Jack Layton

[The Environment, December 7th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we learned that the Prime Minister is going to go off to China to lobby the Chinese on the environment. My question is for the Prime Minister.

What gives the Prime Minister the right to lobby anybody on the environment? The OECD rated Canada in last place. There was a red book filled with promises on the environment that were broken. There are people headed to emergency rooms after smog days; they cannot breathe in Canada. Where does the Prime Minister derive any right to go to China and lecture anyone?

[Petitions, December 7th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, following the tragic murder of Clayton Kempton Howard in my riding on December 13, 2003, a petition is being submitted by petitioners asking for the Minister of Justice to ensure that the standard and expected practices with regard to sentencing are put in place to deal with those charged, assuming there is a proper conviction.

Clayton Kempton Howard was much loved in our community. He was the most popular of community workers in the community centre in Blake Boultbee. On behalf of his mother, the many young people with whom he worked and served, and the entire community, I am pleased to submit this petition despite its tragic circumstances.

[National Defence, December 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, this waffling and prevarication is really quite astounding. If we go back to the advertisements in the last election, they were very clear.

The Prime Minister tried to claim that all Canadians with progressive values should support him and his party because he would not go down the road that we saw being carved out by the Bush administration. We see precisely the opposite. The Prime Minister is pursuing that road. He is in the middle of discussions.

Can the hon. minister find one progressive Canadian to support this position?

[National Defence, December 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

Today we learned that the Union of Concerned Scientists along with arms experts and people who know this material inside out are ratifying and confirming what the criticisms of the arms race have been all along. Missile defence is going to increase the buildup of arms globally. It is going to lead to the weaponization of space. It is going to take away from Canada's credibility in arguing for disarmament.

When will the Prime Minister stand up and say that he has heard the evidence, and that Canada will simply say no to missile defence?

[Violence Against Women, December 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, today we remember 14 young women, murdered because they were women, on December 6, 1989.

This is our National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

In the past 15 years, we have made significant changes: there are fewer firearms related deaths. Our police forces now receive training on domestic violence.

We have succeeded in raising public awareness through political activities such as the white ribbon campaign.

However, we have also seen many setbacks including reduced funding for women's shelters and decreased social assistance. Worst of all, each year the impact lessens as our memory of the event fades.

This anniversary is the time to renew our vow to fight violence against women in our homes, our workplaces and our schools.

This December 6 we must dedicate ourselves to ensure that violence against women is eliminated and that all women live in dignity, with respect and full equality in our society.

[National Defence, December 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we already know the Prime Minister's cavalier attitude toward the flag. With the evidence now absolutely clear that this is weapons in space, will the Prime Minister simply say no and say no now?

[National Defence, December 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, will the Prime Minister say no to Canadian flags on George Bush's missiles?

[National Defence, December 1st, 2004]

With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, I hope you will take the time from those who are shouting out. They used to have a chairman of their caucus who would have never countenanced that kind of behaviour. I can tell the House that the former chairman of that caucus would never have gone along with it.

Will the Prime Minister say no to Canadian flags on--

[National Defence, December 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, Colin Powell informed me that the weapons in space that are proposed, this time around, are different than the previous version of star wars because they are not aimed at earth. President Bush told me that the project was not being--

[National Defence, December 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, Colin Powell told me that the weapons in space that he proposes--