House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 54% of the vote.
Political Financing March 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives did not say or disclose anything to Elections Canada. The RCMP had to raid their offices, at the request of Elections Canada, to obtain the information requested. They tried to falsify invoices with all the sophistication of a young child who brings home a bad report card and tries to make the F look like an A.
What kind of Prime Minister lets his lieutenants break the law?
Political Financing March 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, let me quote the Prime Minister, “Bend the rules, you will be punished; break the law, you will be charged; abuse the public trust, you will go to prison”. However, he should have added, “Unless you're a close friend of mine”. The Prime Minister's top four advisers not only bent the rules, but outright broke them and the law.
As for the public trust, can there be a stronger abuse of it than trying to subvert the electoral process, the bedrock of our democracy?
Why will the Prime Minister not take action against these four people?
Political Financing March 4th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, two senators may be thrown in jail for perpetrating election fraud of more than $1 million in 67 ridings across the country. These two senators were appointed by the Prime Minister himself, and two members of his inner circle are facing the same charges.
Canadians know that if they break the law, they will be punished. However, for those in the Prime Minister's inner circle, there is a double standard. Why is the Prime Minister turning a blind eye to these shenanigans?
Political Financing March 3rd, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I have to wonder about the integrity and sense of ministerial responsibility of some of the members in the first row opposite. I believe that the Minister of Foreign Affairs was the chief organizer for the Conservatives in Quebec when they dreamed up their electoral fraud.
Could he explain what the $10,126.18 was used for in his riding of Pontiac and could he tell us how much of that was reimbursed by Canadian taxpayers?
Political Financing February 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, is this an example of the Prime Minister making the rules?
The RCMP has even searched the Conservatives' offices. Unfortunately, taxpayers will have to pay a fortune to prove what we already know: the Conservatives cheated by committing election fraud.
Why is the Prime Minister allowing this money to be wasted? What exactly does the Prime Minister mean when he says that he is accountable?
Political Financing February 28th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, what has happened to openness, transparency and accountability? This is unprecedented in Canada's history: criminal charges have been laid against two senators appointed by the Prime Minister himself. If these senators are convicted of election fraud, they could be thrown into jail.
How can the Prime Minister condone such schemes?
Canada-U.S. Relations February 17th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, unlike citizens from other countries, Canadians have always been exempt from paying entry fees when visiting our neighbours to the south. This exemption was based on our excellent relationship with the United States, which is our closest ally and primary trading partner. The idea of eliminating the entry-fee exemption reflects the deterioration of our relationship with our neighbours and it is the first bad news to come out of the Prime Minister's visit.
Why is this government not protecting our interests?
Canada-U.S. Relations February 17th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, not only are they constantly undermining our international relations, but the Conservatives are also making Canadians poorer each time they talk to our neighbours. Yes, we have learned that the American administration plans to introduce a $5.50 entry fee for all Canadians entering the United States on an airplane or boat. This government has a hard time protecting our interests. First, it was $1 billion for softwood lumber, and now it is another $100 million that the Americans want to take out of our pockets.
How did this happen?
Abolition of Early Parole Act February 16th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, generally speaking, even though I do not agree with my colleagues in the Bloc, I find they approach bills in an intelligent manner, but not in this case. I have a question for the hon. member for Ahuntsic.
Yesterday evening, to add some intelligence to this bill, we proposed an amendment that would establish a $100,000 threshold for economic crime, to truly identify white collar criminals and differentiate them from other criminals who will of course be covered by this bill.
Why did the Bloc reject the intelligent amendment proposed by the Liberal Party?
Sales Tax Harmonization February 9th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure the government understands what harmonization means.
It is a question of fairness. This has gone on long enough. I would hope that the minister is not playing political games with Quebeckers on such an important issue. I hope that he is not planning on buying Quebeckers with their own money by using the harmonization agreement to sugar-coat the next budget.
Will the minister commit to settling this matter once and for all and stop playing cat and mouse?