Andrew Leslie

[Privilege, May 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. This is an emotional issue on an emotional day. There has been an unreserved apology from the right hon. Prime Minister. May I suggest that, as proposed by the hon. member opposite, we forward this to the appropriate committee and let the ruling unfold as it may.

[Yom Ha'atzmaut, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the tremendous contributions of our Israeli friends and the Jewish communities, large and small, both here in Canada and around the world. Canada is proud to call Israel a partner and ally. We unite in our values and our understanding of democracy.

As we celebrate Israel's vibrant culture and peoples, we also recognize the threat that Israelis continue to face in the form of terrorism, anti-Semitism, and hateful crimes, and we will always stand with them, proud and steadfast.

[Public Service Labour Relations Act, May 11th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I think if you seek it, you would find consent to apply the result of the previous vote to this one, with Liberal members voting yea.

[Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1, May 10th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I think should you seek it you would find consent to apply the results of the previous vote to this one, with the Liberal members voting yea.

[Hon. Cairine Wilson, May 6th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I attended a Parks Canada plaque unveiling ceremony at an Orléans secondary school, commemorating the historical significance of the school's namesake, the Hon. Cairine Wilson, Canada's first female senator.

Attendees were led by the students of the high school, under Principal Tom Macartney, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada chair, Dr. Richard M. Alway, and most notably, Senator Cairine Wilson's family, including Cairine Wilson and Janet Davies.

Senator Wilson greatly contributed to the advancement of women in the public sphere. She was also a strong and passionate voice for the liberalization of immigration laws and the admission of refugees to Canada.

Her work as a senator focused on promoting equal opportunities for women and their right to independence, a legacy that all Canadians can benefit from today. She was a remarkable Canadian, for a remarkable country.

[Privilege, April 19th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with my distinguished colleague.

Perhaps we could consent to refer this to the committee as proposed by the hon. opposition member.

[Instruction to Committee on Bill C-2, April 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the vote be deferred to the end of time provided for oral questions tomorrow, Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

[Ottawa's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, April 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the people of Orléans for placing their trust in me and electing me on October 19. I promise to work tirelessly on their behalf in the House of Commons and in the riding.

A short while ago, I had the honour of speaking at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at 50-year anniversary celebrations here in Ottawa. This community, whose motto is “Love for all, hatred for none”, values peace, social justice, and harmony, above all else.

Present to convey this message were the national president, Mr. Lal Khan Malik, and the local Imam, Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed, good friends. I was also pleased to see so many distinguished community members standing with the Canadian Ahmadiyya community, including my colleagues, the hon. Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the member for Hull—Aylmer, the right hon. Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

For me, what stands out the most about the Ottawa Ahmadiyya community is the people's inspirational community activism, outreach, and anti-radicalization efforts.

For 50 years they have made Canada their home.

[Privilege, April 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I listened to the intervention of my hon. colleague from the Conservative Party concerning the troubling suggestion that someone from the government prematurely disclosed the contents of Bill C-14, the bill concerning medical assistance in dying, which was introduced earlier today.

I am not aware of the details surrounding the media report referred to by the member, but I want to assure the House that our government takes any breach of the privilege of members and of the House very seriously.

I can tell the House that at no point was anyone authorized to publicly discuss the specific details of the bill prior to introduction.

On behalf of the government, I unreservedly apologize to the House and to members. Our government will work to ensure that this does not happen again.

[Public Service Labour Relations Act, March 24th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, may I wish you and yours a joyous Easter, as well as all members of the House.

I believe if you seek it, you would find consent to see the clock as 2:30 p.m.