House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 8% of the vote.
Petitions October 28th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, my second petition is about gas gouging and it has been signed by people in my riding of Thunder Bay--Superior who are definitely getting hosed, gouged or whatever metaphor one wants to us, more than most of Canada, certainly more than Ottawa or southern Ontario. Most of these people are from Terrace Bay and Schreiber and they pay the highest prices of all.
The petitioners call upon Parliament to give speedy passage to Bill C-286, which would deal with gas gouging in Canada.
Petitions October 28th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to submit to the House this morning. The first petition relates to child care.
As members of the House know, for decades Canadian Parliaments have been promising to end child poverty and provide, in a complementary fashion, excellent child care. The petitioners want to ensure that all children living in Canada have access to excellent child care. In particular, they support the passage of Bill C-373.
Strengthening Aviation Security Act October 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as usual, the hon. member for Vancouver Kingsway is well informed and quite erudite. I am quite impressed. I thank him for doing such a good job of describing what is happening and the implications of this bill.
I wonder if he would be willing to share his opinion on why such a silly bill is being promulgated. Is it that the Conservatives are more concerned about the wishes of foreign countries than they are about Canadians' right to privacy? Is it that the Conservatives are paranoid on this issue? Worst of all, is this a deliberate strategy, learned from George Bush and Dick Cheney, on how to instill false panic among Canadians so that they will not notice the largest deficit in Canadian history and the loss of Canadian democratic rights?
Canada-Panama Free Trade Act October 26th, 2010
Madam Speaker, like the hon. member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, I am concerned about yet more NAFTA style bilateral agreements that move our jobs offshore and cost us more and more autonomy here in Canada.
However, given the hon. member's extensive expertise and interest in the environment, I would like him to comment a little bit more and explain why the side agreement on the environment seems to have absolutely no teeth. It seems to be a feel good exercise, a kind of gentleman's agreement. Am I wrong? Does it have teeth? Will it protect the environment? Does he share my concerns?
Fairness at the Pumps Act October 26th, 2010
Madam Speaker, as I understand it, there are now going to be private inspections. This will be another privatization move by the Conservatives. Inspections will increase from 8,000 to over 65,000 per year. There will be no ombudsperson's office to evaluate any problems or investigate complaints. There will be no refund or compensation for the consumers who have been abused by these problems and no refund or restitution of the taxes collected.
I would like to ask the hon. member whether I understand this correctly.
Petitions October 26th, 2010
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to present a petition from two different ridings in support of my passenger rail bill.
VIA Rail was cut several decades ago along the north shore of Lake Superior and through Thunder Bay. The small towns of Schreiber, Marathon and Terrace Bay are now isolated. Quite often, bus service is not adequate. Many people who live along the north shore of Lake Superior have signed this petition in support of restoring rail service along that route.
I have another petition to present from people outside of my riding in support of my passenger rail bill. These petitioners are from Dryden and the riding of Thunder Bay—Rainy River and they support their brethren along the north shore of Lake Superior.
It is my great pleasure to present many petitions regarding VIA rail passenger service along the north shore.
The Environment October 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, winter is almost here. Canadian families are worried about the cost of staying warm. The HST will raise the cost of home heating this winter.
Canadians know that home heating is not a luxury. Our government does not seem to. Even worse, the Conservatives cancelled the eco-energy home retrofit program, which helped families to save money and allowed new businesses to grow.
When will the government do the obvious thing and bring back the eco-energy home retrofit program?
The Environment October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, fall is here and heating costs are becoming a big concern for seniors and families across our country.
The eco-energy home energy retrofit program helped a lot. It created jobs. It cut greenhouse gas emissions. It reduced home heating costs. The government admitted that it worked and then it killed the program.
Will the government come to its senses and bring back a national home energy retrofit program to help Canadians this winter?
Democratic Reform October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am dismayed and embarrassed by MPs heckling and catcalling here in the House. Canadians do not like it. It does not have to be this way. Members should listen.
In Scandinavia I have observed firsthand the way in which proportional representation leads to rational discussion and debate, mutual respect, workable compromise and much better governance than we have here. Our constituents are looking to us for statesmanship, leadership and effective government that represents not just regions and factions but all Canadians.
I have an idea that could help us achieve some of that mutual respect and co-operation that is needed so desperately right now. We could choose to change our seating charts and abandon the hockey-bench blocks of seating in the House by party. We could randomize seating here in the House. Some time spent in the House next to members from other parties would lead to recognition of us all as people with whom we can share ideas with more mutual respect.
Our constituents want better. They deserve better. Let us act now to improve our system and our behaviour.
Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay has raised a lot of interesting and disturbing points about the spending of the current government. I wonder if he would like to comment a little about where Canada is getting the money that we are wasting these days when we have more regressive taxation, huge tax cuts to big oil and big banks, et cetera.
I know the member is knowledgeable about this. Could he share a few perspectives on the revenue stream?