Jim Hart

[Somalia Inquiry, March 3rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

In a letter written by General Boyle on March 21, 1996, prior to his testimony at the Somalia inquiry, he declared that the inquiry should not investigate the issue of high level cover-up. Boyle said don't investigate and, surprise, the minister shut down the inquiry before the commissioners could investigate the issue of cover-up.

Out of all people, why did the minister accept and implement Boyle's advice? How can the minister explain that?

[Points Of Order, February 18th, 1997]

How come we can hear so good on this side of the House but it is not so good on that side? Can you hear this?

[Points Of Order, February 18th, 1997]

Yes.

[Points Of Order, February 18th, 1997]

A point of order.

[National Defence, February 18th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence is getting quite the reputation of engaging his mouth while his brain-

[Somalia Inquiry, February 17th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the minister is being very humble today, but it is far too late for the minister's apologies.

The minister continues to interfere with the Somalia commission. From the start his department has hindered this commission, refusing to release information. Now the minister's reckless statements are sabotaging its work.

Does the minister see that his actions demonstrate his total disregard for due process?

[Somalia Inquiry, February 17th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of National Defence said that everybody in Canada knows exactly what happened on the ground in Somalia.

By Friday we reached the point where the minister admitted to misleading the House and he had to apologize. The minister is confused about what happened. The minister does not understand the Somalia file.

My question is for the Minister of National Defence. How can Canadians trust anything that this minister says? How many other times has he mislead Canadians?

[Seniors, December 12th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt to give fair warning to the Liberals that their proposed senior's benefit which places a 50 per cent tax rate on the income of Canadian senior citizens will not be tolerated.

The Liberals do not listen to Canadians but they will not be able to ignore the voice of Canadian senior citizens who will align themselves at the ballot box in the next election. Canadian seniors will not stand for the 50 per cent tax rate on their income.

Not only are the Liberals planning to attack OAS, they are also attacking the Canada pension plan. They plan to triple taxes for the CPP and cut seniors' pensions in half.

Canadian seniors will support the fresh start offered by the Reform Party of Canada. We are committed to rescuing the CPP and guaranteeing that every senior citizen receives every penny that he or she is entitled to under the Canada pension plan.

Canadian seniors know that Liberal and Tory policies do not work. Canadians want the security of the Reform Party of Canada.

[Petitions, December 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition deals with taxing reading materials.

The petitioners ask that the Prime Minister carry out his party's repeated and unequivocal promise to remove federal sales tax from books, magazines and newspapers.

The petitioners are simply asking the government to carry out its promise.

[Petitions, December 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt pursuant to Standing Order 36.

The first petition deals with the concern that the national highway system is substandard. Therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to urge the federal government to join with provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible.