Lost their last election, in 2000, with 10% of the vote.
Drugs February 28th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa.
Recently at a summit meeting in Washington, D.C. on the topic of war against illegal drugs, it was noted that in Canada we lose two people every three days to drug overdoses. What is the government doing with its international counterparts to address this serious situation which threatens the health of many young Canadians?
Point Of Order February 23rd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I have constituents who would like me to present a couple of petitions to the House. They think it is very important. I would ask for the unanimous consent to go to presenting petitions.
Municipal Grants Act November 30th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, Portage—Lisgar votes yea.
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Grain Transportation November 30th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, sales of at least 100,000 tonnes of canola to China have been lost because of Canadian transportation problems. Seventy per cent of recent unloads at Vancouver were wheat board grains. Meanwhile, one vessel has been waiting since November 9 for 50,000 tonnes of canola. The railways have 24,500 cars. Why were only 14,000 under load last week?
A recent wheat board poll apparently reveals that farmer support for single desk selling has dropped to approximately 20%. Why does the government not realize that if farmers are smart enough to grow the grain they are also smart enough to sell it and ship it?
Agriculture November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, farmers are suffering the worst cash crunch of the century.
Century farms are going bankrupt. Stress is causing family break-ups. Could the agriculture minister explain why the necessary help is withheld from these farmers under the guise of tough love when they are the most efficient and productive farmers in the world?
Agriculture June 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, for weeks we have been warning the government about the devastating flood crisis in parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The survival of many farms is in serious jeopardy. U.S. farmers hit by this flood will get $100 U.S. for every unseeded acre. Canadian farmers are getting political rhetoric.
The government responded to last year's farm income crisis with a program that is itself a disaster. It is so bad that the Saskatchewan agriculture minister said at a rally in Regina this weekend, “Forget about the forms, forget about everything else. We have seen this thing doesn't work so let's use that as an experience to make it work for everybody”.
Is the government listening? Useless programs and inaction from this government are not going to cut it with western Canadian farmers. They need solutions, not empty promises.
Petitions May 28th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of over 400 Manitobans who pray that parliament will take the necessary measures to ensure that the possession of child pornography remains a serious criminal offence.
The petitioners pray that federal police forces be directed to give priority to enforcing this law for the protection of our children.
Customs Act May 28th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the minister knows very well that I am not asking him to comment on individual cases. I am asking him whether the crown prosecutor is above the law. If not, why is he still prosecuting these farmers?
Customs Act May 28th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, in 1996 the government passed an order in council to close a loophole in the Customs Act that led to the acquittal of David Sawatzky for exporting his own wheat into the U.S. without a wheat board export permit.
Crown prosecutor Clyde Bond categorically stated that the crown would have to appeal the decision in order to prosecute the other 100-plus farmers for the same violation. The government lost that appeal.
Why is this government still prosecuting these 100-plus farmers?
Agriculture May 27th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, right now in southwestern Manitoba farmers are experiencing the devastating flood runoff from torrential rains at the worst possible time.
Already faced with low commodity prices and an unworkable federal aid program, they are seeing their seeding plans deteriorate as more than two million acres are in danger of not being planted. That could put the survival of many farms in serious jeopardy.
Last week I toured some of the affected areas and I was astounded at the seriousness of the situation. Estimates are that 3,000 farmers are affected. In fact, nine municipalities have been declared disaster areas.
If exceptionally warm, dry weather does not occur in the next couple of weeks, the government had better be prepared to step in and help these farmers through this crisis, which threatens to be as devastating as the Red River flood.