Lost his last election, in 2004, with 36% of the vote.
Committees of the House June 17th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, an interim report entitled “Commercial Vehicles Hours of Service” from the Standing Committee on Transport.
We would like a response from the government within the usual 150 day period.
Billy Bishop June 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, last Sunday in Owen Sound I attended the 85th anniversary of the awarding of the Victoria Cross to William Avery Bishop. If we fail to respect our heroes, we have no past, no present and no future. Attending the ceremonies were Arthur Bishop, Billy's son, and his granddaughter Diana Bishop.
During World War I Billy flew several sorties that were defining moments in the war. For this he was awarded the Victoria Cross. When I was mayor of Owen Sound in 1987 we built an airport and we dedicated it in his name so that his memory could live on. In our cemetery we have David Currie, Billy Bishop and Thomas Holmes, all Victoria Cross recipients.
May they rest in peace because they were great heroes for our country and our democracy.
Committees of the House May 29th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations with regard to the estimates for 2002-03.
Education May 28th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise in the House to congratulate a young constituent of mine from my riding of Bruce--Grey--Owen Sound who received a national millennium scholarship.
Greg Dietrich, who attends Walkerton District Secondary School will be graduating and will be attending the University of Guelph where he will be studying animal science. He also expects to go on to be a doctor or be in the field of science on genetics.
This is one of those times that as a former teacher I would like to be back in school to watch the faces of those graduates, their parents and their great teachers as they bring forth this next crop of young Canadians.
On behalf of the House and all members of parliament I would like to congratulate all graduating students right across this country from coast to coast to coast for a job well done.
Ross Mackenzie Whicher April 29th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a former colleague of this House, Ross MacKenzie Whicher, who passed away a week ago last Friday in Wiarton.
Ross served as mayor of the town of Wiarton, MPP, and MP for Bruce. He was a great citizen and made a great contribution to his community, and those of us who knew him loved him.
J.F. Kennedy once said that for those of us who serve much is asked and much is done, but if we are to be judged in that high court of history by people about what we contributed to our society we will be judged by the answer to one of four questions: Were we men or women of courage, dedication, integrity or judgment? For Ross Whicher the answers to those questions are yes, yes, yes and yes.
Ross loved the House and he loved Hansard , and wherever he is at this time I give him the old Irish blessing: “May it rain upon your crops, may the sun shine upon your face--”
Canadian Heritage February 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Recently the Historic Sites and Monuments Board turned down a very important application to have Victoria Cross member Billy Bishop's home in my riding of Bruce--Grey--Owen Sound designated as a place of national historic significance.
Why is it that we Canadians do not respect our heroes and honour them?
I would like to ask the Minister of Canadian Heritage what she is doing to correct that situation.
Committees of the House December 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as the chair of the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations, I have the honour to present the ninth report of the standing committee entitled “Building a Transportation Security Culture: Aviation as the Starting Point”.
At the outset, I would like to thank all the members of the parliamentary committee, as well as the staff, June Dewetering and John Christopher, and Paul Cardegna, the clerk of the committee.
Pursuant to Standing Order No. 109, the committee would like a comprehensive response to the report.
The core of the report says that we should have a new transportation act which has as its focus a secretary of state for transportation security. Within that framework, all the elements such as immigration, customs, police officers and all the stakeholders, including the air carriers and the staff of the air carriers, will work extremely hard to make sure that our airlines are safe.
It was a wake–up call on September 11 when an aircraft was used as a cruise missile. We do not ever want our aircraft to be not secure. Included in the recommendations are a stronger cockpit door with ISO standards, up to date screening systems, with the appropriate sniffing devices, using dogs, and improved technology, a better list—
Committees of the House December 5th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the eighth report of the committee.
Pursuant to its order of reference of Friday, November 20, the committee has considered Bill C-44, an act to amend the Aeronautics Act and reports the bill with amendment.
As well, pursuant to its order of reference of Friday, November 20, the committee has considered Bill C-43, an act to amend certain acts and instruments and to repeal the Fisheries Prices Support Act and reports the bill, in both official languages, with amendment.
Committees of the House December 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations and in accordance with the order of reference of Tuesday, November 20, I have the honour to present the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations on Bill S-33, an act to amend the Carriage by Air Act.
Your committee has studied the bill and is reporting it without amendment.
Children November 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as a father, grandfather, teacher and MP I can say that children are indeed our most precious gift. That is why the Government of Canada invests so much in children.
Children need a clean environment, pure air, clean water, nutritious food and a healthy home environment. That is why the Prime Minister mentioned in the throne speech that the family and children were a priority for the government, particularly in regard to their environment, and that we would work on it not only locally at home but also overseas.
The Prime Minister appointed Senator Landon Pearson as a special envoy to children. She was supposed to go to New York before the September 11 incidents to meet with some 50 other countries. We have the National Children's Agenda and the Early Childhood Development Agreement with the provincial ministers of some $7.8 billion, great investments in our young people.
Through Health Canada, Environment Canada and Human Resources Development Canada we will work together to make sure our children have the best nutrition, the best families and the best environment so that Canada will continue to have the best citizens in the world.