House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 46% of the vote.
The Environment February 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the fact is, now we have turned the corner and those dark years are over. We have the toughest targets in Canadian history: 20% absolute reductions by 2020.
However, the question still rings within this Parliament, the question from the leader of the Liberal Party, which is why did they not get it done.
The Environment February 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, today is Friday the 13th and, under the Liberals, every day was Friday the 13th.
The Environment February 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that 13 long, dark years of Liberal neglect on the environment has ended.
This is a quote I would like to share with the House, “I think our party got into a mess on the environment. We didn't get it done”.
Do members know who said that? It was the Liberal leader.
The Environment February 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, our commitment to cleaning up the environment has never been stronger.
In our budget we have $1 billion for green infrastructure, $300 million for eco-energy retrofits, and $1 billion for clean energy projects like carbon capture and storage. These investments in green technologies of tomorrow will help us combat climate change. It will clean up the air. It will provide good clean jobs.
The Bloc needs to support the budget.
The Environment February 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that we are working with President Obama. We are working with the provinces and the territories, and all our international partners to tackle climate change. Our targets in Canada, 20% absolute reductions by 2020, are some of the toughest in the world.
British Columbia February 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the government has delivered tangible benefits for British Columbia.
B.C. was the first province to sign an infrastructure agreement with the federal government. This will help deliver B.C.'s share of the $18 billion over two years to help build roads and bridges and fund the Evergreen transit line that will serve Burnaby and the tricities, growing communities that will benefit for decades from this investment.
B.C.'s Conservative MPs fought hard to deliver for our province and I am proud of what we have accomplished. We have met the downturn in the forest industry with billions of dollars toward hard-hit communities across Canada. Much of this will be directed toward communities in British Columbia. The people of the forest sector will benefit from our expanded EI program.
Our record has been made in B.C. front and centre. The residents of B.C. recognize that by re-electing Conservatives and decreasing Liberals and New Democrats, they are getting true representation in Ottawa.
The few remaining Liberal MPs have been demoted by their new leader.
CANADA NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS ACT February 6th, 2009
Madam Speaker, I listened intently to the hon. member who talked about a number of different things. He elaborated on the slowness that legislation moves through the House.
We are talking today about the Canada not-for-profit corporations bill. He spoke very little about that, but I want to ask him a question on it. Does he support the phasing out of the old legislation, the Canada Corporations Act, and providing a phase-in to the new act? It would help the not-for-profit sector. It is a good move. It updates the legislation. Will he help in moving the legislation along quickly or is he going to talk about a lot of other things and cause a slow glacial movement of legislation in the House?
The other question regards first nations. The member was involved with the former Liberal government for 13 long dark years and things did move very slowly. In my riding I have an excellent relationship with the Kwantlen First Nation, which for decades asked for help to stop the erosion of McMillan Island falling into the Fraser River. The former Liberal government was asked numerous times for help but it did not help. Again it was a very slow glacial movement. However, within months of our becoming the government in 2006, that problem was solved.
On the residential schools apology, again, the first nations were waiting for an apology. That apology happened under our government. I think the member is noticing a dramatic change in speeding up good legislation. With regard to matrimonial rights for first nations women, I think the member voted against that.
Maybe he could share why he is involved with a legacy of slowdown. Will he now support a government that is getting it done?
Petitions February 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I wish to present a petition from my constituency of Langley. It says that there are a number of life threatening conditions which do not qualify for disability programs and that current medical employment insurance benefits of 15 weeks do not adequately address the problem.
The petitioners are asking that the House of Commons enact legislation to provide additional medical EI benefits to at least equal medical maternity EI benefits.
Petitions January 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from residents of my riding of Langley,
The petitioners say that there are number of life-threatening conditions that do not qualify for disability programs and that the current medical EI benefits of 15 weeks do not adequately address the problem.
The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to enact legislation to provide additional medical EI benefits to at least, if not better than, maternity benefits.
Petitions December 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present a petition on behalf of my constituents in beautiful Langley. It reads that there are a number of severe potentially life-threatening conditions which do not qualify for disability programs because they are not necessarily permanent. The current medical employment insurance benefits of 15 weeks do not adequately address the problem.
Residents find themselves losing their homes and livelihoods while trying to fight these severe medical conditions. Precedence has been set within medical EI to compensate new mothers for up to a year. They are calling upon the House of Commons to enact legislation to provide additional medical EI benefits to at least equal maternity EI benefits.