House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 37% of the vote.
Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act May 8th, 2012
Madam Speaker, in her speech the member mentioned that some lower income Canadians would be out $30,000 per year. I wonder where the member could find that figure for me because, as I read it right now, a maximum annual income for OAS is $6,481 and the maximum for GIS is $8,788. I wonder if the member could tell me where she got that $30,000 from, please.
Bowling May 2nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this coming weekend, I have the great honour of coaching four exceptionally talented young girls from British Columbia at the national youth bowling five pin championships.
Portia Eldaun, Macenzi Lukkar, Kally Campbell and Janaya White, all from Sparwood, will represent British Columbia in the bantam girls division.
These four young girls who are between the ages of 8 and 10 have worked hard to get to where they are and to be able to participate in a national competition.
The national championships are being hosted by the great province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
I encourage anyone who will be out in the St. John's area on May 5, 6 and 7 to come out to the local five pin bowling centres and watch the best youth bowlers in Canada compete for national titles.
I wish all the competitors and coaches good luck.
Criminal Code April 27th, 2012
Madam Speaker, this legislation works toward eliminating this heinous crime. Could my friend tell me how it would help police officers not only in Canada but around the globe?
Firearms Registry April 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that yesterday the Senate passed the ending of the long gun registry. For years now, the opposition has been fear-mongering and misrepresenting the long gun registry in order to maintain its vanity project intact. Right until the bitter end of this wasteful and ineffective 17-year debacle, the Liberals have ignored the will of Canadians to push their misguided agenda to treat law-abiding hunters, farmers and sport shooters like criminals.
Rest assured, by this afternoon, the bill will become law and Canadians will no longer have to register their hunting rifles or shotguns.
Our government promised to end the long gun registry once and for all. That is exactly what we have done: promise made, promise kept.
Syria March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the main obstacle for peace and stability in Syria remains the Assad regime and its backers who persist in killing Syrian civilians. Canada's position has not changed. Assad must go. The aspirations of the Syrian people to live in peace must be met.
Would the Minister of Public Safety please give the House an update on the actions the Government of Canada is taking to ensure that no one removed from Canada faces an undue risk of death or torture at the hands of the Assad regime?
Public Safety March 14th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, marijuana grow ops harm our communities. There are unacceptable risks to those living where marijuana plants are being illegally cultivated. Wherever they exist, there is a real potential for an increase in criminal activity.
I would like to congratulate the RCMP for taking action to shut down a 5,200 plant marijuana grow op near Nelson, B.C. While searching the premises, the RCMP found two young children who were living in the home and were exposed to all the dangers of the operation. Situations like these are putting children at risk. Any time children are exposed to chemicals, unsafe wiring and drugs there is a real chance that they could be seriously hurt. That is why we have taken action and passed the safe streets and communities act. This bill will seriously and appropriately punish those who produce and traffic illegal drugs.
The member for St. John's East says that people like those responsible for grow ops such as this are just misunderstood individuals who have simply run afoul of the law. On this side of the House—
Justice March 9th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are concerned about crime and keeping our streets and communities safe.
In the last election campaign, we promised Canadians that we would introduce harsher sentences for violent criminals in the first 100 days of this Parliament.
The safe streets and communities act will ensure jail time for sexual predators and drug dealers who target our children.
The opposition parties recently moved to adjourn Parliament rather than debate the legislation. Could the parliamentary secretary update the House as to the status of the safe streets and communities act?
Business of Supply March 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am thankful to the Minister of Veterans Affairs for all that he does for this country.
As a retired member of the RCMP, I am much appreciative of the benefits that I receive yearly on behalf of Veterans Affairs. More important, what I would like the parliamentary secretary to expound upon is this. My son served in the last combat mission in Afghanistan from November 2010 to July 2011. I was blessed with the fact that we were phoned every month to ensure how our family was doing while he was serving overseas. I wonder if the member could again explain some of the programs that are available to the families while their loved ones are serving overseas.
Justice March 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are concerned about crime, which is why they gave our government a strong mandate to keep our streets and communities safe.
Residents in my riding of Kootenay—Columbia were particularly concerned when a young four-year-old boy was kidnapped from his home. This is one reason why I introduced Bill C-299, which proposes a tougher penalty for those who kidnap a young person under the age of 16. Unfortunately, every opposition MP voted against the tougher penalty for kidnappers of children.
Can the minister please inform this House about the importance of my legislation and why the opposition should reconsider their position?
Business of Supply February 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, with regard to clause 17 of Bill C-30, which refers to the extenuating circumstances that police require to just get information, could she expound upon that? I think there is some confusion that police can get information without doing anything. There has to be extenuating circumstances. Could she explain that for the opposition?