House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
The Budget November 28th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for reminding us and all Canadians that this week is the first anniversary of our third back to back majority victory.
That means that when Canadians looked at the potential and reality of the leaders of the various parties and the programs of the various parties, they rejected the Alliance Party out of hand as a discouraging, discredited, ragtag group, which has been confirmed every day over the past year.
The Budget November 28th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I can promise the Leader of the Opposition and all Canadians that the budget that will be presented will be a good budget representing fairly the interests of all Canadians.
The Budget November 28th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, what is strange is that the hon. member is wrongly asserting gaping holes in Bill C-36, because on October 16 his justice critic, the member for Provencher, said:
The government has taken some important steps. Although we will be considering the provisions of the bill very carefully, it is imperative that the legislation move forward as quickly as possible. I therefore thank members of the House for the increase in the number of hours for debate to raise concerns and move the matter along.
I say to the Leader of the Opposition: meet his justice critic.
The Budget November 28th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the interest of the Leader of the Opposition in this matter but he will have to wait until December 10. I think he will be reassured when he sees the good budget the Minister of Finance presents.
The Budget November 28th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we do not comment on what could or could not be in the budget. I appreciate the Leader of the Opposition's support for the traditional approach that we maintain on budget confidentiality.
I might add that the Leader of the Opposition is the last person in the country to talk about leadership.
Terrorism November 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the puffed up indignation of my hon. friend must be designed to give “political cover”, to use his term, to Mike Harris who sent a letter of good wishes to the cultural event attended by the Minister of Finance, which was also attended by the then editor of the Toronto Sun which was raised as a source dignified and worthy of praise by another Reform member.
The hon. member ought to withdraw his innuendos and support our efforts, which are to fight terrorism in a meaningful way in this country.
Anti-Terrorism Legislation November 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, there have been many hours of debate on the bill in the House of Commons. There have been many hours of committee study. Many witnesses have been heard from outside the government. The government responded fully with far-reaching amendments which have been praised.
The House is not only for debate, it is also for decision. If we want to protect Canadians now and in the future it is time we took a decision and it is time the hon. member backed that decision.
Religious Organizations November 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as far as I am aware, the diocese in question has not been petitioned into bankruptcy by the federal government or anyone else. Any action it takes to not continue its operations involves its own decisions. I hope it will reconsider its position.
In the meantime, the victims are seeking monetary compensation and we are ready to negotiate with them by way of settlement to take this out of the court system. We are also ready to continue talking with the churches. I consider that we are doing something fair and equitable for the victims, the taxpayers and all Canadians.
Religious Organizations November 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, 70% of the claims brought by former IRS students were brought directly against the church organizations involved and the federal government. We have never left the negotiation table. We are happy to continue negotiations but we felt we had to reach out directly to the victims so their legitimate concerns could be dealt with much more quickly than if the matter was left to the courts to grind along over 25 years.
I am surprised the hon. member does not support that objective. He used to support it. It is time he got back to it. The priority is the victims.
The Environment November 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I do not think the hon. member is stating correctly what the Minister of the Environment was doing in Marrakesh.
Our positions in Marrakesh are consistent with the Kyoto protocol and the Bonn agreement we successfully negotiated and took the lead in negotiating.
The Prime Minister speaks for Canada and the Minister of the Environment speaks for Canada in working to implement the Kyoto protocol in a way consistent with our Bonn agreement.