House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 53% of the vote.
Petitions March 15th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the third petition concerns section 745 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Under this section the sentence of murderers convicted to life imprisonment without chance of parole for 25 years are able to apply for a review after 15 years.
The petitioners request that Parliament repeal section 745 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Petitions March 15th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, in the second petition the petitioners pray for two things: first, that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously; and second, that Parliament make no changes in the law that would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting or suicide or euthanasia.
Petitions March 15th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I have four petitions to present today. The first is from constituents in the beautiful city of Hedley, British Columbia. They realize that Canadians are already overburdened with taxation due to high government spending.
Therefore, the petitioners pray and request that Parliament reduce the federal deficit by reducing government spending and refrain from any form of increased taxation.
Copyright Act March 14th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt and local radio stations in my riding to warn the Minister of Canadian Heritage that his actions will kill jobs and small businesses.
The people I represent are suspicious that once again the Liberal government is attempting to fool Canadians, this time by introducing amendments to the Copyright Act. What the Liberals are really trying to do with neighbouring rights is to foist a killer tax on local radio stations.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage is silently planning to kill locally owned radio stations. They already pay royalties to authors and composers of music aired on their stations. Additional fees to performers and record companies is unjust.
Broadcasters maintain that free air play is what creates Canadian stars and sells records, not a Liberal government tax hidden in a bill of amendments. Canadians are confident that our culture can develop and grow without the Liberal government intervening with a radio station killer tax.
Petitions March 14th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the second petition deals with 1,032 petitioners from Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt who call on Parliament to oppose further legislation for firearms acquisition and possession and to provide strict guidelines and mandatory sentences for the use or possession of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.
This brings to date 2,958 petitioners from my riding. I support both these petitions.
Petitions March 14th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first petition comes from 1,520 petitioners of the riding of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt.
They call on Parliament to reduce the federal deficit by reducing government spending and refrain from any form of increased taxation. The government has ignored that already.
National Defence March 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, let us take a look at that.
Currently we have 12 generals per 10,000 troops in the Canadian Armed Forces. The United States and Germany have 5 generals per 10,000 troops in their forces. With the government's reductions that ratio will change to 11 generals per 10,000 troops.
Does the minister really expect the Canadian people to believe this is a cut at the top?
National Defence March 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of National Defence announced an eventual 20 per cent cut to his general staff by 1998. This is too little too late. Canada will still have a ratio of generals to troops double that of Germany or the United States.
Can the minister justify the fact that even his target reductions leave his ratios out of whack?
Cross-Country Skiing March 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt to draw the attention of the House to the visitors' gallery where His Worship, the Mayor of Oliver, British Columbia, Rick Wilson, is watching the proceedings today. As well, 20 members of the British Columbia cross-country ski team are in the area to compete in the Canadian junior cross-country ski championship being held at Camp Fortune.
I would like to give special mention to some of the team members. The first is Tara Moran who won a silver medal in the five-kilometre classic technique at the recent Canada Winter Games and another silver medal yesterday at the Canadian cross-country ski championship. I would also like to congratulate Gavin Murdoch and Chad Bergen who won silver medals yesterday as well.
Competitions like this one serve all Canadians. Aside from having the opportunity to hone athletic skills, the competitors foster national unity and understanding by bringing Canadians together from all parts of the country.
On behalf of all members of Parliament, I welcome the British Columbia visitors to the nation's capital and wish the cross-country ski team continued success.
Petitions February 27th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions today. A total of 436 petitioners from the riding of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt call on Parliament to reduce government spending instead of increasing taxes and implement a taxpayer protection act to limit federal spending.
I concur with my petitioners.