House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
Quebec's Right To Self-Determination May 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in 1980, we allowed a referendum to be held on the question of Quebec's separation. As I said several times last week, and I say it again today, only 5 per cent of Quebecers see the issue of separation and the Constitution as a priority. It is my duty to deal with the nation's real problems instead of spreading political and economic uncertainty in this country, and to make sure that Quebec remains in Canada. And I am convinced that Quebec will remain Canadian.
Tobacco Packaging May 11th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to see the member on his feet, but about the question, that is another problem.
I do not think NAFTA has a lot to say about the way we should control that type of problem in Canada. Sometimes we hear things in committee we do not agree with. Evidently the hon. member did not share that view and I do not either.
Foreign Affairs May 10th, 1994
Jacques Parizeau now has a wait and see attitude: The wait-and-see attitude is back.
Indian Affairs May 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I said that there was no such committee, so why would ministers be invited to sit on a non-existent committee? Everybody is interested in this issue, including myself, who was Minister of
Indian Affairs and Northern Development for a long time. I am following the situation very closely.
I would like to be able to find a solution that would please everybody. This is a difficult problem and ministers are working with the people concerned to find a solution that will hopefully have the support of all parties. However, there is no committee, and therefore I cannot be accused of not inviting somebody to sit on a non-existent committee.
Indian Affairs May 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, there is no such official committee. Quite often, our ministers who work together meet to discuss certain problems, but we have significantly reduced the number of Cabinet committees in order to increase efficiency. A committee such as the one to which the hon. member referred does not officially exist.
However, meetings do take place between ministers who share common interests and I am happy to see that several ministers are willing to work together to help us solve the Mohawk issue.
Challenger Jets May 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the word I used.
Challenger Jets May 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I had nothing to add. I simply think that we have a problem and it is under review right now. We want to find a reasonable solution. We ask the Reform Party to be reasonable and not to be so sanctimonious.
Challenger Jets May 9th, 1994
They do not want to know the truth.
Challenger Jets May 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we are looking into this matter. There is a committee and the Auditor General. These planes are made in Canada and the government uses them. Canada is a vast country. Ministers have to move around the country if they want to do their jobs.
Because of the irresponsibility of Reform Party members they do not want to look at the real costs. Even when the plane is in the garage we pay for the pilot, we pay for the plane, for everything. When the plane is flying the only other cost is the fuel, but they say it is costing much more money. That is why we are not using them. We are looking into that. We will make sure this is managed better than it was with the previous administration.
However I hope this group of people will stop spreading lies because it is not costing-
Challenger Jets May 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member cannot have it both ways. She claims that when a minister gets on board a government plane it costs $20,000 an hour. She is sticking to that and we are listening to them. If it is costing that much money, why use it? We are looking into this issue to make sure the real costs will be known.
When the planes are not being used they still cost money. The pilots are still there. Reform Party members are so narrow minded on that and do not want to look at the facts. Now they are claiming because they are not objective they are causing the government to spend more money.