House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 41% of the vote.
Address in Reply October 16th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, that is the kind of unnecessary talk that Canadians are sick of. What Canadians are interested in is a plan. It is a plan that the government will be putting forward after 13 years of inaction.
If the government aims for 70% and people are upset because we do not reach 80%, then I say to all hon. members that our plan is in place. Our plan will ask for the support of the House to be put in place. The government will aim for 70% and we will aim for 80%. I say stay tuned.
Address in Reply October 16th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, Canadians listened for 13 years to nothing.
In the past 18 months we have put forward a plan to address the concerns of our environment, ensuring at the same time that jobs in Canada are protected. That is our priority because we cannot clean up the environment unless we have a good, solid economy to do so.
We look forward to bringing forth legislation in the House. More than that, we look forward, and the Canadian public looks forward, to having the support of the crowd on that side of the House in our effort to straighten it up.
Address in Reply October 16th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member has witnessed in the past 18 months that this government has done more for families in Canada than the previous government did in 14 years.
Families have been a priority for the government. Ordinary Canadians have been a priority for the government. I assure the Canadian public tonight that the efforts we have put forward in the last 18 months will continue now as we start this session of the House of Commons.
Address in Reply October 16th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Her Excellency the Governor General for graciously reading the Speech from the Throne. Her delivery once again was superb.
On a personal note, I would like to thank my family: my wife, Sandra, and our three children, Fabian Jr., Mark, and Heather. Their continued love and support during almost 15 years of political life is a never-ending source of strength for me.
I would also like to thank my constituents in the riding of Avalon, in the wonderful province of Newfoundland and Labrador, for giving me their confidence and trust. It is my great honour and privilege to represent them in this honourable House.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the Prime Minister for having asked me to move the government's motion in support of the Speech from the Throne.
It is a visionary document that sets out our agenda not just for the upcoming session of Parliament but for the long term future of Canada. Our agenda is focused on building a stronger, safer, better Canada that works for all of us.
In the first session of Parliament, we delivered on the following commitments, which we made to Canadians in the last federal election.
We passed the Federal Accountability Act, the toughest anti-corruption legislation in Canadian history.
We cut taxes right across the board, including the GST.
We started cracking down on gun, gang and drug crime.
We provided direct benefits to families with the universal child care benefit.
We worked with the provinces and territories to develop patient wait time guarantees.
We took concrete action to protect and improve the environment.
We restored fiscal balance by increasing equalization payments and funding the large social transfers on an equal per capita cash basis.
We revived Canada's traditional leadership role on the international stage.
I think members would agree that this is an impressive list of accomplishments for a minority government, but as today's Speech from the Throne demonstrates, we have only just begin to build a better, safer Canada.
Our government will focus on five core priorities in the upcoming session of Parliament. These priorities will build on the successes we have achieved so far.
First, our government will continue to strengthen Canada's sovereignty and security. Gone are the days of neglecting the Canadian Forces. Gone are the days of ignoring challenges to our sovereignty and of pursuing a weak and indecisive foreign policy.
I have had the privilege of talking to many of our men and women in uniform, especially those from my native Newfoundland and Labrador. I have heard them relate their experiences of how they are indeed making a positive difference throughout the world in places less fortunate than Canada, such as Afghanistan. They are assured of our government's continued support for their efforts to make our world a safer place, for ours is a government that takes these responsibilities seriously.
That is why we will do more to assert and defend our sovereignty in the Arctic, and to ensure that Canada's foreign policy defends our interests and projects the values we hold dear: democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.
Second, our government will continue to strengthen our federation. Canada, I am pleased to report, is more united today than it has been in four decades, but we need to do more to undo the damage done to federalism by our predecessors.
Our government will work to place formal limits on the use of federal spending for new shared cost programs in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction. We will also push ahead with democratizing the Senate by reintroducing legislation that would lower Senate terms from 45 years to 8 years. We will give Canadians a voice in selecting their representatives in the upper chamber.
Third, our government will continue to provide effective economic leadership. Building upon our tax cutting success from the first session, we will bring forward a long term plan of further broad-based tax relief for individuals, businesses and families.
We will also continue supporting Canadian workers in troubled sectors like manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, tourism and fisheries as their industries adjust to evolving international economic conditions.
Fourth, we will continue tackling an issue rankling Canadians from coast to coast to coast: crime. In addition to reintroducing our anti-violent crime measures that were blocked by the opposition in the last session, our government will undertake new initiatives aimed at cracking down on young offenders and property crime.
We will also take action to ensure Canadians are protected from terrorism, the bane of democratic free societies in our modern age.
As the Governor General rightly noted, peace, order and good government are the principles upon which Canada was founded. Our government is going to work hard to ensure that they prevail over those who would wreak havoc in our communities.
Last, but certainly not least, we will continue protecting and improving Canada's most important natural resource, our environment. Canadians have made it clear. They are fed up with lofty words masking inaction. They want policies that make real measurable improvements to the environment. Our government has heard this call and we are acting.
In addition to taking a leading role in the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our government will bring forward the first ever national air pollution regulations. We will strengthen enforcement to punish those who pollute our water and land.
Our government is intent on building a better Canada through strong leadership. In the weeks and months ahead we are going to continue delivering on the issues that matter most to ordinary Canadians. We urge the opposition parties to support our efforts. Of course, as we are all aware, it is their prerogative not to, but they should consider their choice very carefully. Canadians do not want an election. They want us to govern this country. They want strong leadership and a better, safer Canada.
It is an honour, therefore, to move, seconded by the hon. member for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, that the following address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada.
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
May it please Your Excellency:
We, Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the House of Commons of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
Fisheries and Oceans May 18th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, last year Canada took a tough stand at NAFO and brought about sweeping changes to punish vessels that choose to break the rules on the high seas. Armchair philosophers and naysayers dismissed these changes and said they would never work.
Could the minister update the House on how these new rules are doing exactly what the minister said they would, which is to send offending vessels packing and hit these skippers where it hurts the most, in their bottom line?
Gander International Airport May 15th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Gander International Airport has been a Newfoundland icon since it began operation in 1938. Often referred to as the crossroads of the world, the airport is a major economic driver in central Newfoundland, not to mention a source of pride in the community.
Our government has been aware of difficulties faced by the airport and we have been engaged on the file with a view to helping the airport be more viable for the future.
Could the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans update the House on what progress has been made regarding the Gander International Airport?
Human Resources and Social Development May 7th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, lately I have noticed a disturbing trend among the members of the opposition. Rather than letting the facts get in the way of a good accusation, they are taking allegations as truth.
In just one more example, last week the member for Brampton—Springdale accused the government of not acting for the homeless in this country.
Would the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development help the Liberals' research department with the facts on this issue?
Arts and Culture April 26th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, last night, the professional theatre company, Rising Tide Theatre, from Newfoundland and Labrador, presented its play No Man's Land at the Canadian War Museum.
Written by well-known author, Kevin Major, and directed by Donna Butt, artistic director of Rising Tide Theatre, No Man's Land demonstrates Newfoundland and Labrador's remembrance of July 1, 1916, the day the best and the brightest of a generation were virtually wiped out on the battlefields of France during the Battle of the Somme in World War I.
With three more performances to take place over the next few days here in Ottawa, I encourage everyone, young and old alike, to take the opportunity to go see this highly successful and critically acclaimed play.
I want to pass on my congratulations to Rising Tide Theatre. No Man's Land is not only an amazing, touching, enlightening and heartfelt production, but its existence will ensure the immeasurable loss of that day will never be forgotten.
Atlantic Accord March 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, budget 2007 provides great benefits for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It makes our strong economy even stronger.
Our government has kept its commitment to honour and respect the Atlantic accord. We are delivering 100% of what the accord promised, not 50%, without a cap.
Unfortunately, Premier Williams does not share our commitment to a strong economy and wants to pick a fight instead.
Would the Minister of Natural Resources explain the damage that Premier Williams is causing to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?
Business of Supply March 22nd, 2007
Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador has two choices. In fact, we have three. The choice that we have now is to stay with the Atlantic accord that is honoured by the government, that has received no cap, and that we can continue to receive 100% of our oil and gas revenues from the offshore reserves.
The member for Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, when he spoke this morning in the House, said that the Prime Minister said that we will have no more side deals. Then he said that there is a side deal with Newfoundland and Labrador under this new agreement, and there is a side deal with Nova Scotia under this new presentation that came forward in the budget.
I ask the member for Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, is he upset that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and the government gave Newfoundland and Labrador a third option? Is he upset about that? I am not. I am pleased to have a third option, so we can get on our own two feet.