House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 29% of the vote.
Afghanistan December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, when asked about the transfer of children to the Afghan secret service, the Conservative government replied that the transfer protocol has been changed, that the children were transferred to a juvenile detention centre and that 280 visits were conducted. That is important information, but there is one piece of information missing.
How many children were captured and handed over to Afghan authorities?
Afghanistan November 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs finally admitted that Afghan children were transferred to Afghan authorities. He also informed us that they were detained in youth detention facilities. He also said that Canadian authorities have made 280 visits. So he knows exactly how many children were transferred and may have received visits.
I simply want to ask him this: why is he refusing to say how many children were transferred and detained in these youth detention centres?
Copyright November 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that is a strange balance: all the consumers and artists in Quebec are against it, but big business supports it. I imagine that is balance for the Conservatives, who confuse taxes and royalties. It is rather strange, though, because there is never a problem when it comes to using taxpayers' money to purchase military equipment. However, it is a problem to use the same money to pay royalties to artists for their copyright, to which they are entitled.
Why the double standard?
Copyright November 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, close to 100 Quebec artists came to Ottawa today to protest against the Conservative bill that changes the scope of copyright. The bill does not take into account the reality of new technologies. Royalties are currently collected on CD sales, but no provision is made for levies on new media.
Will the Prime Minister finally get with the times and amend his bill to include a levy on sales of digital audio players that would be paid to artists for copyright?
Afghanistan November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission is worried about the attitude of the Canadians who allegedly transferred children to the Afghan intelligence service.
I would like a clear answer from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The question could not be more clear. Did Canada transfer Afghan children to the Afghan intelligence service, yes or no?
Afghanistan November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, information from reliable sources indicates that Canada transferred Afghan children to the Afghan intelligence service.
Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us, yes or no, whether Canada transferred children to the Afghan intelligence service?
The Environment November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the reason the Conservative government is no longer interested in following the U.S. lead on climate change is quite simple: the new regulations on clean fuel would harm the oil sands industry.
Will the Prime Minister admit that his priority is not to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but to protect the interests of the oil industry?
The Environment November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government has always refused to move forward with measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, claiming that it was waiting for the new U.S. regulations and that it would go from there. Now we learn that the Conservative government may be reluctant to model its measures on those of our American neighbour.
Will the Prime Minister admit that, not only is he far from being an environmental leader but, by refusing to adopt the already less stringent U.S. measures, he is not even doing the minimum required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Infrastructure November 25th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the March 31 deadline threatens 353 infrastructure projects in Quebec worth a whopping $210 million. That is not small change. Can the Prime Minister confirm that he will extend the March 31 deadline for all infrastructure projects and that he will not get into a case-by-case policy?
Infrastructure November 25th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, rumour has it that the minister responsible for infrastructure is about to announce a six-month extension of the March 31 deadline for infrastructure projects funded by the infrastructure stimulus fund. Yet the Minister of Finance said again recently that extending the deadline would be unfair to those who met it.
Can the Prime Minister tell us which of these two versions is the official position of the government?