Lost his last election, in 1997, with 26% of the vote.
Indian Affairs December 13th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
After several weeks of investigating native government on the Maliseet reserve near Woodstock in my riding, the Telegraph Journal has made some very serious allegations regarding the expenditure of federal funds.
Could the minister provide the House with information concerning the allegations over mismanagement of funds in the first nation and any information relative to an RCMP investigation?
Youth Entrepreneurial Program December 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, business and industry are the engines that drive economic growth in Canada. For this reason it is of utmost importance to encourage the traditional Canadian entrepreneurial spirit.
This week I was delighted to present awards to the winners of the youth entrepreneurial program in the Carleton-Charlotte region of New Brunswick. This program was sponsored by the Carleton Regional Development Commission in partnership with ACOA and the provincial department of advanced education and labour.
Eleven university students presented their options for new businesses and from these presentations, three winning business plans were selected.
I offer congratulations to the winners: Lisa Gionet, Nancy Martin and Simon MacInnis. I extend my appreciation to all participants and the organizers for the event.
There is a new confidence in Canada, and the government's jobs and growth strategy is working. The Canadian entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well once again.
Petitions November 30th, 1994
The third and final petition, Mr. Speaker, is signed by 307 persons in the same areas. They request that the House ensures that the present provisions of the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced and that Parliament makes no changes in support of euthanasia.
The petitions have all been duly checked by the clerk of petitions and I am pleased to present them to the House.
Petitions November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is signed by some 312 citizens residing in the same areas I previously noted.
They would like Parliament and all members to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to unborn human beings.
They petition the House of Commons to take action.
Petitions November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions from the Carleton-Charlotte riding to be presented today. They are signed by many citizens from such areas as St. Stephen, St. Andrews, Moores Mills, St. George, Rolling Dam, Back Bay, Deer Island, Pennfield, Blacks Harbour, Beaver Harbour, Mace's Bay, McAdam, Harvey, Grand Manan, Dipper Harbour and Bonny River.
I am certainly pleased to present the first petition regarding societal approval of same sex relationships. The petitioners encourage the Parliament of Canada not to take any action that might be deemed as approval for same sex relationships. The petition is signed by 313 citizens.
Christmas Miracle Program November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, as the holiday season approaches, we see many acts of caring and sharing by thousands of Canadian organizations and individuals.
This past Sunday, the Woodstock and Florenceville, New Brunswick, Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs hosted their 18th annual Christmas Miracle Program displaying an abundance of excellent local talent and raising thousands of dollars to assist those in need. Having had the opportunity to personally take part again this year, I was pleased to see the pledges of sharing and caring that are prevalent among Canadians.
Congratulations to the Woodstock and Florenceville Kinsmen and Kinettes for their worthy efforts to help others. Congratulations to all Canadian clubs, organizations and individuals who volunteer their time and talent in order to assist others during this season. They truly represent the holiday spirit and make us all proud to be Canadians.
Governor General November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House to join with my colleagues in extending sincere congratulations to Romeo LeBlanc on his appointment as Governor General of Canada.
As a New Brunswicker and an Atlantic Canadian I must admit I am very proud of this appointment. I congratulate the Prime Minister on this wise and popular choice. Romeo LeBlanc is well respected in his home province of New Brunswick, in Atlantic Canada and indeed in all of Canada.
Romeo LeBlanc's appointment as the first Governor General from Atlantic Canada demonstrates the high esteem the government has for Atlantic Canadians and goes a long way in dispelling the many slurs recently heard against Atlantic Canadians.
I congratulate Romeo LeBlanc and the entire LeBlanc family on this very happy occasion.
Social Security Program November 18th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I think the terminology I heard was bananas, and that is absolutely right. Bananas, I repeat it.
I read a little quote: "A strong economy is the essence of a strong society. My government will focus on a jobs and growth agenda. We will work with all our partners, provincial governments, business, labour, voluntary groups and individual Canadians". That is a quote from the Prime Minister of Canada.
I could carry it on a little further by referring to the opening of the green paper: "My commitment is to listen and to work with all Canadians, different governments, groups, organizations, so that we can develop in partnership a framework that makes sense, is effective and is founded on basic Canadian values of compassion and justice. And I invite you to join in the discussion and debate".
The point is that the green paper tabled by the minister is a consultation paper. The minister has pleaded with with the party across the way in the opposition to participate. There certainly are some alternatives laid forth in the green paper. At the same time the minister has been very open time and time again: if there is a better suggestion, a better idea, a better alternative, come forward with it. He is open to discussion; he is open to points of view on this subject matter.
As a matter of fact he has gone out of his way to invite all Canadians to participate. It is important to people from the province of Quebec. It is important to people from the province of New Brunswick. Indeed it is important for all Canadians. This is your opportunity, members of the opposition party, to focus on citizens in the province of Quebec and have them come forward.
Why is the approach not to get these points of view across to the minister? I know he is open to them.
Social Security Programs November 17th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to the comments of the hon. member across the way. I must say that I am certainly pleased to hear a member speak from the point of view of consultation. That is what the green paper tabled by the minister is really all about.
During the most recent break I had the opportunity to have several public forums in my riding. I must admit there were several suggestions on this particular point regarding education and, from the federal perspective, how it might or should be funded in the future.
The point that the hon. member made was one of those comments about a voucher type of system. Another was the fact that instead of taking this fund that currently I believe is $2.6 billion, put it in a special fund for students only, earmark it that way and transfer it to the provinces, but with the specific outline that it is for post-secondary education only to ensure that is where it goes.
Having heard the hon. member and his comments regarding the voucher system, would he agree that there probably are several options available which could and possibly should be looked at in addition to the one that was in the green paper as one alternative.
I do appreciate the fact that finally the member and his party realize that this is a consultation paper, that nothing has been carved in stone, that we want this input not only from members of Parliament but from Canadians from coast to coast so that we can come up with a consensus that will be good for Canada, our students, our youth not only today but indeed as we work toward the 21st century and try to be a benefit to all post-secondary students and those coming on in the next number of years.
I would ask the hon. member to comment on that.
Via Rail November 17th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.
As the minister knows, VIA Rail will terminate passenger service from Saint John, New Brunswick to Sherbrooke, Quebec as of December 15, 1994 and CPR intends to abandon the rail line on January 1, 1995.
The private sector seems to have taken great interest in freight service from Saint John through the state of Maine and then through to Sherbrooke.
Could the minister tell us if he sees an option to renew passenger service from Saint John, New Brunswick to Sherbrooke, Quebec?