House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 46% of the vote.
Committees of the House March 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled, “Standing on Guard for Thee: Ensuring that Canada’s Immigration System is Secure”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Home James Designated Driver Program February 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be recognizing an outstanding program that is saving lives in my riding of Dufferin—Caledon. Home James, launched last fall by the Community Designated Drivers Association, is a free designated driver program to reduce impaired driving in the community.
During the 2012 holiday season, Home James recruited an impressive 145 volunteers who provided 360 rides to 822 passengers, which resulted in $9,105.78 in donations that were later presented to local youth groups on January 17.
I congratulate this exceptional organization on a job well done. I include Stan Janes and Diane Tolstoy, as well as the many service clubs and sponsors who supported the program, such as Bolton Rotary, Palgrave Rotary, Bolton Lions Club, Bolton Kinsmen, True Blue Lodge, Knights of Columbus Holy Father Catholic Church, Baffo's and Tim Hortons.
Petitions February 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to this House wherein the petitioners state that Canada's 400-year-old definition of human being says that a child does not become a human being until the moment of complete birth, contrary to 21st century medical evidence, and that Parliament has a solemn duty to reject any law that says some human beings are not human. Therefore, the petitioners call upon the House of Commons and Parliament to confirm that every human being is recognized by Canadian law as human, by amending section 223 of the Criminal Code in such a way as to reflect 21st century medical evidence.
Interparliamentary Delegations February 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participation to the fourth part of the 2012 Ordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and mission to Dublin, Ireland, which is the next president of the Council of the European Union, held in Dublin, Ireland and Strasbourg, France from October 1 to 10, 2012.
The Environment January 29th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the Highland Companies have withdrawn their application for the proposed megaquarry in Melancthon Township in my riding of Dufferin—Caledon.
I want to thank the members of the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce, and in particular Carl Cosack, Dale Rutledge and Fred von Veh.
I want to thank Robert and Donna Wells for their photographic and fundraising contributions.
I want to thank chef Michael Stadtlander and the organizers of Foodstock and Soupstock, which spread the message about the megaquarry well beyond the borders of Dufferin—Caledon and into the GTA.
Finally, I want to thank the tens of thousands of Canadians from all across the country who signed the petitions which I presented in this place virtually every week over the past year and a half.
Thanks to the efforts of these and countless others, prime Ontario farmland has been saved and our valuable water sources protected.
European Union December 10th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, in a ceremony today in Oslo, Norway, the European Union is being awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for having contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe for over six decades.
As president of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, I had the honour today of celebrating this achievement with the heads of mission from all EU member states, as well as the diplomatic corps, at an event at the government conference centre.
Canada has deep and strong ties to the European Union. Given the many sacrifices Canada made during two world wars and since, it is gratifying to know that the EU's dedicated efforts to maintain peace, stability and democracy are being recognized with this prestigious honour.
On behalf of the members of the House, I congratulate the European Union and wish it well as it navigates the difficult challenges it still faces.
Petitions November 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to present to the House of Commons this morning from a number of petitioners in my riding of Dufferin--Caledon.
The petitioners state that Canada's 400-year-old definition of a human being says that a child does not become a human being until the moment of complete birth, contrary to 21st century medical evidence. They note that that Parliament has a solemn duty to reject any law that says some human beings are not human and, therefore, they call upon the House of Commons to confirm that every human being is recognized by the Canadian law as human by amending section 223 of our Criminal Code in such a way as to reflect 21st century medical evidence.
Committees of the House November 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker: I am pleased to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled “Supplementary Estimates (B), 2012-13”.
Committees of the House November 29th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled “Bill C-43, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act”. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
Petitions November 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to the House of Commons, signed by a number of petitioners mainly from Orangeville in my riding, but also from Grand Valley, Waldemar and Hillsburgh.
The petitioners are saying that whereas Canada is the only nation in the western world, in the company of China and North Korea, without any laws restricting abortion; and whereas Canada's Supreme Court has said it is Parliament's responsibility to enact abortion legislation, these petitioners call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled, to speedily enact legislation that restricts abortion to the greatest extent possible.