House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2021, with 30% of the vote.
Human Resources and Skills Development March 22nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's budget was a triumph for small businesses, for workers and for Canadians, including those in the beautiful riding of West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country.
The minister announced a Canada job grant that will better align skills with that which employers need and with the jobs that are readily available. Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of HRSDC give us some indication of what responses the minister has had to the Canada job grant?
Search and Rescue March 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, further to the minister's comments just now, we Canadians have great reason to be proud of our Coast Guard. In fact, our Coast Guard provides expert SAR services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to protect our fishermen, our sailors, shipping and recreational boaters.
Under our government, Canada has seen the first new large vessel built for the Coast Guard in over 30 years. With this significant investment in the Coast Guard, would the minister assure us that the future of our Coast Guard is in good hands under this government?
Petitions March 1st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, like other members of the House, I rise this afternoon on behalf of many people from my riding and other parts of Canada.
They also condemn the practice of sex selective pregnancy termination. Among other things, they claim that in a poll some 92% of Canadians believe such sex selective pregnancy terminations should be illegal.
Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act March 1st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite cares deeply about this issue. It is a great pleasure to hear her speak so passionately. According to world-renowned philosopher Plato, reason is above passion.
I would like to ask the member two questions. We can see that logic and reason play a huge role in this bill. There is an analysis of the criteria we want to use when making decisions about the people being discussed today.
The minister emphasizes public safety. Among the four criteria presented, public safety is the first one we will base our decisions on.
What could be more important than keeping the public safe? What could possibly matter more than the safety of a community when we make decisions about the people we are discussing today?
Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act March 1st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, both my colleague and I are lawyers. As lawyers, we need to strike a balance between reason and compassion.
I very much prize the clarity by the minister and the government in balancing those things. I wonder if the minister might elaborate on the question of compassion, not just to victims, but others who are implicated in the types of crimes we are talking about. If there is a comment that puts the minister and the government in a good light, it is that we hit the equilibrium in the right place. There is clarity about the criteria, and there is still an emphasis on compassion, certainly to victims and maybe to others.
National Defence February 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on what matters to Canadians: jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. That is why our government made the strategic and historic decision to support the Canadian marine industry, to revitalize Canadian shipyards and to build ships for the Navy and Coast Guard right here in Canada.
It has been estimated the national shipbuilding procurement strategy will contribute 15,000 jobs from coast to coast to coast and over $2 billion in annual economic benefits over the next 30 years. Can the minister provide the House an update on this key job-creating strategy?
Heart Month February 13th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, February is Heart Month in Canada where heart disease and stroke take a life every seven minutes and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor. Heart disease and stroke are conditions that devastate individuals and entire families.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation makes a real difference in reducing heart disease thanks to its 140,000 dedicated volunteers and 2 million donors across Canada. Canadians have the power to “make health last” by addressing key risk factors, including physical inactivity, poor diet and tobacco use.
We in this chamber need to do our part by informing constituents about the importance of healthy living. One way is to encourage local governments to declare the first Saturday in June, national health and fitness day.
I would also like to invite all my colleagues to join me this evening in presenting the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to Pierre Lafontaine and Phil Marsh, two trainers who, each week, invest their best efforts in improving the health of all members. Their investment in us will make us role models for a healthier Canada.
The Environment February 4th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government has a rigorous system in place to ensure that petroleum is transported securely along our coasts. Tankers have been moving safely in and out of our ports for decades.
Economic action plan 2012 announced an additional $35.7 million over two years to further strengthen the tanker regulatory regime and oil spill emergency preparedness. Can the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities update the House on how we are taking action today to deliver on this commitment?
Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act January 29th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, certainly this government applauds the contribution of new Canadians, and that is why our government has admitted on an annual basis more new Canadians than have ever been admitted in the past. We are proud of that record and we continue to support immigration to our country.
In the case of this bill we have to remember the three reasons why it is in the House and why hopefully it will become law, certainly if my friends from the opposition put down their partisan cudgels and join to pass this legislation: first, to remove dangerous foreign criminals from our country, something all Canadians support; second, to make it harder for those who pose a risk to Canada to gain admittance to our country; third, to remove barriers for genuinely contributing visitors to our country and the vast number of those who would immigrate to Canada with good intentions to enrich our fabric.
Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act January 29th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Newton—North Delta for her work on the immigration committee, on which I also sit.
In fact, I heard the concerns about the minister having too much discretion. We know that, no matter which party is in power, things may change and we have to look at the government in a non-partisan way when we look at bills like this. That is why I brought in an amendment to add an annual report, which would be required of the minister so that there would be transparency when he applied this discretion. This report would require him to be very much in the light of public scrutiny before he used that discretion.
I take my colleague's concern very seriously. We added an amendment at committee, and I am very proud of that amendment, as somebody who cares very much for the human rights of Canadians.