House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 30% of the vote.
Ending the Long-gun Registry Act February 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I want to correct my colleague on the Conservative side. I have talked to many police officers. In fact, I worked at an institute that trained police officers. I have also talked to many chiefs across this country, the leaders of police forces across the country. Yet the Conservatives choose to ignore those very police officers who want to keep the gun registry.
Why are the Conservatives not listening to the leaders of this country who want to keep the gun registry?
Ending the Long-gun Registry Act February 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I really do not know what to say here, with the Conservatives basically ignoring the chiefs of police who have told them many times that the gun registry is a tool they use daily. Police officers use the gun registry thousands of times a day to further their investigations.
The Conservatives have ignored the fact that the RCMP considers the registry a tool for it to solve crimes. Furthermore, the 2010 RCMP evaluation of the Canadian firearms program states:
—10 of the 13 police officers killed on the job in the last decade were murdered by long guns—
I wonder if my colleague could tell me why the Conservatives will not allow this tool to be used by the RCMP so those police could be safer on their jobs?
Ending the Long-gun Registry Act February 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I had a chance to sit in committee after second reading. Victim after victim said that we needed to keep the gun registry. We heard from chiefs of police. We had letters.
The member across pointed out that the gun registry did not increase the safety of the RCMP or police forces. Yet the chiefs of police, the very people who are leaders in our country, want to keep the gun registry.
Is the member telling the truth or are the chiefs of police telling the truth? Who is telling the truth about the safety of our police officers?
Ending the Long-gun Registry Act February 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the member's question was not answered so I want to echo what my Liberal colleague asked.
Conservatives will have us believe that police officers do not want this registry. However, the chiefs of police, the people who have gone through the ranks, have lots of experience dealing with many issues relating to policing.
Could the member tell me whether there is a divide between the police officers and the chiefs of police?
Ending the Long-gun Registry Act February 7th, 2012
Madam Speaker, I am a new member to this chamber. There are many rules and regulations and things to learn in Ottawa. One of the things I have learned about in the last six or seven months is time allocation. Thanks to my colleagues in the Conservative Party, I now know what time allocation is. It is denying my right to speak on behalf of my constituents to represent their views.
The minister says that this issue has been talked about for 17 years. My constituents would like to have a voice in this chamber. What do I tell them about the government not allowing their member to speak in the House?
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2012
Madam Speaker, the speech was fact based. Yet on the other side the Conservatives are constantly fudging the numbers to suit their hidden agenda, on the backs of our seniors who have worked hard to build this country. Those seniors should be able to enjoy some of the benefits in their senior years, to be able to live in dignity.
Is this the beginning of the end of how the public pension system works in Canada?
Royal Canadian Mounted Police January 31st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are also hearing contradictions from the government on the issue of the RCMP. We deserve to know.
Is the new RCMP commissioner able to meet with whomever he wants? Canadians want to know. Is the RCMP free to communicate about important issues without approval from the minister's office? Canadians want to know.
I hope the government will clarify whether it is interfering with the RCMP?
Senate Reform Act December 8th, 2011
Madam Speaker, the second house has been abolished at the provincial level, and it has worked. I believe it is time to have a referendum so that Canadians can decide whether we want to keep that house or not. That would be a true democracy.
Senate Reform Act December 8th, 2011
Madam Speaker, I want to point out that the true voice of Quebec is being represented in this House by my colleagues who were elected on May 2.
The other house is undemocratic and unelected. The only voice that is being represented there is that of the Prime Minister.
In response to my colleague's question, the only way we can truly listen to Canadians on whether to reform or abolish the Senate is to have a referendum. The sooner we do that, the sooner we can get on with the reform or the abolition of that undemocratic, unelected institution.
Senate Reform Act December 8th, 2011
Madam Speaker, I am very proud of the team from Quebec, my NDP colleagues who were elected on May 2. I want to thank Quebeckers for electing them to this House of Commons.
I basically disagree with the premise of that question. The senators do not have a voice. It is an undemocratic, unelected institution. The Prime Minister is the one controlling everything. As we have seen in this House, bills have been rammed through. My Conservative colleagues are limited to their speaking notes, so basically the Senate is duly unelected. The true voice of Quebec is being represented by my NDP colleagues in this House.