moved:
That Bill C-3, an act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act, be referred forthwith to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
Lost his last election, in 2006, with 35% of the vote.
Canada Elections Act February 18th, 2004
moved:
That Bill C-3, an act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act, be referred forthwith to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
Sponsorship Program February 18th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in recent days, the past couple of weeks, the questions put directly to us by the Bloc Quebecois are intended specifically to either smear individuals' reputation or assume the findings of an independent inquiry.
Such behaviour is totally unacceptable. If they are serious about wanting to know what really happened, I suggest they wait, as we are doing, and trust the process in place.
Ballistic Missile Defence February 17th, 2004
moved:
That this Committee take note of ballistic missile defence.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply February 17th, 2004
moved:
That the Address be engrossed and presented to Her Excellency the Governor General by the Speaker.
Government Contracts February 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in recent months, the Bloc Quebecois has called for public inquiries for everything. Now that one has been launched, they are trapped. They cannot figure how to get out of this one, because the inquiry will get at the truth. They do not know how to cope with that. So, they just keep asking questions and assuming answers.
We would rather let the process get at the truth.
Electoral Reform February 17th, 2004
No, Mr. Speaker. Throughout the country many authorities are wondering how to improve our democracy. The Prime Minister has already given one speech on the matter.
I have tabled an action plan to begin to address these issues. I intend to consult the people of Canada, for instance I know that the people of British Columbia are asking questions, as are the people of Quebec. I have an open mind. We are prepared to listen to what people have to say about the matter.
Government Contracts February 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, if they are serious about wanting to get at the truth in all of this, why not give a reasonable chance to the process the Prime Minister has put in place precisely to get at the truth?
How can they assume the findings of the commission of inquiry which was implemented in fact to get at the truth?
There is a contradiction here that baffles me.
Sponsorship Program February 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, this is a strange question since we know that as soon as the government took office, the sponsorship program was cancelled, that as a result of the Auditor General's report an independent commission of inquiry was named, that an independent legal counsel was appointed to recover the funds and that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts was set up very quickly.
There is a difference between rhetoric and fact. I think the facts speak very clearly in favour of the integrity of our Prime Minister.
Sponsorship Program February 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the administrative problems had been known for some time. The Auditor General has brought to light some misappropriations of which no government ministers were aware.
We have reiterated our intention to cooperate fully with the inquiries now going on. I am speaking not only of the ministers in this government, but of all members on this side of the House and in the corner over there. We are ready to appear when it is time to appear. The rest is nothing but politics. That is not what Canadians are looking for.
Government Contracts February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe what I have just heard. It is not their prerogative to defend Quebec. Quebeckers are just as committed to justice, the facts and truth as any other Canadians. If they would just support the commission of inquiry, then we could find out what happened. Seeking the truth, that is Quebec's way.