House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2019, with 50% of the vote.
Health November 24th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I guess they are sad that they were not invited.
One key recommendation was for Health Canada to fund a drug shortages monitoring system similar to the FDA's in the U.S.
Will the government commit to this first step, or does it still think that timely access for prescription medication, as listed in the 2004 health accord, is not its responsibility?
Health November 24th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, fed up with government inaction on the critical issue of worldwide drug shortages, Liberals held a round table this morning with industry, pharmacists, academics and doctors to seek their input on the cause of the problem--
Points of Order November 16th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, it could become a question of privilege. In fact, this party voted for Bill C-10 in 2009. My hon. friend is misleading the House and I would invite him to withdraw his remark.
Points of Order November 16th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, as I pointed out today in question period, yesterday the Minister of State for Finance falsely claimed that the Liberal Party voted against an extension of time to convert RRSPs to RRIFs during the recent recession. In fact, the Liberal Party voted for clause 15 of Bill C-10 and the bill itself in 2009. He misled the House.
In view of the fact that my friend failed to take the opportunity during question period to stand up and do the right thing and apologize for misleading the House, I want to invite my friend to do what I know he has the class to do and to do so now. Perhaps while he is up, he could tell seniors why the government is refusing to give them more time to convert their RRSPs.
Seniors November 16th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the junior finance minister falsely claimed this party voted against an extension of the time to convert RRSPs to RRIFs during our recent recession. The fact is we suggested this measure, we supported this measure, and I voted for this measure.
It is sad to see this Conservative government shamelessly misleading the House to hide the fact that it is refusing to help these seniors. Why will they not give seniors more time to convert their RRSPs into RRIFs so that they can at least try to rebuild their value?
Seniors November 15th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, our seniors saw millions in hard-earned savings wiped out when the Conservatives broke their word and taxed income trusts several years ago. Now the government is sticking it to them again.
Seniors born in 1940 must convert their RRSPs into RRIFs this year, but the bottom has fallen out of the market, so their RRSPs have lost value and some have incurred substantial losses.
Will the minister allow them to wait to convert their RRSPs so they can at least try to rebuild their value?
Copyright Modernization Act November 14th, 2011
Madam Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member on her speech. She is perhaps aware that Conservative members shared their comments in a letter to their constituents stating that it would be acceptable to break the new law in order to circumvent digital locks.
Government members have apparently been saying that it would be okay to break the new law and to circumvent digital locks. The member for Calgary Centre wrote:
If a digital lock is broken for personal use, it is not realistic that the creator would choose to file a lawsuit against the consumer, due to legal fees and time involved.
In other words, he is suggesting not to worry about this, that the law can be broken and nothing would happen, that really we are encouraging consumers to break the law.
What does that say about the Conservatives' position, that they are telling Canadians to break this law that they have not passed yet?
Steel Industry November 14th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, representatives of the Canadian Steel Producers Association from across Canada are here today to highlight the importance of their industry.
Steel is integral to Canada's manufacturing sector and our economic future. The industry employs 25,000 Canadians, with 100,000 spinoff jobs. It is essential to our industrial clusters like shipbuilding, the automobile industry, energy and construction.
Today's steel is more efficient, innovative, strong and environmentally sustainable than ever before. Since 2005, Canadian steel companies have invested over $2 billion in new technologies and manufacturing processes.
I would encourage all members to support a strong future for the steel manufacturing sector in Canada.
Purple Day Act November 14th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Lambton—Kent—Middlesex for his kind words, his support of the bill and for his question, which is an excellent one.
While I would anticipate that people who are first responders would have training in how to deal with epilepsy, I do not know for sure. Firefighters visit us on the Hill. They were here a few weeks ago. We might ask them, or folks in our own ridings, whether that is the case. At the very least we can be sure that by promoting Purple Day and events that create awareness of this disorder people would become aware of what to do. That would include first responders. I suspect most of them would be well trained, as is usually the case, but it is something to check into to make sure.
Purple Day Act November 14th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her comments and kind words.
I think Cassidy and others involved with Purple Day to promote epilepsy awareness would want people not only to wear purple but also to learn about epilepsy on Purple Day, March 26. I would encourage everyone to visit the website, epilepsymatters.com, which is the website of the Canadian Epilepsy Association. The website has some very simple and clear information.
I would hope that we would have activities not only here but elsewhere in other countries. This movement has spread to 60 countries already. People would become more aware of what epilepsy is and how it happens. For example, epilepsy has to do with electrical currents in the brain. When there is a bit of an electrical storm, one might say, the nerve signals from the brain to the body do not work the way they should. The reason a person may be staring is that the signals from his or her eyes are not getting to his or her brain in order to understand what is happening.
It is interesting to read and learn about epilepsy. I hope that Purple Day would be an occasion for people to take the time to do that.