House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was colleagues.

Last in Parliament May 2004, as Liberal MP for Ottawa Centre (Ontario)

Won his last election, in 2000, with 40% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Pension Fund Societies Act November 26th, 1999

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-354, an act to amend the Pension Fund Societies Act (definition of “minor child”).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask once more if my colleagues would like to put all of these bills together so that you and I do not have to stand every time. Would members give unanimous consent that all of the bills dealing with these issues be considered as having been read the first time and printed?

Land Titles Act November 26th, 1999

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-353, an act to amend the Land Titles Act (age of majority and definition of “infant”).

All of these bills deal with one subject, which is to bring our legislation into conformity with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, so that when we say “child” we mean anyone who is under the age of 18.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Privacy Act November 26th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, I would love to, but it is my intention to reintroduce it as it was set out in the previous parliament.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Privacy Act November 26th, 1999

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-352, an act to amend the Privacy Act (definition of minor).

Wages Liability Act November 26th, 1999

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Wages Liability Act November 26th, 1999

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-351, an act to amend the Wages Liability Act (definition of adult).

Mr. Speaker, rather than taking the time of the House, I will, with your permission, ask the House for unanimous consent to introduce a series of approximately 35 private members' bills. The vast majority of those bills were introduced in the last parliament. I ask that all of those bills be deemed as have being introduced in the House of Commons today and be printed as set out in the order paper, Nos. 41 to 75.

Maximum Speed Control Device Act November 26th, 1999

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-350, an act to provide for the use of a maximum speed control device for use on motor vehicles and to prohibit the manufacture and sale of motor vehicles that are not equipped with a maximum speed control device.

Mr. Speaker, on an annual basis, we have hundreds of kids and youths who are killed or severely injured as a result of joyriding or driving over the speed limit.

I do not understand this. We have set the speed limit in Canada and in most provinces at 100 kilometres per hour. I do not see why people have to drive 170 kilometres when it is illegal under the law.

My bill will make sure that no car will be able to go over 115 kilometres per hour. Cars will have a device within the engine that will either shut the engine off or make sure the car cannot accelerate over 115 kilometres an hour.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Competition Act November 26th, 1999

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-349, an act to amend the Competition Act (vertically integrated gasoline suppliers).

Mr. Speaker, I have been involved with this issue now for over 12 years. I have been responsible, along with the community, for at least three different national as well as regional inquiries. Every single time the report came back it indicated that there was no price fixing.

Quite simply, when we look at the Competition Act as it is, we can drive a camel through it. We are not going to be able to find out whether a company is responsible for price fixing or not. The oil companies are in a conflict of interest on a regular basis because they control the sales at the retail outlet and supplies the oil as well.

My bill would forbid Canadian oil companies from selling while at the same time retailing gasoline at the pumps. As a result of that, no oil company can be a retailer and a supplier at the same time.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Canadian Forces Superannuation Act November 26th, 1999

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-348, an act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, the Carriage by Air Act, the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act, the Criminal Code, the Pension Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act.

Mr. Speaker, the bill would amend all of the acts that have been indicated in order to bring them into line with the spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

I want to bring to your attention, Mr. Speaker, that in these statutes, believe it or not, we still refer to our children as illegitimate. In many cases, some of our federal legislation still has not really brought the dignity to Canadian children as they deserve and need to be recognized and supported.

This particular bill will amend these statutes and make it a lot friendlier to our children and also bring the statutes into harmony with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Rima Aristocrat November 25th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour a constituent, an educator and a leader, Rima Aristocrat, president and chief executive officer of Willis College located in my riding. She is among those being honoured in Chatelaine 's Who's Who of Canada's Women.

The special millennium edition of Who's Who recognizes the achievements of Canadian women. It honours their accomplishments and contributions and establishes the standards for the next generation of Canadian women executives.

A former concert pianist, Rima Aristocrat has been at the helm of the Ottawa area campuses of Willis College for the last decade. She has distinguished herself among her peers and served as an incredible inspiration to many.

I say congratulations to Rima on a job well done.