Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to the speech given by my colleague from Timmins—James Bay. I know he used to be the trade critic for the NDP, I believe, in the previous Parliament.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 56% of the vote.
Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act January 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to the speech given by my colleague from Timmins—James Bay. I know he used to be the trade critic for the NDP, I believe, in the previous Parliament.
Petitions January 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table in the House a petition, one of a number of petitions I have tabled over the years that deals with the issue of date rape drugs. This is an issue that I have pushed in this House a number of times calling on the government to have tougher penalties against those who use date rape drugs to abuse women.
The petitioners are mostly from the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack areas.
The petition was actually given to me by a constituent who used to live in Abbotsford who was a victim of a coward who used a date rape drug to abuse her. She collected these signatures through a lot of hard work with a good friend of hers as part of her recovery from what she is going through as a consequence of her attack. She is an incredible woman. I know she is watching and I am very proud of what she has done and I table this on her behalf.
Infrastructure December 10th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, recently the Government of British Columbia signed on to our government's building Canada plan, the largest investment in infrastructure since the second world war.
British Columbia became the first province in Canada to sign on to our plan, which means that projects will move ahead, infrastructure will be built, and B.C. will see our tax dollars put to work addressing our needs.
This plan provides more funding over a longer period of time than any previous federal infrastructure program, and B.C. will receive our fair share of tax dollars, invested in our communities.
At the signing ceremony with the Prime Minister, Premier Campbell said,“I thank [the] Prime Minister...for working with us to make British Columbia the first province to sign onto the Building Canada Fund that will help meet the needs of a growing population and a strong economy”.
For too long, British Columbians have watched in frustration as our tax dollars went to Ottawa and never seemed to come back. Those days are over.
By working together, putting in place the building Canada plan and putting commitments into action, British Columbia will be made stronger and more prosperous. When it comes to B.C. issues, we are getting the job done. Our government is serving the people of British Columbia.
Firearms Registry December 7th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I do not agree with the way my colleague presents the information as fact, when it is not.
Our government is determined to have efficient measures for gun control and it is comfortable with the decision to cancel this contract. This is a good management decision that will save taxpayers money.
Firearms Registry December 7th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the government has nothing to hide. The $10 million was not a settlement with CGI. It was a payment for work already performed.
Public Works and Government Services December 6th, 2007
I want to let the House know that the NDP member who made the accusation made a full retraction on the phone yesterday and apologized. I look forward to her making that public. When she does, I will consider this matter behind me and behind this House. I hope nobody in this House goes through what I did in the last 24 hours. Let us leave the ugliness behind. Let us serve our constituents and build a better Canada.
Public Works and Government Services December 6th, 2007
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can, but I actually wanted to take just a brief second to talk about what happened yesterday, if I may. I want to thank all my colleagues in the House for the kind words from all sides and for the support they gave me yesterday. I want--
Polls December 6th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, not at all. The report will be made public very soon.
Polls December 6th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the report will be made public very soon.
Points of Order December 5th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, with respect, I have taken great efforts throughout my political career to treat all my colleagues with the deepest of respect. I do not know where this attack is coming from, where these allegations are coming from. It is utterly baseless, utterly nonsensical.
I thank my colleagues every day and my constituents every day for giving me the honour of serving in the House. I would never do anything like what is being described to me today. I take great offence to what is being alleged here. I would never do what has been talked about. I respect the House too much to even consider doing what has been described to me. I love this place, I love serving my constituents and I am offended that this has even been alleged.