Larry Spencer

[Equalization Payments, May 14th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. The minister is constitutionally bound to provide proper equalization payments to the provinces. Saskatchewan has a low PDI and a low GDP and still receives the least in equalization transfers per capita.

In spite of the $120 million pay back, he still owes for excessive clawbacks on oil and gas revenues and other crown lease clawbacks, sometimes as high as two for one on the dollar.

When will he stop robbing us of our resources and failing to adequately fund health care and other services and when can I--

[International Transfer of Offenders Act, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting no.

[Criminal Code, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I vote yes.

[Supply, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting yes.

[Health, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, a Montreal organization called HIV-AIDS Alert has calculated that costs related to AIDS will add $37 billion to our health care costs by 2014. This calculation was based on a study of Health Canada statistics.

Our health care system is on the verge of collapse due to rising costs. In Saskatchewan, health care expenditures represent 40% of total government spending.

A recent Globe and Mail article outlined how the Immigration and Refugee Board processes applicants with AIDS and HIV. An immigration lawyer suggests that of gay applicants those who are HIV positive tend to have a higher rate of acceptance.

Why is the board giving people with infectious diseases priority and preference? The role of the board is to protect Canadians and screen applicants who pose a danger. SARS demonstrated the importance of screening everyone coming to this country who may pose a danger of spreading disease.

Considering this purported preferential treatment for HIV positive applicants, I know that the impact on Canadian health care will test negative.

[Petitions, March 25th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I have another petition with some 400 signatures on it. The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to take the steps necessary in Parliament to modify legislation to ensure that both parents are able to be actively involved in the life of their children after divorce. Many children are totally separated from one parent or the other.

[Petitions, March 25th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present which deal with the same subject. The petitioners calls upon Parliament to take the necessary steps to preserve the definition of marriage as that between a man and a woman.

[Interim Supply, March 22nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to this motion.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[Supplementary Estimates (B), 2003-04, March 22nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I will vote no.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[Supplementary Estimates (B), 2003-04, March 22nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I will vote no.