House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 35% of the vote.
Immigration Appeal Board December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, today the auditor general released a scathing indictment of the Immigration Appeal Board. The auditor general says there are serious difficulties with all stages of the refugee claim process.
My question to the Minister of Immigration: 20,000 people have been ordered deported. Only 4,000 have been deported. What is the government doing to speed up the process to get rid of these 16,000 people who have been ordered deported?
Questions On The Order Paper November 26th, 1997
With regard to permits issued by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, (a) how many were issued for each of the years from 1993 to 1997 (to date); (b) what constitutes a “compelling reason” for issuing such a permit; (c) what is the most often cited reason for issuing such a permit for each of the years 1993 to 1997 (to date); ( d ) does the Minister personally review every case where a ministerial permit has been issued; (e) who, other than the Minister, has authority to issue such a permit; ( f ) what is the nature and extent of background checks on those individuals who receive permits; (g) how many ministerial permits have beem renewed at their expiry date since 1993; (h) for what average period of time have these renewals been extended; and (i) how many individuals who have received such permits have been living in Canada longer than ten years?
Canadian Wheat Board Act November 19th, 1997
Madam Speaker, on a point of order, one of the most elemental rules in this House is that we speak in the third person rather than straight across the floor.
Immigration Act November 18th, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-281, an act to amend the Immigration Act (removal of those convicted of serious criminal offence).
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to provide for the removal from Canada of any immigrant or person seeking immigrant status who is convicted of a serious criminal offence in Canada. If the order for removal is sought by the crown, it is mandatory.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Privacy Act November 5th, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-275, an act to amend the Privacy Act.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to vest the privacy commissioner with the power to determine whether personal information should be disclosed by a government institution under subsection 2(1) of the Privacy Act. The power is currently exercised by the head of such an institution, namely a cabinet minister.
This bill will ensure that ministers cannot hide behind the Privacy Act for political reasons.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Visas November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is for the same minister. Does the minister know today where the triad gang leader is? Has her department issued a deportation order against the triad leader and his family?
Visas November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Yesterday, former ambassador Joe Bissett issued his report into a Los Angeles visa office with regard to the issuing of a visa to a known triad gang leader. The report contained 11 recommendations.
Can the minister advise the House and all Canadians if she agrees with those recommendations? When will she enact those recommendations not only in Los Angeles but in all visa offices around the world?
Immigration October 28th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I think the prime minister was right. There is 16% youth unemployment in the country right now.
Will the minister admit that she is wrong and revise the immigration levels?
Immigration October 28th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Last Thursday the minister justified increasing current immigration levels contending that the Canadian economy was growing, inflation was down, interest rates were low and hundreds of thousands of new jobs had been created.
The same day the prime minister asked the United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce “to take our jobless youth off our hands and hire them as interns”.
Who is right on Canada's ability to absorb more immigrants, the minister or the prime minister?
Immigration Act October 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-261, an act to amend the Immigration Act and the Criminal Code (refugee or immigrant applicants convicted of an offence on indictment).
Mr. Speaker, the enactment deals with persons who commit offences in Canada while applying to remain in Canada as refugees, or to come into or remain in Canada as immigrants.
It provides that a court that sentences such a person for an indictable offence is empowered to order the person removed from Canada. Such a person is not thereafter entitled to bail pending an appeal or to be released in Canada by any form of early release or unescorted temporary absence but may only be released outside Canada.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)