Lost his last election, in 2004, with 39% of the vote.
Supply May 23rd, 2002
The hon. member talks about missed moments. He was not a member of the House when some of these things happened, but what about the missed moment when his party made a flip flop over pensions and Stornoway? What about the missed moment with respect to his party leader's car and driver or the well kept secret of his clothing and vacation allowance? What about the $50,000 to get another member to vacate his--
Supply May 23rd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I listened with a lot of interest to the hon. member across the way from Port Moody--Coquitlam--Port Coquitlam. He started out well at the beginning of his speech but flamed out at the end. This is the same member who once spoke in the House about bringing back capital punishment to take care of terrorists who fly airplanes into buildings.
Supply May 7th, 2002
Mr. Chairman, I wanted to ask a question about the frigates but I think I will move to the submarines and the purchase of them. I want to know whether one of the modifications will be to change the steering wheel from the right hand side to the left hand side.
I know the United States and the U.K. are very interested in ASW and in training on their nuclear powered submarines once we get our diesel electrics operational because they are quiet. Could the minister indicate whether Britain will move as fast as possible to ensure that we get these submarines in service that are over there along with their own?
Supply May 7th, 2002
Mr. Chairman, the member across the way who has been talking has been asking about something, and that is what I am going to ask about. There is one thing I want to clarify right off the bat. The way the opposition has gone on about the Sea King helicopters one would think that we are the only country in the world that is using Sea King helicopters. I would like the minister to clarify that.
Also, I was out in Halifax two years ago. I was on HMCS Fredericton . I had an extensive tour of that frigate and I will ask a question about that in a few minutes.
Yes, the frames on the Sea Kings are old, but my understanding is that the mechanics within them have been upgraded. I would like him to clarify that.
Supply May 7th, 2002
Mr. Chairman, last August I had a chance to be out at the Edmonton garrison. At that time we did an extensive tour. I took a look at the equipment that was available out there: the Coyote, the LAV III and the Bison. We also had a chance to take a look at the upgraded Leopard C2 tank. I even had a chance to ask a lot of the soldiers out there how they were able to stand up against the Americans in war games and got an extensive briefing on how smoothbore and rifle-bore tanks performed and how our tanks performed against their Abrams.
After all the things I heard, quite frankly I am very confused that we have heard statements like, for instance, how Canadian forces are going to face a mass extinction of capable fighting force within 15 years. I saw a contradiction to that statement out at the Edmonton garrison. I wonder if the minister would clarify that.
Firefighters' Pensions May 2nd, 2002
moved:
That the government consider the advisability of increasing the pension accrual rate for firefighters to allow them to retire with adequate financial provisions for their retirement.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Whitby--Ajax for her support on this issue
I am pleased to pick up where we left off on October 16, 2000. That is when we last discussed this issue. Motion No. 326 asks the government to consider increasing the pension accrual rate for firefighters to allow them the kind of retirement incomes that other Canadians enjoy.
Firefighters are very special people. On any given day they may put their lives on the line for the rest of us. The tragedy of September 11 underlined dramatically the enormous risks that these heroes face everyday. Everyone has heard of many brave firefighters who rushed into the burning twin towers to give their lives and save the lives of others.
We do not always hear about the exposure to burning buildings, hazardous chemicals and toxic vapours that firefighters face on a daily basis. My own life was touched by tragedy at a young age when we had a fire on our farm. I have since been committed to getting a fair deal for firefighters.
Because of these hazards firefighters have a higher mortality and adverse occupational health rates than the rest of us. Statistics show that they die sooner, often with work related diseases. The regulations of the Income Tax Act already take this into account by classifying professional firefighters as a public safety occupation and allowing them to retire at age 55. This is commendable, but the job is only partly done.
Professional firefighters need to build up a pension income at a faster rate than other occupations if they are to retire at 55 with a reasonable standard of living. We owe them that. Firefighters have calculated that they need an accrual rate of 2.33% instead of 2% to make up for the shorter contribution time. This is allowed under present laws and regulations, but firefighters are asking it be spelled out for public safety occupations. This would explicitly recognize that the retirement age of 55 makes their situation different.
I support the firefighters' proposal for a 2.33% accrual rate. However, the motion is deliberately worded in a way to provide the government, in particular the Department of Finance, the flexibility to arrive at the best solution for firefighters and for all Canadians.
These measures would be a minimal cost to the federal government. They would not force changes to provincial or municipal pension plans, and would only provide a mechanism where these changes could come through the normal collective bargaining process. As I said, the job is only partly done and we need to finish it.
I am pleased that the motion received broad cross-party support when I first debated it on October 16, 2000. I understand it enjoys the same cross-party support today. As parliamentarians we need to send a clear and united signal to the government that we are proud of our firefighters and that they deserve to retire with an appropriate income.
I would ask that members wishing to speak to the motion keep their remarks short. If we were to collapse debate at the end of this hour, we could bring this matter to a vote today. It has been nearly two years since we last debated this matter in the House. We should wrap this up today in the spirit of good cross-party co-operation so that our firefighters do not have to wait for another two years or more for this to come up again.
Petitions April 24th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my third petition is the one of a continuing series of petitions I have been presenting to the House regarding the census.
The petitioners ask he government to release the 1911 census information. I have presented over 3,000 names in the House and over 14,000 names have been presented across the country.
Petitions April 24th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my second petition is an amendment to the Employment Insurance Act.
The petition calls for children under the age of 18 attending full time secondary school and working part time to be exempt from payroll deductions of employment insurance.
Petitions April 24th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have three petitions I will introduce in the House.
The first is on labelling.
National Horse of Canada Act April 22nd, 2002
moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured once again to speak to Bill S-22 which would recognize the breed known as the Canadien horse as the national horse of Canada.
I hope that hon. members saw for themselves what a beautiful horse this is when we brought some horses to the Hill last Wednesday. This sturdy but gentle and intelligent breed is an animal that we can all love and be proud of. It would make a perfect symbol for all of Canada. I have spoken extensively at second reading so I will keep my remarks short today to give other members a chance to wrap the bill up today.
Why the Canadien horse? This is the only breed uniquely developed in Canada. All other breeds are imports. The breed which was developed in Canada is different than its European ancestors and has adapted to the harsh Canadian conditions. This is uniquely our horse.
It played a role throughout Canadian history since it first came from the stables of Louis XIV in the mid-1600s. Not only was it important for centuries in new France, but it helped open up other parts of Canada including the maritimes, Ontario, and western Canada. As a few hon. members discovered the hard way, the horse has developed many devoted fans in western Canada who are prepared to defend with facts the claim that the Canadien horse also has deep roots in the west.
It helped shape our history by carrying Canadian troops in battle during several wars. The Canadien horse provided genetic stock for a number of other major North American horse breeds. Its recognition therefore is a boost to the equine industry as a whole. This horse has twice almost come to extinction, with less than 400 in the 1970s surviving. National recognition would increase its popularity with the breeders, ensuring the survival of this heritage breed.
Other countries recognize national horse breeds: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Scotland, Ireland and Denmark, just to name a few. We too should be proud of what is ours and what is uniquely Canadian.
I have been impressed by the way that this little iron horse has brought together Canadians from all parts of the country and of most political persuasions as well. I have support throughout the House for the bill. I have heard from horse breeders and horse lovers from east to west. They have been in touch with each other in this effort.
Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of sharing a carriage ride with the hon. member for Nanaimo--Cowichan. Other members also set aside partisan differences to share their enthusiasm for this horse. Last Wednesday's event on the Hill was jointly sponsored by members of parliament from the four other parties in the House. Indeed I credit many of my opposition colleagues for the bill's success so far.
In the spirit of cross party co-operation, I hope that the bill is passed tout de suite.