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Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was terms.

Last in Parliament October 2019, as Conservative MP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex (Ontario)

Won his last election, in 2015, with 50% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Josiah Henson October 26th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to recognize a great man, Mr. Josiah Henson.

Born in Maryland, Mr. Josiah Henson worked as a slave for 41 years. In 1830, he and his family escaped to Ontario via the Underground Railroad.

After being employed for many years as a farmhand, Mr. Henson moved his family to Dresden in Lambton—Kent—Middlesex and championed the establishment of the Dawn Settlement, which today commemorates Uncle Tom's Cabin Museum.

This settlement was established to provide a refuge and a new beginning for former slaves. It was through Josiah's leadership that one of Canada's first industrial schools was founded. It is where fugitive slaves were educated, trained and prepared for their new life of freedom.

At least 30,000 slaves escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad. This was made possible by individuals like Josiah Henson. Let us never forget this man and others like him who stood against injustice and intolerance.

National Peacekeepers' Day Act October 5th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, like the hon. member for Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, like all members of this House, and like all Canadians I hold thousands of Canadian men and women who serve both Canada and the world in the cause of peace in the highest esteem.

Consequently, I will be joining the member in supporting our peacekeepers by voting in favour of Bill C-287, so that it can move on to committee.

I will confess that I considered for some time whether the declaration of a national day was the appropriate means to express our respect and endless gratitude for the sacrifice of these brave and dedicated men and women.

My concern was that such a declaration might somehow take away from Canada's long tradition of remembrance. We have for almost 90 years set aside November 11 as our national day of thanks to the more than 116,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who have given their lives in defence of our freedom. Even before Confederation, Newfoundlanders were committed to democracy as they are now.

We honour and thank them all on that day because we do not wish to distinguish the sacrifice of one from another. We cannot make that distinction because it does not exist. Each one made the ultimate sacrifice and there is none greater. The recognition of that simple profound fact, that one can do no more than to give one's life for one's country, is the very essence of our remembrance.

It is true however as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs has pointed out, that for a great many Canadians, probably a majority of Canadians, Remembrance Day stirs particularly fond memories. We think of the horrors of the trenches of the first world war, the great battles of the second world war, and the bitter fighting in Korea. These powerful memories make all the more powerful the tremendous place these great conflicts occupy in world history.

It is for this reason that the excellent education and awareness programs offered by Veterans Affairs Canada include special modules designed to increase the understanding by Canadians of the significant contribution that Canada's peacekeepers have made and, in fact, continue to do today.

Canada's new Veterans Charter is founded on that same belief. It recognizes that today's veterans have earned the same high standard of service from Canada that their parents and grandparents earned. The new Veterans Charter recognizes that every member of the forces, no matter where or when they wear the uniform, are accepting the same risk.

They know that at any time they may be asked to put their lives and their futures on the line, in peacekeeping, peacemaking or combat services, or in times of emergency at home. There is no question that the risks and stresses may differ from one mission to another. Our peacekeepers must deal with unpredictable situations, where it may be difficult to know who is a friend and who is an enemy.

We recognize that on one of the days that we set aside we pay homage to all those who have died in the service of our country, but the question is, is it enough?

Our peacekeepers are honoured each year on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers in May. Are Canada's peacekeepers like the prophets without sufficient honour in their own land? The question is--

Committees of the House June 12th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, again, I think it is clear that all members in the House are behind supply management and I thank all members for their comments. I am wondering as we go through this discussion if in fact the motion, as was raised on this side, actually has support at this time. In terms of supply management, have the farmers of Ontario actually given their support to this motion in respect of its timing on one issue? I ask that question of my colleague.

Committees of the House June 12th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting that in 2005 all parties agreed to support supply management, and this party truly does support supply management.

I also find it interesting that for 13 years the Liberals had the opportunity to do things about supply management and article XXVIII and yet they stood back and did nothing until they were out of power. Now that we are in power, they seem to think that everything should be done in 100 days.

I can say that many things have been done in the first 100 days. One thing about this government, as opposed to the previous government which tended to put programs together in a piecemeal opportunity and which talked about the CAIS program, a program built to help the government and not farmers and build on ad hoc programs, this government will deal with agriculture and the industry in the best way we can. We will deal with supply management, and not piecemeal, in support of that type of a motion, those types of things that will disseminate and pit one industry against the other.

We want to deal with supply management by sitting with the processors and the producers to ensure we move ahead in a proper and formal manner.

I would suggest that not everyone in the supply management system agrees that we should be dealing with this. Why is this government so intent on moving ahead on one issue within supply management and not looking at the industry as a whole?

Agriculture June 8th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, unlike past Liberal governments that believed a press release was actually a policy statement, I want to say that this government is making real progress on issues like agriculture.

The development of biofuels is a vital industry for the agriculture community and offers a new revenue opportunity for producers. I know that the Minister of Agriculture will soon be meeting with stakeholders to discuss biofuels. I wonder if he would like to update us on what he hopes to achieve at this important meeting.

Divorce Act June 5th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to speak to the private member's bill introduced by my colleague from Lethbridge. As many members of the House know, the member for Lethbridge has pursued multiple private members' bills dealing with child protection. I commend the member for all his hard work over the years in exposing the weaknesses in our child protection laws and for working toward making our country a safer place for our children to live.

The private member's bill that we are discussing today deals with families that have experienced a separation by divorce. As some members know, divorce takes a heavy toll on the basic family structure and can pit parent against parent as spouses break their bonds.

The bonds between parents and children are important to both and must be promoted, especially those who experience divorce.

Agriculture June 2nd, 2006

Mr. Speaker, agriculture and agrifood is one of the largest industries in Canada. New technologies are emerging that will make this sector even more efficient and environmentally friendly. The industry's successes are a very visible source of national pride.

Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell us of any recent science and technology investments in agriculture and agrifood?

Figure Skating May 11th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House today and acknowledge two of Canada's premier figure skaters from my riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex.

Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, from the Ilderton Skating Club, have brought incredible pride to our community and to Canada. This skating duo started when they were five and four years old, respectively, and are now 17 and 16.

In December 2005 they won the Junior Ice Dance title in the Czech Republic. This March, they won the Junior Ice Dance Championship in Slovenia. This win made them the first team ever to win the Junior World Dance title for Canada. It has been 27 years since Canada won a gold medal at these world championships.

I ask all members to join with me today to congratulate Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue on their extraordinary accomplishments and to wish them continued success in skating for Canada.

Agriculture May 5th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to emphasize the significance of agriculture to this great country of Canada.

For the first time in many years, our agriculture producers have a government that listened and then took action on a financial crisis that the previous government created and then failed to do anything about. Farmers are now represented by a government that will reinvest in the second largest industry in this country to the extent of $1.5 billion in additional funds.

I am proud to be a member of a government that keeps its promises. I commend the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Prime Minister for listening and taking action in such a positive way.

This is a great budget for farmers. It has proven that the government is committed to agriculture and will provide real investment in a real time of need.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply April 11th, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I need to also remind the hon. member that I farm. That, over the past years, takes away some of that initiative in terms of how our tax structure will affect me.

Having said that, it is clear that the GST is a form of tax that this government and the people of Canada want. We have said in our campaign, and it is part of our five priorities, that we will reduce the GST from 7% to 6%, and then to 5%. This tax affects every person in this country regardless of how much they make. It is a tax for all people of Canada.