Grant Hill

[Supply, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Chair, that response was terse and straightforward and I thank the minister.

Let me change subjects for a moment. Joanne Meyer, an individual that the minister's predecessor hired, was hired in suspicious circumstances. We had a report from the minister that did not answer the central question. I would like to ask her now, why was Joanne Meyer not hired under her own company instead of being hired under a car restoration firm?

[Supply, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Chair, I would like to return to the issue of the former finance minister and his speech about the health accord. I am going to read a quote from that individual. He stated “In terms of health care, we have not dealt with waiting lists. I think we have to deal with that”. This was talking specifically about the accord.

I want to know from the minister in relatively short terms, does she agree with that statement that the accord does not deal with waiting lists?

[Supply, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Chair, let me give the minister a little test and see if she can respond to that.

Does the minister agree with the labelling of alcoholic bottles to prevent FAS, yes or no?

[Supply, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Chair, I would like to ask for a ruling from you. The last time we participated in a debate such as this, there was a convention that the question, if it were about a minute, the response would be about a minute. If the question was very short and technical, some latitude would be given.

Could you rule as to whether we are dealing under the same circumstances tonight?

[Supply, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Chair, I did try to keep my question brief and hoped for a brief answer. Maybe if I ask a longer question I could get a short answer. Let me ask about one other issue. I am going to change topics here. One of the things that brought me to Parliament is that physicians in Canada pay GST and cannot deduct it. Does the minister think that that is fair?

[Supply, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Chair, I would like to try to focus these questions and ask a relatively simple question so that the minister will not have to go on at length. The former finance minister said that loss of medical personnel to the states was not the biggest problem; it was in fact loss in Canada, with the Maritimes losing positions and nurses to other parts of the country. Does the minister agree with that statement?

[Perth—Middlesex, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize our Canadian Alliance candidate, Marion Meinen, and her team of volunteers.

In the Perth—Middlesex byelection they spent countless hours putting forward issues that are very important to Canadians and I want to thank each one of them for their hard work and effort.

I also want to congratulate Canada's newest member of Parliament, Gary Schellenberger, who won the election with 32% of the voters supporting he and his party.

The biggest loser in this election was the former finance minister. Despite winning this seat in the previous three elections, the Liberal vote dropped by over 10% of the popular vote with his impending coronation. Voters wanted a change, so they left the Liberal Party and went to the NDP.

There is a lesson here. Witness a new trend. That trend: vote splitting on the left.

[Question No. 193, May 9th, 2003]

With respect to the Canadian firearms program, what is the total amount reimbursed by the Department of Justice to each of the following departments and agencies since April 1, 1994: ( a ) Sollicitor General of Canada; ( b ) Correctional Service Canada; ( c ) Human Resources Development Canada; ( d ) Office of the Information Commissioner; ( e ) Office of the Privacy Commissioner; ( f ) National Parole Board; ( f ) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; ( g ) Public Works and Government Services Canada; ( h ) Canada Customs and Revenue Agency; ( i ) Treasury Board Secretariat; and ( j ) Indian Affairs and Northern Development?

[Fisheries, May 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the carnations in the House are for multiple sclerosis. That response was more like atherosclerosis.

The fisheries minister talks of consultation yet he acts through confrontation. His actions have prompted Newfoundland's fisheries minister to announce that Newfoundland is considering taking Ottawa to court over the cod moratorium and to make more policies at home.

I will again ask the fisheries minister, will he start devolving more responsibility for fisheries to the provinces where they can handle it properly?

[Fisheries, May 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the fisheries minister yesterday invited me to go to the east coast to meet with the ministers of the five provinces involved in the crab fishery to find a solution.

I would like to tell him that is supposed to be his job. Last month the Ontario minister of health went to Geneva as the federal minister sat here and watched and today we have the New Brunswick premier going to Shippagan as the fisheries minister sits here.

When will federal ministers start taking responsibility for their blunders?