House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 56% of the vote.
Airports February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, on November 9, the Minister of Transport promised to reduce or freeze airport rents but, so far, we have not seen any action.
Cliff Mackay, of the Air Transport Association of Canada, said yesterday, and I quote:
By not reducing airport rent, the government is wilfully undermining the economic competitiveness of the Canadian air transportation system.
He is right: this is very serious.
Why does the Minister of Transport not fulfill his promises?
Air Transportation February 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport claims to be gung-ho about an expanded open skies agreement with the United States. However, international aviation law is incredibly complex and getting this deal done requires a specific plan on how to get that done.
Yesterday the Minister of Transport confessed to the committee that all he has done is prepared a seven-page document that is half questions and that he does not have a blueprint beyond that to actually have consultation to get this thing done.
How can Canadians trust a transport minister who does not have a plan and who does not understand the issues associated with opening our skies?
Air Transportation February 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, in connection with the airline industry, the Minister of Transport yesterday declared his preference for open skies and indicated that this had cabinet approval. The concept is good, yes, but clearly the minister has no plan. His questions are rhetorical in nature, he comes up with a seven-page pamphlet, and he claims to be prepared to negotiate with the Americans.
With such an important objective, why the minister's willingness to pilot the project alone and with no map?
Airports February 16th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, according to the Auditor General, the Liberal's much promised airport rent review due in the fall of 2002 is still not ready. Meanwhile, her report shows the government's airport taxes are projected to rise from $332 million to nearly $1.3 billion in the coming years. So much for the promised freeze. Taxpayers are being ripped off, once to build the airport, and then again to pay for these rents.
When are the Liberals going to stop ripping off Canadian airports and Canadian travellers?
Sponsorship Program February 10th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I do not know to whom the public works minister is referring when he says, “we are supporting Justice Gomery”. The transport minister refers to the inquiry as water torture. Jean Chrétien's testimony was an insulting comedy act. Former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley has been attacking the investigation.
When will the Liberals walk their talk outside the House and tell people like Warren Kinsella, Jean Chrétien and John Manley to stop attacking Justice Gomery and support the inquiry right through to the end? When will they do that?
Sponsorship Program February 10th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are doing everything they can to defame the Gomery inquiry. Here they keep asking us to allow Justice Gomery to do his work. Outside the House they talk about how much the inquiry is costing and they make disrespectful comments about Justice Gomery.
After seeing them in action, why should we believe they sincerely support the Gomery inquiry?
Petitions February 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, my third and final petition from my constituents recognizes that date rape drugs, GHB and Rohypnol, as drugs used in common sexual assault.
They call upon Parliament to amend the Criminal Code to treat these drugs as date rape drugs, establish a national initiative to educate women on the dangers of date rape drugs and to establish a national task force to develop new guidelines in the collection and documentation of evidence in sexual assault investigations.
Petitions February 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, in the second petition that I am pleased to present, the petitioners cite children suffering from autism spectrum disorder as being among the weakest and most vulnerable citizens in Canadian society.
The petitioners believe that until a cure is found, children with autism can benefit from the provision of intensive behavioural intervention therapy treatment based on the principles of applied behavioural analysis.
Therefore the petitioners from my riding call upon Parliament to amend the Canada Health Act and regulations to include different forms of therapy as a medically necessary treatment and to require that provinces provide funding for this autism treatment, and to contribute to the creation of a university chair in order to provide this treatment.
Petitions February 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions.
I am pleased to present a petition signed by constituents from my riding of Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam and neighbouring communities.
The petition cites the Chinese detainment and torture of Falun Gong practitioner, Kunlun Zhang, who is a Canadian citizen.
The petitioners wish to draw Parliament's attention to the human rights abuses against Falun Gong practitioners in China and call upon the government to prosecute those who torture Falun Gong practitioners.
Sponsorship Program February 9th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, Montrealers are sad and worried. The Liberals involved in the Internationaux du Sports de Montréal have vanished, like imposters.
Will the Minister of Transport order an inquiry on the use of the $16 million poured into Serge Savard's empty pool?