House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 42% of the vote.
International Trade October 24th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the minister's attempt to bully Europe into submission on CETA is not working, and it is unbecoming. Wallonia is not caving into the pressure, and the fact is that millions of Europeans and Canadians share concerns with the agreement and its potential impact on drug prices, dairy producers, and environmental regulations.
This delay is an opportunity to improve the deal. Will the government drop the manufactured deadlines and sit down at the table to fix the problems with this deal?
Phoenix Pay System October 24th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, last week I heard from a Victoria man who serves in our Coast Guard. After long weeks at sea, his backlog of overtime, unpaid because of the government's new Phoenix pay system, had reached $15,000 and prevented him from buying a house.
For him and his shipmates, financial stress worsens the isolation at sea. However, he is far from alone. In fact, some 400 members of our Coast Guard are waiting for thousands of dollars in overtime pay.
Wednesday was payday at the Coast Guard station, and my constituent heard promises that the problems were over. Instead, he was not paid at all.
These workers want to serve Canada but they cannot afford to volunteer. I ask the government to please reach out immediately to Coast Guard workers in B.C. and offer them straight answers about when this burden will finally be lifted from their shoulders.
Ethics October 21st, 2016
Madam Speaker, more words, less action, less jobs.
The Prime Minister's ethics rules were very clear. I want to quote: “There should be no preferential access to government, or appearance of preferential access,” for political donors.
Now it is clear, those were just empty words. Ministers do not follow them, and the Prime Minister will not enforce them.
The question is simple. Will the government turn that empty promise of good intentions into actual rules that are enforced?
Aerospace Industry October 21st, 2016
Madam Speaker, 2,000: that is the number of Canadians who are about to lose their job because of the government's inaction.
Workers at Bombardier have been waiting a long time for the government to make good on its investment promise. What have they actually received to date? Nothing.
Companies around the world are global giants today because their home governments invest in them. Does the government understand that, and will it finally deliver its investment promise needed to keep good-paying jobs at Bombardier here in Canada?
Community Action Program for Children October 21st, 2016
Madam Speaker, for 21 years, the community action program for children has supported local initiatives to help at-risk children and their families.
In Victoria, this federal funding allows community centres to offer children's activities for free and help parents access services and support. Often, these families have low incomes. They are single parents, new immigrants, or have indigenous ancestry. All of them want to build a better, healthier life for their children.
However, with funding flat for a decade and the need constantly rising, programs are falling behind. Kids in Victoria are literally being turned away at the door.
I would like to impress upon the House the tremendous value that federal CAPC funding brings to all our communities. I hope we can work together to strengthen it for the parents and kids who count on it.
Health October 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals may be walking away from a new commitment to mental health funding. Quebec's health minister said that he was worried that funding for mental illness is not a priority for this finance minister or this Prime Minister because “they don't see a political gain on that.”
While it may not pay off like cash-for-access fundraisers, I can assure the House that for Canadians suffering from mental illness, there is much to gain.
Will the Liberals commit to real negotiations with the provinces based on that rather than based on political calculations?
Ethics October 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's ethics rules were very clear. I want to quote: “There should be no preferential access to government, or appearance of preferential access,” for political donors.
Now it has come to light that the Minister of Finance has held cash-for-access fundraisers. These occurred at the same time and in the same locations as his budget consultation tour. No wonder the Liberals love consultations.
Are the new ethics standards promised to Canadians in effect for Liberal ministers as well? Yes or no.
Justice October 17th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, when the government does not fulfill its responsibility to fill vital appointments, it has a tangible and direct effect on Canadians.
Earlier this month a first-degree murder charge was thrown out in Edmonton due to unreasonable delays. The national judicial vacancy rate has more than tripled since the government took office. Judicial vacancies cause the entire justice system to slow down.
When will the Liberal government take the appointments process seriously and fill these vacancies?
Rosh Hashanah October 6th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to wish a happy new year to all those who celebrated Rosh Hashanah here in Parliament, across Canada, and around the globe.
Tonight I will be attending an event hosted by the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies here on the Hill, and I encourage all members of the House to join me there. I also wish to share with my colleagues that the Tour for Humanity is parked in the east lawn laneway. All members are invited there for a group photo at 3:30 today.
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of a season of renewal. It is a time to strengthen commitments to making our communities, Canada, and our world a kinder, gentler, and more peaceful place. It has been one of the great pleasures of my tenure as an MP to come to better know the Jewish community in Victoria, proud home of Congregation Emanu-El, Canada's oldest surviving synagogue.
To my friends at home, in the House, and across the country, Shalom and Shana Tova.
Paris Agreement October 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I want to salute the passion my colleague from Drummond has shown for the environment since I met him in this place. I can only confirm what he has said. We did bring a bill forward. It was a real bill. To the everlasting shame of Parliament, that bill was defeated by unelected, unaccountable senators. That is something we should all be ashamed about.
The Liberals do not appear to have a plan. They have aspirations, and I salute those aspirations, but the time has come to have a real plan of action to actually do something that would be meaningful, not simply talk about it, as we did with Kyoto, but roll up our sleeves and work with the provinces, local governments, NGOs, and industry to bring about the future our children and grandchildren deserve.