House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 70% of the vote.
National Security December 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, despite this latest agreement with the U.S. government, our security forces need new resources. We have found out that in this belated budget there is only going to be $600 million of new spending for those resources.
Will there be at least $1 billion in new spending in the belated budget for the RCMP and CSIS?
Terrorism November 30th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the RCMP and every officer in this country who has stood for them while the government cut their funding. The Canadian Alliance stands for them. We hear that the new budget will only have $600 million per year for CSIS and the RCMP.
Will the solicitor general show his power at the cabinet table and get the proper resources for CSIS and the RCMP?
Terrorism November 30th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, let us look at our record in terms of capturing and prosecuting terrorists. Who caught Ahmed Ressam? It was U.S. customs. Who warned us about this Montreal bomber? It was the FBI. Why is our record in capturing and prosecuting terrorists just so dreadful?
Terrorism November 29th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, that is the standard answer from the solicitor general “I can't make a comment because there is an ongoing investigation”.
What is the difference between the U.S. and Canada? The U.S. attorney general stands up and says “These are the number of people that have been detained; these are the number of people that have been charged”, and he names them.
Why can we not reassure the Canadian public that here in Canada something is going on after that terrorist attack? Why not?
Terrorism November 29th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, that is because the bill had nothing to do with these immigrants and refugees without documents.
Earlier this week U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft, who is responsible for both law enforcement and the U.S. immigration and refugee systems, announced publicly the names of all those who have been charged and the numbers of people detained in connection with the September 11 attacks on North America. That is reassuring to the American public.
Will the solicitor general and our immigration minister do exactly the same here in Canada to reassure Canadians that there is something going on after that terrorist attack?
The Budget November 28th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, in the last election there was a lot of talk from these Liberals about Canadian values.
In the months since September 11, it has become clear that one of the great values of all Canadians is their safety and security. In fact, the Liberal dominated finance committee has joined with the official opposition and said that we should increase spending on security and defence.
Again my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. Will we get assurances that they will cut down the wasteful spending and put money toward security and defence?
The Budget November 28th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, then the Liberals had to bring in closure and shut down debate. That was great.
Now that the industry minister's misguided broadband initiative has been pushed aside by the finance minister, it appears that a digital divide has emerged within the cabinet. Canadians frankly want assurances that their priorities will be given higher priority than this government will give.
Will the Deputy Prime Minister promise Canadians that there will be spending cuts in low priority areas rather than a deficit or tax increases? Yes or no.
Anti-terrorism Act November 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I remind the minister that when the Liberals were in opposition they criticized the Tories for bringing in time allocation and closure 21 times. They have brought in this reprehensible process 73 times.
I can understand the minister bringing in time allocation on the bill if we or any opposition party were obstructing the bill. That is not taking place. If parliamentary oversight is so important, could the minister explain why she is shutting down debate so early?
Science and Technology November 26th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the cloning of a human embryo in the U.S. was done specifically to produce embryonic stem cells for the treatment of disease. There are other sources and methods for finding those embryonic cells. Adult cells are much preferable.
Will the minister assure the House that the government policy is to elevate adult stem cell research, instead of going down the road of embryonic stem cell research? Yes or no.
Science and Technology November 26th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister did not answer the question. The question was whether he thought this was right or wrong and he avoided it.
My question is for the health minister. Since the draft legislation has been in front of the health committee for a long period of time, this new aspect of cloning is before us. Will the health minister bring the anti-cloning portion of the bill before the House immediately so we can deal with it now?