House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 35% of the vote.
Afghanistan February 13th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, yesterday we made our position clear on Afghanistan, but it is the government's position that remains confused.
We say begin a training mission in 2009. The Conservatives say begin training later. When exactly?
We say end the military mission in 2011. They cannot make up their minds when.
We say there is no military solution in Afghanistan. They say stick with the status quo.
We have spoken clearly on Afghanistan. When will the Prime Minister begin to catch up?
Afghanistan February 12th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has finally started to look for troops abroad, as he said, but so far he has not received any commitments from our allies. This cannot go on. Canadians need to know who will help us in Afghanistan and when they will do so.
Will the Prime Minister set a deadline for these negotiations with our NATO partners?
Afghanistan February 12th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has acknowledged today that Canada must secure a rotation of troops from its NATO partners if the mission in Afghanistan is to continue after 2009. Our party has been saying that for more than a year.
The Prime Minister has finally begun phoning around to secure the additional troops, but I am sure he understands that this process cannot go on indefinitely. Canadians need to know whether help is on the way.
Has the Prime Minister fixed a clear deadline for a conclusion to his negotiations with our allies?
Afghanistan February 11th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the government's motion on Afghanistan does not raise just one question. It raises three.
What is to say that 1,000 soldiers will be enough? When will combat end and training begin, as the government suggests? The third question is more important: when will the mission end? In 2011, will troops be withdrawn or will the never-ending war be renewed?
Afghanistan February 11th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, on Friday the government tabled its flawed motion on Afghanistan, but the motion begs a host of questions.
The most important of these is this: when the government speaks of extending Canada's combat role to 2011, is this a withdrawal date or a renewal date? Which is it: a limited mission or an endless war?
Afghanistan February 8th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the government claims to be taking a non-partisan approach to the future of the mission in Afghanistan. However, this morning, the minister launched a partisan and absurd attack on our party, as usual.
We cannot have an honest debate about our future role in Afghanistan if the government continues to make these ridiculous attacks.
I will ask a clear and simple question: is the government ready to seek a compromise on Afghanistan? Yes or no?
Government Policies February 8th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the government does seem desperate for an election, so let us look at its record: firing public servants who protect Canadians' safety, bungling detainee transfers in Afghanistan, subverting the Elections Act, breaking Treasury Board rules, and washing its hands as the forestry industry suffers.
Some record, some platform: how can the government possibly face an election with a record like that?
Government Policies February 8th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, Parliament Hill is a strange place these days because Canadians are being treated to the amazing spectacle of a government trying to defeat itself.
The reason is simple. The government is drifting. Its legislative cupboard is bare. The news keeps getting worse: nuclear safety, detainees, and forestry shutdown.
The government is desperate for an election before it is found out, so why does the government not just come clean and admit that it has given up on itself and is engineering its own defeat?
Afghanistan February 7th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, hiding behind the Manley report is not the answer. An additional 1,000 soldiers could turn into a simple political gesture or a symbolic presence, but our troops need help and reinforcements immediately.
I will ask the question again. Where will these 1,000 soldiers come from and what exactly will they do to help us? Canadians need an honest answer from the Prime Minister. Does he have one?
Afghanistan February 7th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, as we go into a national debate about Afghanistan, the government owes Canadians a clear explanation of its position.
The Prime Minister has said that he will not extend the mission unless he receives 1,000 additional troops from NATO.
If this is the policy, the Prime Minister ought to answer three basic questions. Why did it take him so long to pick up the phone? What assurances can he give Canadians that they will actually find the troops in time? And most important of all, what evidence does he have that 1,000 will make any real difference?