House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 41% of the vote.
Government Spending November 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this government does not realize how serious the unemployment problem is, and at the same time, it is guilty of excessive spending.
The government is wasting money on baubles and trinkets. The Minister of Foreign Affairs spent $6,000 to replace Pellan paintings with portraits of the Queen. Furthermore, he spent $55,000 on flags for the Diamond Jubilee, completely ignoring the real concerns of Canadians.
How can the government justify such excessive spending on baubles and trinkets?
Employment November 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, now that the minister is talking about jobs, let us talk about jobs.
The real rate of unemployment today in Canada is 10%, which means that there are two million unemployed in Canada, people who are discouraged, who have stopped looking for work, and who are actually out of work. It is two million people.
I would like to ask the minister a simple question. Why is it that the only initiative that the government is planning to take on January 1, 2012, is a middle-class tax increase? How can the government possibly justify that when there are two million unemployed Canadians?
The Environment November 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the government wants to be honest, straightforward and transparent, and that is what leads me to ask a very simple question.
If it is the intention of the Government of Canada to renege on a treaty that was ratified by the Parliament of Canada, why would the Government of Canada not say so now? Why would it not just bring it forward for debate in Parliament now? Why not do it before it goes through the charade of participating in the conference in Durban? Why such a double standard?
Aboriginal Affairs November 17th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the Ontario government has clearly said that this has been going on for centuries. The federal government itself recognized this fact when it made an offer of more than $100 million, which was turned down by the aboriginal negotiators. The Ontario government has agreed to the appointment of a mediator, but the Government of Canada refuses to appoint one.
If the government is serious, why is it not appointing a mediator to work through this major problem?
Aboriginal Affairs November 17th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we can argue about conversion dates at some other point, but let me draw the attention of the Prime Minister to one particular issue which I think requires a broader solution than the one he is prepared to take on.
The other day I visited the Six Nations reserve, which is the most highly populated reserve in the country. It has a serious drinking water problem. There are 315 homes that have no water supply whatsoever.
At the same time as the Minister of Canadian Heritage is announcing a program with respect to the War of 1812, those people who were there for Canada in 1812 to 1814 have still not had recognition of a large fundamental land claim that speaks to the land that was stolen from them over the last two centuries.
What is the Prime Minister going to do on that issue?
Aboriginal Affairs November 17th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, today in the House we are debating the question of an effective strategy for clean running water for every single Canadian across the country, and it seems to have the support of all parties as we move forward.
I would like to ask the Prime Minister, since his party has announced it is supporting this measure, to outline what he is going to do to ensure there will be clean drinking water for every single Canadian within a fixed time point.
Tom Kent and Fraser Mustard November 17th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, last night, Canada lost two of its most creative progressive thinkers with the passing of Tom Kent and Fraser Mustard.
Tom Kent served all Canadians in his many roles as journalist, editor, public servant and author, but his greatest legacy was his role in working on the groundbreaking social innovations that characterized the Pearson administration, including our national medicare system and the Canada Pension Plan.
Tom never tired from his crusade, working later in Cape Breton, and authoring solutions for social reforms well into his eighties. I can tell members that he never shrank from challenging the leaders of today when he felt they were not doing enough to advance the cause of progress.
I also want to mark the passing of another great social reformer and a good friend, Dr. Fraser Mustard, who sadly also left us last night.
Fraser helped to build McMaster's medical school, was a pioneer in occupational health and the development of centres of excellence, and can really be called the father of early childhood development in Canada. He advised governments in Canada and around the world and was a tireless worker for better policy and better lives.
All Canadians owe Tom Kent and Dr. Fraser Mustard a debt of gratitude for their pivotal roles in shaping our nation.
Let us all resolve to take up the torch of these two great men and resolve to strive to make Canada an even more equitable, more just and more progressive nation.
Business of Supply November 17th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay for his passion and leadership on this issue.
This is not a criticism of the member's speech; it is a comment. I would like the member to reply with a brief comment as well.
What is missing in this discussion so far is the issue of self-government. We have to change the nature of the relationship.
Here we are debating the conditions of a sewage treatment plant or the lack of running water in a community thousands of miles away because it does not have the resources to deal with these problems. Until we create a Canada wherein we actually transfer the resources to allow people to make these decisions to get on with it themselves, we will continue this pattern of frustration and dependence, which is such a negative aspect of this whole issue we are discussing today.
We all need to figure out a way to move forward on the self-government agenda. We nearly got there at one time in our constitutional history. However, we did not get there and, as a result, we see a huge backup in land claims, discussions and negotiations. There is great difficulty getting there.
I would ask the hon. member to comment on that.
Business of Supply November 17th, 2011
Madam Speaker, there is no question that a better regulatory regime is an important objective. As I said in my earlier comments, this is not about trying to score one point against another.
I want to ask the minister about the conversation I had with Premier Selinger just a few days ago. He indicated, and it was not something the premier was telling me privately but something he said in the legislature, that the Province of Manitoba was prepared to sign the same kind of joint agreement as was signed between Ontario and the federal government to deal with the infrastructure needs of the communities that do not have access to running water now.
I wonder if the minister could tell us if the Government of Canada is prepared to contemplate entering into such an agreement.
Business of Supply November 17th, 2011
Yes, Madam Speaker.