House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 51% of the vote.
National Defence October 29th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Dorey, the current base commander at CFB Greenwood says “There is still the perception that everybody else is flying. There is a perceived pressure to get back flying”.
The defence minister said on Tuesday that Canada has other aircraft to do search and rescue. Why then is the minister willing to put lives at risk by returning the Labradors to active duty when the cause of that crash is not yet known?
National Defence October 29th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, they are going to put substitute crews in but you are not bringing in the new helicopters. You are not bringing in the helicopters that were offered to you from the United States.
National Defence October 29th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the defence minister says that pilots who are not comfortable flying Labradors have been told they do not have to. But retired Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Hopping, a former Labrador pilot and CFB Greenwood base commander, said “It is very difficult as a member of an air crew team to say no, I won't launch an operational mission to save someone's life. What a terrible position to put a professional pilot in”.
How can the minister put these pilots in that position? If one of them gets hurt flying the aging Labradors before the final report comes in as to what happened with that Labrador crash in Quebec, will he accept full responsibility for it?
Apec Inquiry October 28th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, apparently the RCMP recommended that charges be laid against 11 officers with respect to their actions against protesters at last year's APEC summit.
If the RCMP felt that charges should be laid against their officers, who instructed the crown not to proceed? If the crown can instruct charges to be laid when accusations are groundless like Airbus, why were charges not laid here?
The plot thickens. Will the solicitor general tell us what he is going to do?
National Defence October 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, on October 5 the minister said that he did not know how long the investigation into the crash would take but “as soon as we get the results, the better”.
We do not have the results, nor do the families of the victims. It has been reported that crews not comfortable flying the aging Labradors will not have to. Why are the crews being given this option?
If the minister believes the Labradors are safe and if none of them want to fly the Labradors, what alternatives does the minister have for meeting Canada's continuing search and rescue needs?
National Defence October 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we still do not know what caused the crash of a search and rescue helicopter that killed six members of the Canadian armed forces on October 2. However, we have been informed that the Labrador helicopters will be returning to active duty.
Still not knowing the cause of the crash, why is the minister willing to put more lives at risk?
Erminie Joy Cohen October 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Canadian from my riding who was recently honoured by the Jewish National Fund.
Senator Erminie Joy Cohen represents the beautiful city of Saint John in the upper house of Canada's parliament. She is truly an excellent example of the work that our Progressive Conservative senators do both in their communities and on the national level.
In recognition of her contributions to Canada in the areas of equality, family violence, poverty, human rights, health and Canadian unity, the Jewish National Fund bestowed a tremendous award upon her this past Sunday night.
In honour of Senator Cohen, 28,000 trees will be planted in the Negev Desert in Israel as part of the Jubilee Forest Project. In tribute to Senator Cohen and her home province, the forest will be called the New Brunswick Forest.
I would like to join the Jewish National Fund, the people of Saint John and all Canadians in congratulating Senator Erminie Cohen for her outstanding contributions to her faith—
Employment Insurance October 26th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the minister knows very well that the previous government froze EI premiums at $3 for 1993 and that it was under his government that they rose to $3.07. The minister may want to hide behind his selective memory, but he cannot run away from the fact that he and his government are trying to play fast and loose with billions of dollars that belong to Canadian workers and employers.
When will the minister do the right thing and cut EI premiums to $2 so Canadian workers can put the money in their pockets and employers can take that money and create more jobs for our people?
Employment Insurance October 26th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this government appears to be gouging Canadian workers and employers through excessive EI taxes. Combined CPP and EI premiums under this government have brought payroll taxes to their highest level in history. The current EI act allows premiums to come down significantly.
Is the government planning to introduce legislation to block the EI premium cut required under the current law?
Supply October 26th, 1998
Madam Speaker, in the last year of the former PC government EI premiums were frozen at $3.00 per $100 of insurable earnings. In 1994 the Liberals raised the level to $3.07 which I think the member forgot about.
The member should take a look at history and what Trudeau did and the mess he left this country in when we took over.