House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was taxes.

Last in Parliament September 2008, as Conservative MP for Medicine Hat (Alberta)

Won his last election, in 2006, with 80% of the vote.

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Statements in the House

Youth Employment May 11th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the minister will admit what he is talking about are programs that were previously announced. In some cases he is talking about programs that will actually take effect in years to come. Indeed this summer there will be 2,500 new positions opened up.

The facts show that despite having dozens of these programs over the last 20-odd years, youth unemployment has almost doubled since the 1970s to its present 17.4 per cent. It is no coincidence that unemployment has risen with the debt and deficit levels.

Will the minister acknowledge that the debt is the single biggest killer of jobs in the country and every day it fails to cut spending his government is contributing to high levels of unemployment?

Youth Employment May 11th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

Last month the government made a very big deal about announcing a new series of very expensive short term make work projects for unemployed youth. Once we get beyond the press releases we find that only 2,500 of Canada's 405,000 unemployed youth will have a shot at those programs this summer. That is less than 1 per cent.

Will the minister admit that these programs are not a long term solution to youth unemployment and that implying they are is creating false hope for Canada's unemployed youth?

Canada Pension Plan May 4th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, there are two reports now including the one he referred to last week that suggest we need big changes in the Canada pension plan if it is to remain solvent.

Certainly we will be participating in any discussions on the future solvency of that plan and we would like to offer something.

I would ask the minister to make it clear, first of all, that we have a problem today with that. I would encourage him and his government to show some leadership by bringing forward a discussion on this matter as soon as possible so that Canadians could be assured something is being done about the plan and their future pensions will be safe.

Canada Pension Plan May 4th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

Last week, in response to a question on the future viability of the Canada Pension Plan, the minister stated: "It is certainly actuarially sound and has sufficient contingency funds within it". Yet according to a recent OECD study on public pension plans we in Canada would have to dramatically increase contributions or increase the pensionable age by 16 years to age 81 to make our plan actuarially sound.

Could the minister explain the huge discrepancy between his statement and the OECD report?

Canada Pension Plan April 27th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, we look forward to that public debate.

The surplus fund or contingency fund that the minister mentioned is presently invested in low interest provincial government bonds that subsidize the debt of provincial governments.

What is the government doing to ensure a better return on investment so that Canadians can count on having the pension they spend their whole lives contributing to?

Canada Pension Plan April 27th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

Last week the minister's parliamentary secretary confirmed that Canada Pension Plan premiums will have to be increased from the current 5.2 per cent of earnings in order to cover payments to our aging population. In fact at the current rate in less than 25 years these premiums will eat up 10 per cent of every worker's paycheque.

Has the minister looked at this problem? What is he doing to keep premiums in check?

Youth Action Plan April 14th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I think the minister should acknowledge that he has great gaping holes in his own department. That is where this information came from. It is in the media and people have commented on it already.

Will the minister admit that what Canadian youth really want are real jobs, not phoney government created make-work jobs, and that the government's failure to address overspending is the primary cause of chronic high unemployment in the country?

Youth Action Plan April 14th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the federal government will announce the youth corps initiative that will provide short term make-work positions this year for less than 1 per cent of Canada's 400,000 unemployed youth.

Could the Minister of Human Resources Development tell us why he is creating false hope by spending so much money on a program of such limited potential?

Unemployment Insurance April 11th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, it was a pretty straightforward question. I suggest the minister learn a little humility lest he end up unemployed as well.

Government reports over the last several years have recommended that the government move away from control of the UI program. Will the minister heed this advice and let employers and employees administer their own programs?

Unemployment Insurance April 11th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

During last fall's election campaign any suggestion that a reformed UI program should be jointly funded by employers and employees and should be run like a genuine insurance program was greeted with ridicule by Liberals.

Will the minister tell this House, as has been suggested in the media, if he is now considering funding the UI program solely on the backs of workers?