House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 53% of the vote.
Petitions November 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the second petition bears 100 signatures.
The petitioners pray and request that Parliament enact Bill C-205 introduced by the hon. member for Scarborough West so as to provide in Canadian law that no criminal profits from committing a crime.
Petitions November 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present on behalf of the constituents of Lethbridge.
The first petition, which bears 86 signatures, calls upon Parliament to refrain from implementing a tax on health and dental benefits and to put on hold any future consideration of such a tax until a complete review of the tax system and how it impacts on the health of Canadians has been undertaken.
Point Of Order November 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, my point of order references are citation 64 of Beauchesne, reflections on members, and citation 417 which refers to replies to oral questions by ministers.
During question period the government House leader made what I call verbal physical threats to my colleague from Elk Island by the use of what he calls a rubber ruler. I think that provokes debate. I would appreciate asking the hon. government House leader to withdraw that threat from the floor.
Ethics November 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, in light of the minister's answer, can the minister explain, in terms of the ethics guidelines that allow a minister of the crown to make a deposit on a fur coat and go on to charge thousands of dollars of expenses on a government credit card, how that is ethical? It is not based on whether there is reimbursement or not. Could the minister explain that kind of unethical conduct in a cabinet of this country?
Ethics November 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the only way the ethics counsellor of Canada can be independent is if he reports to Parliament. That is number one.
Number two, the guidelines for the ethics counsellor to administer must be made public so they have credibility.
My question for the Prime Minister is why are they not made public so that they can stand the test of the public and determine whether cabinet ministers are ethical in their actions?
Liberal Party November 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the highly respected organization B'nai Brith Canada yesterday released a statement criticizing the Liberal Party's recent attack memo aimed at the Reform Party of Canada. Professor Stephen Scheinberg, the national vice-president, stated: "To call the Reform Party as a whole extreme right is to stretch the meaning of this term beyond recognition. The Reform Party has in the past been very quick to deal with extremists who have tried to infiltrate their ranks. It will be difficult to recognize real extremists if we apply this term to everyone on the right of centre".
A democracy thrives on a robust debate over ideas and principles; a democracy withers when the debate is deliberately warped by those who will use whatever means necessary to attain or retain power. A democratic debate should be a contest of ideas, not a name calling or mud throwing event.
Ideas and principles such as smaller government, private property rights, personal responsibility and lower taxes are not extreme. They are a sensible alternative to our present predicament. When we deliberately misrepresent our opponents' position, we devalue our own.
I call on the government to do the right thing and disavow the words and tactics used in its talking points.
Committees Of The Whole October 29th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, my point of order is very short.
The hon. member has made an absolute statement saying that one of my colleagues is guilty of an offence under the law. Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable to make that comment. The hon. member in question has not been before the courts of this country to determine that one way or the other. I think it is unfair that a member in this House makes an accusation that is absolutely untrue and unfounded.
Committees Of The Whole October 29th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order.
Committees Of The Whole October 29th, 1996
Where did you buy a house?
Committee Of The Whole October 29th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, speaking to the point of order, the hon. member that has just raised this matter should understand when one is not imputing any kind of motives or not speaking of the motives of any one individual in this House that the word that was used as my hon. colleague has used it, is acceptable. There are no grounds at all for this point of order.