moving on to new challenges. That is the situation here.
A change at the deputy minister level at Citizenship and Immigration was a definite possibility. There is no connection whatsoever between this and the matter of concern to us today.
Citizenship and Immigration December 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I would ask the hon. member to be much more prudent. He is making his own ethical judgment rather than waiting for the Ethics Commissioner's opinion. I believe he needs to show more respect for this mechanism put in place by all of us in this place. I feel that this is very important.
Meanwhile, the minister continues to fulfill her duties in the Citizenship and Immigration portfolio very well.
Citizenship and Immigration December 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we have all worked together in this House to put a new instrument in place, the Ethics Commissioner. The minister herself referred this matter to the Ethics Commissioner. With respect to the minister, we must first and foremost wait patiently for the commissioner's report.
Intergovernmental Affairs November 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it is always somewhat amusing to see the Bloc Québécois trying to be the spokesperson for the federalist government in Quebec City. This is always a bit of a surprise to me.
Right now, we have a case in point with the Francophone Summit. The premiers of Quebec and New Brunswick, and the Prime Minister of Canada, are working in partnership at the summit. This is an example to follow.
Intergovernmental Affairs November 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that Canada speaks with one voice at the international level. Quebec is often represented in Canadian delegations, as are other provinces. This was the case at UNESCO and at other international forums. We continue to cooperate with our partners, the provinces.
First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act November 19th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I move:
That Bill C-20, an act to provide for real property taxation powers of first nations, to create a First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Statistical Institute and to make consequential amendments to other acts, be referred forthwith to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.