House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2025, with 60% of the vote.
Petitions June 15th, 2012
Madam Speaker, I have the pleasure today to introduce a petition from Bramptonians, calling upon the government to create a national survivors and victims day for those who are survivors and victims of child abuse. Survivors of child abuse have endured the stigma and have been shunned and, therefore, we have a day for survivors and victims of child abuse.
The petitioners call upon the government to make July 20 a day of acknowledgement.
The Budget June 15th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, over the past few days we have spent an incredible amount of time on economic action plan 2012. We remain focused on this legislation, as it is the top priority for Canadians: jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. We remain committed to economic action plan 2012's positive long-term plan for the economy, while the opposition continues to advocate for big government and high taxes.
We look forward to this legislation being passed so we can put these positive measures to work for Canadian families.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance please speak to the benefits of economic action plan 2012?
Ride to Conquer Cancer June 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this weekend I, along with thousands of other Canadians, will participate in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer to raise money for cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Princess Margaret Hospital is one of the top five cancer research hospitals in the world.
Over the course of two days, we will ride in excess of 220 kilometres. In 2011, 11,000 riders participated and raised over $43 million. In five years of existence, the ride has become Canada's perennial cycling event and has been its most successful fundraiser.
This year, I will ride in honour of my father and my mother, both of whom passed away from cancer. As my own family proves, two Canadians in five will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
I encourage all Canadians to get involved in their communities to raise money for cancer research.
The Budget May 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, Canada's economic action plan 2012 is full of measures to promote job creation. It is important that we pass this legislation quickly so these measures can start helping job creation in our country.
The NDP continues to look out for the interests of its special interest fringe groups and its big union bosses. Economic action plan 2012 includes important measures that will stimulate the Canadian economy while protecting the environment. This includes support for many environmental initiatives.
We will continue to strike a balance between protecting the environment and protecting the economy. It is time we bring this important bill to a vote so Canadians can see the benefits of Canada's economic action plan 2012. We urge the NDP to put the best interests of Canadians ahead of the interest of its special interest groups and big union bosses and support this important budget.
Business of Supply April 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I have listened with interest to the comments from the opposition today. I have a quote from David Dodge, the former governor of the Bank of Canada. He said:
--we’re at least 15 years late in getting started in raising that age of entitlement for CPP, OAS and the normal expectation as to how long people would work in the private sector with private-sector pension plans. That’s absolutely clear....
He also said:
I would just hope that not everybody on the opposition side of the House is crazy. There’s lots of people there that understand full well that there’s a big problem here.
My question for the member opposite is this: is he crazy or is he saying that the former governor of the Bank of Canada is wrong?
Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards March 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate several young people from the great city of Brampton who have been chosen as nominees for the 2011 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards.
Each year the Ontario Community Newspapers Association recognizes individuals between the ages of 6 and 17 who are working to make a difference in their communities and around the world. These exemplary individuals go above and beyond what is expected of someone their age. They look past their own needs and inspire those around them to give rather than to take. They are truly the leaders of tomorrow.
Young people are chosen from across the province each year for this prestigious award. I am pleased to say that this year Brampton had eight nominees: Stacey Noronha, Anna Akoto, Dhruv Bhalla, Althea Camarillo, Shekhar Kumar, Hersh Bansal, and Raineisha Griffith, and Ashmandeep Kroad.
I congratulate each and every one of them and wish them the best of luck in the future.
Safe Streets and Communities Act March 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, what we constantly hear from the other side is how the legislation would deal with that poor person who may be growing a few marijuana plants in the basement and that this is prejudicial to him or her. Perhaps the minister could re-explain to the members on the opposite side of the House how this legislation targets those who traffic in drugs.
Status of Women December 9th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 30th anniversary of Canada's ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It happens on December 10, Human Rights Day.
Canada was one of the first countries to sign and ratify this convention, which set international standards for eliminating gender discrimination. It provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men in economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights.
Promoting equality for women and their full participation in the social, economic and democratic life of our country is a priority for our government. In line with our treaty obligations under this convention, we continue to take targeted action so women and girls are safer, more secure and much more economically successful.
Fair Representation Act December 6th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal proposal would do exactly that.
The other thing that the Liberals have not told us about their proposal is that they would make rural ridings exceptionally larger to get closer to representation by population, which would make those ridings much more difficult to manage. We heard a member stand today to say that it is difficult for his constituents to come and do that.
We need to balance all kinds of different interests to ensure the country works for everyone. We will not create gigantic ridings for rural Ontario in order to compensate taking seats away from different provinces, like the Liberals want to do.
Fair Representation Act December 6th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, does my friend not understand that we have constitutional guarantees for certain seats for certain provinces? Is he suggesting that we get rid of those? It would appear he is.
We also have certain legislative elements that set certain benchmarks for seats. Is he saying that we get rid of those? Again we would be pitting provinces against provinces.
We would be saying that one province's seats would be taken away. We would take away the legislation that was designed to protect its seats. That plan says, “That is gone. We are giving it to someone else. Too bad, you lose and somebody else wins”.
That is not what we are doing. That is what they want to do. They want to pit region against region, take seats from one province and give them to another. It is not how we are going to do it.