John Cannis

[Veterans Affairs, November 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, as the son of a World War II veteran, that man is being intellectually dishonest with that response. The government's record speaks for itself: broken promises on agent orange; broken promises to injured soldiers who are in court today to get their compensation; and broken promises to veterans' widows in the letter from the Prime Minister promising Mrs. Joyce Carter that he “would immediately extend the Veterans Independence Program services to the widows of all Second World War and Korean War veterans”.

Can the Prime Minister keep his word? Can he and the minister be honest?

[Veterans Affairs, November 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, in November 2005, I chaired a special meeting to address the issue of agent orange and compensation for our veterans. The current Minister of Veterans Affairs was also invited as he represents that area. He and his Conservative Party stated that we should use the studies from the Americans and that they were all completed and that it was sufficient enough.

The Conservatives also said that if they were government they would compensate immediately. It has been two long years. They have just announced a partial proposal for compensation. Why did it take them so long? Why are they not treating our veterans fairly?

[Foreign Affairs, October 26th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, in his clandestine and behind closed door decision-making style, decided to recognize the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the Republic of Macedonia. There are negotiations going on at the UN between Greece and FYROM to resolve this issue as we speak. As the Liberal leader has stated, we support the process at the UN and will respect the outcome.

I am not surprised at the Prime Minister for he has no respect for democracy or due process. For example, he has hand-picked a group of people to do a review on Afghanistan and make recommendations, causing Canadians to spend millions of dollars unnecessarily.

Where has the Prime Minister been? The defence committee has completed months of hearings and has presented him with recommendations. Has he read the report? Has he even looked at it? Obviously not.

The Prime Minister should respect due process, respect democracy, respect Parliament and Canadians, and more so, respect our troops and not use them as political pawns.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, October 18th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with one thing the member for Parkdale—High Park said and that is that the direction the government is taking is fundamentally wrong.

My colleague talked about housing, child care, seniors, climate change, student tuition, cities, urban transit, student summer work programs, et cetera. The NDP made some recommendations with respect to all of these issues for the 2005 budget, which the Liberal government accepted at that time, so why did she betray her constituents and vote against the government at that time? The reason the Conservatives are in power today is because of the NDP. Why did she betray her constituents?

[Committees of the House, May 31st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, before I ask my question, believing the conspiracy theory of the NDP is almost like believing the California Golden Seals are going to win the Stanley Cup next week.

I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage a question. The previous member from the NDP talked about job losses, water, et cetera. First, those members are really the cause of this because of what they did last time.

Given this is a provincial and federal responsibility and given the member's government has been in power for almost a year and a half and there has not been one meeting with the premiers, could he then consider passing on to the Prime Minister that at least one ministerial meeting be convened with the first ministers of the provinces and the Prime Minister of Canada so they can discuss this issue and lay it to rest, once and for all, that there is no such conspiracy?

[Shawn McCaughey, May 28th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, last week, Canada lost another member of its military family. Captain Shawn McCaughey, a member of Canada's world famous Snowbird squadron, was killed, unfortunately, when his plane went down during a practice session in Montana.

Captain McCaughey was 31 years old and a very beloved member of his squadron and the military community at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

The Snowbirds carry this country's flag at air shows and other flight demonstrations around the world. They are standard bearers of excellence and professionalism in our military. Captain McCaughey was a proud member of this superb team of flyers.

On behalf of the leader of the Liberal Party, my caucus, all members and all Canadians, I too wish to extend my most sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of Captain McCaughey.

We also offer our gratitude to the Snowbirds, all the pilots and the support staff who work together on behalf of us and Canada.

[Business of Supply, May 17th, 2007]

The last question I have, Mr. Chair, has to do with a most recent event and that is when the wife of the Leader of the Opposition wanted to visit CFB Wainwright in Alberta. I am not saying it is accurate, but rumour has it that through DND, instructions were given that for Ms. Krieber, who is a former professor and is well acquainted with what she wanted to do, there would be no media, no publicity and basically to visit the families. I am not saying that the minister had instructed specifically but certain instructions were given.

Can he assure us when an individual or individuals who meet the qualifications and have a significant role to play that such a request will not be denied in the future?

[Business of Supply, May 17th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I want to go on to the ITAR program which is the program that allows Canadian workers to participate in repair, maintenance and so on of our equipment. We know there is a blockage in terms of Canadians who were born outside the country with dual citizenship. Could the minister give us an update as to what is happening with that file?

[Business of Supply, May 17th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, can the minister assure the House that should that discussion unfold and should Canadians be asked to extend the mission, before the government commits to extend the mission, as we are faced with the so-called caveats today around the table, he will demand that these caveats be lifted and not restrict other members of NATO in their participation? Can he assure us that these caveats will be lifted?

[Business of Supply, May 17th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I will move on to my other question. It has to do with the mission overall with respect to the caveats. I am glad that the general is here.

We know very well that a year or so ago we extended our mission to 2009. I believe it was in May when there was a vote taken in the chamber.

We know that these things are planned on a long term basis. Can the minister today commit at least to give notice to our NATO partners, given that we are committed to a certain date, so that they can plan ahead? We know that NATO, of course, often does plan ahead. NATO does not make decisions overnight.

Can the minister assure us that this discussion will unfold with NATO?