House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
Petitions October 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition from a number of my constituents and those across the GTA.
The petitioners call upon the government to do everything it can to prevent cruelty to animals and reduce animal suffering and support a universal declaration on animal welfare.
Retribution on Behalf of Victims of White Collar Crime Act October 22nd, 2009
Madam Speaker, one of the things I am so excited about, not only about this legislation but about some of the other legislation that we have been bringing forward, is that we are finally putting the rights of victims ahead of criminals.
I wonder if the parliamentary secretary might comment on the fact that many of the frauds that are being committed are being committed using technologies that are readily available at home. I am wondering if he might comment on whether sentencing someone to house arrest might just lead to the offender reoffending, and whether he agrees that this is another reason that we should be imposing some minimum mandatory penalties on these heinous crimes, the crimes he mentioned that affected a curling club in his riding. He also might comment on how those curling club members must have felt to know that they had been defrauded by a gentleman of this sort.
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada October 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want an election. Constituents of mine, like Brian Patterson from Pottageville, have said that they want the parties to put their differences aside and focus on Canada's economic recovery.
That is what members on this side of the House are doing.
However, the Liberal leader does not care what Canadians think. His party is intent on forcing an unnecessary and opportunistic election. While we are fighting the recession, the Liberal leader wants to fight the recovery.
We will continue to implement Canada's economic action plan. Our plan is working. There are signs of recovery but the situation is still fragile. Our government is committed to staying on course. We remain focused on the economy and helping Canadians.
The Liberal leader can continue to try at every chance to force an election, that is his prerogative, but we will continue to fight the global economic recession.
This is just more proof that the Liberal leader is not in it for Canadians. He is in it for himself.
Business of Supply October 1st, 2009
Madam Speaker, I listened with interest to the comments of the hon. member across the way. It was very interesting. The speech was actually a commercial of why Canadians cannot trust the Liberal Party.
He stands in his place and says that for three years they sustained the government. They did not agree with things, but they sustained the government. Yet, he got up in his place and voted for things that he did not believe in. Here is the underlying problem with the Liberal Party and why Canadians can never trust the Liberal Party to govern. It has no principles, it has no substance and it will fight for nothing.
When that party was in power, it attacked the provinces. The Liberals took some $25 billion out of the provinces' hands. Who did that impact? It hurt health care. It hurt people on social assistance across this country. They did not ask the provinces how they could do this together. They simply unilaterally took a hatchet to health care, to social programs and social services.
We put forward an economic action plan to help our unemployed. What did they do? They voted against it. We brought forward an action plan to help Canadians who want to renovate their homes. How did they vote? They voted against it. We put forward $200 billion in tax cuts for Canadians, for working families. We brought forward initiatives on crime. How did these people vote? They voted against it. They should be ashamed of themselves for trying to force an election that nobody wants.
Seniors of Oak Ridges--Markham September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to recognize a few of the outstanding seniors in my community who were recently recognized by the town of Markham.
The recipient of the Hall of Fame Award this year was Dennis Patchell. Dennis is bound to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, but that did not stop him from starting the Tabs for Chairs program, a worldwide program that has collected more than 3.5 billion aluminum can pull-tabs, giving almost 200 people wheelchairs.
Doreen Lawson, who has been involved with Older Adults in Action at the Markham Senior Centre for more than 10 years and has volunteered at the Markham-Stouffville Hospital, received the meritorious service award.
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Philip Garnet, the Chair of the Board of Directors of Participation House in Markham, and Marjorie Nielsen who has been involved with Girl Guides of Canada for many years, has been a member of the Markham multicultural association and currently volunteers at the Markham Seniors Centre.
These amazing individuals continue to give back to our community and are yet another example of why I am so proud to represent such a great community.
Employment Insurance Act September 17th, 2009
Madam Speaker, I note that it took the hon. member 13 years in office to figure out certain things on employment insurance. However, I think most Canadians know where the member comes from. She is the same member who recently told our brave men and women in the armed forces that they should not be proud to wear the flag on their knapsacks. She is an hon. member who represents a party that walked out on unemployed Canadians recently.
Many good things are happening across this country. A constituent of mine, Mr. Baljit Sierra, an owner of Novo Plastics, raves about everything the government has done with respect to helping him and his business in this time of economic uncertainty and raves about employment insurance and employment sharing programs.
I wonder if the hon. member has noted in her riding all of the companies that have benefited from the economic action plan and what she will say to them now that her party simply wants to close down Parliament and turn its back yet again on the hard-working men and women of this country.
Leader of the Liberal Party September 16th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition continues to prove why Canadians should not trust him.
He says one thing in public and another in private. He says one thing in the west and the exact opposite in the east.
His most recent act of doublespeak was with regard to the Ontario government's decision to harmonize its sales tax with the GST. In early September the Leader of the Opposition said, “--the thing that concerns us is that the [Prime Minister]...basically pushed sales tax harmonization across the country”. Yet yesterday, we learned that his office has quietly told Ontario's premier that he is okay with the plan.
Sadly, this has become a pattern. In B.C. he said that there should be no money for the auto sector, but in Ontario he said the exact opposite.
What are the Leader of the Opposition's views on anything? That depends on the time zone and whether he is behind closed doors or not. It is becoming clearer by the day that the Leader of the Opposition is not in it for Canadians. He is in it for himself.
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act June 19th, 2009
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-431, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Oak Ridges—Markham.
Madam Speaker, this is a simple bill. It changes the name of my riding to include the historical towns of King and Stouffville which were left out of the name of my riding when it was created in 2004. The two mayors and many citizens of both areas have long been calling for this change.
It is Canada's most beautiful riding. It is also Canada's largest riding in terms of population. The name, while recognizing the urban south of the riding, mainly Markham and Oak Ridges, ignored the important rural portion of the riding, which is Whitchurch, Stouffville and King. With this name change, it would make it easier for me and the two communities to market the communities throughout Canada and around the world.
I look forward to finally including King and Stouffville in the name of my great riding and being able to call it the great riding of Markham—Stouffville—Oak Ridges—King.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
His Highness the Aga Khan June 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government has built a strong and meaningful relationship with His Highness the Aga Khan, imam of Ismaili Muslims worldwide. We have partnered on numerous projects in Asia, Africa and Afghanistan, where the Aga Khan Development Network is a vital partner in our efforts to secure and improve the lives of Afghan citizens. We have also partnered on the Global Centre for Pluralism right here in Ottawa to promote ethnic, cultural and religious tolerance.
Would the Prime Minister take this opportunity to update the House on any developments in Canada's relationship with the Aga Khan?
Taxation June 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, according to a report, tax freedom day falls on June 6 this year. Tax freedom day, as the House knows, is the day that Canadians are free of their tax burden and can begin working for themselves and their families.
Unlike the opposition, I have actually read our government's budget, so I do know that we have cut taxes in every form that the government collects them.
I wonder if the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance can comment on the date on which tax freedom day falls this year. I understand that it is nearly 20 days earlier than under the previous Liberal government.