Lost her last election, in 2006, with 34% of the vote.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation May 3rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is appalling to put on trial a man who, in 1994, was named turnaround entrepreneur of the year, who joined the Bank of Montreal in 1977 and, in 1982, while working for the bank, purchased businesses which he developed.
He was appointed simply because he is an entrepreneur and because the CBC needs people like him. He is a member of an exceptional community, yet people are trying to put him on trial here, in this place. That is beyond me.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation May 3rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the appointments we have made to the CBC and Radio-Canada. I am referring to Peter Herrndorf, Trina McQueen, Guy Fournier, Johanne Brunet, Yasmin Jivraj and Mr. Sahi. Why? Because Mr. Sahi was named entrepreneur of the year. We need a businessman who is also able to grasp the administrative complexity of the CBC and Radio-Canada. He has been chosen for his competence.
Multiculturalism April 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that on April 18, 2005, the government announced its intention to contribute an endowment of $30 million to help establish the global centre for pluralism.
The people of Canada are proud to be recognized as a tolerant, diverse and accepting society. It is for these reasons that the Aga Khan Foundation chose Canada as an example and asked Canada to spread this important message to the world.
It is this kind of investment that underscores the fundamental differences between us and the official opposition.
Official Languages April 14th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has reached an agreement with the Council of Ministers of Education to renew the education protocol.
Under the protocol, the Government of Canada will allocate more than $1 billion to the provinces and territories over four years. The protocol will also ensure better accountability and will help us achieve the objectives set out in the action plan.
Promise made, promise kept.
Sponsorship Program April 11th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe that one would accuse somebody with only an allegation.
Mr. Welch asked to be relieved of his duties in order to defend his reputation, and I agreed. He is on a two-month leave with pay, in accordance with Treasury Board standards, precisely to clarify the situation and restore his reputation. These allegations are based on a—
Broadcasting April 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table, in both official languages, the government's second response to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage's report entitled, “Our Cultural Sovereignty: The Second Century of Canadian Broadcasting”.
Cultural Diversity March 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, this is not a matter to be used for political points, first of all.
Second, Canada initiated the UNESCO action.
Third, what the hon. member has said is totally wrong. We have worked extremely hard to have a document that does protect culture, and excludes it from the WTO.
Fourth, we have the support of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and of the Minister of International Trade as well.
We have played a lead role—period—whether they like it or not.
Cultural Diversity March 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague has said, we are working very hard with the provinces, Quebec included. We did so, moreover, for two weeks in late January and early February, in order to come up with a document. We then held discussions with all stakeholders, the European community included, precisely with a view to ending up with a convention with some teeth in it, which will protect culture as an element essential to the identity of each country.
Status of Women March 8th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, last week, I led the Canadian delegation at the Beijing +10 meeting at the United Nations, which was attended by a number of my colleagues from both sides of the House. Canada strongly reaffirmed its commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on gender equality.
We are considered a leader in this area, and we are also proud of various accomplishments, such as having a legal framework to support gender equality and extending the parental leave benefit period.
More women are enrolling in post-secondary institutions. Their rate of participation in paid work is among the highest in the world, while the salary gap is closing and their incomes are rising.
Aboriginal Affairs March 8th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to remind the hon. member that we have invested $32 million a year in a national crime prevention initiative and $7 million in the family violence initiative.
Status of Women Canada provides $1 million to fight violence against native women. Once again, we are committed to the Sisters in Spirit campaign. We are trying to fulfill this promise as quickly as possible.