Mr. Speaker, I understand that there may be some problems with the report if it is expected by February 30.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 29% of the vote.
Regional Development February 14th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I understand that there may be some problems with the report if it is expected by February 30.
Regional Development February 14th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development. A while ago, the Minister of the Environment announced that a consulting firm had been hired to advise her on the choice of the Canadian city that will host NAFTA's commission on environmental co-operation. During the last election campaign, the current Minister of Finance promised to make every effort to bring the headquarters of international organizations to Montreal and to turn Quebec's largest city into a world environment centre.
My question to the finance minister is this: Will the minister keep the promise he made to Montrealers during the election campaign?
Supply February 10th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 43(2), I wish to bring to your attention that the Official Opposition members will share their time and make ten-minute speeches followed by five-minute periods for comments.
Indian Affairs February 8th, 1994
Will the Prime Minister commit himself to meet with Mohawk leaders in order to defuse tensions and to reaffirm his determination to enforce the law everywhere on the territory, while demonstrating clearly that he will not be swayed by threats of armed reprisals?
Indian Affairs February 8th, 1994
I am trying to take part in a civilized debate. May I speak, Mr. Speaker?
Indian Affairs February 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport is having a hard time keeping his cool, but I will try to put my question anyway.
Indian Affairs February 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.
Yesterday, in the house, the Minister of Indian Affairs said that he did not want to force another Oka. He was in a way explaining why his government is reluctant to take action on the reserves of Akwesasne, Kanesatake and Kahnawake in order to put an end to smuggling.
Why is it that the Prime Minister refused to meet, on an urgent basis, the Mohawk leaders of Akwesasne, Kanesatake and Kahnawake?
Cigarette Smuggling February 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I would remind you that there have been over 70 violent deaths on Akwesasne over the past seven years and that the Mohawk people are presently being terrorized by a handful of individuals. Is it not the responsibility of this government to ensure that all the inhabitants of this country, including the Mohawks living on Indian reservations, can live in peace without being terrorized at the hands of a few individuals?
Cigarette Smuggling February 7th, 1994
My question is for the Prime Minister. A few days ago the chief of the Akwesasne reserve, Mike Mitchell, stated:
"[The police] are going to have to be reminded that there are a lot of weapons that exist here-and trying to pursue this in a violent manner is going to be met with probably a very hostile manner as well".
Does the Prime Minister think this is idle talk? Does he think that the police should let themselves be intimidated on the Akwesasne reserve?
House Of Commons Standing Orders February 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am not judging the government's intentions. My judgment was based on what will happen in practice.
First of all, in committee, there are no more than two or three members from opposition parties, which limits considerably their ability to speak. Second, a debate in committee is not as public and general as a debate in this House, where all Canadians can find out, through newspapers and television, what the members said about a particular issue.
With regard to votes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I will tell you that a member's work in his riding is not only on weekends. Very often, we have to go back to our ridings during the week. Moreover, in the past, votes were held mostly on Mondays and very rarely on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. If we are to vote on a particular day, why not choose a day when more members are present. This would allow us to strike a better balance between our work in our ridings and our work here in Ottawa.
We were told in the past that it was impossible to defer a vote for more than 48 hours. That is what has always been done. I think there is a very simple solution: to defer votes for 72 hours. It is just 24 hours more and that is exactly what was done when the Prime Minister was scheduled to give a speech in Toronto last Monday. The government thought that 72 hours instead of 48 made a lot of sense. It allowed the Prime Minister to be here for the vote. I think that what was done for the Prime Minister could very well be done for other members of the House.