Lost his last election, in 2004, with 37% of the vote.
Research and Development October 21st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, medals of honour give distinct recognition to the quality of our research scientists and the quality of their work.
Indeed we can take pride that the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council's highest honour, the gold medal, recently went to Dr. Charles Taylor of McGill University. With the $100,000 award that goes with this honour, we can be assured that Dr. Taylor and his team will continue to generate new knowledge for Canada, the world and its citizens.
Veterans Affairs October 8th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, perhaps I should remind the hon. member that Veterans Affairs Canada delivers many programs for veterans, their families and surviving spouses. We spent $1.6 billion on pensions and allowances for veterans and their families, one-third of which went to surviving spouses. We spent $650 million on health care benefits, of which $185 million went to the VIP.
We will continue to do more.
Veterans Affairs October 7th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier here, it was not for lack of will nor for lack of heart. We are committed to resolving this issue. I just would like to say that we extend as well some $185 million for the veterans independence program for the veterans themselves.
Veterans Affairs October 7th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the member continues to maintain interest in the issue, and I am pleased that all members of Parliament continue to maintain an interest in this issue although the member had claimed that this was only his issue. I am very pleased that we have been able to extend to date benefits to the widows, some 10,000 of them.
Veterans Affairs October 2nd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I think we have to remind the hon. member that Canada can take pride that we have taken care of our veterans. Last weekend I met with over 300 Korean war veterans.
I must say in all modesty that they approached me to say, “Thank you, Minister. The Government of Canada is taking care of us”.
Veterans Affairs October 2nd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, let me remind the member of what I have said over the last few days: that we were confronted with six urgent veterans' needs as well. The veterans independence program was one of them. We allocated half of what we have for the VIP, as we announced, and the other half of the total budget that we had at that time for the other five urgent needs of veterans, for their children to get benefits when their parent is killed in the line of duty, to extend in-house benefits for the other veterans and former prisoners of war.
Veterans Affairs October 1st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, as I have earlier explained to this House, we were confronted with six urgent issues that the leadership of the veterans organizations posed to us. We wanted to address those issues. We could not address only one issue. We wish we could have done it as well for all widows. It is the reality of time; it was not for lack of heart.
Veterans Affairs October 1st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we have done a lot for veterans and their families. As I said in debate in this House, this issue will always be in the heart of this minister. It is not for lack of heart. It was the reality of the times in terms of limited resources.
Veterans Affairs October 1st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, when we sat down with the leadership of the veterans organizations, we were facing six urgent veterans issues.
They included: benefits for children of members of the forces killed in the line of duty; Canadian, allied and overseas veterans; and older veterans. As per the latter, we did not want to distinguish between health needs due to infirmities and those due to pension conditions.
One of the issues was the extension of the VIP. We did what we could with what we had.
Veterans Affairs September 30th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, laying wreaths at Remembrance Day is indeed a beautiful Canadian tradition. It shows our continuing respect and tribute to veterans and their comrades for their service to our country.
Indeed, the policy has been changed, but let me assure members that should they wish additional wreaths, they should please send in their requests. There will be no charge for any number of wreaths that they request.