House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 35% of the vote.
Questions On The Order Paper February 16th, 2000
The estimated annual deposition of sulphate in Eastern Canada for the years 1990-1995, the most recent year for which we have data, is:
1990—4.44 million tonnes 1991—3.81 million tonnes 1992—3.90 million tonnes 1993—3.54 million tonnes 1994—3.43 million tonnes 1995—2.73 million tonnes
Question No. 60—
Questions On The Order Paper February 16th, 2000
This information does not currently exist. It would require complex models, which have not been attempted to date. What is known, based on 14 years of data, 1980-1994, is that while Canada has been emitting only 15% of the sulphur, it has been receiving 41% of the sulphur wet deposition. This implies a strong influx from south of the border.
Question No. 51—
The Environment February 14th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, sadly the hon. member's number of 5,000 is likely on the low side. However, I point out that these are largely preventable deaths due to air pollution and we fully intend over the next decade to cut that number in half.
The negotiations with the United States are to establish a protocol with the United States to reduce smog thus improving the quality of air in Canada and in the United States with substantial improvements in the life expectancies particularly of young children and older people who are specifically affected to a greater degree by air pollution problems.
Endangered Species February 8th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I will start by thanking Dr. David Green and the members of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada for the excellent work they have done over the last 22 years.
I can assure the hon. member that the independence and the scientific credibility of the committee will be protected in the new legislation that I will be introducing within the next month. I can assure her that I will be discussing with Dr. Green the resources that his committee will need for the new responsibilities that the legislation will make necessary.
Questions On The Order Paper December 17th, 1999
The Department of Environment is not aware of any species of flora or fauna that went extinct as determined by the committee on the status of endangered wildlife in Canada due to logging activities.
The Environment December 14th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is correct. After five years of operation it is time to have a review of the act to see if it can be improved. That will take place starting now and for the next year.
There will be an interactive website, which will allow rural Canadians in particular to take part, and there will be some 17 meetings at urban centres across the country. I trust that within a year it will be possible to report to the hon. member and to the House the results of that review.
Nisga'A Final Agreement Act December 13th, 1999
Madam Speaker, that is clearly debate. It is clearly out of order and it is clearly typical of the way the Reform Party has approached this debate day after day, week after week, month after month. Every opportunity to divert attention from the actual facts of the treaty Reform members have jumped on because they know that faced with a clear examination of this treaty the people of British Columbia know it is in their best interests. We recognize that. The Reform Party does not. It is attempting to conceal this fact and therefore Reform members come up with phoney points of order and phoney—
Nisga'A Final Agreement Act December 13th, 1999
Madam Speaker, in the five minutes that remain, I do not have enough time to complete the speech that I had outlined here which indicated the great economic benefits that come from the certainty of having the Nisga'a treaty in place in British Columbia.
There are two major sources of economic uncertainty in British Columbia. One is the unfortunate policies of the provincial NDP government. The other is the fact that aboriginal title in so many parts of the province is uncertain. This treaty is a major step in the right direction in dealing with that second uncertainty. I strongly welcome it on behalf of all those who are interested in B.C.'s economic future.
The opportunity to speak is fast evaporating. However, I would like to suggest that it has been known since the very beginning by non-Nisga'a that this was an injustice done to the Nisga'a people. Let me refer to my own family history.
My grandfather, born in 1880, was a small boy at the time of the 1887 arrival in Victoria of the Tsimsean and the Nisga'a people who came to plead for the land. Later, when I was much his age, he told me based on his experiences and his time in northern British Columbia of that injustice. At that time, when I was a small boy, he persuaded me—an easy job—that in fact there was an injustice to right. I must say how proud I am after all this time that I am here in the House with the privilege of being the last speaker in this debate as the senior minister for British Columbia, pointing out that we will now right that injustice done all those years ago.
Many things have been said about this treaty in the heat of debate which hon. members of the official opposition will not only regret but will be deeply ashamed of in the years to come. They know that if we do not settle this treaty now, which has been discussed, debated and argued in meeting after meeting throughout the province, in the legislature of British Columbia in its longest ever debate, in this House for hour after hour, then it is a case of going directly to the courts.
There is no opportunity for starting the negotiations again. They hold that out as a hope that somehow negotiations will take place and will result in the Nisga'a giving up some of the things they have negotiated for and fairly won in this treaty process.
If we do not wish to go back to court and have these matters determined by the courts alone but to have them determined instead by fair discussion, debate and honest analysis of one another's positions, as has taken place, then we had better approve this treaty. That is the crux of the Nisga'a treaty that is before us today.
The treaty is fair and practical. It will contribute to peace and prosperity in British Columbia. It will facilitate long awaited reconciliation that has been sought for over a century.
As the justices in the Delgamuukw decision said, we are all here to stay so we—
Nisga'A Final Agreement Act December 13th, 1999
Madam Speaker, I was recognized by you as starting my concluding speech for the last 10 minutes of the debate.
Nisga'A Final Agreement Act December 13th, 1999
Madam Speaker, with this legislation we have one of those welcomed occasions when two worthy goals can be reached at the same time; on the one hand, pragmatic economics to help the economy of British Columbia, and on the other, the regaining of a people's dignity. These two are bound together in this one piece of legislation. We will vote on it in one vote.