Lost his last election, in 2000, with 41% of the vote.
Telecommunications October 19th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the minister is responsible for the CRTC. The CRTC has a track record of supporting cable companies over consumers.
I am asking the minister to use her authority as the Minister of Canadian Heritage to stop these unconscionable increases in cable TV rates.
Telecommunications October 19th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, here we go again. Cable TV rates are going up again. Rogers Cable has announced an increase of $1.90 a month, well in excess of the rate of inflation. This is what happens when we have a monopoly: consumers get hosed, consumers get gouged.
My question is for the minister responsible for the CRTC, the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Will she step in and block this unconscionable increase? Will she go to bat for consumers and ensure that cable companies do not willy-nilly increase rates to the detriment of consumers?
Business Of The House October 14th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the good people of York South—Weston I will vote yes to this motion.
(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Business Of The House October 14th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the minister indicated that it is the plan of the government to send the elections bill to committee before second reading. That is an unusual procedure to follow. There are established rules in the House that require a second reading debate before a bill is referred to committee.
Could the minister explain why he is taking this unusual route with this bill?
Speech From The Throne October 14th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, in the 15 years that I have had the privilege to sit in the House of Commons I have listened to a few throne speeches and it seems to me that what we ought to be considering is putting an end to throne speeches. I question the value of speeches from the throne. I know it is part of the Canadian tradition, but expectations are high. People expect everything to be put into a throne speech, that the government is to outline in great detail its plans for the future. In reality, most Canadians are completely tuned out to this whole debate because they realize it is laced with partisanship.
I would like to ask the hon. member whether he believes that throne speeches are of any real value to Canadians from coast to coast. Would he not agree that instead of beginning a new session of parliament with a throne speech that it would be far more advisable to begin a new session of parliament with a budget so that there would be a specific plan on the table in which Canadians could engage in a real debate about the future of Canada?
National Hockey League October 13th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday I was watching the Leaf game with my seven year old son, Patrick, who plays tyke hockey in Toronto. When a fight broke out on the ice my reaction was to change the channel. This is not behaviour my son nor his teammates are being taught.
How do I explain to my children that violence and in particular fighting, both on and off the ice, is wrong when they see professional hockey players fighting on the ice?
Fighting is illegal in Canada. It is a criminal offence whether it is taking place on a street corner or on an NHL rink. Why is it then that we seem to have two standards of justice? Why is the NHL above the law? The NHL has an obligation to put a stop to fighting. What kind of role models are we putting forward to the millions of Canadian boys and girls who watch and play hockey? If the NHL does not step in, then the government should insist that the police and prosecutors lay criminal charges.
Fighting in the NHL is disgraceful and it has to stop for the sake of our children.
Division No. 558 June 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would cast my ballot in favour of the motion.
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Division No. 556 June 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of York South—Weston I would vote yes.
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Division No. 550 June 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of York South—Weston, I would vote yes.
(The House divided on Motion No. 3, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Division No. 549 June 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the independents present in the House, we vote no.