Mr. Speaker, the second petition concerns employment insurance. The petitioners request that the EI fund be returned to its intended purpose. They also request that an independent commission be created to administer the Employment Insurance Act.
Lost her last election, in 2006, with 39% of the vote.
Petitions April 30th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the second petition concerns employment insurance. The petitioners request that the EI fund be returned to its intended purpose. They also request that an independent commission be created to administer the Employment Insurance Act.
Petitions April 30th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to rise to present two petitions.
The first petition calls on parliament to compensate the merchant navy veterans for their service and hardship on Canadian and allied ships during World War II and the Korean war.
Kosovo April 30th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of immigration.
There have been many news reports in recent days regarding Canada's commitment to allow 5,000 Kosovar refugees into Canada. Can the minister tell the House what the government's position is?
International Association Of Fire Fighters April 27th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the International Association of Fire Fighters to Ottawa as it holds its eighth annual Canadian Legislative Conference.
Firefighters form the backbone of our emergency services. They are always the first on the scene. They are always prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver others from harm's way, including risking their own lives.
As the former chair of the Whitby Fire Department, I had the opportunity to work closely with these men and women. I can personally attest to their professionalism, their loyalty and their devotion to making our communities safer.
The IAFF continues to push for the adoption of Operation Respond and for the establishment of a third party federally regulated investigative agency that would help protect firefighters from some of the dangers they face on a daily basis.
Renowned on the hill for their hospitality, our firefighters have come to us with proposals that will make our communities much safer. I thank them for their continuing efforts and wish them a successful conclusion to their visit in Ottawa.
Kosovo April 21st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.
Can the minister tell the House what the cost of the armed forces participation in Kosovo is to date? Will this put in jeopardy our recent commitments to address quality of life issues in the armed forces?
Member For Whitby—Ajax April 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, fellow members of parliament, I am back.
I want to thank the hundreds of you who sent get well wishes to me in Germany during my 27 day stay at the Johanniter Krachenhaus hospital in Bonn, and then upon my return to Canada in mid-February.
I am pleased to report that I am well on the way to a full recovery.
I return to parliament with a renewed appreciation for our health care system without which an episode such as I have recently experienced may well have bankrupt both me and my family.
I also want to express my deepest appreciation to Professor Moebius and his medical team, to the staff of the Canadian embassy in Bonn, and most particularly Ambassador Gaetan Lavertu and Dennis Lance who made daily visits to my bedside with news from home.
I want to send a very special thank you to the residents of Whitby—Ajax who kept both florists and card companies flourishing.
I also take this opportunity to publicly thank my staff here and in the riding for their tremendous efforts on behalf of my constituents during my time of illness.
Veterans Affairs November 19th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Veterans Affairs.
Could the minister give the House a status update on the veterans legislation and more specifically how it would address the concerns of our merchant navy veterans?
Points Of Order November 18th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, you have already heard eloquent arguments about whether this bill really constitutes a tax or a levy and I do not intend to repeat them. However, I do intend to highlight another aspect of this process as it concerns your involvement as Speaker of the House.
Mr. Speaker, asking you to rule this bill a tax bill and therefore out of order is asking you to contradict the stated intentions of the bill. The bill states that it is proposing a levy, not a tax. The bill states that the levy is for publicly stated industry purposes and objectives. The bill states that these funds will not flow into the consolidated revenue fund. As articulated by my colleague from Lac-Saint-Louis, this bill clearly states and proves that it will impose a levy, not a tax.
Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect, it is not your role to impugn motives other than those stated in the bill. You are in effect being asked to speculate about the possible impact this bill will have in law. You are being asked to provide both a legal and a constitutional decision.
I know you are familiar with Beauchesne's, but for the record I repeat citation 168(5) at page 49 of Beauchesne's 6th edition:
The Speaker will not give a decision upon a constitutional question nor decide a question of law, though the same may be raised on a point of order or privilege.
It is the role of the courts to make this determination, not the role of the Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, your role, as you well know, is to guard the privilege to debate and speak freely on virtually every issue. In the absence of any compelling reason proving that this bill is procedurally unacceptable, your duty is to allow the debate to continue and to allow us, the members of this place, to make an appropriate determination on the merits of the bill.
In closing, I would like to say that it is unfortunate that such a worthy initiative is being caught up in procedural wrangling, particularly when there appears to be broad multi-party support for the goal of this bill, which is to protect the health of our young people.
Mr. Speaker, you have a bill with stated intentions. You must apply the rules, not interpret the law or impugn other motives.
Canada Customs November 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Revenue recently issued a discussion paper on the future direction of the Canada customs and trade administration program.
How will the minister ensure that Canadian businesses and travellers are well served?
Aboriginal Affairs October 19th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the government's aboriginal head start program is helping to ensure a healthy start to life for all off reserve children.
The 1997 throne speech and the 1998 budget committed to an expansion of this project on to the reserves. Could the Minister of Health tell parliament when on reserve children could participate in this very worthwhile project?