House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 50% of the vote.
Petitions March 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition signed by Canadians and members of the Burundian community, citizens of Canada.
The petitioners are condemning the continuing violence in Burundi. They are asking the government to restore the suspension of removals on Burundi for a minimum of three years and to grant permanent residency to those who sought asylum before the July 23, 2009, measure.
The Environment December 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, eight out of ten provinces have a climate change plan with targets that are three to seven times more aggressive than what this Conservative government is offering.
On average, the provinces are aiming to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 15% below 1990 levels by 2020.
How can this government, which has no plan of its own, go to Copenhagen and take credit for what the provinces have done?
Business of Supply December 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the hon. member who has experience on the defence committee. I would ask him to remind us all what the role is of parliamentarians in overseeing generals and the Canadian armed forces.
Football November 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, it was all football all the time this weekend. First, I want to congratulate the Queen's University Golden Gaels, from Kingston, and the University of Calgary Dinos for making it to Quebec City for the finals. My biggest congratulations go to Queen's for winning the Vanier Cup for the first time in 17 years.
In fact, Canadian football fans were treated to two extraordinary finals. I want to congratulate the Roughriders and the Alouettes who put on quite a show last night.
With a fourth quarter full of suspense that saw both teams fighting with courage and determination, bar stools and chesterfields from coast to coast were vacated time and time again as fans leapt to their feet.
Our Montreal Alouettes showed us that perseverance can push us to perform miracles and that if a week in politics can be a lifetime, four seconds can make or break a football season.
The Alouettes are the Grey Cup champions this year. For the sixth time, our Alouettes were cheering last night, saying, “I love Montreal”.
Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, that Montreal loves them right back.
Afghanistan November 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, bits of blacked-out documents with key information missing are not disclosure. Non-answers in the House are not disclosure. Rhetorical personal attacks are not disclosure. We need to get at the truth. The international reputation of Canada and our military is at stake here.
Why is the government afraid of a public inquiry to get at the truth?
Afghanistan November 26th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, We now have the sad spectacle of Mr. Colvin, the three generals yesterday and no doubt Mr. Mulroney today all having access to documents that members of Parliament cannot see. We are barred from having access to information that the government itself has full control of and that ministers and even retired generals can review. We are asked to do our work in total darkness. This is a flagrant case of obstruction of justice.
How can the government justify this charade?
Child Protection Act (Online Sexual Exploitation) November 25th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see the bill come forward and I certainly support the intent of it. If the government is as tough on crime as it says it is, I am curious to know the rationale for not putting this into the Criminal Code and instead leaving it on the civil side of things.
Health October 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, my question was about youth. The figures clearly show that this government has once again let them down. In addition, had this government done its job, there would not be this much confusion about the H1N1 vaccination. Instead of informing the public about this virus, the government preferred to spend $100 million on Conservative propaganda.
When will this government realize that the health and safety of Canadians has to take precedence over partisanship?
Health October 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, last July, two thirds of Canadians were planning to get vaccinated against H1N1, but now only half of them are planning to get vaccinated. And the figures are worse with respect to youth. A mere 36% of young adults are considering getting vaccinated, and that percentage is even lower in Quebec. That virus is targeting young Canadians, and this government is not getting the message across to them.
How do these Conservatives think they can justify once again not looking after our youth?
Bill C-311--Climate Change Accountability Act October 8th, 2009
I will take advantage of this moment, Madam Speaker, to remind the hon. members opposite that the Liberal Party in the 2008 election, in which I was elected, had an ambitious plan regarding the environment. It was not universally accepted and we find ourselves in opposition because of it. However, the idea that we had a plan at least is not something that I am going to disagree with. Right now we are continuing to be in opposition. The Conservatives are in government. It is not so bad that an opposition party has not revealed every detail of its plan. What is bad is that the government has not revealed any details of any plan.