House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 38% of the vote.
Canada-Panama Free Trade Act September 30th, 2010
Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague for his low-key speech on this bill.
The member opposite used the words “sabotaging Canada”. The fact that foreign corporations are using Panama as a tax haven for probably billions and billions of dollars is sabotaging our health care, education, and housing, all the things necessary to give Canadians a good life. How is this tax haven affecting ordinary Canadians?
Seniors September 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, this summer, I had the opportunity to knock on doors in various communities throughout my riding. One thing was clear: constituents, like Frank Rainville from Sturgeon Falls, are deeply anxious about their future and their retirement prospects, for good reasons.
The Conservative government can spare millions of dollars on television and billboard ads but can only spare a $1.50 increase to old age security, after a two year freeze.
Our seniors are facing mounting costs in every aspect of their lives. Whether it is their medication or the unfair McGuinty-Harper HST, life is becoming harder. Limited access to long-term care is adding insult to injury. Those who are fortunate to be employed are deeply worried about their pensions.
I am proud of the work of the NDP. We are listening and acting on their concerns.
With concrete plans, such as improving the Canada pension plan, increasing the guaranteed income supplement to lift seniors out of poverty, to lowering drug costs through a national drug strategy, we are fighting to ensure Canadians retire with dignity and security.
Business of Supply September 28th, 2010
Madam Speaker, on September 18, I stopped in my community of Sturgeon Falls, which is a small community. About 40 people were present. They talked to me about their pensions. They talked to me about their health care. They talked to me about a lot of things. However, they did not talk to me about the census.
Another place I went to this summer was to the committee hearings for the census. I listened to the member's speech at the committee. I understood that he said that expert after expert supported the government's position on the long form census, but I want to—
Business of Supply September 28th, 2010
Madam Speaker, the hon. member in his opening remarks said that it is not about data; it is about differences between the opposition parties. I would like to correct the hon. member. It is about data. That is all it is about. It is about data.
One of the questions the respondent did not like was what time the individual leaves for work in the morning. That question is not relevant to me, but it may be relevant to municipalities when it comes to public transportation planning.
The member mentioned the information regarding the number of bedrooms in a person's house. That too is important for the municipalities if they are planning rental housing.
I think the government is concerned about safeguarding privacy. I would like to quote one of the government members. He said:
Statistics Canada has taken a number of important safeguards to protect the privacy and confidentiality of Census responses.
That is a quote from the member for Beauce.
I would like the hon. member to tell me, if privacy was not an issue before, why is it now?
Business of Supply September 28th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my colleague from Ottawa—Vanier about the census.
I come from a francophone community. A few weeks ago, I went to Saskatchewan to visit with francophones. This week, I visited Acadians in New Brunswick. It is clear that many francophones in this country live outside Quebec.
Can the member tell me how francophones outside Quebec will be affected by the fact that there will no longer be a long form census?
Census September 27th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, eliminating the mandatory long form census questionnaire shows that the government is not very concerned with finding solutions to Canadians' problems. Today, the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada is in court in an attempt to reinstate the long form. The data collected are necessary to ensure that linguistic minorities receive the services that meet their needs.
When will the government acknowledge that it made a mistake and reinstate the long form questionnaire?
Foreign Investments September 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the companies that make use of our natural resources are strategic businesses. We cannot give foreign interests carte blanche when they want to take over our companies, as was the case with Vale Inco and Xstrata. It is time for transparency concerning foreign investments.
Will the government work with us to ensure that the primary beneficiaries of the exploitation of our natural resources are first and foremost the people who live and work in these regions?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns September 20th, 2010
With regard to FedNor project funding for 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010: (a) how many applications for funding were submitted to FedNor from the riding of Nickel Belt, and what are the details of these applications; (b) how many of the funding applications were approved, and what are the details of these applications; and (c) for each of the applications that were successful, what amount did each request and what amount did each receive?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns September 20th, 2010
With regard to Industry Canada’s Investment Review Division: (a) what is the total staff complement for assessing the net benefit to Canada of foreign acquisitions of Canadian companies; (b) how many positions are there and what are the job titles; (c) what were the net annual administrative costs for fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010; (d) what are the projected administrative costs for 2010-2011; (e) what criteria are used to assess the net benefit to Canadians in a foreign takeover; (f) what criteria are used to assess the effect of a foreign takeover on the local community; and (g) under what circumstances would the Minister allow an extension to the maximum 45 days for initial review?
Petitions September 20th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise in the House today to present a petition from hundreds of people from right across Canada.
The petitioners urgently call upon the Government of Canada to take immediate action to accelerate a greater and broader participation of MS sufferers in pilot testing and treatment by providing and fast-tracking funding for surveillance, research and dissemination of findings, including providing urgent pre-screening image services for MS sufferers, to work immediately with the provinces and territories through the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, to obtain advice and evidence-based information about the effectiveness of chronic CCSVI treatment without delay, and to take a leading role on the basis of the evidence in encouraging the swift adoption of the procedure in the territories and provinces.