House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 38% of the vote.
The Budget June 7th, 2011
Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague from Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie on his exemplary first speech in the House of Commons. Clearly, the future of the NDP is in very good hands. My question is for my colleague, who spoke about seniors and the food banks that they must go to from time to time.
What more could the government have done to help our seniors get out of poverty?
Regional Development June 7th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, tax cuts for major corporations do not create jobs in the north. FedNor is a real economic driver in northern Ontario, and it would not cost anything to make this agency independent and protected from ministerial interference.
When will the minister make FedNor independent, like the other development agencies in Canada?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns March 25th, 2011
With respect to federal regional economic development agencies: (a) what new programs and initiatives does each agency plan to introduce after Canada's Economic Action Plan (EAP) initiatives sunset on March 31, 2011; (b) what are the expected cuts for each federal agency once the EAP's initiatives sunset; and (c) how many jobs are created by each agency as a result of implementation of EAP initiatives.
Questions on the Order Paper March 25th, 2011
With respect to FedNor: (a) how many new programs will be introduced for the Northern Ontario region in the fiscal year 2011-2012; (b) how many programs will sunset on March 31, 2011; and (c) how many major projects will be launched in 2011-2012 in cooperation with each municipality and local community?
Investment Canada Act March 25th, 2011
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-648, An Act to amend the Investment Canada Act (enhanced ministerial oversight).
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Windsor West for allowing me to work on this file.
I am so pleased to table this important legislation that would provide substantive improvements to the Investment Canada Act. This bill is the culmination of consultations with stakeholders, experts, academics and labour organizations.
This bill, entitled “an act to amend the Investment Canada Act (enhanced ministerial oversight)”, would, among other things, require the Minister of Industry to consult with representatives of industry and labour, provincial and local authorities and other interested persons in exercising their powers under the Investment Canada Act; lower the threshold for ministerial review to $100 million; invite submissions from interested parties; require sureties from non-Canadian investors; broaden the minister's consideration when evaluating net benefits; eliminate the prohibition against communication of information related to the investment; and extend the timetable for review from 45 to 90 days.
In other words, this bill would strengthen the Investment Canada Act to protect workers and their communities, something the Conservative government and previous Liberal governments have refused to do.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
The Budget March 24th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, northern families are struggling to find doctors and nurses, yet this budget would do nothing to solve that problem.
Dr. Roger Strasser, the dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, said:
Just providing financial incentives are not enough to turn around the shortage of doctors and nurses in rural and remote areas.
Why are Conservatives ignoring health specialists and northern families?
Why did the Conservatives reject the NDP's practical plan to increase the number of family doctors and nurses in rural Canada?
The Budget March 24th, 2011
Madam Speaker, New Democrats want to make this Parliament work. That is why we proposed a practical, doable plan to lift seniors out of poverty, provide pension security, and to ensure that Canadians have access to doctors and nurses.
The problem is that the current Conservative government is only interested in playing games and undermining our democratic institution.
My constituents do not want an election. They need help to make life more affordable.
New Democrats listened, but Conservatives did not. They are too busy behaving as if they are above the law. Is it any wonder we have another instance of abuse of power with the Prime Minister's own former top aide, Bruce Carson?
Just yesterday, I returned a call from a constituent in Capreol, Mrs. Greaves, who had called me to say that she was totally disgusted and insulted by the budget. She said that the $600 in the budget barely addressed her needs. Mrs. Greaves is 72 years old and is still working as a nurse because she has no choice. That is no way to treat our seniors.
It is not too late for the government to change its course and adopt the NDP's practical, doable plan for--
Petitions March 21st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by dozens of people from Markham, Pickering, Oshawa, Montreal, Laval and Saint-Hubert.
The petitioners urgently call on the Government of Canada to accelerate a greater and broader participation of multiple sclerosis sufferers in a pilot testing and treatment by providing fast-track funding, to work immediately with the provinces and territories through the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies, and to take a leading role on the basis of this evidence and encouraging the swift adoption of a procedure in the territories and provinces.
Government Priorities March 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, he will be lending support to candidates who are having trouble explaining why the government has not been protecting pensions, funding long-term care facilities or giving constituents a break on the GST. The Conservatives even voted against FedNor. The government has no interest in helping the people of northern Ontario.
Is this visit just another example of ministerial resources paying for Conservative campaigns?
Government Priorities March 11th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this weekend the government House leader will be visiting my riding of Nickel Belt, lending support--