House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 56% of the vote.
Citizenship and Immigration September 30th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, spouses are arguably the most important people in the lives of Canadians. In 2006-07, the government allowed more spouses to enter the country than its immigration plans had anticipated. Now we have a couple stuck in a Syrian war zone and mothers about to give birth who are being kept out of Canada simply because the government has already hit its arbitrary quota for spouses.
Will the minister do the right thing and allow Canadians to be reunited with their spouses?
Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act September 30th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, my colleague asked a brilliant question just before his speech in which he juxtaposed all of the Conservative free trade deals, which they have agreed to, signed and boast about on the one hand. On the other hand, we went from a situation of trade surpluses under Liberals and descended into deep trade deficits under the Conservatives.
The NDP might say that free trade deals cause deficits, but I am enough of an economist and a Liberal to think that free trades are good for the economy and should normally lead to improved trade balances.
When the Conservatives sign free trade deals, they should be good for the economy and trade, yet they have descended into massive trade deficits. Is there some other aspect of Conservative mismanagement which, notwithstanding these trade deals, led to huge trade surpluses?
Rosh Hashanah September 25th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, yesterday evening was the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Rosh Hashanah marks the start of 10 days of reflection and atonement for Jewish Canadians, culminating on Yom Kippur. It is also at time of celebration, as one gathers with friends and family to reflect on the year gone by and look forward to the promise of the future.
York Region has a thriving Jewish community, and I would like to use this moment to recognize them for their innumerable contributions to Canada.
On behalf of the residents of Markham—Unionville, I would like to wish a happy and healthy new year to all who are celebrating. May 5775 be a year of peace, prosperity, and happiness for all.
Shana Tova.
Petitions September 22nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present a petition that calls upon the government to rescind the government cuts in the interim federal health program and thereby end this barrier to care for refugees and the attendant confusion for health care professionals and refugee-serving organizations.
I do not always indicate whether I agree with petitions that I present, but on this one I am 100% in agreement. This is an entirely mean-spirited act by the government against the most vulnerable people in our country.
Citizenship and Immigration September 22nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the immigration minister a serious question about the world's worst refugee crisis, which is Syria.
Three months ago, I presented him with a non-partisan plan on this topic. I have yet to receive a response.
Now we hear that spouses of Canadians are stranded in Syria's war zones and will have to wait there for two years or more.
Will the minister follow the lead of other countries and devote the resources needed to issue visas quickly to the relatives of Syrian Canadians who are at such extreme risk?
Citizenship and Immigration September 18th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, in a move that is symptomatic of the Conservatives' callous disregard of family reunification, they have cut off the entry of spouses into Canada for the rest of the year because they have hit their quota.
Never mind that the spouses have already been waiting an average of 19 months, twice as much as before. Never mind that the government allowed the quota to be exceeded back in 2006-2007.
Why will the minister not simply do the right thing and let these spouses into Canada?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns September 15th, 2014
With regard to the government’s immigration commitments in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and Typhoon Haiyan, for each event: (a) on what date did applications open for persons affected by the crisis; (b) how many applications has the government received since that date; (c) how many applications (i) have been approved, (ii) have been rejected, (iii) are still awaiting a final answer; and (d) when is the government ending these special measures?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns September 15th, 2014
With regard to materials prepared for ministers or their staff, from January 23, 2014 to present: for every briefing document prepared, what is (i) the date on the document, (ii) the title or subject matter of the document, (iii) the department’s internal tracking number?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns September 15th, 2014
With regard to government expenditures on media monitoring: for every contract entered into, or in force, on or since March 21, 2013, what search terms were required to be monitored?
Employment Insurance September 15th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, even economist Jack Mintz and small business champion Dan Kelly have criticized the Conservatives' employment insurance plan. They say that it is bad for economic growth and could discourage job creation.
Why do the Conservatives not adopt the Liberal plan, which is much more targeted and includes a break from employment insurance contributions for new employees?