House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 50% of the vote.
Environment October 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, in response to the environment minister, I would like to make my position abundantly clear. I oppose a gas tax. I oppose an energy tax. I oppose an environment tax. I even hate the GST.
I would like to ask the minister, why will the environment minister not do the same thing?
The Environment October 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, it sounds like we are getting a little flip-flop over here.
The minister was speaking from the heart, speaking the position that Canadians want to hear and what she feels. Yet she is not allowed by the frontbench to have her say.
The environment minister admits that the Kyoto treaty will lower the standard of living of all Canadians across this nation. This is not just an Alberta issue. Industry will be devastated in Ontario and Atlantic Canada as well.
Will the minister commit to conduct an economic impact analysis that considers the devastating that will descend on industry and the thousands of jobs lost in her home province of—
The Environment October 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the environment minister admitted to reporters yesterday that Canada made a mistake at the earth summit in Rio. This is quite a revelation.
The minister said: “Canada should not have agreed to cut its emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000”. We did not realize what was implied by that commitment.
If Rio was a mistake, why is Canada prepared to repeat it in Kyoto with a legally binding treaty?
Points Of Order October 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, during question period the Minister of the Environment quoted from an insurance document. Under standing orders, I would ask that she table that document in the House.
Environment October 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, she simply will not answer the question.
The environment minister said in the House yesterday that she is going to strike a deal in Kyoto and only then get the co-operation from the provinces. This is clearly unacceptable to the provinces. Alberta's environment minister has publicly stated that Alberta will not accept legally binding limits arrived at this manner.
I ask the environment minister once again, will the minister commit to getting the agreement of the provinces before she goes to Kyoto, yes or no?
Environment October 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, in response to the last question to the environment minister, she answered by stating that the way to solve the global warming problem is to work together. I have to ask, why is she not doing that?
Ordinary Canadians will be paying for this deal. The provinces will now likely have to administer it. It only makes sense to have the provinces' agreement before she gets to Kyoto. I once again ask the minister, will the minister ensure that she has the agreement of all the provinces before she gets to Kyoto, and not after?
Environment October 22nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this is exactly the problem. The government is saying nothing about this issue.
The Liberal government will bankrupt Canadians with massive tax grabs. We hear about dialogue with the provinces. Yes, the provinces will sit at the table, but the minister has not answered the question that has been asked four times in the House.
Will she answer it now? Is the minister prepared to guarantee that all provinces will be on side before the Liberal tax grab treaty is signed in Kyoto?
Environment October 22nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the environment minister did not deny that the Kyoto treaty would cost Canadians 10¢, 20¢ or 30¢ more per litre of gasoline.
Today we would like the minister to tell Canadians how much more they will be paying to heat their homes this winter. Will it be $100, $200 or $300 more?
The Environment October 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this is ridiculous. We are less than two months away from this country's signing an agreement will affect each of us. We do not know how deep the taxman is going into our pockets and for what reason.
This is not only dumb politics, this is a slap in the face for each Canadian. The minister said the provinces had to be on side. Clearly they have to be on side.
Will the minister assure us that she will not sign any deal in Kyoto until all the provinces are on side?.
The Environment October 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the environment minister said in the House: “Addressing climate change will incur costs for all Canadians”.
The signing of this deal is less than two months away yet the minister refuses to give us any details.
As the minister has already told us that this agreement is going to cost Canadians, will the minister now tell us is the cost going to be 10 cents, 20 cents or 30 cents per litre?