House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 20% of the vote.
Political Party Financing November 16th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, first the leader of the ADQ publicly and formally disassociated his party from the Conservatives and its chief fundraiser in Quebec, Senator Leo Housakos. At that time, Mr. Housakos' municipal fundraising practices and his friendships were being aired in public. Then the leader of the ADQ revealed he had discovered troubling information regarding fundraising practices at the ADQ.
Were any of these issues raised in the inquiry conducted before naming Mr. Housakos in the other place?
Employment November 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, so far, more than half the job losses during this Conservative recession have affected young people. Again in October, 50% of the 43,000 jobs lost were held by this category of worker. Last year, youth employment dropped by nearly 10%, which is unprecedented. Young Canadians are disproportionately affected by the recession and disproportionately neglected by the Conservative government.
Instead of wasting $100 million on propaganda, why have the Conservatives not instead increased funding for young entrepreneurs?
Robert “Bob” Beauchamp November 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise here today to thank Robert “Bob” Beauchamp for his loyal service to the members of the House of Commons.
Bob Beauchamp has worked on the Hill for the past 31 years. During this time he has seen eight Prime Ministers and many members of Parliament come and go.
A devoted family man, Bob Beauchamp is also a loyal volunteer at the Aylmer branch of the Canadian Legion and with the Knights of Columbus.
I would also like to take this opportunity to underscore the quality of the work of all employees of the House of Commons. Their dedication and skilful performance of their duties supports the work of parliamentarians, and Bob Beauchamp was part of that great team. His was a career marked by enthusiasm and commitment.
We all noted, however, that his enthusiasm was inversely proportional to how fast he drove his car—we are sure he has never received a speeding ticket while driving on the Hill.
My colleagues and I would like to wish Bob Beauchamp a happy retirement, and we hope he will enjoy every minute of it.
Health November 4th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, it is worse than it looks.
While millions of Canadians are still waiting to be vaccinated, the Conservatives are wasting $45 million on signs that are completely useless.
Will the Conservatives cancel their propaganda campaign and redirect those funds to help the provinces vaccinate Canadians as soon as possible?
Infrastructure November 4th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is confused. That contract was for a vaccine for avian influenza.
Under infrastructure funding agreements, the Conservatives are off-loading onto the municipalities the cost of the creation, printing and installation of signs to promote the Conservatives. These expenditures total $45 million, which the Conservatives are passing off to the municipalities.
Why are the Conservatives forcing the municipalities to do their dirty work, that is, spread their propaganda?
Crown Corporations November 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, before his Senate appointment, Leo Housakos was already benefiting from his privileged relationship with the Prime Minister. On December 7, 2007, he was appointed to VIA Rail's board of directors. Now, VIA Rail is preparing to award a major equipment refurbishing contract to an American company. This will cost some 500 Canadians their jobs.
How did Senator Housakos benefit from these job losses?
Crown Corporations November 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, Robert Abdallah's name has joined those of Senator Housakos, Dimitri Soudas and Tony Accurso on the list of people at the heart of the scandal that has been rocking Montreal, and indeed, all of Quebec.
The mayor of Montreal said that senior public servant André Delisle had raised serious doubts about Mr. Abdallah. Mr. Delisle tendered his resignation as soon as Mr. Abdallah was hired.
What qualities did the Prime Minister see in Mr. Abdallah to try to impose him on the Port of Montreal?
Government Contracts October 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I just named three government departments that recently awarded contracts to Senator Housakos' employer. I forgot one: the Canadian International Development Agency. It appears that Senator Housakos is quite versatile.
We knew that Senator Housakos' employer was awarded a contract for the work on the Champlain Bridge. What role did Senator Housakos play in the awarding of a contract recently by the Federal Bridge Corporation for the work on the Mercier Bridge?
Government Contracts October 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, Senator Housakos' employer has a very productive vice-president of business development.
What role did he play in the awarding of a contract by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to his employer? What about the contract his employer received from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada?
We know that Senator Housakos and the Prime Minister's advisor, Dimitri Soudas, are very interested in the defence industry.
Did they have something to do with DND's awarding of a contract to Senator Housakos' employer?
Mr. Speaker, Canada's participation is minimal compared to that of the U.S. government, which will control 60% of the company's capital for an investment of $30.1 billion.
In that same August 19 letter, considering the thousands of workers at General Motors dealerships who had lost their jobs or would lose their jobs over the coming months, and in an attempt to keep its member's employees informed, the corporation asked the Government of Canada whether it had forced General Motors to close so many dealerships in Canada.
The member opposite perfunctorily said that his government did not force General Motors to close dealerships. So I have to wonder why the government has not had the guts to give the Corporation des concessionnaires d'automobiles du Québec a clear answer in writing.