House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 35% of the vote.
Seniors December 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the same government that is spending billions of dollars on prisons and untendered fighter jets and is giving the richest corporations billions of dollars in gifts has also cut benefits to seniors. The Prime Minister denies the facts, but in an email sent on October 21, the minister defended the cuts made to the guaranteed income supplement for our most vulnerable seniors.
Why is the government going after vulnerable seniors? When will the Prime Minister fix this mistake?
Seniors November 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister is such a strong supporter of vulnerable seniors, he has a chance to show it, because in 32 days, the Nortel pensioners are going to lose their disability benefits and some of them are going to lose their houses.
It is not as if there is not a solution. There are plenty of solutions out there, including Bill S-216, held up in the Senate by Conservative senators.
Why is the government refusing to act, and is it possible that the government is going to let Christmas go by and have those disabled pensioners go to the wall?
Seniors November 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have still not put to bed the truth that they are trying to cut seniors' eligibility for the guaranteed income supplement at a moment when seniors poverty is skyrocketing, at a moment when the Conservatives seem to be able to find billions for prisons and fighter planes.
When will the government stop trying to cover up its own fiscal incompetence by putting it all on the backs of vulnerable seniors?
Seniors November 30th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Canada's seniors do not understand this government's priorities. This government is trying to cut the guaranteed income supplement for seniors, yet at the same time it has found billions of dollars for prisons and fighter jets. Explain that to our seniors.
When will this government stop making vulnerable seniors pay for its fiscal incompetence?
The Environment November 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, it is the opportunities we are missing that are staring us in the face. We could be leading in clean energy. We could be leading in emissions control. We could be leading in energy efficiency. Instead we are falling behind because the government does not have a plan, does not have an environmental vision. We are losing the chance to be green energy leaders to all the other countries.
When will the government understand that its indifference to the environment is costing Canadian jobs and costing our kids their future?
The Environment November 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, there have been five years of the Conservative government, three and a half ministers of the environment and still no plan. Last year the government did nothing during the Copenhagen debate. Next week it will send the part-time Minister of the Environment. He might as well go on a beach holiday for all the good he will do.
Why does the government not listen to those Canadians who long for leadership by Canada on the environment on the international stage?
The Environment November 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, this government lost Canada's seat on the UN Security Council. It lost the military base that our soldiers in Afghanistan depended on. Last year in Copenhagen, it lost all influence over the fight against climate change. Next week in Cancun, it will be sending a part-time environment minister.
Does the Prime Minister understand just how much his indifference to the environment has cost Canada's reputation around the world?
Public Works and Government Services November 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, let me raise another issue. In sworn testimony before a House of Commons committee, explosive allegations were made about how the contract was awarded for the renovation of the West Block.
For a year now, we have been trying to get to the bottom of this sorry affair and now there are lurid allegations about the minister and his cashmere coat. Why is the minister still in his job? When will the Prime Minister tell Canadians the truth about this affair?
Pensions November 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that answer will mystify the people who are struggling.
I have spoken about these pensioners many times. They do not understand the government's priorities: single-source stealth fighters, prisons, millions of dollars to clean up their messes. There are solutions to the Nortel pensioners' problem.
Why does the government show so little compassion and judgment on this issue?
Pensions November 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative MP for Saskatoon—Humboldt admitted recently that the government was spending like it was Christmas, and he is certainly right: billions on prisons, billions on single-source stealth fighters and $300 million to clean up the mess it made on Camp Mirage. However, when it comes to the Nortel pensioners, disabled pensioners whose benefits will run out at Christmas, the government starts behaving like Scrooge.
How does the government explain its reckless spending and its heartless choices to disabled pensioners?