House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 52% of the vote.
Computers For Schools February 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, it has already started. Last Friday in Winnipeg at Grant Park secondary school the Prime Minister delivered the 50,000th computer. The Minister of Industry in fact has challenged the business community to provide 250,000 computers to schools and libraries by the year 2000.
Computers for schools, with the help of organizations such as Telephone Pioneers, has collected, repaired, upgraded, packaged and delivered $25 million worth of computers to schools throughout the country.
Ways And Means December 9th, 1997
moved a ways and means motion to amend the Income Tax Act, the Income Tax Application Rules, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Canada Pension Plan, the Children's Special Allowances Act, the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, the Cultural Property Export and Import Act, the Customs Act, the Customs Tariff, the Employment Insurance Act, the Excise Tax Act, the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, the Income Tax Conventions Interpretation Act, the Old Age Security Act, the Tax Court of Canada Act, the Tax Rebate Discounting Act, the Unemployment Insurance Act, the Western Grain Transition Payments Act and certain acts related to the Income Tax Act, laid upon the table on Monday, December 8, be concurred in.
Small Business December 3rd, 1997
Monsieur le Président, il y a plusieurs programmes qui fonctionnent bien.
One of the better programs is the community futures development program. In the last fiscal year it provided over 2,000 loans, created more than 6,000 jobs and provided information on loans, counselling and business plans to over 250,000 western Canadians. This is a loans program which is operated by local people, many of whom are volunteers. And Mr. Speaker, it works.
Supply November 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I think everyone, including my colleagues from Quebec, know that I have enormous respect for Quebec. I always have. I speak French. I wear my culture with pride. I always have. I did not convert after I entered political life. It is not a matter of respect. Both I and my colleagues have respect.
What is happening today? It is true that the party that moved this motion does not have a glorious past on this issue. But there are members of this party who are trying. Trying to do what? To consult. To have Canadians understand what this is about. So, obviously I will support such a process. Why not? Why not give a chance to this new member, who could perhaps enlighten some of his colleagues who are not so enlightened, if we are to judge by the speeches today. We are talking about consultations.
I also asked this party about its position on the Calgary declaration. Ours is very clear. We support the consultation and we support Quebec's unique character. This is the party that introduced the motion we voted on in support of Quebec's distinct nature. Have people forgotten that? This is the party that did so.
Supply November 25th, 1997
But allow me to continue. “In Canada's federal system”—and I will end on that point—“where respect for diversity and equality underlies unity, the unique character of Quebec society, including its French-speaking majority, its culture and its tradition of civil law, is fundamental to the well-being of Canada”.
I could go on, but unfortunately I am being interrupted. How undemocratic, don't you think?
Supply November 25th, 1997
What an effort you are making to show how openminded you are, dear colleague.
Supply November 25th, 1997
Oh, what an effort you are making to understand.
Supply November 25th, 1997
Yes, one person only. Let us take one person in one province only and let us pretend he knows the truth.
Supply November 25th, 1997
I heard someone say that these are just words. It is unfortunate that the member cannot read and understand the declaration. This is the problem. He did not take time to read the declaration or to understand it.
Supply November 25th, 1997
This is what is not understood by a number of political parties, including the members who are yelling.
Again, the declaration states that respect for diversity and equality underlies unity, but equality does not mean uniformity. To reconcile the principle of equality with the great value of diversity, Canada can count on a political system which, thanks to its flexibility, promotes the enrichment of our collective heritage. No other example better illustrates this reality than the recognition of Quebec's unique character.
But what is this unique character?