House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Eliminating Entitlements for Prisoners Act November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I believe that you would find the unanimous consent of the House for the following motion. I move:
That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practices of the House, Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act, be deemed read a third time and passed.
Business of the House November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me make an undertaking to my colleague, the House leader of the official opposition, to make enquiries into that and respond to him in short order.
The House will continue today with the opposition motion.
Tomorrow we will continue debate, and I know the NDP will be excited about this, on Bill C-10, Senate term limits; Bill C-19, regarding political loans; followed by Bill S-3, tax conventions implementation.
On Monday and Tuesday of next week, we will call Bill S-3, tax conventions implementation; Bill C-3, gender equity in Indian registration; Bill C-28, fighting Internet and wireless spam; Bill C-22, protecting children; Bill C-29, safeguarding personal information; and Bill C-30, response to the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Shoker.
On Wednesday and Friday we will call Bill C-41, strengthening military justice; and Bill C-43, RCMP labour modernization.
Thursday will be an allotted day. I believe this allotted day will go to the Bloc Québécois.
With respect to a take note debate, there have been discussions amongst the parties. There have not been a lot of take note debates. Two weeks ago we had one on veterans issues. I believe next week we will be having one on the issue of pensions, which I know is a concern for all of us, but particularly this was brought forward by the House leader for the official opposition. I believe we are looking at Tuesday night for that.
I appreciate the co-operation we have had from all parties. This gives members an opportunity to bring issues relevant to their constituents forward in the House.
The Environment November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to take credible action to support a clean environment. We will continue to take measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We will continue to work with Barack Obama's administration south of the border.
If the member opposite wants to stand in his place and criticize unelected senators making decisions, we could end it all today. We could pass legislation that would bring an elected Senate to Canada. We could pass legislation that would end 45-year terms for unelected senators and limit the terms to 8 years. The member should stand in his place, and let us do the right thing.
The Environment November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, climate change is an incredibly serious issue. We have brought forward a series of initiatives and policies designed to reduce carbon emissions in Canada. We are working very closely with the administration of President Barack Obama in the United States.
If the member opposite does not like the actions of the Senate, I urge her to stand in her place and support our government's agenda to elect the Senate, to stand in her place and limit Senate terms to eight years and to stand in her place and do the right thing.
Afghanistan November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that is not true and it is totally ridiculous.
The Environment November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have signed on to the Copenhagen accord, as have some 138 countries around the world. Under that accord, we will be reducing our emissions by 17% by 2020.
We have already begun substantial action with the administration of Barack Obama in Washington, targeting particularly the transportation sector, where for the first time ever we have a North American common standard that will reduce GHG emissions on vehicles. We are moving into trucks and light vehicles. We are moving into marine and aviation. We are working significantly with the Obama administration. We think that is the right thing to do.
The Environment November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, there was a good debate about the bill. The member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie should listen to some of what our colleagues in the House of Commons said about the bill.
One member said that it was a publicity stunt by the leader of the NDP. The same member said that the leader of the NDP wanted to continue to play media games to try to frighten Canadians, mislead Canadians and be dishonest with Canadians. The same member said, “We don't think C-311 constitutes a climate change plan for Canada”.
Why will the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie not listen to my friend from Ottawa South?
National Defence November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we believe we have an important responsibility, not just to honour the memories of the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces who contribute so much to peace and security and so much to the rebuilding of Afghanistan, but also to the people of Afghanistan, to ensure we see this mission through.
That is why, while ending the combat mission, a training mission will continue. We think that is good for Canada, good for the people of Afghanistan and good for the national security of all of us.
National Defence November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite started his question by talking about the issue with the United Arab Emirates. Why is the leader of the NDP standing behind a foreign-owned, state-controlled foreign corporation instead of behind the working men and women of the CAW and of CUPE? Maybe he could tell that to the House.
National Defence November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to stand up and do what is right for Canada. It was not just the government that came to this conclusion on this position. Others are stepping forward to support this as well.
Why does the leader of the NDP not listen to Ken Lewenza, the national president of the Canadian Auto Workers? Why does he not listen to Paul Moist, the national president of CUPE, who wrote a letter to the Prime Minister saying, “We support your position on this matter”.