House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 51% of the vote.
Canadian Space Agency November 28th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, recently the Canadian Space Agency gave Telesat Canada $428,000 of taxpayers' money to help stabilize the Anik E-2 satellite.
My question is for the Minister of Industry. By whose authority does the Canadian Space Agency give public money to a private consortium?
National Defence November 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the minister states that members of the service should speak only to their superiors yet these are the very superiors who suppressed evidence to start with. They have to have the freedom to go outside the normal chain.
The minister has stated there will be a public civilian inquiry into the Somalia affair. When will the minister table a terms of reference for the inquiry? Will the minister ensure that the inquiry is broad enough to reach the highest echelons of the Department of National Defence in Ottawa up to and including a previous minister of defence?
National Defence November 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of National Defence stated that as a condition of service if individuals have something to communicate they should communicate through their superiors. If the culture of the military is such that individuals feel compelled to remain silent for fear of retribution, is justice served?
National Defence November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, what specific action is the minister taking to ensure that others in the military feel free to come forward and provide evidence without fear of retribution?
National Defence November 24th, 1994
Yes, Mr. Speaker. The minister is aware that presently the lowest ranking soldier charged in the Somalia affair is convicted and in jail. This is the very individual who gave the first evidence to uncover-
National Defence November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the minister will know and the House is aware that the events in Somalia happened almost two years ago. Every time we get closer to having an investigation, pop, poof, somebody else gets charged and the investigation gets put back another six months. Two years have passed already. The circumstances of this case demand an immediate investigation.
Further, Mr. Minister, members of the Canadian Armed Forces have a-
National Defence November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.
Last week Major Barry Armstrong, a military doctor, released information indicating orders had been given to destroy certain photographic evidence. Last night Major Lee Jewer, another military doctor, confirmed that orders had indeed been given to destroy photographs showing a pattern of mistreatment of Somali civilians.
Has the minister asked Major Lee Jewer who issued the order to destroy potential evidence?
Social Security Program November 21st, 1994
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My hon. colleague opposite referred to Windbag, Saskatchewan. I wonder if the Chair might ask the member opposite to be a bit more explicit. Did he mean Windbag, Alberta?
Social Security Program November 21st, 1994
Madam Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise in the House after listening to the Liberals describe how they have discovered consultation after 125 years of sharing power with the Conservatives. It is long overdue but a very welcome discovery. We would recommend it to them at any time.
It begs the question of course: What were they doing for the previous nine years as they sat in opposition? What were they doing with their red book? It is a good thing it did not take them as long to organize the red book as it has taken them to organize what needs to be done here. It could be that what we have in front of us is a softening up process.
Everyone agrees that changes have to be made. Everyone in the country knows we cannot go on the way we have been and that changes are required and must be made. We all agree on the principle, it is the policies that are going to be a little difficult.
I would ask my hon. colleague from Lincoln who has delivered such an impassioned, reasoned address: What should be the criteria? He mentioned in his discourse that the criteria for social benefits must be based on need which would preclude then that social benefits should be determined by want. They should be addressed on need and certainly I think most members in this House would concur. What will be the criteria for need? Has the hon. member opposite given any thought to what the criteria should be for those who are to receive social benefits from the taxpayer?
Unemployment Insurance November 21st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of Canadians who are really distressed with what has happened to the unemployment insurance system in the country.
It is passing strange that someone earning $20,000 a year is subsidizing people who could make up to $40,000 a year through the unemployment insurance system which has really become income redistribution.
Will the minister ensure in the forthcoming program review that unemployment insurance is returned to its original mandate, that is to protect employees from transitional or temporary harm due to temporary job loss, and remove it from being a make work project or an income supplement project?