House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 44% of the vote.
International Cooperation November 3rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, this morning CIDA launched the 2004 Butterfly 208, creative art and essay contest. This is an important initiative of the agency to increase youth involvement in international development.
Could the Minister for International Cooperation inform the House how her department encourages young people to learn about global and international development issues and find ways to make a difference in the world?
Centres of Excellence November 3rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted that a new Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada, ArcticNet, has been established. This will help focus the fine polar research which is being carried out by Canadians. I am also pleased that a new research icebreaker, Amundsen , is now operational. It has begun its first scientific mission, an international study of the changing Arctic Ocean.
Projects like these bring hope to everyone interested in the polar regions.
Our thanks to the Ministers of Industry and Fisheries and Oceans, Université Laval, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and others involved with this work.
I urge the government to maintain this momentum in polar research.
Committees of the House October 30th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 51st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which contains a proposed conflict of interest code for members of Parliament.
I also have the honour to present the 52nd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs which describes the committee's work on the conflict of interest code and which also includes a dissenting opinion from the Canadian Alliance.
I would like to thank the members of the committee and the staff who have worked many months on the conflict of interest code. This has not been an easy matter. It is something that is very important for the House and I am most grateful to the staff and all members for their work.
Committees of the House October 29th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 50th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
Committees of the House October 29th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 50th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the provision standing orders governing private members' business.
If the House gives it consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 50th report later this day.
Insurance Industry October 28th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, a few months ago I asked the Secretary of State for International Financial Institutions to launch national public hearings into the state of the insurance industry. Since then, things have gone from bad to worse in all insurance fields.
On behalf of the realtors of Canada, especially those in Peterborough, I now ask the secretary of state if he will initiate federal hearings into the declining availability and the rising cost of property insurance.
Tecumseh October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, to many Canadians, Chief Tecumseh is an heroic ally who played an essential role in saving Upper Canada. Americans view him as an honourable enemy who fought bravely to defend his people. When the Americans invaded Canada, Tecumseh fielded 800 warriors in support of the British. The U.S. invasion was a disaster. In 1813, during the battle of the Thames, Tecumseh was killed while refusing to retreat from the foe.
I know that there has been some recognition for Tecumseh in the battlefield area, but surely it is time for a full scale monument to Tecumseh, a tribute to his extraordinary vision, leadership abilities and loyalty to his land and his people.
In the United States, recently there has been a movement to recognize both sides in the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
In this case, recognition of Tecumseh at the place of his death and of the contribution of the first nations people in the War of 1812 is long overdue.
Supply October 23rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We do not name members in joke or otherwise, or in quotations.
Supply October 23rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, I admire the work of the member for Roberval. I have watched him here in various roles. He knows this place as well as any of us. He also knows that this is a very complicated and very important operation, costing roughly $1 billion a working day. It is part of a complex federal system. The changeover from one government to another is not a simple process.
In the United States where it is even more complex, it takes at least one year in eight, sometimes one year in four, for the changeover. It involves an elaborate electoral process, then a swearing in ceremony, then a period of time for the changeover.
The member knows that the change here is already going on. The bureaucracy is preparing for the change. The House is preparing for the change. For example, it is only 11:30 and we have already dealt with two bills this morning. Psychologically across the country, preparations are being made. The change is actually going on.
I suspect, and I am disappointed in the member for this, that behind the motion there is a personal concern about the present Prime Minister. After 40 years in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister deserves more respect than he is getting this morning from the motion.
Committees of the House October 22nd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I move that the 49th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House earlier this day be concurred in.