Lost his last election, in 2000, with 33% of the vote.
Public Works And Government Services May 2nd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, the auditor general reported in November that 90% of untendered government contracts should have been put up for bids. I checked and found that 3,186 contracts awarded by public works went to companies that donated to Liberal Party candidates in the 1997 election and 54% of these were untendered.
Can the Minister of Public Works and Government Services explain why his department is giving so many untendered contracts to Liberal Party supporters?
Taxation April 14th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, was that an answer?
The average debt for a Canadian student has tripled to $25,000. To help in repaying that debt some students can now claim the interest paid on their income tax but tens of thousands of students cannot. Only those who qualify for government loans are eligible for the tax credit.
When is the government going to treat all students equally and allow all students to qualify for the student loan tax credit?
Taxation April 14th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, Canadians who are repaying their Canada student loans have been able to claim a 17% tax credit on the interest paid on their loans.
Thousands of students each year have to scramble to get a student loan privately because the federal government turns them down. Yet the government does not allow them to claim that tax credit on their student loan.
Why not allow all students to claim the student loan interest tax credit? Why is there a double standard?
Diabetes April 14th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, while most Canadians think that diabetes is not a serious disease, diabetes and its complications cost Canada more than $9 billion per year in health care and lost productivity. Therefore, diabetes is a major public health issue.
To raise awareness and educate people about diabetes, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation organizes each year a Shoppers Walk for the Cure fundraiser in cities across Canada.
The purpose of this event is to raise much needed funds to continue essential research programs. So far the Juvenile Diabetes foundation has given more than $49 million to diabetes research in Canada since its beginnings seven years ago.
I encourage all members of parliament to take part in this year's Walk for the Cure.
Questions Passed As Orders For Returns March 30th, 2000
With respect to the Québec ministerial tour taken by the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Minister of National Revenue, the President of the Treasury Board, the Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) and the Secretary of State (Amateur Sport) from September 22 to 24, 1999, could the government advise the House of the costs of this trip including: transportation to, from and during the ministerial tour, accomodations, communications, meals, entertainment and alcoholic beverages for each of the ministers, their support staff and departmental staff?
(Return tabled)
Canada Lands March 28th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I do not think they looked too hard for 18 months. The average selling price for industrial land in north Brampton in 1997 was $225,000 an acre, but the Liberal government decided to dump 30 acres of land across the street from the Chrysler Corporation for only $58,000 an acre. My question for the minister is why.
Canada Lands March 28th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, in November 1997 Canada Lands sold 30 acres of prime industrial real estate to John di Poce for $1.7 million. Thirty days later Mr. di Poce resold the same land for $5 million. That is 184% profit.
Does the Minister of Public Works and Government Services believe that this deal was a good deal for Canadian taxpayers?
Petitions March 22nd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House to present a petition.
The petitioners say that whereas the majority of Canadians understand the concept of marriage as only the voluntary union of a single male and a single female and whereas it is the duty of parliament to ensure that marriage, as it has always been known and understood in Canada, be preserved and protected, they call on parliament to enact legislation such as Bill C-225 so as to define in statute that a marriage can only be entered into between a single male and single female.
Competition Act March 22nd, 2000
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-458, an act to amend the Competition Act (contest, lottery or game of chance).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce a private member's bill to amend the Competition Act. The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the production or distribution of printed material that contains a game of chance or where prior payment of money is required before a prize can be collected. The bill is designed to protect Canadian consumers from a specific type of mail fraud. I hope that all members of the House will support the bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Gasoline Prices March 21st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, if the finance minister is so concerned, why has he not done anything about it? Fuel prices have gone up 40%. If they do not come down, inflation will rise. That means skyrocketing interest rates. High interest rates mean higher debt service charges. When that happens the finance minister can kiss his sorry surplus goodbye.
It is very simple. Will the government cut taxes on fuel at least until it gets the crisis under control?