House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
Code of Conduct March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, it is not appropriate, nor did the minister ask for any special treatment. He, as well as I know all members of this House, strongly support the airport security rules unequivocally.
We should work together in a non-partisan fashion with all Canadians to ensure that our airports are safe and that we work in a co-operative fashion with those people who are charged with that important public responsibility.
Code of Conduct March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I will not repeat the answer I gave earlier because I know the member for Windsor—Tecumseh heard it.
People at our airports, whether they be airport screeners, whether they work for the airlines or whether they work for the Airport Authority itself, have a very difficult job in a challenging time. They deserve the support of all Canadians. Those of us who serve as members of Parliament and as ministers of the Crown have a special responsibility in this regard.
Pensions March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I share the view of the leader of the New Democratic Party. I think we are all alarmed when we see news reports of executives getting large bonuses when those people who worked so hard, over so many years, to build the company are left wanting. That is something that is deeply concerning, not just to all members of this House but to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
The Minister of Industry, working together with the Minister of Finance and his colleague, the parliamentary secretary, are reviewing this issue. This was spoken to with some detail in the budget, in the throne speech. We just launched this session of Parliament. I am sure we will be discussing it in greater detail as we go forward.
Pensions March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, this government brought forward a throne speech and brought forward a budget that spoke to these issues. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance has had extensive consultations. We need to bring Canadians into this discussion. I know my colleague, the Minister of Industry has been reviewing this important issue. We obviously want to do two things. We want to ensure that the individual rights of pensioners are respected to the best possible extent, but also continue to have a growing economy that creates jobs and affords pensions to even more Canadians than already enjoy them today.
Rights & Democracy March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me say that our sympathies are with Madame Trépanier and her family on their loss.
I do hope that all members of the committee can put aside partisan politics and work together as to the number of witnesses who can be invited to be heard on this matter. We hope that these disagreements can be resolved so that witnesses like Madame Trépanier may be heard.
Airline Security March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me make a personal commitment to my friend from Don Valley West that we will get a copy of the minister's statement for him.
Airline Security March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, the minister has apologized to anyone who may have been offended. He did not ask for any preferential treatment.
We do not have a two-tier legal system. Members of Parliament, members of the federal cabinet, are just like every single other Canadian. All of the rules, all of the regulations, all of the laws apply to everyone in this country equally.
Airline Security March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. We know how hard and how stressful the work is that people do at our airports, whether they be with CATSA, whether they be airport employees, or whether they work for airlines. It is a challenging environment.
We should all come together and work to assist them in their important responsibilities on behalf of all Canadians to keep us safe.
Airline Security March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we must always remember that it is a great privilege to be not just a member of this place, but to also be a minister of the crown.
People at our airports, and I know very well the hard-working people at the Ottawa airport, have a very difficult job. They work extremely hard.
All members of the House will want to join me in saying let us work together to help keep our airports safe by cooperating with the officials.
Airline Security March 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Veterans Affairs has apologized to anyone that he may have offended. He did not ask for any preferential treatment. He strongly supports airport security measures unequivocally.