House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
Liberal Leadership Campaign May 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I think that everybody knows that people are making contributions to individuals in leadership campaigns in different parties.
I have never heard any people who gave money to the Tories, the Alliance, the NDP or Bloc Québécois complain that I have tried to do something against them because they did not support my party, or because they supported my party at the same time. It is quite frequent in that business.
Agriculture May 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we were not very happy when we saw that problem develop. I would like to congratulate the ministers and officials of the Department of Agriculture in Ottawa and in Alberta for the diligence they have shown in coming to grips with the problem.
We had some good news in that there was only one cow affected in that operation. There is some work still going on and there is the question of the consequences for the people affected. Of course, the Minister of Human Resources Development will see what she can do in order to be just for these people as was done for the people of Toronto.
Political Party Financing May 14th, 2003
He does not want to be a senator.
National Defence May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to take this question because the President of the United States is taking the same type of helicopter to go from Washington to Camp David. So, we are putting at risk the safety of the Canadian soldiers and the Americans are probably putting the safety of the president at very grave risk in using that helicopter.
National Defence May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to intervene here. Those people are always complaining that we are spending too much money. The minute that we try to have what is needed at the best cost, no, they would like to have the Cadillac model rather than have what is needed. They just want us to spend more money. I am surprised. The opposition is asking us to spend more, spend more, spend more.
National defence May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, there will be a debate and everyone will have the opportunity to express themselves. If there are members of my party who want there to be negotiations, they can say so. I have never forbidden anyone from expressing themselves.
If the opposition holds a vote on this, when they are able to hold a vote, the members will vote on it. However, in the meantime, we will discuss it in caucus. Now, it has been decided that we can even discuss the matter here in the House. That is what is meant by permission to discuss a problem before the government makes a decision.
Foreign Affairs May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, there will be a debate in the House tomorrow and the minister will be discussing that.
Perhaps I can use the occasion while I have the floor to inform the House that the WHO advisory on Canada on SARS has been lifted at 2:30 this afternoon.
On behalf of all the members of the House of Commons I would like to thank the people of the federal and provincial governments who have worked--
Fisheries May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I see how irresponsible members of the opposition are when they say, closing the fisheries.
In 1991 the fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador represented $280 million of income. Last year it was $517 million. The industry is still progressing. It is doing better with some types of catches, but unfortunately, because of the balance of nature, some other species are less profitable. It is nature.
Compared to last year, there has never been more income coming to Newfoundland and Labrador from fisheries.
Fisheries May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, as I just said in English, I met with the Premier of Newfoundland myself, in my office, a few days ago and I discussed this problem with him. There have already been some proposals concerning federal jurisdiction over the fisheries.
At the time, the Maritime provinces agreed that it would be best if the federal government managed the fisheries because the interests of the various provinces would be better served. Otherwise, there would be daily conflicts about the quotas in one province or another. What can I say; that is the way mother nature operates. Fish swim around, while the provincial borders remain the same.
Fisheries May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I said, and I repeat, that there is no desire of any provincial government to re-open the Constitution and go back to Meech Lake and Charlottetown, and debate all the problems of the Constitution of 10 years ago. We did not debate that. We discussed the real problems of the Canadian population and it is why Canada is in such good shape.
I met with the premier when he came here last week. I also met with members of Parliament and this morning in caucus the three of them said that it was not true that they were threatening to resign from the caucus. But that was not what was in the press.
Members should base their questions on real facts rather than pretensions that I do not want to be the Prime Minister and that members cannot express their views.