House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
Income Tax December 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we said that we will reduce the deficit to 3 per cent of GDP by the end of the third year of our mandate and we will do it.
He can make all the speeches he wants. We have a clear program. It is well documented, it will be met and it will be realized. He will see that we can do it.
Income Tax December 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the committee travelled across the country. It then made recommendations to the Minister of Finance who will review them. When the minister tables his budget in February, we will see which of these recommendations he intends to follow. The remarkable thing about the Bloc members who sat on that committee is that they could not make a single specific recommendation. They shied away from their responsibility to make decisions and recommendations. They speak eloquently, but they do not have the courage to take a clear stand.
Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty December 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, what is absolutely outrageous in the Parti Quebecois's proposal now is that they want to create 15 "yes" committees financed by the state. They proposed having 15 committee members, of whom 13 would be appointed by the party in power and two by the opposition parties. Since they are not confident in their cause, they want the PQ campaign to promote their cause in their ridings to be paid for by the taxpayers of Quebec.
We will go to Quebec and make speeches and it will not be paid for by the taxpayers of Canada. We will tell Quebecers that we do not want trickery; we want the truth, a clear, short, unambiguous question: Do you, in Quebec, want to separate from Canada, yes or no? It is as simple as that.
Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty December 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it is not very complicated. Right now, the Minister of Human Resources Development is making a fundamental reform in Canada without changing the Constitution. That is what we want: fundamental reforms.
Enough time has been wasted consulting people for years. We wasted seven years discussing constitutional changes and ended up with exactly the same situation and the federal system we have today. It was wonderful to see Mr. Parizeau say in his statement how we have advanced in Canada. He was talking about the progress Quebec made within the Canadian federation. Why change that? If we could do so well, we will continue to do even better by remaining in the best country in the world, Canada.
Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty December 8th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we want only one thing: a referendum as soon as possible in Quebec, under Quebec's Referendum Act, where they will not play tricks but be honest with the people and ask Quebecers whether or not they want to separate from Canada.
If they do that, we will solve the problem quickly and no longer hear about it. I hope that instead of the unnecessary complications which the Bloc members are now raising, we will take the question seriously and stop talking about the Constitution and separation and all work together on creating jobs and economic growth, which is what Quebecers want above all.
Health Care November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the minister indicated that this problem exists in the interpretation. It is being debated between nine provinces and the federal government in order to clarify what is covered by the National Health Act of Canada.
We are looking at this with the provinces. When this is concluded we will draw the line. If these clinics are not within the act we will withdraw the compensation as is mentioned in the act.
Health Care November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we are completely committed to the Canada Health Act and it has to be respected.
In terms of the interpretation, that question is being evaluated at this time. Everyone knows that not every aspect of health care is covered by the Canada Health Act.
We are looking into it. If it is against the Canada Health Act we will apply the act and withdraw the money.
Fight Against Aids November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I will try to explain the situation regarding this $1.5 million fund. I have said that part of it has already been allocated for the Vancouver Summit and that the minister will carry out her duty and allocate the remaining funds to areas where they can do the most.
Aids November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we have a budget that will be brought down in February. All items are now being reviewed. None are exempt, but there is no indication at this time that this particular item will be affected to a greater extent than other items. Personally, I hope funding will remain at the level we promised in the past.
Aids November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I gave no indication that we intended to cut funding. We all know people would like to see us spend more on medical research, not just for AIDS but for other causes as well. The government has committed $203.5 million over a five-year period, and we intend to meet our commitments.
If we had more resources, we would be able to spend more. We still have $1.5 million which has not yet been allocated. The minister has several options, including the summit on this issue to be held in Vancouver in 1996. Part of the money will be used to prepare the summit, which will bring experts to Canada and help us make some progress in this area.
Yesterday, I was not aware of what was happening to the $1.5 million, but that does not mean I am not aware of what is happening in this area. In this particular instance, I did not know, I made inquiries and I have the answer today. I am sufficiently humble to realize I cannot know everything.