House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 67% of the vote.
Aboriginal People October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has said he will be leaving in weeks or months. The decision is his, and we respect it. In the meantime, the government is here and it is our duty to act in Canadians' best interests. I believe the Canadian government is functioning very well.
Transport October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the important point here is that the hon. member for Windsor West has congratulated the government on its announcement.
He knows full well coming from Windsor that this is good news for the people of Windsor. It is good news for London. It is good news for Hamilton. It is good news for Burlington. It is good news for Belleville. It is good news for Kingston. It is good news for Montreal. It is good news for Quebec City. But it is not just the corridor, this announcement covers the expenditures from coast to coast to coast. That is what is important.
Transport October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the cabinet deliberated on the particular proposal over a number of months. There was exhaustive debate and a consensus was reached and the government did what it should do. It made an announcement.
We are very committed to passenger rail policy in the country. We are very proud of the announcement. However, that does not stop any future government from looking at that policy or any other policy and reviewing it in the context of the financial climate or the priorities at the time.
Rail Infrastructure October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we believe in democratic debate. Members are free to have their own views.
The member for Hamilton West has expressed his views. I respect those views. I know that VIA Rail is very important for the Hamilton area and he knows that too, but he still has certain concerns. They are legitimate concerns and he should not be pilloried for making those concerns public. He should be congratulated for joining the democratic discourse.
Rail Infrastructure October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, there is an inconsistency in the logic of my friend over there.
Members opposite are making the argument that because there will be a transition to a new government and a new prime minister, somehow the government is paralyzed. The fact is that we are here in the House of Commons with a full legislative agenda. As one minister, I made a very important announcement last week. That is not paralysis. The hon. members cannot have it both ways.
Health October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we made an announcement concerning the future of passenger transportation in Canada, and I think that it was well received by Canadians.
I must say, however, that obviously when a new prime minister is elected he will have the right to review all the projects and all the expenditures. He will have the right to do so when he is the prime minister.
At present, we are a government with a Prime Minister, and it is our responsibility to act in the best interests of Canadians.
Health October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Bloc Quebecois is wrong, because it is obvious that we have a pretty full agenda, with many bills. Just last week, I made an announcement concerning VIA Rail. This goes to show that we are taking action on behalf of Canadians.
Government of Canada October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should know that we have a government led by a Prime Minister. There will be a leadership convention at which the Liberal Party will change leaders and there will be a new prime minister who will swear in a new government. Until that time, this government has a duty to Canadians to act in their best interests.
Transport October 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I addressed this question at the news conference on Friday and also in the House. The fact of the matter is that we have been working on this initiative for the last 18 months. Cabinet made a decision and that decision had to be communicated to the Canadian public. That decision, I might say, has been very well received by the travelling public who believe in the future of passenger rail.
Jacques Cartier Bridge October 24th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, this is a problem with many of the world's bridges, particularly those in Canada. There is nothing to prove, however, that this will solve the problem.
In this case, moreover, it is the responsibility of the Federal Bridge Corporation to determine whether to install barriers on the Jacques Cartier and other federal bridges.