Lost his last election, in 2004, with 34% of the vote.
Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act November 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I found myself running down here literally after hearing the remarks of a colleague of this place. We have shared this House for some 11 years this month.
When the member for windbag, or rather Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys got up to speak—
Speech From The Throne October 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I just read over the hon. member's amendment to the amendment. After the words “airline industry” he wants to insert the words “and give Canadians some indication of its vision of Canada's airline industry in the 21st century”.
Could the hon. member tell me whether or not he is aware of the process the government and in fact all parties of the House of Commons are going through at this very moment?
The transport committee of the House of Commons is an all-party parliamentary committee. Members of all parties of the House sit on it. In fact his colleague sits as the critic on the committee. It has already begun its work. It is the only committee of the House of Commons to get moving on its work.
Yesterday we had our first meeting. As early as Monday afternoon we are meeting with an agenda. From all indications from my colleagues on the committee, as well as the critic for the member's party, the airline issue is probably the issue the committee will be seized with immediately.
There will be input from the Standing Committee on Transport in the form of a report. We all hope that it will be a unanimous report back to the House of Commons as soon as possible but within the limitations given us to do the job.
The member indicates that he is looking to the government to provide vision. There are members on this side of the House who are concerned. They are bringing their concerns to the attention of our internal economic development committee chaired by the member for Stoney Creek, and that will move forward.
Is the hon. member aware of all these different things that are going on, including the Competition Bureau which will make representation to the minister by the end of the month in the form of a report? The Minister of Transport is being seized with this issue and is getting all this input. I wonder if the member can acknowledge that all this work is being done.
The Economy June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as we return to our constituencies today we can all pride ourselves on having made Canada yet a better country in which to live. We have adopted legislation to invest in children, to rebuild our economy, to strengthen our health care system and to reduce taxes.
Make no mistake, our efforts are paying off. Canadians are seeing the benefits of our government's sound fiscal and social policies. This morning's Hamilton Spectator reports that Canada's economy has grown at an annual rate of 4.2% in the past three months, well ahead of our U.S. neighbours. Fueled by the news of our outstanding economic performance, the Canadian dollar rose by nearly half a cent yesterday.
Thanks to the sacrifices made by my constituents and all Canadians, thanks to the leadership of the right hon. Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and to this government's policies of balanced budgets, low inflation, low interest rates and job creation, we all benefit from our strong economy.
Criminal Code May 28th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough seeks to amend Bill C-79, in particular the proposed section 722.2, which is found in clause 18.
This section in issue will require the judge before sentencing to ask the prosecutor, a victim or any person representing a victim whether the victim has been advised of the opportunity to prepare a victim impact statement. This provision is exactly what the standing committee unanimously recommended. It is based on concerns raised by victims and victim advocates, and these are persons and organizations with strong roots in and around my hometown of Hamilton, that victims often do not know about the opportunity to make a victim impact statement.
The hon. member's motion would reword the provision so that the judge would make this inquiry only where the victim exists. Let us be clear about this, only where the victim exists. I plead with the hon. member for Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough to think through the purpose of this amendment.
Surely where there is no victim, the judge will not waste his or her time asking whether the victim has been advised of the opportunity to make a victim impact statement. For example, in sentencing an accused for impaired driving where no one is injured, there is no property loss, no victim other than society, the judge would not make this inquiry. Clearly there would be no victim impact statement where there is no victim.
By inserting the words “where the victim exists” we are suggesting that for example in the case of a murder where the victim is deceased the survivors would not be considered as victims in order to make a victim impact statement. While I do not think this is really the hon. member's intention, this would be the result of this particular amendment.
The family members of homicide victims are indeed victims in their own right and the Criminal Code recognizes them as victims for the purpose of submitting victim impact statements. The proposed amendment would only cause confusion and concern among surviving family members that they would be denied both information and the opportunity to prepare a victim impact statement.
Whatever the purpose of this amendment is, let us be clear, it is not necessary. The Criminal Code does not define victim. Rather Bill C-79 clarifies that victim includes the victim of an alleged offence. Common sense and understanding dictate who is a victim. Where there is no victim of an offence, there will be no need or obligation on the judge to inquire whether the victim has been informed.
If this motion is intended to restrict the obligation on judges to make this inquiry for only certain crimes or certain types of victims, it does not achieve its objective.
The amendment clearly cannot be supported. One, it does not reflect what the standing committee recommended unanimously. Two, it does not reflect what victims of crime and victim service providers have told us. Three and maybe most important, it does not achieve any valid purpose and it will cause confusion in the interpretation of this provision ultimately at the expense of victims of crime. I am certain that the hon. member does not want to see that happen.
Constable Michael Joy May 10th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to a model Canadian and a great constituent from Hamilton West.
Back in 1997, Constable Michael Joy, an officer with the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police Service, received the Star of Courage, the second highest medal of bravery. Earlier today Constable Joy was again at Rideau Hall and became the first officer to be decorated with a second bravery award from His Excellency the Governor General.
These awards from the chancellery add to Constable Joy's numerous recognitions. He was awarded seven St. John's life saving awards, including the Priory of Canada. In 1996 he received the prestigious Ontario Police Medal of Bravery for which he has been nominated a second time. Constable Joy has also been nominated for this year's Canadian Police Association Top Cop Award.
On behalf of all hon. members in this House, I thank Constable Joy, the most decorated officer in Canada, for his dedication to the Hamilton community and to the people of Canada. Mike, thank you. Thank you for continuing to serve with distinction, courage and bravery.
Supply May 3rd, 1999
We have one, but not to your liking.
Angelo Mosca March 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, with the indulgence of this place may I take just a brief moment to recognize the presence in the Speaker's gallery of football hero, Hall of Famer, former Hamilton Tiger Cat great, generous Hamiltonian and a Canadian by choice, Mr. Angelo Mosca, along with his wife Helen, son Nathan and son's friend Stephanie.
Poland March 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago Canada and Poland belonged to opposing military blocs, deploying millions of troops on the two sides of the Berlin wall. Today in a ceremony in Independence, Missouri, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic will make their formal entry into NATO.
Ten years ago the obstacles Poland had to face in the dawn of the post-cold war era seemed insurmountable. Polish citizens had to virtually undo 40 years of history.
Poland is today a perfect example of a thriving and effective democracy. Poland is leading by example in the transformation to free markets among the emerging nations of eastern and central Europe.
Canada has long recognized the potential of the citizens of Poland. Poland is now our most important trading partner in central Europe. Two way trade between our two nations now stands at over $311 million annually, more than double what it was just six years ago.
The over 800,000 Canadians of Polish origin join me in welcoming Canada's newest ally. We commend this government for ensuring that Poland takes its place among the NATO group of nations.
Juno Awards March 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, on March 7, 1999 the great riding of Hamilton West will once again host the Juno Awards. I cannot think of a better place to honour our performers and to show our appreciation for Canada's best musical talent.
Canadian music has never enjoyed more success at home and abroad than right now. Canadian International Music Week, the week leading up to the Junos, allows us to acknowledge Canadian talent in an increasingly competitive world.
The tidal wave of sales and success for Alanis Morissette, Céline Dion, Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, Sarah McLachlan and, dare I say, the True Grit Band certainly have international music industry observers wondering if there is something magical here.
There really is magic on the Canadian music scene. This week we pay tribute not only to those artists who are currently reaching the high notes, but also to hall of famers like Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, Glenn Gould, Buffy Ste. Marie, Maureen Forester—there are just too many to list—and this year's inductee, Luc Plamondon.
We don't need a million dollars to hear the rock, jazz and Canadian folk music live on stage in Hamilton next week.
Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act February 15th, 1999
Madam Speaker, that is the member I was referring to a little earlier.
The member for Kelowna stood in his place with righteous indignation. Did he speak to the issue of the equalization program? No, he did not do that. Did the member for Kelowna or the member for Kootenay—Columbia address the specifics of the equalization program? No. Did members opposite in the Reform Party want days to discuss the equalization program? Yes. Are they going to discuss the issues? No.
The member for Kelowna talks about his party's policy on the equalization program. Maybe the hon. member could save that debate for his united alternative meeting this weekend because there is a policy on equalization in the country and it is working terrifically well. It has been examined for two years by federal and provincial representatives. Does the member want to attack the issue at hand? Does he want to look at all the points that are important to the equalization program? No, he does not. To his constituents in Kelowna I apologize on behalf of the member.
I understand my time is up. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the debate and to show how government members are trying to articulate the importance of this cornerstone of the federation.