House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 47% of the vote.
Supply September 30th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member for Saint Boniface for exposing to this House the confusion that reigns on the other side. I also want to thank him very much for coming to visit the school children in my riding in his capacity as secretary of state.
I want to ask the member to share with this House in his capacity as secretary of state what he feels are the major priorities for himself in that capacity and what he wants to do for the people of Canada.
Quebec Contingency Act (Referendum Conditions) April 23rd, 1997
Madam Speaker, I am pleased the hon. member for Shefford has given me the opportunity to speak to the development of the Hyundai plant in Bromont, Quebec.
As the Minister of Industry noted in the House previously, Hyundai informed the government of its intention to remove its equipment from the Bromont plant since its efforts to reopen the plant with partners or to attract investors had been fruitless.
Having reimbursed all sums owed to both governments, Hyundai has no other formal obligations. The arrangement agreed to by Industry Canada, the Quebec industry department and Hyundai was that Hyundai would pay back the entire amount of the contributions it received, $46.4 million, under the Canada-Quebec industrial development agreement if it ceased production and was unable to introduce a new product or find an interested buyer for its Bromont plant.
As neither of these conditions could be met, Hyundai has now returned the entire amount which will be used jointly by the federal and provincial governments under the entente to fund other worthwhile projects that will contribute to economic development in Quebec.
The federal government continues to search for opportunities to create jobs and growth. Industry Canada now has a dedicated investment unit, which is a joint initiative with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, working on an international marketing campaign to increase international awareness of Canada's advantages as a location for investment.
Investment Partnerships Canada builds new federal, provincial, municipal and government-private sector partnerships to attract investment.
I am confident of the work of Industry Canada. It will respond to any investor interest in the Bromont plant.
Earth April 22nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the green rug of the House of Commons symbolizes the village green where people gathered in the early days of parliament to bring their concerns to the speaker. This was a parliament with only the walls and carpet of nature.
We are all members of the earth community and even though we now sit in a building of stone, mortar and glass, we must remember our connection to the earth. Human activity is threatening the basic fundamentals of life on our planet. This can no longer be ignored. As parliamentarians we must legislate as if all life on this planet matters.
As we remember those early meetings on the village green, we are connected not only to the beginning of our parliamentary tradition but to the earth itself. This is an important lesson we can never forget. It is our past, our present and our future.
Migration Of Snow Geese April 8th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate my position on this issue. If the member is referring to the snow geese hunt, they are under the migratory birds convention. A study group has been put together with Canada, the United States and other northern communities and the issue is being attended to.
Migration Of Snow Geese April 8th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as the member is probably aware, any changes to the migratory birds convention requires the convention to be ratified. We are looking forward to that ratification very soon.
As soon as the convention is ratified we will be able to deal with permits and special licences to deal with the problem the member has indicated to the House.
Taxation February 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, a recent survey conducted in my riding showed that the people of York-Simcoe overwhelmingly reject the Reform and Tory policy of inequitable tax cuts.
The people of York-Simcoe and the people of Canada want fairness and balance in government. Canadians know that we must get our fiscal house in order but they also are committed to reducing the social and ecological deficit in this country.
Environment December 11th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to table in both official languages the State of the Environment Report for 1996 from Environment Canada, which for the first time in the House is presented in CD-ROM format in addition to its printed equivalent.
Indian Affairs December 11th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to stand in the House and congratulate Chief Bill McCue, the Chippewas of Georgina Island and the minister of Indian affairs for their hard work in introducing a bill that will enable 14 First Nations to opt out of the land management section of the Indian Act. Chief Bill McCue, along with this colleagues, initiated this historic agreement.
This progressive piece of legislation promotes economic development in native communities and enables these communities to manage their own lands and resources.
This is a significant step closer toward full self-government and all of us in the House should applaud this initiative.
Finance December 9th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, once again I find myself in a position of agreement with the member opposite when he says that we have a difference of opinion. We certainly do have a difference of opinion, especially when it comes to dealing with the issue of child poverty.
On one hand, the member talks about funding to one segment of the population, but on the other hand his party would cut all transfers to the provinces for social assistance programs. If that does not hurt poor children, I am not sure what does.
His party also advocates the cutting of all equalization payments and things like that to areas that are in tremendous need. I am really glad that we have a difference of opinion on this. As a regional, western based party, the Reform Party does not understand the need for balance and compassion and putting into prospective all parts of the country, different classes of society and making sure that everyone has a fair opportunity. That is why this Liberal government is firmly committed to creating opportunity for all people in this country, not certain regions and not certain groups.
Finance December 9th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely delighted that the member from the third party has seen the light and understands the fiscal reality within which the country operates. I totally agree that it is terribly irresponsible for anyone to take on measures of tax reduction in the light of budgetary constraints and who this would really benefit.
If this is the Reform Party platform, the so-called fresh start-restart perhaps-then the member opposite should inform some of his colleagues. When I hear members of his caucus ask questions of the Minister of Finance during question period, it seems quite obvious that they are demanding these irresponsible tax cuts right now. It would be really helpful if the member opposite could help inform his colleagues of what their platform is.