You want to get it in your own hands.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 46% of the vote.
Income Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 1997 October 20th, 1997
You want to get it in your own hands.
Supply October 9th, 1997
Right into its pockets, to help fund its campaigns.
A case is coming before the B.C. courts right now regarding the NDP government, a different NDP government, about misinformation, or what could be called lies, that it put out during its provincial campaign in order to get elected. These are just a couple of cases in B.C.
Let us look at what has been in the papers lately in regard to the fundraising tactics of the Liberal government. Whether it is true or not, it is in the papers right now and it is before the public. If what is written in the papers is true, the Liberal government makes Al Capone look like a child when it comes to arm twisting to get money for themselves.
If it is proven to be correct about the way the money was raised, and if this member believes in democracy and I believe he does, would the member opposite not agree this is a perfect case for the right of recall in the country?
Supply October 9th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the last statement made by the member opposite.
We need more than a day of debate in the House to correct a system that is not flawed but badly broken. I would like to mention a few things about the speech of the member.
He mentioned provincial governments. Is the member aware of what is going on in B.C. in regard to its NDP government, the so-called sharing and caring government of our society? It had a habit of raising funds through charity organizations which were supposed to go toward the blind, the disabled and the handicapped. It ripped them off.
Supply October 9th, 1997
Madam Speaker, I listened to the speech of the hon. member and I have a couple of questions.
First, we have read in the paper that knowledge of what was going on was given on March 6 and it took until after July 12 to surface. Has the hon. member any idea why it took so long for this to come forward, other than something to do with the government?
Second, does the hon. member think this only happens in the province of Quebec or does this happen in the other provinces?
Petitions October 7th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a petition from citizens across Canada who are concerned about national unity.
They ask that Parliament confirm that Canada's boundaries can only be resolved either by a free vote of all Canadians or through amending the Constitution by means of the amending formula.
This is one of the most critical issues facing our country and I hope the government will give serious consideration to these constructive suggestions.
Negotiation Of Terms Of Separation Act October 7th, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-237, an act to provide for a national referendum to authorize the Government of Canada to negotiate terms of separation with a province that has voted for separation from Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table my private member's bill entitled the negotiation of terms of separation act. This legislation provides the principles to determine whether a provincial vote to separate is valid and would require partition of any provincial electoral areas not voting to leave Canada. It would require a clear statement on a separation ballot of what a yes vote truly means. If Parliament agreed that such a vote was valid, then the Government of Canada would be required to hold a binding national referendum to authorize it to negotiate terms of separation.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Firearms Act October 7th, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-236, an act to repeal the Firearms Act and to make certain amendments to the Criminal Code.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to table my private member's bill to repeal the Firearms Act and to require that persons convicted of using a firearm to commit a crime must serve five years in prison; and that the sentence is increased to ten years if the firearm is actually fired.
This bill is important because the Canadian people want a serious crackdown on the unlawful use of firearms rather than legislation which aims primarily at law-abiding gun owners.
(Motion deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board October 6th, 1997
He will collect $4.3 million. Talk about a two tier system, this is a two tier system. This is a total rip-off of the Canadian public at its finest. And he can stand up here and say this.
I have absolutely no sympathy for the government. None. And I have no sympathy for the Conservatives either. There have only been two parties ever elected to this House in Canada and they are called Conservatives and Liberals. Back and forth we go. Every time there is a problem, it was the other government, “it was them who sat here before us who created it”.
Now we are at a point in time where the government has to jump up these premiums for the Canadian public on a system that should have been well financed and well-heeled forever. If this had been run under the public's eye, you people would have been serving time.
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board October 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I find it quite incredible to be sitting here in the House listening to a member of the Conservative Party. In fact the leader of the Conservative Party sat here in government for over nine years. The Conservatives had a chance to fix the system. They knew full well then that it had serious problems. Now I hear this member putting on this caring, sharing concern for the Canadian public. This surprises me. They like to talk, talk, talk, but no action.
The member had a chance to create some action in the House. He had the opportunity to give up his gold plated pension, but did he do it? No. He can sit there and be eligible for over $4 million in pension and talk about the public who will have to try and live on between $8,000 and $9,000. I find this very, very intolerable. I cannot believe that he could stand up here and say this.
Petitions September 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a petition from leasees of Indian Point subdivision on Adams Lake in my riding.
Most of these people are senior citizens who retired to homes on land they are leasing from the Adams Lake Indian Band. They are listing many grievances against the crown, including having to surrender their homes without compensation when their current lease ends in the year 2010.
The petitioners pray that the House of Commons will urge the federal government to compensate them. I strongly urge this government to grant their request.