House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 51% of the vote.
Health June 12th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, this is one more blow to medicare under the watch of the Minister of Health.
I ask the Minister of Health, does she or does she not stand by the conclusion of Commissioner Romanow that non-profit health care is superior to for profit health care? If she does stand by that conclusion, why is she not prepared to do anything about it?
Health June 12th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.
The Minister of Health will know that the Liberal government in British Columbia is permitting a comprehensive privatization of day surgeries in that province, turning a great deal of them over to for profit clinics. Roy Romanow was perfectly clear about the superiority of non-profit health care over for profit health care. What does the Minister of Health intend to do about this in order to prevent this erosion of medicare?
Chabad June 12th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the NDP is pleased to join with all the other parties in the House of Commons in recognizing and celebrating the work of Chabad Lubavitch. This worldwide movement provides a network of educational and social service institutions, operates schools, youth centres, social agencies, summer camps, soup kitchens, medical clinics and non-sectarian drug rehabilitation centres. There are 72 Chabad centres in Canada.
At this time we also pay tribute to the leadership of Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, who passed away in 1994. He assumed the leadership of Chabad in 1950 and guided the movement into the international service that we recognize today and from which so many people benefit.
Petitions June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, these petitions call upon Parliament to use all possible legislative and administrative measures, including invoking section 33 of the charter, the notwithstanding clause, if necessary, to preserve and protect the current definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Petitions June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls upon Parliament to adopt a motion with the following purposes: to continue to oppose the U.S.-led war on Iraq and to play a positive role in finding a political solution to the crisis. The petition also calls on Parliament to recognize war as a crime against humanity and the need to follow any of the following alternatives to war: negotiations for mutual disarmament among all nations; respect for the basic principles of international law, including non-aggression and respect for national self-determination; and support for the International Criminal Court proceedings for crimes against peace.
Petitions June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I have a number of petitions that I would like to present today.
The first petition calls upon Parliament to focus its legislative support for stem cell research on adult stem cell research to find the cures and therapies necessary to treat the illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.
Government Assistance June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, there seems to be an unholy rush on the part of the government and the official opposition to get out of here, even if it means getting out of here before these issues are dealt with.
My question is for the Prime Minister. Will he commit that there will be solutions to these problems before he hits the golf course? Will he step up to the tee and hit one down the fairway for the victims of SARS and mad cow disease?
Government Assistance June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, pursuing the Shakespeare 101 theme, the real tragedy is not Mr. Gagliano, but the way the government is letting the victims of SARS and mad cow disease dangle in the wind while it hesitates to make up its mind on how it will help them.
I know the Prime Minister likes to golf, but would he not agree that he should not be on the golf course until such time as the needs of these victims have been met, and that the House should continue to sit until such time that the government gets its act together on these issues?
Emergency Assistance June 10th, 2003
You could have fooled us, Mr. Speaker, that the Prime Minister is anxious to deal with these problems. Weeks have gone by with respect to SARS. Weeks are now going by with respect to mad cow disease. I say to the Prime Minister, through you Mr. Speaker, that this is a time for national leadership. It is a time for the Prime Minister to show that we are a Canadian family and that when people are in trouble, we help them.
When will the government do something, not just talk, for people in Toronto and for people in the west who are affected by these various crises?
Emergency Assistance June 10th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, it is not easy to alienate Toronto and the west all at the same time, but the Prime Minister seems to be making a good job of it these days. Perhaps he wants to do what Brian Mulroney managed to do in his dying days in office.
When will the Prime Minister put his surplus where his mouth is and come to the aid of the beef industry in western Canada and hospitality workers in Toronto? He has a surplus. Will he use it to help Canadians who are in trouble?