House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 38% of the vote.
Trade February 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, clearly this issue is a matter of food safety for Canadians. It is not related to our dispute with Brazil.
We would find it most regrettable if certain Brazilian companies, prior to receiving the report from our experts currently in Brazil, would threaten to boycott Canadian products.
Trade February 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the minister has repeatedly made very clear that Canada is in full support of an open and transparent process.
We have received a number of written submissions from NGOs. We continue to receive daily submissions from various stakeholder groups and Canadians in response to our website. Canada will ensure that our position is only taken after full consultation with all Canadians.
Trade February 13th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the government is firmly committed to an open and transparent process leading to an FTAA.
The government is actively seeking input from NGOs, stakeholders and all interested Canadians. We continue to receive written submissions and daily comments on our website. The government is taking great pains to ensure that our negotiating position will reflect the views of Canadians.
Trade February 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, first, as the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has already said, Canada's position is very clear. There is absolutely no link whatsoever between the beef ban and the dispute over airplanes with Brazil.
May I remind the House that the WTO found that Brazil had failed to live up to the WTO rules.
Summit Of The Americas February 8th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the member should know that there has been a collective process put in place to receive written submissions from different civil organizations in the province of Quebec.
Indeed every day on our website the comments of Canadians are welcome. Canada is again showing leadership in encouraging other countries to welcome the participation of their civil societies.
Lumber Industry February 2nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that various ministers comment on files from time to time, but the goal of Canada is very clear. It is free trade in lumber with the United States.
The hon. member might be aware that there will be a meeting on Monday in Ottawa of federal-provincial trade ministers. There will be an opportunity to pursue the various concerns that he has raised today.
Lumber Industry February 2nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, to answer the hon. member's question, it is quite clear who is in charge of international trade for the government. It is the Minister for International Trade.
The goal of Canada is quite clear as it relates to softwood lumber. It is to achieve free trade in lumber with the United States. That is the surest way to establish fairness for all provinces.
As soon as the trade representative is confirmed in the United States, the minister will be seeking a very early meeting with him to pursue this file and many others.
Northern Ireland October 6th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, Dr. Clifford Shearing, a University of Toronto criminologist, was a valued member of the Patten commission that recommended important reforms to the policing service in Northern Ireland.
Dr. Shearing recently expressed his grave concerns about the current failure of the British government to focus on the main points of the Patten report. The central theme of the report is the need to establish a holistic approach to policing in Northern Ireland.
He further warned that the report cannot be cherry-picked but must be implemented in full if it is to win the confidence and support of both communities in Northern Ireland. An impartial police force acceptable to both communities is a sine qua non for success in the peace process.
I join with Dr. Shearing in calling upon the Government of Britain to implement in full both the letter and the spirit of the Patten report on policing in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland September 20th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Peter Mandelson, the British secretary of state for Northern Ireland, met with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and several parliamentary groups.
Could the parliamentary secretary explain to the House the efforts that Canada has been making to the peace process in Northern Ireland, including its efforts to reform policing in that part of Ireland?
Committees Of The House June 14th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs. The subject of this report is the procurement of military equipment.
I would like to note that the report has been unanimously supported by all members in all parties. It makes some 38 recommendations calling for improvement of the procurement process with which the government is involved.
I want thank all members for their hard work on this particular study which took many months. We had very diligent help from our staff, from our committee clerk and, in particular, from our researcher, Corinne McDonald, who was seized with this report and helped to put most of it together. I also want to thank my colleague, the hon. member for Haliburton—Victoria—Brock, who chaired a number of meetings in my absence on parliamentary business.
We are very pleased with this report. It notes that there are some definite shortcomings in the procurement process. It lays out very specific proposals and how that can be improved. We await with alacrity the response from the government.